deare and pretious to them that haue them I thinke none will deny but they are well worth the keeping and so we will proceed to the accidents that befell the first finders also the proceedings of the first Planters and their successors Master Norrod Thomas Sparkes and diuers others A briefe relation of the shipwracke of Henry May. HOw these Iles came by the name of Bermudas or the infinite number of blacke Hogs or so fearefull to the world that many called them the I le of Deuils that all men did shun as Hell and perdition I will not expostulate nor trouble your patiences with those vncertaine antiquities further then thus our men found diuers crosses peeces of Spanish monies here and there Two or three wracks also they found by certaine inscriptions to bee some Spanish some Dutch some French but the greatest rumour is that a Spanish ship called Bermudas was there cast away carrying Hogges to the West-Indies that swam a shore and there increased how the Spaniards escaped is vncertaine but they say from that ship those Iles were first called Bermudas which tilt then for six thousand yeares had beene namelesse But the first English-man that was euer in them was one Henry May a worthy Mariner that went with Captaine Lancaster to the East-Indies 1591. and in their returne by the West-Indies being in some distresse sent this Henry May for England by one Mounsier de la Barbotier to acquaint the Merchants with their estate The last of Nouember saith May we departed from Laguna in Hispaniola and the seuenteenth of December following we were cast away vpon the North-west of the Bermudas the Pilots about noone made themselues Southwards of the Iles twelue leagues and demanded of the Captaine their Wine of hight as out of all danger which they had but it seeme they were either drunke or carelesse of their charge for through their negligences a number of good men were cast away I being but a stranger amongst fiftie and odde French-men it pleased God to appoint me to be one of them should be saued In this extremity we made a raft which we towed with our Boat there were but six and twentie of vs saued and I seeing scarce roome for the one halfe durst not passe in amongst them till the Captaine called me along with him leauing the better halfe to the seas mercy that day we rowed till within two houres of night ere we could land being neere dead with thirst euery man tooke his way to seeke fresh water at length by searching amongst many weeds we found some raine water but in the maine are many faire Baies where we had enough for digging Now it pleased God before our ship split we saued our Carpenters tooles some Nailes Sailes and Tacklings wherewith we went roundly to worke and built a Barke of eighty tunues In stead of Pitch we made Lime mixed with Tortoise oyle and as the Carpenters calked her I and another paied the seames with this plaster which being in Aprill became quickly dry and as hard as a stone In Aprill it was so hot we feared our water would faile two great Chests wee made which we calked as our ship those we stowed on each side our maine Mast filled them with water and thirtie liue Tortoises wee found many Hogges but so leane wee could not eat them the tops of the Palmetaberries was our bread and the iuyce we got out of the trees we cut downe our drinke and of the leaues which are more then an Ell long we couered our Cabens made our beds and found many of those prouisions as is related but little foule weather The eleuenth of May it pleased God to set vs cleere of the I le after wee had liued there fiue moneths and the twentieth wee fell with Cape Britton neere New found Land where refreshing our selues with wood and water and such things as we could get of the Saluages it seemed a good Countrey but we staied not past foure houres before we set saile for the banke of New found land where wee met many ships but not any would take in a man of vs vntill it pleased God we met a Barke of Fawmothe which receiued vs for a little time and with her we tooke a French ship wherein I left Captaine de la Barbotier my deare friend and all his Company and in August arriued at Falmouth in this honest English Barke 1594. Written by me Henry May. The first English ship knowne to haue beene cast away vpon the Bermudas 1609. From the relation of Mr. Iordan Master Iohn Euens Master Henry Shelly and diuers others YOu haue heard that when Captaine Smith was Gouernor of Virginia there were nine ships sent with Sir Thomas Gates and Sir George Somers and Captaine Nuport with fiue hundred people to take in the old Commission and rectifie a new gouernment they set saile in May and in the height of thirty degrees of Northerly latitude they were taken with an extreme storme or rather a part of Hericano vpon the fiue and twentieth of Iuly which as they write did not onely separate them from the Fleet but with the violent working of the Seas their ship became so shaken torne and leake she receiued so much water as couered two tire of Hogsheads aboue the ballace that they stood vp to the middles with Buckets Baricos and Kettles to baile out the water Thus bailing and pumping three daies and three nights without intermission and yet the water seemed rather to increase then diminish in so much that being all vtterly spent with labour were euen resolued without any hope to shut vp the hatches and commit themselues to the mercy of the Sea which is said to be mercilesse or rather to the mercy of Almighty God whose mercy farre exceeds all his workes seeing no sense or hope in mans apprehension but presently to sinke some hauing some good and comfortable waters fetched them and dranke one to another as taking their last leaues vntill a more happy and a more ioyfull meeting in a more blessed world when it pleased God out of his most gracious and mercifull prouidence so to direct and guide their ship for her most aduantage That Sir George Somers all this time sitting vpon the poupe scarce taking leisure to eat nor sleepe couing the ship to keepe her as vpright as he could otherwaies she must long ere that needs haue foundered most wishedly and happily descried land whereupon he most comfortably incouraged them to follow their worke many of them being fast asleepe this vnlooked for welcome newes as if it had bin a voice from heauen hurrieth them all aboue hatches to looke for that they durst scarce beleeue so that improuidently forsaking that taske which imported no lesse then their liues they gaue so dangerous aduantage to their greedy enemy the salt water which still entred at the large breaches of their poore wooden castle as that in gaping after life they had well-nigh
three barricoes that such puddle that never till then we ever knew the want of good water We digged and searched in many places but before two daies were expired we would haue refused two barricoes of gold for one of that puddle water of Wighcocomoco Being past these Isles which are many in number but all naught for habitation falling with a high land vpon the mayne we found a great Pond of fresh water but so exceeding hot wee supposed it some bath that place we called poynt Ployer in honor of that most honourable House of Mousay in Britaine that in an extreame extremitie once relieued our Captaine From Wighcocomoco to this place all the coast is low broken Isles of Morap growne a myle or two in breadth and ten or twelue in length good to cut for hay in Summer and to catch fish and foule in Winter but the Land beyond them is all covered over with wood as is the rest of the Country Being thus refreshed in crossing ouer from the maine to other Isles we discouered the winde and waters so much increased with thunder lightning and raine that our mast and sayle blew ouerbord and such mighty waues ouerracked vs in that small barge that with great labour we kept her froÌ„ sinking by freeing out the water Two dayes we were inforced to inhabite these vninhabited Isles which for the extremitie of gusts thunder raine stormes and ill wether we called Limbo Repairing our saile with our shirts we set sayle for the maine and fell with a pretty convenient riuer on the East called Cuskarawaok the people ran as amazed in troups from place to place and diuers got into the tops of trees they were not sparing of their arrowes nor the greatest passion they could expresse of their anger Long they shot we still ryding at an Anchor without there reatch making all the signes of friendship we could The next day they came vnarmed with euery one a basket dancing in a ring to draw vs on shore but seeing there was nothing in them but villany we discharged a volly of muskets charged with pistoll shot whereat they all lay tumbling on the grownd creeping some one way some another into a great cluster of reedes hard by where there companies lay in Ambuscado Towards the euening we wayed approaching the shoare discharging fiue or six shot among the reedes we landed where there lay a many of baskets and much bloud but saw not a Salvage A smoake appearing on the other side the riuer we rowed thither where we found two or three little houses in each a fire there we left some peeces of copper beads bells and looking glasses and then went into the bay but when it was darke we came backe againe Early in the morning foure Salvages came to vs in their Canow whom we vsed with such courtesie not knowing what we were nor had done hauing beene in the bay a fishing badâ— vs stay and ere long they would returne which they did and some twentie more with them with whom after a little conference two or three thousand men women childreÌ„ came clustring about vs euery one preseÌ„ting vs with something which a little bead would so well require that we became such friends they would contend who should fetch vs water stay with vs for hostage conduct our men any whither and giue vs the best content Here doth inhabite the people of Sarapinagh Nause Arseek and Nantaquak the best Marchants of all other Salvages They much extolled a great nation called Massawomekes in search of whom we retâ—â—â—ed by Limbo this riuer but onely at the â—ntâ—ance is very narrow and the people of small stature as them of Wightcocomoco the Land but low yet it may proue very commodious because it is but a ridge of land betwixt the Bay and the maine Ocean Finding this Easterne shore shallow broken Isles and for most part without fresh water we passed by the straites of Limbo for the Westerne shore so broad is the bay here we could scarce perceiue the great high clifts on the other side by them we Anchored that night and called them Râ—ccards Cliftâ—s 30. leagues we sayled more Northwards not finding any inhabitants leauing all the Easterne shore lowe Islandes but ouergrowne with wood as all the Coast beyond them so farre as wee could see the Westerne shore by which we sayled we found all along well watered but very mountanous and barren the vallies very fertill but extreame thicke of small wood so well as trees and much frequented with Wolues Beares Deere and other wild beasts We passed many shallow creekes but the first we found Nauigable for a ship we called Bolus for that the clay in many places vnder the clifts by the high water marke did grow vp in red and white knots as gum out of trees and in some places so participated together as though they were all of one nature excepting the coulour the rest of the earth on both sides being hard sandy grauell which made vs thinke it Bole-Armoniack and Terra sigillata When we first set sayle some of our Gallants doubted nothing but that our Captaine would make too much hast home but hauing lien in this small barge not aboue 12. or 14. dayes oft tyred at the Oares our bread spoyled with wet so much that it was rotten yet so good were their stomacks that they could disgest it they did with continuall complaints so importune him now to returne as caused him bespeake them in this manner Gentlemen if you would remember the memorable history of Sir Ralph Layne how his company importuned him to proceed in the discovery of Moratico alleadging they had yet a dog that being boyled with Saxafras leaues would richly feede them in their returnes then what a shame would it be for you that haue bin so suspitious of my tendernesse to force me returne with so much provision as we haue and scarce able to say where we haue beene nor yet heard of that we were sent to seeke You cannot say but I haue shared with you in the worst which is past and for what is to come of lodging dyet or whatsoeuer I am contented you allot the worst part to my selfe As for your feares that I will lose my selfe in these vnknowne large waters or be swallowed vp in some stormie gust abandon these childish feares for worâ—e then to past â—s not likely to happen and there is as much danger to returne as to proceede Regaine therefore your old spirits for returne I will not if God please till I haue 〈◊〉 the Massawomeks found Patawomek or the head of this water you conceit to be endlâ—sse Two or 3. dayes we expected winde wether whose aduerse extremities added such discouragement that three or foure fell sicke whose pittifull complaints caused vs to to returne leauing the bay some nine miles broad at nine and ten fadome water The 16. of Iune we fell with the riuer Patowomek
Poles with some others to the number of seaventie persons c. These poore conclusions so affrighted vs all with famine that the President provided for Nâ—ndsamund and tooke with him Captaine Winne and Mr Scrivener then returning from Captaine Newport These people also long denied him not onely the 400 Baskets of Corne thâ—y promised but any trade at all excusing themselues they had â—pent most they had and were commanded by Powhatan to keepe that they had and not to let vs come into their river till we were constrained to begin with them perforce Vpon the discharging of our Muskets they all fled and shot not an Arrow the first house we came to we set on fire which when they perceiued they desired we would make no more spoyle and they would giue vs halfe they had how they collected it I know not but before night they loaded our three Boats and so we returned to our quarter some foure myles downe the River which was onely the open woods vnder the lay of a hill where all the ground was covered with snow and hard frozen the snow we digged away and made a great fire in the place when the ground was well dryed we turned away the fire and covering the place with a mat there we lay very warme To keepe vs from the winde we made a shade of another Mat as the winde turned we turned our shade and when the ground grew cold we remoued the fire And thus many a cold winter night haue wee laine in this miserable manner yet those that most commonly went vpon all those occasions were alwayes in health lusty and sat For sparing them this yeare the nâ—xt yeare they promised to plant purposely for vs and so we returned to Iames towne About this time there was a marriage betwixt Iohn Laydon and Anne Burras which was the first marriage we had in Virginia Long he stayed not but fitting himselfe and Captaine Waldo with two Barges From Chawopoweanock and all parts thereabouts all the people were fled as being iealous of our intents till we discovered the rivâ—r and people of Apamatuck where we found not much that they had we equally divided but gaue them copper and such things as contented them in consideration Master Scrivener and Lieutenant Percie went also abroad but could find nothing The President seeing the procrastinating of time was no course to liue resolved with Captaine Waldo whom he knew to be sure in time of need to surprise Powhatan and all his provision but the vnwillingnesse of Captaine Winne and Master Scrivener for some private respect plotted in England to ruine Captaine Smith did their best to hinder their proiect but the President whom no perswasions could perswade to starue being invited by Powhatan to come vnto him and if he would send him but men to build him a house giue him a gryndstone fiftie swords some peeces a cock and a hen with much copper and beads he would loâ—d his Ship with Corne. The President not ignorant of his devises and subtiltie yet vnwilling to neglect any opportunitie presently sent three Dutch-men and two English having so small allowance few were able to doe any thing to purpose knowing there needed no better a Castle to effect this proiect tooke order with Captaine Waldo to second him if need required Scrivener he left his substitute and set forth with thâ— Pinnace two Barges and fortie-six men which onely were such as voluntarily offered themselues for his Iourney the which by reason of Mr Scriveners ill successe was censured very desperate they all knowing Smith would not returne emptie if it were to be had howsoever it caused many of those that he had appointed to find excuses to stay behinde CHAP. VIII Captaine Smiths Iourney to Pamavnkee THe twentie-nine of December he set forward for Werowocomoco his Company were these In the Discovery Barge himselfe Gent. Robert Behethland Nathanael Graues Iohn Russell Raleigh Chrashow Michael Sicklemore Richard Worley Souldiers Anas Todkill William Loue. William Bentley Ieffrey Shortridge Edward Pising William Ward In the Pinnace Lieutenant Percie brother to the Earle of Northumberland Master Francis West brother to the Lord La Warre William Phittiplace Captaine of the Pinnace Gent. Michael Phittiplace Ieffrey Abbot Serieant William Tankard George Yarington Iames Browne Edward Brinton George Burton Thomas Coe Ionas Profit Master Robert Ford Clarke of the Councell Iohn Dods Souldier Henry Powell Souldier Thomas Gipson David Ellis Nathanael Peacock Saylers Iohn Prat George Acrig Iames Read Nicholas Hancock Iames Watkins Thomas Lambert foure Dutch-men and Richard Salvage were sent by land before to build the house for Powhatan against our Arrivall This company being victualled but for three or foure dayes lodged the first night at Warraskoyack where the President tooke sufficient provision This kind King did his best to divert him from seeing Powhatan but perceiuing he could not prevaile he advised in this manner Captaine Smith you shall find Powhatan to vse you kindly but trust him not and be sure he haue no oportunitie to seize on your Armes for he hath sent for you onely to cut your throats The Captaine thanking him for his good counsell yet the better to try his loue desired guides to Chawwonock for he would send a present to that King to bind him his friend To performe this iourney was sent Mr Sicklemore a very valiant honest and a painefull Souldier with him two guides and directions how to seeke for the lost company of Sir Walter Raleighs and silke Grasse Then we departed thence the President assuring the King perpetuall loue and left with him Samuâ—l Collier his Page to learne the Language So this Kings deeds by sacred Oath adiur'd More wary proues and circumspect by ods Fearing at least his double forfeiture To offend his friends and sin against his Gods The next night being lodged at Kecoughtan six or seaven dayes the extreame winde rayne frost and snow caused vs to keepe Christmas among the Salvages where we were never more merry nor fed on more plentie of good Oysters Fish Flesh Wild-soule and good bread nor never had better fires in England then in the dry smoaky houses of Kecoughtan but departing thence when we found no houses we were not curious in any weather to lye three or foure nights together vnder the trees by a fire as formerly is sayd An hundred fortie eight foules the President Anthony Bagnall and Serieant Pising did kill at three shoots At Kiskiack the frost contrary winds forced vs three or foure dayes also to suppresse the insolency of those proud Salvages to quarter in their houses yet guard our Barge and cause them giue vs what we wanted though we were but twelue and himselfe yet we never wanted shelter where we found any houses The 12 of Ianuary we arrived at Werowocomoco where the river was frozen neare halfe a myle from the shore but to neglect no time the President with his Barge so
in Christianity Master Nicholas Farrar deceased hath by his Will giuen three hundred pounds to the College to be paid when there shall be ten young Saluages placed in it in the meane time foure and twenty pound yeerely to bee distributed vnto three discreet and godly young men in the Colony to bring vp three wilde young infidels in some good course of life also there were granted eleuen Pattents vpon condition to transport people and cattle to increase the Plantations A desperat Sea-fight betwixt two Spanish men of warre and a small English ship at the I le of Dominica going to Virginia by Captaine Anthony Chester HAuing taken our iourney towards Virginia in the beginning of February a ship called the Margaret and Iohn of one hundred and sixty tuns eight Iron Peeces and a Falcon with eightie Passengers besides Sailers After many tempests and foule weather about the foureteenth of March we were in thirteene degrees and an halfe of Northerly latitude where we descried a ship at hull it being but a faire gale of wind we edged towards her to see what she was but she presently set saile and ran vs quickly out of sight This made vs keepe our course for Mettalina and the next day passing Dominica we came to an anchor at Guardalupo to take in fresh water Six French-men there cast away sixteene moneths agoe came aboord vs they told vs a Spanish man of Warre but seuen daies before was seeking his consort and this was she we descried at hull At Mâ—uis we intended to refresh our selues hauing beene eleuen weeks pestered in this vnwholsome ship but there we found two tall ships with the Hollanders colours but necessitie forcing vs on shore we anchored faire by them and in friendly manner sent to hale them but seeing they were Spaniards retiring to our ship they sent such a volley of shot after vs that shot the Boat split the Oares and some thorow the clothes yet not a man hurt and then followed with their great Ordnance that many times ouer-racked our ship which being so cumbred with the Passengers prouisions our Ordnance was not well fitted nor any thing as it should haue beene But perceiuing what they were we fitted our selues the best we could to preuent a mischiefe seeing them warp themselues to windward we thought it not good to be boorded on both sides at an anchor we intended to set saile but that the Vice-Admirall battered so hard our star-boord side that we fell to our businesse and answered their vnkindnesse with such faire shot from a Demiculuering that shot her betweene wind and water whereby she was glad to leaue vs and her Admirall together Comming faire by our quarter he tooke in his Holland flag and put forth his Spanish colours and so haled vs. We quietly and quickly answered him both what wee were and whither bound relating the effect of our Commission and the cause of our comming thither for water and not to annoy any of the King of Spaines Subiects nor any She commanded vs amaine for the King of Spaine we replied with inlarging the particulars what friends both the Kings our Masters were and as we would doe no wrong we would take none They commanded vs aboord to shew our Commission which we refused but if they would send their Boat to vs willingly they should see it But for answer they made two great shot at vs with a volley of small shot which caused vs to leaue the decks then with many ill words they laid vs aboord which caused vs to raise our maine saile and giue the word to our small shot which lay close and ready that paid them in such sort they quickly retired The fight continued halfe an houre as if we had beene inuironed with fire and smoke vntill they discouered the waste of our ship naked where they brauely boorded vs loofe for loofe hasting with pikes and swords to enter but it pleased God so to direct our Captaine and encourage our men with valour that our pikes being formerly placed vnder our halfe deck and certaine shot lying close for that purpose vnder the Port holes encountred them so rudely that their fury was not onely rebated but their hastinesse intercepted and their whole company beaten backe many of our men were hurt but I am sure they had two for one In the end they were violently repulsed vntill they were reinforced to charge agâ—inâ— by their commâ—â—ds whâ— standing vpon their honors thought it a great indigâ—ity to be so affâ—onted which caused a second charge and that answered with a second beating backe whereat the Captaine grew iuraged and constrained them to come on againe afresh which they did so effectually that questionlesse it had wrought an alteration if the God that tosseth Monarchies and reareth Mâ—untaines had not taught vs to tosse our Pâ—kes with prosperous euents and powred out a volley of small shot amongst them whereby that valiant Commander was slaine and many of his Souldiers dropped downe likewise on the top of the hatches This we saw with our eies and reioyced with it at our hearts so that we might perceiue good successe comming on our Captaine presently tooke aduantage of their discomfiture though with much comiseration of that resolute Captaine and not onely plied them againe with our Ordnance but had more shot vnder the Pikes which was bestowed to good purpose and amazed our enemies with the suddennesse Amongst the rest one Lucas our Carpenters Mate must not be forgotten who perceiuing away how to annoy them As they were thus puzlâ—d and in a confusion drew out a Minion vnder the halfe decke and there bent it vpon them in such a manner that when it was fired the cases of stones and peeces of Iron fell vpon them so thick as cleared the decke and slew many and in short time we saw few assailants but such as crept from place to place couertly from the fury of our shot which now was thicker than theirs for although has far as we may coÌ„mend our enemies they had done something worthy of commendations yet either wanting men or being ouertaken with the vnlooked for valour of our men they now began to shrinke and giue vs leaue to be wanton with our aduantage Yet we could onely vse but foure peece of Ordnances but they serued the turne as well as all the rest for she was shot so oft betweene wind and water we saw they were willing to leaue vs but by reason she was fast in the latch of our cable which in haste of weighing our anchor hung aloofe she could not cleare her selfe as she wrought to doe till one cut the Cable with an axe and was slaine by freeing vs. Hauing beene a boord vs two houres and an halfe seeing her selfe cleere all the shot wee had plaied on both sides which lasted till we were out of shot then we discouered the Vice-Admirall comming to her assistance who began a farre off to ply
inhumane people three hundred forty seuen men women and children most by their owne weapons and not being content with their liues they fell againe vpon the dead bodies making as well as they could a fresh murder defacing dragging and mangling their dead carkases into many peeces and carying some parts away in derision with base and brutish triumph Neither yet did these beasts spare those amongst the rest well knowne vnto them from whom they had daily receiued many benefits but spightfully also massacred them without any remorse or pitie being in this more fell then Lions and Dragons as Histories record which haue preserued their Benefactors such is the force of good deeds though done to cruell beasts to take humanitie vpon them but these miscreants put on a more vnnaturall brutishnesse then beasts as by those instances may appeare That worthy religions Gentleman M. George Thorp Deputie to the College lands sometimes one of his Maiesties Pensioners in command one of the principall in Virginia did so truly affect their conuersion that whosoeuer vnder him did them the least displeasure were punished seuerely He thought nothing too deare for them he neuer denied them any thing in so much that when they complained that our Mastiues did feare them he to content them in all things caused some of them to be killed in their presence to the great displeasure of the owners and would haue had all the rest guelt to make them the milder might he haue had his will The King dwelling but in a Cottage he built him a faire house after the English fashion in which he tooke such pleasure especially in the locke and key which he so admired as locking and vnlocking his doore a hundred times a day he thought no deuice in the world comparable to it Thus insinuating himselfe into this Kings fauour for his religious purpose he conferred oft with him about Religion as many other in this former Discourse had done and this Pagan confessed to him as he did to them our God was better then theirs and seemed to be much pleased with that Discourse and of his company and to requite all those courtesies yet this viperous brood did as the sequell shewed not onely murder him but with such spight and scorne abused his dead corps as is vnfitting to be heard with ciuill eares One thing I cannot omit that when this good Gentleman vpon his fatall houre was warned by his man who perceiuing some treachery intended by those hell-hounds to looke to himselfe and withall ran away for feare he should be apprehended and so saued his owne life yet his Master out of his good meaning was so void of suspition and full of confidence they had slaine him or he could or would beleeue they would hurt him Captaine Nathaniel Powell one of the first Planters a valiant Souldier and not any in the Countrey better knowne amongst them yet such was the error of an ouer-conceited power and prosperitie and their simplicities they not onely slew him and his family but butcher-like hagled their bodies and cut off his head to expresse their vttermost height of cruelty Another of the old company of Captaine Smith called Nathaniel Causie being cruelly wounded and the Saluages about him with an axe did cleaue one of their heads whereby the rest fled and he escaped for they hurt not any that did either fight or stand vpon their guard In one place where there was but two men that had warning of it they defended the house against 60. or more that assaulted it M. Baldwin at Warraskoyack his wife being so wounded she lay for dead yet by his oft discharging of his peece saue â—â—er his house himselfe diuers others At the same time they came to one Mastâ—r Harisons house neere halfe a mile from Baldwines where was Master Thomas Hamer with six men and eighteene or nineteene women and children Here the Saluages with many presents and faire perswasions fained they came for Capt. Ralfe Hamer to go to their King then hunting in the woods presently they sent to him but he not comming as they expected set fire of a Tobacco-house and then came to tell them in the dwelling house of it to quench it all the men ran towards it but Master Hamer not suspecting any thing whom the Saluages pursued shot them full of arrowes then beat out their braines Hamer hauing finished a letter hee was a writing followed after to see what was the matter but quickly they shot an arrow in his back which caused him returne and barricado vp the doores whereupon the Saluages set fire on the house Harisons Boy finding his Masters peece loaded discharged it at randome at which bare report the Saluages all fled Baldwin still discharging his peece and Mr Hamer with two and twentie persons thereby got to his house leauing their owne burning In like manner they had fired Lieutenant Basse his house with all the rest there about slaine the people and so left that Plantation Captaine Hamer all this while not knowing any thing comming to his Brother that had sent for him to go hunt with the King meeting the Saluages chasing some yet escaped retired to his new house then a building from whence he came there onely with spades axes and brick bats he defended himselfe and his Company till the Saluages departed Not long after the Master from the ship had sent six Musketiers with which he recouered their Merchants store-house where he armed ten more and so with thirtie more vnarmed workmen found his Brother and the rest at Bâ—ldwins Now seeing all they had was burnt and consumed they repaired to Iames Towne with their best expedition yet not far from Martins hundred where seuenty three were slaine was a little house and a small family that heard not of any of this till two daies after All those and many others whom they haue as maliciously murdered sought the good of those poore brutes that thus despising Gods mercies must needs now as miscreants be corrected by Iustice to which leauing them I will knit together the thred of this discourse At the time of the massacre there were three or foure ships in Iames Riuer and one in the next and daily more to come in as there did within foureteene daies after one of which they indeuoured to haue surprised yet were the hearts of the English euer stupid and auerted from beleeuing any thing might weaken their hopes to win them by kinde vsage to Christianitie But diuers write from thence that Almighty God hath his great worke in this Tragedy and will thereout draw honor and glory to his name and a more flourishing estate and safetie to themselues and with more speed to conuert the Saluage children to himselfe since he so miraculously hath preserued the English there being yet God be praised eleuen parts of twelue remaining whose carelesse neglect of their owne safeties seemes to haue beene the greatest cause of
so much wealth he knew would please them in England though it did displease all his Company and to lose such a prize he would not for hazarding a mutiny So first hee reuealed himselfe to Kendall in faire tearmes reprouing his dishonesty but not being answered according to his expectation he committed both Chard and him to person The next Sabboath day Dauis comming on shore More also taxed with very hard language and many threats to lay him fast also if he mended not his manners Dauis for the present replied little but went with him to the place of praier but in the midst of diuine seruice he goeth away commanding all his Sea-men to follow him presently aboord where he encourageth them to stand to him like men and hee would free the Prisoners haue all the Amber-greece for themselues and so be gone The Gouernor hearing of this resolution prepares with his company to repulse force with force so that a generall expectance of a ciuill vnciuill warre possessed euery man but this threatning gust passed ouer more calmlier then was expected for Dauis hauing better aduised with himselfe repenâ—ed his rashnesse and desired a reconcilement with the Gouernor Peace thus concluded Kendall was set at libertie but Chard was condemned and vpon the ladder to be hanged for his obstinacy yet vpon better consideration More repriued him but kept him a prisoner all the time he staied in the Country which was generally thought a very bad reward for his great desert and that there was more of this Amber-greece imbeziled then would haue contented all the finders that neuer had any consideration at all The greatest part though More thus recouered yet Dauis and Kendall had so much either by the ignorance or conniuency of the Gouernors that arriuing in England they prepared themselues for a new voiage at last they two falling out the Company hauing notice thereof so tormented them both they gaue ouer their voiage and durst not be seene a long time after The Gouernor thus rid of the ship and those discontents remoued his seat from Smiths I le to Saint Georges after he had fitted vp some small Cabbens of Palmata leaues for his wife and family in that valley where now stands their prime towne called S. Georges hee began to apply himselfe to fortifie the Countrey and training his men in the exercise of armes For although he was but a Carpenter he was an excellent Artist a good Gunner very witty and industrious he built and laid the foundation of eight or nine Forts called the Kings Castle Charles Fort Pembrookes Fort Smiths Fort Pagits Fort Gates Fort Warwicks Castle Saint Katharines Fort c. mounting in them all the Ordnance he had preparing the ground to build Houses plant Corne and such Fruits as they had Being thus busied and as the necessitie of the time required keeping his men somewhat hard at worke Master Keath his Minister were it by the secret prouocation of some drones that grew weary of their taskes or his affection to popularity is not certaine But he begins to tax the Gouernor in the Pulpit hee did grinde the faces of the poore oppressing his Christian brethren with Pharoab taxes More finding this in short time might breed ill bloud called the Company together and also the Minister vrging them plainly to tell him wherein he had deserued those hard accusations whereupon with an vniuersall cry they affirmed the contrary so that Keath downe of his knees to aske him forgiuenesse But Master More kindly tooke him vp willing him to kneele to God and hereafter be more modest and charitable in his speeches notwithstanding two other discontents so vpbraided More with that doctrine and stood to maintaine it he impaneled a Iury with a great deale of seeming much adoe he would hang them being condemned one of them with the very feare fell into a dead Palsie so that the other was set at libertie and proued after a very good labourer Many conclusions he tried about the Sea-venture the wracke of Sir George Somers but he got onely for his paines but two peece of Ordnance Hauing framed a Church of timber it was blowne downe by a tempest so that he built another in a more closer place with Palmeta leaues Before this yeere was expired the aduenterers sent them an aduiso with thirtie Passengers and good prouisions to prepare with all expedition for their defence against the Spaniard whom they vnderstood ere long would visit them This occasioned him to keepe all his men together in that I le so hard at worke that wanting libertie to goe abroad for food liuing onely on that they had and expected daily to receiue from England they were so ouer-toiled many fell sicke but none died Very earnest this ship was to haue all the Amber-greece which M. More perceiuing was the chiefest cause of their comming and that it was the onely loadstone to draw from England still more supplies for all the expresse command sent from the Company he returned this ship but with the one third part so from thence she went to Virginia and not long after arriued safely in England But before her returne the Company sent the Martha with sixtie Passengers more they arriued in Iune with one Master Bartlet to suruey the Iland and the estate of the Colonie with expresse command for all the Amber-greece but More perceiuing him not as he would haue him and that the Company began to mistrust him would send no more but another third part wherewith they returned leauing a French-man to make triall of the Mulberies for Silke but he did not bring any thing to perfection excusing himselfe they were not the right Mulberies he expected About this time they were in hope of a small crop of Tobacco but it was most spoiled for want of knowledge to vse it Now in England Master More became amongst the Merchants maruelous distastfull for the detaining so long the Amber-greece which delaies they so much abhorred they forthwith dispatched the Elizabeth the second time and forty Passengers much rebuking More for so long detaining the Amber-greece for the which hauing now no more colourable excuses he deliuered it wherewith the ship went to Virginia thence home In this ship was brought the first Potato roots which flourished exceedingly for a time till by negligence they were almost lost all but two cast-away roots that so wonderfully haue increased they are a maine releefe to all the Inhabitants This ship was not long gone but there came two Spanish ships founding with their Boat which attempted to come in but from the Kings Castle Master More made but two shot which caused them presently depart Marke here the handy worke of the diuine prouidence for they had but three quarters of a barrell of powder and but one shot more and the powder by carelesnesse was tumbled downe vnder the mussels of the two peeces were discharged yet not touched with fire when they were
hundred in seuen or ten moneths as you see they haue done spending twice so much time in comming and going as in staying there were I there planted seeing the variety of the fishings serue the most part of the yeere and with a little labour we might make all the Salt we need vse as is formerly said and can conceiue no reason to distrust of good successe by Gods assistance besides for the building of ships no place hath more conuenient Harbours ebbe nor floud nor better timber and no Commoditie in Europe doth more decay then wood Master Dee his opinion for the building of ships MAster Dee recordeth in his Brittish Monarchy that King Edgar had a Nauy of foure thousand saile with which he yeerely made his progresse about this famous Monarchy of Great Britaine largely declaring the benefit thereof whereupon hee proiected to our most memorable Queene Elizabeth the erecting of a Fleet of sixty Saile he called a little Nauy Royall imitating that admired Pericles Prince of Athens that could neuer secure that tormented estate vntill he was Lord and Captaine of the Sea At this none need wonder for who knowes not her Royall Maiestie during her life by the incredible aduentures of her Royall Nauy and valiant Souldiers and Sea-men notwithstanding all treacheries at home the protecting and defending France and Holland and reconquering Ireland yet all the world by Sea and Land both feared or loued and admired good Queene Elizabeth Both to maintaine and increase that incomparable honour God be thanked to her incomparable Successor our most Royall Lord and Soueraigne King Iames this great Philosopher hath left this to his Maiestie and his Kingdomes consideration that if the tenths of the earth be proper to God it is also due by Sea The Kings high waies are common to passe but not to dig for Mines or any thing So Englands Coasts are free to passe but not to fish but by his Maiesties Prerogatiue His Maiesty of Spaine permits none to passe the Popes order for the East and West Indies but by his permission or at their perils if all that world be so iustly theirs it is no iniustice for England to make as much vse of her owne shores as strangers doe that pay to their owne Lords the tenth and not to the owner of those liberties any thing to speake of whose subiects may neither take nor sell any in their Teritories which small tribute would maintaine this little Nauy Royall and not cost his Maiesty a peny and yet maintaine peace with all Forrainers and allow them more courtesie then any Nation in the world affords to England It were ashame to alleage that Hollaâ—d is more worthy to enioy our fishing as Lords thereof because they haue more skill to handle it then we as they can our wooll and vndressed Cloth notwithstanding all their warres and troublesome disorders To get money to build this Nauy he saith who would not spare the one hundreth penny of his rents and the fiue hundreth penny of his goods each seruant that taketh forty shillings wages foure pence and euery forrainer of seuen yeeres of age foure pence for seuen yeeres not any of these but they will spend three times so much in pride wantonnesse or some superfluitie And doe any men loue the securitie of their estates that of themselues would not bee humble suters to his Maiesty to doe this of free will as a voluntary beneuolence or but the one halfe of this or some such other course as I haue prounded to diuers of the Companies free from any constraint tax lottery or imposition so it may be as honestly and truly imploied as it is proiected the poorest Mechanicke in this King-would gaine by it Then you might build ships of any proportion and numbers you please fiue times cheaper then you can doe here and haue good merchandize for their fraught in this vnknowne Land to the aduancement of Gods glory his Church and Gospel and the strengthning and releefe of a great part of Christendome without hurt to any to the terror of Pirats the amazement of enemies the assistance of friends the securing Merchants and so much increase of Nauigation to make Englands trade and shipping as much as any Nations in the world besides a hundred other benefits to the generall good of all true subiects would cause thousands yet vnborne to blesse the time and all them that first put it in practise Now lest it should be obscured as it hath beene to priuat ends or so weakely vndertaken by our ouerweening incredulity that strangers may possesse it whilest we contend for New-Englands goods but not Englands good I haue presented it as I haue said to the Prince and Nobility the Gentry and Commonalty hoping at last it will moue the whole land to know it and consider of it since I can finde them wood and halfe victuall with the foresaid aduantages were this Country planted with what facility they may build and maintaine this little Nauy Royall both with honour profit and content and inhabit as good a Country as any in the world within that paralell which with my life and what I haue I will endeuour to effect if God please and you permit But no man will goe from hence to haue lesse freedome there then here nor aduenture all they haue to prepare the way for them will scarce thanke them for it and it is too well knowne there haue beene so many vndertakers of Patents and such sharing of them as hath bred no lesse discouragement then wonder to heare such great promises and so little performance in the Interim you see the French and Dutch already frequent it and God forbid they in Virginia or any of his Maiesties subiects should not haue as free liberty as they To conclude were it not for Master Cherley and a few priuate aduenturers with them what haue we there for all these inducements As for them whom pride or couetousnesse lulleth asleepe in a Cradle of slothfull carelesnesse would they but consider how all the great Monarchies of the earth haue beene brought to confusion or but remember the late lamentable experiences of Constantinople and how many Cities Townes and Prouinces in the faire rich Kingdoms of Hungaria Transiluania Wallachia Moldauia and how many thousands of Princes Earles Barons Knights Merchants and others haue in one day lost goods liues and honours or sold for slaues like beasts in a market place their wiues children and seruants slaine or wandring they knew not whither dying or liuing in all extremities of extreme miseries and calamities surely they would not onely doe this but giue all they haue to enioy peace and liberty at home or but aduenture their persons abroad to preuent the conclusions of a conquering Foe who commonly assaulteth and best preuaileth where he findeth wealth and plenty most armed with ignorance and security Though the true condition of warre is onely to suppresse the proud and defend the