A VOYAGE TO Guiana performed by Robert Harcourt of Stanton Harcourt in the Countie of OXFORD Esquire IN the yeare of our Lord 1608. and the three and twentieth of March when I had furnished my selfe with one ship of fourescore Tunnes called the Rose a Pinnesse of sixe and thirtie Tunnes called the Patience and a Shallop of nine Tunnes called the Lilly which I built at Dartmouth and had finished my other businesse there and prepared all things in readinesse to begin my voyage the winde reasonably seruing I then imbarked my companie as followeth In the Rose I was accompanied with captaine Edward Fisher captaine Edward Haruey master Edward Gifford and my cosen Thomas Harcourt And besides them I had of Gentlemen and others one and thirtie land men two Indians and three and twentie Mariners and Saylers In the Patience my brother captain Michael Harcort had with him of gentlemen and others twentie land-men and eleuen Mariners and Saylers In the Lilly Iesper Lilly the Master had one landman and two Saylers so that my iust number too great for so few ships of no greater burden was in all fourescore seuenteen wherof threescore were land-men Being thus imbarked wee set saile from the Rainge at Dartmouth the said three and twentieth of March but the winde altering vpon a sudden put vs back againe that euening and about two of the clock the next morning it comming better for vs we weighed anchor and put to Sea the euening following we lost sight of the Lyzart and steered away for the Canaries Vpon Saturday the first of Aprill 1609. towards the euening the winde increased and grew so violent that my Shallop which we towed in a Cablet by reason of the foule weather was that night seperated from vs for by the rage and fury of the winde and Sea the Cablet brake in sunder and the little Barke was in great danger to be cast away but it pleased God to preserue her for the next morning we discryed her to Leeward of vs contrary to our expectation hauing giuen her lost Then holding on our course the seuenth day wee fell with Alegranza and Lancerote two Islands of the Canaries wee stoode in with Alegranza and came to anchor on the South-west side thereof that euening and the next day I landed my company to exercise their limbs on shoare in this Island we found no inhabitants nor fresh-water neither fruitfull tree plant herbe grasse nor any thing growing that was good onely an abundance of vnwholsome Sea-foule which after one meale were vnsauory distasteful a few wilde Captitos or wilde Goats which the craggy rocks defended frō our hands and hungry mouthes The eighth of Aprill we departed from Alegranza and directed our course for Tenerife another of the Islands The eleuenth day I sent the Pinnesse and the Shalloppe to water at the calmes and there to attend my comming but with my Shippe I held my course for Orotauo a towne on the other side of the Island in hope to get some wine amongst the Merchants there but not being able by reason of a contrary winde to double Punta de Nega wee altered our course from wine to water And the twelfth day wee Passed by Santa Cruz and watered that euening at the Calmes This watering place is very conuenient for all such as passe by those Islands and is thus to bee found there is a wooden crosse neere vnto it the high Pike of Tenerife beareth due North from it There is also a ledge of rockes to the Eastward of the landing place which is a short Sandy bay When you are landed you shall finde the place about fourty or fifty yardes from the Sea side The next day we met againe with the Pinnesse and the Shalloppe who missing of the right place had not yet watered wherefore wee stood backe againe to guide them to it but the winde preuenting vs enforced them to seeke for water elsewhere which with some dificulty they obtained vpon the fifteenth day in the morning Then wee stood on our course for the riuer of Wiapoco in Guiana hauing aprosperous winde faire weather and a smooth Sea The ninth day of May wee fell into the current of the great and famous riuer of Amazones which putteth out into the Sea such a violent and mighty streame of fresh water that being thirty leagues from land wee drunke thereof and found it as fresh and good as in a spring or poole This riuer for the great and wonderfull breadth contayning at the mouth neere Sixty leagues is rightly termed by Iosephus Acosta the Empresse and Queene of all flouds and by Hieronimus Giraua Tarraconensis it is said to bee the greatest not only of all India but also of the whole world and for the greatues is called of many the sweete Sea It riseth and floweth from the Mountaines of Peru and draweth out her streams in many windings turnings vnder the Equinoctiall for the space of one thousand fiue hundred leagues and more although from her fountaines and springs vnto the Sea it is but six hundred When wee entred into the aforesaid current wee sounded and had fouerty fouer fadome water sandy sounding The tenth day the colour of the water changed became muddy whitish and thicke then wee sounded againe at twelue of the clocke at noone and had thirteene fadome and seauenteene at fower in the after noone The eleauenth day at eight of the clocke in the morning we made land the vttermost point thereof bearing West from vs and came to anchor in fiue fadome water At night the Patience putting in to neare the shoare came to anchor in 2½ fadome water vpon the floud which fell from her vpon the ebbe and left her dry vpon the Oaze and the next floud comming in did so shake and beate her against the ground that before shee could get off her rudder was beaten away and her ribbes so rent and crased that if Almighty God had not preserued her she had been wrackt but God bee thanked with much adoe shee came off into deeper water and mended her rudder as well as the time and place would afford meanes Then wee followed on our course coasting along to the North-north-west the land so trending It is very shoale all along this coast the ground soft oaze but no danger to bee feared keeping our ship in fiue fadome water When wee came to the latitude of two degrees and a halfe wee anchored in a goodly bay by certaine Islands called Carripapoory I did at that time forbeare to make particular discouery of this coast intending if God spare me life to make a perfect discouery of the famous riuer of Amazones and of her seuerall branches and countries bordering vppon it and of all this tract of land from the Amazones vnto the riuer of Wiapoco which containeth many goodly Prouinces and Signiories which are in this
nations the Yaios Arwaccas Sappaios Paragoâ—tos and their enemies the Charibes all inhabiting betweene the riuers of Amazones and Dessequebe haue made a long and dangerous voyage into those parts to appease their discentions and defend them against the Charibes or other enemies that shall molest or oppresse them and now being there arriued do intend to make search in those Countries for conuenient places where such of our Nation as shall hereafter come to defend them may bee fitly seated to dwell amongst them that if any of those Nations shall attempt at any time to disturb the quiet liuing of their neighboures they may haue store of English friends at hand and amongst them that will not spare their paines to appease their discords nor their liues to defend them from harme When I had thus declared vnto them the cause of my comming they made this answere that with our comming they were well pleased but our number of men they thought too great that they wanted meanes to prouide vs bread sufficient for them all hauing but a small Towne few gardens and slender prouision for their owne companies because since Captaine Lee his death and his mens departure from them they neuer made prouision for any strangers I replied that albeit their towne was small and their gardens few for the grounds wherein they plant their Cassaui whereof they make their bread they call their gardens yet their Countrey was full of inhabitants and had store of gardens to supplie our wants of bread and was plentifully stored with other prouisions sufficient for a greater number which I desired might be weekely brought vnto vs as need required for that I meant not to take it without recompence but would giue them for it such commodities as should well please them which they wanted as axes hatchets kniues beades looking-glasses Iewes trumps and such like things wherein they most delight Then they desired to consult amongst themselues which I permitted and expected their answere aboue two howres which time they speÌ„t in debating the matter after their maner drinking Aquauitae and in the end desired my presence and made me this answere That they were contented and well pleased wee should liue amongst them that they would furnish vs with houses to lodge in and prouide all necessaries for vs in the best manner they could But whereas I said our King would permit his people to liue abide amongst them and defend them against their enemies they answered it was a thing they greatly desired and had expected long and now they made much doubt thereof and said they were but words hauing heretofore been promised the like but nothing performed To resolue that doubt and make good my speeches I told them that what I had spoken should certainely bee performed and to that end would leaue my brother in their countrey and some of my company with him to dwell amongst them vntill a greater supplie might bee sent from England for their better defence Then they seemed to giue credit to my words And so after much talke and many complements to please the naked people I gaue to Carasana a sword and to the rest some other things which pleased them well and then after their manner taking their leaue they departed The next day the Indian Martyn went ashoare and seemed ioyfull that hee had againe recouered his owne home The day following I tooke land with my companies in armes and colours displayed and went vp vnto the towne where I found all the women and children standing at their doores to behold vs. The principall Indians came out vnto me and inuited me into the Captaines house which vntill the returne of Martyn belonged vnto his brother as chiefe Lord in his absence I went vp with them and was friendly feasted with many kinds of their Country cates when I had well eaten and refreshed my selfe Martyn tooke mee by the hand and said that hee had not any thing wherewith to require my kindnesse towards him in such manner as hee desired neither had hee such delicate fare and good lodging for vs as in England heretofore wee had been vsed vnto but humbly intreated mee to accept of his house in good part for my selfe and the Gentlemen of my company and the rest should bee lodged in other Indian houses adioyning and that such prouisions as the Country yeelded should bee prouided for vs. His speech was approued by the rest of the Indians present who tooke mee by the hand one after another and after their manner bade mee welcome I gaue them many thanks some rewards for their kind entertainment and theÌ„ disposed my company in conuenieÌ„t lodgings but yet I kept a continual guard as in time of warre When I had thus setled my company at this village I went out to view the scituation of the place and the aduantages for defence thereof It is a great rockie Mountaine not accessable by reason of fast woods and steepe rockes but only in certaine places which are narrow foote-paths very steepe and easie to bee defended whereby wee were lodged as in a Fort and most conueniently in respect the harbour was so neer for our shippes did ride at anchor vnderneath vs ouer against the foote of the hill Being thus ariued vpon the Coast I found the time of the yeare so vnseasonable for our purpose that by reason of continuall raines wee were constrained to lie still and doe nothing for the space of three weekes or a moneth in which idle time I conferred with the Indians so metime with one sometime with another and by helpe of my Indian Anthony Canahre and the Indian Iohn aboue mentioned whom I vsed for my interpreters I gathered from them as well as I could the State of their Country the manner of their gouernement and liuing how they stood with their neighbours in tearmes of peace and warre and of what power and strength they were I inquired also of the seasons of the yeare in those parts of their diuision and account of times and numbers of the prouisions of their Country for victuals and other necessaries and made a diligent inquiry of all the commodities their Country yeeldeth what things were of most estimation amongst them all which I haue briefely declared vnto your Highnesse in this following discourse This goodly Country and spacious Empire is on the North part bounded with the Sea and the great Riuer of Orenoque wherein Sr. Walter Raleigh performed his worthy and memorable discouery on the East and South parts with the famous Riuer of Amazones and on the West part with the Mountaines of Peru. The westermost branch of the Riuer of Amazones that falleth into the Sea is called Arrapoco vpoÌ„ which riuer are seated many goodly Signiories wel deseruing a particular discouery which shall by Gods permission bee performed hereafter To the North of Arrapoco is the riuer of Arrawary which is a goodly riuer
discouering a gallant Country From Arrawary vnto the riuer of Cassipurogh extendeth the Prouince of Arricary containing the Signiories of Arrawary Maicary and Cooshebery of which Anakyury is principall who by Nation is a Yaio and fled from the borders of Orenoque for feare of the Spaniards to whom hee is a mortall enemy Hee hath seated himselfe in the Prouince of Arricary and now dwelleth at Morooga in the Signiory of Maicari To the N. Norwest of which there falleth into the Sea a riuer called Conawini wherevpon the Signiory of Cooshebery bordereth whereof an Indian named Leonard Ragapo is Chiefe vnder the subiection of Anaki-v-ry This Indian is christened and hath been heretofore in England with Sr. Walter Raleigh to whom hee beareth great affection hee can a little vnderstand and speake our language and loueth our Nation with all his heart During my aboad at Wiapoco hauing intelligence of him and of his Country and that certaine stones were found therein supposed to bee Diamonds I sent my Cozen Captaine Fisher to discouer the same and to fetch some of those stones to bee resolued of the truth At his comming thither Leonard entertained him with all kindnesse not after the ordinary rude manner of the Indians but in more ciuill fashion and with much respect and loue hee furnished him with guides to conduct him through the Country to the place where the Stones were found being fifty miles Southward vp into the Land beyond which place there is an high Mountaine appearing in sight called Cowob and on the top thereof as the Indians report a great Lake or Poole full of excellent fish of diuers kindes The Country was as pleasant and delightfull as euer any man beheld but the Stones not Diamonds yet they were Topases which being well cut and set in Gold by a cunning workman doe make as faire a shew and giue as good a lustre as any Diamond whatsoeuer which yeeld good hopes of better to be found hereafter For where the Topas is found on the Mountaines of Tenaseren in the East Indies the greatest store of Diamonds are also found When my kinsman returned Captaine Leonard came with him to Wiapoco being aboue an hundred miles from his owne Country only to visite mee and my company for the great loue hee did beare to Sr. Walter Raleigh and our Nation I much maruelled to see him for assuredly hee is the brauest Indian of all those parts After hee had been with mee a day or two hee earnestly requested mee to send some of my company into his Countrey which hee greatly commended for the wholsome ayre and plenty of victuals alleaging that the place where then wee liued by his owne experience was very vnhealthfull that our men would there bee subiect to sicknesse and die and for an instance hee named Captaine Lee and his company who formerly were planted there and almost all dyed by sicknesse in the same place But hee assured me that his owne Country Cooshebery was of a good ayre pleasant and healthfull that there they might haue roome sufficient to build English houses in for those were the words hee vsed that thither they should be welcome and should want nothing Much hee perswaded to draw mee to his desire which by his importunity I granted and accordingly performed it finding his Country answerable to his report being for the most part champian ground naturally intermixt of plaine fields fruitfull meadowes and goodlywoods in such admirable order as if they had been planted artificially by handy labour The fields appearing aboue the meadowes in pleasant and delightfull manner presenting here and there vnto the eye from stately Mounts most beautifull and liuely prospects the meadowes bordering on euery side betweene the fields and woods the woods growing in the lowest valleyes betwixt the meadowes and commonly are watered with sweete and pleasant fresh stremes running through them which strange rare mixture of Mounts valleies meadowes fields and woods afford as excellent and healthfull habitations as can bee wished or desired but is not greatly peopled From the riuer of Cassipurogh N. Westward to the riuer of Arracow and vp further into the land towards the West and Southwest as farre as the riuer of Arwy which falleth into Wiapoco aboue the ouerfalles extend the Prouinces of Arracoory and Morownia which also to the landward by the relation of my Brother Captaine Michael Harcourt and Captaine Haruey who haue trauelled and discouered those parts are pleasant and delightfull plaine Countries like vnto Cooshebery The Arracoory Countrey is well peopled and their chiefe Captaine is called Ipero Betwixt the Wiapocoories and Arracoories there is no hearty loue and friendship yet in outward shew they hold good quarter In Morrownia there is also store of people which are friendly Indians In that Prouince there is a very high Hill called Callipuny fashioned like a Sugerloafe or a Pyramides which ouervieweth and discouereth all the Territories adioyning aboue an hundred miles Beyond the Country of Morrownia to the Southward bordering the riuer of Arwy is the Prouince of Norrak the people thereof are Charibes and enemies both to the Morrowinnes the inhabitants of Morrownia and to the Wiapocoories who are also vnder the subiection of Anaky-v-ry the Principall and greatest Lord or Cassique of all the Yaios in those Prouinces bordering vpon the Sea betwixt the Amazones South-eastward and Dessequcbe North-westward From the riuer of Amazones to the Bay of Wiapoco there fall into the Sea these riuers following Arrapoco a branch of Amazones Arrawary Micary Conawini and Cassipurogh In the Bay of Wiapoco to the East of the said riuer there falleth into the Sea the riuer of Arracow and into Arracow falleth the riuer of Watts To the North of Wiapoco there is a smal creeke called Wianary which letteth in the Sea a daies iorney Westward vp into the land some take this creeke to bee a riuer but they doe erre in that opinion it hauing neither spring nor fountaine from whence it falleth To the North and N. west of the said creeke there is a ridge of high Mountains running towards the riuer of Apurwaca the soile whereof is excellent fertile for Tobacco and beareth the best of all those parts so are the Sugar-canes there growing the best and fairest that are found vpon the Coast and all the tract of Land betwixt the riuers of Wiapoco and Apurwaca is accounted the Prouince of Wiapocoory containing the Signiories of Wiapoco and Wianary Beneath the ouerfalles in Wiapoco which are forty miles distant from the Sea there is much people both of Yaios and Arwaccas of the Yaios in this riuer Carasana is chiefe Of the Arwaccas Arriquona is Principall In Wianary there are few Indians and Casurino is their chiefetaine To the N. west of the Bay of Wiapoco there fall into the Sea the riuers of Apurwaca Cowo Wio and Caiane Apurwaca is
the land is low where the heate would bee most vehement if it were not quallified and tempered by a fresh Easterly winde or Brieze most forcibly blowing in the heate of the day in many places this low land is very vnhealthfull and little inhabited by reason of the ouerflowing of the waters but for the most part it hath goodly nauigable riuers a fertile soile much people and is a healthfull habitation Vpon the Mountaines there is a high land where the ayre is coldest in some places it is fruitfull in others not but generally is full of Mineralls and mines of mettals and yeeldeth as many as any part eyther of the East or West Indies both of the best and of the basest whereof we shall by Gods permission giue good testimony to the benefit of our Countrey and honour of our Nation in time conuenient and in most places vpon the Mountaines there is sound and healthfull dwelling There is also a middle sort of land which is of a meane height and is most temperate healthfull firtile and most inhabited of all other it aboundeth in meadowes pastures and pleasant streames of fresh water in goodly woods and most delightfull plaines for profit pleasure sport and recreation and also is not void of Minerals The prouisions of this countrey for victuals are many First of the roote of a tree called Cassaui they make their bread in manner following they grate the roote vpon a stone and presse out the iuice thereof which being rawe is poyson but boyled with Guinea pepper whereof they haue abundance it maketh an excellent and wholsome sawce then they drie the grated roote and bake it vpon a stone as wee bake our Oaten cakes in England This bread is very excellent much like but far better then our great Oaten cakes a finger thicke which are vsed in the Moorlands and the â—eake in Staffordshire and Darbyshire There is a kinde of great wheat called Maix of some it is called Guinea wheat which graine is a singular prouision in those Countries and yeeldeth admirable increase euen a thousand or fifteene hundred for one and many times much more It maketh excellent meale or flower for bread and very good malte for beere or ale and serueth well for sundry other necessary vses for the reliefe of man Of the aforesaid Cassaui bread and this wheat the Indians make drink which they call Passiaw it will not keep long but must bee spent within foure or fiue daies they make another kinde of drinke of Cassaui called Parranow very good and strong much like vnto our best March beere in England and that kinde of drinke will keepe ten daies many sorts they haue which I haue tasted some strong some small some thicke some thinne but all good being well made as commonly they were amongst the Yaios and Arwaccas which are the cleanliest people of all those Nations There is great store of hony in the Country and although it bee wilde being taken out of trees and buries in the earth yet is it as good as any in the world of which may be made an excellent drinke much vsed in Wales called meath The hony and the waxe are also good commodities for marchandise There be no Vines in that country but the Soyle being rich and ferlile and the climate hot if they were planted there they would prosper exccedingly and yeeld good Sackes and Canary wines which in those parts we finde to be very wholesome Many other necessary prouisions sufficient for the sustenance of man do there abound in plenty Namely Deere of all sorts wilde Swine in great numbers whereof there are two kinds the one small by the Indians called Pockiero which hath the nauile in the backe the other is called Paingo and is as faire and large as any we haue in England There be store of Hares and Conies but of a kinde farre differing from ours There be Tigers Leopards Ounces Armadils Maipuries which are in taste like beefe and will take salt Baremoes or Ant-Beares which taste like Mutton and other small beasts of the same taste coloured like a fawne Elks Monkies and Marmosites of diuers sorts both great and small of these beasts there be innumerable and by experience wee haue found them all good meate Many other kinds of beasts there are of sundrie and strange shapes which heereafter shall bee figured in their true proportion according to the life with their names annexed Of Fowles there be diuers kinds namely Wild-ducks Widgins Teates Wild-geese Herons of diuers colours Cranes Storks Pheasants Partriges Doues Stock-doues Black-birds Curlewes God-wits Wood-cockes Snits Parrats of sundry sorts many other kinds of great and small birds of rare colours besides great rauenous fowles and Hawkes of euery kinde Of Fish the variety is great first of Sea-fish there is Sea-breame Mullet Soale Scate Thorneback the Sword-fish Sturgion Seale a fish like vnto a Salmon but as the Salmon is red this is yellow Shrimps Lobstars and Oysters which hang vpon the branches of trees There is a rare fish called Cassoorwa which hath in each eye two sights and as it swimmeth it beareth the lower sights within the water and the other aboue the ribbes and backe of this fish resemble those parts of a man hauing the ribbes round and the backe flat with a dent therein as a man hath it is somewhat bigger then a Smelt but farre exceeding it for dainty meate and many other sorts there be most excellent Of fresh-water fish many kinds vnknowen in these parts but all exceeding good and dainty And I dare be bold to say that this Country may compare with any other of the world for the great variety of excellent fish both of the Sea and fresh waters There is also a Sea-fish which vsually commeth into the fresh waters especially in the winter and wet season it is of great esteem amongst vs and we account it halfe flesh for the bloud of it is warme it commeth vp into the shallow waters in the drowned lands and feedeth vpon grasse and weeds the Indians name it Coiumero and the Spaniards Manati but we call it the Sea-cow in taste it is like beefe will take salt and serue to victuall ships as in our knowledge hath beene proued by our Countrimen Of this fish may be made an excellent oyle for many purposes the fat of it is good to frie either fish or flesh the hide as I haue heard will make good buffe and being dried in the Sunne and kept from wet will serue for Targets and Armours against the Indian arrowes In the wet season the store of them are infinite some of these hides were heretofore brought into England by Sr. Walter Rawleigh The seuerall kindes of fruits are many the Pina Platana Potato Medler Plummes of diuers sorts 〈◊〉 Nuts of strange kindes The excellency of the Pina I cannot expresse for I dare boldly affirme that the world affordeth not a
much cruelty for which they lost their hearts to subdue the Indians wee contrariwise are well entertained and friendly receiued by them being willing to hold commerce with vs whereby wee haue a more secure and ready meane to establish a peaceable and assured Commonwealth amongst them for the imployment of all the seuerall professions of men mentioned before Finally for your better inducement to the worthy vndertaking of this high action let vs call to remembrance one excellent and materiall obseruation that is the discouery of this Countrey of Guiana was heretofore attempted by Sr. Walter Raleigh who made an honourable entry thereinto by the riuer of Orenoque what hee then and there discouered and how great and assured his hopes were of gaining to our Countrey inestimable riches and subduing to the Crowne of England a potent Empire was effectually and faithfully published to the world by his owne penne which excellent discourse I wish you to peruse preceeding from so wise and iudiciall an Author who if some knowne fortunes had not crossed his first intendiments for the prosecuting of that enterprise had in all likelihood long before this time increased the honour of our Nation by the reputation of the most famous and rich discouery and conquest that the world could afford Let vs herewithal obserue that before his time it was often attempted by the Spaniards but to small effect for eyther by misfortune of shipwrack discention amongst the most eminent persons in their Troopes mutiny of the souldiers mistaking of the Commanders or violent fury of the Indians who beare an inueterate and mortall hatred against them they haue euer failed of their purpose whereof the said discourse of Sr. Walter Raleigh maketh particular mention more at large The continuall losse and great misfortunes that haue followed the Spaniards from time to time in all their attempts of this discouery and conquest for the space almost of an hundred yeeres and the fortunate successe that most happily fauoured the other in his first attempt thereof may bee a great presumtion and may giue vs an assured hope that the powerfull hand of God doth worke for vs in this behalfe and hath reserued the execution of this action for honour of our Nation Which forcible considerations gaue me great encouragement to repaire the decay of so worthy an enterprise not with intent to rob him of his honour who first of all our Nation nobly with great iudgement and valour gaue the onset but rather to doe him more honour by working vpon his foundation and prosecuting this proiect according to his first designes which doubtlesse aimed at the glory of God his Soueraignes seruice and his Countries good Hereupon I made triall of my fortune in the attempt and haue found the successe so prosperous and hopefull although it hath been chargeable vnto mee and my acceptance so free and friendly amongst the Indians that it hath giuen not only to my selfe but also to the rest of my associats who with the loue and good liking of the people haue liued and remained in Guiana for the space of three yeares good assurance of repaying the charge past with trebble recompence and a resolued courage to proceed in the enterprise to the prosecution whereof we haue deuoted both our substance and our selues And because the life of this Action consisteth in the timely progresse thereof and requireth the assistance of many Aduenturers I thought it very needful to lay before you these former examples and materiall considerations and therewithall doe recommend vnto your view this following Discourse wherein I haue compiled the hopefull fruites of my painefull trauels thereby to moue you to wipe away from your eyes the cloudie incredulous blindnesse that possessed our forefathers in the dayes of Henry the seuenth when they reiected the offer made by Batholomew Columbus in the behalfe of his brother Christopher Columbus and therby lost the fruition of those inestimable riches in the West Indies which now we see possessed by the Spanish Nation And also doe inuite and summon my Country-men in generall to rouze vp their valour to quicken and spurre on their endevours to be coadiâ—utors with vs in this action both of honour and profit And because it may be obiected to the discouragement of such as may haue otherwise a desire to inhabit Guiana that the Spaniards inhabiting about Cumana Margarita and Trinidado may disturbour Plantation and indanger the liues of those that shall make the first settlement there I thought good to resolue all such as haue affection to make themselues Conquerors of that goodly Countrey that from the King of Spaines Indies nothing can offend them for Guiana being seated in the head of the Brises and to the wind-ward of al the Spanish Indies the current also of the Sea setting to the West maketh it impossible for any Shipping to turne it vp from the forenamed places towards vs. The Spaniard therefore can no way offend vs but by a preparation out of Spaine it selfe And whensoeuer he shall finde himselfe at so great leisure as to send a Fleet out of Spaine to seeke vs out vpon the shallow coast of Guiana eyther we shall frustrate that attempt by raising a Fort defensible for two or three moneths for they must famish if they stay longer or else by setting our selues aboue two or three of the ouerfalles of the Riuers where one hundred men will defend themselues against fiue thousand But I am perswaded that the Spaniards will take great deliberation and be well aduised of all insuing accidents before they giue any attempt vpon vs for we doe not finde that they haue yet attempted any thing vpon Virginia which lieth in their way homeward from the West Indies albeit there haue passed many years since the first Plantation there And surely if Virginia had not a sharpe Winter which Guiana hath not which Countrey of Guiana is blest with a perpetuall Summer and a perpetuall Spring and that it had that store of victuals which Guiana hath it would in a short time grow to be a most profitable place But thus much I can auow truely that from Guiana without any great labour there may be returned within the yeare good store of Cotton Wooll very rich Dyes diuers sorts of Gummes many sorts of Fethers all kindes of rich Woods Balsamums Iasper and Porpherie stone Waxe Honey and Tobacco and so euery yeare may we pay the Transportation vntill we encrease in people to make Sugars and discouer Mines If the paines past bestowed in my first attempt may taste of your gratefull acceptance and that I may obtaine your willing furtherance in the future I shall then thinke my paines well imployed and delight my selfe in labouring for your profit and we all shall gaine honour and reputation by vndergoing the burden of so worthy a worke whereby our Nation shall bee greatly enriched the Dominion of our Soueraigne much enlarged and Gods seruice in those Countries highly aduanced R. H. A RELATION OF
more delicate fruit In taste it is like Strawberries Claret wine and Suger The Platana is also a very good fruite and tasteth like an old Pippin The Potato is well knowen The Medler exceedeth in greatnesse The Plummes I cannot commend for to eate much of them doth cause Fluxes which in those Countries are daungerous The Nuts are good being moderately eaten Hauing thus most excellent Prince declared the seuerall sorts of prouisions for victuals and necessary foods it remaineth that I now make mention of the variety of commodities found in the Country for the trade of Marchandise which in few yeeres by our paines and industry may be brought to perfection and so setled in those parts that not only the vndertakers may receiue reward for their indeuours but our country also may grow rich by trading for the fruits of our labours The first and principall commodity of estimation are the Suger-canes whereof in those parts there is great plenty the soile is as firtile for them as in any other part of the world They doe there grow to great bignesse in a short time by orderly and fit planting of them and by erecting conuenient workes for the boyling and making of Sugers which at the first will require som charge expence may be yeerely returned great benefit and wealth the long experience of the Portugals and Spaniards in Brasill and the Island of the Canaries and of the Moores in Barbary may giue vs certaine assurance and full satisfaction thereof The Cotton wooll is a generall commodity beneficiall to our Marchants and profitable to our Countrey by making of sustians and seruing for bumbast and other vses for making of Hamaccas which are the Indian beds most necessary in those parts and also of a fine cotten cloath for cloathing of the people There is a naturall Hemp or Flaxe of great vse almost as fine as silke as it may bee vsed wee haue now found out the best vse of it and for making of linnen cloath it is most excellent There bee many rare and singular commodities for Diers of which sort there is a red Berry called Annoto which being rightly prepared by the Indians dyeth a perfect and sure Orange tawny in silke it hath been sold in Holland for twelue shillings starling the pound and is yet of a good price There is another berry that dyeth blew There is also a gumme of a tree whereof I haue seene experience that in cloath dyeth a sure and perfect yellow in graine There bee leaues of certaine trees which beeing rightly prepared doe dye a deepe red There is also a wood which dieth apurple and is of a good price and another that dieth yellow There is yet another wood which dieth a purple when the liquor is hot and a crimson when the liquor is cold Many other notable things there are no doubt not yet knowne vnto vs which by our diligent labour and obseruation in time will be discouered and found The sweet gummes of inestimable value strange operation in Phisick Chirurgery are innumerable there is yellow Amber Gumma Lemnia Colliman or Carriman Barratta and many more which I omit The Colliman hath been proued by Mr. Walter Cary of Wickham in Buckingham-shire a Gentleman of great iudgement and practise in Phisicke to bee of speciall regard for many purposes this gumme is black and brittle much like in shew to common pitch if you put a little of it vpon burning coles it filleth all the roome with a most sweete and pleasant sauour He further reporteth of it that certainely if you hold your head ouer the fume thereof three or foure times a day it cureth the giddinesse of the head and is also a most excellent comfort and remedy for a cold moist and rheumaticke braine it is olso good against the resolution or as the common sort call it the dead Palsie whereof the giddines of the head is often a messenger and the fore-teller of that most pernitious griefe It is also of great vse for the paine that many woomen haue in the lower part of their backes which is very common to such as haue had children for remedy whereof it is to bee melted in a pewter vessell with a gentle fire then with a knife it must bee spread lightly vpon a peece of leather and laid warme to the place grieued vntill it come of it selfe This Plaister is also very good for aches and doth greatly comfort and strengthen the sinewes Thus much hath Mr. Cary written and reported of it and hath proued by his owne experience This Gumme is also approued to bee an excellent remedy against the Goute and of singular vertue in the cure of wounds The Barratta is a most soueraigne Balsamum farre excelling all others yet knowen which by the same Gentlemans experience is of admirable operation in the cure of greene wounds and being burned vpon coales is of a sweete and odoriferous sauour There be many other sweet Gummes of great vse for Perfumes whereof one doth make a very rare perfume much like vnto the sent of sweet Margerome very pleasant and delectable For phisick there be also many excellent Druggs namely Spiknard Cassia Fistula Sene and the earth yeeldeth Bole-Armoniacke and Terra-Lemnia all which are knowen vnto vs. There bee other Druggs and simples also of strange and rare vertue in these parts vnknowen of which sort there is a little greene Apple by the Indians called in their language the sleeping Apple which in operation is so violent that one little bit thereof doth cause a man to sleep to death the least drop of the iuice of it will purge in vehement and excessiue manner as dangerously was proued by my Cosen Vnton Fisher who first found it for biting a little of it for a taste and finding it to burne his mouth in some extremity did sodainely spit it out againe but some small quantity of the iuice against his will went downe into his stomack which for two or three daies space did prouoke in him an extraordinary sleepinesse and purged him with 60. seates This Apple for the purging vertue in so small a quantity is like to be of good price and great estimation in the Practise of Physicke for the learned Physicions do well know how to correct the sleeping quality thereof wherein the danger resteth There is a Berry in those parts very excellent against the bloody-fluxe by the Indians it is called Kellette The iuice of the leafe called vppee cureth the wounds of the poisoned arrowes The iuice of the leafe called Icari is good against the head-ache Many other Druggs and simples are there found of singular properties both in Physicke and Chirurgery which if they should be seuerally described according to their valew and vvorthinesse would containe a large volume Moreouer the Tree wherewith they take their fish is not a little to be
esteemed but chiefely the great goodnesse of God therein is highly to be praised and admired who amongst so many admirable things by him created and planted in those parts hath vouchsafed to bestow vpon those barbarous people so great a benefit and naturall helpe for the present getting of their foode and sustenance These Trees are commonly growing neere vnto the places of their habitation for their present vse for when at any time they goe to fish they take three or fowre little sticks of this tree and bruise them vpon a stone and then go into certaine small creekes by the Sea shore which at a high water are vsually full of very good fish of diuers kinds which come in with the tide and there they wade vp and downe the water and betweene their hands rub those smal bruised sticks therein which are of such vertue that they will cause the fish to turne vp their bellies and lie still aboue the water for a certaine time In which space they presently take as many as they please and lade them into their Canoes and so with little labour returne home sufficiently prouided There is also a red speckled wood in that Country called Pira timinere which is worth 30 or 40. pounds a tunne It is excellent for Ioyners worke as Chaires Stooles Bed-steds Presses Cupboords and for Wainscot There are diuers kinds of Stone of great vse and good price as Iasper Purphery and the Spleene-stone There is yet another profitable commodity to be reaped in Guiana and that is by Tobacco which albeit some dislike yet the generality of men in this kingdome doth with great affection entertaine it It is not only in request in this our Country of England but also in Ireland the Neatherlands in all the Easterly Countries and Germany and most of all amongst the Turks and in Barbary The price it holdeth is great the benefit our Merchants gaine thereby is infinite and the Kings rent for the custome thereof is not a little The Tobacco that was brought into this kingdome in the yeare of our Lord 1610. was at the least worth 60. thousand pounds And since that time the store that yeerly hath come in was little lesse It is planted gathered seasoned and made vp fit for the Merchant in short time and with easie labour But when we first arriued in those parts wee altogether wanted the true skill and knowledge how to order it which now of late wee happily haue learned of the Spaniards themselues whereby I dare presume to say and hope to proue within few moneths as others also of sound iudgement and great experience doe hold opinion that onely this commodity Tobacco so much sought after and desired will bring as great a benefit and profit to the vndertakers as euer the Spaniards gained by the best and richest Siluer myne in all their Indies considering the charge of both The things which the Indians desire from vs by way of trade in exchange for the aboue named commodities whereby we hold society and commerce with them are Axes Hatchets Bil-hookes kniues all kinde of Edge tooles Nailes great Fishhookes Harping-irons Iewes-Trumps looking-glasses blew and white Beades Christall Beades Hats Pinnes Needles Salt Shirts Bands linnen and wollen Cloathes Swords Muskets Calliuers Powder and Shot but of these last mentioned wee are very sparing and part not with many vnlesse vpon great occasion by way of guift to speciall persons For these toies and such like trifeling things the Indians will sell vnto you any of the aboue mentioned commodities that can be gotten or prepared by them or any thing they haue or that their Countrey yeeldeth and will performe any reasonable labour for them Thus haue I deliuered vnto your Highnesse the particulars of the seuerall commodities which hitherto we haue discouered and found likely to bee profitable in Guiana whereof examples are remayning to bee seene in the hands of Mr. Henry Houenaer a Dutch-man who in the yeere of our Lord 1610. performed a voiage to Guiana to the places where our Company was seated and now abideth in Thames-streete neere vnto Cole-harbour and I make no doubt that by continuance of time our painefull trauels and diligent obseruations wee shall discouer and get knowledge of an infinite number of others as rich necessary and beneficiall as these already spoken of or any other whatsoeuer if it please Almighty God to fauour and blesse our proceedings When the raines ceased which was in Iuly I began to trauaell abroad in search of those Golden Mountaines promised vnto vs before the beginning of our voiage by one that vndertooke to guide vs to them which filled my company so full of vaine expectation and golden hopes that their insatiable and couetous mindes being wholy set thereon could not bee satisfied with any thing but oenly Gold Our guide that vainely made those great promises being come vnto the wished place to make performance was then possessed with a shamelesse spirit of ignorance for hee knew little and could performe nothing What other intelligences of Mines already fouud I had from other men in England and from the Mr. of my ship who had bin heretofore in those parts I foūd them by experience false and nothing true concerning Mines that was in England reported vnto me Our greedy desire of Gold being thus made frustrate diuers vnconstant persons of my vnruly company began to murmure to bee discontented to kindle discords and discensions and to stirre vp mutiny euen almost to the confusion and ruine of vs all and were vpon the point to shake off all obedience to their commanders to abandon patience peace vnity and wilfully to breake out into all mischeefe wretched disorder onely because they were deceiued of their golden hopes expectations but with good words and comfortable perswasions I pacified them for the time and made them acquainted with my better hopes conceiued of the commodities aboue mentioned I perswaded them in generall from idlenesse to trauell abroade to search and seeke out amongst the Indians what other nouelties they could though gold were wanting whereby wee might hereafter benefit our selues and still I imployed them some one way and some another to occupie their mindes by doing something the better to preuent discention which commonly is bred of idlenesse the slouthfull mother of all filthy vices As I daily conuersed amongst the Indians it chanced one day that one of them presented mee with a halfe Moone of mettall which held somwhat more then a third part Gold the rest Copper another also gaue mee a little Image of the same mettall and of an other I bought a plate of the same which hee called a spread Eagle for an Axe All which things they assured mee were made in the high Countrey of Guiana which they said did abound with Images of Gold by them called Carrecoory These things I shewed to my company to settle their troubled mindes which gaue much contentment to the greater part of
diuers great riuers called Arrennee Topannawin Errewin Cowomma Poorakette Arroua Arretowenne Waoune Anape Aunime and Carapio whereof some he hath seene himselfe That it was twenty daies iourney from Taupuramune to the head of Marrawini which is inhabited by Arwaccas Sappaios Paragotos and some Yaios and that a daies iourny from thence to the land-ward the Countrey is plaine and Champian ground with long grasse Hee passed in this iourney aboue eighty ouerfalles of water and many of them very dangerous of some of them I had experience the yeere before Hee proceeded no further at that present being vnprouided for so long a iourney supposing that it had been neerer then hee found it to the head of the riuer by a fortnights trauell and so returned backe in six daies space intending better preparation for a second iourney but his purpose was preuented by an vntimely death for shortly after hee was drowned by misfortune whereby we see that man determineth but God disposeth The tenth day of September being Sunday I left the main of Guiana and in my ship-boat stood off into the sea to seek my ships which were forced to ride foure leagues from shoare by reason of the shoales but as wee passed ouer them wee were in danger to bee cast away by the breach of a sea which verily had sunke our boat if with great celerity we had not lightned her by heauing ouerbord many baskets of bread of Cassaui Maix Pinas Platanas Potatoes and such like prouision wherewith our boat was loaden by which meanes it pleased God to deliuer vs from present destruction and to bring vs safe vnto our ships When I came aboord we weighed anchor and steered away from the Island of Trinidado and vpon the 18. day in the morning we arriued at Punta de Galea where wee found three English ships at anchor which was no small comfort vnto vs considering our great defects wants One of these shippes was called the Diana belonging to Mr. Lula Dutch merchant dwelling in London The other two the Penelope and the Indeuor belonging to Mr. Hall a merchant also of London We staied at this place 6. daies to mend our bad caske and to take fresh water during which time I was kindly intreated feasted by the Merchants and had supply of al such things as I stood in need of which curtesie I requited in the best manner I could for the present Vpon Sunday the twenty foure of September we weighed anchor so likewise did the Diana the other two shippes being gone two or three daies before vs but the wind shifting to the north-east inforced vs backe againe almost to the same place from whence we departed The twenty fiue we weighed againe and plied along the shoare towards Cape Brea about three leagues This Cape is so called of the Pitch which is there gotten in the earth whereof there is such abundance that all places on this side of the world may be stored therewith It is a most excellent Pitch for trimming of shippes that passe into these Regions and hot Countries for it melteth not with the Sunne as other Pitch doth The twenty six day wee stood along againe the winde being still contrary and variable intermixt with many calmes so continued vntill the second of October when we arriued at Port de Hispania Within two daies after our arriuall there Don Sanches de Mendosa the Teniente for that yeare with certaine other Spaniards came aboord vs we gaue them the best entertainement that our meanes the time and place would affoord and had much friendly conference together They told me that they lately had a conflict with the Charibes wherein they had lost seuen or eight of their men and had many others hurt and wounded whereof some came to my Chirurgion to haue their wounds dressed during our aboad there And they plainely confessed that they are verie much molested by the Charibes and knew not how by any meanes to suppresse them We staied at Porte de Hispania vntill the seuenth day in hope to get some good Tobacco amongst the Spaniards who daily fed vs with delaies and faire words but in truth they had none good at that present for vs which we perceiuing departed thence vpon the 7. day about one of the clocke in the morning leauing the other ships to attend their trade and stood away for the passages called Lesâ—â—iot boccas de Drago and disembogued about eight of the clocke the same morning Then we steered away for an Island called Meues and leauing the Islands of Granado Saint Vincent Guadalupa and Monserate in our starboord side wee arriued there the twelfth day where wee stopped to take in Ballast and more water for our shippes were very light In this Island there is an hot Bath which as wel for the reports that I haue heard as also for that I haue seen and found by experience I doe hold for one of the best and most soueraigne in the world I haue heard that diuers of our Nation haue there been cured of the Leprosie and that one of the same persons now or lately dwelt at Wollwich neere the riuer of Thames by whom the truth may be knowne if any man desire to bee further satisfied therein As for my owne experience although it was not much yet the effects that I found it worke both in my selfe and others of my company in two daies space doe cause mee to conceiue the best of it For at my comming thither I was grieuously vexed with an extreame cough which I much feared would turne mee to great harme but by bathing in the Bath and drinking of the water I was speedily cured and euer since that time I haue found the state of my body I giue God thankes for it farre exceeding what it was before in strength and health Moreouer one of my company named Iohn Huntbatch seruant to my brother as he was making a fire burned his hand with Gunpowder and was in doubt thereby to loose the vse of one or two of his fingers which were shrunke vp with the fire but he went presently to the Bath and washed and bathed his hand a good space therein which soopled his fingers in such manner that with great ease hee could stire and stretch them out and the fire was so washed out of his hand that within the space of twenty foure houres by twice or thrice washing and bathing it the sorenesse thereof was cured onely the eye-sore for the time remained Furthermore two or three others of my company hauing swellings in their legges were by the Bath cured in a day This can I affirme and boldly iustifie hauing been an eie witnesse thereof Hence wee departed the sixteenth day of October in the afternoone and leauing the Islands of St. Christopher St. Martin and Anguilla on the Starboord side wee dissembogued through the broken Islands on the North side of
whatsoeuer and by whom next vnder God I verily hope and am constantly perswaded it will bee their blessed happe to bee freed from the seruitude of the diuell that now so tyranizeth ouer them and to bee led out of that infernall darkenesse wherein they liue and bee drawen to Christianity for they will come vnto vs already at time of prayer shew reuerence and bee very attentiue all the while although they vnderstand nothing they will bee content that wee baptize their children and will after call them by the Christian names wee giue them suffer vs to bring them vp and in a sort acknowledge their ignorance and shew a kinde of willingnes to be instructed reformed As touching the second by what meanes may our gracious Souraigne the Kings Maiestie doe God better seruice and honour him more or vnder him bee more honored then by obtaining and gaining the Soueraignty of so many great spacious and goodly Countries and Territories not yet actually possessed and inhabited by any Christian Prince or Sate whatsoeuer which in that Region by the timely and worthy vndertakings of his Subiects without bloodshed and with the loue and affection of the people may bee possessed planted and annexed to his Crowne as the Nations and Countries beyond by the Emperour Charles the fifth were annexed to the Crowne of Spaine whereby what honour and benefit the Spaniards haue gained and to what a degree of greatnesse they are thereby growen these parts of the world can witnesse and wee for our parts haue had triall and might haue had woful experience of if our God that alwaies tooke our parts had not crossed their bloody designes and put them to flight and confusion And for the third who can deny but that our Countrey by this worthy action may bee enriched through diuers and sundrie commodities of great worth in those parts dayly found and easily obtained which before are mentioned more at large from page 31. to page 37. and therefore needeles here to bee againe repeated And for their further satisfaction and more incouragement in this enterprise let them consider the nature and disposition of the climate in this Region of Guiana which for healthfull and wholsome ayre some few places onely excepted I hold generally to bee inferiour to none other vnder Heauen for notwithstanding it bee scituate vnder the Equinoctiall by the ancient Philosophers called the burning Zone yet such are the wonderfull workes of God for the benefit of man that contrary to their opinion wee finde by late experience that those Regions which were in times past by them accounted vnhabitable through extremity of drougth and heate are now found out to bee inhabited temporate and healthful Countries as plainely appeareth in diuers patts of the East and West Indies and especially in this Countrey of Guiana whereof I haue taken possession to his Maiesties vse being plentifully inhabited by people of diuers Nations the climate there pleasant and agreeable to our constitutions and the soile fruitfull as before hath been declared affording as many admirable helpes towards the leading of an happy life as any knowne part of the world for whatsoeuer is necessary for the reliefe of man eyther for foode Phisicke or Chirurgery or for clothing and architecture is here by the prouidence and goodnesse of God the creator in plentifull store euen naturally prouided Moreouer the good inclination of the people towards our Nation being willing to trade with vs and become subiects to his Maiesty our Soueraigne their louing and gentle entertaining of vs desiring to haue vs liue and abide amongst them and their tractable conuersation with vs not refusing to be instructed in Christianitie and coueting to imitate and learne any trade or worke that they see vsed or practised by our men are no small motiues to perswade the prosecution of this action and plantation in Guiana Furthermore all younge Gentlemen Souldiers and others that liue at home in idlenesse and want imployment may here finde meanes to abandon and expell their slouthfull humors and cast off their fruitlesse and pernitious designes and may worthily exercise their generous spirits in honourable trauels and famous discoueries of many goodly and rich terretories strange and vnknowne Nations and a multitude of other rarieties hitherto vnseene and vnheard off in these parts of the world which may be thought incredible but that our own experience the generall constant report and affirmation of the Indians doth assure vs thereof And to conclude we may by the gracious assistance of our good God gaine vnto our Soueraigne the dominion of a rich and mightie Empire which if it may bee once possessed by his Maiestie and inhabited by his English Subiects will absolutely be inuincible to the vnspeakable honour renown of our natiō in al after ages All these things respectiuely considered what may be more required to moue induce all noble and worthy dispositions louing honour and honourable attempts all Marchants desiring wealth riches generally al the inhabitants of this Kingdome freely to giue assistance towards the aduancement of this noble action and plantation so much tending to the glory of God the honour of our Soueraigne and the benefit of our Countrey ¶ The names of the Riuers falling into the Sea from Amazones to Dessequebe and of the seuerall Nations inhabiting those Riuers RIVERS NATIONS Charibs 1 Amazones 2 Arrapoco a branch of Amazones 3 Arrawary Yaios and Charibs 4 Maicary 5 Connawini Arracoories 6 Cassipurogh 7 Arracow Yaios and Arwaccas 8 Wiapoco 9 Wianary a creeke or inlet of the sea 10 Cowe not inhabited Charibs 11 Apurwacca 12 Wio 13 Caiane 14 Meccooria 15 Courwo 16 Manmanury 17 Sinammara 18 Oorassowini not inhabited Arwaccas 19 Coonannoma 20 Vracco Paragotos Yaios Charibs Arwac 21 Marrawini Charibs 21 Amanna 23 Camoure or Comawin a branch of Selinama 24 Selinama or Surennamo 25 Surammo 26 Coopannomy 27 Eneecare Arwaccas Charibs 28 Coretine 29 Berebisse Arwaccas 30 Manhica 31 Wapary 32 Micowine 33 Demeerare Charibs 34 Matooronnee 35 Quiowinne braunches of Dessequebe Arwaccas Charibs 36 Dessequebe The Plantation in Guiana is most easie to be performed as is at large expressed in the former Treatise And may in briefe appeare by these notes following which are here added for the better comfort and incouragement of the Aduenturers and Planters of the meaner sort FIrst the climate in Guiana although it bee hot yet is it habitable and affordeth healthfull habitations for in three yeeres space that my Brother Captaine Michael Harcourt and his company remained in the Countrey of thirty persons there died but six The naturall inhabitants of that Countrey are a louing tractable and gentle people affecting and preferring the Englishmen before all other Nations whatsoeuer and desiring commerce and conuersation with them with those barbarous people we may liue in safety without suspicion of trechery or dread of danger if wilfully wee offer
to the power and strength of the Vndertakers of the Generall nerall Plantation which I hope with Gods assistance shall be sufficient to resist and repell the malice of our greatest enemies FINIS Gutyn Owen 23 of March 1608. The Rose The Patience The Lilly Land men 60. They set saile the 23. of March The first of April 1609. The Shallop in danger to be lost They ariue at Alegranza Tenerife An excellent watering place The riuer of Amazones Fresh water in the Sea 30 leagues from land Iosepth Acosta Hieron Giraua Tarraconensis The 11 of May they made land in Guiana The Patience in danger of wracke Islands called Carripapoory The Bay of Wiapoco Indian boats A village called Caripo A messenger sent to the Indians The Indians came aboord The chiefe men of the Nation of the Yaios couer their priuities The women generally goe all naked Their conference with the Indians The Orenoqueponi rendred themselues subiects to Queene Elizabeth Possession of the Countrey taken at Wiapoco by Captaine Lee to his Meiestics vse The Indians goe to councel Their answer * By Sr. Walt. Raleigh and Capt. Lee. The Indian Martyn goeth ashoare The English take land The English feasted by the Indians The gratefull offer of Martyn The English setled at Caripo in Wiapoco The strength of the place The bounds and limits of Guiana Arrapoco a branch of Amazones Arrawary Maicary Anaky-v-ry chiefe of the Yaios Morooga Conowini Cooshebery Leonard Rapago Lord of Cooshebery A Mountaine called Cowob Topases in Cooshebery The quality of the Prouince of Cooshebery Arracoory Morrownia An exceeding high Hill called Callipuny Norrak Anaki-v-ry Riuers falling into the Sea betweene Amazones and Wiapoco Wianary a creeke The Prouince of Wiapocoory Carasana Arriquona Casurino Riuers faling into the Sea to the N. West of Wiapoco Muccumbro an Island Mattoory an Island Arrawicary chiefe Captaine of the Caiane Foure or fiue men placed at Caiane The manner of their gouernement Murder and Adultery punished by death The Indians by nature iealous ouer their wiues The Indians haue manie wiues Diuers languages in Guiana The Charibes most ancient vpon the sea coast The Indians make warre for their weomen The Charibes warre vpon Leonard The vsuall weapons of the Indians Leonard desireth and of the English The manner of ordering their men in the warres The Charibes amazed at the sight of the English Leonard speaketh to the Charibes The Charibes agree to peace for feare of the English The season of the yeere in Guiana Teh summer beginneth in August The winter beginneth in February The burning Zone Ioseph Acosta Their account of times and numbers They vse no sacrifice nor religious worship to anithing The manner of their drinking feast at the death of their Captaines Their Peeaios or Priests haue conference with the diuel Their opinion of the dead At the death of a Cassique they kill an Indian to serue him in the other world The quality of the Land The prouisions for victuals The roote of Cassaui maketh their bread and drinke Maix or Guinea wheat Their diuers kindes of drinke An excellent drinke made of Cassaui Store of hony The soile excellent for Vines Sundry kinds of beasts in Guiana Swine which haue the nauile in the backe Great variety of Fowles Diuers kinds of fish Oysters hang vpon trees A fish hauing 4. eyes and the ribs and backe like a man The Sea-cow like beefe Sundry kinds of fruits Pina Platana Potato Medler Plummes Nuts The variety of Commodities Suger canes Cotton woll Natural hemp or flaxe Diuers commodities for Diers Annoto A gumme which dyeth a yellow in graine Sweete Gummes The vertues of Colliman or Carriman The Colliman helpeth the gout Barratta a rare Balsamum A perfume like sweet Margerome Druggs and simples for phisicke An apple which prouoketh sleepe to death A berry curing the bloody Fluxe A leafe curing the wounds of the poisoned arrowes A leafe curing the headache A wood that maketh fish drunke Tobacco The commodities most esteemed by the Indians Disorders by mutiny The high Countrey of Guiana aboundeth with Images of Gold The rocks of the purest white Sparre are Mines of gold or siluer Many ouerfalles in Wiapoco People hauing great eares who worship an Idoll of stone The proportion of the Idole Possession taken for the king at Gomeribo The like possession taken at Arrawary Point Perillus. A great argument of plenty in the Countrey A dangrous Boore at Carripoory Two speciall things to bee obserued The fidelity of the Indians The plenty of victuals Gomeribo deliuered to an Indian as the Kings tenant The only cause of losse by the Voyage Capt. Michael Harcourt left commander of the company Twenty men left with Captaine Harcourt at Waipoco The Pinnesse receiued a leake at Caiane R. Meccooria R. Courwo Riuers to the West of Courwo Islands called Curewapory They proceede in discouery of Marrawini The riuer full of ouerfalles They went six daies iourney vp the riuer Trees which had the sense of feeling Scallger Exercit 181. sect 28. Bartas Eden 1. day 2. week Viawia a Towne of 20 houses Mr. Vnton Fisher and two others left at Wiawia Mr. Fisher trauelled eleuen daies iourney vp the riuer of Marra viz. 100 leagues The Prouince of Moreshegoro Indians with rough skins like Buffe Diuers mighty Nations of Indians far vp in Marrawini towards the high land Riuers falling into Marrawini Twenty daies iourney from Taupuramune to the head of Marraw The Country aboue the head of Mar. is plaine and Champian ground The tenth of September they left Guiana They were in danger to be cast away They finde three English shippes at Pūta de Galea Pitch gotten in the earth which melteth not with the Sunne They arriue at Port ae Hispania Don Sanches de Mendosa commeth aboord their shippe The Spaniards much molested by the Charibes They depart from Trinidado They arriue at Meues An excellent hot Bath at Meues An extreame cough cured by the Bath A mans hand burned with Gunpouder and by the Bath cured in 24 houres Swellings in the legges cured in a day They depart from Meues They left the Pinnesse to follow after them They fell with Fayal They are driuē by a storme into Ireland Their great necessitie and want The Pinnesse first arriued in Ireland and afterward at Bristol The number of those that died Three principall ends to be obserued in euery forraine action 1. The glory of God 2. The honour of our Soueraigne An. 1588. The profit of our Country The burning Zone habituable The clmate pleasant fruitfull and healthfull The loue of the people towards our Nation A good motiue to those that want imployment An Empire may be gained to our Soueraigne The nature of the climate Page 23. The disposition of the people The quallity of the land Page 27. The prouisions of the Countrey page 27. 28. 30. and 31. A beast and a fish like Beefe A Beast like Mutton Good bread Drinke like March beere Excellent strong Ale Sacke and Canary wine The commodities of the Country pag. 31 and 32.