as silke and curiously curled of mixt colour blacke and white inclining to gray are of great esteem in Christian cold Countries I saw the Palsgrave or Prince Elector sitting at dinner in winter with his Majesty King Charles having his coate lined with them whereupon I sent to a friend in Persia to send me a few who sent me seven which cost there about sixteen shillings a piece which M. Ganthorne the Kings Furrier seeing would needs buy them of me and gave me thirty three shillings a piece for them and more I might have had it I would have urged him which race once gotten and breed in so rich a country at no charge must needs be very beneficiall to the planters besides the accommodation of their dainty flesh better then any other mutton in the Eastern parts of the world equall or better then our English mutton having a curicus meate in their great and weighty tailes weighing a stone two or three in weight or more in some as I have heard reported And Saint Laurence Oxen especially white to be bought there for twelve pence per piece or there abouts would yeild in India the larger sort twenty pounds per piece my selfe had a couple of white Oxen in India to draw my Coach for which I refused 45 pounds and the tallow and skins of these Oxen to be transported for England costing nothing there will redound to great profit of the planters These Oxen and Cowes both of India and Saint Laurence have bunches upon or between their shoulders like Cammâ—â—s of dainty meate like or as good and better then the brisket piece of a young calfe which weigheth three foure or five stone a piece according to the magnitude The flesh of these Oxen is daintier and more pleasant than ours cutting as white as veale if a race of our English breed and young calves be carried thither they will there mightily improve and in regard of their hornes farre in beauty exceeding those in India c. and white will no question but out sell the Indian breed especially if of Lancashire or the adjacent counties their breed Hoggs they have plenty out of India for little or nothing if the country affordeth none for they regard them not accompting them polluted But Turkies from England bred in Saint Laurence and their breed carryed into India would be of great esteem whereof many have assaid to transport but failed either for want of good room to keepe them in or by negligent attendance or kild to make meat for sick or dainty people in the voyage yet in an English fleete that we met with at Saint Laurence at our returne from India I saw three or foure preserved alive Rabbots and Pidgeons would doe well to be transported for breed but for Pidgeons India will afford store And garden pease and beanes and others with oates and tares is not amisse to be transported for plantation and would be of great esteem in India Butter and Cheese to be made at Saint Laurence would be an excellent commodity for India as well as for the Plantation and shipping and the country will afford them speedily Cowes enough to make it but some may alleadge the country is too hot to make it good or to make beere or to powder beefe all which by art and industry of man I conceive may be holpen to the furtherance whereof I will make bold to lend my weake advice with desire of pardon if I erre but surely had I made another voyage into India which malice hath prevented me of I would have made experience of these things and whatsoever I have before or shall hereafter in this discourse make mention of to that end first to place a house in the coolest place they can finde and most in shade from the sun then the dairy house on the north or coolest side under ground or in a vault or celler paved all with the coolest stones that can be had and the sides thereof also and if it be paved with stones from Ormus in Persia whereof all the houses their are builded which stones beaten to powder is excellent good salt perhaps may be most coole and befitting and in the midst thereof a small tanke or pond of running or standing water if it can be neere a river or well to have the water continually running fresh in though by a small stream and so issuing out againe the better if not it may be done as in India almost in every house of note to have water carried in leather sacks or barrels upon Oxens backs and put into an earthen cistern and from thence by pipes to issue forth in small streames into the tanke which if it be lower then the cistern will be with more case effected The top off the dairy house to be open with a lower or open place as a turret or pidgeon house top so boarded every way with boards standing out at length to catch the winde and drive it downe into their dairy houses to coole it as the Cattanents which I thinke the Portugals so call them to let the aire down into their cheifest roomes for coolenesse of which I onely saw the fashion at Ormus And no question but many English who have seen the forme thereof in Spain Portugall or other hot countries can give good direction for the performance thereof CHAP. VIII The accommodation and meanes for dayries brewing of beere and powdering of meat for the use of ships at sea the meanes to make Saltpeter cheaper then in India or elsewhere all sorts of excellent materialls for building to be had in Madagascar poore artificers may live by their labours in all sorts of manufacture out strip all Nations of the world for the price of their labour trade and commerce to and from Madagascar will exceede in benefit all other THe dairy house or brew house especially for cooling the wort or liquor this fitted then round about the sides thereof leaving passage sufficient to goe between the same and the tanks shelves or strong board p'anks may be framed to place leaden troughes a foote or halfe a foote deepe or more or lesse as shall be found most convenient placeing the troughes halfe an inch or more in ascent or discent with a hole at one end to be stopped and opened at pleasur to let out water to be put thereinto with water let their be put a sufficient quantity of Saltpeter proportionable to the troughes or vessels of water In which troughs or vessels let the dairy woman set their milke pins of Earth Wood Brasse or any other mettall or lead as shall be found most convenient and necessary which will keepe their milke and cream so coole or cooler then in the English dayrie houses The experience whereof I have seen and is well knowne to India Merchants by cooling of water to drinke for a a bottle of water set out a little while in a small tub of water cooled with saltpeter will make the water in the bottle so coole
more that which is yet behinde to expresse may animate them thereunto And that is by the exceeding great profit to be made by Trade and Commerce to and from thence in all parts of the world farre transcending all Trade and Commerce else-where For that Countrey being once well planted and inhabited with Europian Christians will draw Trade from all the Orientall parts of the world as India with her multitude of Rich and Spatious Kingdoms as also those large and rich dominions of Persia Arabia China Achin and the Countreys adjacent to Moco Bagdat or Babilon in Perua and will also draw Trade and Commerce from all the wealthy Europian Kingdoms as England Spaine Portugall France Germany Italy Denmark the Low-Countreyes and other Principalities and prove the best and chiefest Magazine or Store-house both of exportation or importation of Trade between all Europe and Asia which must needs make that Countrey rich and to flourish above other Kingdoms And because I have gone thus farre with my rude and unskilfull Pen to mention the benefit of Commerce in generall I will descend a little to particulars to give some People better satisfaction yet before I proceed therein I will endeavour to clear my self of aspertion which I expect will be cast upon me by the unworthy Governour and Committees of the Honourable East-India Corporation who I presume will tax me of perjury and false-hood to the same Honourable company whereof my self am a Member for discovering that which may prove hurtfull or prejudiciall to that worthy Society though unworthy Governement as one already hath endeavoured though he shall never be able to make his accusation good but by sturring therein shall rather discover his own shame and Malignant Spirit And I trust in God that the discovering of any matter that the knowledge thereof shall tend to Gods Glory my Royall Soveraignes Honour the yet hopefull gracious King Charles and the welfare of the Common-wealth wherein I am born and live shall not be accompted perjury either by Gods or mans Law though it tend to the prejudice of a Corporation whereof I am a Member and have taken Oath to perform all good and no bad Service to the prejudice or detrement of the said society which as I take it alwayes in all Oathes to Corporations include the greater good to God King and Countrey to be proferred before the lesser And because I have had experience of the envy and malignancy of East India Courts to neglect their own and Common good and yet hinder private persons from doing good to themselves in particuler like unto the Dogge in the Manger neither eating Hay himself nor permitting the Ox to eat it and also to take the Childrens bread and cast it unto Dogges which I presume I am able to prove I have rather thought good to imploy my tallent the best I can to doe good to all men but especially to the houshold of faith rather then hide in a Napkin or bury it in the earth to the losse or offence of any And to this purpose most humbly and submissively I intreat all good men to accept of my weake endeavours and abilities in as good and Charitable away or respect as they are offered unto their perusall CHAP. IX The Riches to be accrewd by Trade between England and India may all be converted by a free Trade to the Planters at Madagascar the benefit of particular commodities to and from between India and Persia the Piscash of a Chain of Gold given by Podomsee though of 500. pound Valew not comparable to the benefit he received by fraight and custome in his Massie Treasure in Pearles the Massie rich Trade of Pearles and Diamonds from Persia into India c. FOrmerly in this Treatise I have said that there is no Trade like to the Trade and Commerce of India which the Planters at Saint Lawrence may reape to themselves if they pleased which I make good thus The India Trade to and from India generally produceth in 18. moneths time and lesse 3. 4. or 5. for one in some particulars much more the tradeing in India in several Kingdoms from Port to Port and from India into Persia the Red Sea and Achin China and other parts produceth in 6. moneths generally 30. 40. 50. and 60. per cent and more the particulars of several commodities from India into Persia and from Persia into India I will onely instance in having thereof been an eye witnesse and the others onely by report which others upon examination can and will no doubt give better intelligence of to whom I referre the Reader especially to Master Richard Wylde who told me he had made 7. for one from Surrat to Bantam A Valuation of certain goods bought at Surrat in India in December 1629. And sold at Gombroone in Persia February 1629. viz. Suger 90 per cent profit Green Ginger 70 per cent profit Indico 50 per cent profit Rice 50 per cent profit Cotten Wool 120 p. cent pro Mirabolins 70 per cent profit Shashes 50 per cent profit Saraie Benjamin double Money Cardimon 60 per cent profit Sope. 80 per cent profit Blew Canches 40 per cent profit Tobacco 4 for 1 Gunderoone 47 per cent profit Blew Chundres or Arse-clout 40 per cent profit Pentadoes 35. p. cent profit Dry Ginger 75 per cent profit Narrow Baftas 40 per c. profit Broad Baftas 30 per cent profit Blew Baftas 40 per cent profit Sugar-Candy 75 per cent profit Nosar or Saldermoniack 65 per cent profit Fincades 35 per cent profit Red Selaies 70 per cent profit A Valuation of goods bought at Combroone in Persia in February 1629. and sold at Surrat in India 1629. and in March 1630. Runas 50 per cent profit Walnuts double Money Wormseed 30 per cent profit Cheekens in Gold 4 per cent Almonds 50 per cent profit Gaules 50 per cent profit Royalls of 8. 8 per cent profit Raysons solis 8 per cent profit Almond large 30 per cent profit Pistachees 5 per cent profit Rose-water 20 per cent profit ABC or Abcees persia silver coyne one and a half per cent profit With Multitude of other commodities both outward and inwards between India and Persia in especially Spices as Pepper Cloves Mace and Nut-megges which mallice and revenge prevented me of the knowledge and insight thereinto being most injuriously confined a Prisoner into Persia and not to carry one penny worth of goods for my owne Accompt which others of farre inferiour place then my self made their voyage in 3. or 4. moneths worth unto them 1.2.3 or 4. thousand pounds a man There is no Trade like to the Trade of the East India and Asia And if there was once a Plantation setled at the Island of Saint Lawrence in 7. yeeres time there would be a fine Gallant Trade or Commerce for the Junckes from many places of India and divers other places in Asia would come and Trade with you but he that should happen to be
foure moneths which Portugals Dutch Danes c. have undertaken to far remoter parts at great danger and hazard to plant themselves and in no comparison for profit and pleasure with Madagascar or Saint Laurence I pray God the Kings Majesty and the State of this Kingdome may take it into speedy consideration least they be prevented by some other Nation who no doubt have curious eyes and intents to this designe as of late the right honourable the Earle of Southampton and the noble Gentleman Mr. Iohn Craven brother to the right honourable the Lord Craven who intending to send out ships and Planters to the Island of Mauritious beyond Saint Laurence and had disbursed many thousand pounds to that intent yet neglecting speedy opportunity the Dutch hearing of their honourable designe made more speedy hast and prevented them and have now planted in that Island to their great renowne and accommodation in time and great losse to those honourable persons and this Nation All sorts of fruits hearbs rootes and flowers of great esteeme in India of what Nation soever may be transported thither and will assuredly grow in so rich and fruitfull grounds and for more speedy growth if those transported out of Europe or England saile at the first for want of skill to preserve the seed c. in regard of the length of the voiage yet those out of India not above one fourth part of the way may be brought good both to sow or to plant as raddish lettice carrets turnips onions and mustard seed and many other of moreworth then these in England And no doubt but this Island affords if not may easily be transported thither those excellent trees for good and pleasant liquor drink as Toddy and Palmito trees which trees distill by art taken from them plenty of excellent drinke no way inferiour if not better then white wine and sugar especially the Palmito wine but the Toddy wine except some of the best sort tasteth as if it did come out of Hornes therefore if not there already may be transported the Coco nut tree which yeeldeth a nut as big as a childs head whose kernell is excellent meate and of that fruite is made also oile vinegar and other dainties and the tree it self yeelds threed or yarne fine and course to make ropes cordage cables for ships and many other uses There may be also had many other trees of excellent fruits as Mirabolins and Plantans which our English tearm them Apples of paradice wherewith the Serpent beguiled Eve the Mirabolins and Plantans from the trees are farre dantier in tast then our Apricocks and what they are preserved are well known to Confectioners and Phisitions for health and pleasure The Plantan growes by clusters as a too or more or lesse together as big as a large beane cod and is so pleasant in tast cutting it in small pieces as parsnips to butter men use to eate it continually at meales with viniger pepper and salt to abate the sweetnesse and the tree being about the bignesse of a reasonable Apple tree beares no boughs but great leaves an ell long or longer and both leaves and body are excellent meat for Cowes for the body is no harder then a well growne cabbidge and may be cut downe by a good sword at a blow two or three my selfe have cut down many at Moalala to carry aboard the ship to feed cattell that we bought their to preserve There is five sorts of Mirabolins the one is like our Apricocks or great plum the stone is eight square it is an excellent preserve and in great request and sells very deare in Persia and elsewhere the other foure sorts is used in phisicke the Doctors and Drugsters can tell the severall names vertue and quality concerning the foure elements of mans body in India there is some of these Marabolins worth fifty or a hundred pound a piece which holding in the parties hand which is sicke will cure him of his disease suddenly or forthwith either of the bloody flux and feaver and two other diseases which I have forgotten Now for to make it appeare the curious vertue of these foure sorts of Marabolins which cures diseases holding them in the hand is thus at the time of the yeare when they prune or lop their trees they doe cut off all the branches and boughs only one sprig left and it is a hundred to one that the tree heares for if one tree beares a hundred will not but die but commonly one in a hundred will beare but one or two Mirabolins at the most will grow upon that one sprig of the tree for all the vertue doth grow out of the tree into one or two Mirabolins which are of the bignesse of an Apple which will cure severall diseases holding of one of these Mirabolins in the hand of the party which is sick This is very true and certaine which divers Banian Doctors and Brachmans hath told me they are very deare and scarce for to be had for great men in the Country doe buy them if any of our English Doctors did but know the vertue of these great Mirabolins they would be worth a thousand pounds a piece and it would be a present for a King But for the foure small sorts of Mirabolins are in great plenty in India and very cheape for I bought three thousand weight after the rate of a sarthing a pound and sold them here in England for three shillings foure pence a pound by the great which the Drugsters sells them for six shillings eight pence per pound I do believe their be divers trees of Mirabolins which doe grow on the Island of St. Laurence or else they may be easily planted by reason the clymat doth agree with India for their be many sorts of trees and plants which grow in the Island of Madagascar which do grow in India and equal of raste and goodnesse The defect of Cammels Horses Asses Mules Elephants Bussels and Persia sheepe of high esteem in India may have their race or breed from Persia and bred up in Saint Laurence and a more rich and fruitfull Country will yeeld a great price in India and brought to Saint Laurence by English or Indian shipping at cheape rates a Horse in Persia to be bought for 567 or 8 pounds is worth in India 20 30 40 50 or 60 pounds or more according as they prove CHAP. VII The cheapenesse of all sorts of cattell and food at Madagascar the Turkies before mentioned in Mr. Lloyds intelligence are not so large and good as ours and I rather accompt the Saâ—ts or such like fowle but being all over speckled blacke and white our people give them the name of Turkies the great benefit to be made by dayries at Madagascar with the meanes to accommodate the making of butter and cheese in that hot Country as also for poudering of Beefe and brewing of good Beere THe Persia sheepe are of great price in India and their skins are as soft
East India Merchant Mr. Francis Lloyd my loving friend whom I had not seen in seven yeeres or more before who beareing of my intention desired to have a sight of the rude manuscript which after some time he returned me and offering to adde some what thereunto touching the incouragement for a plantation at Madagascar and the assured great benefit by trade from thence to all parts of the world by making or setling there a Magazine or store house for trade into all Christian and heathen Kingdomes which his free offer I thankefully accepted knowing his intelligence in the Easterne parts of the world to be second to none of this Nation he haveing been many times imployed Factor and Purser of the Admirall ship into India and five times at Madagascar and often visited those many rich kingdomes and got great experience in the trades trafficke and commerce of them all from place to place which now he having performed I have here into inserted yet not desirous to attribute vain gloriously to my self nor to detract from his deeper judgement far beyond my owne who never was but once in India and that but one yeare and halfe that time a close prisoner not for any crime but in malice and revenge of a leud President and counsell in India I have caused his advice and intelligence to be marked with some marke or signe and his name in the margenâ—t thereby to be distinguished and knowne from what is of my owne weake capacity and so to giue him his due desert far surpassing mine and second in that kinde to none in England Therefore gentle reader I intreat thee to accept both our endeavours and harty well wishings to Gods glory his Majesties honour and the welfare of our endeared native Country in good part which we referre to thy charitable censure The Contents CHAP. I. The occasion of printing this rude Treatise or pamphlet Prince Ruperts intent to plant at Madagascar Master Walter Hamonds book in praise of this Island will give good incouragement for a plantation be that is Lord or King of Madagascar may easily in good time be Emperour of all India also the cheapnesse of necessaries both for backe and belly to be had out of India for the present reliefe of the planters p. 1 CHAP. II. The Countries scituation under the Tropick of Caprieorne the healthfulnesse of the Country Augustine Bay a cheâ—â—e and excellent harbour for multitude of ships the pleasantnesse and fertility of the Country a second land of Canaan or a Paradice of the world the Portugals rich trade to Mussambeg on the coast of Malindia p. 4. CHAP. III. Hogs in Malinda have stones in their mawes as pretious as rich Iewels the affection of the inhabitants to our Nation above all others Portugall Fryers staine to accompany the King of Madagascar at his death to heaven great store of wilde Foule and Turkies the envy of the East India Company against a plantation may give the better encouragement thereunto no Gold Silver nor any rich commodity of so high esteeme in Madagascar as red Cornelian Beads p. 7. GHAP. IIII. The comlinesse of the Natives though naked yet personable and of pleasant countenance their weapons not dangerous or of great annoyance their small use and unskilfullnesse in labour or manufacture great probability of sugar and spices at Madagascar the praise of the Island comparable with the land of Canaan p. 11. CHAP. V. The Idolatrous worship of God or the Devill the Natives addicted to theft and robbery A project of the Bishops disposed to plant at Madagascar Madagascar sauegard rashly attained unto p. 15. CHAP. VI Great incouragement to the plantation the cheapenesse of cloathing or apparell to be had out of India for the use of the planters the rich attire for persons of quality to be had there exceeding cheape all sorts of hearbs roots fruits and foules to be had in plentifull abundance in Madagascar trees yeelding great store of pleasant liquor nothing inferiour to wine and sugar in England the excellent vertue of India Mirabolins p. 20. CHAP. VII The cheapenesse of all sorts of eattell and food at Madagascar the Turkies before mentioned in Mr. Lloyds intelligence are not so large and good as ours and I rather accompt the Sants or such like fowle but being all over speckled blacke and white our people give them the name of Turkies the great benefit to be made by dayries at Madagascar with the meanes to accommodate the making of butter and cheese in that hot Country as also for poudering of Beefe and brewing of good Beere p. 24. CHAP. VIII The accommodation and meanes for dayries brewing of beere and powdering of meat for the use of ships at sea the meanes to make Saltpeter cheaper then in India or elsewhere all sorts of excellent materialls for building to be had in Madagascar poore artificers may live by their labours in all sorts of manufacture out strip all Nations of the world for the price of their labour trade and commerce to and from Madagascar will exceede in benefit all other p. 27. CHAP. IX The Riches to be aecrewd by Trade between England and India may all be converted by a free Trade to the Planters at Madagascar the benefit of particular commodities to and from between India and Persia the Piscash of a Chain of Gold given by Podomsee though of 500. pound Valew not comparable to the benefit he received by fraight and custome in his Massie Treasure in Pearles the Massie rich Trade of Pearles and Diomonds from Persia into India c. p. 30. CHAP. X. The mighty losse to the Portugalls in Customes by the losse of Ormus which might haue been turned to the benefit of the English who Conquered it and indiscreetly deserted it to the benefit of the Persians p. 34. CHAP. XI A brave Sea fight with the Portugals upon the coast of India another brave Sea fight with one English ship against many Portugals in the gulfe of Persia the Portugals cruelty te our men taken prisoners in coole blood p. 38. CHAP. XII The Portugals mediation for peace with the English Nation the Persians valuation of Ormus at twenty Millions of treasure now they are possessed thereof which the English might have enjoyed if they had had wise Governours Committees and Agents of the India corporation the exceeding folly of the East India court in sending treasure into Persia to touch at Surrat where the money being inverted in commodities would have turned almost to double money profit the unconsionable custome of India Courts in not shipping out our own rich native commodities which would yeeld good profit but transporting much Gold and Silver to their countries losse and proofe of their ill office to the Common-wealth the way to drive a rich trade into India without transportation of treasure Multitude of English commodities beneficiall for transportation into India to save exportation of treasure if the India courts were good members of the common-wealth the beneficiall trade in
India between Surrat and Goa neare adjacent all commodities from Surrat to Bantam vendible at great beneficiall prizes p. 43. CHAP. XIII The exceeding rich trade from Surrat to China and also a rich trade from China to India though this beneficiall trade be neglected by the English sluggish injudicious Court Committees if a free trade were open diligent industrous Merchants would leave no place unassayed where there is great hopes or certain assurance of large profit the profitable trade from India to Moco in the Red Sea the way to inrich our usurers with more security of conscience by letting Moneyes at interest to Heathens rather then to Christians and at double the Rates for their greater incouragement Industrious men in open trade will find out far more severall sorts of Commodities then the India injudicious Courts never exercised in the practick of that commerce doe looke into and no doubt but as beneficiall p. 48. CHAP. XIIII A beneficiall trade to be made at the Port of Swollow road where all Christian Ships and others resort at fitting times incouragement to young Merchants or decayed persons of a good and honest repute at home in their owne Country a meanes to draw on Adventurers in purse and person to Madagascar p. 58. CHAP. XV The valour of the English Nation against the Salvages in Virginia and new-England also of the Spaniards against a civill nation in America or the west Indies also of the Spaniards and Portugals against the Brasilians and against the Indians a mighty warlike nation also the designe of other Nations jeering us for not setling a plantation somewhere in India for our succour and defence ought to stirre us up to such an enterprize the honour and blessing of a pious christian nation to settle true religion among Idolatrous heathen people to Gods glory and honour The barbarous cruell oppression of the Dutch against the English at Amboyna in east India being to mighty and to strong for the English to resist p. 62. CHAP. XVI Esquire Courteen his worthy enterprize to settle the beginning of a Plantation at Madagascar the partiallity injustice and ingratitude of the India Courts against their true loyall Brothers Servants and corrupt favour to their Iugling debauched undeserving meere hireling Servants A commodity of great value to be regarded and searched for out at Madagascar and of great advantage to the obtainers thereof Prince Rupert in a great forwardnesse to a hopefull Plantation at Madagascar the Earle of Arundels intention to supply Prince Ruperts fayling in the project for Madagascar p. 66. CHAP. XVII The use of Ordnance Guns and Printing long in use in China before used in Christendome good admonition to give the glory to God in this action and all others p. 70. Excellent Encouragement for Setling an English Plantation at MADAGASCAR in ASIA CHAP. I. The occasion of printing this rude treatise or pamphlet Prince Ruperts intent to plant at Madagascar Master Walter Hamonds book in praise of this Island will give good incouragement for a plantation he that is Lord or King of Madagascar may easily in good time be Emperour of all India also the cheapnesse of necessaries both for back and belly to be had out of India for the present reliefe of the planters FOr as much as great talke and rumour hath happened this last spring 1644. about divers of his Majesties subjects adventuring to Madagascar or Saint Lawrence in Asia neere unto East India and there to plant themselves as in other parts of America and that some by report are already gone upon that voyage and for that my selfe have been heretofore desirous to deliver my opinion thereof in regard of my being and abode upon that Island three moneths or more together as first about eleven or twelve yeares past by the right Worshipfull Doctor Henry Gouch master of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge whom himselfe had in his passage into Persia in company with the right Honourable Sir Dodmore Cotton and Sir Robert Sherley Ambassadors from his Majesty King Charles of England to the King of Persia being in that Country whom I satisfied the best I could out of those briefe notes which I had taken not expecting to have been required my opinion thereof which otherwise I would have been more exact and diligent in my observations yet gave him some content chiefly I thinke with a book I lent him to take a Copy of the writing of the priests or religious men there which Master Doctor Gouch told me was the antient writing of the Egyptians in Hierogliphycks or Characters of strange shapes like beasts foules wormes serpents c. or like unto utinsels or tooles of labouring men in severall Vocations which having perused and copied out he returned to me againe with thanks Secondly about six or seaven yeares past the Honourable Endimion Porter and that noble well affected Gentleman Captaine Iohn Bond to that Plantation desired me to give them some of my observations in writing it being at that time when as the right Honourable the Earle of Arundell and other honourable persons intended to perswade Prince Rupert to undertake that businesse which no doubt had he performed would have been more effectuall to Gods glory more advantage and more honourable and beneficiall unto himselfe and brethren then to countenance a civill war in this Kingdome so much at all times respective to him and his family which though more rudely and more defective for want of my papers lost I performed was acceptably of them also received with the Booke formerly mentioned which they presented to his Majesty as a present of some respect and though the Booke was grosly charactared and bound up by the salvages yet it cost me the price of six or eight fat Oxen I also gave Master Porter some of the salvages weapons as darts and a long knife about two foot long the blade and haft together much of an equall length and also a curious India painted Bow and Arrowes with a Quiver lined with crimson Velvet for all which they offered to bring me to his Majesty to kisse his hand but I denied not thinking my present worthy so great an honour and therefore desired to be excused Thirdly because I understand that M. Walter Hamond Chirurgion who was at the same time of my last being at Madagascar with us in company hath lately written a booke of the worthinesse of that Country and the benefit thereof to the incouragement of adventurers and dedicated the same to the noble Gentleman Captaine Iohn Bond which yet I have not seene I have for the reasons premised adventured to take in hand to deliver my opinion in writing to publike view though rudely and farre inferiour in such abilities to that honest able person master Hamond to the further incouragement of the worthy adventurers and planters that shall thinke good to adventure their purses and persons in that right worthy and famous action which peradventure I may hit upon such incouragements by way of Trade or
act of Commerce more proper to my vocation as may give more incouragement for the proceedings herein then in any other already setled in the parts of America for as our English proverbe hath it That there is no service like to the service of a King nor no fishing comparable to the fishing in the Sea So I will adde a third true proverbe that there is no trading or commerce equivolent for profit to that of East India and the parts adjacent and the more beneficiall by the comodity of the fruitfull rich Iland of Saint Laurence or Madagascar its scituation or placing neare India Persia the red Sea Achin Jaua major Bantam Jombee Maccassar Mallabar the five Kingdomes as I take it of Decanij Golicunda Bengala and China c. and multitudes of rich Kingdomes in and neare India which being inhabited with Christians would prove the Magazine for trade of all the Orientall parts of the World as of late Ormus in Persia was so accounted and at present with us in Europe Amsterdam or Holland is held in that estimation And great possibility there is in my simple opinion that what Prince soever of Christendome is once really possest and seated in strength in that brave fruitfull and pleasant Island by computation three times as big as England may with ease be Emperour or sole monarch of East India with all her multitude of rich and large Kingdomes which no doubt but the eyes of many Princes of Europe are fixed upon it but that great disturbance in most parts thereof as at present unhappily in England doe hinder and give impediments to their wished designes which in zeale to Gods glory my Gratious Soveraigne his honour and my native Country its welfare and prosperity I from the bottome of my heart wish that some more learned and perswasive pen then mine rude and ignorant might prevaile with his gratious Majesty King Charles the right Honourable high Court of Parliament and all true hearted able persons of Nobility Gentry c. to take in hand though in these obstructive times to adventure each man some small proportion of meanes throughout this Kingdome which though but small to every particular person yet no doubt would amount to a considerable sum of mony sufficient to undergoe that action as a businesse of state which for the better accomodation therein that plantation may be served for a time withall necessaries both for backe and belly and also superfluity out of India for one fourth part of a penny or three parts of four cheaper then out of England to other plantations in America as farre distant if I be not deceived from England as that Country is from India or further That I may give such advice and incouragement as my weake capacity shall conceave I will descend to some particulars CHAP. II. The Countries scituation under the Tropick of Capricorne the healthfulnesse of the Country Augustines bay a chiefe and excellent harbour for multitude of ships the pleasantnesse and fertility of the Country a second land of Canaan or a Paradice of the world the Portugals rich trade to Mussambeg on the coast of Malindia ANd first to the scituation of the place I mean Augustine Bay the cheife harbour in that Iland it is seated and placed neare the Tropick of Capricorne in 23 degrees of South Latitude The Country is as all those parts so neare the Line are hot but yet in my opinion not so hot as Surrat in India which lyeth in 21 degrees north latt neare the tropick of Cancer during my abode there above three moneths in Iune Iuly August and September 1630. I could ever indure to weare an English suit and that of cloth which I could never so well brooke in India and is of so healthfull condition or constitution that in almost foure moneths of our abode there being about 460 persons in two ships the Charles and the Ionas we did not bury one man in all that time nor to my knowledge was there any sicke and besides the Company we met with foure ships out of England at that place which continued with us making merry refreshing and feasting about three weekes in which ships could not be lesse by my computation then 600 men at least and also another ship that came with us out of India and abode with us a longer time and departed from us to returne into India three or foure dayes or some short time before the English fleet came in containing in her 150 men yet not one of all these great numbers dyed or were sicke during their abode there to my best remembrance That haven that we all anchored in is called Augustines Bay a very large and safe harbour for Shipping which skilfull seamen can discribe better then my selfe and may containe by report of some 1000 or more or many hundred saile of ships in good and sure hold for Anchoring of great depth within a bow shoot of shore or thereabouts The Country about the Bay is pleasant to the view replenished with brave woods rockie hils of white marble and low fertile grounds what is within the land I can say little having never beene above a mile from the sea side but many of our men which have stragled further have given their good report thereof as also the fame and report of others that have either read or heard of the riches of this Country that the same aboundeth with mines of Gold and Silver and other minerals moreover that in the Island is a large plaine or champion country of Meadow or Pasture ground as big as all England which if it be so which I am somewhat doubtfull of for the large extent yet without question very large in many places must by reasonable consequence afford multitude and variety of Foules and Beasts and other creatures for food cloathing necessary use and delight and no doubt but such low grounds affordeth also store of large and small Rivers Tanks and Ponds replenished with multitude of good Fish water Fowles c. and it is apparently manifest or very probable by the quantity of brave fat Oxen Cowes Sheepe and Goats brought downe and fold unto us by the natives for refreshing so many people that the Country is very fertile selling us brave fat Oxen for about eight nine or tenne pence an Oxe worth by computation in England six seven eight or tenne pounds an Oxe and after that rate for Goats and Sheepe or a little dearer they sold also good Capons for three halfe pence or two pence a peece and excellent good Orenges and Lemmons reasonable and the common men dranke good store of Milke though out of their Callibasses not very cleanly the Bay or creeke neare the Bay affordeth us store of excellent Fish of many sorts as Pikes Mullets Breames and many others which I cannot call to minde their names and shell-fish as Crawfish Shrimps Prawnes and some Lobsters and some Oysters and sure the place affordeth abundance and variety of shell-fish of strange
sorts as appeareth by the aboundant divers shapes of of their shels curious to behold and the shels of esteeme in England by Iohn Tredescant and Master Slade dwelling about Lambeth who treasured up such to please curious people and to adornish rocks and water-workes in gardens of great persons of which sort Master Slade had of me gratis some quantity And without all question this Country farre transcends and exceeds all other Countries in Asia Affrica and America planted by English French Dutch Portugall and Spaniards and is likely to prove of farre greater value and esteeme to that Christian Prince and Nation that shall plant and settle a sure habitation therein then the West Indies is to the King and Kingdome of Spaine And it may well be compared to the land of Canaan that floweth with milke and hony a little world of it selfe adjoyned to no other land within the compasse of many leagues or miles or the chiefest paradice this day upon Earth This gallant Island of Madagascar doth afford these severall rich commodities as followeth Amber-Greece Gold the old Earle of Denbigh brought from this Island of Madagascar Gold land which he presented to the Kings Majesty and the Councel board and I was at the Councell board when this Gold sand was in question and approved of And there is also Tortle shels which doe sell at Surrat for twelve shillings per pound Copper Alloes Cicatrina excellent good Rice Honey and Wax Dragons Bloud divers rich Gums Ebbany Sandle wood Cohooe wood which doth sell at Surrat for foure pence per pound Tamerin and divers rich Drugs you may get by slaves of both sexes and timber either to Persia or else to Moco in the red sea 50000 pounds per annum and your slaves will put you to little charges for they doe live upon rice and water This Island of Madagascar is about nine hundred miles in length There is many Kings upon this Island the south part of it lies in 25 degrees and 35 min. and the northerne part short of the equinoctiall the inhabitants goes handsome in their accoutrements and speake the Arabian Tongue and they have Juncks which they Trade to and fro to the foure Islands which lies about thirty leagues off viz Joanna Malalo Combro and the Majottes and to the Coasts of Malindia The Island of Saint Laurence is a gallant place for to have a Magazine or Randezvouze for the Coast of Malindia lies off this Island forty or fifty leagues The Portugals hath a great fortification at Mussambeg therein and upon these coasts the Portugals get most of their riches and drives all their Trade in India otherwise it was impossible for them to hold out so long because of their great losse both by the English and Dutch The Portugals drives such a gallant Trade upon this Coast from 26 degrees south latitude to 3 degrees north latitude they get great store of Gold Elephants teeth Wax Amber-greece and divers sorts of rich Gums and comodities which cost the Portugals a very small matter for they trade with Knives Bels Pentathoes Barbars-aprons course Calicoes looking-glasses c. I have been taking of a Juncke twenty eight yeeres since which came from this coast of Malindia laden with Elephants teeth Amber-greece and rich Gums The Portugals comming from Mussambeg and bound for India they alwayes touch at the Island of Saint Laurence and there they buy slaves for their plantation I have beene about seaventeen yeeres since taking of a Junck which was laiden with slaves of both sexes and Sandall wood which came from Mussambeg and so to Saint Laurence and their laden and bound for Goa as we found by a Portugall passe If I may be worthy to advice after a trade is once setled at Madagascar what a brave gallant trade may be had upon the coast of Malindia three or foure smal ships may be imployed all the yeere long coasting and trading along the coast from 26 degree south latitude to 3 degrees north latitude and putting off course Indian commodities may lade your ship with rich Commodities much acceptable and vendable in those parts so that you need not to carry any Mony out of England into India CHAP. III. Hogs in Malinda have stones in their mawes as pretious as rich Iewels the affection of the inhabitants to our Nation above all others Portugall Fryers slaine to accompany the King of Madagascar at his death to heaven great store of wildo Foule and Turkies the Envy of the East India Company against a plantation may give the better incouragement thereunto no Gold Silver nor any rich commodity of so high esteeme in Madagascar as red Cornelian Beads THe East India Company they have sent out about twenty five yeeres since Elephants teeth in the ship by me for the Elephants teeth is in great request all over India the Portugals doe put 2000 Tuns yearely off which they get on the coast of Malindia also on this coast there are many wilde Hogs and in the mawes of them there growes stones which the Portugals cals Petra le Porkco which is mighty in request and esteeme in all India and Asia for expelling of Poyson The like thing is not to be had in the world for that purpose for your Beazor stone is not in that request by many degrees and little esteemed of in those parts for the Portugals do drive a very great Trade in India and Asia by this excellent Jem which they call Petra le Porkco I have read of it and likewise in a Manuscript of the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Row when he was imployed Lord Embassador by His Majesty King Iames into the East India for to settle the Trade for the East India Company in those orientall parts wherein he doth write farre more at large then I doe expresse It is conceived by divers wise men where these Hogs are on the coast of Malindia that the soyle is very good and that it doth afford excellent good grasse herbs fruits and drugs which is the chiefe cause of the extraordinary goodnesse and vertue of the stones which growes in the said Hogs mawes which is in that great esteeme and request all over India and Asia that none can parallel it This said coast of Malindia is neare adjoyning to Madagascar likewise there is above 1500 Tuns of Wax yeerely which is brought from the coast of Malindia to India which is in great request rich Gums and divers sorts of Drugs also the Portugals bring great store of very sine Gold and Amber-greece from Mussambeg to Goa So that all the world may understand what rich Trade the Portugall hath on the coast of Malindia and hath for this many hundreds of yeares maintained a very strong Garrison at Mussambeg for their is 100 peeces of Ordnance in their Castle I am confident the richest and best trade the Portugall hath in Asia cannot parallel this on the coast of Malindia furthermore if Saint Laurence Island had once a plantation set led what
depth after them and bring them up in one hand their Cannowes or boats are made of one piece of timber long and narrow like a hogs trough upon the upper part whereof they fasten two sticks a crosse their boats half a yard or more from each end about two yards long or longer and upon each side to meet with the ends of these staves or sticks they fasten two more which stay up their boats from overturning and doe so leake that they sit in water and continually ladeth out water and one or two more sit therein with little paddles not much bigger then shittle cockbattle-dores to row with all They make little use of labour or manufactures and those of small value I have seen a carpenter for so I may term him making a Cannow or a boat of a piece of timber like a hogs trough as aforesaid having no better a toole then a little axe such as children or youth may play withall the Iron or bit thereof not above two inches bread which must needs make long labour I have also seen a Smith at work to make dart heads in a strange manner having no other toole that I could see but only a stone for the anvill and an other for his hammer and for his bellowes two hollow canes about three quarters of a yard long and about the thicknesse and roundnesse of a mans legge or thigh which being placed together close to a little fire with small holes to let the winde out at the bottome they had to drive the winde out two staves like churme staves wrapt about halfe the length of the staves at the bottome with a sheepes or goats skin the wool side outward like a spunge as gunners at sea use to wipe their guns and make them cleane which being lifted up and pressed downe againe forces out the winde as aforesaid And also as I remember I saw one weaving as if it had been our poore people or beggers in England sitting in high wayes weaving course tape so he weaved narrow striped stuffes of cotton yearn about a quarter of a yard broad which I suppose they sew two or three breadths together to make coverings for the better sort of people their shame or nakednesse Where they have their materialls is uncertaine whether gotten in the Country or brought unto them by Portugalls or other Nations what other food they have besides Fâ—esh and Fish as Corne Rice and other sorts of Craine is doubtfull yet there we saw some of them have some small quantities of Rice and Grauanees so called in India which are a kinde of smaller sort of Beans and of much use for diet in India and in the English house at Surrat they eat them being young buttered instead of green Pease but are not so pleasant as our pease when they grow old or at the worst I have also seen some at one time knawing and suck green Sugar-canes which is a certainty that Sugar-canes grow there and perhaps quantity of Sugar may be made thereof and no doubt but vines are in the Country for I have seen some wilde Vines growing upon the rockie hills in Augustine Bay some of our people have said that they have heard it from the Portugals that the Country doth afford Pepper and other Spices which our English also doe assume who have been far within the land failing some dayes journey in a large navigable River where they met as they reported many people offering them cattell for a halfe or one forth part the price we paid for them at Augustine Bay and having shewed the Natives Pepper Cloves Mace and Nutmegs they made shew to them of store in that Country certaine daies journey or nights sleepes distant by winking and putting their heads under their hands and pulling them back againe they report also of large plaine pastures and medowes replenished with cattell of all sorts Beeves Sheepe and Goats feeding thereon and without all question the Country lying in or near the same degree of Lattitude or distance form the Line as India doth produce the same fruits as Coco-nuts Plantans Musk-millions and other pleasant Millions as great as our English Pumpeons and also the Toddy trees which produce as good liquors as white wine and sugar with which in regard of the cheapnesse thereof in India our English Dutch Marriners drink so much of it as to be often drunk or foxed therewith The Country extends it self in length from about II halfe degrees south lat to 26 degrees In which large extent it comprehends many famous Countries that lie either under the Line or under or neer both Tropicks and so by consequence must in likelyhood or rather assured probability participate of the fertillity pleasure and wealth of them all if not antecede transcend and superabound them all being indeed the paradice of the World especially being once inhabited with Christians or civill people skilfull in Agriculture and manufactures and all sorts of Mecannick labourers and handicrafts In further commendation thereof I will make bold I hope without offence to extoll it as Moses did the land of Canaan i'ts a good land a Land in the which Rivers of waters and Fountaines spring out of vallies and Mountaines a Land of Wheat and Barley of Vineyards of Fig-trees and Pomgranets a Land of Oile Olive and Honey a Land wherein thou shalt eat without scarcity neither shalt lack any thing therein a Land whose stones are Iron and out of whose Mountains thou shalt dig Brasse CHAP. V. The Idolatrous worship of God or the Devill the Natives addicted to theft and robbery A project of the Bishops deposed to plant at Madagascar Madagascar sauegard rasbly attained unto THus in truth without dissimulation have I shewed what my memory doth at present call to minde having lost or given away such briefe notes or papers which I had taken at my being there yet one thing more I call to minde which I may not forget touching their manner of Idolatry or devilish Worship and Sacrifice which some of our people conceives was rather to the Devil not to hurt them then to God but I am not altogether of their opinion but rather think the contrary by their feasting and rejoycing a little before our departure as a kind of thanksgiving to their Idol God or Gods for the benefit they accrewed by the trading they had with us and praying for our prosperity and often return as some were opinionated the circumstance I will declare as brief as I can and as my memory doth best serve me one morning the Salvages killed an Oxe and I doe not remember that I did see or heare that during our abode there that they killed many other and a post about eight or nine foot high was set up near their booths upon which the head and hornes of the Bullock were placed and the post all daubed with the blood thereof the Oxe cut out and divided among the better sort of them and eaten halfe raw and
half broyled upon coales and full of ashes and whether before or after their feast for I have forgotten they came out of the woods from their booths into a plaine a bow shoot or two from their habitation where were stuck up in a row about 50 or 60 great poles as big as the bigger fort of Hop-poles all the bark pilled off and made white and were placed by computation about foure yards a funder and between every pole about three foot distance a stone about the bignesse of a great Turnip or Apple placed in a streight row and in the middle of the poles a crosse pole layed about a yard or an ell high whereon they hanged all or many of their Chains of Beads or Haranga and neer unto having their Alter of Beades as I termed it before them sat all the Ancient Men Women and Children and on the other side of the Alter and poles was two Companies of young men about 20 or 30 or more in a company each having a dart in his hand and ranked as I take it by three in a ranke or row each Company being distant from the other about 4 or 5 roddes or more being thus set in a comly posture they sang and danced keeping even strole and action with their feet and hands according to their tune as I have seen in a market Towne in the Country where I was borne divers Gentlemen c. associated together having for their pleasure a noyse of Musitions playing before them with every one a cipresse hatband then in fashion put over their faces dance the measures through the Market and chiefest streets in the town and so into an Inne and Tavern to make merry together these Salvages keeping as even measure proportionably to their sound or singing as the other doe to their musicke And in many postures of their dancing they would make shew of fight or defiance one company against the other presenting their darts against each other and sometimes againe of a suddaine both sides gathering themselves into a round ring and laying their heads together as at a consultation and then suddenly againe fall into their posture of danceing as decently as a company of trained Souldiers into their severall postures and each party had of their side a Trumpeter sounding with a confused harsh noise a large crooked Rams horn Their Priests as I call them of one which I bought a book as aforementioned laying their fore fingers upon one of the strange shapes or characters therein would preach or read a lecture or homily upon that text a good space and then remove his finger to another this feasting dancing or sacrificing was upon a sudden dissolved by reason the multitude of our men on shoare who hearing of these sports came flocking thither apace to see them but the Salvages fearing as I conceive least our men should rob them againe of their Haranga which they prized as deare as we doe Diamonds and other rich Jewels tooke them all from their Alter and departed againe to their tents or booths and so this exercise ended yet a word or two concerning their justice or punishing of offenders their chiefe Captain or Commander had lost out of his booth some of his Jewels which were found stollen by a young maide or girle belonging to an other man either his daughter or slave the Father or Master of the maide to cleare himselfe as innocent of the fact tooke his lance or great dart and presently slew the girle surely it was not his owne daughter but rather his slave else though a Barbarian he could not have been so cruell to his owne flesh and blood and this may give some testimony that they have some kind of government or law among them but yet they are adicted to theft and robbery is againe apparent for when they met our men in the woods although they did them no harme yet they would search their pockets for beads and rob them of them and yet bring them downe to their ships when they could not well tell how to finde the way And my selfe standing among our ships Pursers and others buying cattell for the ships provision and having a chaine of beads in my hand a young man snacht at them to have gotten them from me but mist of his purpose and ran away but one of our men in company standing by shot an arrow after him but mist him and we never saw his face again It is great pitty so pleasant and plentifull a Country should not be inhabited with civil people or rather Christians and that so brave a Nation of person and countenance onely black or tauny should be so blindly lead in their devotions being as some suppose Mahometans in regard of their manners and customes of circumcision or rather as some suppose descended from Abraham by his Wife or Concubine Keturah whose children begotten of her because they should not be a let or impediment to the promised seed by Isaack Abraham did send them away to inhabit in the East as Scripture mentioneth A happy thing it were both for them and this Kingdome if that project had or should goe forward which a Gentleman of Huntington shire bred a Merchant in love told me he heard of it from others or rather as I understand it from Bishop Moretans own mouth that if the Bishops of England lately dismissed from voting in Parliament and tyrannizing in temporall authority should still continue in disrespect with King and Parliament they or most part of them would goe and plant a Colony in Madagascar or in Saint Laurence and indeavour to reduce those ignorant soules to Christianity which God grant that by them or others such a pious designe may speedily take effect and that there may be among Christians there seated more harmonious concord in Religion then in Virginia by report hath lately hapned where disagreeing in points of Religion as at present unhappily in England they have taken up armes one side against the other and slaine of themselves or killed by the Natives 1700 which is doubted the Virginians will make use of such discention and cut all their throats on both sides and so the losse unrecoverable to this Kingdome of that famous plantation and excellently accommodated after 40 or 50 yeares or more hard durance of many the first Planters which God forbid and grant better newes to succeed and that these Countries already planted and this most hopefull at Saint Laurence may be speciall receptacles and succours to truly religious English Protestants if it shall please God to punish the Nation for the crying sinnes thereof by the prevalence of Malignants tirannous Papists which God avert By losse of my papers and notice taken therein of things convenient to the furtherance of a Plantation at Saint Laurence I am deprived of some good parts of their language or speech which in my conceit was not difficult to attaine but perusing an old table booke I found some few words of their language penned
that a man can hardly drinke it it will be so coole to the teeth almost to make the chops to chatter And thus I thinke beefe layed in salt in dry vessels of stone lead or other mettall set in saltpeter water will keepe it so coole that it may easily take salt and the coolers for woort in brewing of beere so ordered may happily also cause good beere to be made which if it can as I am confident it may be brought to passe will be such an accommodation and benefit to the plantation both for its owne use and to transport butter and cheese into India where it is not good and but of finall quantity and the country not stored with many Cowes which maketh it deare also as deare or dearer then in England at highest rate and of beefe for victualing of ships to sea as the value will be inestimable At the Island of Madagascar I doe verily beleive and am confident there may a good dairy be made and to make very good butter and cheese which will sell both well in India Persia Arabia and all the South seas over in a hundred severall places likewise for victualling of ships both English Dutch Danes and Portugals and that Cheese which we carry out of Europe to India the Banians doe give us twelve pence per pound At Moca in the Red Sea they doe make very good cheese like unto our English cheese and there it is faâ—re hotter then at the Island of Saint Laurence But concerning salting of Beefe it will keepe for three or foure moneths we have kept it but it will eate very dry the reason is because we presse it with weights for to fetch out the blood otherwise it will not keepe The best way to keepe and preserve Beefe or Mutton is to make it into Jerkins the flesh and meate which the Indians do carry for their sea store which is cut in little pieces like unto steaks they first salt it a little and so dry it in the sun till it be so hard as glew which will be so hard and then you may carry it in baskets to sea and water it about one hower before you boyle it and it will be so fresh as though it was newly killed It will keepe twelve moneths at the least and far better for the healths of mens bodies this is true to mine owne knowledge and experience Now to answer yet one objection that may be made that saltpeter is deare and will be so chargeable that it will not quit the cost to which I answer that saltpeter is cheape in India worth a very small matter a hundred weightâ— and will be transported into Saint Laurence for one fourth part or perhaps one eighth part of the charge it costeth by transporting the same in great quantities into England and salt also is in India good cheape Yet to lessen the charge thereof both may be had exceeding cheape made in Saint Laurence for my selfe have seen salt naturally made of it selfe lying in the concaves and hollowes of the rocky Hill in Augustine Bay which the high water filling those concaves with salt water and at the ebbe when the Sunne hath power over it hath been converted into salt moreover it seemed strange unto me one accident there hapning during our abode in that country The English for their recreation had made a parcell of ground by much treading and playing at nine pinns so bare as a bowling alley or much travelled highway and one day it chanced to raine which raine stood in small puddles in some lower places of the alley which the next day by the heate of the sun was converted into salt browne as our bay salt here in England and that by reason of the saltnesse of the earth in that place so neare the sea not a bow shoote from the same which may be occasioned by overflowing of the same at some times of the yeare in that low ground and the grasse growing thereon is salt which for my experience I have also tasted Now if saltpeter may there be made of salt earth as I take it is in England which I have seen saltpeter men to tast of to know thereby whether it were for their use or purpose or no then assuredly saltpeter may be made there for a trifle having a dainty brook of of fresh water issuing out of the rock in the bay enough to turne a mill if such fresh water be usefull for steeping thereof howsoever for other occasions it 's exceeding usefull and in especiall for present use for the businesse before premissed it issuing out of the rock eight or ten foot high or more at low water may with ease and small charge be carryed in pipes upon the land within a stones throw thereof or nearer and there saltpeter may be made to send into England much cheaper then out of India brought down to the Port Town a thousand miles and more upon Cammels backes and being a great deale nearer England about a fourth part or the way may be shipt home for lesse fraight especially by ships to convey planters into that Country and there they may even at the first returne lade perhaps hides and tallow which will not stand them in a penny though for many thousands For building in this brave Island there is abundance of good timber and stone and no doubt but bricke also may be made as well as in India and Persia where many buildings are made of unburnt brickes dryed only with the heat of the sun And no doubt but in short time being planted diligent skilfull men will finde out there as well as in other the like and not so likely countryes Mines of Gold Silver Brasse Lead Iron Tin and other minerals with precious and costly drugs for phisicke and Allowes we made there some sold in London at six shillings eight pence per pound and excellent materials for Diers uses and multitude of other commodities that cannot at present be conceived And the Country being well planted with Artificers and manufactors will outstrip all others in the world for manufactures which though I should grieve to give incouragement to imploy men therein to the hurt of my native country and to the robbing the poore therein of their labour yet being wrought there by our own natives or by other slaves of Freemen to the benefit of the English Planters I do not conceive any wrong done to the Common-wealth and will draw a boundance of poor people into that and disburden our own of many unnecessary idle vagrant people which think themselves born for no other use but Natus consumere fruges and and to live upon Industrous mens labours But that 's a businesse beyond my reach and capacity and therefore leave it to the deep Judgement of judicious States-men for ne Sutor ultra crepidam These incouragements already mentioned may enduce all understanding and industrious pious Charitable men to take opportunity to advance this unparaleld project yet much
the India company of which none have yet made tryal of or very few are not nor should not have been prejudiciall to the company in no degree As Gun-powder and Sope for a penny a pound better then our Castle Sope dying stuffes and the ingredients thereto and skill to make the Colours to hold as in India Pintadoes which our English dyers much effects and desires as I have heard say the Art thereof and the Art of laying on Gumlack in colours upon Turners waâ—e much desired in England also Cammels haire for Beaver-makers and Felt-makers brought over rough and unpickt and sold by Turkey Merchants for about 18. per pound but might be had cheaper in India and Persia then in Turkey and the haires thereof being pickt out in India as at home it costeth the Beaver maker 9 pence per pound the picking may be done in India for a penney the pound or thereabouts and takes away almost one half of the weight then its worth 4. shilling per pound and is farre lesse Bulkey and more fitting for transportation and is better haire then that brought out of Turkey as a Pattern of a Felt made in Persia shewed to a Beaver-maker Master Rogers by name who vallued the Felt at 30. shillings and cost me in Persia not aboue five shillings at the most and from thence by his advice its possible to bring Felts ready fitted to the Block for any fashion in request at farre cheaper rates then to be made in England also in these distractive murdering killing times of warre Buffe to be made in India would prove an excellent good and profitable commodity to be made much better of their strong Busttle hides and far cheaper then at home Persia sheepe-skins an excellent Fur fine and warme worne by Princes in Christendome and usefull to make Cover-lidds like Ruggs for great Persons Bedds bring soft as Silk and finely Curled and of a Grayish colour of which I know none but my selfe have ever made tryall of and sold them to good profit and more might have made of them but that I sold them to a friend I would have put many commodities to the tryall of making their which the Countrey yet affords not as Fustians strong Dimmities fine and course Buckerams black and in colours all sorts of Tapes made of calico fine and course broad and narrow Leather Tand or untand and in colours Goat-Skins Parchment and Paper fitted to the sizes in England and Guilded Leather for Hangings curious Painted and Guilded Bedsteeds Stooles Chaires round Tables inlaid with mother of Pearle Aggets and Cornelians Quilts Curtains and hangings of Silk Pintadoes and fine imbrodred guilted Cappes Wastcoats and underbreeches for men excellent for use and cheape and some for women both for rich and poor Covers for Bookes of all sizes excellent good and cheape Estridge-Feathers Leather and Paper Fannas curiously wrought and guilded for Gentle-women Beadâ—s Pendants and Rings of many sorts of Stones as Christall Agget Cornelion Jasper Elitropian c. Agget Cups and Dishes of severall sorts and Turtle Shels with curious Chests Cabinets and Boxes of Ivory and Ebony inlay'd with severall materials Silk of all sorts China Persia and India Velvets Sattens Taffities Damasks Persia Mellicks wrought with Gold and India Cottens also variety of desirable Stones of severall sorts fit for Tomb-makers Chimny Peeces and Pavements for Noblemen and great persons Summer-Roomes cut and carved in severall Fashions Formea and Figures according to Musters in other materials in regard of their cheapnesse and workeman-ship in cutting such hard Stones in India will be of much Accompt in this Kingdom and â—se where among persons of severall qualities conditions and Arts The variety of severall commodities is so great and their quantities to be had in these parts that I should spend a great deale of time and Paper in recounting them and yet should not be able to reckon up halt their numbers for new will daily be found out if open or free Trade were once on Foot all which would convert to the benefit of the plantation at Saint Lawrence or Madagascars and no doubt but imploy much more shipping and men to be made active and skilfull Marriners and Seamen then yet that trade hath produced If I had made another voyage into India I would have endeavoured to have transported Maultilers distillers of Strong-waters Brewers of Beer and Wine makers of Tobacco Cutters to have made India Tobacco Curers to have made India Tobacco ill cured there as good as Vrinas or other Countreyes of farre greater esteem in Persia yet that of India yeelded in Persia as before mentioned foure for one Gardiners Painters or good Picture makers Clock-makers c. with mowâ—â— and their utensels to teach the Indians the use of Hay-making 〈◊〉 of which in time of drought commonly 6. or 7. 〈…〉 and almost starved which might also 〈…〉 my Countrey-men I would also have 〈…〉 of Flax and Hempe by transporting seed thither which it should take effect and grow as in cooler Countreys Chritian Linnen as I call it would be made there and brought into all parts of Christendome at farre cheaper rates then now it is at and be of more esteeme in India and other Eastern Countreys then Callicoes or other heathen Linnen and all these things whatsoever mentioned in this Treatise the plantation at Madagascar or Saint Lawrence may have the benefit and accommodation thereof either by manufacture already made or to be put in practice there in regard of the cheapnesse of the labours of men women and Children in India at a penny three halfe pence or two pence a day to maintain themselves and families and much more cheaper may it be done at Madagascar where all sorts of better diet may be had cheaper then in India and slaves both in Madagascar and India and other parts may be bought for a trifle besides the Plantation once setled multitude of arts men would flock out of India and other parts to live among Christians where they may be more free from injustice and wrong tirranny and oppression then in any Eastern or Asian Kingdoms else besides yet one thing more I have forgot concerning defence against Forraign Enemies or Natives for Forraign Enemies that requires greater Judgement then for mine fortification defensive and offensive to which I referre my Censure but for defence or offence against the Natives Salvages its more ease to defend or resist then in any other habitable places of the world where English have seated themselves For as I understand it they the Salvages else-where have not onely Darts but Bowes and Arrowes more dangerous to annoy a farre off and more numerous to discharge as also great knotty Clubbs but here at Saint Lawrence they have no weapons but Darts and of them not numerous nor easie to carry and for defence of or from them I will make bold to lend my advice In India Buffe as before mentioned may be had in great quantities and very cheape
out thereof with the assistance of the Persians by land and most indiscreetly left it to the disposall of the King of Persia who would have been glad that the English would have kept it in their possession But now having found that sweetnesse of the enjoyment many hundred thousand pounds will not recover it againe from him to its former perfection And let us not contemne the valour of the Hollanders who in our daies indespite of that mighty Emperour of Java Major have builded themselves a famous strong City in his Country formerly called Jacatra but since called Batavia the ancient name by report of Holland for which the Emperour was so enraged against the Dutch that at my being in India in the yeare 1629. the report was that he vowed by his heathen Gods to race the City and expell the Dutch though with the losse of the lives of many 100000 of his people a most desparate daring nation of them selves who will venture upon most desperate designes though apparent death before their eyes as many experiences have bin proved of late a desperate enraged Java adventured to come a beard an English Ship himselfe with an intent to kill all the men aboard or to die himselfe upon which desperate designe he flew 4. 5. or 6. English or more before the rest could knock out his braines and slay him whom yet he threatned and put in execution to scaile their walls with heapes of his own subjects dead bodies forcing them on by an Army behinde them to hinder their retreat but to this day cannot prevaile against them Then why should the English Nation be daunted so famous for valour in all parts of the knowne world to enterprize this most noble and beneficiall plantation that ever was yet attempted and defended if quarrelsshould arise to cause to take armes against such weake and impotent people as well if not more rather then at present the adventurers into Trenedado in America to a place as I conceive strongly defended by Spaniards who will oppose our Nation with their utmost force and pollicy as to their most deadly foes though at present counterfeit friends how necessary is also this plantation in regard of the trade and commerce already on foote by the English in India our own Nation especially Merchants and Sea-men acquainted therewith are capable of And other Christian Nations jeere us for not setling a place of refuge for our selves in 30. yeares time as some of them have attained to great perfection in shorter time upon any occasion either prevention of distaste to the English inhabiting among the tyranous jealous nations of Moores to fetch them off in time of danger if contention or cause of difference should happen as is likely and we have had experience thereof who upon every sleight occasion terrifie our people with whipping and chawbucking and often impose upon them great fines and mucts with strict hard and cruell imprisonments untill they have enforced the payment of their unjust oppressions or for preventing our owne or other nations from robbing sea roving and piracy in those parts to the great dammage of the English Nation which this plantation well accommodated will give good remedy there against or to preserve the credit accommodation and reputation of the English by trade and commerce or otherwise as well in the orientall as occidentall parts of the world which if we neglect the Dutch or Portugals or both will out top and domineere over us by expelling us out of India and encroach that wealthy action of commerce to their exceeding great advantage and our irrecoverable and deplorable losse What an honour accommodation and happinesse must it certainly be to a pious Christian protestant Nation unspotted and undefiled with Idolatry Atheisme Papisme Anabaptisme Brownisme Antinomianisme or otherwise heresie or error to be possessed with a quiet peaceable secure and wealthy habitation in so excellent pleasant and fruitfull a Country a little world in it self though large in extent compared with England being by computation 3. times as bigge or greater for its defence distant from all other Countries many 100. leagues whether neither Heathen nor Idolatrous superstitious or Malignant Christians can come to hurt or annoy them being once setled therein but by their own in supportable charge cost dammage and apparent danger of life both by sea and land And what an addition will it be to Gods glory to reduce and convert so many 100000. of brave personable affable people poore ignorant soules to christianity as the Spaniards boast of their workes of supererogation in that kinde in west India but God forbid that we or any other Christian nation should christen them in their owne bloud or baptize them as by report the Spaniards have done in their west India Plantation or conquest even to the massacring of all or most part of the Natives and nationall inhabitants therein and that with unheard of before and unparalel'd tirannous cruelty by tying many of them together and laying wagers who should slay most men women and children at one thurst with their long rapiers through their bodies I should greatly rejoyce to see the day though I despaire to taste of the comforts as Moses did of the land of Canaan that the English Scotch and Dutch all of one Religion could perfectly and christianly agree together in the enterprize and undertaking of this most honourable action there being scope and roome enough for them all even the whole 3. Nations which I conceive would make them a terrour to all atheisticall heathen and Idolatrous Christians But should as heartily grieve to hear of such persidious treacherous acts among Christians as that heretofore committed by the Dutch Commanders at Batavia upon the English at Amboyna in India which hath been twice published in print to the world and yet no restitution made for the intolerable wrongs sustained to His Majesties subjects neither for the lives of the Massacred nor the dammage of the Merchants wherein I my self suffer in great proportion And I pray God we never heare of any more such cruell Actions and affronts from them which may in time prove prejudiciall and disastrous to both Nations whom I conceive it much concerns to live as neare neighbours in Peace Unity and Amity together which God grant to his glory and the comfort of both Nations CHAP. XVI Esquire Cuourteen his worthy enterprize to settle the beginning of a Plantation at Madagascar the partiallity injustice and ingratitude of the India Courts against their true loyall Brothers Servants and corrupt favour to their Iugling debauched undeserving mere bireling Servants A commodity of great value to be regarded and searched for out at Madagascar and of great advantage to the obtainers thereof Prince Rupert in a great forwardnesse to a hopefull Plantation at Madagascar the Earle of Arundels intention to supply Prince Ruperts fayling in the project for Madagascar REport hath lately since the beginning of this tractat brought to mine care that that Noble