Throne nor Chaire of Estate but crosse legged upon a rich Carpet as doth the Turke whose Religion of Mahomet with an incredible miserable curiositie they observe His Ordinarie Guard is at least 5000 but in progresse he goeth not with lesse than 20000. horsemen himselfe as rich in all his Equipage as any Prince in Christendome and yet a Contributor to the Turke In all his Kingdome were so few good Artificers that hee entertained from England Gold-smiths Plummers Carvers and Polishers of stone and Watch-makers so much hee delighted in the reformation of workmanship hee allowed each of them ten shillings a day standing fee linnen woollen silkes and what they would for diet and apparell and custome-free to transport or import what they would for there were scarce any of those qualities in his Kingdomes but those of which there are divers of them living at this present in London Amongst the rest one Mâ— Henry Archer a Watch-maker walking in Morocco from the Alfantica to the Iuredea the way being verie foule met a great Priest or a Sante as they call all great Clergy-men who would have thrust him into the durt for the way but Archer not knowing what he was gave him a box on the eare presently he was apprehended and condemned to have his tongue cut out and his hand cut off but no sooner it was knowen at the Kings Court but 300. of his Guard came and broke open the Prison and delivered him although the fact was next degree to Treason Concerning this Archer there is one thing more worth noting Not farre from Mount Atlas a great Lionesse in the heat of the day did use to bathe her selfe and teach her young Puppies to swimme in the river Cauzeff of a good bredth yet she would carrie them one after another over the river which some Moores perceiving watched their opportunitie and when the river was betweene her and them stole foure of her whelps which she perceiving with all the speed shee could passed the river and comming neere them they let fall a whelpe and fled with the rest which she tooke in her mouth and so returned to the rest a Male and a Female of those they gave Mr. Archer who kept them in the Kings Garden till the Male killed the Female then he brought it up as a Puppy-dog lying upon his bed till it grew so great as a Mastiffe and no dog more tame or gentle to them hee knew but being to returne for England at Saffee he gave him to a Merchant of Marsellis that presented him to the French Kâ—ng who sent him to King Iames where it was kept in the Tower seven yeeres After one Mr. Iohn Bull then servant to Mr. Archer with divers of his friends went to see the Lyons not knowing any thing at all of him yet this rare beast smelled him before hee saw him whining groaning and tumbling with such an expression of acquaintance that being informed by the Keepers how-hee came thither Mr. Bull so prevailed the Keeper opened the grate and Bull went in But no Dogge could fawne more on his Master than the Lyon on him licking his feet hands and face skipping and tumbling to and fro to the wonder of all the beholders being satisfied with his acquaintance he made shift to get out of the grate But when the Lyon saw his friend gone no beast by bellowing roaring scratching and howling could expresse more rage and sorrow nor in foure dayes after would he either eat or drinke In Morocco the Kings Lyons are all together in a Court invironed with a great high wall to those they put a young Puppy-dogge the greatest Lyon had a sore upon his necke which this Dogge so licked that he was healed the Lyon defended him from the furie of all the rest nor durst they eat till the Dogge and he had fed this Dog grew great and lived amongst them many yeeres after Fez also is a most large and plentifull Countrey the chiefe Citie is called Fez divided into two parts old Fez containing about 80. thousand housholds the other 4000. pleasantly situated vpon a River in the heart of Barbarie part upon hils part upon plaines full of people and all sorts of Merchandise The great Temple is called Carucen in bredth seventeene Arches in length 120. borne up with 2500. white marble pillars under the chiefe Arch where the Tribunall is kept hangeth a most huge lampe compassed with 110. lesser under the other also hang great lamps and about some are burning fifteene hundred lights They say they were all made of the bels the Arabians brought from Spaine It hath three gates of notable height Priests and Officers so many that the circuit of the Church the Yard and other houses is little lesse than a mile and an halfe in compasse there are in this Citie 200. Schooles 200. Innes 400. water-mils 600. water-Conduits 700. Temples and Oratories but fiftie of them most stately and richly furnished Their Alcazer or Burse is walled about it hath twelve gates and fifteen walks covered with tents to keepe the Sun from the Merchants and them that come there The Kings Palace both for strength and beautie is excellent and the Citizens have many great privileges Those two Countreyes of Fez and Morocco are the best part of all Barbarie abounding with people cattell and all good necessaries for mans use For the rest as the Larbes or Mountainers the Kingdomes of Cocow Algier Tripoly Tunis and Aegypt there are many large histories of them in divers languages especially that writ by that most excellent Statesman Iohn de Leo who afterward turned Christian. The unknowen Countries of Ginny and Binne this six and twentie yeeres have beene frequented with a few English ships only to trade especially the river of Senaga by Captaine Brimstead Captaine Brockit Mr. Crump and divers others Also the great river of Gambra by Captaine Iobson who is returned in thither againe in the yeere 1626. with Mr. William Grent and thirteene or fourteene others to stay in the Countrey to discover some way to those rich mines of Gago or Tumbatu from whence is supposed the Moores of Barbarie have their gold and the certaintie of those supposed descriptions and relations of those interiour parts which daily the more they are sought into the more they are corrected For surely those interiour parts of Affrica are little knowen to either English French or Dutch though they use much the Coast therefore wee will make a little bold with the observations of the Portugalls CHAP. XIX The strange discoveries and observations of the Portugalls in Affrica THe Portugalls on those pars have the glorie who first coasting along this Westerne shore of Affrica to finde passage to the East Indies within this hundred and fiftie yeeres even from the Streights of Gibralter about the Cape of Bone Esperance to the Persian Gulfe and thence all along the Asian Coast to the Moluccas have subjected many great Kingdomes erected many
went thither and finding my relations true and that I had not taken that I brought home from the French men as had beene reported yet further for my paines to discredit me and my calling it New England they obscured it and shadowed it with the title of Cannada till at my humble suit it pleased our most Royall King Charles whom God long keepe blesse and preserve then Prince of Wales to confirme it with my map and booke by the the title of New England the gaine thence returning did make the same thereof so increase that thirty forty or fifty saile went yearly only to trade and fish but nothing would bee done for a plantation till about some hundred of your Brownists of England Amsterdam and Leyden went to New Plimouth whose humorous ignorances caused them for more than a yeare to endure a wonderfull deale of misery with an infinite patience saying my books and maps were much better cheape to teach them than my selfe many other have used the like good husbandry that have payed soundly in trying their selfewilled conclusions but those in time doing well divers others have in small handfulls undertaken to goe there to be severall Lords and Kings of themselves but most vanished to nothing notwithstanding the fishing ships made such good returnes at last it was ingrossed by twenty Pattenties that divided my map into twenty parts and cast lots for their shares but mony not comming in as they expected procured a Proclamation none should goe thither without their licences to fish but for every thirty tunnes of shipping to pay them five pounds besides upon great penalties neither to trade with the natives cut downe wood for their stages without giving satisfaction though all the Country is nothing but wood and none to make use of it with many such other pretences for to make this Country plant it selfe by its owne wealth hereupon most men grew so discontented that few or none would goe so that the Pattenties who never one of them had beene there seeing those projects would not prevaile have since not hindred any to goe that would that within these few last yeares more have gone thither than ever Now this yeare 1629. a great company of people of good ranke zeal meanes and quality have made a great stocke and with six good ships in the moneths of Aprill and May they set saile from Thames for the Bay of the Massachuselts otherwise called Charles River viz. the George Bonaventure of twenty peeces of Ordnance the Talbot nineteene the Lions-whelpe eight the May-flower fourteene the Foure Sisters foureteene the Pilgrim foure with three hundred and fifty men women and children also an hundred and fifteene head of Cattell as horse mares and neat beast one and forty goats some Conies with all provision for houshold and apparell six peeces of great Ordnance for a Fort with Muskets Pikes Corselets Drums Colours with all provisions necessary for a plantation for the good of man other particulars I understand of no more than is writ in the generall historie of those Countries But you are to understand that the noble Lord chiefe Iustice Popham Iudge Doderege the Right Honourable Earles of Pembroke Southampton Salesbury and the rest as I take it they did all thinke as I and them went with me did That had those two Countries beene planted as it was intended that no other nation should come plant betwixt us If ever the King of Spaine and we should fall foule those Countries being so capable of all materialls for shipping by this might have beene owners of a good Fleet of ships and to have releeved a whole Navy from England upon occasion yea and to have furnished England with the most Easterly commodities and now since seeing how conveniently the Summer Iles fell to our shares so neere the West Indies wee might with much more facility than the Dutchmen havâ— invaded the West Indies that doth now put in practice what so long hath beene advised on by many an honest English States-man Those Countries Caâ—taine Smith oft times used to call his children that never had mother well he might for few fathers ever payed dearer for so little consent and for those that would truly understand how many strange accidents hath befallen them and him how oft up how oft downe sometimes neere desperate and ere long flourishing cannot but conceive Gods infinite mercies and favours towards them Had his designes beene to have perswaded men to a mine of gold though few doth conceive either the charge or paines in refining it nor the power nor care to defend it or some new Invention to passe to the South Sea or some strange plot to invade some strange Monastery or some portable Countrie or some chargeable Fleet to take some rich Carocks in the East Indies or Letters of Mart to rob some poore Merchants what multitudes of both people and mony would contend to be first imployed but in those noble endevours now how few of quality unlesse it be to beg some Monopolie and those seldome seeke the common good but the commons goods as you may reade at large in his generall history page 217 218 219. his generall observations and reasons for this plantation for yet those Countries are not so forward but they may become as miserable as ever if better courses be not taken than is as this Smith will plainly demonstrate to his Majesty or any other noble person of ability liable generously to undertake it how within a short time to make Virginia able to resist any enemy that as yet lieth open to all and yeeld the King more custome within these few yeares in certaine staple commodities than ever it did in Tobacco which now not being worth bringing home the custome will bee as uncertaine to the King as dangerous to the plantations CHAP. XXIIII A briefe discourse of divers voyages made unto the goodly Countrey of Guiana and the great River of the Amazons relating also the present Plantation there IT is not unknowen how that most industrious honourable Knight Sir Walter Rauleigh in the yeare of our Lord 1595. taking the I le of Trinidado fell with the Coast of Guiana Northward of the Line ten degrees and coasted the Coast and searched up the River Oranoca where understanding that twentie severall voyages had beene made by the Spanyards in discovering this Coast and River to finde a passage to the great Citie of Mano called by them the Eldorado or the Golden Citie he did his utmost to have found some better satisfaction than relations But meanes failing him hee left his trustie servant Francis Sparrow to seeke it who wandring up and downe those Countreyes some foureteene or fifteene yeares unexpectedly returned I have heard him say he was led blinded into this Citie by Indians but little discourse of any purpose touching the largenesse of the report of it his body seeming as a man of an uncurable consumption shortâ—â— dyed here after in England There are above thirtie faire rivers that
THE TRUE TRAVELS ADVENTVRES AND OBSERVATIONS OF Captaine IOHN SMITH In Europe Asia Affrica and America from Anno Domini 1593. to 1629. His Accidents and Sea-fights in the Straights his Service and Stratagems of warre in Hungaria Transilvania Wallachia and Moldavia against the Turks and Tartars his three single combats betwixt the Christian Armie and the Turkes After how he was taken prisoner by the Turks sold for a Slave sent into Tartaria his description of the Tartars their strange manners and customes of Religions Diets Buildings Warres Feasts Ceremonies and Living how hee slew the Bashaw of Nalbrits in Cambia and escaped from the Turkes and Tartars Together with a continuation of his generall History of Virginia Summer-Iles New England and their proceedings since 1624. to this present 1629 as also of the new Plantations of the great River of the Amazons the Iles of St. Christopher Mevis and Barbados in the West Indies All written by actuall Authours whose names you shall finde along the History LONDON Printed by J. H. for Thomas Slater and are to bee sold at the Blew Bible in Greene Arbour 1630. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE William EARLE OF PEMBROKE Lord Steward of his Majesties most Honourable Houshold Robert EARLE OF LINDSEY Great Chamberlaine of ENGLAND Henrie Lord Hunsdon Vicount Rochford Earle of Dover And all your Honourable Friends and Well-willers My Lords SIR Robert Cotton that most learned Treasurer of Antiquitie having by perusall of my Generall Historie and others found that I had likewise undergone divers other as hard hazards in the other parts of the world requested me to fix the whole course of my passages in a booke by it selfe whose noble desire I could not but in part satisfie the rather because they have acted my fatall Tragedies upon the Stage and racked my Relations at their pleasure To prevent therefore all future misprisions I have compiled this true discourse Envie hath taxed me to have writ too much and done too little but that such should know how little I esteeme them I have writ this more for the satisfaction of my friends and all generous and well disposed Readers To speake only of my selfe were intolerable ingratitude because having had so many co-partners with me I cannot make a Monument for my selfe and leave them unburied in the fields whose lives begot me the title of a Souldier for as they were companions with me in my dangers so shall they be partakers with me in this Tombe For my Sea Grammar caused to bee printed by my worthy friend Sir Samuel Saltonstall hath found such good entertainment abroad that I have beene importuned by many noble persons to let this also passe the Presse Many of the most eminent Warriers and others what their swords did their penns writ Though I bee never so much their inferiour yet I hold it no great errour to follow good examples nor repine at them will doe the like And now my most Honourable good Lords I know not to whom I may better present it than to your Lordships whose friendships as I conceive are as much to each others as my duty is to you all and because you are acquainted both with my endevours and writings I doubt not but your honours will as well accept of this as of the rest and Patronize it under the shadow of your most noble vertues which I am ever bound in all duty to reverence and under which I hope to have shelter against all stormes that dare threaten Your Honours to be commanded IOHN SMITH The Contents of the severall Chapters CHAP. I. HIs birth apprentiship going into France his beginning with ten shillings and three pence his service in Netherlands his bad passage into Scotland his returne to Willoughby and how he lived in the woods page 1. Chap. 2. The notable villany of foure French Gallants and his revenge Smith throwne over-boord Captaine La Roche of Saint Malo releeves him 3. Chap. 3. A desperate Sea-sight in the Straights his passage to Rome Naples and the view of Italy 5. Chap. 4. The Siege of Olumpagh an excellent stratagem by Smith another not much worse 6. Chap. 5. The siege of Stowlle-Wesenburg the effects of Smiths Fire-workers a worthy exploit of the Earle Rosworme Earle Meldritch takes the Bashaw prisoner 8. Chap. 6. A brave encounter of the Turks armie with the Christians Duke Mercury overthroweth Assan Bashaw He divides the Christian armie his noblenesse and death 9. Chap. 7. The unhappy siege of Caniza Earle Meldritch serveth Prince Sigismundus Prince Moyses besiegeth Regall Smiths three single combats 11. Chap. 8. Georgio Busca an Albane his ingratitude to Prince Sigismundus Prince Moyses his Lieutenant is overthrowne by Busca Generall for the Emperour Rodulphus Smiths Patent from Sigismundus and reward 14. Chap. 9. Sigismundus sends Ambassadours unto the Emperour the conditions re-assured he yeeldeth up all to Busca and returneth to Prague 18. Chap. 10. The Battell of Rottenton a pretty stratagem of fire-workes by Smith 20. Chap. 11. The names of the English that were slaine in the battle of Rottenton and how Captaine Smith was taken prisoner and sold for a slave 21. Chap. 12. How Captaine Smith was sent prisoner thorow the Blacke and Dissabacca Sea in Tartaria the description of those Seas and his usage 23. Chap. 13. The Turks diet the Slaves diet the attire of the Tartars and manner of Warres and Religions c. 24. Chap. 14. The description of the Crym-Tartars their houses and carts their idolatry in their lodgings 26. Chap. 15. Their feasts common diet Princes estate buildings lawes slaves entertainment of Ambassadours 27. Chap. 16. How be levieth an Armie their Armes and Provision how he divideth the spoile and his service to the Great Turke 29. Chap. 17. How Captaine Smith escaped his captivity slew the Bashaw of Nalbrits in Cambia his passage to Russia Transilvania and the middest of Europe to Affrica 31. Chap. 18. The observations of Captaine Smith Mr. Henry Archer and others in Barbary 34. Chap. 19. The strange discoveries and observations of the Portugals in Affrica 37. Chap. 20. A brave Sea-fight betwixt two Spanish men of warre and Captaine Merham with Smith 39. Chap. 21. The continuation of the generall History of Virginia the Summer Iles and New England with their present estate from 1624. to this present 1629. 41. Chap. 22. The proceedings and present estate of the Summer Iles from An. Dom. 1624. to this present 1629. 45. Chap. 23. The proceedings and present estate of New England since 1624. to this present 1629. 46. Chap. 24. A briefe discourse of divers voyages made unto the goodly Country of Guiana and the great River of the Amazons relating also the present Plantation there 48. Chap. 25. The beginning and proceedings of the new plantation of St. Christopher by Captaine Warner 51. Chap. 26. The first planting of the Barbados 55. Chap. 27. The first plantation of the I le of Mevis 56. Chap. 28. The bad life qualities and conditions of Pyrats
Sander Screwe Panassa Musa Lastilla to Varna an ancient Citie upon the Blacke Sea In all which journey having little more libertie than his eyes judgement since his captivitie he might see the Townes with their short Towers and a most plaine fertile and delicate Countrey especially that most admired place of Greece now called Romania but from Varna nothing but the Blacke Sea water 〈◊〉 he came to the two Capes of Taur and Pergilos where hee passed the Straight of Niger which as he conjectured is some ten leagues long and three broad betwixt two low lands the Channell is deepe but at the entrance of the Sea Dissabacca their are many great Osie-shouâ—ds and many great blacke roâ—kes which the Turkes said were trees weeds and mud throwen from the in-land Countryes by the inundations and violence of the Current and cast there by the Eddy They sayled by many low Iles and saw many more of those muddy roâ—kes and nothing else but salt water till they came betwixt Susax and Curuske only two white townes at the entrance of the river Bruapo appeared In six or seven dayes saile he saw foure or five seeming strong castles of stone with flat tops and battlements about them but arriving at Cambia he was according to their custome well used The river was there more than halfe a mile broad The Castle was of a large circumference foureâ—â—ene or fifteene foot thicke in the foundation some six foot from the wall is a Paliizado and then a Ditch of about fortie foot broad full of water On the west side of it is a Towne all of low flat houses which as be conceived could bee of no great strength yet it keepes all them barbarous Countreyes about it in admiration and subjection After he had stayed there three dayes it was two dayes more before his guides brought him to Nalbrits where the Tymor then was resident in a great vast stonie Castle with many great Courts about it invironed with high stone wals where was quartered their Armes when they first subjected those Countreyes which only live to labour for those tyrannicall Turkes To her unkinde brother this kinde Ladie writ so much for his good usage that hee halfe suspected as much as she intended for shee told him he should there but sojourne to learne the language and what it was to be a Turke till time made her Master of her selfe But the Tymor her brother diverted all this to the worst of crueltie for within an hourâ— after his arrivall he caused his Drub-man to strip him naked and shave his head and beard so bare as his hand a great ring of iron with a long stalke bowed like a sickle rivetted about his necke and a coat made of Vlgries haire guarded about with a peece of an undrest skinne There were many more Christian slaves and neere an hundred Forsados of Turkes and Moores and he being the last was slave of slaves to them all Among these slavish fortunes there was no great choice for the best was so bad a dog could hardly have lived to endure and yet for all their paines and labours no more regarded than a beast CHAP. XIII The Turkes diet the Slaves diet the attire of the Tartars and manner of Warres and Religions c. THe Tymor and his friends fed upon Pillaw which is boiled Rice and Garnances with little bits of mutton or Buckones which is rosted peeces of Horse Bull Vlgrie or any beasts Samboyses and Muselbit are great dainties and yet but round pies full of all sorts of flesh they can get chopped with varietie of herbs Their best drinke is Coffa of a graine they call Coava boiled with water and Sherbecke which is only honey and water Mâ—res milke or the milke of any beast they hold restorative but all the Comminaltie drinke pure water Their bread is made of this Coava which is a kinde of blacke wheaâ— and Cuskus a small white seed like Millya in Biskay but our common victuall the entrailes of Horse and Vlgries of this cut in small peeces they will fill a great Cauldron and being boiled with Cuskus and put in great bowles in the forme of chaffing-dishes they sit round about it on the ground after they haue raked it thorow so oft as they please with their soule fists the remainder was for the Christian slaves Some of this broth they would temper with Cuskus pounded and putting the fire off from the hearth powre there a bowle full then cover it with coâ—les till it be baked which stewed with the remainder of the broth and some small peeces of flesh was an extraordinarie daintie The better sort are attired like Turkes but the plaine Tartar hath a blacke sheepe skinne over his backe and two of the legs tied about his necke the other two about his middle with another over his belly and the legs tied in the like manner behinde him then two more made like a paire of bâ—ses serveth him for breeches with a little close cap to his skull of blacke felt and they use exceeding much of this felt for carpets for bedding for Coats and Idols Their houses are much worse than your Irish but the In-land Countreyes have none but Carts and Tents which they ever remove from Countrey to Countrey as they see occasion driving with them infinite troopes of blacke sheepe Cattell and Vlgries eating all vp before them as they goe For the Tartars of Nagi they have neither Towne nor house corne nor drinke but flesh and milke The milke they keepe in great skinnes like Burracho's which though it be never so sower it agreeth well with their strong stomackes They live all in Hordias as doth the Crim-Tartars three or foure hundred in a company in great Carts fifteene or sixteene foot broad which is covered with small rods wattled together in the forme of a birds nest turned vpwards and with the ashes of bones tempered with oile Camels haire and a clay they have they lome them so well that no weather will pierce them and yet verie light Each Hordia hath a Murse which they obey as their King Their Gods are infinite One or two thousand of those glittering white Carts drawen with Camels Deere Buls and Vlgries they bring round in a ring where they pitch their Campe and the Murse with his chiefe alliances are placed in the midst They doe much hurt when they can get any Stroggs which are great boats used upon the river Volga which they call Edle to them that dwell in the Countrey of Perolog and would doe much more were it not for the Muscovites Garrisons that there inhabit CHAP. XIIII The description of the Crym-Tartars their houses and carts their Idolatry in their lodgings NOw you are to understand Tartary and Scythia are all one but so large and spacious few or none could ever perfectly describe it nor all the severall kinds of those most barbarous people that inhabit it Those we call the Crym-Tartars border
men and women and richly served in plate and great silver cups delivered upon the knee attired in rich furres lined with plush or taffity or robes of tissue These Tartars possesse many large and goodly plaines wherein feed innumerable herds of horse and cattell as well wilde as tame which are Elkes Bisones Horses Deere Sheepe Goates Swine Beares and divers others In those countries are the ruines of many faire Monasteries Castles and Cities as Bacasaray Salutium Almassary Perecopya Cremum Sedacom Capha and divers others by the Sea but all kept with strong garrisons for the great Turke who yearely by trade or trafficke receiveth the chiefe commodities those fertile countries afford as Bezer Rice Furres Hides Butter Salt Cattell and Slaves yet by the spoiles they get from the secure and idle Christians they maintaine themselves in this Pompe Also their wives of whom they have as many as they will very costly yet in a constant custome with decency They are Mahometans as are the Turks from whom also they have their Lawes but no Lawyers nor Attournies onely Iudges and Iustices in every Village or Hordia but capitall criminalls or matters of moment before the Chan himselfe or Priuie Counsells of whom they are alwayes heard and speedily discharged for any may have accesse at any time to them before whom they appeare with great reverence adoring their Princes as Gods and their spirituall Iudges as Saints for Iustice is with such integrity and expedition executed without covetousnesse bribery partiality and brawling that in six moneths they have sometimes scarce six causes to heare About the Princes court none but his guard weares any weapon but abroad they goe very strong because there are many bandytos and Theeves They use the Hungarians Russians Wallachians and Moldavian slaves whereof they have plenty as beasts to every worke and those Tartars that serve the Chan or noblemen have only victuall and apparell the rest are generally nasty and idle naturally miserable and in their warres better theeves than souldiers Thâ—s Chan hath yeerely a Donative from the King of Poland the Dukes of Lituania Moldavia and Nagagon Tartars their Messengers commonly he useth bountifully and verie nobly but sometimes most cruelly when any of them doth bring their Presents by his houshold Officers they are entertained in a plaine field with a moderate proportion of flesh bread and wine for once but when they come before him the Sultaines Tuians Vlans Marhies his chiefe Officers and Councellors attend one man only bringeth the Ambassadour to the Court gate but to the Chan he is led betweene two Councellors where sâ—luting him upon their bended knees declaring their message are admitted to eat with him and presented with a great silver cup full of Mead from his owne hand but they drinke it upon their knees when they aredispatched he invites them againe the feast ended they go backe a little from the Palace doore and rewarded with silke Vestures wrought with gold downe to their anckles with an horse or two and sometimes a slave of their owne Nation in them robes presently they come to him againe to give him thankes take their leave and so depart CHAP. XVI How he levieth an Armie their Armes and Provision how he divideth the spoile and his service to the Great Turke WHen he intends any warres he must first have leave of the Great Turke whom hee is bound to assist when hee commandeth receiving daily for himselfe and chiefe of his Nobilitie pensions from the Turke that holds all Kings but slaves that pay tribute or are subject to any signifying his intent to all his subjects within a moneth commonly he raiseth his Armie and everie man is to furnish himselfe for three moneths victuals which is parched Millit or grownd to meale which they ordinarily mingle with water as is said hard cheese or cruds dried and beaten to powder a little will make much water like milke and dried flesh this they put also up in sackes The Chan and his Nobles have some bread and Aquavitae and quicke cattell to kill when they please wherewith verie sparingly they are contented Being provided with expert Guides and got into the Countrey he intends to invade he sends forth his Scouts to bring in what prisoners they can from whom he will wrest the utmost of their knowledge fit for his purpose having advised with his Councell what is most fit to be done the Nobilitie according to their antiquitie doth march then moves he with his whole Armie if hee finde there is no enemie to oppose him he adviseth how farre they shall invade commanding everie man upon paine of his life to kill all the obvious Rusticks but not to hurt any women or children Ten or fifteene thousand he commonly placeth where hee findeth most convenient for his standing Campe the rest of his Armie hee divides in severall troops bearing ten or twelve miles sâ—uare before them and ever within three or foure dayes returne to their Campe putting all to fire and sword but that they carrie with them backe to their Campe and in this scattering manner he will invade a Countrey and be gone with his prey with an incredible expedition But if he understand of an enemie he will either fight in Ambuscado or flie for he will never fight any battell if he can chuse but upon treble advantage yet by his innumerable flights of arrowes I have seene flie from his flying troopes we could not well judge whether his fighting or flying was most dangerous so good is hâ—s horse and so expert his bowmen but if they be so intangled they must fight there is none can bee more hardy or resolute in their defences Regaining his owne borders he takes the tenth of the principall captives man woman childe or beast but his captaines that tâ—ke them will accept of some particular person they best like for themselves the rest are divided amongst the whole Armie according to every mans desert and quality that they keepe them or sell them to who will give most but they will not forget to use all the meanes they can to know their estates friends and quality and the better they finde you the worse they will use you till you doe agree to pay such a ransome as they will impose upon you therefore many great persons have â—ndured much misery to conceale themselves because their ransomes areso intolerable their best hope is of some Christian Agent that many times commeth to redeeme slaves either with mony or man for man those Agents knowing so well the extreme covetousnesse of the Tartars doe use to bribe some Iew or Merchant that feigning they will sell them againe to some other nation are oft redeemed for a very small ransome But to this Tartarian Armie when the Turke commands he goeth with some small artillery and the Nagagians Perecopens Crimes Osovens and Cersessians are his tributaries but the Petigorves Oczaconians Byalogordens and Dobrucen Tartars the
Turke by covenant commands to follow him so that from all those Tartars he hath had an Army of an hundred and twenty thousand excellent swift stomackfull Tartarian horse for foot they have none Now the Chan his Sultaines and nobility use Turkish Caramanian Arabian Parthian and other strange Tartarian horses the swiftest they esteeme the best seldome they feede any more at home than they have present use for but upon their plaines is a short wodde like heath in some countries like gaile full of berries farre much better than any grasse Their Armes are such as they have surprised or got from the Christians or Persians both brest-plates swords semiteres and helmets bowes and arrowes they make most themselves also their bridles and saddles are indifferent but the nobility are very handsome and well armed like the Turkes in whom consisteth their greatest glory the ordinary sort have little armor some a plaine young pole unshaven headed with a peece of iron for a lance some an old Christian pike or a Turks cavatine yet those tattertimallions will have two or three horses some foure or five as well for service as for to eat which makes their Armies seem thrice so many as there are souldiers The Chan himselfe hath about his person ten thousand chosen Tartars and Ianizaries some small Ordnance and a white mares taile with a peece of greene taffity on a great Pike is carried before him for a standard because they hold no beast so precious as a white mare whose milke is onely for the King nobility and to sacrifice to their Idolls but the rest have ensignes of diveâ—s colours For all this miserable knowledge furniture and equipage thâ— mischiefe they doe in Christendome is wonderfull by reason of their hardnesse of life and constitution obedience agilitie and their Emperours bountie honours grace and dignities he ever bestoweth upon those that have done him any memorable service in the face of his enemies The Caspian Sea most men agree that have passed it to be in length about 200. leagues and in breadth an hundred fifty environed to the East with the great desarts of the Tartars of Turkamane to the West by the Circasses and the mountaine Caucasus to the North by the river Volga and the land of Nagay and to the South by Media and Persia this sea is fresh water in many places in others as salt as the great Ocean it hath many great rivers which fall into it as the mighty river of Volga which is like a sea running neere two thousand miles through many great and large Countries that send into it many other great rivers also out of Saberya Yaick and Yem out of the great mountaine Caucasus the river Sirus Arash and divers others yet no Sea neerer it than the blacke Sea which is at least an hundred leagues distant in which Country live the Georgians now part Armenians part Nestorians it is neither found to increase or diminish or empty it selfe any way except it be under ground and in some places they can finde no ground at two hundred fadome Many other most strange and wonderfull things are in the land of Cathay towards the North-east and Chyna towards the South-east where are many of the most famous Kingdomes in the world where most arts plenty and curiosities are in such abundance as might seeme incredible which hereafter I will relate as I have briefly gathered from such authors as have lived there CHAP. XVII How captaine Smith escaped his captivity slew the Bashaw of Nalbrits in Cambia his passage to Russia Transilvania and the middest of Europe to Affrica ALL the hope he had ever to be delivered from this thraldome was only the love of Tragabigzanda who surely was ignorant of his bad usage for although he had often debated the matter with some Christians that had beene there a long time slaves they could not finde how to make an escape by any reason or possibility but God beyond mans expectation or imagination helpeth his servants when they least thinke of helpe as it hapned to him So long he lived in this miserable estate as he became a thresher at a grange in a great field more than a league from the Tymors house the Bashaw as he ost used to visit his granges visited him and rocke occasion so to beat spurne and revile him that forgetting all reason he beat out the Tymors braines with his threshing bat for they have no flailes and seeing his estate could be no worse than it was clothed himselfe in his clothes hid his body under the straw filled his knapsacke with corne shut the doores mounted his horse and ranne into the desart at all adventure two or three dayes thus fearfully wandring he knew not whither and well it was he met not any to aske the way being even as taking lâ—ave of this miserable world God did direct him to the great way or Castragan as they call it which doth crosse these large territories and generally knowne among them by these markes In every crossing of this great way is planted a post and in it so many bobs with broad ends as there be wayes and every bob the figure painted on it that demonstrateth to what part that way leadâ—th as that which pointeth towards the Cryms Country is marked with a halfe Monne if towards the Georgians and Persia a blacke man full of white spots if towards China the picture of the Sunne if towards Muscovia the signe of a Crosse if towards the habitation of any other Prince the figure whereby his standard is knowne To his dying spirits thus God added some comfort in this melancholy journey wherein if he had met any of that vilde generation they had made him their slave or knowing the figure engraven in the iron about his necke as all slaves have he had beene sent backe againe to his master sixteene dayes he travelled in this feare and torment after the Crosse till he arrived at Aecopolis upon the river Don a garrison of the Muscovites The governour after due examination of those his hard events tooke off his irons and so kindly used him he thought himselfe new risen from death and the good Lady Callamata largely supplied all his wants that the Country of Cambia is two dayes journy from the head of the great river Bruapo which springeth from many places of the mountaines of Innagachi that joyne themselves together in the Poole Kerkas which they account for the head and falleth into the Sea Dissabacca called by some the lake Meotis which receiveth also the river Tanais and all the rivers that fall from the great Countries of the Circassi the Cartaches and many from the Tauricaes Precopes Cummani Cossunka and the Cryme through which Sea he sailed and up the river Bruapo to Nalbrits and thence through the desarts of Circassi to Aecoplis as is related where he stayed with the Governour till the Convoy went to Coraguaw then with his certificate how hee
found him and had examined with his friendly letters sent him by Zumalacke to Caragnaw whose Governour in like manner so kindly use him that by this meanes he went with a safe conduct to Letch and Donka in Cologoske and thence to Berniske and Newgrod in Seberia by Rezechica upon the river Niper in the confines of Littuania from whence with as much kindnesse he was convoyed in like manner by Coroski Duberesko Duzihell Drohobus and Ostroge in Volonis Saslaw and Lasco in Podolia Halico and Collonia in Polonia and so to Hermonstat in Transilvania In all his life he seldome met with more respâ—ct mirth content and entertainment and not any Governour where he came but gave him somewhat as a present besides his charges seeing themselves as subject to the like calamity Through those poore continually forraged Countries there is no passage but with the Carravans or Convoyes for they are Countries rather to be pitied than envied and it is a wonder any should make warres for them The Villages are onely here and there a few houses of straight Firre trees laid heads and points above one another made fast by notches at the ends more than a mans height and with broad split boards pinned together with woodden pinnes as thatched for coverture In ten Villages you shall scarce finde ten iron nailes except it be in some extraordinary mans house For their Townes Aecopolis Letch and Dâ—nko have rampiers made of that woodden walled fashion double and betwixt them earth and stones but so latched with crosse timber they are very strong against any thing but fire and about them a deepe ditch and a Palizado of young Firre trees but most of the rest have only a great ditch cast about them and the ditches earth is all their rampier but round well environed with Palizadoes Some have some few small peeces of small Ordnance and slings calievers and muskets but their generallest weapons are the Russe bowes and arrowes you shall find pavements over bogges onely of young Firre trees laid crosse one over another for two or three houres journey or as the passage requires and yet in two dayes travell you shall scarce see six habitations Notwithstanding to see how their Lords Governours and Captaines are civilized well attired and acoutred with Iewells Sables and Horses and after their manner with curious furniture it is wonderfull but they are all Lords or slaves which makes them so subject to every invasion In Transilvania he found so many good friends that but to see and rejoyce himselfe after all those encounters in his native Country he would ever hardly have left them though the mirrour of vertue their Prince was absent Being thus glutted with content and neere drowned with joy he passed high Hungaria by Fileck Tocka Cassovia and Vnderoroway by Vlmicht in Moravia to Prague in Bohemia at last he found the most gracious Prince Sigismundus with his Colonell at Lipswick in Misenland who gave him his Passe intimating the service he had done and the honours he had received with fifteene hundred ducats of gold to repaire his losses with this he spent some time to visit the faire Cities and Countries of Drasdon in Saxonie Magdaburgh and Brunswicke Cassell in Hessen Wittenberg Vilum and Minikin in Bavaria Aughsbrough and her Vniversities Hama Franckford Mentz the Palatinate Wormes Speyre and Strausborough passing Nancie in Loraine and France by Paris to Orleans hee went downe the river of Loyer to Angiers and imbarked himselfe at Nantz in Britanny for Bilbao in Biskay to see Burgos-Valiadolid the admired monasterie of the Escuriall Madrill Teledo Cordua Cuedyriall Civill Cheryes Cales and Saint Lucas in Spaine CHAP. XVIII The observations of Captaine Smith Mr. Henrie Archer and others in Barbarie BEing thus satisfied with Europe and Asia understanding of the waâ—res in Barbarie hee went from Gibralter to Guta and Tanger thence to Saffee where growing into acquaintance with a French man of warre the Captaine and some twelve more went to Morocco to see the ancient monuments of that large renowned Citie it was once the principall Citie in Barbarie situated in a goodly plaine Countrey 14. miles from the great Mount Atlas and sixtie miles from the Atlanticke Sea but now little remaining but the Kings Palace which is like a Citie of it selfe and the Christian Church on whose flat square steeple is a great brouch of iron whereon is placed the three golden Bals of Affrica the first is neere three Ells in circumference the next above it somewhat lesse the uppermost the least over them at it were an halfe Ball and over all a prettie guilded Pyramides Against those golden Bals hath been shot many a shot their weight is recorded 700. weight of pure gold hollow within yet no shot did ever hit them nor could ever any Conspirator attaine that honor as to get them downe They report the Prince of Morocco betrothed himselfe to the Kings Daughter of Aethiopia he dying before their mariage she caused those three golden Balls to be set up for his Monument and vowed virginitie all her life The Alfantica is also a place of note because it is invironed with a great wall wherein lye the goods of all the Merchants securely guarded The Iuderea is also as it were a Citie of it selfe where dwell the Iewes the rest for the most part is defaced but by the many pinnacles and towers with Balls on their tops hath much appearance of much sumptuousness and curiositie There have been many famous Universities which are now but stables for Fowles Beasts the houses in most parts lye tumbled one above another the walls of Earth are with the great fresh flouds washed to the ground nor is there any village in it but tents for Strangers Larbes Moores Strange tales they will tell of a great Garden wherein were all sorts of Biâ—ds Fishes Beasts Fruits Fountaines which for beautie Art and pleasure exceeded any place knowne in the world though now nothing but dung-hils Pigeon-houses shrubs and bushes There are yet many excellent fountaines adorned with marble and many arches pillers towers ports and Temples but most only reliques of lamentable ruines and sad desolation When Mully Hamet reigned in Barbarie hee had three sonnes Mully Shecke Mully Sidan and Mully Befferres be a most good and noble King that governed well with peace and plentie till his Empresse more cruell than any beast in Affrica poysoned him her owne daughter Mully Shecke his eldest sonne borne of a Portugall Ladie and his daughter to bring Mully Sidan to the Crowne now reigning which was the cause of all those brawles and warres that followed betwixt those Brothers their children and a Saint that start up but he played the Devill King Mully Hamet was not blacke as many suppose but Molata or tawnie as are the most of his subjects everie way noble kinde and friendly verie rich and pompous in Staâ—e and Majestie though hee sitteth not upon a
fall into the Sea betweene the River of Amazons and Oranoca which are some nine degrees asunder In the yeare 1605. Captaine Ley brother to that noble Knight Sâ—r Oliver Ley with divers others planted himselfe in the River Weapoco wherein I should have beene a partie but hee dyed and there lyes â—urieâ— and the supply miscarrying the rest escaped as they could Sâ—r Thomas Roe well kâ—owâ—n to be a most noble Gentleman before he went Lord Ambassadour to the Great Mogoll or the Great Turke spent a yeare or two upon this Coast and about the River of the Amazones wherein he most imployed Captaine Matthew Morton an expert Sea-man in the discoverie of this famous River a Gentleman that was the first shot and mortally supposed wounded to death with me in Virginia yet siâ—ce hâ—th beene twice with command in the East Indies Also Captaine William White and divers others worthy and industrious Gentlemen both before and since hath spent much time and charge to discover it more perfitly but nothing more effected for a Plantation tâ—â—â—ic was undertaken by Captaine Robert Harcote 1609. This worthy Gentleman after he had by Commission made a discoverie to his minde left his brother Michael Harcote with some fiftie or sixtie mâ—n in the River Weapoco and so presently returned to England where he obtained by the favour of Prince Henrie a large Patent for all that Coast called Guiana together with the famous River of Amazones to him and his heires but so many troubles here surprized him though he did his best to supply them he was not able only some few hee sent over as passengers with certaine Duâ—ch-men but to small purpose Thus this businesse lay dead for divers yeeres till Sir Walter Rauleigh accompanied with many valiant Souldiers and brave Gentlemen went his last voyage to Guiana amongst the which was Captaine Roger North brother to the Right Honourable the Lord Dudley North who upon this voyage having stayed and seene divers Rivers upon this Coast tooke such a liking to those Countreyes having had before this voyage more perfâ—ct and particular information of the excellencie of the great River of the Amazones above any of the rest by certaine Englishmen returned so rich from thence in good commodities they would not goe with Sir Walter Rauleigh in search of gold that after his returne for England he endâ—voured by his best abilities to interest his Countrey and stâ—te in those fâ—re Regions which by the way of Letteâ—s Patents unto divers Noblemen and Gentlemen of qualitie erected into a company and perpetuâ—tie for trade and plantation not knowing of the Interest of Captaine Harcote Where upon accompanied with 120. Gentlemen and others with a ship a piâ—nace and two shâ—llops to remaine in the Countrey hee set saile from Plimouth the last of April 1620 and within seven weekes after hee arrived well in the Amazones only with the losse of one old man some hundred leagues they ran up the River to settle his men where the sight of the Countrey and people so contented them that never men thought themselves more happie Some English and Irish that had lived there some eight yeeres onâ—y supplyed by the Dutch hee reduced to his company and to leave the Dutch having made a good voyage to the value of more than the charge he returned to Englangd with divers good commodities besides Tobacco So that it may well be conceived that if this action had not beene thus crossed the Geâ—eralitie of England had by this time beene wonne and encouraged therein But the time was not yet come that God would have this great businesse effected by reason of the great power the Lord Gundamore Ambâ—ssadour for the King of Spaine had in England to crosse and ruine those proceedings and so unfortunate Captaine North was in this businesse hee was twice committed prisoner to the Tower and the goods detained till they were spoiled who beyond all others was by much the greatest Adventurer and Loser Notwithstanding all this those that he had left in the Amazons would not abandon the Countrey Captaine Thomas Painton a worthy Gentleman his Lieutenant dead Captaine Charles Parker brother to the Right Honourable the Lord Morley lived there six yeares after Mr. Iohn Christmas five yeares so well they would not returne although they might with divers ether Gentle-men of qualitie and others all thus destitute of any supplyes from England But all authoritie being dâ—ssolved want of government did more wrong their proceedings than all other crosses whatsoever Some releefe they had sometime from the Dutch who knowing their estates gave what they pleased and tooke what they list Two brothers Gentlemen Thomas and William Hixon who stayed three yeares there are now gone to stay in the Amazons in the ships lately sent thither The businesse thus remaining in this sort three private men left of that Company named Mr Thomas Warriner Iohn Rhodes and Robert Bims having lived there about two yeares came for England and to be free from the disorders that did grow in the Amazons for want of Government amongst their Countrey-men and to be quiet amongst themselves made meanes to set themselves out for St. Christophers their whole number being but fifteene persons that payed for their passage in a ship going for Virginia where they remained a yeare before they were supplyed and then that was but foure or five men Thus this I le by this small beginning having no interruption by their owne Countrey hath now got the start of the Continent and maine Land of Guiana which hath beene layd apart and let alone untill that Captaine North ever watching his best opportunitie and advantage of time in the state hath now againe pursued and set on foot his former designe Captaine Harcoâ—e being now willing to surrender his grant and to joyne with Captaine North in passing a new Patent and to erect a company for trade and plantation in the Amazons and all the Coast and Countrey of Guiana for ever Whereupon they have sent this present yeare in Ianuarie and since 1628. foure ships with neere two hundred persons the first ship with 112. men not one miscarried that rest went since not yet heard of and are preparing another with their best expedition and since Ianuarie is gone from Holland 100. English and Irish conducted by the old Planters This great River lieth under the Line the two chiefe head lands North and South are about three degrees asunder the mouth of it is so full of many great and small Iles it is an easie matter for an unexperienced Pilot to lose his way It is held one of the greatest rivers in America and as most men thinke in the world and commeth downe with such a fresh it maketh the Sea fresh more than thirtie miles from the shore Captaine North having seated his men about an hundred leagues in the Maine sent Captaine William White with thâ—rtie Gentlemen
the nailes of steele But on each side is a paire of such like staires up which you may goe stand or kneele but divided from the holy Staires by two walls right against them is a Chappell where hangs a great silver Lampe which burneth continually yet they say the oyle neither increaseth nor diminisheth A little distant is the ancient Church of Saint Iohn de Laterane where he saw him say Masse which commonly he doth upon some Friday once a moneth Having saluted Father Parsons that famous English Iesuite and satisfied himselfe with the rarities of Rome he went downe the River of Tiber to Civita Vechia where he embarked himselfe to satisfie his eye with the faire Citie of Naples and her Kingdomes nobilitie returning by Capua Rome and Seana he passed by that admired Câ—tie of Florence the Cities and Countries of Bolonia Ferrara Mantua Padu and Venice whose Gulfe he passed from Malamoco and the Adriatike Sea for Ragouza spending some time to see that barren broken coast of Albania and Dalmatia to Capo de Islria travelling the maine of poore Slavonia by Lubbiano till he came to Grates in Steria the Seat of Ferdinando Arch-duke of Austria now Emperour of Almania where he met an English man and an Irish Iesuite who acquainted him with many brave Gentlemen of good qualitie especially with the Lord Ebersbaught with whom trying such conclusions as he projected to undertake preferred him to Baron Kisell Generall of the Arâ—llery and he to a worthy Collonell the Earle of Meldritch with whom going to Vienne in Austria under whose Regiment in what service and how he spent his time this ensuing Discourse will declare CHAP. IV. The Siege of Olumpagh An excellent Stratagem by Smith Another not much worse AFter the losse of Caniza the Turkes with twentie thousand besieged the strong Towne of Olumpagh so straightly as they were cut off from all intelligence and hope of succour till Iohn Smith this English Gentleman acquainted Baron Kisell Generall of the Arch-dukes Artillery he had taught the Governour his worthy friend such a Rule that he would undertake to make him know any thing he intended and have his answer would they bring him but to some place where he might make the flame of a Torch seene to the Towne Kisell inflamed with this strange invention Smith made it so plaine that forthwith hee gave him guides who in the darke night brought him to a mountaine where he shewed three Torches equidistant from other which plainly appearing to the Towne the Governour presently apprehended and answered againe with three other fires in like manner each knowing the others being and intent Smith though distant seven miles signified to him these words On Thursday at night I will charge on the East at the Alarum salley you Ebersbaught answered he would and thus it was done First he writ his message as briefe you see as could be then divided the Alphabet in two parts thus A. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. k. l. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. m. n. o. p. q. r. s. t. v. w. x. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. y. z. 2. 2. The first part from A. to L. is signified by shewing and hiding one linkâ— so oft as there is letters from A. to that letter you meane the other part from M. to Z. is mentioned by two lights in like manner The end of a word is signified by shewing of three lights ever staying your light at that letter you meane till the other may write it in a paper and answer by his signall which is one light it is done beginning to count the letters by the lights every time from A. to M. by this meanes also the other returned his answer whereby each did understand other The Guides all this time having well viewed the Campe returned to Kisell who doubting of his power being but ten thousand was animated by the Guides how the Turkes were so divided by the River in two parts they could not easily second each other To which Smith added this conclusion that two or three thousand pieces of match fastened to divers small lines of an hundred fathome in length being armed with powder might all be fired and stretched at an instant before the Alarum upon the Plaine of Hysnaburg supported by two staves at each lines end in that manner would seeme like so many Musketteers which was put in practice and being discovered by the Turkes they prepared to encounter these false fires thinking there had beene some great Armie whilest Kisell with his ten thousand being entred the Turks quarter who ranne up and downe as men amazed It was not long ere Ebersbaught was pell-mell with them in their Trenches in which distracted confusion a third part of the Turkes that besieged that side towards Knousbruck were slaine many of the rest drowned but all fled The other part of the Armie was so busied to resist the false fires that Kisell before the morning put two thousand good souldiers in the Towne and with small losse was retired the Garrison was well releeved with that they found in the Turkes quarter which caused the Turkes to raise their siege and returne to Caniza and Kisell with much honour was received at Kerment and occasioned the Author a good reward and preferment to be Captaine of two hundred and fiftie Horse-men under the Conduct of Colonell Voldo Earle of Meldritch CHAP. V. The siege of Stowlle-wesenburg The effects of Smiths Fire-workes A worthy exploit of Earle Rosworme Earle Meldritch takes the Bashaw prisoner A Generall rumour of a generall peace now spred it selfe over all the face of those tormented Countries but the Turke intended no such matter but levied souldiers from all parts he could The Emperour also by the assistance of the Christian Princes provided three Armies the one led by the Arch-duke Mathias the Emperours brother and his Lieutenant Duke Mercury to defend Low Hungary the second by Ferdinando the Arch-duke of Steria and the Duke of Mantua his Lieutenant to regaine Caniza the third by Gonzago Governour of High Hungary to joyne with Georgio Busca to make an absolute conquest of Transilvania Duke Mercury with an Armie of thirtie thousand whereof neere ten thousand were French besieged Stowlle-wesenburg otherwise called Alba Regalis a place so strong by Art and Nature that it was thought impregnable At his first comming the Turkes sallied upon the Germane quarter slew neere five hundred and returned before they were thought on The next night in like manner they did neere as much to the Bemers and Hungarians of which fortune still presuming thinking to have found the French quarter as carelesse eight or nine hundred of them were cut in pieces and taken prisoners In this encounter Mousieur Grandvile a brave French Colonell received seven or eight cruell wounds yet followed the Enemie to the Ports he came off alive but within three or foure dayes died Earle Meldritch by
Common-wealths built many great and strong Cities and where is it they have not beene by trade or force no not so much as Cape de Verd and Sermleone but most Bayes or Rivers where there is any trade to bee had especially gold or conveniencie for refreshment but they are scattered living so amongst those Blacks by time and cunning they seeme to bee naturalized amongst them As for the Isles of the Canaries they have faire Townes many Villages and many thousands of people rich in commodities Ordoardo Lopez a noble Portugall Anno Dom. 1578. imbarquing himselfe for Congo to trade where he found such entertainment finding the King much oppressed with enemies hee found meanes to bring in the Portugalls to assist him whereby he planted there Christian Religion and spent mâ—st of his life to bring those Countreyes to the Crowne of Portugall which he describeth in this manner The Kingdome of Congo is about 600. miles diameter any way the chiefe Citie called St. Savadore seated upon an exceeding high mountaine 150. miles from the Sea verie fertile and inhabited with more than 100000. persons where is an excellent prospect over all the plaine Countreyes about it well watered lying as it were in the Center of this Kingdome over all which the Portugalls now command though but an handfull in comparison of Negroes They have flesh and fruits verie plentifull of divers sorts This Kingdom is divided into five Provinces viz. Bamba Sundi Pango Batta and Pembo but Bamba is the principall and can affoord 400000. men of warre Elephants are bred over all those Provinces and of wonderfull greatnesse though some report they cannot kneele nor lye downe they can doe both and have their joynts as other creatures for use with their fore-seet they will leape upon trees to pull downe the boughes and are of that strength they will shake a great Cocar tree for the nuts and pull downe a good tree with their ruskes to get the leaves to eat as well as sedge and long grasse Cocar nuts and berries c. which with their trunke they put in their mouth and chew it with their smaller teeth in most of those Provinces are many rich mines but the Negars opposed the Portugalls for working in them The Kingdome of Angola is wonderfull populous and rich in mines of silver copper and most other mettalls fruitfull in all manner of food and sundry sorts of cattell but dogges flâ—sh they love better than any other meat they use few clothes and no Armour bowes arrowes and clubs are their weapons But the Portugalls are well armed against those engines and doe buy yearely of those Blacks more than five thousand slâ—ves and many are people exceeding well proportioned The Anchicos are a most valiant nation but most strange to all about them Their Armes are Bowes short and small wrapped about with serpents skinnes of divers colours but so smooth you would thinke them all one with the wood and it makes them very strong their strings little twigs but exceeding tough and flexible their arrowâ—s short which they shoot with an incredible quicâ—nesse They have short axes of brasse and copper for swords wonderfull loyall and faithfull and exceeding simple yet so active they skip amongst the rockes like goats They trade with them of Nubea and Congo for Lamache which is a small kinde of shell fish of an excellent azure colour male and female but the female they hold most pure they value them at divers prices because they are of divers sorts and those they use for coine to buy and sell as we doe gold and silver nor will they have any other money in all those Countries for which they give Elephants teeth and slaves for salt silke linnen cloth glasse-beads and such like Portugall commodities They circumcise themselves and marke their faces with sundry flashes from their infancie They keepe a shambles of mans flesh as if it were beefe or other victuall for when they cannot have a good market for their slaves or their enemies they take they kill and sell them in this manner some are so resolute in shewing how much they scorne death they will offer themselves and slaves to this butchery to their Prince and friends and though there be many nations will eat their enemies in America and Asia yet none but those are knowne to be so mad as to cat their slaves and friends also Religions and idolls they have as many as nations and humours but the devill hath the greatest part of their devotions whom all those Blacks doe say is white for there are no Saints but Blacks But besides those great Kingdomes of Congo Angola and Azichi in those unfrequented parts are the kingdomes of Lango Matania Buttua â—ofola Mozambeche Quivola the Isle of Saint Lawrence Mombaza Meliâ—da the Empires of Monomatopa Monemugi and Presbiter Iohn with whom they have a kinde of trade and their rites customes climates temperatures and commodities by relation Also of great Lakes that deserve the names of Seas and huge mountaines of divers sorts as some scorched with heat some covered with snow the mountaines of the Sunne also of the Moone some of crystall some of iron some of silver and mountaines of gold with the originall of Nilus likewise sundry forts of cattell fishes Fowles strange beasts and monstrous serpents for Affrica was alwayes noted to be a fruitfull mother of such terrible creatures who meeting at their watering places which are but Ponds in desart places in regard of the heat of the Country and their extremities of nature make strange copulations and so ingender those extraordinary monsters Of all these you may reade in the history of this Edward Lopez translated into English by Abraham Hartwell and dedicated to Iohn Lord Archbishop of Canterbury 1597. But because the particulâ—rs are most concerning the conversion of those Pagans by a good poore Priest that first converted a Noble man to convert the King and the rest of the Nobility sent for so many Priests and ornaments into Portugall to solemnize their baptismes with such magnificence which was performed with such strange curiosities that those poore Negros adored them as Gods till the Pâ—iests grew to that wealth a Bishop was sent to rule over them which they would not endure which endangered to spoile all before they could bee reconciled But not to trouble you too long with those rarities of uncertainties let us returne againe to Barbary where the warres being ended and Befferres possessed of Morocco and his fathers treasure a new bruit arose amongst them that Muly Sidan was raising an Armie against him who after tooke his brother Befferres prisoner but by reason of the uncertainty and the perfidious treacherous bloudy murthers rather than warre amongst those perfidious barbarous Moores Smith returned with Merham and the rest to Saffe and so aboard his Ship to try some other conclusions at Sea CHAP. XX. A brave Sea fight betwixt two Spanish men of
this last yeare was there at least two or thâ—ee and twenty saile They have oft much salt fiâ—h from New England but fresh fish enough when they will take it Peaches in abundance at Kecoughtan Apples Peares Apricocks Vines figges and other fruits some have planted that prosperâ—d â—xceedinâ—ly but their diligence about Tobacco left them to be spoiled by the câ—ttell yet now they beginne to revive Mistresse Pearce an honest indusâ—rious woman hath beene there neere twentie yeares and now returned saitâ— shee hath a Garden at Iames towne containing three â—r sâ—me aâ—â—eâ— where in one yeare shee hath gathered neere an hundred bâ—shels of â—xâ—ellent figges and that of her owne provision she can keepe a bâ—tter house in Virginia than here in London for 3. or 400. pounds a yeare yet went thither with little or nothing They have some tame geese ducks and turkies The masters now do so traine up their servants and youth in shooting deere and fowle that the youths will kill them as well as their Mastâ—â—s They have two brew-houses but they finde the Indian corne so much better than ours they beginne to leave sowâ—â—g it Their Cities and Townes are onely scattered houses they call plantations as are our Country Villages but no Ordnance mounted The Forts Captaine Smith left a building so ruined there is scarce mention where they were no discoveries of any thing more than the curing of Tobacco by which hitherto being so present a commodity of gaine it hath brought them to this abundance but that they are so disjoynted and every one commander of himselfe to plant what he will they are now so well provided that they are able to subsist and if they would joyne together now to worke upon Sope-ashes Iron Râ—pe-oile Mader Pitch and Tarre Flax and Hempe as for their Tobacco there comes from many places such abundance and the charge so great it is not worth the bringing home There is gone and now a going divers Ships as Captaine Perse Captaine Prine with Sir Iohn Harvy to be their governour with two or three hundred people there is also some Bristow and other parts of the West Country a preparing which I heartily pray to God to blesse and send them a happy and prosperous voyage Nathaniel Causie Master Hutchins Master Floud Iohn Davis William Emerson Master William Barnet Master Cooper and others CHAP. XXII The proceedings and present estate of the Summer Iles from An. Dom. 1624 to this present 1629. FRom the Summer Iles Master Ireland and divers others report their Forts Oâ—dnance and proceedings are much as they were in the yeare 1622. as you may read in the generall History page 199. Captaine Woodhouse governour There are few sorts of any fruits in the West Indies but they grow there in abundance yet the fertility of the soile in many places decayeth being planted every yeare for their Plantaines which is a most delicate fruit they have lately found a way by pickling or drying them to bring them over into England there beinq no such fruit in Europe wonderfull for increase For fish flesh figs wine and all sorts of most excellent hearbs fruits and rootes they have in abundance In this Governours time a kinde of Whale or rather a Iubarta was driven on shore in Southampton trâ—be from the west over an infinite number of rocks so bruised that the water in the Bay where she lay was all oily and the rocks about it all bedasht with Parmacitty congealed like ice a good quantity we gathered with which we commonly cured any byle hurt or bruise some burnt it in their lamps which blowing out the very snuffe will burne so long as there is any of the oile remaining for two or three dayes together The next Governour was Captaine Philip Bell whose time being expired Captaine Roger Wodd possessed his place a worthy Gentleman of good desert and hath lived a long time in the Country their numbers are about two or three thousand men women and children who increase there exceedingly their greatest complaint is want of apparell and too much custome and too many officers the pity is there are more men than women yet no great mischiefe because there is so much lesse pride the cattell they have increase exceedingly their forts are well maintained by the Merchants here and Planters there to be briefe this I le is an excellent bit to rule great horse All the Cohow birds and Egbirds are gone seldome any wilde cats seene no Rats to speake of but the wormes are yet very troublesome the people very healthfull and the Ravens gone fish enough but not so neere the shore as it used by the much beating it it is an I le that hath such a rampire and a ditch and for the quantity so manned victualled and fortified as few in the world doe exceed it or is like it The 22. of March two ships came from thence the Peter-Bonaventure neere two hundred tunnes and sixteene peeces of Ordnance the Captaine Thomas Sherwin The Master Master Edward Some like him in condition a goodly lusty proper valiant man the Lydia wherein was Master Anthony Thorne a smaller ship were chased by eleuen ships of Dunkerk being thus overmatched Captaine Sherwin was taken by them in Turbay only his valiant Master was slaine the ship with about seventy English men they carried betwixt Dover and Callis to Dunkâ—rk but the Lydia safely recovered Dartmouth These noble adventurers for all those losses patiently doe beare them but they hope the King and state will understand it is worth keeping though it afford nothing but Tobacco and that now worth little or nothing custome and fraught payed yet it is worth keeping and not supplanting though great men feele not those losses yet Gardiners Carpenters and Smiths doe pay for it From the relation of Robert Chesteven and others Chap. XXIII The proceedings and present estate of New England Since 1614. to this present 1629. WHen I went first to the North part of Virginia where the Westerly Colony had beene planted it had dissolved it selfe within a yeare and there was not one Christian in all the land I was set forth at the sole charge of foure Merchants of London the Country being then reputed by your westerlings a most rockie barren desolate desart but the good returne I brought from thence with the maps and relations I made of the Country which I made so manifest some of them did beleeve me and they were well embraced both by the Londoners and Westerlings for whom I had promised to undertake it thinking to have joyned them all together but that might well have become a worke for Hercules Betwixt them long there was much contention the Londoners indeed went bravely forward but in three or foure yeares I and my friends consumed many hundred pounds amongst the Plimothians who only sed me but with delayes promises and excuses but no performance of any thing to any purpose In the interim many particular ships
furnished with all necessaries being about the number of an hundred and since increased to an hundred and fifty persons whereof many were old planters of Saint Christophers especially Master Anthony Hinton and Master Edward Tompson But because all those Iles for most part are so capable to produce and in nature like each other let this discourse serve for the description of them all Thus much concerning those plantations which now after all this time losse and charge should they be abandoned suppressed and dissolved were most lamentable and surely seeing they all strive so much about this Tobacco and that the fraught thereof and other charges are so great and so open to any enemie by that commodity they cannot long subsist And it is a wonder to me to see such miracles of mischiefes in men how greedily they pursue to dispossesse the planters of the Name of Christ Iesus yet say they are Christians when so much of the world is unpossessed yea and better land than they so much strive for murthering so many Christians burning and spoiling so many cities villages and Countries and subverting so many kingdomes when so much lieth vast or only possessed by a few poore Savages that more serve the Devill for feare than God for love whose ignorance we pretend to reforme but couetousnesse humours ambition faction and pride hath so many instruments we performe very little to any purpose nor is there either honour or profit to be got by any that are so vile to undertake the subversion or hinderance of any honest intended christian plantation Now to conclude the travels and adventures of Captaine Smith how first he planted Virginia and was set ashore with about an hundred men in the wilde woods how he was taken prisoner by the Savages by the King of Pamaunke tied to a tree to be shot to death led up and downe their Country to be shewed for a wonder fatted as he thought for a sacrifice for their Idoll before whom they conjured him three dayes with strange dances and invocations then brought him before their Emperor Powhatan that commanded him to be slaine how his daughter Pocahontas saved his life returned him to Iames towne releeved him and his famished company which was but eight and thirty to possesse those large dominions how he discovered all the severall nations upon the rivers falling into the Bay of Chisapeacke stung neere to death with a most poysoned taile of a fish called Stingray how Powhatan out of his Country tooke the kings of Pamaunke and Paspahegh prisoners forced thirty nine of those kings to pay him contribution subjected all the Savages how Smith was blowne up with gunpowder and returned for England to be cured Also how hee brought our new England to the subjection of the kingdome of great Britaine his fights with the Pirats left alone amongst a many French men of Warre and his ship ran from him his Sea-fights for the French against the Spaniards their bad usage of him how in France in a little boat he escaped them was adrift all such a stormy night at Sea by himselfe when thirteene French Ships were split or driven on shore by the I le of Ree the generall and most of his men drowned when God to whom be all honour and praise brought him safe on shore to all their admirations that escaped you may read at large in his generall history of Virginia the Summer Iles and New England CHAP. XXVIII The bad life qualities and conditions of Pyrats and how they taught the Turks and Moores to become men of warre AS in all lands where there are many people there are some theeves so in all Seas much frequented there are some pyrats the most ancient within the memory of threescore yeares was one Callis who most refreshed himselfe upon the Coast of Wales Clinton and Pursser his companions who grew famous till Queene Elizabeth of blessed memory hanged them at Wapping Flemming was as expert and as much sought for as they yet such a friend to his Country that discovering the Spanish Armado he voluntarily came to Plimouth yeelded himselfe freely to my Lord Admirall and gave him notice of the Spaniards comming which good warning came so happily and unexpectedly that he had his pardon a good reward some few Pirats there then remained notwithstanding it is incredible how many great and rich prâ—zes the little barques of the West Country daily brought home in regard of their small charge for there are so many difficulties in a great Nâ—vy by wind and weather victuall sicknesse losing and finding one another they seldome defray halfe the charge but for the grace state and defence of the Coast and narrow Seas a great Navy is most necessary but not to attempt any farre voyage except there be such a competent stocke they want not wherewith to furnish and supply all things with expedition but to the purpose After the death of our most gracious Queene Elizabeth of blessed memory our Royall King Iames who from his infancy had reigned in peace with all Nations had no imployment for those men of warre so that those that were rich rested with that they had those that were poore and had nothing but from hand to mouth turned Pirats some because they became sleighted of those for whom they had got much wealth some for that they could nor get their due some that had lived bravely would not abase themselves to poverty some vainly only to get a name others for revenge covetousnesse or as ill and as they found themselves more and more oppressed their passions increasing with discontent made them turne Pirats Now because they grew hatefull to all Christian Princes they retired to Barbary where although there be not many good Harbours but Tunis Argier Sally Mamora and Tituane there are many convenient Rodes or the open Sea which is their chiefe Lordship For their best harbours Massalqueber the townes of Oran Mellila Tanger and Cuta within the Streights are possessed by the Spaniards without the Streights they have also Arzella and Mazagan Mamora likewise they have lately taken and fortified Ward a poore English sailer and Dansker a Dutchman made first here their Marts when the Moores knew scarce how to saile a ship Bishop was Ancient and did little hurt but Easton got so much as made himselfe a Marquesse in Savoy and Ward lived like a Bashaw in Barbary those were the first that taught the Moores to be men of warre Gennings Harris Tompson and divers others were taken in Ireland a Coast they much frequented and died at Wapping Hewes Bough Smith Walsingam Ellis Collins Sawkwell Wollistone Barrow Wilson Sayres and divers others all these were Captaines amongst the Pirats whom King Iames mercifully pardoned and was it not strange a few of these should command the Seas Notwithstanding the Malteses the Pope Florentines Genoeses French Dutch and English Gallies and Men of Warre they would rob before their faces and even at their owne