we came to the point thereof That Land turning to the Westward we ranne along sixteene leagues North-west then comming into a faire Bay we went on Land with our Boat which place was vninhabited but yet it appeared vnto vs that the people had beene there by crosses and other signes from thence we went all along the coast Westward The fourth day of September we lost sight of Land by reason of contrarie windes and the eighth day we descried Land againe Within two dayes after we lost the sight of it then running West and by South about thirtie leagues we gat the sight of Land againe and bare in with it vntill night then perceiuing it to bee a lee shoare we gat vs into the Sea to the end to haue Sea roome The twelfth of September wee haled to shoare-ward againe hauing then indifferent winde and weather then being neere vnto the shoare and the tide almost spent wee came to an anchor in thirtie fathoms water The thirteenth day we came along the coast which lay North-west and by West and South-east and by East The fourteenth day we came to an anchor within two leagues off the shoare hauing sixtie fathoms There wee went ashoare with our Boat and found two or three good Harbours the Land being rocky and high but as for people could we see none The fifteenth day we ran still along the coast vntill the seuenteenth day then the winde being contrarie vnto vs we thought it best to returne vnto the Harbour which we had found before and so we bare roomer with the same howbeit wee could not accomplish our desire that day The next day being the eighteenth we entred into the Hauen and there came to an anchor at six fathoms This Hauen runneth into the Mayne about two leagues and is in bredth halfe a league wherein were very many Seale-fishes and other great fishes and vpon the Mayne wee saw Beares great Deere Foxes and diuers strange beasts as Guloines and such other which were to vs vnknowne and also wonderfull Thus remayning in this Hauen the space of a weeke seeing the yeere farre spent and also very euill weather as Frost Snow and Hayle as though it had beene the deepe of Winter wee thought best to winter there Wherefore we sent out three men South South-west to search if they could finde people who went three dayes iourney but could finde none after that we sent other three West-ward foure dayes iourney which also returned without finding any people Then sent we three men South-east three dayes iourney who in like sort returned without finding of people or any similitude of habitation The Riuer or Hauen wherein Sir Hugh Willoughby with the companie of his two ships perished for cold is called Arzina in Lapland neere vnto Kegor But it appeareth by a Will found in a ship that Sir Hugh Willoughby and most of the companie were aliue in Ianuary 1554. A Letter of RICHARD CHANCELLOR written to his Vncle Master CHRISTOPHER FROTHINGAM touching his discouerie of Moscouia FOrasmuch as it is meet and necessarie for all those that minde to take in hand the trauell into strange Countries to endeauour themselues not onely to vnderstand the orders commodities and fruitfulnesse thereof but also to apply them to the setting forth of the same whereby it may incourage others to the like trauell therefore haue I now thought good to make a briefe rehearsall of the orders of this my trauell in Russia and Muscouia and other Countries thereunto adioyning because it was my chance to fall with the North parts of Russia before I came towards Moscouia I will partly declare my knowledge therein Russia is very plentifull both of Land and People and also wealthie for such commodities as they haue They be very great fishers for Salmons and small Cods they haue much Oyle which wee call Trane Oyle the most whereof is made by a Riuer called Dâ—ina They make it in other places but not so much as there They haue also a great trade in seething of salt water To the North part of that Countrey are the places where they haue their Furres as Sables Marterns greesse Beuers Foxes white blacke and red Minkes Ermines Miniuer and Harts There are also a fishes teeth which fish is called a Morsse The takers thereof dwell in a place called Postesora which bring them vpon Harts to Lampas to sell and from Lampas carrie them to a place called Colmogro where the high Market is holden on Saint Nicolas day To the West of Colmogro there is a place called Gratanoue in our language Nouogorode where much fine Flaxe and Hempe groweth and also much Waxe and Honie The Dutch Merchants haue a Staple-house there There is also great store of Hides and at a place called Plesco and thereabout is great store of Flaxe Hempe Waxe Honie and that Towne is from Colmogro one hundred and twentie miles There is a place called Vologda the commodities whereof are Tallow Waxe and Flaxe but not so great plentie as is in Gratanoue From Vologda to Colmogro there runneth a Riuer called Duina and from thence it falleth into the Sea Colmogro serueth Gratanoue Vologda and the Mosco with all the Countrey thereabout with Salt and salt Fish From Vologda to Iereslaue is two hundred miles which Towne is very great The commodities thereof are Hides and Tallow and Corne in great plentie and some Waxe but not so plentifull as in other places The Mosco is from Ieraslaue two hundred miles The Countrey betwixt them is very well replenished with small Villages which are so well filled with people that it is wonder to see them the ground is well stored with Corne which they carrie to the Citie of Mosco in such abundance that it is wonder to see it You shall meet in a morning seuen or eight hundred Sleds comming or going thither that carrie Corne and some carrie fish You shall haue some that carrie Corne to the Mosco and some that fetch Corne from thence that at the least dwell a thousand miles off and all their carriage is on Sleds Those which come so farre dwell in the North parts of the Dukes Dominions where the cold will suffer no Corne to grow it is so extreme They bring thither Fishes Furres and Beasts skinnes In those parts they haue but small store of Cattell The Mosco it selfe is great I take the whole Towne to be greater then London with the Suburbes but it is very rude and standeth without all order Their houses are all of timber very dangerous for fire There is a faire Castle the walls whereof are of bricke and very high they say they are eighteene foot thicke but I doe not beleeue it it doth not so seeme notwithstanding I doe not certainly know it for no stranger may come to view it The one side is ditched and on the other side runneth a Riuer called Mosâ—ua which runneth into Tartarie and so into the Sea called
and presently at another casting of the Lead they had but six fathome and presently after that againe ten eleuen and twelue fathome the streame running hard against the Flats From the East-end of the Admirals Iland to Cape Negro that is the Blacke point they sayled about fiue or six miles East North-east and a mile without the Blacke point it iâ— seuenty fathome deepe the ground slimy as vpon Pamphius right East-ward of the Blacke point there are two sharpe pointed Hils in the Creeke that are easie to be knowne The sixt of Iuly the Sunne being North they come right before the Blacke point with faire weather this Blacke point lyeth vnder 75. degrees and 20. minutes From the Blacke point to Williams Iland they sayled seuen or eight miles East North-east and betweene them both about halfe a mile there lay a small Iland The seuenth of Iuly they sayled from Williams Iland and then William Barents tooke the height of the Sunne with his Crosse-staffe and found it to be eleuated aboue the Horizon in the South-west and by South 53. degrees and 6. minutes his declination being 22. degrees and 49. minutes which being added to 53. degrees and 6. minutes make 75. degrees and 55. minutes This is the right height of the Pole of the said Iland In this Iland they found great store of Driftwood and many Sea-horses being a kind of fish that keepeth in the Sea hauing very great teeth which at this day are vsed in stead of Iuory or Elephants Teeth there also is a good Road for ships at twelue and thirteene fathome deepe against all winds except it bee West South-west and West-winds and there they found a piece of a Russia ship and that day they had the wind East North-east mistie weather The ninth of Iuly they entred into Beeren-fort vpon the Road vnder Williams Iland and there they found a white Beare which they perceiuing presently entred into their Boat and shot her into the bodie with a Musket but the Beare shewed most wonderfull strength which almost is not to be found in any beast for no man euer heard the like to bee done by any Lion or cruell beast whatsoeuer for notwithstanding that she was shot into the bodie yet she leapt vp and swamme in the water the men that were in the Boat rowing after her cast a Rope about her necke and by that meanes drew her at the sterne of the Boat for that not hauing seene the like Beare before they thought to haue carryed her aliue in the ship and to haue shewed her for a strange wonder in Holland but she vsed such force that they were glad that they were rid of her and contented themselues with her skinne only for shee made such a noyse and stroue in such sort that it was admirable wherewith they let her rest and gaue her more scope with the Rope that they held her by and so drew her in that sort after them by that meanes to wearie her meane-time William Barents made neerer to her but the Beare swamme to the Boat and with her fore-feet got hold of the sterne thereof which William Barents perceiuing said she will there rest her selfe but she had another meaning for she vsed such force that at last she had gotten halfe her body into the Boat wherewith the men were so abashed that they ranne into the further end of the Boat and thought verily to haue beene spoyled by her but by a strange meanes they were deliuered from her for that the Rope that was about her necke caught hold vpon the hooke of the Ruther whereby the Beare could get no further but so was held backe and hanging in that manner one of the men boldly stept forth from the end of the Scute and thrust her into the bodie with a halfe-pike and therewith shee fell downe into the water and so they rowed forward with her to the shippe drawing her after them till shee was in a manner dead wherewith they killed her out-right and hauing slayed her brought the skin to Amsterdam The twentieth of Iuly they sayled out of Beeren-fort from Williams Iland and the same day in the morning got to the Iland of Crosses and there went on Land with their Pinnasse and found the Iland to be barren and full of Cliffes and Rocks in it there was a small Hauen whereinto they rowed with their Boat This Iland is about halfe a mile long and reacheth East and West on the West end it hath a banke about a third part of a mile long and at the East end also another banke vpon this Iland there standeth two great Crosses the Iland lyeth about two long miles from the firme Land and vnder the east-East-end thereof there is a good Road at sixe and twentie fathome soft ground and somewhat closer to the Iland on the Strand at nine fathome sandie ground From the Iland of Crosses to the point of Cape Nassaw they sayled East and East and by North about eight miles it is a long flat point which you must be carefull to shunne for thereabouts at seuen fathome there were flats or shoales very farre from the Land it lyeth almost vnder 76. degrees and a halfe From the West end of Williams Iland to the Iland with the Crosses is three miles the course North. From Nassaw point they sayled East and by South and East South-east fiue miles and then they thought that they saw Land in North-east and by East and sayled towards it fiue miles North-east to descrie it thinking it to bee another Land that lay Northward from Noua Zembla but it began to blow so hard out of the West that they were forced to take in their Marsaile and yet the wind rose in such manner that they were forced to take in all their Sayles and the Sea went so hollow that they were constrayned to driue sixteene houres together without sayle eight or nine miles East North-east The eleuenth of Iuly their Boat was by a great waue of the Sea sunke to the ground and by that meanes they lost it and after that they draue without sayles fiue miles East and by South at last the Sunne being almost South-east the wind came about to the North-west and then the weather began somewhat to cleere vp but yet it was very mistie Then they hoysed vp their sayles againe and sayled foure miles till night that the Sunne was North and by East and there they had sixtie fathome deepe muddie ground and then they saw certayne flakes of Ice at which time vpon the twelfth of Iuly they woond West and held North-west and sayled about a mile with mistie weather and a North-west wind and sayled vp and downe West South-west three or foure miles to see if they could find their Boat againe after that they woond againe with the wind and sayled foure miles South-east till the Sunne was South-west and then they were close by the Land of Noua Zembla that lay East and
hot that it would scald a Fowle From hence the first of Iune we put to Sea for Groneland but to the West wee saw Land as we thought for which we beare the best part of a day but it proued but a foggie banke So wee gaue it ouer and made for Gronland which we raysed the fourth of Iune Vpon the Coast thereof hung good store of Ice so that our Master could not attayne to the shoare by any meanes The Land in this part is very Mountaynous and full of round Hils like to Sugar-loaues couered with snow We turned the Land on the South side as neere as the Ice would suffer vs. Our course for the most part was betweene the West and North-west till we raysed the Desolations which is a great Iland in the West part of Groneland On this Coast we saw store of Whales and at one time three of them came close by vs so as wee could hardly shunne them then two passing very neere and the third going vnder our ship wee receiued no harme by them praysed bee God From the Desolations our Master made his way North-west the wind being against him who else would haue gone more to the North but in this course we saw the first great Iland or Mountayne of Ice whereof after we saw store About the latter end of Iune we raysed Land to the North of vs which our Master tooke to bee that Iland which Master Dauis setteth downe in his Chart. On the West side of his Streight our Master would haue gone to the North of it but the wind would not suffer him so we fell to the South of it into a great Rippling or ouer-fall of current the which seâ—teth to the West Into the current we went and made our way to the North of the West till we met with Ice which hung on this Iland Wherefore our Master casting about cleered himselfe of this Ice and stood to the South and then to the West through store of floting Ice and vpon the Ice store of Seales We gained a cleere Sea and continued our course till wee meete Ice first with great Ilands and then with store of the smaller sort Betweene them we made our course North-west till we met with Ice againe But in this our going betweene the Ice we saw one of the great Ilands of Ice ouerturne which was a good warning to vs not to come nigh them nor within their reach Into the Ice wee put ahead as betweene two Lands The next day we had a storme and the wind brought the Ice so fast vpon vs that in the end we were driuen to put her into the chiefest of the Ice and there to let her lie Some of our men this day fell sicke I will not say it was for feare although I saw small signe of other griefe The storme ceasing we stood out of the Ice where wee saw any cleere Sea to goe to which was sometime more and sometime lesse Our course was as the Ice did lye sometime to the North then to the North-west and then to the West and to the South-west but still inclosed with Ice Which when our Master saw he made his course to the South thinking to cleere himselfe of the Ice that way but the more he stroue the worse he was and the more inclosed till we could goe no further Here our Master was in despaire and as he told me after he thought he should neuer haue got out of this Ice but there haue perished Therefore hee brought forth his Card and shewed all the company that hee was entred aboue an hundred leagues further then euer any English was and left it to their choice whether they would proceed any further yea or nay Whereupon some were of one minde and some of another some wishing themselues at home and some not caring where so they were out of the Ice but there were some who then spake words which were remembred a great while after There was one who told the Master that if he had an hundred pounds hee would giue fourescore and ten to be at home but the Carpenter made answere that if hee had an hundred hee would not giue ten vpon any such condition but would thinke it to be as good money as euer he had any and to bring it as well home by the leaue of God After many words to no purpose to worke we must on all hands to get our selues out and to cleere our ship After much labour and time spent we gained roome to turne our ship in and so by little and little to get cleere in the Sea a league or two off our course being North and North-west In the end we raysed Land to the south-South-west high Land and couered with Snow Our Master named this Land Desire prouokes Lying here wee heard the noyse of a great ouer-fall of a tyde that came out of the Land for now we might see well that wee had beene embayed before and time had made vs know being so well acquainted with the Ice that when night or foggie or foule weather tooke vs we would seeke out the broadest Iland of Ice and there come to anchor and runne and sport and fill water that stood on the Ice in Ponds both sweete and good But after we had brought this Land to beare South of vs we had the tyde and the current to open the Ice as being carried first one way and then another but in Bayes they lye as in a pond without mouing In this Bay where wee were thus troubled with Ice wee saw many of those Mountaynes of Ice aground in sixe or seuenscore fathome water In this our course we saw a Beare vpon a piece of Ice by it selfe to the which our men gaue chase with their Boat but before they came nigh her the tyde had carried the Ice and the Beare on it and ioyned it with the other Ice so they lost their labour and came aboord againe We continued our course to the North-west and raysed Land to the North of our course toward which we made and comming nigh it there hung on the Eastermost point many Ilands of floting Ice and a Beare on one of them which from one to another came towards vs till she was readie to come aboord But when she saw vs looke at her she cast her head betweene her hinder legges and then diued vnder the Ice and so from one piece to another till she was out of our reach We stood along by the Land on the Southside ahead of vs wee met with Ice that hung on a point of Land that lay to the South more then this that we came vp by which when our Master saw he stood in for the shoare At the West end of this Iland for so it is we found an Harbour and came in at a full Sea ouer a Rocke which had two fathome and an halfe on it and was so much bare at a low water But by
the great mercie of God we came to an Anchor cleere of it and close by it our Master named them the Iles of Gods Mercie This is an Harbour for need but there must be care had how they come in Heere our Master sent me and others with me to discouer to the North and North-west and in going from one place to another we sprung a Couey of Partridges which were young at the which Thomas Woodhouse shot but killed only the old one This Iland is a most barren place hauing nothing on it but plashes of water and riuen Rockes as if it were subiect to Earthquakes To the North there is a great Bay or Sea for I know not what it will proue where I saw a great Iland of Ice aground betweene the two Lands which with the Spring-tide was set afloat and carried into this Bay or Sea to the North-westward but came not backe againe nor within sight Here wee tooke in some Drift wood that we found ashoare From hence we stood to the South-west to double the Land to the West of vs through much floting Ice In the end wee found a cleere Sea and continued therein till wee raysed Land to the North-west Then our Master made his course more to the South then before but it was not long ere we met with Ice which lay ahead of vs. Our Master would haue doubled this Ice to the North but could not and in the end put into it downe to the south-South-west through much Ice and then to the South where we were embayed againe Our Master stroue to get the shoare but could not for the great store of Ice that was on the coast From out of this Bay we stood to the North and were soone out of the Ice then downe to the South-west and so to the West where we were enclosed to our fight with Land and Ice For wee had Land from the South to the North-west on one side and from the East to the West on the other but the Land that was to the North of vs and lay by East and West was but an Iland On we went till we could goe no further for Ice so we made our ship fast to the Ice which the tide brought vpon vs but when the ebbe came the Ice did open and made way so as in seuen or eight houres we were cleere from the Ice till we came to weather but onely some of the great Ilands that were carried along with vs to the North-west Hauing a cleere Sea our Master stood to the West along by the South shoare and raysed three Capes or Head-lands lying one aboue another The middlemost is an Iland and maketh a Bay or Harbour which I take will proue a good one Our Master named them Prince Henries Cape or Fore-land When we had layd this we raised another which was the extreme point of the Land looking towards the North vpon it are two Hills but one aboue the rest like an Hay-cocke which our Master named King Iames his Cape To the North of this lie certaine Ilands which our Master named Queene Annes Cape or Fore-land Wee followed the North shoare still Beyond the Kings Cape there is a Sound or Bay that hath some Ilands in it and this is not to be forgotten if need be Beyond this lieth some broken Land close to the Mayne but what it is I know not because we passed by it in the night Wee stood to the North to double this Land and after to the West againe till wee fell with Land that stretched from the Mayne like a shewer from the South to the North and from the North to the West and then downe to the South againe Being short of this Land a storme tooke vs the wind at West we stood to the North and raised Land which when our Master saw he stood to the South againe for he was loath at any time that wee should see the North shoare The storme continuing and comming to the South shoare againe our Master found himselfe shot to the West a great way which made him muse considering his Leeward way To the South-west of this Land on the Mayne there is an high Hill which our Master named Mount Charles To the North and beyond this lieth an Iland that to the East hath a faire head and beyond it to the West other broken Land which maketh a Bay within and a good Road may be found there for ships Our Master named the first Cape Salsburie When we had left this to the North-east we fell into a Rippling or Ouer-fall of a Current which at the first we tooke to bee a Shoald but the Lead being cast wee had no ground On we passed still in sight of the South shoare till we raised Land lying from the Mayne some two leagues Our Master tooke this to bee a part of the Mayne of the North Land but it is an Iland the North side stretching out to the West more then the South This Iland hath a faire Head to the East and very high Land which our Master named Deepes Cape and the Land on the South side now falling away to the South makes another Cape or Head-land which our Master named Worsenhams Cape When wee were nigh the North or Iland Cape our Master sent the Boat ashoare with my selfe who had the charge and the Carpenter and diuers others to discouer to the West and North-west and to the South-west but we had further to it then we thought for the Land is very high and we were ouer-taken with a storme of Raine Thunder and Lightning But to it we came on the North-east side and vp we got from one Rocke to another till we came to the highest of that part Here we found some plaine ground and saw some Deere as first foure or fiue and after a dozen or sixteene in an Herd but could not come nigh them with a Musket shot Thus going from one place to another wee saw to the West of vs an high Hill aboue all the rest it being nigh vs but it proued further off then we made account for when wee came to it the Land was so steepe on the East and North-east parts that wee could not get vnto it To the South-west we saw that wee might and towards that part wee went along by the side of a great Pond of water which lieth vnder the East side of this Hill and there runneth out of it a streame of water as much as would driue an ouer-shot Mill which falleth downe from an high Cliffe into the Sea on the South side In this place great store of Fowle breed and there is the best Grasse that I had seene since we came from England Here wee found Sorell and that which wee call Scuruy-grasse in great abundance Passing along wee saw some round Hills of stone like to Grasse cockes which at the first I tooke to be the worke of some Christian. Wee
wood But before the men had laid into her the little quantitie that she was able to carrie they came aboard againe for the wind began to blow hard and the Sea to goe loftie so that here was no place for vs to abide any longer otherwise I was purposed to haue searched further alongst the shoare but this gale of winde comming Northerly I stood from hence to the Westwards being desirous to see more Land or finde a more open Sea And hauing sayled about fifteene or sixteene leagues I met with Ice again in latitude 71. degrees and coasted it eight or nine leagues further Westward and South-westward as it lay but then the wind came to the South-west and we stood close by it a while to the Southwards but finding the gale to increase and considering that it was the most contrary winde which could blow against my further proceeding for the Ice as we found did â—â—end neerest South-west and besides if there had beene any high Land within twentie leagues of vs wee might perfectly haue made it the weather was so faire and cleere In these respects and for the Reasons following I tooke the benefit of this wind to returne to the North-eastwards againe being now about two hundred leagues from King Iames his New Land in latitude 71. degrees First I purposed to sayle alongst the South-east side of the Land that I had discouered to bee better satisfied what Harbours there were and what likelihood of profit to ensue and from thence to proceed to the place where I first fell with Ice in latitude 73. degrees when I was driuen to the South-eastwards with a Westerly storme for I am yet verily perswaded that being there we were not farre from Land although wee could not see it by reason of thicke foggie weather Then my further intent was if I found no good occasion to spend my time there for to coast the Ice or try the open Sea to the Northwards betwixt 73. and 76. degrees where formerly I had not receiued desired satisfaction by reason of a storme that draue me off and then I purposed if time might seeme conuenient to proceed to the North Coast of King Iames his New Land to haue seene what hope was there to be had for passage Northward or for compassing of the Land which is most like to be an Iland I stood away East and by South and being neere the foresaid Iland the winde came to the West and blew a very hard gale wherewith I passed alongst the South-east side of the Iland vnder a paire of coarses but without that satisfaction which I expected for the winde blowing so stormie and the Sea growne very great I was forced to stand further from the shoare then willingly I would haue done and besides there was a thicke fogge vpon the Land whereby I could not be satisfied what Harbours or Roads were about it yet might we see three or foure Capes or Head-lands as if there went in Bayes betwixt them I sayled about it and then stood to the Northward againe and being now assured that it was an Iland I named it Sir Thomas Smiths Iland This Iland is about ten leagues in length and stretcheth North-east and South-west it is high Land and at the North end of it there is a Mountayne of a wonderfull height and bignesse all couered with Snow which I called Mount Hackluyt the base or foot of it on the East side is almost foure leagues long it hath three such sides at the base lying out to the Sea and from the fourth side doth the rest of the Iland extend it selfe towards the south-South-west which is also as it were a place fortified with Castles and Bulwarkes for on each side there bee three or foure high Rockes which stand out from the Land appearing like Towres and Forts It lyes in the parallel of 71. degrees where the Needle varieth from the true Meridian Westwards eight degrees The Land is generally so farre as I haue seene Rockie and very barren and worse then the Land that I haue seene in King Iames his New Land vnder eightie degrees for there is no grasse but mosse and where I first landed vpon low ground all the stones were like vnto a Smiths finders both in colour and forme the sand is generally mixed with a corne like Amber the Beaches are abundantly stored with drift wood and many stones light like Pumis which will swimme on the water I saw many traces of Foxes and the footing of Beares but not any signe of Deere or other liuing creatures and very small store of Fowle From hence I stood to the Northward according to my former purpose but was crossed with a contrarie storme from the North-west which put me off to the Eastward but as the wind shifted I made my way to the North-westwards all I could and came againe to the Ice in latitude 75. degrees from whence I proceeded towards King Iames his New Land and had sight of the Land the eighteenth of August being in latitude 77. degrees 30. minutes and hauing a hard gale of wind then at North-west I stood close by it vnder a paire of coarses but could not weather Prince Charles Iland and therefore I bore vp intending to goe into Nicks Coue which is on the North side of Ice-sound there to attend a faire winde and in the meane time to get ballast aboard the Pinnasse and all other things necessary But comming to enter into the Harbour I thought it not a place conuenient because I could hardly haue gotten out againe with a Southerly wind which would carrie me to the Northwards and therefore I stood ouer for Green-harbor where I anchored at one a clocke in the morning the nineteenth of August Here I caused my men to launch a shallop and to get ballast and water aboard the Pinnasse and before nine a clocke at night I was readie to proceed Northward with the first faire winde I stayed here fiue dayes during which time it blew hard for the most part at North and North-west and on the foure and twentieth of August the winde came to the East North-east as wee supposed till we were out of the Harbour so I set sayle to proceed Northward and had the wind Easterly out of Ice-sound wherewith I stood North-west towards Cape Cold but being cleere of the high Land we found the wind to bee at North North-east therefore I resolued of another course which was this Hauing perused Hudsons Iournall written by his owne hand in that Voyage wherein hee had sight of certayne Land which he named Hold-with-hope I found that by his owne reckoning it should not be more then one hundred leagues distant from King Iames his New Land and in the latitude of 72. degrees 30. minutes or thereabouts therefore seeing I could not proceed Northward I purposed to goe to the South-westwards to haue sight of this Land and discouer it if wind and weather would permit So I stood away
compâ—st with Ice we hearing to the same the winde comming vp to the East South-east we 〈◊〉 South to the Ice were forced to loose for one Iland and to beare roome for another till about foure a clocke when by Gods helps 〈…〉 cleere off the same the winde comming vp to the South-east and by South wee lay South-west and by South off all this night The two and twentieth thicke weather the winde 〈◊〉 before This morning about seuen a clocke we saw a saile West and by South of vs we standing to him for it was our Vice admirall the Lion who had beene greatly troubled with the Ice wee being glad to meete one another againe The eight and twentieth about foure in the morning the storme ceased the winde comming vp to the West South-west About three a clocke wee set our sailes standing South-east away But being vnder saile we spyed great bankes and Ilands of Ice to leeward of vs lying off East and by South which Ice I did iudge to lye off Cape Desolation about eight leagues off the which by reason of the fogge we could not 〈◊〉 The nine and twentieth about sixe in the morning the winde came vp to the North-east and by North we making saile went South South-east away till noone with a stiffe gale wee seeing in the morning pieces of drift Ice to windward of vs hauing at noone a shrinke of the same I found vs in the latitude of 39. degrees 46. minutes hauing from noone to noone made a South-east and by South way eight leagues The one and thirtieth the winde continuing wee holding still our course with the winde still at North North-west with faire and cleere weather it blowing very much so that wee stood away vnder a couple of courses low set the Sea very 〈◊〉 growne being in the â—â—titude of 59. degrees 10. minutes hauing made an East South-east way somewhat Easterly foure and thirtie leagues This afternoone after my obseruation wee saw some Ilands of Ice 〈◊〉 some drift Ice I something maruelling of the same knowing both by my account and my 〈◊〉 â—â—seruation that we were shot too farre from 〈◊〉 part of Groinland that was described 〈…〉 Marine Chart. For the southermost part described therein is not in the latitude of 60. degrees and we being now in the latitude of 59. degrees ten minutes Cape Desolation bearing West North-west halfe Northerly about sixtie foure leagues and Cape Christian which was the next known part of Groenland North-west and by West westerly eight and thirtie leagues so holding our course East South-east away about foure a clocke we had sight of Land being very high Land it lying alongst East South-east about sixteene leagues the westermost part seemed either to fall away East North-east and the southermost point bearing East northerly fell away East and by North. This Land is very high hauing the Hills couered with snow the shoare being very thicke with Ice this place because I knew not whether it was of the Mayne or an Iland I named Frost Iland after the name of the ship The first of September at noone I made obseruation and found vs in the latitude of 58. degrees hauing made a South-east and by South way southerly sixe and twentie leagues This day at noone I directed my course East and by South This afternoone about sixe a clock it fell calme and so continued all the night following This euening I found the variation 10. degrees 50. minutes Northwesting The fourth day the winde at East and by South we lying South and by East hauing a shrinke of the sunne about noone I did suppose vs in the latitude of 57. degrees 20. minutes hauing made a South-east and by South way southerly about ten leagues all this day and the night following we lay as before The eight day faire weather the winde as before it being almost calme wee going away as before being at noone in the latitude of 58. degrees 36. minutes hauing made an East North-east way northerly twentie leagues by reason of the great southerly Sea All this afternoone and the night following it was for the most part calme This euening I found the Compasse varied about two degrees 45. minutes northwesting The ninth day also faire weather the winde southerly a fresh gale our course still East being at noone in the latitude of 58. degrees 40. minutes our way East and by North easterly twelue leagues This afternoone the winde came vp to the South or South and by East with raine This night about midnight thicke weather with raine the winde comming to the South-east we lying East North-east and North-east and by East with the stemme The tenth day about two in the morning the winde came vp to the South South-west wee steering our course East being at noone in the latitude of 59. degrees 10. minutes hauing made an East and by North way easterly foure and fortie leagues wee hauing a fresh gale westerly This day wee saw one of the Fowle the which are on the Iland of Bas in Scotland called Bas Geese This euening I found the Variation 1. degree 4. minutes northeasting The eighteenth this forenoone about nine a clocke wee espyed land rising somewhat ragged the Eastermost point of the same bearing South-east and by South and the Westermost part South and by West about eight leagues These Ilands by my account and obseruation I found to be the Ilands of Ferris being at noone in the obseruation of 62. degrees 5. minutes The nineteenth I set a little Rocke called the Monke which lyeth off to the South-east end it being about fiue a clocke East South-east of vs three leagues off This night about ten a clocke it fell calme The twentieth wee did see the streame had set vs to the Northwards This streame setteth vnder the Ilands of Farre next hand East and West So casting about wee stood to the westwards lying West South-west and sometimes West and by South and sometimes South-west it being very raynie weather about midnight it fell calme and so continued all night vnto the morning The first of October in the afternoone about foure of the clocke we had sight of The Holmes The second day wee steered away South-east and by South and South South-east for The Col. And about eight of the clocke this night wee came into Turco where wee rode all the day following The third day at night the winde came to the North-east so wee weighed and came into Elsenor Road. The fourth day by the prouidence of God we arriued in our desired Port of Copen Hauen 1606. The seuerall burthens and numbers of men employed in the ships of the Fleet aforesaid were as followeth THe Trust being Admirall was of sixtie tunnes had eight and fortie men The Lion Vice-admirall was of seuentie tunnes had eight and fortie men The Vrin or Eagle Reare-admirall of one hundred tunnes had fiftie men The Gilliflowre was of fortie tunnes had sixteene men
is the Realme of Chille which is without the generall rule of these other Prouinces being seated without the burning Zone and the Tropicke of Capricorne This Land of it selfe is coole and fertile and brings forth all kindes of fruits that bee in Spaine it yeelds great abundance of bread and wine and abounds in Pastures and Cattell The aire is wholsome and cleere temperate betwixt heat and cold Winter and Summer are very distinct and there they finde great store of very fine gold Yet this Land is poore and smally peopled by reason of their continuall warre with the Auricanos and their Associates being a rough people and friends to libertie There are great coniectures that in the temperate Zone at the Antartike Pole there are great and fertile Lands but to this day they are not discouered neither doe they know any other Land in this Zone but that of Chille and some part of that Land which runnes from Ethiopia to the Cape of Good Hope as hath beene said in the first Booke neither is it knowne if there bee any habitations in the other two Zones of the Poles and whether the Land continues and stretcheth to that which is towards the Antartike or South Pole Neither doe we know the Land that lyes beyond the Straight of Magellan for that the greatest height yet discouered is in fiftie sixe degrees as hath beene formerly said and toward the Artike or Northerne Pole it is not known how farre the Land extends which runnes beyond the Cape of Mendoçin and the Caliphornes nor the bounds and end of Florida neither yet how farre it extends to the West Of late they haue discouered a new Land which they call New Mexico where they say is much people that speake the Mexican tongue The Philippines and the following Ilands as some report that know it by experience ranne aboue nine hundred leagues But to intreat of China Cochinchina Siam and other Regions which are of the East Indies were contrarie to my purpose which is onely to discourse of the West nay they are ignorant of the greatest part of America which lyes betwixt Peru and Bresil although the bounds be knowne of all sides wherein there is diuersitie of opinions some say it is a drowned Land full of Lakes and waterie places others affirme there are great and flourishing Kingdomes imagining there be the Paytiti the Dorado and the Caesars where they say are wonderfull things I haue heard one of our companie say a man worthy of credit that he had seene great dwellings there and the wayes as much beaten as those betwixt Salamanca and Villadillit the which he did see when as Peter d'Orsua and after those that succeeded him made their entrie and discouerie by the great Riuer of Amazons who beleeuing that the Dorado which they sought was farther off cared not to inhabit there and after went both without the Dorado which they could not finde and this great Prouince which they left To speake the truth the habitations of America are to this day vnknowne except the extremities which are Peru Bresil and that part where the Land begins to straighten which is the Riuer of Siluer then Tucuman which makes the round to Chille and Charcas Of late we haue vnderstood by Letters from some of ours which goe to Saint Croix in the Sierre that they goe discouering of great Prouinces and dwellings betwixt Bresil and Peru. Time will reueile them for as at this day the care and courage of men is great to compasse the World from one part to another so we may beleeue that as they haue discouered that which is now knowne they may likewise lay open that which remaynes to the end the Gospell may bee preached to the whole World seeing the two Crownes of Portugal and Castile haue met by the East and West ioyning their discoueries together which in truth is a matter to be obserued that the one is come to China and Iapan by the East and the other to the Philippines which are neighbours and almost ioyning vnto China by the West for from the Ilands of Lusson which is the chiefe of the Philippines in the which is the Citie of Manille vnto Macaeo which is in the I le of Canton are but foure score or a hundred leagues and yet we finde it strange that notwithstanding this small distance from the one to the other yet according to their account there is a dayes difference betwixt them so as it is Sunday at Macao when as it is but Saturday at Manille and so of the rest Those of Macao and of China haue one day aduanced before the Philippines It happened to father Alonse Sanches of whom mention is made before that parting from the Philippines hee arriued at Macao the second day of May according to their computation and going to say the Masse of Saint Athanasim he found they did celebrate the feast of the Inuention of the holy Crosse for that they did then reckon the third of May. The like happened vnto him in another voyage beyond it Some haue found this alteration and diuersitie strange supposing that the fault proceedes from the one or the other the which is not so but it is a true and well obserued computation for according to the difference of wayes where they haue beene we must necessarily say that when they meet there must be difference of a day the reason is for that sayling from West to East they alwayes gaine of the day finding the Sunne rising sooner and contrariwise those that saile from East to West doe alwayes lose of the day for that the Sunne riseth later vnto them and as they approach neerer the East or the West they haue the day longer or shorter In Peru which is Westward in respect of Spaine they are aboue sixe houres behinde so as when it is noone in Spaine it is morning at Peru and when it is morning here it is mid-night there I haue made certaine proofe thereof by the computation of Eclipses of the Sunne and Moone Now that the Portugals haue made their nauigations from West to East and the Castillans from East to West when they came to ioyne and meet at the Philippines and Macao the one haue gayned twelue houres and the other hath lost as much so as at one instant and in one time they finde the difference of foure and twentie houres which is a whole day Although we finde vents of fire in other places as Mount Aetna and Vesunio which now they call Mount Soma yet is that notable which is found at the Indies Ordinarily these Volcans be Rocks or Pikes of most high Mountaines which raise themselues aboue the tops of all other Mountaines vpon their tops they haue a Playne and in the midst thereof a pit or great mouth which descends euen vnto the foote thereof a thing very terrible to behold Out of these mouthes there issues smoake and sometimes fire some cast little smoake and haue in a manner no force
at the least the three that went forward in that sort were Cornelius Iacobson Master of William Barents ship William Gysen Pylot of the Pinnasse and Hans van Nuflen William Barents Purser and after that the sayd Master and Pylot had shot three times and mist the Purser stepping somewhat further forward and seeing the Beare to be within the length of a shot presently leuelled his Piece and discharging it at the Beare shot her into the head betweene both the eyes and yet she held the man still fast by the necke and lifted vp her head with the man in her mouth but shee began somwhat to stagger wherewith the Purser and a Scottish-man drew out their Curtelaxes and strooke at her so hard that their Curtelaxes burst and yet she would not leaue the man at last William Geysen went to them and with all his might strooke the Beare vpon the snout with his Piece at which time the Beare fell to the ground making a great noyse and William Geysen leaping vpon her cut her throat The seuenth of September wee buried the dead bodies of our men in the States Iland and hauing stayed the Beare carryed her Skin to Amsterdam The ninth of September we set sayle from the States Iland but the Ice came in so thicke and with such force that we could not get through so that at Eeuening we came backe againe to the States Iland the winde being Westerly There the Admirall and the Pinnasse of Rotterdam fell on ground by certayne Rockes but got off againe without any hurt The tenth of September we sayled againe from the States Iland towards the Wey-gates and sent two Boates into the Sea to certifie vs what store of Ice was abroad and that Eeuening wee came all together into Wey-gates and Anchored by the Twist-point The eleuenth of September in the Morning we sayled againe into the Tartarian Sea but we fell into great store of Ice so that we sayled backe againe to the Wey-gates and Anchored by the Crosse-point and about midnight we saw a Russian Lodgie that sayled from the Bâ—â—lt-point towards the Samuters Land The thirteenth of September the Sunne being South there began a great storme to blow out of the South South-west the weather being mistie melancholy and snowie and the storme increasing more and more we draue through The fourteenth of September the weather began to bee somewhat clearer the winde being North-west and the storme blowing stiffe out of the Tartarian Sea but at Eeuening it was faire weather and then the wind blew North-east the same day our men went on the other side of Wey-gates on the firme land to take the depth of the Channell and entred into the Bough behind the Ilands where there stood a little House made of wood and a great fall of water into the land The same Morning we hoysed vp our Anchor thinking once againe to try what wee could doe to further our Voyage but our Admirall being of another minde lay still till the fifteenth of September The same day in the Morning the winde draue in from the east-East-end of the Wey-gates whereby we were forced presently to hoyse Anchors and the same day sayled out from the west-West-end of the Wey-gates with all our Fleet and made homewards againe and that day past by the Ilands called Matfloe and Delgoy and that night we sayled twelue miles North-west and by West till Saturday in the morning and then the winde fell North-east and it began to Snow We saw the point of Candyâ—aes lying South-east from vs and then wee had seuen and twentie fathom deepe red sand with blacke shels The nine and twentieth of September in the Eeuening entred into Ward-house and there we stayed till the tenth of October And that day we set sayle out of Ward-house and vpon the eighteenth of Nouember we arriued in the Maes CHAP. V. The third Voyage Northward to the Kingdomes of Cathaia and China in Anno 1596. Written by GERAT DE VEER §. I. What happened to them at Sea before they came to build their House AFter that the seuen Ships as I said before were returned backe againe from their North Voyage with lesse benefit then was expected the Generall States of the Vnited Prouinces consulted together to send certayne Ships thither againe a third time to see if they might bring the said Voyage to a good end if it were possible to bee done but after much Consultation had they could not agree thereon yet they were content to cause a Proclamation to be made that if any either Townes or Merchants were disposed to venture to make further search that way at their owne charges if the Voyage were accomplished and that thereby it might be made apparant that the sayd passage was to be sayled they were content to giue them a good reward in the Countries behalfe naming a certayne summe of money Whereupon in the beginning of this yeere there was two Ships rigged and set forth by the Towne of Amsterdam to sayle that Voyage the men therein being taken vp vpon two Conditions viz. What they should haue if the Voyage were not accomplished and what they should haue if they got through and brought the Voyage to an end promising them a good reward if they could effect it thereby to encourage the men taking vp as many vnmarried men as they could that they might not bee disswaded by meanes of their Wiues and Children to leaue off the Voyage Vpon these Conditions those two Ships were ready to set sayle in the beginning of May. In the one Iacob Heemskerke Hendrickson was Master and Factor for the Wares and Merchandizes and William Barents chiefe Pylot In the other Iohn Cornelison Rijp was both Master and Factor for the goods that the Merchants had laden in her The fifth of May all the men in both the Ships were Mustered and vpon the tenth of May they sayled from Amsterdam and the thirteenth of May got to the Vlie The thirtieth of May we had a good winde and sayled North-east and wee tooke the height of the Sunne with our Crosse-staffe and found that it was eleuated aboue the Horizon 47. degrees and 42. minutes his Declination was 21. degrees and 42. minutes so that the height of the Pole was 69. degrees and 24. minutes The first of Iune we had no night and the second of Iune we had the winde contrarie but vpon the fourth of Iune we had a good winde out of the West North-west and sayled North-east And when the Sunne was about South South-east wee saw a strange sight in the Element for on each side of the Sunne there was another Sunne and two Raine-bowes that past cleane thorow the three Sunnes and then two Raine-bowes more the one compassing round about the Sunnes and the other crosse thorow the great rundle the great rundle standing with the vttermost point eleuated aboue the Horizon 28. degrees at noone the Sunne being at the highest the height thereof was measured and
three of our men stayed by the Scute to build her to our minds and for that it was a Herring Scute which are made narrow behind therefore they sawed it off behind and made it a broad stearne and better to brooke the Seas they built it also somewhat higher and drest it vp as well as they could the rest of our men were busie in the house to make all other things ready for our Voyage and that day drew two Sleds with victuals and other goods vnto the ship that lay about halfe way betweene the house and the open water that after they might haue so much the shorter way to carrie the goods vnto the water side when wee should goe away at which time all the labour and paines that wee tooke seemed light and easie vnto vs because of the hope that wee had to get out of that wilde Desart irkesome fearefull and cold Countrey The fift it was foule weather with great store of haile and snow the wind West which made an open water but as then we could doe nothing without the house but within we made all things ready as Sayles Oares Masts Sprit Rother Swerd and all other necessarie things The sixt in the morning it was faire weather the wind North-east then wee went with our Carpenters to the ship to build vp our Scute and carried two sleds full of goods into the ship both victuals and Merchandise with other things which wee meant to take with vs after that there rose very foule weather in the South-west with snow haile and raine which wee in long time had not had whereby the Carpenters were forced to leaue their worke and goe home to the house with vs whereby also we could not be drie because wee had taken of the Deales therewith to amend our Boat and our Scute there lay but a sayle ouer it which would not hold out the water and the way that lay full of snow began to be soft so that wee left off our shooes made of Rugge and Felt and put on our Leather shooes The eight it was faire weather and wee drew the wares to the ship which wee had packed and made ready and the Carpenters made ready the Scute so that the same euening it was almost done the same day all our men went to draw our Boat to the ship and made ropes to draw withall such as wee vse to draw with in Scutes which wee cast ouer our shoulders and held fast with all our hands and so drew both with our hands and our shoulders which gaue vs more force and specially the desire and great pleasure wee tooke to worke at that time made vs stronger The tenth wee carried foure Sleds of goods into the ship the wind then being variable and at euening it was Northerly and wee were busie in the house to make all things ready the Wine that was left we put into little vessels that so wee might diuide it into both our vessels and that as wee were enclosed by the Ice which wee well knew would happen vnto vs wee might easilier cast the goods vpon the Ice both out and into the Scutes as time and place serued vs. The eleuenth it was foule weather and it blew hard North North-west so that all that day we could doe nothing and we were in great feare left the storme would carrie the Ice and the ship both away together which might well haue come to passe then wee should haue beene in greater miserie then euer wee were for that our goods both victuals and others were then all in the ship but God prouided so well for vs that it fell not out so vnfortunatly The twelfth it was indifferent faire weather then we went with Hatchets Halberds Shouels and other instruments to make the way plaine where we should draw the Scute and the Boat to the water side along the way that lay full of knobs and hills of Ice where wee wrought sore with our Hatchets and other instruments and while we were in the chiefest of our worke there came a great leane Beare out of the Sea vpon the Ice towards vs which we iudged to come out of Tartaria for we had seene of them twenty or thirty miles within the Sea and for that wee had no Muskets but onely one which our Surgeon carried I ranne in great haste towards the ship to fetch one or two which the Beare perceiuing ranne after mee and was very likely to haue ouer taken me but our companie seeing that left their worke and ranne after her which made the Beare turne towards them and left me but when she ran towards them she was shot into the body by the Surgeon and ranne away but because the Ice was so vneuen and hilly she could not goe farre but being by vs ouertaken we killed her out right and smote her teeth out of her head while she was yet liuing The thirteenth it was faire weather then the Master and the Carpenters went to the ship and there made the Scute and the Boat ready so that there rested nothing as then but onely to bring it downe to the water side the Master and those that were with him seeing that it was open water and a good West wind came backe to the house againe and there hee spake vnto William Barents that had beene long sicke and shewed him that he thought it good seeing it was a fit time to goe from thence and so willed the companie to driue the Boat and the Scute downe to the water side and in the name of God to beginne our Voyage to sayle from Noua Zembla then William Barents wrote a Letter which he put in a Muskets charge and hanged it vp in the Chimney shewing how he came out of Holland to sayle to the Kingdome of China and what had happened vnto vs being there on Land with all our crosses that if any man chanced to come thither they might know what had happened vnto vs and how we had beene forced in our extremitie to make that house and had dwelt ten moneths therein and for that wee were put to Sea in two small open Boats and to vndertake a dangerous and aduenturous Voyage in hand the Master wrote two Letters which most of vs subscribed vnto signifying how wee had stayed there vpon the Land in great trouble and miserie in hope that our ship would bee freed from the Ice and that we should sayle away with it againe and how it fell out to the contrary and that the ship lay fast in the Ice so that in the end the time passing away and our victuals beginning to faile vs we were forced for the sauing of our owne liues to leaue the ship and to sayle away in our open Boats and so to commit our selues into the hands of God Which done he put into each of our Scutes a Letter that if wee chanced to lose one another or that by stormes or any other misaduenture we happened to be cast away that then by
but were forced to lie still but not long after the Ice opened againe like to a sluce and we past through it and set sayle againe and so sayled along by the Land but were presently enclosed with Ice but being in hope of opening againe meane time wee eate somewhat for the Ice went not away as it did before after that wee vsed all the meanes wee could to breake it but all in vayne and yet a good while after the Ice opened againe and we got out and sayled along by the Land West and by South with a South vvind The three and twentieth wee sayled still forward West and by South till the Sunne was South-east and got to the Trust-point which is distant from the Ice-point fiue and twentie miles and then could goe no furtheer because the Ice lay so hard and so close together and yet it was faire weather the same day we tooke the height of the Sunne with the Astrolabium and also with our Astronomicall Ring and found his height to be 37. degrees and his Declination 23. degrees and 30. minutes which taken from the height aforesayd there rested 13. degrees and 30. minutes which substracted out of 90. degrees the height of the Pole was 76. degrees and 30. minutes and it was faire Sun-shine weather and yet it was not so strong as to melt the Snow that we might haue water to drinke so that wee set all our Tinne platters and other things full of Snow to melt and so molt it and put snow in our mouthes to melt it downe into our throates but all was not enough so that we were compelled to endure great thirst FRom the Low-land to the Streame Bay the course East and West foure miles From the Streame Bay to the Ice-hauen point the course East and by North foure miles From the Ice-hauen point to the Ilands point the course East North-east fiue miles From the Ilands point to the Flushingers point the course North-east and by East three miles From the Flushingers point to the Head point the course North east foure miles From the Head point to the point of Desire the course South and North sixe miles From the point of Desire to the Iland of Orange North-west eight miles From the Ilands of Orange to the Ice point the course West and West and by South fiue miles From the Ice point to the point of Trust the course West and by South fiue and twentie miles From the point of Trust to Nassawes point the course West and West and by North ten miles From the Nassaw point to the East end of the Crosse Iland the course West and by North eight miles From the East end of the Crosse Iland to Williams Iland the course West and by South three miles From Williams Iland to the Blacke point the course West South-west sixe miles From the Blacke point to the East end of the Admirable Iland the course West South-west seuen miles From the East to the West point of the Admirable Iland the course West South-west fiue miles From the West point of the Admirable Iland to Cape Planto the course South-west and by West ten miles From Cape de Planto to Lombs-bay the course West South-west eight miles From Lombs-bay to the Staues point the course West South-west ten miles From the Staues point to Langenesse the course South-west and by South fourteene miles From Langenesse to Cape de Cant the course South-west and by South sixe miles From Cape de Cant to the point with the Blacke clifts the course South and by West foure miles From the point with the Blacke clifts to the Blacke Hand the course South South-east three miles From the Blacke Iland to Constint-sarke the course East and West two miles From Constint-sarke to the Crosse point the course South South-east fiue miles From Crosse point to Saint Laurence Bay the course South South-east sixe miles From Saint Laurence Bay to Mel-hauen the course South-east sixe miles From Mel-hauen to the two Ilands the course South South-east sixe miles From the two Ilands where we crost ouer to the Russia Coast to the Ilands of Matfloe and Delgoy the course South-west thirtie miles From Matfloe and Delgoy to the Creeke where we sayled the compasse round about and came to the same place againe two and twentie miles From that Creeke to Colgoy the course West North-west eighteene miles From Colgoy to the East point of Camdenas the course West North-west twentie miles From the East point of Camdenas to the West side of the White Sea the course West North-west fortie miles From the West point of the White Sea to the seuen Ilands the course North-west foureteene miles From the seuen Ilands to the VVest end of Kilduin the course North-west twentie miles From the VVest end of Kilduin to the place where Iohn Cornelis came vnto vs the course North-west and by VVest seuen miles From thence to Cola the course VVest Southerly eighteene miles So that wee sayled in the two open Scutes sometimes in the Ice then ouer the Ice and through the Sea three hundred and eightie one miles Flemish which is one thousand one hundred fortie and three miles English The foure and twentieth of Iune the Sunne being Easterly we rowed heere and there in the Ice to see where we might best goe out but wee saw no opening but when the Sunne was South we got into the Sea for the which we thanked God most heartily that hee had sent vs an vnexpected opening and then we sayled with an East winde and went lustily forward so that we made our account to get aboue the point of Nassawes close by the land and wee could easily see the point of Nassawes and made our account to bee about three miles from it The sixe and twentieth it still blew hard out of the South and broke the Ice whereunto we were fast in pieces and we thereby draue into the Sea and could get no more to the fast Ice whereby we were in a thousand dangers to bee all cast away and driuing in that sort in the Sea wee rowed as much as we could but we could not get neere vnto the Land therefore we hoysed vp our Focke and so made vp with our sayle but our Fock-mast brake twice in peeces and then it was worse for vs then before and notwithstanding that there blew a great gale of Wind yet we were forced to hoyse vp our great Sayle but the winde blew so hard into it that if wee had not presently taken it in againe we had sunke in the Sea or else our Boate would haue been filled with water for the water began to leape ouer-boord and wee were a good way in the Sea at which time the waues went so hollow that it was most fearefull and wee thereby saw nothing but death before our eyes and euery twinckling of an eye looked when wee should sinke But God that had deliuered vs out of so many dangers of Death
Caske and other prouision and told mee that they had slaine fiue or sixe hundred Morses on the North side Hee tarried with mee till the seuen and twentieth of Iuly now seeing no beastes did come on Land because the Ice did hang about the Coue he went to the North side againe but the same day after he was gone they began to come on Land The next day following being the eight and twentieth wee slue about eightie and tooke their Blubber and Teeth Then they began to come on shoare againe the thirtieth day at what time Master Bonner was come into the Coue to seeke his Anchors Then his men came on shoare and we slue about one hundred and fiftie beast more But there rose a storme at South-east that brought in such a surge that it washed aboue sixtie beasts into the Sea so that most of them were lost The next day being the last of Iuly Master Welden and Master Iones came to the Coue with about twelue men being all very wearie For they had left the Shallop in a Coue on the North-west side of the Iland and came ouer Land Then to worke wee went on all hands and placed our Coppers And by the fift day of August we had ended our businesse and the ship came from the North side into the Coue. The sixt of August I tooke the Skiffe and seuen men to fetch the Shallop to the Coue that Master Welden had left in a Coue on the North-west side of the Iland the last of Iuly When I came to the place considering I was neere the North side where we commonly make our Voyage and also desired by Master Welden if I could goe to doe so I went thither and found about fiue and fortie as good headed beasts for Teeth as euer I saw Wee had no more Launces to kill thâ—m with all but two I tooke one and a lustie fellow that was our Cooper had the other we had not killed past ten but his Lance brake Then I slue all the rest in lesse then two houres and wee tooke their Teeth and the next day by a West Sunne wee came aboord the Paul with them The eight day wee got the Southermost Point of the Iland where wee rid all that day Their Skiffe from their long Boats sterne and we manned our Boat to fetch her againe but then rose such a fogge that we had like to haue lost both our Boats and men but they got to the ship againe with much adoe The ninth day it was calme but wee had such a fogge that wee could not see two Cables length from the ship And about eight of the Clocke at night wee lost our Skiffe altogether The tenth day we had a little Wind at North-west and by West Then seeing no amendment of the weather wee left the ship of Hull behind vs in the Iland and about sixe of the Clocke set sayle for England and arriued safely at London the last of August 1609. Blessed bee God A Voyage performed to the Northwards Anno 1603. in a ship of the burthen of fiftie tunnes called the Grace and set forth at the cost and charges of the Worshipfull FRANCIS CHERIE Written by WILLIAM GORDEN being the first Voyage to Cherie Iland which came to my hands since the former or rather later Voyages were in the Presse THe ship being readie the tenth of Aprill whereof was Master Stephen Bennet and for Factor and Ouer-seer William Gorden our Directions from the said Merchant were first to proceed to Cola and there to make sale of such goods as we had and to take in such other as the Countrey of Lappia did affoord and then to proceed vpon some Discouerie Wherefore omitting our Iourney to Cola as a matter of small importance being so well knowne before after our Affaires ended we were readie to proceed forward But our men not being hired thereunto would haue refused if there had not beene made an agreement by meanes of Iosias Logan who was to lye there as Factor for Master Cherie the Master and my selfe partly with promises partly with gifts And thus setting forward the sixt of August from the Riuer of Cola being determined to haue sayled into 80. degrees of latitude if nothing did hinder vs or if we did not light vpon some land our determination was hindered by meanes of meeting with an Iland and likewise the yeere being farre spent keeping our course from the West end of Kilden to the Ilands of Ward-house which wee passed the tenth of August with little wind then directing our course North North-west the wind at south-South-west easie wind so that the eleuenth day we did reckon our selues to haue sayled twentie leagues North-west The twelfth day it was most part calme and foggie The thirteenth day it was cleere and the wind at South and we had sayled twentie two leagues North North-west The fourteenth day the wind at East we kept our course and sayled ten leagues and the same day being thicke and foggie we had thought wee had seene Land about foure of the clocke in the after-noone bearing from vs West North-west and North-west by West but sayling towards it three houres keeping still his forme and not altering till the wind increasing caused it to fade away for it was no other then a banke of fogges after we had sayled three leagues changing our course we sayled then fifteene dayes twentie leagues North-west and by North still hauing close weather that we could not make any obseruation The sixteenth day in the morning at two of the clock we did see two great high Hils which did seeme to vs aboue the Clouds and did seeme very neere but we found it otherwise for sayling towards it we found it further then we did expect for it was sixe of the clocke at night before wee could come neere vnto the Land where wee anchored in thirtie fathomes In which time we could not sayle lesse then eighteene leagues North and by West That night our Master knowing better what did belong vnto those Affaires would not suffer the Boat to goe aland till the morning which was the seuenteenth day of August and before our going aland the Master caused a shanke of Lines to bee shot for to toy for fish and then he and my selfe with foure of our Company went aland First vpon a little Iland meere adjoyning where we had much adoe to get to our Boat againe by reason of the steepnes of the Rockes then we went on shoare vpon the Mayne where at our comming on Land wee did see two Foxes one White the other Blacke Thus spending most part of the day wee returned aboord our ship without any profit only one of our men tooke vp a piece of Lead and I found a piece of a Morses Tooth by which we perceiued that the Sea Morses did vse thither but the time for that yeere was past for we did see none After our comming aboord hauing haled the Line we found nothing but one
our Voyage and to proceed on our Discouerie as soone as God should blesse vs with Winde And this I can assure at this present that betweene 78. degrees and ½ and 82. degrees by this way there is no passage but I thinke this Land may bee profitable to those that will aduenture it In this Bay before spoken of and about this coast we saw more abundance of Seales then we had seene any time before swimming in the water At noone this day hauing a stiffe gale of wind at North we were thwart of Collins Cape standing in 81. degrees and a halfe and at one of the clocke the Cape beare North-east off vs. From thence I set our course West South-west with purpose to keepe in the open Sea free from Ice and sayled in that course 16. leagues At ten this night we steered away South-west with the wind at North a hard gale vntill eight the next morning 18. leagues The seuenteenth in the morning a good gale at North at eight we altered our course and steered away South till eight in the Eeuening and ranne 12. leagues This day proued reasonable cleere and warme The eighteenth in the morning the wind encreased at South and by East with thicke fogge All this after-noone and night proued close weather little fogge and reasonable warme The nineteenth at eight in the morning the wind at South with thicke fogge we steered South-east 4. leagues till noone then the wind vered more large wee steered South-east and by East 4. leagues till foure then wee vered shete and steered East and by South Easterly 15. leagues till eight the next morning This day after the morning proued reasonable cleere and warme The twentieth in the morning little wind at eight this morning wee saw Land ahead of vs vnder our Lee and to weatherward of vs distant from vs 12. leagues being part of Newland It is very high mountainous Land the highest that we had seene vntill now As we sayled neere it we saw a Sound ahead of vs lying East and west The Land on the Norther side of this Sounds mouth trendeth neerest hand West North-west and East South-east 12. leagues in our sight being 10. leagues from vs. And the Land on the Souther side being 8. or 10. leagues in our sight at this time trendeth South South-east and North North-west from eight to noone was calme This day by obseruation we were in 77. degrees 26. minutes On the Norther side of the mouth of this Inlet lie three Ilands not farre the one from the other being very high mountainous Land The farthest of the three to the North-west hath foure very high Mounts like heapes of Corne. That Iland next the Inlets mouth hath one very high Mount on the Souther end Here one of our companie killed a red billed Bird. All this day after the morning and all night proued calme enclining rather to heare then cold This night wee had some warme rayne The one and twentieth all the fore-noone calme at foure in the after-noone we had a small gale of wind at South South-east with fog we steered away East to stand in with the Land and sayled 3. leagues vntill mid-night then the wind came at North-east we cast about and steered South 10. leagues till eight the next morning The two and twentieth at eight in the morning much wind at East and variable with short sayle wee steered 3. leagues South and by East then came downe very much wind wee strooke a hull All this after-noone and night proued very much wind with raine The three and twentieth all the fore-noone was very much wind at South with raine and fogge At foure this after-noone wee saw Land bearing North-east of vs 6. leagues from vs. Then we had the wind at South South-west wee steered away South-east and South-east and by East 4. leagues the Sea being very much growne We accounted we had hulled North-west and by North 22. leagues and North 3. leagues Then fearing with much wind to be set on a lee shoare we tackt about and made our way good West and by North halfe a point Northerly all this night with much wind The foure and twentieth in the morning much wind as afore and the Sea growne This morning wee strooke our mayne Top-mast to ease our ship and sayled from the last Eeuening eight to this noone 15. leagues West and by North halfe a point Northerly From twelue to eight 6. leagues as afore with the wind at South and by West at eight we tackt about with the winde at South South-west and lay South-east and by East with much winde and the Sea growne The fiue and twentieth was a cleere morning we set our mayne Top-mast we saw Land bearing North of vs and vnder our Lee we sayling South-east and by East Then the wind scanted we cast about and lay South-west and by West 2. leagues ½ till noone Then it began to ouer-cast and the wind to scant againe we cast about and lay South-east and by South the wind at South-west and by West and sayled in that course 3. leagues till foure in the after-noone Then the wind scanted againe and we sayled 3. leagues South Now seeing how contrarie the winde proued to doe the good which wee desired this way I thought to proue our fortunes by the West once againe and this Eeuening at eight wee being the latitude of 78. with the better and from Land 15. leagues which leagues part whereof beare from the North-east to the East off vs we steered away West with the wind at South-east and cleere weather The sixe and twentieth all this day proued rayne with thicke fog and an hard gale of wind at East and by North and East North-east From the last Eeuening at eight to this noone wee ranne 25. leagues from noone till mid-night 19. leagues the wind at East and by South from mid-night till two the next morning 2. leagues West The seuen and twentieth extreme thicke fog and little wind at East and by South Then it proued calme and the Sea very loftie Wee heard a great rutte or noise with the Ice and Sea which was the first Ice we heard or saw since we were at Collins Cape the Sea heauing vs West-ward toward the Ice Wee heaued out our Boat and rowed to towe out our ship farther from the danger which would haue beene to small purpose by meanes the Sea went so high but in this extremitie it pleased God to giue vs a small gale at North-west and by West we steered away South-east 4. leagues till noone Here we had finished our Discouerie if the wind had continued that brought vs hither or if it had continued calme but it pleased God to make this North-west and by West wind the meane of our deliuerance which wind wee had not found common in this Voyage God giue vs thankfull hearts for so great deliuerance Here we found the want of a good ship-boat as once we had done before at Whales
passed by them till we came to the South side of the Hill we went vnto them and there found more and being nigh them I turned off the vppermost stone and found them hollow within and full of Fowles hanged by their neckes Then Greene and I went to fetch the Boat to the South side while Robert Billet and hee got downe a Valley to the Sea side where wee tooke them in Our Master in this time came in betweene the two Lands and shot off some Peeces to call vs aboord for it was a fogge Wee came aboord and told him what we had seene and perswaded him to stay a day or two in this place telling him what refreshing might there bee had but by no meanes would he stay who was not pleased with the motion So we left the Fowle and lost our way downe to the South-west before they went in sight of the Land which now beares to the East from vs being the same mayne Land that wee had all this while followed Now we had lost the sight of it because it falleth away to the East after some fiue and twenty or thirty leagues Now we came to the shallow water wherewith wee were not acquainted since we came from Island now we came into broken ground and Rockes through which we passed downe to the South In this our course we had a storme and the water did shoald apace Our Master came to an anchor in fifteene fathoms water Wee weighed and stood to the South-east because the Land in this place did lie so When we came to the point of the West Land for we now had Land on both sides of vs we came to an anchor Our Master sent the Boat ashoare to see what that Land was and whether there were any way through They soone returned and shewed that beyond the point of Land to the South there was a large Sea This Land on the West side was a very narrow Point Wee weighed from hence and stood in for this Sea betweene the two Lands which in this place is not two leagues broad downe to the South for a great way in sight of the East shoare In the end we lost sight thereof and saw it not till we came to the bottome of the Bay into sixe or seuen fathomes water Hence we stood vp to the North by the West shoare till wee came to an Iland in 53. where we tooke in water and ballast From hence wee passed towards the North but some two or three dayes after reasoning concerning our comming into this Bay and going out our Master tooke occasion to reuiue old matters and to displace Robert Iuet from being his Mate and the Boat-swaine from his place for words spoken in the first great Bay of Ice Then hee made Robert Billet his Mate and William Wilson our Boat-swaine Vp to the North wee stood till we raised Land then downe to the South and vp to the North then downe againe to the South and on Michaelmasse day came in and went out of certaine Lands which our Master sets downe by the name of Michaelmasse Bay because we came in and went out on that day From hence wee stood to the North and came into shoald water and the weather being thicke and foule wee came to an anchor in seuen or eight fathome water and there lay eight dayes in all which time wee could not get one houre to weigh our anchor But the eight day the wind beginning to cease our Master would haue the anchor vp against the mind of all who knew what belonged thereunto Well to it we went and when we had brought it to a peake a Sea tooke her and cast vs all off from the Capstone and hurt diuers of vs. Here wee lost our Anchor and if the Carpenter had not beene we had lost our Cable too but he fearing such a matter was ready with his Axe and so cut it From hence we stood to the South and to the South-west through a cleere Sea of diuers sounding and came to a Sea of two colours one blacke and the other white sixteene or seuenteene fathome water betweene which we went foure or fiue leagues But the â—â—ght comming we tooke in our Top-sayles and stood afore the wind with our Maine-sayle and Fore-sayle and came into fiue or sixe fathomes and saw no Land for it was darke Then we stood to the East and had deepe water againe then to the South and Southwest and so came to our Westermost Bay of all and came to an anchor neerest to the North shorae Out went our Boat to the Land that was next vs when they came neere it our Boat could not flote to the shoare it was so shallow yet ashoare they got Here our men saw the footing of a man and a Ducke in the snowy Rockes and Wood good store whereof they tooke some and returned aboord Being at anchor in this place we saw a ledge of Rockes to the South of vs some league of length It lay North and South couered at a full Sea for a strong tide setteth in here At mid-night wee weighed and stood to goe out as we came in and had not gone long but the Carpenâ—er came and told the Master that if he kept that course he would be vpon the Rockes the Master conceiued that he was past them when presently wee ranne on them and there stucke fast twelue houres but by the mercy of God we got off vnhurt though not vnscarred Wee stood vp to the East and raysed three Hills lying North and South wee went to the furthermost and left it to the North of vs and so into a Bay where wee came to an anchor Here our Master sent out our Boat with my selfe and the Carpenter to seeke a place to winter in and it was time for the nights were long and cold and the earth couered with Snow Hauing spent three moneths in a Labyrinth without end being now the last of October we went downe to the East to the bottome of the Bay but returned without speeding of that we went for The next day we went to the South and the south-South-west and found a place whereunto we brought our ship and haled her aground and this was the first of Nouember By the tenth thereof we were frozen in but now we were in it behooued vs to haue care of what we had for that we were sure of but what we had not was vncertaine Wee were victualled for sixe moneths in good proportion and of that which was good if our Master would haue had more he might haue had it at home and in other places Here we were now and therefore it behoued vs so to spend that wee might haue when time came to bring vs to the Capes where the Fowle bred for that was all the hope wee had to bring vs home Wherefore our Master tooke order first for the spending of that wee had and then to increase it by propounding
Licentiate Iohn of Obando Predecessor of your Lordship in whose time the Office of chiefe Chronicler of the Indies was instituted for writing with greater authoritie foundation and truth the Acts of the Castilians in the New World and to see and examine that which the other Chroniclers should write for I finde that almost to all that is written no credit could be giuen for ouer-much licence wherewith vntill then it was done hee vsed great diligence in gathering the most certaine Relations that were found as well in the Indies as in Spaine of that which happened in the Discoueries of those Regions the foundations of those Townes and Customes of the people And many yeers being past after his death without making any beginning of this History your Lordship being prouided for President of the Royall and Supreme Councell of the Indies knowing how much it behoued that deeds so worthy of memorie should no longer be buried and that they should be written by a Royall Chronicler seeing so much frâ—â— is gotten of Historie that it exceedeth so much the Picture as the soule the bodie against the opinion of a moderne Writer Prouiding all the meanes necessarie with liberalitie and diligence haue beene the meere and onely Instrument following the opinion of S. Augustine that this Historie and the Description that followeth hath come to the present estate And because it hath not beene of least importance to honour the Author animating him to goe forward with so great a labour conforming your selfe with the vniuersall opinion of the much that is due to the watchings and labours of the Writers placing this Office of Chiefe Chronicler in that point and reputation that so noble an Exercise deserueth as the most famous men of the World haue iudged it and it is esteemed and talked of among all Nations be they neuer so barbarous your Lordship shall be praysed eternally and thanked of all that are interessed in it by which is procured the making mention of their Fathers and Predecessors with their Names and Countrey all that hath beene possible against the barbarous and most vniust opinion of Iohn Baptista Ramusio in his Proeme in the third Volume of the Nauigations where hee saith to bee a vaine thing and ridiculous that the Spanish Authors should take paines in writing the names and Countrey of those which serued in the matters of the Indies Wherein he sheweth the venime of the enuie conceiued of the glorious deeds of these Catholike Kings and of the Castillian Nation seeing the Chronicles doe serue to honour the good and to reproch the euill for an example of those to come which could not be obtayned with the opinion of this Ramusius whom the saying of Cato against the Grecians doth fit But the opinion of your Lordship hath beene according to your prudence and valour of the which as it is iust there will be a perpetuall memorie and for that which this Nation is indebted vnto you for the same you shall bee reknowledged of it eternally God keepe your Lordship from Vallyadolyeede the fifteenth of October 1601. THe compasse of the Earth is 360. degrees which being reduced to leagues of Castile are 6300. and by the compasse of the Earth is vnderstood the Sea together with it which two Elements make the Globe whose vpper face in part is Earth and in part is Sea The Ancients diuided the Earth in three parts and gaue to euery one his name The first they called Europe more celebrated then any of the other The second Asia which is greater then the rest and contayneth the great Kingdome of China The third Africa And men being in a supposition that the World contayned no more then was rehearsed not contenting themselues with it entred in the Art of Nauigating and in the inuention of ships of high building fitting them in such order that they might abide the force of the waues of the Sea in this Art the Spaniards haue surpassed all the Nations of the World For whiles there reigned Ferdinand in Castile and in Lyon the famous Kings Catholike Ferdinando the Fift and Isabella a most wise prudent and most puissant Queene and Don Iohn the Second called the Pellican raigned in Portugall hee that euer will be worthy of memory Don Christopher Coloâ— first Admirall of the Indies hauing liued many yeeres married in Spaine with the counsell of Martin of Bohemia a Portugall borne in the Iland of Fayall a famous Astrologian and especially a Iudiciarie and of others with whom he communicated it gaue a beginning to the Discouery of that which at this day is counted the fourth part of the World and the greatest of them all and taking his course toward the Sunne setting going from Pallos a Village of the Earle of Miranda in the Coast of Andaluzia he sayled so much by the Ocean that hee found this great Land which the Equinoctiall Line cutteth in the middest and it goeth so farre toward the South that it reacheth to fiftie two degrees and an halfe and goeth so high to the North that it hides it selfe vnder the Pole Articke without knowing any end The greatnesse of this fourth part hath set the people in great admiration whose description shall here be handled vnder the name of Ilands and firme Land of the Ocean Sea because they are compassed with this Sea and placed to the West and are commonly called the West Indies and the New World and comprehended within the limits of the Kings of Castile and of Lyon Which is an Hemisphere and halfe of the World of 180. degrees beginning to reckon from a Meridian Circle which passeth by thirtie nine or by fortie degrees of longitude Occidentall from the Meridian of Toledo through the mouth of the Riuer Maranyâ—â— and to the Orientall through the Citie of Mallaca in sort that at twentie leagues sayling for a degree these bounds haue from the one part to the other 3900. Castillan leagues euery one of 3000. paces of fiue foot of a Castillan yard which men say are sixtie Italian miles from the Orient to the Occident which the Sea-men doe call East and West And this account of twentie leagues to a degree is according to Ptolomie and to the opinion of many curious men It hath seemed to others that the miles of euery degree are seuentie and that they make no more then seuenteene leagues and an halfe of Castile which is held for the truest account The degrees of longitude which are those that are reckoned by the Equinoctiall which goeth from East to West through the middest of the Orbe and Globe of the Earth haue not beene able to bee taken well because there is no fixed signe in the Heauen Degrees of altitude are those which are taken and reckoned from the Pole which fall out certayne because it is a fixed point which is the marke that is taken by the which it shall be shewed in this description There is discouered and nauigated from the North
great shelfe of fifteene leagues the middest of it in twentie degrees and among these Ilands are many little ones without name The Ilands that are from the Iland of Saint Iohn of Porte-Rico to the East of it toward the coast of Terra firmâ— were called the Canibals by the many Caribes eaters of humaine flesh that were in them and in their language Canibal is to say Valiant man for they were held for such of the other Indians All these Ilands are dangerous for shelues and the nearest to Saint Iohn are Sancta Cruz to the South-west from it in 16. degrees and a halfe of sixteene leagues and Saba las Virgines two little illets compassed with shelues and other eight or ten Ilands the greatest of ten leagues Virgen gorda and the Blancos or White Ilands Westward from Virgen gorda Lâ— Ane gada of seuen leagues in length in 18. degrees and a halfe compassed with shelues as Sambrero is a little Iland neere vnto it and these Ilands which are called the Weather Ilands or Barlouento the first Admirall discouered and in particular the men of Sancta Cruz and others had a custome to goe and hunt for men to the Iland of Saint Iohn for to eate and at this day they of Dominica doe it They did eate no women but kept them for slaues Now they say that within this little while they of Dominica did eate a Fryer and that all they which did eate his flesh had such a fluxe that some dyed and that therefore they haue left eating humane flesh and it may be because instead of men with lesse danger they steale Kine and Mares for the great quantitie there is of them and with this they satisfie their raging appetite Anguilla hath ten leagues of length it standeth in 18. degrees Saint Martin in 17. degrees and a halfe it is of sixteene leagues compassed with little Illets and neere vnto it Saint Eustace Saint Bartholomew and Saint Christopher euery one of tenne leagues The Barbada in 17. degrees and a halfe compassed with shelues neere to the Redoâ—da and the Snowes or Nieues and of Monserrate of fiue leagues euery one in 15. degrees and a halfe The Antigua Guadalupe and Todos Santos from 14. to 15. degrees The Desseada to the East of Guadalupe about sixe leagues the first which the Admirall Don Christopher discouered in the second Voyage that he made to the Indies in 14. degrees and a halfe for which the fleete goe alwayes from the Canaries Marigalante the name of the Shippe the Admirall had fiue leagues to the South-west from the Desired and from the Dominica in 13. degrees twelue leagues in length where the Fleetes take in water and wood for it hath good roades although with danger of the Canibals Neere vnto Dominica to the South stands Matinino Sancta Lucie and the Barbudos the which because they fall on the left hand of the Fleetes when they goe they call them already of the Ilands of the Leeward de Sotauento which appertaine to the coast of Terra firme and of them the greatest the first and the most Orientall is the Trinidad neere two hundred leagues from Hispaniola North and South with the Dominica about sixtie leagues from it It hath fiftie leagues in leangth East and West and almost thirty in breadth The Admirall discouered it the yeare 1498. the third Voyage that he made to the Indies and called it the Trinitie because hauing great trouble in the Voyage he had promised to God to giue such a name to the first Land that he should finde and presently the Mariner that was in the top saw three points of Land whereby the name fitted euery way to his vowe then hee discouered also the mouthes of the Dragon and of the Serpent the gulfe of Paria and all the firme Land vnto Cumana which iniustly Americus Vesputio claimes to himselfe whose name vnworthily is giuen to the port which they call Peninsula Australis or Indies of the South This Iland of Trinidad is knowne that it is no good Countrie though it hath many Indians it hath thirtie fiue leagues of longitude and others say more and twentie fiue of latitude it stands in 8. degrees the most orientall part of it is a point on the North side which is called de la Galera and to the North of it a small Iland compassed with little Iles which they call Tabago and in the South coast a Cape which they call the Round Point at the East the point of Anguilla at the West in the gulfe of Paria which is that that is from the Iland to Terra firme which may be eight leagues of distance because the firme Land maketh an oblique semicircle as a Diadem and in the entrance of the East is the distance recited in the entrance of the West the straightnes is much and with great depth and two little Ilands at the end of the North coast by the West which is called the Dragons mouth and to the North S. Vincent and Granada other two little Ilands The Iland of Margarita so named by Christopher Colon the first Admirall as also all the rest a most sufficient proofe of the Finder to the confusion of those which depriued him of the glory of the discouerie of the firme Land attributing it to themselues although changing the times it is twentie leagues from Trinidad Westward and one hundred and seuenty from Hispaniola it hath sixteen leagues in length East and West and yet some say twenty and the halfe in breadth it hath no store of water although it is very plentifull of Pastures for Cattle There is in it two Townes one neare the Sea which reacheth to a fortresse where the Gouernour is resident and another two leagues within the Land which is called the Valley of Sancta Lucie there is in his coast a good port and a nooke and many beds of Pearles whither the fishing of them is remoued which before was in Cubagua and they say it went away from thence for the rumour of the ordnance of the many Shippes that resorted to this Iland to the trafficke of the Pearles which was very great Cubagua stands one league from Margarita to the East there is no water in it and yet the new Cadiz was built there and they carried their water seuen leagues from the Riuer of Cumana To the East of Cubagua are foure little Illets close by the shoare which the first Admirall called Los Frayles and to the East betweene them and Granada other foure or fiue which he called Los Testigos the Witnesses and to the West after Cubagua another little Iland which he named Tortuga the Tortoyse neere to the point of Araya and from hence the discouery being made from below Paria he went to Hispaniola with a purpose to finish the discouery of Terra firme and as here after shall be seene hee went after to discouer and found the Ilands of the Guanaios and from before Veragua
a temperate Countrie plentifull of Seedes Cattle and Fowle of Europe it hath Mines of Iron and Steele the Countrie men are strong valiant and for much labour those Ilands stand in thirtie fiue degrees of the Pole little more or lesse according to the distance of euery Iland The Iapones doe not vnderstand the Chinas but by writing because of the Characters or Letters being one for them all and though they signifie the same they haue not the same name for they are to declare things and not words aâ— the figures of Arithmeticke that if a 9. be set the French the Castillan and the English man doe vnderstand it that it signifieth 9. but euery one doe name it after their owne fashion By another side the Iapones doe confine with the Phillipines from whence there is commerce with them and a great incouragement is giuen to the Fathers of the Company for to labour in the conuersion of the people of those Kingdomes where notable fruite hath beene gotten for the which these Ilands are much celebrated in the world and by the comming of the Ambassadours of the new Christendome to the Pope and to the King Phillip the second the Prudent and so as nature placed them in a scituation separated from the rest of the Land the men of that Region are differing in customes from other people In the yeare 1592. Nobunanga which caused himselfe to be called Emperour of Iapan interprised with eightie Vessels and 20000. men certaine Prouinces tributarie vnto China and wan it From the Iland of Simo which is among them of Iapan the greatest is extended a row of small Ilands called the Lequios and doe prolong themselues toward the Coast of China the two greater which is euery one of fifteene or twentie leagues neere the Coast of Iapan are called the greater Lequio and other two also great though not so much which are at the end of the Rowe they call Lequio the lesser some are inhabited of well shapen people white politicke well apparelled warlike and of good reason they abound in Gold more then others of that Sea and not lesse in Victuals Fruits and good Waters Neere vnto the lesser Lequio stands Hermosa or the beautifull Iland which hath the same qualitie and say it is as big as Sicilie THe Coast of new Guiena beginneth one hundred leagues to the East of the Iland of Gilolo in little more then one degree altitude on the other side of the Equinoctiall from whence it is prolonged toward the East three hundred leagues till it come to fiue or six degrees It hath beene doubted vntill now whether it be an Iland or firme Land because it doth enlarge it selfe in so great a Voyage from being able to ioyne with the Countries of the Ilands of Salomon or Prouinces of the Straight of Mâ—gellanes by the South side but this doubt is resolued with that which those do affirme that sailed on the South side of the Straight of Magelanes that that is not a continent but Ilands and that presently followeth a spacious Sea and among those that doe affirme iâ— is Sir Richard Hawkins an English Knight which was fiue and fortie dayes among the same Ilands From the Sea the Land of this coast of Guinea seemeth good and the men that haue been seene are cole black and in the coast are many Ilands with good roads and ports whereof is no particular notice for hauing sailed it few times those which are found in some cards are Aguada or the watering to the East thirty fiue leagues from the first Land is in one degree of Southern altitude and eighteene forward the port of Saint Iames and the Iland of the Crespos of sixteene leagues long neere the coast right against the Port of Saint Andrew and neere to it the Riuer of Saint Peter and Saint Paul before the Port of Saint Ierom and a small Iland neere the thrust out Point 40. leagues from S. Austin which they call of Good-pence and more forward from it the Shelter and Euill people two little Ilands and the Bay of Saint Nicholas fiftie leagues from Puntasalida and among other Ilands one of white men and the Mother of God before Good Baye and of the Natiuitie of our Lady the last of that which is discouered and as to the North from it the Caymana an Iland without in the Sea among others which haue no name The Meridionall coast is not yet known the first that discouered the new Guine was Aluaro of Saauedra being lost with many stormes from his course returning to new Spain when in the year 1527. the Marques of the Valley sent him that on that side he should seek the Ilands of the Spicerie The Ilands of Salomon are eight hundred leagues from Piru the opinion that is held of their riches gaue them this name the which properly are called of the West because they fal to the West from the Prouinces of Piru from the place that Aluaro of Mendoça made discouery of them by order of the Licentiate Lope Garcia de Castro his Vnckle Gouernor of the Kingdomes of Piru in the yeare 1567. the first that saw the Land of these Ilands was a yong man called Treio in the top of a Ship they are from seuen degrees of altitude on the other side of the Equinoctiall about 1500. leagues from the Citie of the Kings they are many in quantity greatnes and eighteen the most famous some of 300. leagues in compasse and two of 200. and of 100. and of 50. and thence downward besides many which are not yet made an end of coasting and they say that they might bea-continent with the coast of the new Guiney and the Countries to be discouered toward the West of the straight the Countrie of these Ilands seemeth of a good temper and habitable plentifull of victuals and Cattell there were found in them some fruits like those of Castile Swine Hens in great number the Countrie men some of a brown colour like Indians others white ruddie and some cole blacke which is an argument of continuance with the Countries of the new Guinie whereby there may so many differences of people be mingled of those which resort to the Ilands of the Spicery The greatest and most renowned are Sancta Ysabel from eight to nine degrees of altitude of more then 150. leagues in length and eighteene in breadth and one good port called of the Star Saint George or Borbi to the South of S. Isabel one league and a halfe of thirty leagues compasse Saint Marcos or Saint Nicholas of one hundred leagues compasse to the South-east of Saint Isabel the Iland of the Shelues as great as the former to the South of Saint Isabel and Saint Ierome to the West of 100. leagues compasse and Guadalcauall to the South-west greater then all and to the East of Saint Isabel the Iland of Buenauista and Saint Dimas and the Iland of Florida of
they were more mightie then the Tartars as yet are And vnto them the Blacians the Bulgarians and the Vandals ioyned themselues For out of Bulgaria the greater came those Bulgarians Moreouer they which inhabite beyond Danubius neere vnto Constantinople and not farre from Pascatir are called Ilac which sauing the pronunciation is all one with Blac for the Tartars cannot pronounce the Letter B from whom also discended the people which inhabite the Land of Assani For they are both of them called Ilac both these and the other in the languages of the Russians the Polonians and the Bohemians The Sclauonians speake all one language with the Vandals all which banded themselues with the Hunnes and now for the most part they vnite themselues vnto the Tartars whom God hath raised vp froÌ„ the vtmost parts of the earth according to that which the Lord saith I will prouoke them to enuy namely such as keepe not his Law by a people which is no people and by a foolish Nation will I anger them This prophecy is fulfilled according to the literall sense thereof vpon all Nationâ— which obserue not the Law of God All this which I haue written concerning the Land of Pascatir was told me by certaine Friers Pradicants which trauelled thither before euer the Tartars came abroad And from that time they were subdued vnto their neighbours the Bulgarians being Saracens whereupon many of them proued Saracens also Other matters concerning this people may be knowne out of Chronicles For it is manifest that those Prouinces beyond Constantinople which are now called Bulgaria Valachia and Sclauonia were of old time Prouinces belonging to the Greekes Also Hungaria was heretofore called Pannonia And wee were riding ouer the Land of Cangle from the feast of Holy-rood vntill the feast of All-Saints trauelling almost euery day according to mine estimation as farre as from Paris to Orleans and somtimes farther as we were prouided of Post-horses for some daies we had change of horses twice or thrice in a day Sometimes we trauelled two or three daies together not finding any people and then we were constrained not to ride so fast Of twentie or thirtie Horses we had alwaies the worst because we were Strangers For euery one tooke their choice of the best Horses before vs. They prouided me alwaies of a strong Horse because I was very corpulent and heauy but whether he ambled a gentle pase or no I durst not make any question Neither yet durst I complaine although he trotted full sore But euery man must bee contented with his lot as it fell Whereupon we were exceedingly troubled for oftentimes our Horses were tyred before we could come at any people And then we were constrained to beate and whip on our Horses and to lay our Garments vpon other emptie Horses yea and sometimes two of vs to ride vpon one Horse OF hunger and thirst cold and wearinesse there was no end For they gaue vs no victuals but onely in the euening In the morning they vsed to giue vs a little drinke or some sodden Millet to sup off In the euening they bestowed flesh vpon vs as namely a shoulder and breast of Râ—ms Mutton and euery man a measured quantitie of broath to drinke When wee had sufficient of the flesh-broath we were maruellously well refreshed And it seemed to mee most pleasant and most nourishing drinke Euery Saturday I remained fasting vntill night without eating or drinking of ought And when night came I was constrained to my great griefe and sorrow to eate flesh Sometimes we were faine to eate flesh halfe sodden or almost raw and all for want of Fewell to seethe it withall especially when we lay in the fields or were benighted before we came at our iourneys end because we could not then conueniently gather together the dung of Horses or Oxen for other fewell we found but seldome except perhaps a few thornes in some places Likewise vpon the banckes of some Riuers there are woods growing here and there Howbeit they are very rare In the beginning our guide highly disdained vs and it was tedious vnto him to conduct such base fellowes Afterward when he began to know vs somewhat better he directed vs on our way by the Courts of rich Moals and we were requested to pray for them Wherefore had I carried a good Interpreter with me I should haue had opportunitie to haue done much good The foresaid Chingis who was the first great Can or Emperour of the Tartars had foure Sonnes of whom proceeded by naturall discent many children euery one of which doeth at this day enioy great possessions and they are daily multiplyed and dispersed ouer that huge and vast Desart which is in dimensions like vnto the Ocean Sea Our guide therefore directed vs as we were going on our iourney vnto many of their habitations And they maruelled exceedingly that wee would receiue neither Gold nor Siluer nor precious and costly garments at their hands They inquired also concerning the great Pope whether he was of so lasting an age as they had heard For there had gone a report among them that hee was fiue hundred yeares old They inquired likewise of our Countries whether there were abundance of Sheepe Oxen and Horses or no Concerning the Ocean Sea they could not conceiue of it because it was without limits or bankes Vpon the Euen of the feast of All-Saints wee forsooke the way leading towards the East because the people were now descended very much South and wee went on our iourney by certaine Alpes or Mountaines directly South-ward for the space of eight daies together In the foresaid Desart I saw many Asâ—es which they call Colan being rather like vnto Mules these did our guide and his companions chase very eagerly howbeit they did but lose their labour for the beasts were two swift for them Vpon the seuenth day there appeared to the South of vs huge high Mountaynes and we entred into a place which was well watered and fresh as a Garden and found Land tilled and manured The eight day after the feast of All-Saints wee arriued at a certaine Towne of the Saracens named Kenchat the Gouernour whereof met our Guide at the Townes end with Ale and Cups For it is their manner at all Townes and Villages subiect vnto them to meete the messengers of Baatu and Mangu-Can with meate and drinke At the same time of the yeere they went vpon the Ice in that Countrey And before the feast of Saint Michael we had frost in the Desart I enquired the name of that Prouince but being now in a strange Territorie they could not tell mee the name thereof but onely the name of a very small Citie in the same Prouince And there descended a great Riuer downe from the Mountaynes which watered the whole Region acccording as the Inhabitants would giue it passage by making diuers Chanels and Sluces neither did this Riuer exonerate it selfe into any Sea but was swallowed vp
Archdeacon of the rest and his friends sent for a certayne Saracen which was a Sooth-sayer Who said vnto them A certayne leane man who neyther eateth nor drinketh nor sleepes in a Bed is angry with him if hee can obtayne his blessing hee may recouer Then they vnderstood it was the Monke And about mid-night the Priests Wife his Sister and his Sonne came intreating that hee would come and blesse him They also raised vs vp to intreate the Monke Then he said vnto vs intreating him Let him alone because hee with three others who likewise tooke euill courses consulted to goe vnto the Court to procure Mangu Chan that I and you should bee expelled from these parts For there arose a contention among them because Mangu and his Wiues sent foure Iascots and certayne Silkes vpon Easter Eeuen to the Monke and Priests to distribute among them And the Monke had kept vnto himselfe one Iascot for his part and of the other three one was counterfeit for it was Copper Whereupon it seemed to the Priests that the Monke had kept too great a portion to himselfe Whence it might bee that they had some words among themselues which were reported to the Monke When day came I went vnto the Priest hauing an extreme griefe in his side and spitting bloud whereupon I thought it was an Impostume Then I counselled him if he had any thing that was an others to restore it He said hee had nothing I spoke vnto him also of the Sacrament of Extreme Vnction Who answered we haue no such custome neither doe our Priests know how to doe it I intreat you that you would doe it for mee as you know best to bee done I aduised him also concerning Confession which they frequent not hee spake shortly in the Eare of a certayne Priest one of his fellowes After this hee beganne to bee better and hee intreated mee to goe for the Monke So I went but the Monke would not come at the first yet when hee heard hee was some-what better hee went with his Crosse. And I also went and carryed in a Boxe of Master Williams the bodie of Christ which I had reserued vpon Easter Day at the intreatie of Master William Then the Monke beganne to kicke him with his feet and hee most humbly imbraced his feet Then I said vnto him It is the custome of the Church of Rome that the sicke should receiue the Bodie of Christ as it were prouision for their iourney and a defence against all the Deceits of the Enemie Behold the Bodie of Christ which I consecrated on Easter Day You must bee confessed and desire it Then said hee with a great Faith I desire it with all my heart Which when I had discouered hee with great affection said I beleeue that this is my Creatour and my Sauiour who gaue mee life and will restore it againe vnto mee after death in the generall Resurrection and so tooke the Bodie of Christ from my hand made after the manner of the Church of Rome Then the Monke abode with him and gaue him in my absence I know not what Potions On the morrow hee beganne to haue the pangs of death vpon him Then taking their Oyle which they said was holy I anointed him according to the manner of the Church of Rome as they intreated mee I had none of our Oyle because the Priests of Sartach kept all And when wee should sing a Dirge and I would haue beene present at his end the Monke sent vnto mee willing me to depart because if I should bee present I could not come into the house of Mangu Chan for one whole yeare Which when I had told his friends they said it was true and requested me to depart lest I might be hindered in that good which I might promote Assoone as hee was dead the Monke said vnto mee care not I haue killed him with my Prayers This fellow only was Learned and opposed himselfe against vs the rest know nothing Henceforth Mangu Chan himselfe and they all will crouch at our feete Then hee declared vnto me the foresaid Answere of the Sooth-sayer Which not beleeuing it I inquired of the Priests who were friends of the dead whether it were true or no. Who said it was But whether he were pre-instructed or not that they knew not Afterwards I found that the Monke called the foresaid Sooth-sayer and his Wife into his Chappell and caused dust to bee sifted and to diuine vnto him For hee had a certayne Rutenian Deacon who diuined to him Which when I vnderstood I was astonied at his foolishnesse and said vnto him Brother a man full of the Holy Ghost which teacheth all things should not demand Answeres or Counsell from Sooth-sayers seeing all such things are forbidden and they excommunicated who follow such things Then hee beganne to excuse himselfe that it was not true that hee sought after such things But I could not depart from him because I was placed there by the commandement of Chan himselfe nor could I remooue my selfe without his speciall command COncerning the Citie of Caracarum know this that excluding the Palace of Chan himselfe it is not so good as the Castle of Saint Denis and the Monasterie of Saint Denis is tenne times more worth then that Palace and more too There are two streets there one of the Saracens where the Faires are kept and many Merchants haue recourse thither by reason of the Court which is alwayes neere and for the multitude of Messengers There is another street of the Cataians who are all Artificers Without those streets there are great Palaces which are the Courts of the Secretaries There are there twelue kindes of Idolatries of diuers Nations Two Churches of Mahomet where the Law of Mahomet is proclaimed one Church of the Christians at the end of the Towne The Towne is inclosed with a mudde Wall and hath foure Gates On the East part Millet and other Graine is sold which yet is seldome brought thither On the West Sheepe and Goates On the South Oxen and Waggons are sold. At the North Horses are sold. Following the Court before the Ascension wee came thither the Sunday before the Ascension The next day after we were called before Bulgai who is a Iustice and chiefe Secretarie both the Monke and all his Family and wee and all the Messengers and Strangers which frequented the house of the Monke And wee were called before Bulgai seuerally first the Monke and after wee and they beganne diligently to inquire whence wee were and for what purpose wee came and what our errand was And this inquirie was made because it was told Mangu Chan that foure hundred Hassasines or secret Murtherers were gone forth in diuers Habits to kill him About that time the foresaid Ladie was restored to health and shee sent for the Monke and hee not willing to goe answered shee hath sent for Idolaters about her let them cure her if they can I will goe no more Vpon Ascension
to the dangerous Passage of twentie there were two which had Habergions And I demanded whence they had them They said they had gotten them of the Alani aforesaid who are good Worke-men for such things and excellent Smiths Whereupon I thinke they haue small store of Armour but Quiuers and Bowes and Leather Iackes I saw them presented with Iron Plates and Iron Sculls capillos out of Persia. And saw two also who presented themselues to Mangu armed with Coats made of Hogs skins bent inward of rough Leather which were very vnfit and vnwildy Before we came to Porta ferrea we found one Castle of the Alani which was Mangu Chans for hee had subdued that Countrey There we first found Vineyards and drunke Wine The day following wee came to Porta ferrea which Alexander the Macedonian King made And it is a Citie whose East end is vpon the Sea shoare and there is a little Plaine betweene the Sea and the Mountaines through which the Citie is stretched forth in length vnto the top of the Mountaine which bordereth vpon it on the West so that there is no way aboue for the roughnesse of the Mountaines nor below for the Sea but forth-right through the middest of the Citie ouerthwart where there is an Iron gate from whence the Citie hath the name And the Citie is more then a mile long and in the top of the Hill a strong Castle and it is as much in bredth as a great stones cast it hath very strong walls without Trenches and Turrets of great polished stones But the Tartars haue destroyed the tops of the Turrets and the Bulwarkes of the Walls laying the Turrets euen with the Wall Beneath that Citie the Countrey was wont to bee like a Paradise Two dayes iourney hence we found another Citie called Samaron wherein there were many Iewes And when we past it we saw walles descending from the Mountaines to the Sea And leauing the way by the Sea by those walles because it bent towards the East wee went vp into the high Countries towards the South On the morrow wee passed through a certaine Valley wherein the foundations of walles appeared from one mountaine to another and there was no way through the tops of the Mountaines These were sometimes the Inclosures or walles of Alexander restraining the fierce Nations to wit the Shepheards of the Wildernes that they could not inuade the inhabited Countries and Cities There are other walles or Inclosures where Iewes are The next day we came vnto a certaine great Citie called Samag And after this we entred into a great Plaine called Moan through which the Riuer Cur floweth of the which the Curgi haue their name whom we call Georgians And it runneth through the middle of Tiflis which is the Metropolis of the Curgines and in comes directly from the West running to the East to the foresaid Caspian Sea and it hath excellent Salmons In that plaine wee â—ound Tartars againe Also by that plaine comes the Riuer Araxes which commeth from the greater Armenia from betwixt the South and West of which it is called the Land Araxat which is Armenia it selfe Whereupon in the booke of the Kings it is said of the Sonnes of Sennacherib that hauing slaine their Father they fled into the Land of the Armenians And in Esay it is said that they fled into the Land of Ararat To the West then of that most beautifull Plaine is Curgia In that Plaine the Crosmini were wont to be And there is a great Citie in the entrance of the Mountaines called Ganges which was their Metropolis stopping the Georgians that they could not come downe into the Plaine Then wee came to the Bridge of Ships which were fastened together with a great Yron chaine stretched forth crosse the Riuer where Cur and Araxes meet together But Cur loseth his name there AFter that wee went alwayes vpward by Araxes whereof it is said Pontem dedignatur Araxis Araxes disdaines a Bridge Leauing Persia and the Caspian mountaines on the left hand towards the South on the right hand Curgia and the great Sea toward the West going Southwest betweene the South and the West We passed through the meadows of Bacchu who is Generall of that Armie which is there within Araxis And hee hath made the Curgi and Turkes and Persians subiect to him There is another Gouernour in Persia at Taurinum ouer the Tribute called Argon Both which Mangu Chan hath called home to giue place to his Brother comming into those Countries That Countrey which I haue described to you is not properly Persia but was sometimes called Hyrcania I was in Bacchues house and hee gaue vs Wine to drinke and he himselfe dranke Cosmos which I would willingly haue drunke if he had giuen it me yet it was the best new Wine but Cosmos is more wholsome for an hunger-staruen man Wee went vp therefore by the Riuer Araxes from the Feast of Saint Clement vnto the second Sunday in Lent till we came to the head of the Riuer And beyond that Mountaine where it riseth there is a goodly Citie called Arserum which belongeth to the Soldan of Turkie And neare thereabout Euphrates ariseth towards the North at the foot of the Mountaines of Curgia to whose Spring I had gone but the Snow was so great that no man could goe out of the trodden path on the other side of the Mountaines of Caucasus towards the South ariseth Tigris When we departed from Bacchu my Guide went to Taurinum to speake with Argon carrying my Interpreter with him But Bacchu caused me to bee brought to a certaine Citie called Naxnan which sometimes was the head of a certaine great Kingdome and the greatest and fairest Citie but the Tartars haue made it a Wildernes And there were sometimes Eight hundred Churches of the Armenians there now there are but two little ones for the Saracens haue destroyed them In one of the which I held the feast of Christmas as I could with our Clerke And the next day following the Priest of that Church dyed to whose buriall came a certaine Bishop with twelue Monkes of the high Countries For all the Bishops of the Armenians are Monkes and of the Greekes likewise for the greater part That Bishop told me that there was a Church neere that where Saint Bartholmew and likewise Saint Iudas Thaddaeus were martyred but there was no way open for Snow He told me also that they haue two Prophets The first or chiefe is Methodius the Martyr who was of their Country and plainely Prophesied of the Ismaelites Which Prophesie is fulfilled in the Saracens The other Prophet is called Acacron who when hee dyed Prophesied of a Nation of Archers that should come from the North saying That they should Conquer all the Countries of the East and should spare the Kingdome of the East that he might giue them the Kingdome of the West But he saith our Friers the Frankes being Catholikes beleeue them not
When Haloon vnderstood how the Soldan of Egypt had inuaded Syria and driuen thence his people he gathered his Armie and sent to the King of Armenia and to the King of Georgia and the other Christians of the East to prepare themselues against the Soldan of Egypt and the Saracens and when his Armie was in readinesse a sicknesse seized him of which he languished the space of a fortnight and then dyed by whose death the enterprize of the Holy Land had an end Abaga his Sonne held the Dominion of his Father who intreated the Emperour Cobila Can being his Vncle to confirme him therein to which he willingly accorded So he was called Abaga Can and began to reigne in the yeare of our Lord 1264. 32. Abaga was wise and gouerned prosperously in all things two only excepted one that he would not be a Christian as his Father had beene but worshipped Idols beleeuing the Idolatrous Priests The other that he was alwayes in warres with his Neighbours by reason wherof the Soldan was long in quiet and the power of the Saracens much increased Those Tartars or rather Turks which could escape from out the Dominion of the Tartars fled vnto the Soldan seeking to auoid the heauie burthens which the Tartars imposed on them And the Soldan dealt politikely for he sent Messengers by Sea to the Tartars in the Kingdomes of Cumania and Russia and made composition and agreement with them that whensoeuer Abaga should mooue warre against the Land of Egypt then they should inuade his Countrey for which he promised them great gifts by meanes whereof Abaga could not well inuade the Land of Egypt but the Soldan could easily without resistance inuade the Christians in the parts of Syria insomuch that the Christians lost the Citie of Antioch and diuers other places of strength which they held in that Kingdome 33. Moreouer Bendecar the Soldan of Egypt was so fortunate that he much abased the Kingdome of Armenia For it hapned that the King of Armenia with many of his men was gone to the Tartars which the Soldan hearing sent a Captayne of his to inuade the Kingdome of Armenia The Sonnes of the King of Armenia gathering together all that could beare Armes encountred the Egyptians in the Confines of their Kingdome and resisted them couragiously but the Armie of the Armenians being ouerthrowne one of the Kings Sonnes was taken and the other was slaine in battaile So that the Saracens thereby wasted and spoyled all the Kingdome of Armenia and carryed infinite riches thence to the great damage of the Christians whereby the Enemies power was much encreased and the Kingdome of Armenia wondrously weakned The King whose endeauour was wholly bent about the destruction of the Infidels hauing heard this most vnhappie newes of his owne Countrey busied his thoughts night and day how to afflict the Saracens and oft-times very earnestly dealt with Abaga and his Tartars to attempt the ouerthrow of faithlesse Mahomet and the reliefe of the Christians But Abaga excused himselfe by reason of the warres in which he was daily entangled with his Neighbours The King of Armenia seeing that hee could not haue any present ayde of the Tartarians sent and made truce by his Messengers with the Soldan of Egypt that he might redeeme his Sonne which was Prisoner The Soldan also promised him that if he restored him a friend of his called Angoldscar whom the Tartars held captiue and yeelded vp the Castle Tempsach and some holds of the Citie of Halappi which he had gotten in the time of Haoloon hee would set his Sonne at libertie Whereupon the Soldan hauing receiued his friend and the Castle of Tempsacke beeing yeelded and two other Castles throwne downe at his appointment deliuered his Sonne out of Prison and restored him accordingly Then afterwards King Haython of famous memorie hauing reigned fortie fiue yeares and done much good to the Christians yeelded vp his Kingdome and Dominion to his Sonne Liuon whom he had deliuered out of captiuitie and renouncing this Kingdom of the World became professed in Religion and was called Macharius changing his name according to the custome of the Armenians when they enter into Religion and in short time after dyed in peace in the yeare of our Lord 1270. 34. This King of Armenia Liuone was wise and gouerned his Kingdom prouidently and being much beloued by his owne People and by the Tartars he laboured earnestly to destroy the Saracens so that in his time Abaga made peace with al his neighbors who of long time had been his enemies Then the Soldan of Egypt entred the Kingdome of Turkie and slue many of the Tartars and draue them out of many Townes For a Saracen called Paruana being Captaine ouer the Tartars that were in Turkie rebelled against Abaga and sought the destruction of the Tartarians Abaga hearing thereof posted thither so speedily that in fifteene dayes hee rode fortie dayes iourney The Soldan hearing of his comming departed suddenly not daring to make any longer abode Yet could not so speedily withdraw himselfe but that the Tartars following swiftly ouertooke the rereward of his Armie in the entrie of the Kingdome of Egypt in a place called Pasblanke There the Tartarians rushing on them tooke two thousand Horsemen of the Saracens beside much riches and fiue thousand of the Cordines which liued in that Countrie Abaga being come to the Confines of Egypt was perswaded to goe no farther for heat for that Land is very hote and his Tartars and their beasts hauing come speedily from farre could hardly haue indured it by reason whereof hee returned into Turkie and spoiled and wasted all the Countries that had rebelled and yeelded to the Soldan But he caused the Traytor Paruana with his partakers to be cut asunder in the midst after the Tartarian manner and part of his flesh to be serued in all his meats whereof he and his Captaines did eat Such was the reuenge of King Abaga on the Traitor Paruana 35. Abaga hauing effected his desires in Turkie and enriched his Tartars with the spoyles of the rebellious Saracens he called to him the King of Armenia and offered him the kingdome of Turkie in regard that his father and hee had beene euer faithfull to the Tartarians But the King of Armenia being discreet and wise rendred great thankes to Abaga for so great a Present but excused himselfe from the accepting thereof as vnable to gouerne two Kingdomes For the Soldan of Egypt was in his full strength and earnestly bent against the Kingdome of Armenia so that hee had enough to doe to prouide for the defence thereof Yet aduised him to settle and dispose the Kingdome of Turkie in such sort ere his departure that there might bee no feare of Rebellion afterwards and in any case to permit no Saracen to command there Which aduice Abaga accepted of and neuer after suffered any Saracen to beare rule in that Countrey The king of Armenia then
other Pulse Hereby little more or lesse may be seene what people are in Cantan and whether it may bee compared with Lisbon The Houses of the Suburbes are like those of the wals within the streetes are so well and leuelled by Line as those within and all for the most part paued also and some of them are verie broad and haue triumphant Arches but very few Some streets as well without as within the wals on the one side and the other along the Houses haue Trees for to make shadowes In all the streets of the Suburbs at the ends of them are gates with speciall Porters whose Office is to locke them euery night vnder paine of sore punishment and euery street hath a Constable and a Iayle He stands bound either to yeeld the Malefactor which by night doth any harme in the street are to pay for it wherefore all the streets haue euery night a watch the Neighbours diuiding themselues in quarters and they make euery night sixe quarters or watches and for a signe that they are awake in euery street they found a Drumme where they haue all the night a Lanthorne with a light The gates of the Citie are shut as soone as it is night and on the two leaues is set a paper with the chiefe Captaines marke on euery one of them and they are opened with the Sunne with a token from the same Captaine to them all with his marke written on a white boord Euery gate hath a Captaine a very honest man and euery one hath certaine Souldiers which continually doe watch euery one of the Gates by day and by night In some Cities the water runneth almost thorow euery street and on the one side and the other of the street are Tables made of stone for the common seruice of the people and thorow all the streets are very good and well wrought Bridges to passe from one side to another and thorow the middest of the streets is great trafficke by water that goe from one place to another In those places whereby the water entreth into the Citie they haue made in the walls very good gates which haue very strong Iron grates for to shut by night and the most of the streets to the land inward are very well paued with stone and where is no stone with small tyle In all the Mountaines and Hills where there are wayes they are very well made cut with the Pick-axe and paued where they are needfull This is one of the good works of China and it is very generall in euery place of it Many Hills on the side of the Bramas and of the Laos are cut in steps very well made and in the height of the Hill is made a low place very well cut in the which is a very high Towre which aboue doth equall with the highest of the Mountain which is very strong the wall of one of the Towres was measured at the entring of the gates and it was sixe fathome thicke and an halfe There are on this side many of these workes and so there may be in other places I heard of a Gentleman of credit called Galiote Perera Brother to the chiefe Iustice of Arrayolos which abode in Cansi being Captiue that with the houses of these kinsmen of the King being so many and so great the Citie was so bigge that it seemed they occupied very little of it and make a very little show in it and so he had it written in a Rudder of his whence I tooke a great deale of that which is heere spoken of in such sort that the greatnesse of the Citie did hide in it selfe the multitude and greatnesse of these houses As in the Countrey there is great store of Timber and very cheape and much Iron and cheap and it is very good there are infinite number of ships and shippings for through the Countrey are infinite Groues of Firre trees and other trees whereby it is easie for any one though of a little substance to make a ship and haue shippings and this causeth the great profit and gayne that is of them with the necessitie the Countrey hath of them for it hath not onely a great number of Ilands alongst the coast but also a very great coast where they Nauigate and besides this all China within is nauigated and runne through Riuers which doe cut and water it all which are many and very great So that yee may sayle to the ends of the Land and goe in shippings Any Captaine along the coast may in a little spâ—ce ioyne two hundred three hundred euen to a thousand ships if hee stand in need for to fight And there is no small Towne along the Riuer that is not plentifull in small and great ships Along the Citie of Cantan more then halfe a league off the Riuer is so great a multitude of shipping that it is a wonderfull thing to see them and that which is most to wonder is that that this multitude neuer decreaseth nor fayleth almost all the yeere for if thirty forty or an hundred goe forth one day as many doe come in againe the next I say the multitude neuer to diminish nor fayle for though sometime there be more some lesse alwaies there remayneth a maruellous multitude and that which is more all those that goe forth goe laden and all that come in come laden carrying goods and bringing goods and that which sheweth much the noblenesse of the Countrey the plentie and riches thereof is that all these ships bringing great store of merchandise of Clothes Silkes prouisions and other goods some doe goe into the Land others come from within the Land and nothing commeth form without China neither goeth out of it and that which the Portugals doe carrie and some that they of Syam doe carrie is so little in comparison of the great trafficke of the Countrey that it almost remayneth as nothing and vnperceiued seeing that out of China there goeth no more but that which the Portugals and they of Syam doe carrie which is as much as though they brought nothing out of China fiue or sixe ships comming laden with Silke and Porcelane the great plentie and riches of the Countrey doth this that it can sustayne it selfe alone Pepper and Iuorie which is the principall that the Portugals doe carrie a man may well liue without it and the trafficke of merchandise that is in this Countrie is in all the Cities within the Land which as we haue said are almost all built along the Riuers The Chinas haue a common speech for to shew the noblenesse of their Kingdome that the King of China can make a Bridge of ships from China vnto Malaca which are neere fiue hundred leagues the which though it seemeth it cannot be yet by Metaphor it signifieth the greatnesse of China and the multitude of ships that of it selfe it can make The great ships they call Iunks besides which there are ships for
forth in May 1555. and Master George Killingworth was made their first Agent the particulars whereof are found at large in Master Hakluyts first Tome of Voyages as also other things touching that Trade then setled which heere I omit and come to Master Ienkinsons Voyage to Mosco and thence to Tartaria §. II. The first Voyage made by Master ANTHONIE IENKINSON from the Citie of London toward the Land of Russia begunne the twelfth of May in the yeare 1557. FIrst by the grace of God the day and yeare aboue mentioned I departed from the said Citie and the same day at Grauesend embarked my selfe in a good ship named the Primrose being appointed although vnworthy chiefe Captaine of the same and also of the other three good ships to say the Iohn Euangelist the Anne and the Trinitie hauing also the conduct of the Emperour of Russia his Ambassadour named Osep Nopea Gregoriwich who passed with his company in the said Primrose And thus our foure tall ships being well appointed as well for men as victuals as other necessary furniture the said twelfth day of the moneth of May we weighed our Anchors and departed from the said Grauesend in the after-noone and plying downe the Thames the wind being Easterly and faire weather the thirteenth day we came a ground with the Primrose vpon a sand called the blacke tayle where wee sate fast vntill the fourteenth day in the morning and then God bee praysed shee came off and that day we plyed downe as farre as our Ladie of Holland and there came to an Anchor the winde being Easterly and there remayned vntill the twentieth day then wee weyed and went out at Goldmore gate and from thence in at Balsey slade and so into Orwell wands where we came to an Anchor but as we came out at the said Goldemore gate the Trinitie came on ground on certayne Rockes that lye to the North-ward of the said gate and was like to be bilged and lost But by the ayde of God at the last she came off againe being very leake and the one and twentieth day the Primrose remaining at an Anchor in the wands the other three ships bare into Orwell Hauen where I caused the said Trinitie to be grounded searched and repayred So we remayned in the said Hauen vntill the eight and twentieth day and then the wind being Westerly the three ships that were in the Hauen weighed and came forth and in comming forth the Iohn Euangelist came on ground vpon a Sand called the Andros where she remayned one tyde and the next full Sea she came off againe without any great hurt God be praysed The nine and twentieth day in the morning all foure ships weighed in the Wands and that tyde went as farre as Orfordnesse where we came to an Anchor because the wind was Northerly And about sixe of the clocke at night the wind vered to the South-west and we weighed Anchor and bare cleere of the Nesse and then set our course North-east and by North vntill mid-night being then cleare of Yarmouth sands Then wee winded North and by West and North North-west vntill the first of Iune at noone then it waxed calme and continued so vntill the second day at noone then the wind came at North-west with a tempest and much raine and we lay close by and caped North North-east and North-east and by North as the wind shifted and so continued vntill the third day at noone then the winde vered Westerly againe and we went North our right course and so continued our way vntill the fourth day at three of the clocke in the after-noone at which time the winde vered to the North-west againe and blew a fresh gale and so continued vntill the seuenth day in the morning wee lying with all our ships close by and caping to the Northwards and then the winde vering more Northerly we were forced to put roomer with the Coast of England againe and fell ouerthwart New-castle but went not into the Hauen and so plyed vpon the Coast the eight day and the ninth The tenth day the wind came to the North North-west and wee were forced to beare roomer with Flamborow head where we came to an Anchor and there remayned vntill the seuenteenth day Then the wind came faire and we weighed set our course North and by East time and so continued the same with a merry wind vntill the one and twentieth at noone at which we took the Sunne and had the latitude in sixtie degrees Then we shifted our course and went North North-east North-east and by North vntill the fiue and twentieth day Then we discouered certain Ilands called Heilick Ilands lying from vs Northeast being in the latitude of sixty sixe degrees fortie minutes Then we went North and by West because we would not come too nigh the Land and running that course foure houres we discouered and had sight of Rost Ilands joyning to the mayne Land of Finmarke Thus continuing our course along the Coast of Norway and Finmarke the seuen and twentieth day we tooke the Sunne being as farre shot as Lofoot and had the latitude in sixtie nine degrees And the same day in the afternoone appeared ouer our heads a Rain-bow like a Semicircle with both ends vpward Note that there is betweene the said Rost Ilands and Lofoot a Whirle-poole called Malestrand which from halfe ebbe vntill halfe floâ—d maketh such a terrible noyse that it shaketh the Rings in the doores of the Inhabitants Houses of the said Ilands ten miles off Also if there commeth any Whale within the current of the same they make a pittifull cry Moreouer if great Trees be carryed into it by force of streames and after with the ebbe be cast out againe the ends and boughes of them haue beene so beaten that they are like the stalkes of Hempe that is bruized Note that all the Coast of Finmarke is high Mountaynes and Hils being couered all the yeare with Snow And hard aboard the shoare of this Coast there is one hundred or one hundred and fiftie fathomes of water in depth Thus proceeding and sayling forward we fell with an Iland called Zenam being in the latitude of seuentie degrees About this Iland wee saw many Whales very monstrous about our ships some by estimation of sixtie foote long and being the ingendring time they roared and cryed terribly From thence we fell with an Iland called Kettlewicke This Coast from Rost vnto Lofoot lyeth North and South and from Lofoot to Zenam North-east and South-west and from Zenam to Kettelwicke East North-east and West South-west From the said Kettelwicke we sayled East and by North ten leagues and fell with a Land called Inger sound where we fished being becalmed and tooke great plentie of Cods Thus plying along the Coast we fell with a Cape called the North Cape which is the Northermost Land that we passe in our Voyage to Saint Nicholas and is in the latitude of seuentie one
festiuall apparell with many Gold Chaines and gilded Swords till he came into the Port in which rode in a rew twentie six Ships and eightie Iunks besides a greater number of smaller vessels fastned one before another in two wings making a street betwixt them adorned with Laurell and other greene boughes and sweet herbs the Ordnance thundring on both sides a congratulation The Chinois wondred and asked if he were Brother or neere Kinsman to their King they receiued him in such honour Nay said a conceited Portugall but his father shooed the Kings Horses and therefore is he worthie of this honour Hereat they were more then amazed and said There were great Kings in the World of which their Authours had made no mention and the King of Portugall seemes one of them and much to exceed the Cauchim or the Tartar and it were no sinne to say he may hold compare with the Sonne of the Sâ—nne the Lion crowned in the Throne of the World Others confirmed the same alledging the great riches which the bearded men generally possessed A glorious Lantea was purposely adorned for his person in which hee went with many Musicall Instruments of the Chinas Malayos Champaas Siamites Borneos Lequios and other Nations which there secured themselues vnder the Portugals for feare of Rouers which filled those Seas I should wearie you to let you see the rest of this pompous spectacle and more to heare their Orations preferring him before Alexander Scipio Annibal Pompey Caesar Neither will Religion let mee goe with him to their Masse nor doe I euer dine worse then at solemne Feasts and others will grudge me a roome at Comedies all which pompes I will leaue to our Author enlarged by the Spanish translator Canon of the Church of Arbas as dedicated to Manuel Seuerin de Faria There hee stayed fiue moneths spending the time in Hawking Hunting Fishing Feasting Quiay Panian in this time dyed After hee made ready to goe to the Mines of Quoangiparu Others disswaded him by reason of warres in those parts and a famous Pyrat called Similau told him of an Iland called Calempluy in which seuenteene Kings of China were buried with much treasures in Vests and Idols of Gold and other incredible riches which hee on no other testimonie embraced without consulting with his friends who not a little blamed him therefore and went with Similau in search of this Iland setting out May the fourteenth 1542. He set foorth with two Panouras which are as it were Frigots but somewhat higher Iunkes he vsed not both for secrecie and because of the Currents which set out of the Bay of Nanquin which great ships cannot stemme by reason of the ouer-flowings from Tartaria and Nixibum Flaon in those moneths of May Iune and Iuly He had with him sixe and fiftie Portugals with a Priest and fortie eight Mariners of Patane and fortie two Slaues more our Pilot Similau would not admit fearing suspition in trauersing the Bay of Nanquin and entry of many Riuers much iâ—habited That day and night wee cleared the Iles of Angitur and followed our voyage thorow a Sea before neuer sayled by Portugals The first fiue dayes we sayled with good winde in sight of land to the entrie of the Bay of Nanquins fishings and passed a gulfe of fortie leagues and had sight of a high Hill called Nangafu alongst which we ranne to the North fiue dayes at the end whereof Similau put into a small Riuer the people whereof were white of good stature with small eyes like the Chinois but differing in speech and behauiour After three dayes the tempest ceasing we set sayle East North east seuen dayes together in sight of land and crossing another gulfe there was a straight open to the East called Sileupaquim ten leagues in the mouth within which we sayled fiue dayes in sight of many Townes and Cities very faire and this Riuer or straight was frequented with innumerable shipping insomuch that Faria was afraid to bee discouered and would needs against Similaus minde turne some other way Thus out of the Bay of Nanquin Similau telling them of a moneths worke of sayling by the Riuer Sumhepadan one hundred and seuentie leagues distant thence to the North wee sayled fiue dayes at the end whereof wee saw a very high Hâ—ll called Fanius and comming neere it entred a goodly rode where one thousand ships might ride at anchor Wee sayled thence thirteene dayes along the coast and came to the Bay of Buxipalem in 49. degrees where wee found it somwhat cold and saw Fishes of strange shapes some like Thornbacks aboue foure braces or fathoms compasse flat nosed like an Oxe some like great Lizards speckled blacke and greene with three rewes of prickles on the backe like â—ristles three spannes long very sharpe the rest of the body full but of shorter these Fishes will contract themselues like Hedge-hogs and looke fearefully they haue a sharpe blacke snout with tuskes after the manner of a Bore two spannes long Other deformities and diuersities of Fishes we saw Fifteene leagues further we came to an another fairer Bay called Calnidan sixe leagues in compasse set round with Hills diuersified with Woods and Riuers foure very great Similau sayd that the filth of dead Carcasses of creatures proceeding from the ouerflowings specially in Nouember December and Ianuarie at the full of the Moone caused the generation of such diuersitie of Fishes and Serpents in that Bay and the former which were not seene in other parts of that Coast. Faria asked him whence those Riuers came and hee said that he knew not but if it were true which was written two of them came from a great lake called Moscumbia and the other two from a Prouince of great Mountaines which all the yeere were couered with snow called Alimania and in Summer when great part of the snow was melted they became so impetuous as wee now saw and for that Riuer in the mouth whereof we were entred called Paatebenam wee were now in the name of the Lord of heauen to turne the Prow to the East and East South-east to search againe the Bay of Nanquim which we had left behind two hundred and sixtie leagues all which way we had made higher then Calempluy The second day we came to a high Mountaine called Botinafau stored with diuers kindes of wilde beasts which continued neere fiftie leagues and sixe-dayes sayling and after came to another Hill as wilde as the former called Gangitanou and all the way forward was mountainous and so thicke of trees that the Sunne could not pierce Similau sayd that in ninetie leagues space there was no habitation and in the skirts thereof liued a deformed sauage people onely by their Hunting and some Rice which they got in China by exchange of wilde beasts skinnes which hee sayd came to aboue a million yeerely Of these Giganhos wee saw a beardlesse youth with
very great each hauing a woman sitting thereon with a Sword in her hand of the same metall and a siluer Crowne on the head so many had sacrificed themselues at her death to doe her seruice in the next World Another compasse environed that of the Giants all of triumphant Arches gilded with a great quantitie of siluer Bels hanging on siluer chaines which by the motion of the Aire continually yeelded a strange sound Without those Arches in the same proportion stand two rankes of Latten grates encircling the whole worke set in spaces with Pillars of the same and thereon Lions set on balls which are the Armes of the Kings of China At the foure corners were placed foure Monsters of Brasse one which the Chinois call the Deuouring Serpent of the deepe Caue of the House of smoke in the figure of a dreadfull Serpent with seuen Serpents comming out of his brest sported with greene and blacke with many prickles more then a span long quite thorow the bodie like Hedge-hogges each hauing in his mouth a woman ouerthwart with disheuelled haires looking deadly The old or great Serpent holds in his mouth a Lizard halfe out of aboue thirty spans in length as bigge as a Pipe with nose and lips full of bloud and in his hands he holds a great Elephant so forcibly that his entrailes seeme to come out of his mouth all so naturally represented that it is most dreadful to behold The folds of his tayle were aboue twentie fathome long enfolding therein another Monster the second of the foure called Tarcamparoo which they say was the Sonne of that Serpent which stands with both his hands in his mouth which is as bigge as a gate the teeth set in order and the blacke tongue hanging out aboue two fathomes Of the two other one was the Figure of a woman named Nadelgau seuenteene fathomes long and sixe about from whose waste issued a beake or face aboue two fathomes which cast smoake out of the nosthrils and flames of fire out of the mouth which they make therein continually saying shee is the Queene of the Fierie Spheare and shall burne the Earth at the end of the World The fourth is like a man set cowring with cheekes puffed like ships sayles so monstrous that a man could not endure the sight The Chinois call him Vzanguenaboo and say that it is hee which makes Tempests in the Sea and throwes downe Houses by Land to which the people giue much Almes not to hurt their Iunkes The second day we went from Pocasser and came to another Citie called Xinligau very great well built walled with Tyles ditched about with two Castles at the end hauing their Towres Bul-warkes and Draw-bridges in the midst of each Castle was a Towre of fiue Lofts with many workes painted in which the Chinois said were fifteene thousand Picos of siluer of the Rents gathered in that Archipelago which this Kings Grand-father there layd vp in memory of his Sonne Leuquinau which signifieth the ioy of all holden for a Saint because he dyed a Religious man and lyes there buried in the Temple of Quiay Varatel the God of all the Fishes in the Sea of whom they haue large Legends In that Citie and another fiue leagues from it is made the greatest part of the Silke of that Kingdome the waters there giuing quicker colours they say then in other parts The Weauers Loomes of these Silkes which they affirme thirteene thousand pay yearely to the King three hundred thousand Taeis Going further vp the Riuer wee came the next day Euening to a great Champaigne continuing ten or twelue leagues in which were many Kine Horses and Mares pastured for the shambles as well as other flesh and kept by many men on Horse-backe These Champaignes past wee came to a Towne called Iunquileu walled with Tyles but without Towres or Bul-warkes Here wee saw a stone Monument with an Inscription Heere lyeth Trannocem Mudeliar Vncle to the King of Malaca who dyed before hee was reuenged of Captayne Alboquerque the Lion of Sea Robberies We enquiring hereof an old Chinese said that about fortie yeares agoe the man there interred had come Embassadour from a King of Malaca to sue to the Sonne of the Sunne for succour against a Nation of a Land without name which had comne from the end of the World and taken Malaca with other incredible particularities printed in a Booke which hee made thereof Hauing spent three yeares in this Suite and brought it to some maturitie hee sickned of the Aire one night at Supper dyed in nine dayes and left this Memoriall Wee proceeded on our way the Riuer growing lesse but the Countrey more peopled scarsly a stones cast free of some House eyther of a Pagode or Labourer And two leagues higher on a Hill compassed with Iron grates were two Brasse Statues standing on their feete one of a man the other of a woman both seuentie foure spans long with their hands in their mouthes and puffed cheekes fastned to Cast-Iron Pillars seuen fathomes high The Male was named Quiay Xingatalor the woman Apancapatur The Chinois told vs that the man was Fire-blower in Hell to torment such as in this life gaue them no Almes the woman was the Hell-Porter which suffered the Almes-giuers to flye by a Riuer of cold water called Ochileuday and hid them their from the Deuils hurting them One of our company laughed at this Tale whereat a Bonzo was so offended that hee set Chifu in rage with vs who bound vs hand and foot and gaue vs one hundred stripes a-piece Twelue Priests were incensing these Monsters when wee were there with Siluer-censours full of sweet Odours Saying as wee serue thee helpe thou vs another company of Priests answering So I promise thee as a good Lord. And thus went they on Procession about the Hill an houres space sounding certayne Bels causing a dreadfull noyse Hence wee passed vp the Riuer eleuen dayes all peopled with Cities Townes Villages Castles in many places scarsly a Calieuer shot distant one from another and all the Land in compasse of our sight had store of great Houses and Temples with gilded Steeples which amazed vs with the sight Thus wee came to the Citie Sampitay where wee stayed fiue dayes by reason of the sicknesse of Chifus Wife There by his leaue wee went thorow the streets a begging the people wondering at vs and giuing vs largely One woman amongst others which busily questioned with vs shewed vs a Crosse branded on her left arme asking if we knew that signe and wee deuoutly answering yes shee lifted vp her hands to Heauen and sayd Our Father which art in Heauen hallowed be thy Name in Portugues and could speake no more but proceeded in China speech and procured leaue to lodge vs at her House those fiue dayes telling vs she was named Inez de Leiria and was the Daughter of Thomas Perez which came Embassadour to China
that vnto that time it remained dispeopled and full of wilde Swine of the brood that remained there at such time as they were slaine and carried away as you haue heard This Iland and the rest adjoyning thereunto which are very many haue very excellent and sure Ports and Hauens with great store of fish These Ilands endured vntill they came vnto a little Gulfe which is fiue and fortie leagues ouer and is sayled in one day and at the end thereof is the Port of Cabite which is neere vnto Manilla So when that winde and weather serued their turne they departed from the Iland of Ancon and sailed till they came vnto another Iland called Plon where they vnderstood by a ship that was there a fishing how that the Rouer Limahon was escaped in certaine Barkes which he caused to bee made very secretly within his Fort of such Timber and Boards as remained of his ships that were burnt the which was brought in by night by his Souldiers on that side of the Fort which was next vnto the Riuer and were not discouered by the Castillas which were put there with all care and diligence to keepe the mouth that come in to helpe them And towards the Land there whereas he might escape they were without all suspection they were so strong and did not mistrust that any such thing should be put in vre as afterwards did fall out the which was executed with so great policie and craft that when they came to vnderstand it the Rouer was cleane gone and in safeguard calking his Barkes at the Iland of Tocaotican the better for to escape and saue himselfe and they said that it was but eight dayes past that he fled With this newes they all receiued great alteration but in especiall Omoncon and Sinsay After they had remained three weeks in that Harbour detayned with a mighty North-wind that neuer calmed night nor day in all that time The eleuenth day of October two houres before day they set sayle and went to Sea Sixteene leagues from the Port sailing towards the South they discouered a mightie Iland very high Land which was called Tangarruan and was of three score leagues about all inhabited with people like vnto those of the Ilands Philippinas Vpon Sunday in the morning being the seuenteenth day of October they discouered the Iland of Manilla of them greatly desired they sayled towards the Iland that they so long desired to see and came thither the twentie eight day of October as aforesaid So that from the Port of Tansuso which is the first Port of China till they came vnto the Iland of Manilla they were fiue and fortie dayes and is not in all ful two hundred leagues which may be made with reasonable weather in ten dayes at the most I could haue here added two other Voyages of Franciscans to China the one by Peter de Alfaro and other three of his Order 1579. the other 1582. by Ignatio c. both written at large by Mendoza But I hasten to our Iesuites exacter Relations Only I will conclude this Storie with Alfaros returne from China to the Philippinas and his Relation of their Witch-crafts vsed in a Tempest then happening after that two Letters mentioning English ships on that Coast. But it so fell out as they were going alongst the Coast of the Iland for to enter into the Port of Manilla and being within fiue leagues of the entry thereof vpon a sudden there arose the North-wind with so great furie and caused so great a Sea that they found themselues in a great deale more danger then in the other storme past in such sort that they sponed before the winde with their fore-sayle halfe Mast high shaking it selfe all to pieces and in euery minute of an houre readie to be drowned The Chinois for that they are Superstitious and Witches beganne to inuocate and call vpon the Deuill for to bring them out of that trouble which is a thing commonly vsed amongst them at all times when they find themselues in the like perplexitie also they doe request of him to shew them what they should do to bring themselues out of trouble But when the Spaniards vnderstood their dealings they did disturbe them that they should not perseuer in their Lots and Inuocations and beganne to conjure the Deuils which was the occasion that they would not answere vnto the Inuocation of the Chinois who did call them after diuers manners yet they heard a Deuill say that they should not blame them because they did not answere vnto their demand for they could not doe it for that they were disturbed by the conjuration of those Spanish Fathers which they carried with them in their ship So presently when the night was come God was so pleased that the storme ceased and became in few houres very calme although it endured but a while for as they began to set sayle to nauigate towards the Port and almost at the point to enter into the same a new storme seized on them and with so great force that they were constrayned to returne vnto the Sea for feare to bee broken in pieces vpon the shoare The Chinos began anew to inuocate the Deuils by writing which is a way that they neuer let but doe answere them as they did at this instant and were not disturbed by the coniurations of the Fathers yet notwithstanding they lyed in their answer for that they said that within three dayes they should be within the Citie of Manilla and after it was more then foure dayes In conclusion hauing by the fauour of almightie God ouercome all their trauels by the Sea and the necessitie of the lacke of water and victuals they arriued at the desired Port the second day of February Anno 1580. whereas they were receiued by the Gouernour and of all the rest with great ioy c. Two Letters taken out of BARTOLOME LEONARDO DE ARGENSOLA his Treatise called Conquista de las Islas Malucas Printed at Madrid 1609. pagg. 336.337 mentioning the comming of two English ships to China which seeme to bee two ships of the fleet of BENIAMIN WOOD The former written by the Visitor of Chincheo in China vnto the Gouernor of the Philippinas Don PEDRO DE ACVNNA TO the grand Captaine of Luzon Because wee haue vnderstood that the Chineses which went to trade and trafficke into the Kingdome of Luzon haue beene slaine by the Spaniards wee haue made inquisition of the cause of these slaughters and haue besought the King to doe iustice on him that hath beene the cause of so great mischiefe to procure a remedie for the time to come and that the Merchants may liue in peace and safety In the yeeres past before I came hither to be Visitour a certaine Sangley called Tioneg with three Mandarines or Iudges hauing the Kings Passe came to Cabit in Luzon to seeke Gold and Siluer which was all lyes because he found neither Gold
Realme This Tagla and Podat bring in yeerely to the Offices of the Chetfirds a great summe of money as may appeare by the particulars heere set downe The Towne and Prouince of Vobâ—ko pay yeerely for Tagla and Podat about 18000. Rubbels Nouogrod 35000. Rubbels Torshocke and Otfer 8000. Rubbels Razan 30000. Rubbels Morum 12000. Rubbels Colmigroe and Duyna 8000. Rubbels Vologda 12000. Rubbels Cazan 18000. Rubbels Vstiug 30000 Rubbles Rostoue 50000. Rubbels The Citie of Mosko 40000. Rubbels Sibierskoy 20000. Rubbels Castrome 12000. Rubbels The totall amounteth to 400000. Rubbels or Markes a yeere which is brought in yeerely the first of September that is reckoned by them the first day of the yeere The third that is called the Bulsha Prechod or great Income receiueth all the Customes that are gathered out of all the principall Townes and Cities within the whole Realme Besides the fees and other duties which rise out of diuers smaller Offices which are all brought into this Office of Bulsha Prechod The Townes of most trade that doe yeeld greatest Custome are these here set downe Mosko Smolensko Vobsko Nouogrod Velica Strararouse Turshocke Otfer Yaruslaue Castrome Nesua Nouogrod Cazan Vologda This Custome out of the great Townes is therefore more certaine and easie to bee reckoned because it is set and rated precisely what they shall pay for the Custome of the yeere Which needs must bee payd into the said Office though they receiue not so much If it fall out to be more it runneth all into the Emperours aduantage The Custome at Mosko for euery yeere is 12000. Rubbels The Custome of Smolensko 8000. Vobsko 12000. Rubbels Nouogrod vâ—lica 6000. Rubbels Strararouse by Salt and other commodities 18000. Rubbels Torshock 800. Rubbels Otfer 700. Rubbels Yaruslaue 1200. Rubbels Castrome 1800. Rubbels Nesna Nouogrod 7000. Rubbels Cazan 11000. Rubbels Vologda 2000. Rubbels The Custome of the rest that are Townes of trade is sometimes more sometimes lesse as their trafficke and dealings with commodities to and fro falleth out for the yeere This may bee said for certaine that the three Tables of Receits belonging to this Office of Bulsha Prechod when they receiue least account for thus much vz. The first table 160000. Rubbels The second table 90000. Rubbels The third 70000. Rubbels So that there commeth into the Office of Bulsha Prechod at the least reckoning as appeareth by their Bookes of Customes out of these and other Townes and maketh the summe of 340000. Rubbles a yeere Besides this Custome out of the Townes of trade there is receiued by this Office of Bulsha Prechod the yeerely Rent of the common Bath-stoues and Cabacks or drinking houses which pertayne to the Emperour Which though it be vncertaine for the iust summe yet because it is certaine and an ordinary matter that the Russe will bathe himselfe as well within as without yeeldeth a large Rent to the Emperours Treasurie There is besides a certaine Mulct or Penaltie that groweth to the Emperour out of euery Iudgement or Sentence that passeth in any of his Courts of Record in all Ciuill matters This Penaltie or Mulct is twentie Dingoes or Pence vpon euery Rubbel or Marke and so ten in the hundred Which is payd by the partie that is conuict by Law He hath besides for euery name contayned in the Writs that passe out of these Courts fiue Alteens An Alteenâ— is fiue pence sterling or thereabouts This is made good out of the Office whence the Writ is taken forth Thence it goeth to the Office that keepeth the lesser Seale where it payeth as much more to the Emperours vse This riseth commonly to three thousand Rubbels a yeere or thereabouts Farther also out of the Office of Roisbonia where all felonies are tryed is receiued for the Emperour the halfe part of Felons goods the other halfe goeth the one part to the Informer the other to the Officers All this is brought into the Office of Bulsha Prechod or Great income Besides the ouerplus or remainder that is saued out of the Land-rents allotted to diuers other Offices as namely to the Office called Roserade which hath Lands and Rents assigned vnto it to pay the yeerely salaries of the Souldiers or Horsemen that are kept still in pay Which in time of peace when they rest at home not employed in any seruice is commonly cut off and payd them by halfes sometimes not the halfe so that the remainder out of the Roserade Office that is layd into the Emperours treasurie commeth for the most part euery yeere to 250000. Rubbels In like sort though not so much is brought in the surplus out of the Strelletskoy Offices which hath proper Lands for the payment of the Strelsey men or Gunners as well those at Mosko that are of the Emperors Guard 12000. in ordinary as on the borders and other garrison Towns and Castles Likewise out of the Office of Prechase Shisiuoy Nemshâ—y which hath set allowance of Lands to maintayne the forraine mercenary Souldiers as Poles Sweadens Dutches Scots c. So out of the Office of Pusharskoy which hath Lands and Rents allowed for the prouision of munition great Ordnance Powder Shot Saltpeter Brimstone Lead and such like there is left somewhat at the yeeres end that runneth into the Treasurie All these bring into the Office of Bulsha Prechod that which remayneth in their hand at the yeeres end Whence it is deliuered into the Emperours Treasurie So that the whole summe that groweth to this Office of Bulsha Prechod or the great Income as appeareth by the Bookes of the said Office amounteth to 800000. Rubbels a yeere or thereabouts All these Offices to wit the Office of the Steward the foure Chetfirds and the Bulsha Prechod deliuer in their receipts to the head treasurie that lyeth within the Emperours house or Castle at the Mosko Where lye all his Moneys Iewels Crownes Scepters Plate and such like the Chests Hutches and Bags being signed by the Emperours themselues with their owne seale Though at this time the L. Borris Federowich Godonoe his seale and ouer-sight supplieth for the Emperour as in all other things The vnder Officer at this time is one Stepan Vasilowich Godonoe Cousin germane to the said Borris who hath two Clerkes allowed to serue vnder him in the Office The sum that groweth to the Emperors Treasury in money onely for euery yeere 1. Out of the Stewards Office aboue the expence of his house 23000. Rubbels 2. Out of the foure Chetfirds for Soake and Head money 400000. Rubbels 3. Out of the Bulsha Precod Office or great Income for Custome and other Rents 800000. Rubbels Sum 1430000. Rubbels cleere besides all charges for his house and ordinary salleries of his Souldiers otherwise discharged But besides this reuenue that is paid all in money to the Emperors treasurie he receiueth yeerely in Furres and other duties to a great value out of Siberia Pechora Permia and other places which are sold or bartred away for other forraine
memorie who called the place Meta incognita he brought home some of the Natiues and left some of his men there In the yeere 1580. the Companie sent out a second Voyage for the discouerie of the Riuer Obb and thence to goe on to Cathay furnishing forth two ships vnder the command of Arthur Pet and Charles Iackman who following their instructions arriued at Vaigats passed those Streights with a particular obseruation of those Ilands and places therein plyed along the East part of Nouazembla and the North of Russia and the Samoeds Countrey so farre as the Ice would giue them leaue and finding no possibilitie of passage by reason of the Ice returned backe in the latter end of the yeere By this time the Voyage of Saint Nicolas was knowne and become a beaten trade And the Companie sent out yeerely thither ten or twelue ships which returned fraighted with the commodities of that Countrey In the yeere 1583. by the leaue and admittance of the Moscouia Companie Sir Humfrey Gilbert went out for the discouerie of the North part of Terra Florida came into the great Riuer called Saint Laurence in Canada tooke possession of the Countrey setled the gouernment of the fishing there which is so well knowne in these times In the yeere 1585. Master Iohn Dauis was furnished out at Dartmouth with two Barkes for the discouerie of the North-west came into the height of 66. plyed along the coast obserued the probabilitie of a passage and in the end of the yeere returned In the yeere following being 1586. hee went on againe in the further discouerie thereof found a great Inlet betweene 55. and 56. of latitude which gaue him great hope of a passage traded with the people there and so returned In the yeere 1587. hee made a third Voyage to those places followed his course to the North and North-west to the Latitude of 67. degrees hauing the Continent which hee called America on the West side and Groineland which hee named Desolation on the East and going on the height of 86. degrees the passage enlarged so that hee could not see the Westerne shoare Thus he continued in the Latitude of 73. degrees in a great Sea free from Ice of an vnmeasurable depth but by the occasion of the departure of two Ships which were in company with him which hee left Fishing at a place he returned home This passage continueth the Name and memorie of the first Discouerer and is called Fretum Dauis And thus the Discouerie of the Northern Seas proceeded on from time to time by the endeauour and charge of the Muscouia Companie vntill they had particularly discouered the Lands Coasts Ilands Straights Hauens Bayes Riuers and other places therein and measured euery part thereof by their often tracing to and fro Together also with the obseruation of the Commodities and Aduantages arising from euery part of the same continuing euen vnto these times to haunt and frequent the parts which they had formerly found out As by their yeerely Reportaries and Iournals may appeare and that either without emulation or competition of any other Nation that euer came into those parts or enterprised any Discouerie there vntill of late yeeres as appeares by this that followeth When Richard Chancelor had setled a trade with Iohn Vasilowich then Emperour of Russia and his Ambassadours had beene heere in England to accomplish matters requisite for maintenance of the Amitie and Entercourse made and agreed vpon betweene these two Crownes King Philip Queene Marie Dukes also at that time of Burgundie and Soueraignes of all the Netherlands made a grant of Priuiledge vnto the Muscouia Merchants for the sole Trade of those Seas prohibiting all others to haunt and frequent the same without speciall Licence and consent of the sayd Companie which grant of Priuiledge was accordingly enioyed without disturbance or interloping of the Hollanders who out of obedience either to the Prohibition made by their Soueraigne or for that they durst not aduenture into these Seas did not any way attempt to bee seene or appeare there either for Discouerie or trade of Merchandize for the space of fiue and twentie yeeres after the Port of Saint Nicholas was first Discouered and found out by the English For the Company hauing as is aboue mentioned made their first Discouerie in the yeere 1553. there was neuer heard of any Netherlander that frequented those Seas vntill the yeere 1578. At which time they first began to come to Cola and within a yeere or two after one Iohn de Whale a Netherlander came to the Bay of Saint Nicholaâ— being drawne thither by the perswasion of some English for their better meane of Interloping which was the first man of that Nation that euer was seene there And this as is formerly noted was fiue and twentie yeeres after it was Discouered by the Muscouia Merchants Afterwards the Hollanders crept in more and more and in the yeere 1594. they made out foure Ships for Discouerie of the North-east passage to China the Master Pylot whereof was William Barrents these came vpon the Coast of Nouazembla to the Latitude of 77. degrees drew backe againe towards the Straights of Vaigats and then returned giuing Names vnto some places and Promontories vpon that Land In the yeere 1595. They sent out a second Voyage tracing the way through the Straights of Vaigats in the same steps as Pet and Iackman had formerly passed and so returned In the yeere 1596. They set out a third Voyage with two Ships the one of which shaped her course from the Cape of Norway to an Iland in the Latitude of 74. degrees which wee call Cherie Iland and they call Beare Iland and from thence to Greenland where Sir Hugh Willoughbie had beene two and fortie yeeres before for so long time there is betweene the first Discouerie thereof and the yeere 1596. And from thence to the North-east part of Nouazembla in the Latitude of 76. degrees where they Wintred and lost their Ship and came home with much difficultie In the yeere 1603. Stephen Bennet was imployed by the Companie in a Ship called the Grace to those parts Northwards of the Cape and was at Cherie Iland and killed some Sea-horses and brought home Lead Oare from thence In the yeere 1608. the said fellowship set foorth a Ship called the Hope-well whereof William Hudson was Master to discouer to the Pole where it appeareth by his Iournall that hee came to the height of 81. degrees where he gaue Names to certayne places vpon the Continent of Greenland formerly discouered which continue to this day namely Whale Bay and Hackluit Head-land and being hindred with Ice returned home without any further vse made of the Countrey and in ranging homewards hee discouered an Iland lying in 71. degrees which hee named Hudsons Tutches Heere it is to bee vnderstood that the Companie hauing by often resort and imployment to
a Beare that lay there and slept awaked and came towards vs to the ship so that wee were forced to leaue our Worke about turning of the ship and to defend our selues against the Beare and shot her into the bodie wherewith she ranne away to the other side of the Iland and swamme into the water and got vp vpon a piece of Ice where she lay still but we comming after her to the piece of Ice where she lay when she saw vs she leapt into the water and swamme to the Land but we got betweene her and the Land and strooke her on the head with a Hatchet but as often as wee strooke at her with the Hatchet she duckt vnder the water whereby wee had much to doe before we could kill her after she was dead we flayed her on the Land and tooke the skinne aboord with vs and after that turned our shippe to a great piece of Ice and made it fast thereunto The sixteenth ten of our men entring into one Boat rowed to the firme Land of Noua Zembla and drew the Boat vp vpon the Ice which done we went vp a high Hill to see the situation of the Land and found that it reached South-east and South South-east and then againe South which wee disliked for that it lay so much Southward but when wee saw open water South-east and East South-east we were much comforted againe thinking that we had wonne our Voyage and knew not how we should get soone enough aboord to certifie William Barents thereof The eighteenth we made preparation to set sayle but it was all in vaine for wee had almost lost our Sheat Anchor and two new Ropes and with much lost labour got to the place againe from whence wee came for the streame ranne with a mightie current and the Ice draue very strongly vpon the Cables along by the ship so that we were in feare that wee should lose all the Cable that was without the ship which was two hundred fathome at the least but God prouided well for vs so that in the end we got to the place againe from whence we put out The nineteenth it was indifferent good weather the Wind blowing south-South-west the Ice still driuing and wee set sayle with an indifferent gale of Wind and past by the point of Desire whereby we were once againe in good hope and when we had gotten aboue the point we sailed South-east into the Sea-ward foure miles but then againe wee entred into more Ice whereby wee were constrayned to turne backe againe and sayled North-west vntill we came to the Land againe which reacheth from the point of Desire to the head point South and by West six miles from the head point to Flushingers head it reacheth South-west which are three miles one from the other from the Flushingers head it reacheth into the Sea East South-east and from Flushingers head to the point of the Iland it reacheth South-west and by South and South-west three miles and from the Iland point to the point of the Ice Hauen the Land reacheth West South-west foure miles from the Ice Hauens point to the fal of Water or the streame Bay and the low Land it reacheth West and by South and East and by North seuen miles from thence the Land reacheth East and West The one and twentieth we sayled a great way into the Ice Hauen and that night anchored therein next day the streame going exreame hard Eastward wee haled out againe from thence and sayled againe to the Iland point but for that it was misty Weather comming to a piece of Ice wee made the ship fast thereunto because the Wind beganne to blow hard South-west and South South-west There we went vp vpon the Ice and wondred much thereat it was such manner of Ice For on the top it was full of Earth and there wee found aboue fortie Egges and it was not like other Ice for it was of a perfect Azure colour like to the Skies whereby there grew great contention in words amongst our men some saying that it was Ice others that it was frozen Land for it lay vnreasonable high aboue the Water it was at least eighteene fathom vnder the water close to the ground and ten fathome aboue the water there wee stayed all that storme the Wind being South-west and by West The three and twentieth wee sayled againe from the Ice South-eastward into the Sea but entred presently into it againe and woond about to the Ice Hauen The next day it blew hard North North-west and the Ice came mightily driuing in whereby we were in a manner compassed about therewith and withall the Wind beganne more and more to rise and the Ice still draue harder and harder so that the pinne of the Rother and the Rother were shorne in pieces and our Boat was shorne in pieces betweene the ship and the Ice we expecting nothing else but that the ship also would be prest and crusht in pieces with the Ice The fiue and twentieth the Weather began to be better and we tooke great paines and bestowed much labour to get the Ice wherewith we were so inclosed to goe from vs but what meanes soeuer we vsed it was all in vaine but when the Sunne was South-west the Ice began to driue out againe with the streame and we thought to saile Southward about Noua Zembla to the Streights of Mergates seeing we could there find no passage Wee hauing past Noua Zembla were of opinion that our labour was all in vaine and that we could not get through and so agreed to goe that way home againe but comming to the Streame Bay wee were forced to goe backe againe because of the Ice which lay so fast thereabouts and the same night also it froze that wee could hardly get through there with the little wind that we had the Wind then being North. The six and twentieth there blew a reasonable gale of Wind at which time wee determined to sayle backe to the point of Desire and so home againe seeing that wee could not get through the Wergats although we vsed all the meanes and industry wee could to get forward but when we had past by the Ice Hauen the Ice began to driue with such force that wee were inclosed round about therewith and yet we sought all the meanes we could to get out but it was all in vaine and at that time we had like to haue lost three men that were vpon the Ice to make way for the ship if the Ice had held the course it went but as we draue backe againe and that the Ice also whereon our men stood in like sort draue they being nimble as the ship draue by them one of them caught hold of the beak head another vpon the shrouds and the third vpon the great brase that hung out behind and so by great aduenture by the hold that they tooke they got safe into the ship againe for which they thanked God with all their
went on Land but two of them came backe againe the other three went forward about two miles into the Land and there found a Riuer of sweet water where also they found great store of Wood that had beene driuen thither and there they found the footsteps of Harts and Hinds as they thought for they were clouen footed some greater footed then others which made them iudge them to be so The eight it blew hard East North-east which was a right contrary wind to doe vs any good touching the carrying away of the Ice so that we were still faster in the Ice which put vs in no small discomfort The ninth it blew North-east with a little snow whereby our ship was wholly enclosed with Ice for the wind draue the Ice hard against it so that we lay three or foure foot deepe in the Ice and our Sheck in the after Steuen brake in pieces and the ship began to be somewhat loose before but yet it was not much hurt In the night time two Beares came close to our ship side but we sounded our Trumpet and shot at them but hit them not because it was darke and they ranne away The tenth the weather was somewhat better because the wind blew not so hard and yet all one wind The eleuenth it was calme weather and eight of vs went on Land euery man armed to see if that were true as our other three companions had said that there lay Wood about the Riuer for that seeing we had so long woond and turned about sometime in the Ice and then againe got out and thereby were compelled to alter our course and at last saw that we could not get out of the Ice but rather became faster and could not loose our ship as at other times we had done as also that it began to be Winter we tooke counsell together what we were best to doe according to the time that we might winter there and attend such aduenture as God would send vs and after we had debated vpon the matter to keepe and defend our selues both from the cold and wilde beasts we determined to build a house vpon the Land to keepe vs therein as well as wee could and so to commit our selues vnto the tuition of God and to that end we went further into the Land to find out the conuenientest place in our opinions to raise our house vpon and yet we had not much stuffe to make it withall in regard that there grew no trees nor any other thing in that Countrey conuenient to build it withall but wee leauing no occasion vnsought as our men went abroad to view the Countrey and to see what good fortune might happen vnto vs at last we found an vnexpected comfort in our need which was that we found certaine trees roots and all as our three companions had said before which had beene driuen vpon the shoare either from Tartaria Muscouia or else where for there was none growing vpon that Land wherewith as if God had purposely sent them vnto vs we were much comforted being in good hope that God would shew vs some further fauour for that Wood serued vs not onely to build out house but also to burne and serue vs all the Winter long otherwise without all doubt we had died there miserably with extreme cold The twelfth it was calme weather and then our men went vnto the other side of the Land to see if they could find any Wood neerer vnto vs but there was none The thirteenth it was calme but very misty weather so that we could doe nothing because it was dangerous for vs to goe into the Land in regard that we could not see the wilde Beares and yet they could smell vs for they smell better then they see The fourteenth it was cleare Sun-shine weather but very cold and then we went into the Land and layed the Wood in heapes one vpon the other that it might not bee couered ouer with the Snow and from thence meant to carrie it to the place where we intended to build our house The fifteenth in the morning as one of our men held watch we saw three Beares whereof the one lay still behind a piece of Ice the other two came close to the ship which wee perceiuing made our Peeces ready to shoot at them at which time there stood a Tub full of Beefe vpon the Ice which lay in the water to be seasoned for that close by the ship there was no water one of the Beares went vnto it and put in his head to take out a piece of the Beefe but she fared therewith as the Dog did with the Pudding for as she was snatching at the Beefe shee was shot into the head wherewith she fell downe dead and neuer stirred the other Beare stood still and looked vpon her fellow and when shee had stood a good while shee smelt her fellow and perceiuing that she was dead shee ran away but wee tooke Halberâ—s and other Armes with vs and followed her and at last she came againe towards vs and we prepared our selues to withstand her wherewith she rose vp vpon her hinder feet thinking to rampe at vs but while shee reared her selfe vp one of our men shot her into the bellie and with that she fell vpon her fore-feet againe and roaring as loud as she could ran away Then we tooke the dead Beare and ript her bellie open and taking out her guts we set her vpon her fore-feet that so she might freeze as shee stood intending to carrie her with vs into Holland if wee might get our ship loose and when we had set the Beare vpon her foure feet we began to make a Sled thereon to draw the Wood to the place where we went to build our house at that time it froze two fingers thicke in the salt water and it was exceeding cold the wind blowing North-east The sixteenth the Sunne shone but towards the euening it was misty the wind being Easterly at which time we went to fetch Wood with our Sleds and then wee drew foure beames aboue a mile vpon the Ice and the Snow that night againe it froze aboue two fingers thicke The seuenteenth thirteene of vs went where the Wood lay with our Sleds and so drew fiue and fiue in a Sled and the other three helped to lift the Wood behind to make vs draw the better and with more ease and in that manner we drew Wood twice a day and laid it on a heape by the place where we meant to build our house The three and twentieth wee fetcht more Wood to build our house which wee did twice a day but it grew to be misty and still weather againe the wind blowing East and East North-east that day our Carpenter being of Purâ—eâ—aet died as wee came aboord about euening The foure and twentieth we buried him vnder the sedges in the clift of a hill hard by the water for we could not dig vp the earth
the decke thinking to finde a Foxe there we sought all the holes but we found none but when we entred into the Cabbin and had stricken fire to see in what case the ship was and whether the water rose higher in it there wee found a Foxe which we tooke and carryed it home and eate it and then we found that in eighteene dayes absence for it was so long since we had beene there the water was risen about a finger high but yet it was all Ice for it froze as fast as it came in and the vessels which wee had brought with vs full of fresh water out of Holland were frozen to the ground The nineteenth it was faire weather the winde being South then we put each other in good comfort that the Sunne was then almost halfe ouer and ready to come to vs againe which wee sore longed for it being a weary time for vs to bee without the Sunne and to want the greatest comfort that God sendeth vnto man heere vpon the earth and that which rejoyceth euery liuing thing The twentieth before noone it was faire cleere weather and then we had taken a Foxe but towards Eeuening there rose such a storme in the South-west with so great a snow that all the house was inclosed therewith The one and twentieth it was faire cleere weather with a North-east winde then we made our doore cleane againe and made a way to goe out and clensed our Traps for the Foxes which did vs great pleasure when we tooke them for they seemed as daintie as Venison vnto vs. The two and twentieth it was foule weather with great store of snow the winde South-west which stopt vp our doore againe and wee were forced to digge it open againe which was almost euery day to doe The three and twentieth it was foule weather the wind South-west with great store of snow but wee were in good comfort that the Sunne would come againe to vs for as we ghest that day hee was in Tropicus Capricorni which is the furthest Signe that the Sunne passeth on the South-side of the line and from thence it turneth Northward againe The foure and twentieth being Christmasse Eeuen it was faire weather then wee opened our doore againe and saw much open water in the Sea for we had heard the Ice cracke and driue although it was not day yet we could see so farre Towards Eeuening it blew hard out of the North-east with great store of Snow so that all the passage that wee had made open before was stopt vp againe The fiue and twentieth being Christmasse day it was foule weather with a North-west winde and yet though it was foule weather we heard the Foxes runne ouer our House wherewith some of our men sayd it was an ill signe and while we sate disputing why it should bee an ill signe some of our men made answer that it was an ill signe because wee could not take them to put them into the Pot or roast them for that had beene a very good signe for vs. The sixe and twentieth it was foule weather the winde North-west and it was so cold that we could not warme vs although wee vsed all the meanes we could with great fires good store of cloathes and with hot stones and billets layd vpon our feete and vpon our bodies as we lay in our Cabbins but notwithstanding all this in the morning our Cabbins were frozen which made vs behold one the other with sad countenance but yet wee comforted our selues againe as well as we could that the Sunne was then as low as it could goe and that it now began to come to vs againe and we found it to bee true for that the Dayes beginning to lengthen the Cold began to strengthen but hope put vs in good comfort and eased our paine The seuen and twentieth it was still foule weather with a North-west wind so that as then wee had not beene out in three dayes together nor durst not thrust our heads out of doores and within the house it was so extreame cold that as we sate before a great Fire and seemed to burne on the fore-side we froze behind at our backes and were all white as the Countrey-men vse to bee when they come in at the gates of the Towne in Holland with their Sleds and haue gone all night The eight and twentieth it was still foule weather with a West wind but about Eeuening it began to cleere vp at which time one of our men made a hole open at one of our doores and went out to see what newes abroad but found it so hard weather that hee stayed not long and told vs that it had snowed so much that the Snow lay higher then our house and that if he had stayed out longer his eares would vndoubtedly haue beene frozen off The nine and twentieth it was calme weather and a pleasant ayre the wind being Southward that day he whose turne it was opened the doore and digged a hole through the Snow where we went out of the house vpon steps as if it had beene out of a Celler at least seuen or eight steps high each step a foote from the other and then we made cleane our Springes for the Foxes whereof for certaine dayes we had not taken any and as we made them cleane one of our men found a dead Foxe in one of them that was frozen as hard as a stone which he brought into the house and thawed it before the fire and after flaying it some of our men eate it The thirtieth it was foule weather againe with a storme out of the West and great store of Snow so that all the labour and paine that we had taken the day before to make steps to goe out of our house and to clense our Springes was all in vaine for it was all couered ouer with Snow againe higher then it was before The one and thirtieth it was still foule weather with a storme out of the North-west whereby we were so fast shut vp into the house as if wee had beene prisoners and it was so extreame cold that the fire almost cast no heate for as we put our feet to the fire we burnt our hose before we could feele the heate so that we had worke enough to doe to patch our hose and which is more if we had not sooner smelt then felt them we should haue burnt them ere we had knowne it After that with great cold danger and disease wee had brought this yeere vnto an end we entred into the yeere of our Lord God 1597. the beginning whereof was in the same manner as the end of Anno 1596. had beene for the weather continued as cold foule and Snowie as it was before so that vpon the first of Ianuary wee were inclosed in the House the winde then being West at the same time wee agreed to share our Wine euery man a small measure full
sandie ground with some Hills as it is on the East-side of the white Sea wee assured our selues that we were on the West-side of the white Sea vpon the Coast of Lapland for the which we thanked God that he had helped vs to sayle ouer the white Sea in thirtie houres it being fortie Dutch miles at the least our course being West with a North-east winde The twentieth we espied certayne Crosses with Warders vpon them vvhereby we vnderstood that it was a good way and so put into it and being entred a little way within it we saw a great Russian Lodgie lying at Anchor whereunto we rowed as fast as we could and there also we saw certayne Houses wherein men dwelt and when wee got to the Lodgie we made our selues fast vnto it and cast our tent ouer the Scute for as then it began to rayne then we vvent on land into the Houses that stood vpon the shoare vvhere they shewed vs great friendship leading vs into their Stoues and there dryed our wet Cloathes and then seething some Fish bade vs sit downe and eate somewhat vvith them In those little houses wee found thirteene Russians who euery morning vvent out to Fish in the Sea whereof two of them had charge ouer the rest they liued very poorely and ordinarily eate nothing but Fish and Bread at Eeuening when we prepared our selues to goe to our Scute againe they prayed the Master and me to stay vvith them in their Houses vvhich the Master thanked them for would not doe but I stayed with them all that night besides those thirteene Men there was two Laplanders more and three Women with a Child that liued very poorely of the ouerplusse which the Russians gaue them as a peece of a Fish and some fishes heads which the Russians threw away and they with great thankfulnesse tooke them vp so that in respect of their pouertie we hought our selues to bee well furnished and yet vve had little enough but as it seemed their ordinary liuing was in that manner and we were forced to stay there for that the vvind being North-west it was against vs. The one and twentieth wee met our other Companie vvherewith we rejoyced and shewed each other of our proceedings and how vvee had sayled too and fro in great necessitie and hunger and yet they had beene in greater necessitie and danger then we and gaue God thankes that hee had preserued vs aliue and brought vs together againe and then we eate something together and dranke of the cleere Water such as runneth along by Collen through the Rhene and then vve agreed that they should come vnto vs that we might sayle together The two and twentieth the rest of our men vvith the Boate came vnto vs about the East South-east Sunne whereat wee much rejoyced and then we prayed the Russians Cooke to bake a sacke of Meale for vs and to make it Bread paying him for it vvhich hee did and in the meane time when the Fisher-men came with their Fish out of the Sea our Master bought foure Cods of them which we sodde and eate and vvhile were were at meate the chiefe of the Russians came vnto vs and perceiuing that we had not much Bread hee fetched a Loafe and gaue it vs and although we desired them to sit downe and eate some meate vvith vs yet we could by no meanes get them to grant thereunto because it was their Fasting day and for that vve had powred Butter and fat into our Fish nor vvee could not get them once to drinke with vs because our Cup vvas somewhat greasie they were so superstitious touching their Fasting and Religion neither would they lend vs any of their Cups to drinke in least they should likewise bee greased at that time the vvind was North-west The foure and twentieth the wind blew East and then the Sunne being East we got the seuen Ilands where we found many Fisher-men of whom we enquired after Cool and Kilduin and they made signes that they lay West from vs which we likewise ghest to bee so and withall they shewed vs great friendship and cast a Codde into our Scute but for that wee had a good gale of vvind we could not stay to pay them for it but gaue them great thankes much wondering at their great courtesie and so with a good gale of vvind we arriued before the seuen Ilands when the Sunne was South-west and past betweene them and the Land and there found certayne Fisher-men that rowed to vs and asked vs where our Crable meaning our Ship was whereunto we made answer with as much Russian language as wee had learned and sayd Crable pro Pal that is our Ship is lost which they vnderstanding sayd vnto vs Cool Brabouse Crable whereby we vnderstood that at Cool there was certayne Netherland Ships but wee made no great account thereof because our intent was to sayle to Ware-house fearing least the Russians or great Prince of the Countrey would stay vs there The fiue and twentieth sayling along by the Land with a South-east vvind about the South Sunne we had a sight of Kilduin at which time we held our course West North-west and sayling in that manner betweene Kilduin and the firme Land about the South South-west Sunne we got to the West end of Kilduin and being there looked if we could see any Houses or people therein and at last we saw certayne Russian Lodgies that lay vpon the Strand and there finding a conuenient place for vs to Anchor with our Scutes while wee went to know if any people were to bee found our Master put in with the Land and there found fiue or sixe small Houses wherein the Laplanders dwelt of whom we asked if that were Kilduin whereunto they made answer and shewed vs that it was Kilduin and sayd that at Coola there lay three Brabants Crables or Ships whereof two were that day to set sayle wee found a small House vpon the shoare vvherein there was three Men and a great Dogge which receiued vs very friendly asking vs of our affaires and how we got thither whereunto we made answer and shewed them that we had lost our Ship and that wee were come thither to see if we could get a Ship that would bring vs into Holland whereunto they made vs answer as the other Russians had done that there was three Ships at Coola whereof two vvere to set sayle from thence that day then wee asked them if they would goe with one of our men by Land to Coola to looke for a ship wherewith wee might get into Holland and sayd we would reward them well for their paines but they excused themselues and sayd that they could not goe from thence but they sayd they would being vs ouer the Hill vvhere vve should finde certayne Laplanders whom they thought would goe vvith vs as they did for that Master and one of our men going with them ouer the Hill found certaine Laplanders there vvhereof they
of Geta sixe yeeres After which one of the Russeâ— of Vasheâ— named Wolfe returned into Siberia and he reported that he was trauailing from Tingoosie to Geta a Summer Likewise this said Wolfe reported that a Samoied told him that in Yenisey the greater were Vessels of a great burthen seene to be drawne with the Rope by a very great number of people but hee could not tâ—ll what people they were neither whither they did intend to trauaile with the said Vessels CHAP. VIII A Voyage made to Pechora 1611. Written by WILLIAM GOVâ—DON of Hull appointed chiefe Pilot for Discouerie to Ob c. THe eleuenth of Aprill we weighed Anchor at Blacke-wall in the Riuer of Thames in a ship called the Amitie whereof Iames Vadun was Master and sayling along the Coasts of England Scotland Norway and Finmarke on the eleuenth of the next moneth of May wee found our selues in the latitude of 71. degrees 40. minutes The twelfth wee ranne fortie eight leagues North North-east the wind being at South South-east and found our selues in the latitude of 73. degrees 42. minutes and at night wee had shoaldings of Cherie Iland for wee were enioyned by our Commission to touch there although it were three degrees to the North out of our way The thirteenth being Whit-sunday it cleered vp and then we did see Cherie Iland six leagues East South-east from vs. The fourteenth being faire weather we stood to the Northwards thinking to haue gone on shoare but we could not for Ice and labouring to Land on the South side of the Iland wee met with Ionas Poole about Eeuening in the Elizabeth who came as then to the Iland and was set forth by the Right Worshipfull Company of our Russian Merchants to discouer further Northward from eightie degrees toward the North Pole Then we stood to the Eastward where wee found great store of Ice The fifteenth we spent on the South-side of the Iland in hope of the arriuall of the Marie Margaret which being a ship of nine score Tunnes was set forth very chargeably by the aforesaid Russian Company and had in her sixe Baskes being excellent Whale-killers of Saint Iohn de Luz for the killing of the Whale on the Coast of Greenland in a Road called Crosse Road standing exceeding farre to the North euen in the latitude of 79. degrees and better The same day at night seeing that there we could doe no good we determined to proceed on our Voyage for the Riuer of Pechora and Letters being giuen one to the other for Testimoniall of our meeting in that place we left Ionas Pooley and directed our course to the Eastward The two and twentieth of May we came to a small Iland called Bigs Hole by Tapani Harbour The three and twentieth we arriued at the I le of Kildin in Lappia The foure and twentieth Iosias Logan which was appointed Factor for Pechora and my selfe with two more went to Olena and stayed there all the fiue and twentieth being Saturday where wee found a ship of Yarmouth whereof Iames Wright of Hull was Master of whom we learned the proceeding of the Hollanders The seuenth of Iune in the morning we had sight of the Coast of Lappia a little short of Cape Comfort and met with a ship of Amsterdam by which we sent Letters to Master Iohn Mericke our English Agent then Resident in Colmogro and we had two Hogsheads of Beere of them The eight we plyed to Cape Comfort the wind at South-east The ninth being Sunday in the morning wee put off from the Coast of Lappia to crosse ouer the White Sea to the Cape of Callinos corruptly and commonly called Candinos At noone we passed through some Ice the weather being thicke and foggie The eleuenth we plyed to the Cape of Callinos passing through much Ice the wind at North North-east And therefore wee thought it better to goe to the Southward againe and in the Eeuening we came to an Anchor in ten fathomes This night wee had a sore storme the winde at North-east The twelfth in the morning we weighed and in weighing brake our Anchor and then wee stood to the Southward and came to an Anchor and at night wee went on shoare for Wood and Water where was good store of Drift Wood And within a ledge of Rockes on the West-side of Callinos there lay ten Lodias or Russe small shippes some fourteene or fifteene Tunnes the biggest of a Towne called Pinega all which were bound for Noua Zembla to kill the Morsse with the men of which Fleete wee had some conference and did see their Prouisions which were Launces of their fashion and Harping Irons their Victuals were Salt-fish Butter Bacon Meale their Drinke Quasse The sixteenth in the morning wee weighed and stood our course for the I le of Colgoiene the wind being at South South-west and did find the Ice that was close to the shoare to bee open but at night finding that we could not sayle our course for the Ice we thought it better to stay and so came to an Anchor The seuenteenth wee weighed in the morning and stood along the shoare which did lye South-east by East and North-west by West And in the after-noone wee went on shoare with our shallop and came to a Riuer which we called Hakluyts Riuer where wee did see certayne Samoieds with their Deere but when they perceiued vs they fled into the Land carrying with them such things as in haste they could get together but left most of their necessaries as Bowes Arrowes long Speares wanting Iron heads burnt at the end Harping Irons Wimbles and Morsse-skinnes lying hid some in one place some in another which wee caused our men to vncouer and would not suffer them to take any thing away only I tooke the Pizzell of a Morsse which they had lately killed and Iosias Logan left a Knife that they might not shunne vs hereafter The same Eeuening we anchored and stayed all night The eighteenth wee weighed and at noone wee came to an Harbour which as wee thinke was the very same where Master Stephen Burrow was in his Discouerie of Vaigatz and Noua Zembla 1556. where there is twelue or thirteene foot at high water vpon the Barre and within six or seuen fathomes Also in this place were three Lodias of Pinega which when they saw vs come in rowed out and at night returned and some of their men came aboord of vs and told vs that they could not passe for Ice and said that they were bound for Sharskai Gooba or Shar Bay to fish for certayne fishes which they call Omilie which are somewhat like a Shad and for Morsses The twentieth Iosias Logan and my selfe went ouer to the Mayne which was distant two leagues and came to a great Riuer in 67. degrees and 40. minutes where there had beene people and there we saw foure or fiue great white fishes swimming which are foure or fiue yards long and
Mora or Drie Sea The other is this which is betwixt the Matpheyoue Ostroue and the Yougorskoie-share lying as before was sayd South from the sayd Matpheyoue Ostroue From which Iland in a cleere day they can see the Land of Vaygats which lyeth on the Larboord side being very high Land So that stirring out-right in the middle betweene the Meadanetskoiâ— Land on their Starboord and the Land of Vaygats on their Larboord side they sayle directly into the Yougorskoie-share Likewise there is not much of this Yougorskoie-share For they say that being at one end they can see the Sea at the other end thereof Also about the Land of Vaygats are neither Flats nor Shoalds From the Yougorskoie-share to the Carskoie Gooba is twelue houres sayle or twentie leagues In this Bay or Gooba is the Meastnoy Ostroue or Meastnoy Iland Further it is to bee remembred that as soone as they enter this Carskoie Gooba or Bay they sayle vp a Riuer leauing this Bay on their Starboord which Riuer bringeth them into the Mootnoya Reca which signifieth the thicke or troubled Riuer From Carskoie Gooba to this Mootnoya Reca is 20. leagues Likewise being a little past the Yougorskoie-share there may bee described an high Land which they call Socoâ—a Looda that is The Hawkes perch And being ouer the Mootnoya Reca which they are eight dayes and eight nights in halling along the shoare by the Rope or Beachaua they come into two Lakes which two Lakes from one end to the other they commonly row ouer in one Day or two Tides the same not being aboue ten or twelue leagues Hauing gotten to the end of those two Lakes they come to a place called the Nauoloke which signifieth an Ouer-hall And it is almost two hundred fathoms or foure hundred paces in length And hauing emptyed their Vessels called Coaches laying poles vnder them with the Companies or men of foure or fiue Boates hauing twelue or thirteene men in a Boate they hall their Vessels ouer launching them into a third Lake which they call the Zelenoy Osera that is the Greene Lake These Ouer-halls constraine them to consort themselues into Companies otherwayes they could not get this way to Mongozey At the end of this Zelenoy Osera or Greene Lake they come into the Zelenoya Reca or Greene Riuer into which they runne with the streame being often compelled to emptie their great Boates with their Lodias or Wherries laying their Goods vpon the shoare which being done they row their great Lodias ouer the shoalds emptie and hauing got ouer the shoalds they bring their goods on boord againe And thus they doe in diuers places of this Zelenoya Reca or Greene Riuer by reason whereof they are commonly ten dayes from the Ouer-hall before they can get through this foresayd Riuer which is all with the streame but the Distance hereof cannot yet bee perfectly learned Being come to the end of this Zelenoya Reca they enter into the Riuer of Ob and hauing rowed a little way vp the same they come to a place which they likewise call Zauorot which signifieth a turning winding or entring into a place From this Zauorot they turne into the Tawze Reca stirring away South to Tawze Riuer but it is foure and twentie houres sayle or fortie leagues from the Riuer of Ob before they come into any part of the Tawze Reca In the Riuer of Ob are neither Woods nor Inhabitants till they sayle so farre vp the same that they come neere to Siberia But there are Woods When they are entred into this Tawze Riuer they haue foure dayes and foure nights sayling to Tawze Castle with a faire wind and a stiffe gale But if they bee driuen to row to the Tawze Gorodoc or Castle then they are twelue dayes and twelue nights rowing thither at the least hauing calme weather This Tawze Gorodoc or Tawze little Castle with the Villages Townes and all other places there to belonging is by all the Russes generally called Mongosey At this place are two Gentlemen or Gouernours with three or foure hundred Gunners and small Câ—stles in seuerall places of these parts of Mongosey Moreouer the men of Mezen from whom I had all these Notes told me That in the Winter time there went men from Siberia to Mongosey to buy Sables deliuering vnto mee that the Sables taken by the Samoyeds about Mongosey are richer in Furres then those that come from Siberia Also they told me that the Samoyeds inhabiting vpon the mayne land ouer against Vaygats trauelled in the Winter time with their Reyne Deere to the parts of Mongosey to kill Sables and other beasts and doe carrie their Furres from thence to Mezen to sell there at a place called by the Russes Slobodca to which they did commonly resort about Shroue-tide staying not there long but as soone as they had made sale of their Furres they departed home againe Further these men of Mezen told me that in the Winter time with them was to be sold store of Squerrils Beauers Beauers wombs and 〈◊〉 Sables And that all those that trauelled in the Winter time from any part of Mongosey Sibiâ—â— Pechora and Oust-selma to any part of Russia whether they were Merchants or buyers vp of the Furres or the Samoyeds that caught them they must of force come to their Towne of Mezen to hire Horses to carrie them to Colmogro By which meanes they told mee their Towne was well replenished with all manner of Furres especially of Squerrils Also they informed me that diâ—ers of Colmogro and other parts of Russia thâ—â— sold vs Furs for the most part bought the same of them lying there in the Winter time for that purpose Therefore said they if that any of our Nation would trade into their parts they would be glad thereof and that they may be furnished of all sorts of Furres and at a farre better rate then hitherto we haue had them at And that wee could vpon any occasion he quickly at Colmogro in the Winter time by Sled or in any part of the Spring or Summer time by Boatâ— at a very small charge Lastly that in the Spring time we should not faile of a parcell of Trane-cyle and Deeres skinnes which euery Summer they transported to Archangel to sell. A true direction of the Russes trauelling from Mezen with Cayooks or small Boats through the Riuer Peoza and from thence to a place called by them Peaskanoy Nauolock or The Sandy Ouer-hall passing from thence through other Riuers till they come to Oust-selma and to the Towne of Pechora And is as followeth HAuing embarqued themselues at Mezen in these small Cayooks or Boats couered with the barkes of trees they sayle to a Riuer called Peoza Reca From thence they sayle or draw their Boats to a place called the Peaskanoy Nauolock or Sandy Ouer-hall From Mezen to this Ouer-hall is ten dayes haling along the shoare with the rope This said Ouer-hall is fiue Russe
durst not without the Emperour of Russia his licence Whereupon I answered that the Emperours Maiestie when he was raigning was very gracious vnto our Nation aboue all other strangers and shewed what great priuiledges hee had bestowed on our people and how by the English-mens meanes at the first what a trade is now at Arkania and what profit came not onely into his Maiesties Treasurie but also into all parts of his Dominions which in time might be brought hither and withall shewed the Emperours priuiledge Wherefore then they began to put away feare and willed vs to stay fiue or sixe dayes vntill he had sent for the chiefest men of the Townes-men who were abroad and then they would giue vs an answer Then I desired that we might haue an house to be in and not to stay without doores So he gaue libertie to any that would to entertayne vs whereto there was one Callem that made answer that he would whereupon wee went with him and were in an Ambar of his vntill wee receiued answer from them In the meane time wee made much of them and feasted them with our Aqua vitae Biscuit and Figs that we might the better obtayne their loue The foure and twentieth the Customers came to giue vs our answere and told vs that they had concluded that we might stay if wee would but they must write vp to the Musko of our being here So we thanked them and gaue them such entertaynment as we could and sent presents to sixe of them of the chiefest which they tooke very thankfully and promised what fauour they could So this night I made ready my Letters to send for England The fourth of August fiue and twentie Lodyas arriued at the Towne laden with Meale and others which were bound for Molgomsey but by reason of contrary winds they were forced into Pechora and came vp to the Towne of Pustozer and vnladed to make sale The sixe and twentieth we remoued from the house where we were at the first vnto a Poles house who is christened Russe where we are to remayne all the Winter The nine and twentieth the frost was so strong that the Ozera was frozen ouer and the Ice driuing in the Riuer to and againe brake all the nets so that they got no Salmon no not so much as for their owne victuals The second of September the frost brake vp againe and it was open weather The eight of September there was a Soyma which the Towns-men bought that went downe the Riuer to haue gone for Iugoria and had a faire wind but they neglecting two dayes sayling that would haue carried them forth of the Riuer to the Sea the wind came contrary so that they were wind-bound and could not get any further and on the nineteenth gaue ouer their Voyage and came vp to the Towne The thirteenth of October the frost was so extreme that the Ozera stood in one night that men did walke on it the next day and so continued all the Winter after The twelfth of Nouember there went two men of Penega to Vst-zilma to buy Squerrils and Beauers and other commodities The thirteenth the Sunne arose at South and by East by the Compasse and set at South-west and by West The foure and twentieth there went diuers men with at the least three or fourescore Sleds drawne with Deere to a place called Slobodca where they hold a Mart from the beginning of December to the middle thereof and they carried fresh-water fish thither with whom William Pursgloue went into Russia The sixe and twentieth the Sunne arose at South and by West by the Compasse and set at South-west and by West The first of December the Sunne arose at South and by West Westerly by the Compasse and set South-west and by West Southerly The fourth the Towns-men of Pechora went ouer land into Iugoria to trade with the Inhabitants there and the Samoyeds The eleuenth Marmaduke Wilson said that he saw the Sunne but it was but the way of the Sunnes beames The thirteenth I saw the Sunnes beames my selfe but I could not see the Sun it selfe although I watched it very strictly The fourteenth it was snowie and stormie weather and continued so vntill the foure and twentieth day which was close weather also The fiue and twentieth being Christmas day I saw the Sunne and it rose at South and by West and set at South-west and by South it hauing the neathermost part of it all the way iust with the Horizon The sixe and twentieth it was stormy and snowy weather and so continued vntill the end of the moneth The second of Ianuarie the Sunne arose at South somewhat Westerly and set south-South-west a little Southerly it mounting a pretie height aboue the Horizon The fift William Pursgloue returned from Colmogro The eleuenth the Sunne arose at South by East by the Compasse and set at South-west and by West The twelfth there came a command from the Patriarch that there should bee a generall Fast both for young and old not exempting the sucking babes which began the thirteenth continuing three dayes space they neither eating nor drinking so much as water neither admitted they their sucking Babes saue those that fainted to whom they gaue a few Figs and a little water The nineteenth the Inhabitants of Pustozer that went into Iugoria returned from thence hauing had but an hard Voyage by reason of the Warres which the Samoyeds had amongst themselues so that they durst not goe into Molgomsey where they catch the most part of the Sables which come into Russia The three and twentieth came the Carratchey which is the chiefe of the Samoyeds but they had no commodities to speake of by reason of the Warres so that they neither durst trade with the Samoyeds of Molgomsey neither hunt for the Sables themselues which at other times they were wont to doe The thirtieth I had the chiefe Carratchey his sonne his sonnes sonne and his brothers sonne at Dinner and had some conference with him who told mee that they had seene ships in the Vaygats two yeeres one after another but they durst not bee seene of them but fled from them for the Russes told them that they would kill them or carrie them away prisoners Yet they seemed to be glad of our comming when they saw our behauiour and the entertaynment that they had of vs Neuerthelesse they are very timerous and vnreasonable couetous as by more acquaintance I perceiued by them The second of February the most part of the Samoyeds went to Slobodca with their commodities because in the Summer they had beene together by the eares with the Samoyeds of Callenose and had slayne one or two of them wherefore they went to agree with them and to pay ransome for some of their men that were taken afterwards The fifteenth the Sunne arose at South-east a little Southerly and set at West and by South Westerly The sixteenth the Sunne arose at
each Tent. This worke of pitching the Tents belongeth vnto the Women In the meane time the men vnyoake the Deere and turne them loose to digge through the Snow bee it neuer so deepe for their food and sustenance Then the Samoieds of euery Tent one out of the next Wood prouide as much Fuell as shall 〈…〉 turnes for their abode there First they set on Kettles full of Snow water which being melted they drinke thereof euery one a good draught then they seeth their Supper vsing as before Snow water melted for their Drinke Our lodgings were vpon the Snow within our Tents round about the Fire hauing vnder vs for our Beds the skinnes of Deere couered with our day apparell For all the time of our journey the Merchants whether Stranger Russe or Permac according to the number of them make prouision of Victuals to feed the whole familie in euery Tent euery man his day about together with the Samoieds their Wiues and Children who carrie all their Houshold euery where with them and out of their Sonnes and Daughters they appoint a watch ouer their Deere for feare of the Wolfe and other Beasts which notwithstanding their watch sometimes kill in a night one or two of their Deere as it fell out two nights in our journey to Slobotca This Slobotca is a pretie Towne hauing in December and Ianuarie great resort of people repayring thither as well Rich Russes out of many places with money to buy Furres as others with prouision of Meale and Malt and other Commodities to furnish the Pustozerits as also to buy Fish to wit Salmons Oyle of Bealugos Deere skinnes and Furres of them The tenth of Ianuary the Inhabitants of Pustozera returned from Trading with the Samoieds of Ougoria on which Iourney they set forward the fiue and twentieth of Nouember and within three dayes after came betwixt eight or nine hundred Samoieds with a small quantitie of their Commodities in respect of former yeeres by reason of Warre betweene the Samoieds of Ougoria and Molgomsey who were wont to Trade one with another and not to warre one against another So Sables and other Commodities being scant the inhabitants sold them very deare yet notwithstanding the Russes bought vp all striuing one to haue them before another So that after that little money which we had was bestowed wee could not doe any thing in barter Moreouer the Russes did not onely informe against vs to the Inhabitants to stirre them vp against vs but also vsed the like meanes to the Samoieds to disswade them from trading with vs either in their owne Countries or else-where alleadging that wee would betray them and not onely carrie them away to make them Slaues and robbe them but also would murther and destroy all the rest wheresoeuer wee should come The Inhabitants also of Pustozera being incensed by the Russes doubting wee would enter farther into their Trade Eastward began also to hinder and forbid the Samoieds to come to vs. Yet by meanes of our Hoast being a Polac borne we spake with diuers of the principall of the Samoieds hee being our Interpreter and wee our selues vnderstood certayne Samoieds speaking broken Russe and by these meanes we found out more at large the despitefulnesse of the Russes and the enuie of some of the Inhabitants against vs as also their feare least wee or any other Stranger should enter into further Discouerie of their trafficking toward the East but especially about the Riuer Ob. Some sayd we were sent as spyes to betray their Land to the Pole or the Swethen with whom they then had warre Some gaue counsell to put vs vnder the Water others aduised to set vs vpon the Sand where wee should haue beene without all doubt drowned in short space others thought best to send vs vp to the Nobilitie and to seaze on all our goods to the vse of the State But diuers of the best in the Towne with whom wee kept all friendship that possible we could withstood those bloudie practises The Lord therefore bee blessed The fifth of March the Inhabitants of Pustozer went againe to Slobotca carrying the Russes with their Commodities thither They returned home the eleuenth of Aprill 1612. The one and twentieth of Aprill water was first seene vpon the maine Riuer Pechora aboue the Ice descending from aboue Oust-zilma The twentieth of May the Ice brake vp The fiue and twentieth of May certayne of the Inhabitants of Pustozer went by water vnto Oust-zilma The sixe and twentieth Iosias Logan with our Hoast the Polonian hired a Boate and went toward Oust-zilma carrying with him certayne Cloath and Copper Kettles in hope to sell them well there being intreated in the Summer before by one of their Townesmen to come thither or to send one to Winter there alledging that they got great store of Losh-hydes Squirrels Sables and Beuers Which some yeeres indeed as we were credibly informed falleth out according to his report But at his arriuall there diuers of the Townesmen came against him and would not suffer him nor any of his Boate to Land for the space of ten houres but in the end they let him goe on shoare after as wee suppose the Inhabitants of Pustozer had bought most of their Commodities So that hee staying there two dayes could get but nine Losh-hydes and halfe a timber of course Sables in barter for some Cloath and Copper The principall cause of his going thither was to meete with some of the Permacks out of Permia who some yeeres come downe with Rie and Rie-meale and thought to haue giuen notice to those Permacks of our being at Pustozer and to haue willed them to haue perswaded their Countrey-men to bring thither the next Spring following all their Commodities being Waxe Honey Losh-hydes and Furres which they might doe for halfe the charge that they are at in bringing them to Archangell on the Riuer Duina Oust-zilma is a pretie Towne of some sixtie Houses and is three or foure dayes sayling with a faire wind against the streame from Pustozer but backe againe they may sayle it in two dayes The third of Iune came the first Russes in their Cayooks by Riuer out of Russia to Pustozer These Cayooks be small Boates of two tunnes hauing two men in each Boate. The twentieth of Iune nine Russe Coaches or Soymas passed by Pustozer from Oust-zilma for Molgomsey The one and twentieth sixe Russe Soymas more departed from Pustozer all the rest hauing giuen ouer their Voyage which came thither the Summer before 1611. The two and twentieth one Soyma belonging to the Towne of Pustozer departed for Molgomsey The three and twentieth and foure and twentieth the Inhabitants of Pustozer went to Fish for Bealugos vnder the Boluan being the highest Land neere vnto the Drie Sea and two dayes sayling from the Towne The fiue and twentieth I departed after them and arriued there the seuen and twentieth hoping
friends will kill three Deere to draw him in the new World and they will strangle a Slaue to tend on him The Deere they kill in this manner to serue the dead man they make a Stake sharpe which they thrust into the Beasts fundament with many howlings and cryings till they be dead The Master with the Slaue they burie the Deere they eate as well raw as boyled or roast although they vse all three If a young Child dye vnder foureteene of their yeeres which is seuen of ours they doe hang it by the necke on some Tree saying it must flie to Heauen If any Controuersie bee which cannot bee decided or the truth knowne then one of the two betwixt whom the Controuersie is must bee sworne which is in this manner they will make an Image of a Man of Snow bringing a Wolues nose deliuering a Sword to him that must sweare he rehearsing by name all his Friends desiring that they might all bee cut in peeces in that manner as hee doth cut that Image of Snow Then he himselfe doth cut the Image of Snow all to peeces with the Sword then after the Wolues nose being layd before him he desires that the Wolfe may destroy all his tame Deere and that hee may neuer more take or kill any wilde Deere after that if hee speake not the Truth so cutting the Wolues nose in peeces there is no more to bee sayd of that Controuersie The Samoit is stout and bold of Spirit not very tall but broad Brested broad Faces with hollow Eyes Their ordinary instruments for Warre are Bowes and Arrowes very dangerous they haue long Speares the heads bee made in Monganzey by another sort of Samoits and short Swords not much vnlike some that I haue seene brought from East India When they would know any thing to come they send for their Priest or Witch to conuerse with the Deuill sitting in one side of the Tent hauing before his face a peece of an old shirt of Mayle hung with Bels and peeces of Brasse in his right hand a great Tabor made with a Wolues skinne beating vpon the same with a Hares foot making a very dolefull sound with singing and calling for the Deuill to answer his demand which being ended they strangle a Deere for a Sacrifice making merrie with the Flesh. The Women be very hard of Nature for at their Child-bearing the Husband must play the Midwife and being deliuered the Child is washed with cold water or Snow and the next day the Woman able to conduct her Argish The Russes haue a yeerely Trade with the Merchants of Beghar at a place called Tumen in Tartarie whither they of Boghar come with Camels euery yeere From Tumen in Tobal in Siberia they come in foureteene dayes From Tobal they come to Beresoua in nine dayes all downe the Riuer Ob. From Beresoua partly by the Riuer Ob then ouer a necke of Land of halfe a mile ouer into the Riuer Ouse and downe the Riuer Ouse into the Riuer Pechora and so to Pustozera in three weekes At Pustozera the English haue Wintered three yeeres CHAP. XIII Diuers Voyages to Cherie Iland in the yeeres 1604. 1605. 1606. 1608. 1609. Written by IONAS POOLE WEe set sayle from London the fifteenth of Aprill 1604. in a Ship called the God Speed of sixtie Tunnes with thirteene Men and a Boy our Merchant was one Master Thomas Welden our Master was one Steuen Bonnit of Saint Catherins We arriued at Cola in Lapland the first of May where wee tarried till the last of the same Moneth at which time wee set sayle from Cola and went to an Harbour called Pechingo which lyeth betweene Cola and Ward-house In which Harbour of Pechingo we continued vntill the thirtieth of Iune At which time wee set sayle from thence and through contrarie windes and foule weather were put into Ward-house where we tooke in fresh water and stayed vntill the sixth of Iuly The same day the wind came Southerly and we steered away Northwest and by North about 56. leagues wee obserued the Sunne at twelue of the clocke at Noone and found our selues to be in 73. degrees 5. minutes of Northerly Latitude The seuenth of Iuly it was all day calme and wee sounded but had no ground in two hundred and fiftie fathoms The eight day we had little winde which was at South-east and foggie weather and at eight of the clocke at Night wee saw great flockes of Sea-fowles which we call Willockes some of these Fowles had each of them a small Fish in their bills and flew toward the North-west and by North. The other without Fish some of them flew contrarie to the former and some sate in the Sea very neere our Ship About twelue of the clocke at night we sounded and had ground at one hundred and twentie fathomes We steered away North-west and by North till foure of the clocke the eight day in the morning then it fell calme and as the ship lay still our Master spied a Morsse which came to our ship and swamme round about it While we were all gazing at this Monster I spied the Iland ten leagues off bearing North North-west halfe a point Westerly which shewed very high Land and much Snow vpon it The wind came to the North-east The ninth day wee came to an Anchor on the South South-east side in fiue and twentie fathomes streamie ground We â—oysed out our Boate and Master Welden went toward the Land but thinking to haue landed he could not because there went a great Sea and great store of Ice all along the shoares side Within one houre the Boate came aboard and they â—aid there were so many Fowles that they couered the Rockes and flew in such great flockes that they shewed like a Cloud While thus they were talking close by the Boate rose vpâ—n huge Morsse putting his head aboue the water looking earnestly at the Boate and made such an horrible noyse and roaring that they in the Boate thought he would haue sunke it The same day at eight of the clocke at night we weighed and stood away South-west and by South about foure miles where wee doubled the Southermost point of the Iland and found the Land to trend North North-west and all along the shoare some scattering Ice We sayled along the shoare finding seuenteene eighteene and sometimes twentie fathomes streamie ground with white shels We held this course till wee saw all the Northermost part of the Iland and being within three miles of it and about thirteene miles from the Point wee came round about it And some two miles from the Land we anchored in sixteene fathomes streamie ground We had not ridden one houre to an end but a great piece of Ice came directly with the tyde vpon vs and before wee could weigh it strooke the ship with such force that it hilded on the one side Assoone as it was past we went on shoare where wee found
at eight of the clocke at night the Souther part of Lofoote did beare South-east ten leagues off vs. The fiue and twentieth much wind at North-east with some snow and haile The first watch the wind came to the East a fine gale and so came to the North-east the second watch at foure of the clocke and freshed in And at eight of the clocke it grew to a storme and so continued At noone we obserued and made the ship to be in 67. degrees 58. minutes Wee continued our course South-west twelue leagues a watch At nine of the clocke Lofoote did beare East of vs 15. leagues off And we found the Compasse to haue no variation The wind increased to a storme The six and twentieth was a great storme at the North North-east and North-east Wee steered away South-west afore the wind with our fore-course abroad for wee were able to maintayne no more sayles it blew so vehemently and the Sea went so high and brake withall that it would haue dangered a small ship to lye vnder the Sea So we skudded seuenty leagues in foure and twentie houres The storme began to cease at foure of the clocke The seuen and twentieth indifferent faire weather but a good stiffe gale of wind at North and North North-east wee held on our course as before At noone wee obserued and found our heigth to be 64. degrees 10. minutes And wee perceiued that the Current had hindred vs in fortie eight houres to the number of 16. leagues to our best judgement We set our mayne-sayle sprit-sayle and our mayne-top-sayle and held on our course all night hauing faire weather The eight and twentieth faire weather and little wind at North-east we held on our course South-west At noone wee obserued the heigth and were in 62. degrees and 30. minutes The after-noone was little wind at North North-west The second watch it fell calme At foure of the clocke wee had sight of the Iles called Farre and found them to lye out of their place in the Sea Chart fourteene leagues to farre Westerly For in running South-west from Lofoote wee had a good care to our steerage and obseruations and counted our selues thirtie leagues off by our course and obseruation and had sight of them sixteene or eighteene leagues off The nine and twentieth faire weather sometimes calme and sometimes a gale with the wind varying at South-west and so to the North-east Wee got to the Ilands but could not get in So we stood along the Ilands The ebbe being come we durst not put in The thirtieth faire weather the wind at South-east and East South-east In the morning we turned into a Road in Stromo one of the Ilands of Farre betweene Stromo and Mugge-nes and got in by nine of the clocke for it flowed so there that day And assoone as we came in we went to Romage and sent our Boat for water and filled all our emptie Caskes with fresh water Wee made in end of our Romaging this night by ten of the clocke The one and thirtieth faire Sun-shining weather the wind at East South-east In the forenoone our Master with most of his Company went on shoare to walke and at one of the clocke they returned aboord Then we set sayle The first of Iune stilo nouo faire Sun-shining weather the wind at East South-east We continued on our course South-west and by West At noone wee obserued the Sunne and found our heigth to be 60. degrees 58. minutes and so continued on our course all night with faire weather This night we lighted Candles in the Bittacle againe The second mystie weather the wind at North-east At noone we steered away West South-west to find Busse Iland discouered in the yeere 1578. by one of the ships of Sir Martin Frobisher to see if it lay in her true latitude in the Chart or no wee continued our course as before all night with a faire gale of wind this night we had sight of the first stars and our water was changed colour to a white greene The Compasse had no variation The third faire Sun-shining weather the wind at North-east We steered on our course South-west and by West with a stiffe gale of wind At noone we obserued and found our heigth to bee 58. degrees 48. minutes And I was before the ship 16. leagues by reason of the Current that held vs so strong out of the South-west For it is eight leagues in foure and twentie houres We accounted our selues neere Busse Iland by mid-night we looked out for it but could not see it The fourth in the morning was much wind with fogge and raine Wee steered away South-west by west all the fore-noone the wind so increasing that wee were enforced to take in our top-sayle the winde continuing so all the after-noone Wee steered away South-west all the fore-part of the night and at ten of the clocke at night it was little wind and that was at South and so came vp to the South South-east The fift stormie weather and much wind at South and South by East so that at foure of the clocke in the morning we tooke in our fore-sayle and lay a try with our mayne corse and tryed away West North-west foure leagues But at noone it was lesse wind and the Sunne shewed forth and we obserued and found our heigth to be 56. degrees 21. minutes In the after-noone the wind vered to and fro betweene the South-west and the South-east with raine and fogge and so continued all night Wee found that our ship had gone to the VVestward of our course The sixth thicke hasie weather with gusts of wind and showers of raine The wind varied betweene East South-East and South-west wee steered on many courses a West South-west way The afternoone watch the wind was at East South-east a stiffe gale with myst and raine Wee steered away South-west by West eight leagues At noone the Sunne shone forth and we found the heigth to bee 56. degrees 8. minutes The seuenth faire sun-shining weather all the fore-noone and calme vntill twelue of the clocke In the after-noone the wind came to the North-west a stiffe gale We steered South-west by West and made a South-west way At noone we found the height to bee 56. degrees one minute and it continued all night a hard gale The eight stormy weather the wind variable betweene West and North-west much wind at eight of the clocke wee tooke off our Bonnets At noone the Sunne shewed forth and wee obserued and our height was 54. degrees 30. minutes The ninth faire sun-shining weather and little wind all the fore-part of the day vntill eleuen of the clocke Then the wind came to the South South-east and we steered away West South-west At noone we found our height to bee 53. degrees and 45. minutes and we had made our way South by West ten leagues In the after-noone the wind increased and continued all night at East North-east and East The
noone I found the height to bee 43. degrees 56. minutes This Eeuening being very faire weather wee obserued the variation of our Compasse at the Sunnes going downe and found it to bee 10. degrees from the North to the VVestward The seuen and twentieth faire sun-shining weather the winde shifting betweene the South-west and West and by North a stiffe gale we stood to the Southward all day and made our way South and by West seuen and twentie leagues At noone our height was 42. degrees 50. minuts At foure of the clocke in the after-noone wee cast about to the Northward At eight of the clocke we tooke in our top-sayles and our fore-bonnet and went with a short sayle all night The eight and twentieth very thicke and mystie and a stiffe gale of wind varying betweene South South-west and South-west and by VVest we made our way North-west and by VVest seuen and twentie leagues wee sounded many times and could get no ground At fiue of the clocke we cast about to the Southward the wind at South-west and by VVest At which time we sounded and had ground at seuentie fiue fathoms At eight wee had sixtie fiue fathoms At ten sixtie At twelue of the clocke at mid-night fiftie sixe fathoms gray sand The Compasse varyed 6. degrees the North point to the VVest The nine and twentieth faire weather we stood to the Southward and made our way South and by VVest a point South eighteene leagues At noone we found our height to bee 42. degrees 56. minutes wee sounded oft and had these 60.64.65.67.65.65.70 and 75. fathoms At night wee tryed the variation of our Compasse by the setting of the Sunne and found that it went downe 37. degrees to the North-ward of the VVest and should haue gone downe but 31. degrees The Compasse varyed 5. 1 â— degrees The thirtieth very hot all the fore-part of the day calme the wind at South South-east wee steered away VVest South-west and sounded many times and could find no ground at one hundred and seuentie fathomes VVe found a great current and many ouer-falls Our current had deceiued vs. For at noone we found our height to be 41. degrees 34. minutes And the current had heaued vs to the Southward fourteene leagues At eight of the clocke at night I sounded and had ground in fiftie two fathomes In the end of the mid-night watch wee had fiftie three fathomes This last obseruation is not to be trusted The one and thirtieth very thicke and mystie all day vntill tenne of the clocke At night the wind came to the South and south-South-west and South We made our way West North-west nineteene leagues Wee sounded many times and had difference of soundings sometimes little stones and sometimes grosse gray sand fiftie six fiftie foure fortie eight fortie seuen fortie foure fortie six fiftie fathomes and at eight of the clocke at night it fell calme and we had fiftie fathomes And at ten of the clocke we heard a great Rut like the Rut of the shoare Then I sounded and found the former Depths and mistrusting a current seeing it so still that the ship made no way I let the lead lie on the ground and found a tide set to the South-west and South-west by West so fast that I could hardly vere the Line so fast and presently came an hurling current or tyde with ouer-fals which cast our ship round and the Lead was so fast in the ground that I feared the Lines breaking and we had no more but that At mid-night I sounded againe and we had seuentie fiue fathomes and the strong streame had left vs. The first of August all the fore-part of the day was mystie and at noone it cleered vp We found that our height was 41. degrees 45. minutes and we had gone nineteene leagues The after-noon was reasonable cleere We found a rustling tide or current with many ouer-fals to continue still and our water to change colour and our sea to bee very deepe for wee found no ground in one hundred fathomes The night was cleere and the winde came to the North and North North-east we steered West The second very faire weather and hot from the morning till noone we had a gale of wind but in the after-noone little wind At noone I sounded and had one hundred and ten fathomes and our height was 41. degrees 56. minutes And wee had runne foure and twentie leagues and an halfe At the Sun-setting we obserued the variation of the Compasse and found that it was come to his true place At eight of the clocke the gale increased so wee ranne sixe leagues that watch and had a very faire and cleere night The third very hot weather In the morning we had sight of the Land and steered in with it thinking to goe to the North-ward of it So we sent our shallop with fiue men to found in by the shore and they found it deepe fiue fathomes within a Bow-shot of the shoare and they went on Land and found goodly Grapes and Rose trees and brought them aboord with them at fiue of the clocke in the Eeuening We had seuen and twentie fathomes within two miles of the shoare and we found a floud come from the South-east and an ebbe from the North-west with a very strong streame and a great hurling and noyses At eight of the clocke at night the wind began to blow a fresh gale and continued all night but variable Our sounding that wee had to the Land was one hundred eightie seuentie foure fiftie two fortie sixe twentie nine twentie seuen twentie foure nineteene seuenteene sometimes Oze and sometimes gray sand The fourth was very hot we stood to the North-west two watches and one South in for the Land and came to an Anchor at the Norther end of the Headland and heard the voyce of men call Then we sent our Boat on shoare thinking they had beene some Christians left on the Land but wee found them to bee Sauages which seemed very glad of our comming So wee brought one aboord with vs and gaue him meate and he did eate and drinke with vs. Our Master gaue him three or foure glasse Buttons and sent him on Land with our shallop againe And at our Boats comming from the shoare he leapt and danced and held vp his hands and pointed vs to a riuer on the other side for we had made signes that we came to fish there The bodie of this Headland lyeth in 41. degrees 45. minutes We set sayle againe after dinner thinking to haue got to the Westward of this Headland but could not so we beare vp to the Southward of it made a South-east way and the Souther point did beare West at eight of the clocke at night Our soundings about the Easter and Norther part of this Headland a league from the shoare are these at the Easterside thirtie twentie seuen twentie seuen twentie foure twentie fiue twentie The North-east point 17. degrees
in and found some in an hundred and odde fathomes of water The next day we weighed and stood to the East but before wee came heere we had put our selues to hard allowance as halfe a foule a day with the pottage for yet we had some meale left and nothing else Then they beganne to make triall of all whatsoeuer wee had â—layed our Fowle for they wil not pull and Robert Iuet was the first that made vse of the skins by burning of the Feathers so they became a great dish of meate and as for the garbidge it was not throwne away After we were cleere of these Ilands which lie out with two points one to the South-east and the other to the North making a Bay to the sight as if there were no way through we continued our course East South-east and South and by East to raise the Desolations from thence to shape our course for Ireland Thus we continued diuers dayes but the wind comming against vs made vs to alter our course and by the meanes of Robert Iuet who perswaded the company that they should find great reliefe in Newfound Land if our Country-men were there and if they were gone before we came yet should we find great store of bread and fish left ashoare by them but how true I giue God thankes we did not trie Yet we stood to the South-west and to the West almost to fiftie seuen degrees when by the will of God the winde came vp at South-west Then the Master asked me if he should take the benefit of this wind and shape his course for Ireland I said it was best to goe where we knew Corne grew and not to seeke it where it was cast away and not to be found Towards Ireland now wee stood with prosperous winds for many dayes together then was all our Meale spent and our Fowle restie and dry but being no remedie we were content with the Salt broth for Dinner and the halfe Fowle for Supper Now went our Candles to wracke and Bennet our Cooke made a messe of meate of the bones of the Fowle frying them with Candle-grease till they were crispe and with Vineger put to them made a good dish of meate Our Vineger was shared and to euery man a pound of Candles deliuered for a weeke as a great daintie Now Robert Iuet by his reckoning saith wee were within sixtie or seuentie leagues of Ireland when wee had two hundred thither And sure our course was so much the longer through our euill steeredge for our men became so weake that they could not stand at the Helme but were faine to sit Then Robert Iuet dyed for meere want and all our men were in despaire and said wee were past Ireland and our last Fowle were in the steep-tub So our men cared not which end went forward insomuch as our Master was driuen to looke to their labour as well as his owne for some of them would sit and see the fore-sayle or mayne-sayle flie vp to the tops the sheetes being either flowne or broken and would not helpe it themselues nor call to others for helpe which much grieued the Master Now in this extremitie it pleased God to giue vs sight of Land not farre from the place our Master said he would fall withal which was the Bay of Galloway and we fell to the West of the Derses and so stood along by the coast to the South-west In the end there was a joyful cry a sayle a sayle towards which they stood then they saw more but to the neerest we stood and called to him his Barke was of Fowy and was at anchor a Fishing he came to vs and brought vs into Bere Hauen Here we stayed a few dayes and delt with the Irish to supply our wants but found no reliefe for in this place there was neither Bread Drinke nor mony to be had amongst them Wherfore they aduised vs to deale with our Country-men who were there a fishing which we did but found them so cold in kindnesse that they would doe nothing without present money whereof we had none in the Ship In the end we procured one Iohn Waymouth Master of the Barke that brought vs into this Harbour to furnish vs with money which hee did and receiued our best Cable and Anchor in pawne for the fame With this money our Master with the helpe of Iohn Waymouth bought Bread Beere and Beefe Now as wee were beholding to Waymouth for his money so were wee to one Captaine Taylor for making of our contracts with Waymouth by whose meanes hee tooke a Bill for our Cable and Anchor and for the mens Wages who would not goe with vs vnlesse Waymouth wold passe his word for the same for they made shew that they were not willing to goe with vs for any wages Whereupon Captaine Taylor swore hee would presse them and then if they would not goe hee would hang them In conclusion wee agreed for three pound ten shillings a man to bring our Ship to Plimouth or Dartmouth and to giue the Pilot fiue pound but if the winde did not serue but that they were driuen to put into Bristow they were to haue foure pound ten shillings a man and the Pilot sixe pound Omitting therefore further circumstances from Bere Hauen wee came to Plimouth and so to an anchor before the Castle and from Plimouth with faire winde and weather without stop or stay wee came to the Downes from thence to Grauesend where most of our men went a shoare and from thence came on this side Erith and there stopped where our Master Robert Billet came aboord and so had mee vp to London with him and so wee came to Sir Thomas Smiths together Forasmuch as this report of Pricket may happely bee suspected by some as not so friendly to Hudson who returned with that Companie which had so cruelly exposed Hudson and his and therefore may seeme to lay heauier imputation and rip vp occasions further then they will beleeue I haue also added the report of Thomas Widhouse one of the exposed Companie who ascribeth those occasions of discord to Iuet I take not on mee to sentence no not to examine I haue presented the Euidence iust as I had it let the Bench censure hearing with both eares that which with both eyes they may see in those and these notes to which I haue first prefixed his Letter to Master Samuel Macham MAster Macham I heartily commend meâ— vnto you c. I can write vnto you no newes though I haue seene much but such as euery English Fisherman haunting these Coasts can report better then my selfe Wee kept our Whit sunday in the North-east end of Island and I thinke I neuer fared better in England then wee feasted there They of the Countrey are very poore and liue miserably yet we found therein store of fresh Fish and daintie Fowle I my selfe in an after-noone killed so much Fowle as feasted all our Companie being
But hee said almost not altogether that hee might not take away the migrations of the Nations then presently beginning after the yeere of the World 2500. wee doe not therefore tye the time wherein this further Europe began to bee inhabited to the yeere of the World 2500. But wee say that that troublesome time wherein the Nations and among them the Giants of Canaan were cast out of their places and dwellings and compelled to seek new habitations euen in Europe happened in this yeere as was proposed by vs in the beginning And that Europe receiued her Inhabitants from hence among the Ancient Procopius is my Author a Writer borne at Caesaria of Palaestina Collector of the worthy Acts of Iustinianus about the yeere of the Lord 530. who to proue this very thing alleageth diuers Writers of the Historie of the Phoenicians The words of Procopius are these in his fourth Booke of the Warres of the Vandalls not in one place only cited by D. Cythraeus out of the which among other things I gather mine opinion The Hebrewes saith Procopius after they returned out of Egypt and remayned still in the borders of Palaestina Moses who led them in their iourney dieth whom Iosua the sonne of Nun succeeded who also brought the people into Palaestina and shewing strength and courage far beyond the nature of man obtayned the Country whereby destroying Nations he easily vanquished many Cities seeming inexpugnable vnto all Then therefore all the Countrey vpon the Sea-coast from Sidon euen to the borders of Egypt was called Phoenicia ouer which one long since raigned as all witnesse who writ the ancient History of the Phoenicians here great multitudes of people dwelt the Gergasites Iebusites and others named in the Hebrew Volumes who when they saw the Armie of the strangers to be inexpugnable leauing their Country bounds went into Egypt next adioyning and there increasing in number and posteritie when they found not sufficient and conuenient place for so grat a multitude they entred into Africa where inhabiting very many Cities they possessed all that Coast euen vnto the Pillers of Hercules vsing the halfe Phoenician Tongue and Dialect and built the Towne Tingen in Numidia most strongly fortified in the situation thereof where two Pillers of white stone are erected neere the great Fountayne whereon in the Phoenician Language these Letters are ingrauen Nos sumus Cananaei quos fugauit Iesus Latro. For Iosua in the Hebrew is Iesus This Procopius writeth to which purpose the Historians of the Hebrewes are cited by Genebrand Iosua saith he partly expelled the Canaanites and partly slue them The remnant of these are reported to haue gone into Germany Sclauonia and the next adioyning Countreyes c. Into Seder Olam c. Also And surely in that Age that the whole West was emptie and vnpeopled saue that the Nations of the East came by little and little into the Countreyes thereof it appeareth by the often infusions This Genebrand writeth And Bodinus Method Hist. chap. 9. The Canaanites being cast out of the Land of Palaestina by the Hebrewes went into Illyricum and Pannonia to wit by those migrations and remoues which out of the place before alleadged by Procopius wee vnderstand as Rabbi Dauid Kimchi witnesseth at the end of Abdias The ancient Islander seeme to haue beene ordayned for great frugalitie wherein first their habitations or buildings are briefly to be touched next their food and manner of apparell and lastly the rest of the exercises of their common life For first as touching their habitations the Islanders haue followed the first and most ancient manner of dwelling To wit not by Cities and Townes but as Tacitus speaketh of the Germanes of his time they dwelt asunder as a Field as a Fountayne as a Wood as an Hill or Valley Shoare or Bay of the Sea pleased them Not only imitating here the example of the first Age of the World but also of the latter Age as the people of Athens and Laconia in the beginning dwelt by Villages as they write not together or by Cities and as in the time of Tacitus about the yeere of Christ 120. with the Germanes there was no vse of Mortar nor Tyles whereupon any man may rather judge the like concerning the Northerne World so nor after with the Islanders but they built their houses with Timber and Turffe Nor surely was it momentany worke which lasted but a while nor yet deformed in shew the walls were sometimes made only of Turffe sometimes of rough Stones adding Turffe in stead of Mortar which afterwards they couered with workmanship of plankes as also the raftering it selfe especially in more notable buildings And so you might see the Roofe with the walls before mature old age ouer-growne with greene grasse euery yeere for you must vnderstand that the Roofe and walls were couered with greene Turfe Windowes were made in the Roofe seldome in the walls and certayne Roofes not very high such as is reported the building of houses with the Easterne people was wont to be The Inhabitants had store of Timber cast vpon the shoare by the swelling of the waues of the Sea through the miraculous testimonie of Gods Prouidence considering their Woods at home yeelding plentie as I thinke only of Birches were not sufficient for their huge houses which yet were a great helpe also with those which the Inhabitants as oft as they would fetched out of bordering Norway and peraduenture also out of Groneland for the Islanders sayled yeerely to both a long time Euery one therefore had the houses of their Villages almost joyning together on their ground besides the stalls of their Herds seated some distance from the houses themselues Also certayne piles of fuell not altogether joyning together to auoid the danger of fire peraduenture also certayne store-houses which being solitary might better receiue the Ayre and drying winds Some maintayned their fires with home-growing Wood others with clammie Turfe as I thinke H. Iunius aptly calleth it whereof there are two kindes with vs the one soft and spongie growing vnder the superficies of the Earth which wee call Suâ—rdâ—r Another more thicke and therefore more weightie which peraduenture wee may very well call digged Turfe by the opinion of the same Iunius because it is taken out of the deepe Quarries or Mines digged a great depth out of the Earth And both kindes of Turfe but this much more must bee first baked with the Sunne and winde before it be fit to burne This latter kind we as also some of the Germanes call it Torff the inuentor whereof in the Orchades a certayne Orchadensian Duke is said to be one Einarus the Sonne of Ranguâ—aldus a Norwegian Duke of Mâ—re in the time of Pulcricomus King of Norway who was therefore called Torffeinarus He had a brother called Rolfuo whom Crantzius nameth Rollo who possessed part of France afterwards called Normandie of the Normans or Noruegians The Inhabitants chiefly wanted fewell to expell the
as was the Geographicall partition of the Iland it selfe mentioned before at the end of the first Chapter diuided into North East South and West quarter And againe they diuided the Fourths into Thirds except the North quarter For this as it was larger then the rest was parted into Fourths But these Thirds they subdiuided againe into their parts some Tenths and others somewhat otherwise For the which not finding a fit name I haue retayned the proper name of the Countrey that which with them is Hreppar wee may counterfeitly call Reppae vnto the which also we may imagine no vnapt Etymon from the word Repo For here was the first 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of them that executed any publike Office for equitie either of opinion and judgement and the equall ballancing of mindes to be preserued in the rest of the Magistrates worthily ought to begin there vnlesse any would rather thinke they had respect heere vnto Reeb that is to say Coards with the which the diuision was made after the most ancient manner of the Hebrewes themselues Euery Reppa regularly contayned twentie Inhabitants at the least for oftentimes it contayned more limited by a certayne increase of the wealth of their Family vnder which they might not be reckoned to the poorer Reppes to the richer they might Moreouer in euery Third as also in the Fourths of the North Tetrade which Iurisdictions in times past they called Pyng at this day also Syslu herad they appointed three more famous places consecrated to the Seat of Iustice and Iudgements besides also dedicated to Ethnicke Sacrifices which they call Hoff we call them Holy Places and Temples Euery Chappell after the manner of this Countrey was sumptuously built whereof wee reade of two of one hundred and twentie foot long One in the Iurisdiction of Washdall of North Island the other in Rialarnes of South Island and this surely sixtie foot broad Moreouer euery such holy place had a kind of Chappell adjoyning This place was most holy Heere stood the Idols and Gods made with hands vpon a low stoole or a certayne Altar about which the cattle which were to be sacrificed vnto them were orderly placed But the chiefe and middlemost of the Gods was Iupiter by them called Por from whom these Northerne Kingdomes yet call Thors day Thorsdagh The rest of the Gods were collateral vnto it whose certayne number and names I haue not heard Yet in the ancient forme of oath whereof mention shall be made hereafter three besides Thorus are specially noted by name Freyr Niordur and As whereof the third to wit As I thinke to be that famous Odinus not accounted the last among those Ethnicke Gods of whom I made mention before Synecdochically called As because hee was the chiefe of the people of Asia who came hither into the North for in the singular number they called him As which in the plurall they called Aesar or Aeser This Odinus as aforesaid for his notable knowledge in Deuillish Magicke whereby like another Mahomet hee affected a Diuinitie after his death was reckoned among the number of the Gods from whom at this day Wednesday is called Odens Dagur the day of Odinus whereupon peraduenture I shall not vnaptly call Odin Mercurie as Thor Iupiter Yet the ancients honoured Odin in the place of Mars and such as were slaine in the warres they say were sacrificed to Odin And the companions or Sonnes of Odin were Freyr and Nâ—ordur who through the same artes which their Father or Prince Odinus practised obtayned an opinion of Diuinitie I haue before aduertised you that chiefly in the North Countrey Kings after their death are honoured for Gods But the worshipping of them hath not yet come vnto the Islanders wherefore we will speake nothing of them in this place Before that seate of the Gods placed in the foresaid Temples stood an Altar erected couered aboue with Iron that it might not be hurt with fire which must bee continually there A Caldron also or brasen vessell was set vpon the Altar to receiue the bloud of the sacrifices with an holy water sticke or sprinkle to bedew the standers by with the bloud of the sacrifices Besides on the Altar a siluer Ring was kept or of copper of twentie ounces which being anointed with the bloud of the sacrifices they who executed any office pertayning to Iustice being now readie to take their oath religiously handled while they were sworne Foure-footed beasts for the most part were appointed for sacrifices to bee conuerted to the food of the Sacrificers Although in the meane space I finde a lamentable matter that the blinde Ethnicks in the foresaid place of Rialarnes vsed also humane sacrifices where at the doore of the Temple was â— very deepe Pit wherein the humane sacrifices were drowned which Pit was called Blotkellda from the Sacrifice Also in West Island in the Prouince of Thornsthing in the middle of the Market place there was a round circle into the which men appointed to be sacrificed to the Gods were gathered who being violently smitten against an exceeding great stone set there were cruelly slaine The indignitie whereof that stone is reported to haue declared many ages after by the bloudy colour which no shower of raine or water could euer wash away An abominable crueltie surely yet not wanting examples deriued euen from the most ancient times I omit those of later time and found in the neare bordering Countries as the humane sacrifices of the French whereof Cicero pro Fonteio speaketh and also the custome of nearer bordering Countries I doe not mention the Roman sacrifices among which Luperca Valeria appointed to be sacrificed was deliuered from present death by an Eagle Let the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and sacrificing of noble Virgins of the Greekes not be remembâ—ed with whom Helena was likewise freed from imminent perill of sacrificing by the benefit of an Eagle But who is it that can be ignorant of Benhennon or Gehennon of the Hebrewes and their crueltie farre greater then this exercised not vpon slaues or guiltie persons but euen vpon their dearest children Concerning which matter I thought good to set downe the wordes of Christoph. Adricomus Delphus Gehennon saith he was a place in the suburbs of Ierusalem ouer against the East vnder the Mountayne of Offence neare the Fish poole of the Fuller most pleasant like Tempe In this Valley stood a Pauilion and the brasen Idol of Moloch cunningly wrought in the shape of a King bâ—llow within whose head resembling a Calfe the other parts a man had armes stretched forth to sacrifice children who through the vehement heat of the Idol were burned amidst those cursed embracements For when by the fire put vnder in the concauity of the Idoll it became all fiery then the most wicked parents with incredible crueltie deliuered their dearest children to wit their Sonnes and Daughters to be burned within these detestable
carrie your selfe in the businesse for which you were so entertayned as God may be glorified our Countrey benefited your selfe credited and we in our desires satisfied And for your better instruction to proceed in this your Voyage we haue thought good to set downe our opinions what course wee thinke fit to be obserued in the same which is That forasmuch as by your owne report of the great store of Whales in those Seas wee are at an extraordinary charge this yeare of setting out a ship and men for that purpose which ship is called the Marie Margaret of London in burthen one hundred and fiftie tunnes or thereabout Our meaning is that you doe keepe company with the said ship and not to leaue her till God send you to the places where she may make her Voyage which by your report should be at a â—lace named by you the last yeare 1610. Whale Bay And God sending you to the said place we would haue you to stay there the killing of a Whale or two or three for your better experience hereafter to expedite that businesse if through extremitie of the Ice you should be put from your Discoueries And in the meane time while you are staying about killing of the Whale you may cause some of your people to bee searching the Coast with their Shallops for Whale finnes Morses teeth Ambergreese or any other commodities that may be found vpon that Coast. And hauing thus stayed a conuenient time with the said great ship for the purpose aboue specified wee would haue you then to proceed on your Discouerie for the satisfying of our expectations formerly mentioned which is to discouer further to the North Pole as farre as possibly you can and how the Land alreadie discouered doth trend and whether there be any inhabitants in the said Land and whether there be an open Sea to the Northward beyond the said land And in this your coasting the land we doubt not but you will endeauor with your Shallops to gather vp all the Whale finnes you can finde and to kill the Morses which you can come by on land and to reserue the teeth and blubber to the most aduantage that may bee the better to beare out the great charge which you know we are at in these Discoueries And to that end we haue laden in you eleuen Tunnes of emptie caske And hauing spent so much time in this your Discouerie and in gathering vp of such commodities as that Coast will affoord and as the season of the yeere will permit you then we would haue you returne for England and in your way homeward to touch at the place where you left the Mary Margaret to see if shee be not gone and finding her there and that the time of the yeere will permit wee would haue you melt your Blubber into Oile before your comming from thence to auoid the great trouble and inconuenience you know we fell into the last yeere 1610. by bringing the same hither in Blubber But if the said ship should chance to be full fished and so to be gone before your comming thither yet we would haue you stay there or at Cherie Iland some small time to melt your Blubber to which end we haue appointed Thomas Edge our seruant in that ship to leaue a Copper and such necessaries as shall serue your turne for the performing of that businesse behinde him and haue deliuered him likewise aduertisements at that place of their proceedings in the voyage and of their intent what course they purpose to take together with their opinions what course they would haue you take In these matters of Discoueries and vncertaine Voyages the varietie of occurrences and Sea dangers is such as we cannot directly prescribe a course certaine to be held yet we hold it fitting to set downe Our opinions of the needfull which are that at your first departure out of England you keepe counsell together and agree vpon your places of meetings if by tempast of weather you chance to bee separated still shaping your course directly for Chery Iland where we would haue you stay And if at your comming thither you finde the same cleere of Ice and that there be Morses on shoare then wee would haue you to worke vpon them as time and opportunitie will permit alway hauing respect to your intended voyage And hauing dispatched your businesse in that place wee would haue you depart in company together for The Whale Bay as aforesaid and to follow our instructions formerly set downe to be done in that place And hauing performed what may be done in the parts beyond Cherie Island and so returning backe againe for England we hold it fit you make your Rendezvous againe at the said Cherie Iland and there to stay the one for the other and to be killing of the Beasts there till the last of August if neede bee And if it happen that one ship doe arriue there before the other and no Morses come on shoare then wee would haue them spend the time in searching for the Lead Orâ— or any other Minerall matter that may be like to be of worth vpon the said Land And thus hauing stayed at Cherie Iland till the last of August the one for the other and not meeting together the ship so staying hauing made her Voyage wee would haue her to returne directly for England and to leaue a Note in writing of the day of her departure This is our opinion Notwithstanding if vpon better grounds you shall among your selues finde a conuenienter course to be held for the good of the Voyage and the benefit of vs the Aduenturers wee leaue it to your selues to agree vpon as time and opportunitie shall serue And for the auoyding of an Obiection heretofore vsed That the want of sufficient victuals hath beene the cause of the ouerthrow of the Voyages by speedier returne home then otherwise they would wee haue thought fit to set downe the quantitie of victuals deliuered aboord your ship in this our Commission to the intent to cleere our selues and our Agent of that imputation and to lay the blame on your selues if by default the same be euill husbanded The particulars are these Beefe 22. c 3. quarters 18li. Bisquit 30. c Beere 14. Tunnes Fish 200. of Haberdin and halfe an hundred Lings Cheese 300. c weight Butter three Firkins Oyle three Gallons Pease ten Bushels Oate-meale fiue Bushels Candels sixe dosen Aquavitae thirtie Gallons Vinegar one rundlet of twentie Gallons This proportion of victuals will last you seuen or eight moneths with good husbandry together with the hâ—lpes of Fish Fowle and Beasts that are to be had in abundance vpon those Coasts So that we hope you shall haue no cause to the contrary but cheerfully to goe forward in your businesse whereby not onely the small Barke you goe in but the great Ship may come home fully laden with one commoditie or other which we doubt not but by your diligence and good
to the shore with our Shallops and went on land but seeing in all places great abundance of broken Ice we lay close to the shoare and doubting that although perhaps with much adoe we might get about the point of the Beach yet should we still be pestered with Ice from proceeding any further we resolued to walke ouer land to the other side of the Beach where we saw a hill about foure miles distant from which we thought we should be satisfied how much further it was possible for vs to proceede so thither we trauailed where when we came wee saw a very faire Sound on the East side of the Beach which was open within but there lay very much Ice at the entrance of it which although it was extended more then halfe ouer Sound yet we doubted not but if we could get our Shallops about the Beach we should finde either one way or other to passe ouer the said Sound from the high land on the other side we should receiue very good satisfaction if the weather continued faire and cleare as now it was therefore we intended to make triall what we might do but before we returned we went down to the point of the Beach at the entrance of the Sound and there set vp a Crosse and nailed a sixe pence thereon with the Kings Armes This being done we returned to our Shallops and according to our late determination we rowed about the point of Red-beach and with many crooked windings amongst the Ice at length we got ouer Wiches Sound for so it is now named As soone as we were ouer on the other side about two leagues from Red-beach Master Baffin and I clambred vp a very high hill from whence we saw a point of land bearing East North-east by the ordinary Compasse eighteene or twentie leagues distant as I supposed Wee likewise saw another faire Sound to the Southwards of vs which was much pestered with Ice but we could not see the end of it Here vpon the mountaine wee set vp a Warelocke and then came downe againe with lesse labour but more danger then we had in getting vp by reason of the steepinesse thereof then we walked to the shoare side and there found many beach Finnes whereby I coniectured that Master Marmadukes men in his first discouery made in Anno 1612. had not beene vpon this land to search the Beaches for in all other places where we had beene heretofore we could finde nothing at all Now therefore we resolued to make further search alongst this shoare and to proceede with our Shallops so farre as we possibly could whereupon wee returned to our men againe whom we left with our Shallops where we first landed Hauing stayed here a while and obserued the latitude which I found to be 79. degrees 54. minutes we saw a Shallop come rowing towards the extreamest point of this shoare therefore we hastned towards them to see who were therein and found them to be Master Marmadukes men lately come from their ship the Harts-ease which they said they left at Sea amongst the Ice about a league from Red Beach here they were setting vp a Crosse which they said that they found there fallen downe and had beene formerly set vp in the time of Master Marmadukes first discouery by one Laurence Prestwood whose name I saw thereon engrauen with two or three names more and it had the date of the seuenteenth of August 1612. Vpon this Crosse they nailed the Kings Armes Here we parted from them and according to our former determination we proceeded some in the Shallops amongst the Ice and others on shoare till wee went about foure leagues further in which space we found many more Finnes and one paire of Morses teeth but now we found the Ice so close packt together that wee could not proceede any further with our Shallops wherefore Master Baffin and I intended to walke ouer land vntill we should be better satisfied how farre this Sound went in for wee could as yet see no end of it and it seemed to make a separation of the land so leauing our men here with the Shallops wee trauailed almost a league further till we came to the point of a sandie beach that shot into the Sound which was wonderfully stored with drift Wood in great abundance From this point we receiued such satisfaction as we looked for because we saw the end of the Sound which lies South in about ten leagues It hath in it a good harbour that is landlockt and doubtlesse it is a good place for the Whale-killing if it be not euery yeare as now it is pestered with Ice Here I saw a more naturall earth and clay then any that I haue seene in all the Countr but nothing growing thereupon more then in other places This Sound is that which formerly had and still retaineth the name of Sir Thomas Smiths Inlet Being thus satisfied we came backe againe to our Shallops and seeing no way but one we returned towards our Ship but before we could get to Red-beach there arose a very great storme from the East North-east after we had entered amongst the Ice in Wiches Sound so that we were separated the one Shallop from the other whereby our danger was the greater for whiles wee were both in company together the one might haue beene helpefull to the other when neede required and more easie it seemed to saue them both then being separated to keepe either of them from wracke but God who in his wonted mercie is euer ready to relieue the faithfull distressed did not onely so prouide that we met together againe and indeede were helpefull the one to the other otherwise I doubt the one Shallop had miscarried for she was in great danger but also deliuered vs safely out from amongst these perillous rockes of Ice which it was very hard to shuâ— and at the length brought vs into an open Sea where with as scant a saile as we could make we past swiftly before the winde the Sea comming diuers times ouer the sternes of our Shallops which wet our skinnes that had scarse any dry cloathes on before to keepe them warme by reason of a drizeling Snow which fell with the storme then we went aboord our Ship into the South harbour of Faire hauen the fift of August with one hundred and fiftie Beach finnes and one paire of Morses teeth giuing thanks to God for his blessing and mercifull deliuerance The ninth of August two ships of the Hollanders that were appointed for Northerne Discouery were seene thwart of Faire Hauen sayling to the Southwards The eleuenth of August we set sayle forth of Faire Hauen the winde at South South-west intending to make tryall if yet the Ice would admit vs to haue passage to the Northwards or the North-eastwards We held our course from Cape Barren North-east and by East till seuen a clocke at night at which time hauing runne eight leagues
from the shoare wee met with the Ice which lay East and by South and West and by North and bore vp alongst it to the Eastwards for the winde was now come to the North North-west then wee tackt about to the Westwards and plyed off and on close by the Ice till the thirteenth day at mid-night still expecting a change of the weathâ—â— that we might haue made some aduenture amongst the shatterd Ice for both on the twelfth and thirteenth day the winde blew hard at North and the weather was cold thicke and very winter-like with fall of snow this winde being so contrarie droue both the Ice and our ship to leewards towards the shoare so that wee were forced to put into Harbour againe and came to an Anchor the fourteenth day in the North Harbour of Faire Hauen where the Fleet of Hollanders lately rid at which time the Hartsease was there at an Anchor Now was the Land both Mountaynes and Plaines wholly couered with snow so that almost all mens mindes were possessed with a desire of returning for England But to preuent a sudden resolution for a homeward Voyage without further satisfaction I made motion that once againe we might goe forth with our shallops to see what alteration there might bee found alongst the shoare It fell out that I was to goe in one shallop for this purpose so I tooke with me eight men and went from our ship the fifteenth day of August We rowed to Red-cliffe Sound where we passed through much Ice that was newly congealed being thicker then an halfe Crowne piece of siluer notwithstanding we broke way through it and being ouer the Sound we had a cleere Sea againe then we proceeded to Red-beach where finding the shoare cleere of Ice which at my last being there was wonderfully pestered I conceiued good hope to finde passage to the furthest Land from thence in sight bearing East halfe a point Southerly nine or ten leagues distant to this end we put off from the shoare of Red-beach and rowed a league and more in an open Sea and then met with Ice which lay dispersed abroad and was no hinderance to our proceeding so that we continued rowing the space of sixe houres in which time we had gotten more then halfe way ouer but then we found the Ice to lye very thicke thronged together so that it caused vs much to alter our course sometimes Southward and sometimes Northwards and euen in this time when we thought wee stood in most need of cleere weather it pleased God to send vs the contrary for it beganne to snow very fast which made the Ayre so thick that we could not see to make choice of the most likely way for vs to passe therefore I thought good to stay here awhile hoping that ere long the weather would bee more agreeable to our purpose so a Grapnell being laid forth vpon an Iland off to hold fast our shallop a Tent was made of the shallops sayle to keepe the weather from vs and we remayned here fiue houres but finding no alteration in the constant weather I willed the men to take downe the Tent and with faire tearmes perswaded them that notwithstanding the wet weather it were good to be doing something to get ouer to the desired shoare where we might refresh our selues and haue fire to dry our wet clothes they seemed well content with this motion and so we rowed the space of foure houres more the Ice still causing vs to hold a South and South South-east course which carried vs further into Sir Thomas Smiths Inlet and put vs from the place where we wished to be The thicke snowie weather continued all this time which was very vncomfortable to vs all but especially to the men that rowed and as the snow was noysome to their bodies so did it also begin to astonish their mindes as I well perceiued by their speeches which proceeded vpon this occasion The snow hauing continued thus long and falling vpon the smooth water lay in some places an inch thicke being alreadie in the nature of an Ice compact though not congealed and hindred sometimes our shallops way this I say caused some of them not altogether without reason to say that if it should now freeze as it did that night when we came ouer Red-cliffe Sound we should be in danger here to be frozen vp Howsoeuer this search might bee a meanes to discourage the rest that considered not of such a thing till they had heard it spoken of yet true it is that I saw no likelihood by reason of the Ice how to attayne my desire at this time and therefore I bade them row toward the shoare of Red-beach againe where I intended to stay till the weather might happily be more conuenient So holding a West North-west course so neere as the Ice would suffer vs wee came to the East-side of Red-beach hauing beene eighteene houres amongst the Ice during all which time the snow fell and as yet ceased not When we had been here about an houre it began to cleere vp and the wind to blow hard at East which rather packt the Ice close together in this place then disperst it so that I was now out of hope to get any further then I had beene alreadie wherefore I returned toward our ship intending as I went to make a more particular Discouerie of Broad-bay and Red-cliffe Sound hoping that one place or other would afford some thing worthy of the time and labour When we were come to the West side of Red-beach it began to blow much wind where withall the Sea growing to be great all men aduised to passe ouer Broad-bay whilst the winde and weather would serue vs to sayle for they said it was like to be very foule weather so seeing that it was no conuenient time for coasting we came ouer the Bay to Point Welcome which I so named because it is a place where wee oftentimes rested when wee went forth in our shallops it is about foure leagues distant from the North end of Red beach At this point the Hollanders had set vp Prince Maurice his Armes neere vnto a Crosse which I had caused to bee set vp aboue a moneth before and had nayled a sixe pence thereon with the Kings Armes but the men that were with me went without any such direction from mee and pulled downe the said Princes Armes whilst I was gone vp a Mountayne to looke into the Sea if I could see any Ice and when I came downe againe they told me that the six pence was taken from the Crosse that I had set vp and there was another post set by it with the Hollanders Armes made fast thereon which they had pulled downe so because the six pence was taken away I caused one to nayle the Kings Armes cast in Lead vpon the Crosse which being done we rowed to the bottome of Red-cliffe Sound and as we coasted alongst the
as he sate in his Imperiall seat and the-also a famous Merchant of Netherland being newly come to Mosco who gaue him selfe out to be the King of Spaines subiect called Iohn de Wale was in like sort called for Some of the Nobilitie would haue preferred this subiect of the Spaniard before Master Horsey seruant to the Queen of England whereunto Master Horsey would in no case agree saying hee would haue his legges cut off by the knees before hee would yeelde to such an indignitie offered to his Soueraigne the Queenes Maiestie of England to bring the Emperour a present in course after the King of Spaines subiect or any other whatsoeuer The Emperour and the Prince Boris Pheodorowich perceuing the controuersie sent the Lord Treasurer Peter Iuanowich Galauyn and Vasili Shalkan both of the Counsell to them who deliuered the Emperour backe Master Horseys speech whereupon he was first in order as good reason admitted and presented the Emperour in the behalfe of the English Merchants trading thither a present wishing him ioy and long to raigne in tranquilitie and so kissed the Emperours hand he accepting the present with good liking and auouching that for his Sisters sake Queene Elizabeth of England he would be a gracious Lord to her Merchants in as ample manner as euer his Father had beene and being dismissed he had the same day sent him seauentie dishes of sundry kinds of meats with three carts laden with al sorts of drinks very bountifully After him was the foresaid subiect of the Spanish King admitted with his present whom the Emperor willed to be no lesse faithfull seruiceable vnto him then the Queen of Englands subiects were had been then the King of Spains subiects shold receiue fauor accordingly All these things thus in order performed prayses were sung in all the Churches The Emperour and Empresse very deuoutly resorted on foote to many principal Churches in the Citie and vpon Trinitie Sunday betooke themselues to a progresse in order of procession to a famous Monasterie called Sergius and the Trinitie sixtie miles distant from the Citie of Mosco accompanied with a huge armie of Noblemen Gentlemen and others mounted vpon goodly Horses with furniture accordingly The Empresse of deuotion tooke this iourney on foote all the way accompanyed with her Princesses and Ladies no small number her Guard and Gunners were in number twentie thousand her chiefe Counsellor or Attendant was a noble man of the bloud Royall her Vncle of great authoritie called Demetri Iuanowich Godonoua All this progresse ended both the Emperour and Empresse returned to Mosco shortly after the Emperour by the direction of the Prince Boris Pheodorowich sent a power into the Land of Siberia where all the rich Sables and Furres are gotten This power conquered in one yeere and a halfe one thousand miles In the performance of this warre there was taken prisoner the Emperour of the Country called Chare Sibersky and with him many other Dukes and Noble men which were brought to Mosco with a guard of Souldiers and Gunners who were receiued into the Citie in very honourable manner and doe there remaine to this day Hereupon the corrupt Officers Iudges Iustices Captaines and Lieutenants through the whole Kingdome were remooued and more honest men substituted in their places with expresse commandement vnder seuere punishment to surcease their old bribing and extortion which they had vsed in the old Emperours time and now to execute true iustice without respect of persons and to the end that this might be the better done their lands and yeerly stipends were augmented the great taskes customes and duties which were before laid vpon the people in the old Emperours time were now abated and some wholly remitted and no punishments commanded to be vsed without sufficient and due proofe although the crime were capitall deseruing death many Dukes and Noble men of great Houses that were vnder displeasure and imprisoned twentie yeeres by the old Emperour were now set at libertie and restored to their lands all prisoners were set at libertie and their trespasses forgiuen In summe a great alteration vniuersally in the gouernment followed and yet all was done quietly ciuilly peaceably without trouble to the Prince or offence to the Subiect and this bred great assurance and honour to the Kingdome and all was accomplished by the wisedome especially of Irenia the Empresse These things being reported and carried to the eares of the Kings and Princes that were borderers vpon Russia they grew so fearfull and terrible to them that the Monarch of all the Scythians called the Crim Tartar or great Can himselfe named Sophet Keri Alli came out of his owne Countrie to the Emperour of Russia accompanied with a great number of his Nobilitie well horsed although to them that were Christians they seemed rude yet they were personable men and valiant their comming was gratefull to the Emperour and their entertainment was honourable the Tartar Prince hauing brought with him his wiues also receiued of the Russe Emperour entertainment and Princely welcome according to their estates Not long after one thousand and two hundred Polish Gentlemen valiant Souldiers and proper men came to Mosco offering their seruice to the Emperour who were all entertayned and in like sort many Chirkasses and people of other Nations came and offered seruice And as soone as the report of this new created Emperour was spred ouer other Kingdomes of Europe there were sent to him sundrie Ambassadors to wish him ioy and prosperitie in his Kingdome thither came Ambassadors from the Turke from the Persian the Bogharian the Crim the Georgian and many other Tartar Princes There came also Ambassadors from the Emperour of Almaine the Pole the Swethen the Dane c. And since his Coronation no enemie of his hath preuailed in his attempts It fell out not long after that the Emperour was desirous to send a message to the most excellent Queene of England for which seruice he thought no man fitter then Master Ierome Horsey supposing that one of the Queenes owne men and subiects would bee the more acceptable to her The summe of which message was That the Emperor desired a continuance of that league friendship amitie and intercourse of traffique which was betweene his Father and the Queenes Maiestie and her Subiects with other priuate affaires besides which are not to bee made common Master Horsey hauing receiued the Letters and Requests of the Emperour prouided for his iourney ouer Land and departed from Mosco the fift day of September thence vnto Otuer to Torshook to great Nouogrod to Vobskie and thence to Nyhouse in Liuonia to Wenden and so to Riga where he was beset and brought forthwith before a Cardinall called Rageuil but yet suffered to passe in the end From thence to Mito to Golden and Libou in Curland to Memel to Koningsburgh in Prussia to Elbing to Dantzike to Stetine in Pomerland to Rostock to Lubeck to Hamborough to Breme to Emden and by
fidelitie and for keeping their oath alreadie giuen Therefore after many circumstances they inferred that they would presently send their Messengers to the generall Parliament but mooued with the perswasion of the honorable Lord Generall to wit that his Maiestie would bee contented with their fidelitie once made and performed vnder oath and with their griefe for the same cause and will cheerefully forgiue them and doth not refuse to giue his Sonne to raigne ouer them Adding withall that many Kingdomes to wit the Kingdome of Hungarie the Kingdome of Bohemia and a great part of Russia doe earnestly request that he would receiue them vnder the happy gouernment of his Maiestie that they might enioy the priuiledges of Poland and Litow to which none in the whole world can be compared But because his Excellent Maiestie as a Christian Lord reiecting all other Kingdomes and Dominions will graciously receiue vnder his Rule and gouernment the said Dominions and that he is sorry for their destruction he therefore now admonisheth them if they will bee vnder his prosperous Rule and enter into an vnion together with the Kingdome of Poland and the great Duchy of Litow and liue friendly with them if they will performe and consent therevnto His Excellent Maiestie promiseth to remit their offence and to receiue them vnder his happy gouernment and authoritie and refuseth and by no meanes will alter or change their faith and conscience or places dedicated vnto God or builded for deuotion neither will impose on them any other Religion or alter their ancient Manners or Customes but will bestow on them priuiledges and offices and that the Rights and Priuiledges which the Poles with the great Duchy of Litow doe enioy shall be conferred on them and that they shall be equalled with the Kingdome and great Duchy of Litow c. which iurisdictions and priuiledges in former times their Predecessors wanted For this perswasion therefore of the honourable Lord Generall which he had in charge from his Maiestie to make they yeeld all thankes but notwithstanding they propound and plainly adde that their oath shall be so that his Maiesties sonne shall succeed in their gouernment with certaine additions to wit that they will haue none other ouer them but onely his Maiesties sonne and that the whole Land doth make it knowne and propound their iudgement and sentence by way of denunciation that by no meanes but by offering his Maiesties sonne these troubles of Moscouia can be extinguished Adding withall that at that time in the first troubles when the honourable Lord Generall came into the Country of Moscouia and required the oath for the Kings Maiesties sonne if his Maiestie had made any mention thereof it is certaine that the Commons and all the Nobilitie would not haue consented thereunto by any meanes and that greater effusion of bloud had risen thereupon And that they had taken for their Prince Klutzinsky called the Wor to whom all were not assembled who also at that time had a great power of men as well of Poles as Russes and Litowes They therefore seeing the great discord amongst the people taking counsell did freely choose for their Lord and Emperour his Excellent Maiesties sonne vnto whom they had a great affection and who had a long time before layen in their hearts assuring themselues also that by this election of his Maiesties sonne many troubles and dissentions would be pacified and so reiected the aforesaid Wor Klutzinsky As also they receiued into their chiefe Citie the chiefe Generall But when it was heard that his Excellent Maiestie would by no meanes giue vnto them his sonne for their Lord and to rule ouer them they fell into such effusion of bloud and insurrections As also the same time the whole Country of Moscouia looked and expected nothing else then his Maiesties sonne Calling to memorie for their better aduice that it was to be feared least whilest his Maiestie came too late with his sonne diuers parts of the Land should choose vnto themselues seuerall Lords As to the Southward the Castles Strachen and others to the King of Persia part of Pomerland and Siberia to the Kings of Denmarke and England Nouogrod Plesco Iuanogrod and others to the King of Sweden and that the other Cities would choose to themselues other Lords separate from the rest In the meane season they desire his Excellent Maiestie to make a speedy end of these warres according to his Obligation and promise ratified by the oath of the honorable Lord Generall and the whole Armie and that his Maiestie himselfe with his sonne would come into Moscouia They request also that his Excellent Maiestie would retayne with himselfe and his Sonne Counsellors and Messengers of their Commonwealth for the ordayning and concluding of perpetuall Conditions They request also that his Maiestie in the name of his Sonne would send vnto all the Inhabitants of the Townes and write vnto the seuerall Cities signifying his comming into their Dominions and willing that out of the seuerall Prouinces all sorts of men send their Messengers to treate and conclude of the affaires of all sorts of People and of peâ—petuall tranquillitie Promising after the said Charge and Letters to all people in generall and notifying from their said Lord that by Gods grace there may bee throughout the whole Land of Moscouia tranquillitie peace and securitie To conclude they pray heartily vnto the Lord God to grant vnto his Maiestie in this businesse begun a prosperous and speedy end Thus haue wee seene dissolute resolutions or resolute dissolutenesse men onely constant in inconstancy resolued vpon irresolution As we often see sicke persons turning euery way and no way eased in the night time longing for day and in the day for night such was now the Russian sicknesse they would and they would not and yet would againe and againe would not they scarsly knew what or why fluctuating in an inward storme of diuersifyed hopes feares desires distracted affections no lesse then in that outward broile of State For it was not long that they looked toward Poland whether for breach of conditions of that part or out of inueterate hate to the Pole or their Nationall iealousie and distrust of Strangers or a naturall inconstancy they fell off from that Prince and their Chancellor Father to the now raigning Emperour employed there with others in Embassage were detayned thereupon prisoners It is also reported that they made secret ouertures to His Maiestie of Great Britaine and that Sir Iohn Merick and Sir Willam Russel were therein employed but the strong conuulsions and sharpe agues and agonies of that State could not or would not endure the lingring of such remote pâ—isicke the wheele of Things being whirled about before such a Treatie might admit a passage of Messengers to and fro Once that Russian Head grew so heady and giddy that at last it bred innumerable Heads yea the whole Body became Heads in the worst of tyrannies a popular
the Hauen of Saint Iohn the third day of August written in haste 1527. By your seruant Iohn Rut to his vttermost of his power I haue by me also Albert de Prato's originall Letter in Latin stile almost as harsh as the former English and bearing the same date and was indorsed Reuerend in Christo Patri Domino Domino Cardinali Domino Legat◠Angliae and began Reuerendissime in Christo Pater salutem Reuerendissime Pater plaeceat Reuerendissima peternitati vestra scire Deo fauente post quam exiuimus à Plemut quae fuit x. Iunij c. the substance is the same with the former and therefore omitted Datum apud le Baya Saint Iohan in Terris Nouis die x. Augusti 1527. Reuer Patr. vest humilis seruus Albertus de Prato the name written in the lowest corner of the sheet The voyage of Captaine GEORGE WEYMOVTH intended for the discouerie of the North-west Passage toward China with two flye Boates. ON Sunday the second day of May 1602. in the afternoone I weighed anchor and set saile from Redcliffe with two Fly-boates the one called the Discouery of seuentie Tunnes and the other called the God speed of sixtie Tunnes to discouer the North-west passage hauing in my ships fiue and thirtie men and boyes throughly victualled and abundantly furnished with all necessaries for a yeere and an halfe by the right Worshipfull Merchants of the Moscouie and Turkie Companies who for the better successe of the voyage prouided mee of a great trauailer and learned Minister one Master Iohn Cartwright The Master vnder mee in the Discouerie was one William Cobreth a skilfull man in his profession and in the God speed one Iohn Drewe and Mate in the said ship one Iohn Lane The first of Iune we descried Buquhamnes in the Latitude of 57. degrees The second day we saw the Point of Buquhamnes North-west from vs being a very smooth land and the land by it to the Southward riseth with many Homocks There lyeth a ledge of Rockes hard by the Nesse in a sandie Bay faire by the shore When we came neer the land we met with a fisher Boat and I agreed with one of the fisher men to carry me betweene the Isles of Orkney because I was not acquainted with the coast The fourth day at ten of the clocke wee descried the Isles of Orkney Some of those Southerne Ilands are prettie high land but the Northerne Iland which is called the Start is very low land There is no danger giuing the shore a good birth vnlesse it be by the Norther point of the Start there doth a ledge of Rockes lye a mile from the shoare At noone I found my selfe to be in the latitude of 59. degrees and 30. minutes the point of the Start bearing West and at one of the clocke in the afternoone we saw a faire I le which bare North-east and by North from vs and at eight of the clocke at night wee were North of the Start Then I directed my course West and by North. The fifth day about ten of the clocke in the morning we ranne some tenne leagues and then we saw two small Ilands some two leagues off and at eight and nine of the clocke we saw foure or fiue Boats of Fisher-men and spake with one of them and they were Scottish-men The sixt in the morning fell much raine and lasted till nine of the clocke and at ten of the clocke it cleared vp and became very faire weather and very temperate and warme and our course was West The seauenth the winde was at East and by North faire weather and our course West The eight at noone I obserued the Sunne and found vs to be in 59. degrees and fortie seuen minutes and we ran West South-west The twelfth day we held our course West the winde at East North-east with fogge in the morning at noone I obserued the Sunne and found my selfe in 57. degrees and 55. minutes the variation here was nothing at all The thirteenth at noone our course was West and by North the winde at North-east with fogge some three or foure houres and then cleare againe the ayre very warme as in England in the moneth of May. The foureteenth was faire weather and the winde at East North-east and our course West and by North. The fifteenth much raine all the forenoone our course West the winde at East and by North. The sixteenth the winde was at North North-east with much raine winde and fogge In the forenoone being very cold and at noone I obserued the Sun and found vs to be in 57. degrees and 35. minutes we found the variation to be eleuen degrees Westward and by that meane I found my selfe to be one degree more to the Southward then we should haue bin by our course for we could not see the Sunne in 96. houres before this day at noone and at our last obseruation before this which was the twelfth day we could not finde any variation at all Then we stood close by a winde to the Westward the winde being at North North-east The seauenteenth wee ranne North and by West the winde at North North-east faire weather This day we saw many gray Gulles and some Pigions The eighteenth at noone I obserued the Sunne and found our selues to be in the latitude of 59. degrees and 51. minutes And then we first descried a great Iland of Ice which lay North from vs as farre as we could ken it from the head of our maine topmast and about two of the clocke in the afternoone we saw the South part of Groneland North from vs some ten leagues As we coasted this Ice to the Northward we found it to be a maine banke of Ice for we saw the other end of it to beare West North-west from vs the winde being at South South-west little winde Then we ranne West South-west to cleere vs of the Ice The nineteenth the winde was at East South-east with some small raine The twentieth our course was West North-west the winde being at North and by East little winde This day sometimes we came into blacke water as thicke as puddle and in sailing a little space the water would be cleare againe Seeing this change of water so often to be thick and cleare againe so suddenly we imagined it had beene shallow water then we founded and could fetch no ground in one hundred and twenty fathomes and the Sea was so smooth that we could discerne no current at all At this time I reckoned the Cape of desolation to beare North North-east twentie foure leagues from vs. The one and twentieth the winde was variable The two and twentieth we were in the latitude of 60. degrees and 37. minutes the winde being at West wee ranne North and by West The seauen and twentieth the winde was at West South-west then our course was North-west and by North the weather faire and warme as in England in
neerer the Land so that wee iudged our selues three leagues off Here we sounded againe and had but eightie fathoms The variation of the Compasse we found to be 22. degrees and 10. minutes Westward At fiue of the clocke there sprung vp a fine gale of winde at East South-east and being so neere night wee stood to the Southward thinking the next day to seeke some harbour But it pleased God the next day being the twelfth to send vs a storme of foule weather the winde being at East and by South with fogge so that we could by no meanes get the shoare Thus wee were forced to beate vp and downe at Sea vntill it should please God to send vs better weather The foureteenth I thought good to stand to the Westward to search an Inlet in the latitude of 56. degrees I haue good hope of a passage that way by many great and probable reasons The fifteenth the winde continued at the South with exceeding faire weather and our course was West We were this day at noone in the latitude of 55. degrees and 31. 〈…〉 I found the variation to be 17. degrees and 1â— minutes to the Westward And about seuen of the clocke at night we descried the Land againe being tenne leagues to the Eastward of this Inlet This Land did beare from vs South-west some eight leagues off and about nine of the clocke the same night the winde came to the West which blew right against vs for our entring into this Inlet The sixteenth the winde was at West North-west and was very faire weather and our course South-west about nine of the clocke in the forenoone we came by a great Iland of Ice and by this Iland we found some peeces of Ice broken off from the said Iland And being in great want of fresh water wee hoysed out our Boates of both Shippes and loaded them twice with Ice which made vs very good fresh water This day at noone wee found our selues to be in the latitude of 55. degrees and twentie minutes when we had taken in our Ice and Boates the weather being very faire and cleare and the winde at West North-west we bent our course for the Land and about three of the clocke in the afternoone we were within three leagues of the shoare It is a very pleasant low Land but all Ilands and goodly sounds going betweene them toward the South-west This Land doth stand in the latitude of 55. degrees and I found the variation to be to the West â—8 degrees and 12. minutes This coast is voide of Ice vnlesse it be some great Ilands of Ice that come from the North and so by windes may be â—riuen vpon this chast Also we did finde the ayre in this place to be very temperite Truely there is in three seuerall places great hope of a passage betweene the latitude of 62. and 54. degrees if the fogge doe not hinder it which is all the feare I haue At sixe of the clocke wee being becalmed by the shoare there appeared vnto vs a great ledge of roâ—kes betweene vs and the shoare as though the Sea did flye ouer it with a great height As we all beheld it within one houre vpon a sudden it vanished cleanâ— away which seemed very strange vnto vs all And to the Eastward of vs some two leagues we saw a great Rocke lying some three leagues off the Land we then supposing it to be shoald water by this broken ground sounded but could get no ground in one hundred and sixtie fathoms About seuen of the clocke there sprung vp a gale of windâ— by the South South-east which was a very good winde to coast this Land But the seuenteenth in the morning the winde being at the South it began to blow so extreamely that we durst not stay by the shoare for it was like to be a great storme then our course was East North-east to get vs Sea roome This storme still increasing our slye-boates did receiue in much water for they wanted a Sparre-decke which wee found very dangerous for the Sea About twelue of the clocke at noone this day there rose vp a great showre in the West and presently the winde came out of this quarter with a whirle and taking vp the Sea into the ayre and blew so extreamely that we were forced alwayes to runne before the Sea howsoeuer the winde did blow And within twelue houres after this storme beganne the Sea was so much growen that we thought our flye Boates would not haue beene able to haue endured it The eighteenth the winde was at North-west and the storme increased more extreame and lasted vntill eight of the clocke in the morning of the nineteenth day so furious that to my remembrance I neuer felt a greater yet when we were in our greatest extremities the Lord deliuered vs his vnworthy seruants And if the winde with so great a storme had bin either Northerly or Southerly or Easterly but one day we had all perished against the Rocks or the Ice for wee were entred thirty leagues within a Head-land of an Inlet in the latitude of 56. degrees But it pleased God to send vs the winde so faire as we could desire both to cleare our selues of the Land and Ice Which opportunitie caused vs for this time to take our leaues of the coast of America and to shape our course for England The fourth in the morning wee descried the Iland of Silly North-east and by East some foure leagues off vs. Then wee directed our course East and by North and at tenne of the clocke in the forenoone wee descried the Lands end and next day were forced to put into Dartmouth CHAP. XIV IAMES HALL his Voyage forth of Denmarke for the discouery of Greeneland in the yeare 1605. abbreuiated IN the name of God Amen we set sayle from Copeman-hauen in Denmarke the second day of May in the yeare of our redemption 1605. with two Shippes and a Pinnace The Admirall called the Frâ—st a shippe of the burthen of thirty or fortie lasts wherein was Captaine and chiefe commander of the whole Fleet Captaine Iohn Cunningham a Scottish Gentleman seruant vnto the Kings Maiestie of Denmarke my selfe being principall Pilot. The Lyon Viceadmirall being about the foresaid burthen wherein was Captaine one Godscâ—â—â— Lindenose a Danish Gentleman and Steereman of the same one Peter Kilsâ—n of Copeman-hauen The Pinnace a Barke of the burthen of twelue Lasts or thereabouts wherein was Steereman or commander one Iohn Knight my Countrie-man So setting sayle from Copeman-hauen with a faire gale of winde Easterly wee came vnto Elsonure where we anchored to take in our water The third day we tooke in our water at which time the Captaines my selfe with the Lieutenants and the other Steeremen did thinke it conuenient to set downe certaine Articles for the better keeping of company one with another to which Articles or couenants wee were all seuerally sworne setting thereunto our
very good Sound hard by the Vre in sixteene fathoms at the mouth of Cunninghams Foord about fiue of the clocke There came presently foure of the Countrie people vnto vs after their old accustomed manner This euening about sixe of the clocke the Vrin anchored by vs. This night the Admirall my selfe and Captaine Browne went on Land to see the Myne of siluer where it was decreed that we should take in as much thereof as we could On Sunday the third of August the Sauages seeing our curtesie toward them bartered Seales skinnes and Whales finnes with vs which being done wee went to our Boat and rowing away three of them taking their Boats rowed with vs vp the Foord calling to other of the people telling them and making signes to vs of our dealing towards them Then they also came to vs and bartered with vs for old Iron and Kniues for Seales skinnes and coates made of Seales skinnes and Whales finnes and rowed still all with vs. In the end hauing rowed fiue or sixe leagues vp the Foord and seeing it to bee but a Bay wee returned alongst many greene and pleasant Ilands where wee found good anchoring the people still followed vs to the number of fiue and twentie persons till about sixe of the clocke when it fell thicke with some raine and the winde being Southerly wee rowed in among the Sounds at which time they went from vs wee rowing our Boat to one of the Ilands went to supper And hauing supped wee rowed some three leagues vp an other Foord where we found very shallow water in which place we stayed with our Boat all that night The fourth day in the morning about three of the clocke wee returned to our ship againe with a gale of winde Southerly being somewhat thicke and raynie weather sayling by the Land among the Ilands till we came three leagues to the Northwards of Queene Sophias Cape when going without the Ilands wee met with a very high Sea so that wee had much to doe but by the prouidence of Almightie God the Boat was preserued from being swallowed vp of the Sea In the end wee got againe among the Ilands and so about noone wee came to our ships The fift day some of our men went on Land among the Mountaines where they did see reine Deere The sixt day I casting about stood into the shoare South-east till wee had brought Ramels Foord East and by North off vs bearing roome for the same Foord There goeth a very hollow Sea betweene the Ilands of the Kings Foord and Ramels Foord The winde being somewhat still wee towed on head with our Boats till wee came thwart of a Bay in which I was in the Vrins Boat which I named Fos Bay after the name of Philip de Fos Pilot of the Vrin. But the Admirals wilfulnesse was such that I could by no meanes counsaile him therein though night were at hand but hee would goe vp the Foord till wee came on the starboord side of the Foord to sixe and twentie fathomes sandie ground The Vrin let fall anchor by vs but the winde comming off the Land our Captaine and Companie being so obstinate and willfull that I could by no meanes get them to worke after my will the ship draue into the midfoord where wee could haue no ground at an hundred fathoms till the Tyde of flood came when the flood set the ship to the shoare but I laying out a Cage-anchor got the ship off and setting our foresaile stood for another roade vp the Riuer The eight day about foure in the morning wee came to an anchor in twentie fathomes sandie ground hauing very faire shoalding within vs. About noone the Vrin came and anchored by vs. It floweth in this Riuer South-east and North-west and it standeth in the latitude of 66. degrees and 25. minutes The ninth in the morning our Captaine with the Captaine of the Vrin went with their Boates vp the Riuer where they did come to see their winter houses which were builded with Whales bones the balkes being of Whales ribbes and the tops were couered with earth and they had certaine Vaults or Sellers vnder the earth foure square about two yards deepe in the ground These houses were in number about some fortie They found also certaine Graues made vp of stones ouer the dead bodies of their people the carkasses being wrapped in Seales skins and the stones laid in manner of a Coffin ouer them This day in this place we set a man on Land which had serued our Captaine the yeer◠before which for a certaine fault committed by him our Captaine left behinde in the Countrie About noone our men came aboord againe and after Dinner some of the people came vnto vs of whom wee caught 〈◊〉 with their Boates and stowed them in our ship◠to bring them into Denmark◠to enforme our selues better by their meanes of the state of their Countrie of Groineland which in their owne language they call Secanunga and say that vp within the Land they haue a great King which is carried vpon mens shoulders The tenth of August in the morning the winde being at East South-east we weighed and came forth of Rombes Foord but being come forth to Sea amongst the Ilands the winde came vp to the South-west and by South the Sea going maruellous high we lying West and West and by North to Sea doubling certaine Ilands and Rocks Where the Sea going so wonderfull high had set vs vpon the Rocks where we had all dyed if God of his mercy 〈◊〉 that instant when wee saw nothing before our eyes but present death had not sent vs a great gale of winde at South South-west whereby wee lay West North-west away with a flawne sheat wee doubling of the Ilands and Rocks were forced to goe betweene certaine little Ilands which lye off Queene Sophias Cape foure leagues into the Sea The which Ilands I named the yeere before Knights Ilands after the name of Iohn Knight So hauing passed these Ilands not without great danger was found betweene them many blinde Rock◠and being cleere in the Sea The thirteenth at noone we were in the latitude of 66. degrees 50. minutes being off Cape Sophia West and by North halfe westerly about sixteene leagues The eighteenth about foure in the morning we got cleere off the Ice steering South and by West away it being very thicke weather till noone when it cleered vp at which 〈◊〉 wee saw the shoare rising like Ilands being very high and stretching South and by East and North and by West about foure and twentie leagues the shoare being beset all full with Ice so that in that place it is impossible for any ship to come into the shoare Also of the Southermost of these two Capes lay such a great banke of Ice stretching into the Sea that wee were forced to lye West and by North to double the 〈◊〉 All this afternoone wee were almost
want of time to stay in the Countrey may bee some let yet they may well tarry till the last of August in which space much businesse may be done and good store of Oile made neuerthelesse if store of Whales come in as no feare to the contrarie what cannot bee made in Oile may bee brought home in Blubber and the Finnes will arise to good profit Another hinderance may bee because the bottome of the Sounds will not be so soone cleere as would be wished by meanes thereof now and then a Whale may be lost the same case sometime chanceth in Greenland yet I am perswaded those Sounds before named will all be cleere before the twentieth of Iuly for we this yeere were in Whale Sound the fourth day among many Whales and might haue strooke them without let of Ice Furthermore there is little wood to bee expected either for fire or other necessaries therefore Coles and other such things must bee prouided at home they will bee so much the readier there Thus much I thought good to certifie your Worship wherein I trust you will conceiue that much time hath not beene spent in vaine or the businesse ouer carelesly neglected and although wee haue not performed what we desired that is to haue found the passage yet what wee promised as to bring certaintie and a true description truth will make manifest that I haue not much erred And I dare boldly say without boasting that more good discouerie hath not in shorter time to my remembrance beene done since the action was attempted considering how much Ice we haue passed and the difficultie of sayling so neere the Pole vpon a trauerse and aboue all the variation of the Compasse whose wonderfull operation is such in this Bay increasing and decreasing so suddenly and swift being in some part as in Wostenholme Sound and in Sir Tho. Smiths Sound varied aboue fiue Points or 56. degrees a thing almost incredible and matchlesse in all the world beside so that without great care and good obseruations a true description could not haue beene had In fine whatsoeuer my labours are or shall be I esteeme them too little to expresse my thankefull minde for your many fauours wherein I shall be euer studious to supply my other wants by my best endeuours and euer rest at Your Worships command WILLIAM BAFFIN A briefe and true Relation or Iournall contayning such accidents as happened in the fift voyage for the discouerie of a passage to the North-west set forth at the charges of the right Worshipfull Sir Tho. Smith Knight Sir Dudly Digges Knight Master Iohn Wostenholme Esquire Master Alderman Iones with others in the good ship called the Discouerie of London Robert Bileth Master and my selfe Pilot performed in the yeere of our Lord 1616. IN the Name of God Amen The forenamed ship being in full readinesse vpon the twentie sixe of March we set saile at Grauesend being in number seuenteene persons hauing very faire weather which continued till the second of April by that time we were off Portland then the winde comming Westward with foule weather we kept Sea till the fourth day then being not able to fetch Plimouth bore roome for Dartmouth where wee stayed eleuen dayes in which time was much foule weather and westerly windes The fifteenth day of Aprill being cleere of Dartmouth we were forced the next day to put into Plimouth The nineteenth day we set saile from thence and the twentieth in the morning we past betweene the Lands end and Silly with a faire winde Continuing our course as in the briefe Table or Iournall is set downe with euery particular from noone to noone that here I need not make a tedious repetition nothing worthy of note hapning but that we had a good passage and the first Land we saw was in Fretum Dauis on the coast of Groinland in the latitude of 65. degrees 20. minutes On the fourteenth of May in the forenoone then sixe of the people being a fishing came to vs to whom we gaue small pieces of Iron they keeping vs companie being very ioyfull supposing wee had intended to come to anchor but when they saw vs stand off from shoare they followed vs a while and then went away discontented to our seeming We prosecuting our Voyage were loth to come to anchor as yet although the winde was contrarie but still plyed to the Northward vntill we came into 70. degrees 20. minutes then wee came to anchor in a faire Sound neere the place Master Dauis called London Coast. The twentieth of May at euening the people espying vs fled away in their Boates getting on Rocks wondring and gasing at vs but after this night we saw them no more leauing many Dogs running to and fro on the Iland At this place we stayed two dayes in which time wee tooke in fresh water and other necessaries here we had some dislike of the passage because the Tydes are so small as not arising aboue eight or nine foot and keepe no certaine course but the neerest time of high water on the change day is at a quarter of an houre past nine and the Flood commeth from the South The two and twentieth day at a North Sunne wee set saile and plyed still Northward the winde being right against vs as we stood off and on Vpon the sixe and twentieth day in the afternoone we found a dead Whale about sixe and twentie leagues from shoare hauing all her finnes Then making our ship fast wee vsed the best meanes wee could to get them and with much toile got a hundred and sixtie that euening The next morning the Sea went very high and the winde arising the Whale broke from vs and we were forced to leaue her and set saile and hauing not stood past three or foure leagues North-westward came to the Ice then wee tacked and stood to the shoare-ward a sore storme ensued By the thirtieth day in the afternoone wee came faire by Hope Sanderson the farthest Land Master Dauis was at lying betweene 72. and 73. degrees and that euening by a North Sunne we came to much Ice which we put into plying all the next day to get through it The first of Iune we were cleere of the Ice before named and not farre from shoare the winde blowing very hard at North North-east then we put in among diuers Ilands the people seeing vs fled away in all haste leauing their Tents behinde and vpon a small Rocke they hid two young Maides or Women Our ship riding not farre off we espyed them to whom our Master with some other of our companie went in the Boate they making signes to be carried to the Iland where their Tents were close adioyning When they came thither they found two old women more the one very old to our esteemation little lesse then fourescore the other not so old The next time we went on shoare there was another Woman with a child at her back who had hid
second Admirall to pacifie it It hath two hundred and thirty leagues from the Cape of Saint Antonie vnto the Point of Mayzi going by Land although by the Sunne and by water there are not so many It hath in breadth from the Cape of Crosses to the Port of Manati fortie fiue leagues and then it beginneth to streighten and goeth to the last Cape or Occidentall Point where it is narrow of twelue leagues little more or lesse from Matamano to the Auana Her situation is within the Tropicke of Cancer from twentie to twentie one degrees the Countrey is almost all plaine with many Forrests and thicke Woods from the Easterne Point of Mayci for thirtie leagues it hath most high Mountaynes and likewise in the middest it hath some and there runne from them to the North and to the South very pleasant Riuers with great store of fish On the South side it hath the little Ilands which the first Admirall called the Queenes Garden and the other on the North side which Iames Velazquez called the Kings Garden the trees are of many differences and wild Vines as bigge as a man they gather no Wheate nor other Seedes of Spaine but great abundance of Cattle it hath great Copper Mynes and of Gold and is it found in the Riuers though it be base in the touch Iames Velazquez peopled first the Citie of Saint Iames in the South Coast fortie leagues from the Cape of Tiburon which is in Hispaniola and two leagues from the Sea neere to a Port one of the best in the World for securitie and greatnesse The Citie came to haue two thousand Inhabitants now it hath few with a Gouernours Deputie the Cathedrall Suffragane to Saint Domingo is resident in it and a Monastery of Franciscan Friers The Village of Baracoa is a Towne furthest East of the Iland of Cuba at the beginning of the North Coast 60. leagues from the Citie of S. Iames toward the East North-east which was also an inhabiting of the President Iames Velazquez The Village of Bayamâ— which Iames Velazquez also built is 20. leagues from S. Iames to the North-west it is the soundest Town of the Iland of a more open soyle and of a good disposition The Village and Port of the Prince in the Coast of the North is about fortie leagues from Saint Iames to the North-west The Village of Sancti Spiritus is a Port on the South side betweene the Trinidad and the Cayo de Basco Porcallo of Figueroa about fiftie leagues from Saint Iames a Colonie of Iames Velazquez The Village and Port of Saint Christopher of the Abana is in the North Coast almost opposite to Florida in twentie two degrees and an halfe in height of more then sixe hundred Housholds where the Gouernour resides and the Officers Royall The Port is maruellous in greatnesse and securitie especially since that King Philip the Second the prudent sent the Campe-master Iohn of Texeda and Baptista Antonelli to fortifie it in it all the Fleetes of the Indies doe meete for to come for Spaine in company It was first called the Port of Carennas and Iames Velazquez built this Village and all the rest of the Iland with the assistance of the Father Bartolome de las Casas which afterward became a Dominicke Frier and Bishop of Chiapa The Ports and Capes and point of the Coast of Cuba and the Ilands belonging to it besides those which are rehearsed are in the South Coast the Port of the Citie of Saint Iames in twentie degrees and twentie fiue leagues to the West the Port of Sancti Spiritus Cape of the Crosse twelue leagues forward and the Queenes Gardens which is a great shelfe of Ilands and shoales the Port of Trinitie in twentie one degrees about thirtie leagues from the Cape of the Crosse and ten more to the West the Gulfe of Xagua a great defence with some Ilands in the middest and forward the Two Sisters two Ilands at the beginning of the great shelfe and Ilands and shoales which they call Camarco betweene the Coast and the Ilands which is of ten leagues in length and seuen in breadth twelue leagues from the Cape of Correntes which is as many from the Cape of Saint Antonie the furthest West of this Iland In the North Coast standeth the Port of Abana and thirtie leagues to the East is the Port of Slaughters where was a Towne and was called de Matanças of the Slaughters because the Indians killed certaine Spaniards which they carried in their Canâ—ose vnder securitie to the other side only one escaping and two women whom they kept sometime with them From the Matanças to the Port of Yucanaca are fiftie leagues to the Kings Garden which is a great shelfe of little Illets and shoales and at the end of the Iland Obahaua eight leagues before the Port of the Prince foure or six from the Port of Fernando Alanso and six to the East of this Cubana which is a point The Port of Varocoa is about twentie leagues before the point of Maizi the farthest West of Cuba and the hidden Port and Gulfe neere to Cape Roio in the South-coast about twentie leagues from the Port of Pidgeons which is about ten leagues from the Port of Saint Iames. THe Iland of Iamayca was so abundant of victuals and breedings that it gaue great prouision of Cotton Horses Swine and Cozabi for the new Discoueries and the first Admirall called it Saint Iames when hee discouered it and the first that passed to inhabit it was the Captayne Iohn Esquiuell the yeere 1509. by order of the second Admirall Don Diego Colon. It stands in seuenteene degrees and an halfe of altitude in the middest of it and twentie leagues from Cuba to the South and as many from Hispaniola direct to the West It hath in compasse one hundred and fiftie leagues it hath East and West fiftie and twentie in breadth There are in it three Villages Siuill in which is the Seat of the Colledge toward the North Coast somewhat Westerly Iohn Squinell a Gentleman of Siuill peopled it Melilla which stands in the North Coast fourteene leagues from Siuill to the East Oristan in the South Coast towards the West fourteene leagues from Siuill and are Plantations of the President Francisco de Garay which gouerned in it But of the Towne de la Vega whence the Admirals Lords of this Iland tooke the Title of Dukes nor of other two Plantations painted in some Maps there is no notice There is in the Coast of this Iland the Point of Moranta the vttermost West of it by the North Coast ten leagues to the West the Port of Ianta and tenne leagues forward the Port of Melilla where they say the first Admirall arriued and called it Santa Gloria when hee returned lost from Veragua and heere happened to him the mutiny of the Porras of Siuill and it was the first Ciuill Warre of the Indies
vntill he passed Nombre de Dios. The Officers and Royall treasure are in Margarita and it and the Iland of Cubagua are in eleuen degrees a little more THe Gouernment of Venezuela parteth the bounds in the coast of Terra firme to the East with the new Andaluzia from whence to the Riuer of Hacha and Gouernment of Sancta Martha with which it ioyneth by the West is an hundred and thirty leagues and within the Land about eightie vnto the bounds of the new Kingdome of Granada In this Countrie are vaines of Gold of more then two and twentie carracts and a halfe it is plentifull of Wheate because there is two haruests in the yeare and most abundance of all kinde of Cattle great and small There goeth from this Prouince great store of Meale Bisket Cheese Bacon and much Cotten-linnen and in the port of Guayra in the Prouince of Caracas are laden many Cowe-Hides and Sarsaparilla There is in it eight Spanish Townes and the name Venezuela was giuen it because when the Belzares Almainâ—s went to gouerne in this Prouince the yeare 1528. by a couenant which they made with the Emperour they thought to inhabit in a Rocke and hils that are in the mouth of the Lake of Maracaybo where it falleth in the Sea a Towne which they named Venezuela It stands in 8. degrees a little more and from hence the Couernment tooke the name His first Towne is the Citie of Coro which the Indians call Coriana which commonly they call now Venezuela it stands in 11. degrees of altitude and 79. degrees one third part from the Meridian of Toledo one thousand and fiue hundred leagues from it here the Gouernor is wont to be resident and there is the Cathedrall Church suffragane to the Archbishop of S. Dominicke Iohn of Ampues built first this Citie and then those that went for the Belzares made their abode in it the first was Ambrose Alfinger it is so healthfull and of so good an ayre that there is no neede of Physitians The second place is our Lady of Carualleda in the Prouince of Caracas neere to the Sea East from Coro eightie leagues and with a bad Hauen Don Francisco Faiardo built it the yeare 1560. which went for that purpose from the Margarita S. Iames of Lyon in the same Prouince seuen leagues within the Land and three from Carualleda to the South and sixtie from Coro where at this time the Gouernour is most resident The new Valencia sixtie leagues from Coro and twentie fiue from S. Iames of Lyon seuen from the port of Burburata The Captaine Villacinda peopled it The new Xerez about fifteene leagues almost South from the new Valencia and twentie from the new Segouia and sixtie from Coro to the South-east a new Towne The new Segouias in the Prouince of Bariquizimito twentie leagues from Xerez to the South and tenne from Tucuyo and eightie from Coro to the South-east where the Officers royall the Gouernour and the Lieuetenant are resident at times Iohn of Villegas peopled it in the yeare 1552. The Citie of Tucuyo is famous because in it they slew the tyrant Lope of Aguirre it stands tenne leagues from Segouia to the South-west eightie fiue from Coro it is the habitation of the Captaine Caruajal Truxillo or our Ladie of Peace in the Prouince of Cuycas about eightie leagues almost to the South direct from Coro somewhat to the East and twentie fiue from Tucuyo directly to the West The Auditor Vallejo discouered this the yeare 1549 the Bacheller Tollosa being Gouernour in it and the yeare 1559. the Captaine Iames Garâ—ia of Paredes inhabited Truxillo and there may be in this Gouernment more then 100000. Indies tributaries and in them are not comprehended from eighteene vnder nor aboue fiftie yeares because the supreme Counsell of the Indies hath prouided that in no place of this Orbe these doe pay tribute and because daily they increase and diminish in number it cannot be said precisely and perfectly how many there are The Lake of Maracaybo which the Castilanes call of our Lady is of fresh water it entreth fortie leagues within the Land from the Sea and hath more then tenne in breadth and eighty in compasse with many Townes vpon his Borders in the end of it entreth a Riuer that descendeth from the new Kingdome of Granada by the which and the Lake Marchandise are transported which came to the new Kingdome of Castile and to other places some of the men of this Lake doe liue in Boates their houses being made in the Trees within the water and at the Border whence it tooke also at the first the name of Venezuela sayling by some parts of this Lake ye can see no Land there enter into it other great Riuers it runneth to the Sea it hath about halfe a league of mouth and in it the shoale and rocks abouesaid The Ports Capes and Points of the coast of this Gouernment and those annexed vnto it are to the West Marcapaâ—a the Vrchila an Iland against the Riuer Oynare neere to another called Rocke of the Ilets and afterward the Cape of the Codera and Puerto Flechardo and the hauen of Sardinas or Pilchers and opposite the I le of Aues or Birds before Burburata a maruellous hauen which the Bachiler Tolosa peopled and is a Scale or Port for the new Kingdome Nueuo Reyno Prouinces of Peru and after that is Gulfo triste and to the North of the Bonayre an Iland of ten leagues in length and eight in breadth and afterward Punta seca and right against it Curacao and a little forward Curacaute foureteene leagues in length right against the Cape of S. Roman to the South of the Iland of Aruba S. Roman entreth twentie leagues into the Sea it standeth twelue from Coro the Indians doe call it Paraguana it lacketh a little to be an Iland it may haue in compasse twenty fiue leagues and more of plaine ground with a Mountaine almost in the middest it is discouered a great way into the Sea There is at the beginning of the Gulfe of Venezuela the entrance and channell of the Lake of Maracaybo and at the entrance of it the Riuer Mitare and to the West the Monkes three little Ilets close by the Point and Cape of Coquibocoa where onely in all the Indies was found waight and touch for the Gold and afterwards the deepe Baye Balua Honda and the Portete the Cape de Vela which the Captaine Alfonsus of Ojeda named when Americo Vespucio went with him the first time much after that the Admirall discouered this coast which stands in 12. degrees somewhat more And there is from the Cape de Vela to the Riuer of Hache eighteene leagues without any stone in them nor water but raine water This Gouernment remained destroyed since the time of the Almaines because they would not inhabit onely seeke to make slaues and to waste the Countrie They called first the Riuer
South it hath a reasonable Hauen though little depth for being a Bay Don Franciscuâ— of Monteio gaue it the name The Village of Salamanca the President called so by his owne Countrie In the Prouinces of Bacalar and Chetemal seuentie leagues from Merida North and South leauing to the West and other seuentie from Valladolid neere to the Coast of the gulfe of Honduras there are in this Prouince Monasteries of Franciscanes and six Schooles of Priests for Doctrine The Coast of all this Prouince is so shallow that in few parts ye can ride at anker at lesse then foure or fiue leagues from the Land and so there is no Port but for small Shippes and it floweth and ebbeth more in this Coast then in any other place of these Prouinces of new Spaine The Ports that are be these Ciclo and Telichaque Cical and Cauquil the Riuer with two mouthes Campeche in the Coast that looketh to new Spaine and in it the small Cape from whence the Coast beginneth to winde to the East and neere to the Point a little Iland which is called la Desconocida or the Vnthankefull compassed with shelues and to the West from this about eighteene leagues another which they call the Zarza and the Triangle which are three small Ilands close by another little Iland compassed with shelues other sixteene leagues from Cabo Delgado Ilands de Arenas of Sandes and the Redde la Bermeia and another Iland thirtie leagues from the said Cape to the North and los Negrillos three little Ilets compassed with shelues to the East from the Redde about thirtie fiue leagues and the Scorpiones twentie leagues of the coast North and South with Merida and the Cape of Coutoche the Point most to the East of Yucatan from whence goe foure little Ilands which are called de Mugeres of Women leaning to the Coast in the which is the Iland of Cozumel named by the famous Idoll Place in it whither all the people of the Prouince went in Pilgrimage it stands foure leagues to the Sea at the beginning of the Gulfe of Honduras almost North and South with Valladolid more inward to the Gulfe other three little Ilets with shelues almost ouer against the Lake of Bacalal which is within the Land thirtie leagues from the Lake of Chetemall in the Coast that goeth painted with Ilands vnto Salamanca which is the first Pantoia neere one shelfe called Quitasuenno and another Zaratan and another Lamanay and the last Ylbob The Prouince of Tabasco which goeth with the Gouernment of Yucatan and falleth vpon the Coast of the North Sea in the gulfe of new Spaine hath in length East and West about fortie leagues from the confines of Yucatan vnto the confines of Goazacoalco wherewith it ioyneth on the East and as much North and South from the North Sea vnto the confines of Chiapa It is all plaine ground of Marshes Lakes and Quagmires and so they goe ouer it in Boates and Canoes it is very moist and hot and therefore very plentifull of Pastures for Kine and of Millet and Cacao which is the greatest stocke or substance of this Prouince wherein is onely one Town which is Tabasco and by another name the Village of our Lady of the Victorie so called for the Victory that Don Hernando Cortez had there of the Indians when hee went to new Spaine the yeare 1519. The tribute which the Indians doe pay in this Prouince is two thousand Xiquipiles of Cacao and euery Xiquipill are eight thousand Almonds and one load maketh three Xiquipiles or Terces In the Coast of this Prouince besides other Riuers and Marishes is found the Lake of Xicalango or Port Royall great and capable with two little Ilands at the mouth and it was the Captaine Lewis Martin that by order of Don Fernando Cortes made an end of pacifying this Prouince THe bounds of the Counsell of new Gallicia or of Xalisco which Nunno of Guzman said hee had discouered and Don Fernando Cortes that the Captaine Goncalo of Sandouall did it in his name when hee sent him to pacifie the Colimas it parteth bounds with the Counsell of new Spaine neere by the Port of the Natiuitie and the Lake of Chiapala going toward the North-east whereby and by the North and somewhat of the West for it is not all discouered it hath the bounds open for the rest to the West is all Sea that which is inhabited on the one side and the other may come to one hundred leagues wherein are comprehended the Prouinces of Guadalaiara Xalisco the Zacatecas Chiametla Culiacan the new Bizkey and Cinoloa and for Circuit the discouerie of the Prouinces of Cibola and of Quibira The temperature of the Prouince and borders of Guadalaiara is good and the Countrie plentifull of Corne and Millet and other Seedes of Spaine and many Vaines of Siluer there are in it Spanish Townes Nunno of Guzman peopled the Citie of Guadalaiara the head of this Kingdome the yeare 1531. and gaue it the name of his Countrie it stands in 106. degrees and a halfe of longitude from the Meridian of Toledo 1780. leagues by a direct Voyage in 20. degrees one third part in height eightie seuen leagues from Mexico betweene the North and the West more toward the West in it is resident the Counsell the Officers of the reuenues Royall treasurie and the Cathedrall suffragan to Mexico since the yeare 1570. for before it was commanded to be built in Compostella it hath one Monasterie of Franciscan another of Austine Friers Nunno of Guzman built also the Village of the Holy Ghost in Tepique and the Village of Sancta Marie of the Lakes stands thirtie leagues from Guadalaiara to the South-east with the chiefe Commissioner It was built for to be sure of the Chichimecan Indies that are in Countries between the North and the East a barbarous people which liue scattered in the field without any taste of humanitie or policie liuing in Canes in the Groues like sauage beasts they liue vpon wilde chase and fruits they know no riches nor pleasure they goe naked and some couered with Beasts skins their weapons are Bowes and Arrowes they are well bodied great eaters they make wine of certaine rootes wherewith they drinke themselues drunke In the Prouince of Xalisco which is plentifull of Millet more then of Sheepe or Horses there is onely the Citie of Compostella neere the Sea three and thirtie leagues from Guadalaxara to the West where the Counsell was at the first and commanded to build the Cathedrall vntill the yeare 1560. that they remoued to Guadalaiara to be more in the borders there is in it a Monasterie of Franciscan Friers and it was also inhabited by Nunno Guzman the yeare 1531. which trauelled two yeares in these Countries which they called the greater Spaine in emulation of Don Fernando Cartes in all that time nothing being knowne of him in Mexico The Village of
doth confine with Costarica on the West side it hath in length East and West fiftie leagues and in breadth fiue and twentie a Mountainous Countrie full of bushes without Pastures or Cattle Wheate Barley little Millet or little Pulse but full of Gold with many vaines of it and rich Mines in the Riuers and breaches and those Indians that are are in warre it hath the Citie of the Conception fortie leagues from Nombre de Dios to the West where the Gouernour and the Officers which they of Panama at this present doe prouide are resident The Village of Trinitie stands six leagues to the East of the Conception by Sea for yee cannot goe by Land neere to the Riuer of Bethleem at three leagues from the Sea The Citie of Sancta Fe stands twelue leagues from the Conception to the South with melting houses and Deputie Officers The Citie of Charles in the coast of the South Sea neere to the Sea fiftie leagues from the Citie of Sancta Fe to the East all the Indians of this gouernment are in warre There is no Port of name in the two Coasts South and North of this gouernment and in all the bounds of the Counsell are the Riuers Ports and points following The Bay of Carabaco or of Saint Hierome in the coast of the North Sea and the confines of Veragua and to the East of it and of the Riuer of the Trinitie of the Conception and of Bethlehem where was the first inhabiting that the first Admirall made in Terra firme of all that Orbe in the yeare 1503. which continued not and right against the Shield an Iland and the Riuer of Chagre and more to the East a league the Portete to the place where the Admirall came discouering the same yeere and the Ports of Langostas twelue leagues from Nombre de Dios to the West and the Port de Gallinas or of Hennes nine degrees and the Port of Bonauenture six Portobelo fiue and right against it the Ilands of the Lookings and those of the Prouisions or Bastimentos and hauing Nombre de Dios two leagues the Riuer of Sardinilla and the Iland of Sardina foure and the Riuer of Millet or Mayz and the Riuer of Snakes or Culebras eight and at the entry of the Gulfe of Vraba where in the yeare 1509. the Bachiller Enciso built the Citie of Sancta Marie of Darien This Bachiller Enciso was he that published that in the Prouince which was called Castilla del Oro there were places where the gold was fished with nets which encouraged many people to goe to the Indies which passed in the yeare 1514. with Peter Arias Danila and the President Basco Nunnez of Balboa went 1513. from the Darien in demand of the South Sea and discouered it The Point of the Iland of Captiua stands right against the Mountaines of Saint Blas and the Iland of Comagre and the Iland of Pinos more within the Gulfe of Vraba and in the inward Port of it the Port of Nilcos neere to the mouth of the Riuer of Darien which diuideth the bounds of this Counsell and those of the Gouernement of Cartagena and there is Culata de Vraba where in the yeare 1510. Alonso of Oieda inhabited Saint Sebastian of Vraba This Gulfe stands in 8. degrees it hath foureteene leagues of longitude into the Lands and in the entrie it hath six in breadth and a little forward fiftie and at the end foure and fiue leagues within was the Citie of Sancta Marie the auncient of Darien In the South Sea stands the Cape of Sancta Marie and point de Guerra of Warre and toward Panama the Gulfe of Parita or Paris where stands Nata the point of Chiame the Countrie of that Cazique Chiapes the friend of Basco Nunnez of Balboa which holpe him in his discouery and passed the Port of Panama the Riuer of Chepo and the Balsa or of Congos in the inner part of the Gulfe of Saint Michael North and South from the Iland of Pearles and the Point or Port of Pinyas at the entrie of the Gulfe on the South side which is fiftie leagues from Panama and twentie ouerthwart to the Gulfe of Vraba and Puerto Quemado or Burnt Hauen neere to the Cape of Corrientes in 5. degrees of altitude Septentrionall THe bounds of the Counsel of the New Kingdome hath in length East and West three hundred leagues and as many North and South wherein are comprehended the Prouinces of the New Kingdome the gouernments of Sancta Martha and Cartagena and part of that of Popayan for borders the Prouinces of the Dorado or new Stremadura the Prouince of New Kingdome which is that which the Counsell gouerneth it hath in length from East to West foureteen leagues and eightie in breadth North and South of plaine ground for the most part with Valleys and hils and good Pastures for all sort of Cattle which are in abundance and in many places Wheate Miller and the fruits of Castile and generally much Gold and very fine and Mines of Copper Steele and the Countrie men for the most part are able men great traffickers and doe weare Cotten cloath And the Townes that be in the Kingdome of Spaniards are the Citie of Sancta Fe of Bogota which was built at the foote of Bogota so called by the Cazique which was called Bogota which the President Gonçalo Ximenez of Quesada built and gaue the name to the Citie and to the Kingdome because he was of Granada though in the discouery the President Belalcazar and Nicholas Federman had part it stands 72. degrees and a halfe of longitude from the Meridian of Toledo which by a greater circle may be one thousand foure hundred and fortie leagues and 4. degrees on this side of the Equinoctial it hath more then six hundred housholds in it is resident the Counsell the Kings Officers and Royall treasurie and Melting house the Cathedrall Metropolitane whose suffragans are Popayan Cartagena and Sancta Marta with a Monasterie of Dominicke and another of Franciscane Friers and in her borders more then fiftie thousand tributarie Indians and the Lake of Guatauita which was a worshipping place of the Indians where it is reported that they did cast great summes of Gold in offring to the Idols The Village of Saint Michael in the bounds of Sancta Fe twelue leagues from it to the North was built for trafficke with the Pauche Indians because being of a hot Countrie it did them hurt to goe to Sancta Fe which is cold The Citie of Tocayma fifteene leagues from Sancta Fe to the West somewhat inclined to the North with a Monasterie of Dominicke Friers was inhabited the yeare 1545. by the Captaine Hernando Vanegas in the border of the maine Riuer Pati which runneth into the Riuer Magdalene It hath no gold and is most hot and by night there falleth no Deaw in it In all the Kingdome there is
The Captaine Salazar gouerning in these Prouinces by the death of Don Peter Mendoça in the yeare 1545. a Spaniard being in his bed and his wife by him on the out side in the night there came a Tigre and gaue the man a blow that he killed him and carried him away and betweene certaine Caues he did deuoure him in the morning the Captaine Salazar went forth with fiftie Souldiours to seeke the Tigre and going through a wood hee went alone by a path and as soone as hee discouered the Tigre hee being flesh set vpon him and at the time hee lifted vp the pawe for to strike him the Captaine let flee the Shaft out of his Crossebowe and strooke him to the heart and it fell downe dead an exploit of great courage heede and dexteritie THe Prouinces and Countrie of Brasil in the Coast of the North Sea and Terra firme is called all that which falleth to the East from the line of the repartition from twentie nine degrees of longitude from the Meridian of Toledo vnto thirtie nine which are two hundred leagues from East to West and foure hundred and fiftie North and South from two degrees of Southerne altitude by the Cape de Humos or of Smoakes vnto fiue and twenty by the Iland of Buenabrigo or Good-harbour And from the first inhabiting vnto the last of Brasil there are three hundred and fiftie leagues Vincent Yanes Pinzon discouered first this Countrie by commandement of the Kings Catholike and presently after him Iames of Lepe in the yeare 1500. and six moneths after Poraluarez Cabral going with a Portugall armie to India which to auoide the Coast of Guinea did put so much to the Sea that he found this Countrie and called it Sancta Cruz because on that day he discouered it All of it is very hot in Winter and Summer and very rainie and compassed with Woods and Mists vnhealthfull and full of venemous Wormes plentifull in Pastures for Cattle and not for Wheate nor Millet there are in it great showes of Siluer and Gold but as the Portugals haue no stocke to make any profit of the Mines they leaue them as they are The principall foode of this Countrie is the Cazabi which they make of the Yuca and the greatest trafficke is Sugar and Cotten Bumbast and Brasil Wood which was it that gaue it the name There are in all the Prouince nine Gouernments which are called Captainships and in them seuenteene Portugal Townes in it may be about three and thirtie hundred housholds and great multitude of warlike Indians which haue not suffered the Portugals to build but on the Coast in which are many Riuers Landings and many Ports and very safe where any Ships may come in be they neuer so bigge The Colonie of the first Captainship and the most auncient is Tamaraca the second Pernambuco fiue leagues from Tamaraca to the South in eight degrees of altitude and there is a house of the Fathers of the Companie of Iesus the other is that of all Saints one hundred leagues from Pernambuco in thirteene degrees and there the Gouernour the Bishop and the Auditour generall of all the Coasts are resident and it hath a Colledge of the Company the fourth Captainship of the Ilands is thirtie leagues from the Bay of All Saints in foureteen degrees two third parts it hath a House of the Fathers of the Companie In this Captainship is found a Tree where out they take a precious Balme The Captainship of the Sure-hauen is thirtie leagues from the Ilands in sixteene degrees and a halfe it hath three Inhabitings and a House of the Fathers of the Companie The Captaineship of the Holy-Ghost fiftie leagues from Puerto seguro in twentie degrees where they gather much Brasil and there is one house of the Company The Captainship of the Riuer of Genero is sixtie leagues from the Holy-Ghost in twentie three degrees and one third part with a house of the Fathers of the Company and they cut in their iurisdiction much Brasil Wood the Riuer is very faire with fine and profitable borders The last Captaineship is Saint Vincent sixtie leagues from the Riuer of Genero in foure and twentie degrees it hath a fortresse in an Iland for a defence against the Indians and Pirates and a house of the said Fathers which haue done great profit in the inhabiting of thiâ— Countrie and conuersion of the Indians and their libertie The Cattle that are in these Prouinces are many and great breeding of Swine and Hens they gather much Amber which the Sea casteth vp with stormes at the spring tides and many persons haue inriched themselues with it Then Summer is from September to February and the Winter from March vnto August the dayes are almost as long as the nights they increase and diminish onely an houre in the winter the winde is alwaies at South and South-east in Summer North-east and East North-east There are in this Coast eight or tenne Ports more principall then the rest which are the Riuer of Saint Dominicke and de las Virtudes to the North-east of Pernambuco and Tamaraca which is an Iland and as it is said the first Plantation and before the Cape of Saint Austine which stands in nine degrees the Riuer of Saint Francis in ten degrees and a halfe which is great and mightie the Bay of All Saints three leagues broad and thirteene into the Land vnto Saint Sauiour the Riuer and Port Trenado where the Ships doe touch that goe this Voyage and the Riuer of Canamum in thirteene degrees and a halfe the Riuer of the Beastes or of Saint Austine is foureteen degrees and a halfe and the Riuer of the Virgenes in sixteene Portesecure in seuenteen degrees the Riuer of Pâ—rayua in twentie degrees neere to Sancti spiritus the Riuer of Genero neere to Saint Sebastian and Cold Cape in three and twentie degrees beyond Saint Vincent INdies of the West are all the Ilands and firme Land comprehended within the markes of the Crowne of Castile and of Lyon at the Occidentall end of the said bounds whose line as is said passeth on the other side the world through the Citie of Malaca from whence toward the East and New Spaine is a great Gulfe of infinite Ilands great and small and many pieces of Coasts and firme Land which are diuided into the Ilands of the Spicerie or of the Malucos Ilands Philipinas the Coast of China Ilands of the Lequios and Iapones Coast of the new Guinea Ilands of Salomon and of Ladrones or the Theeues the temper of all these Ilands and Lands in generall is moist and temperately hot plentifull of Victuals and Beasts with some Gold but base no Siluer store of Wax and the people of sundry colours and the ordinary colour like Indians and some white among them and some cole-blacke The Ilands of the Spicerie which properly are called so because all the Pepper Cloues Sinamon Ginger Nutmegs and
title of Famous where the Gouernour Officers of the goods and cheft Royall and the Cathedrall are resident it is a plentifull soyle of Victuals with many Mines of Gold the Hauen of this Citie is bad and for all that there is great trafficke with the Chynas which bring Porcelane Vessell Tinsels coloured silkes and other Merchandize Luçon hath in length two hundred leagues and it is very narrow In all these Ilands are many Mahometanes wither they came by the East India and could easily plant their falshood amongst those blinde Gentiles Captaine Magellanes as aboue said discouered these Ilands the yeare 1520. going with an Armie of the Crowne of Castile in search of the Ilands of the Malucoes and tooke possession of them and afterward Michael Lopez of Legazpi made an end of discouering them the yeare 1564. with an Armie which hee tooke from New Spaine by order of the Vice-roy Don Lewis of Velasco it is iudged that those Ilands doe amount to eleauen thousand great and small There are pacified about fortie of them and conuerted more then a Million of men vnto the Catholike Faith with so many expences of the Crowne Royall not hauing had vntill now any profit from those Countries for euery Religious man of those that are sent thither doth cost to set there one thousand Duckets Those which hitherto haue laboured in that Vineyard with most great fruite of the soules are the Religious Dominicans Franciscans Barefooted and Austine Fryers and the Company of Iesus and from these Ilands hath beene begun to bridle the Mahometans which from the Coast of Asia went by little and little extending through these and other Ilands and also to the Chinas and Iapones and the Portugals had already lost the Ilands of the Malucos if the Spaniards of the Prouinces of the Phillippines had not holpen and succoured them diuers times and many wayes There is already a plainer notice had of the Chynas by the commerce of the Phillippines and their riches and plenty is knowne it is of the richest and mightiest Kingdomes of the World and from Manila may be to the coast of China three hundred leagues of eight dayes sayling and the coast of that Countrie goeth running as to the North-east more then seuen hundred leagues from twentie one to twenty two degrees of Septentrional latitude and vpward and it is known that crosse ouer the Countrie inward is a Voyage of fiue or sixe moneths to the confines of Tartaria being a Countrie of great Cities with many Townes and the people politicke and prepared for their defence but not warlike and the Coast much inhabited with maine Riuers and good Hauens it extends from seuenteene vnto fiftie degrees North and South and East and West it occupieth two and twentie the Citie of Paquin where the King hath his Court stands in fortie eight degrees of our Pole it is diuided in fifteene Prouinces sixe Maritime and nine Mediterrane and the one are deuided from the other with certaine Mountaines like the Pirineis and there are but two passages whereby they doe communicate Thomas Perez Ambassadour of the King of Portugall was from Cantan to Nanqui foure Moneths trauelling alwayes to the North and to the largenesse of this Kingdome is ioyned the plentie of the Countrie which is great for the which the multitude of the nauigable Riuers that do water it are a help wherewith it seemes a pleasant Forrest or Garden and the abundance is doubled by many wayes for the Kings spare no cost to make the Countrie watered in euery place câ—tting great hils and making great Valleys plaine and the heate not wanting in any place for all the Countrie almost is contained in the bounds of the temperate Zone nor the moisture by the clemencie of nature and by the industrie of men it is incredibly all multiplied and all being compelled to busie themselues in something there is not one foote of ground left vnprofitable In Canton among other notable things they say there are a great number of blinde men that doe labour in something euery one as he is able and being forbidden the going out of the Kingdome without licence the which is neuer granted but for a limited time it is necessary that the propagation increasing continually the number of the people be without end especially that they hold for a certaine that for fiue persons that doe dye there are seuen borne and the purenesse of the ayre is so much that they doe not remember there hath beene any vniuersall plague and with all these good things they haue their troubles also for there are earthquakes that destroy whole Cities disinhabit the Countrie and suppresse the auncient Riuers and raise others and doe make great Mountaines plaine with a miserable misfortune of that people The yeare 1555. there burst out of the intrailes of the earth such abundance of water that it ouer-flowed the space of sixtie leagues and destroyed seuen Cities with their iurisdictions And this as touching the continent of China There is through all the Coast a multitude of Ilands the greater part are vnto vs vnknowne Not farre from Nanqui is the Cape of Lampo the Iland of Aueniga Abarda Sumbar Lanqui and the Iland of Horses of the which no particular notice is had Passing the Citie of Chincheo stands Lamao and a great number of Ilands are seene about Cantan and these are the most celebrated Lantao Macao Veniaga where is the Port of Tamo Lampacao Sancoan in all the which the King of China hath Garrisons on Sea and Land except in Lampacao which is not inhabited In Macao by another name Macan the Portugals haue a Towne and the Chinas knowing the valour of the Portugals and the fauour they haue of the Castillans of the Phillipines suffer it with an euill will but the Portugals seeke to preserue themselues for their profitable commerce in China Sancon is thirtie leagues from Cantan where sometimes the Portugals haue touched and no Iland of China is of greater importance then Anian in the mouth of the Gulfe of Cauchinchina fiue leagues from the Firme Land and one hundred and eightie from the Phillipines and it is so bigge that they affirme it to haue thirtie Fortresses in it is a fishing for small Pearles It is aboundant of Victuals and of many Fruits vnder the Gouernment of Cantan the principall Port of China and the Countrie men are grosse and rude people Iapan is many Ilands diuided with small armes of the Sea in three and thirtie Kingdomes whose head is the Citie of Meaco distant variable from China and they count from the Iland of Goto in Iapon to Liampo in China sixtie leagues which is the neerest The Iapones doe greatly molest the Chinas more with piracies and thefts then with iust war because Iapan being diuided in sundry Ilands and diuers Princes they can make no warre against the Chinas but with weake forces They are more warlike and valiant then the Chinas it is
and easie for that these eighteene leagues of Land betwixt Nombre de Dios and Panama is more painefull and chargeable then 2300. by Sea whereupon some would say it were a meanes to drowne the Land one Sea being lower then another As in times past we finde it written that for the same consideration they gaue ouer the enterprize to winne the red Sea into Nile in the time of King Sesostris and since in the Empire of the Othomans But for my part I hold such discourses and propositions for vaine although this inconuenience should not happen the which I will not hold for assured I beleeue there is no humaine powerable to beate and breake downe those strong and impenetrable Mountaines which God hath placed betwixt the two Seas and hath made them most hard Rockes to withstand the furie of two Seas And although it were possible to men yet in my opinion they should feare punishment from heauen in seeking to correct the workes which the Creator by his great prouidence hath ordained and disposed in the framing of this vniuersall world Leauing this discourse of opening the Land and ioyning both Seas together there is yet another lesse rash but very difficult and dangerous to search out Whether these two great gulfes doe ioyne in any other part of the world which was the enterprize of Fernando Magellan a Portugall Gentleman whose great courage and constancie in the research of this subiect and happy successe in the finding thereof gaue the name of eternall memory to this straight which iustly they call by the name of the discouerer Magellan of which straight we will intreate a little as of one of the greatest wonders of the world Some haue beleeued that this Straight which Magellan had discouered in the South Sea was none or that it was straightned as Don Alonso d'Arsile writes in his Auracane and at this day there are some that say there is no such Straight but that they are Ilands betwixt the Sea and Land for that the maine Land ends there at the end whereof are all Ilands beyond the which the one Sea ioynes fully with the other or to speake better it is all one Sea But in truth it is most certaine there is a straight and a long and stretched out Land on either side although it hath not yet beene knowne how farre it stretcheth of the one side of the straight towards the South After Magellan a Shippe of the Bishop of Plaisance passed the straight Don Guitieres Caruaial whose Maste they say is yet at Lima at the entrie of the Pallace they went afterwards coasting along the South to discouer the Straight by the commandement of Don Garcia of Mendoca then Gouernor of Chille according to that which Captaine Ladrillero found it and passed it I haue read the discourse and report he made where he saieth that he did not hazard himselfe to land in the Straight but hauing discouered the North Sea he returned backe for the roughnesse of the time winter being now come which caused the waues comming from the North to grow great and swelling and the Sea continually foming with rage In our time Francis Drake and Englishman passed this Straight After him Captaine Sarmiento passed it on the South side And lastly in the yeere 1587. other Englishmen passed it by the instruction of Drake which at this time run along all the coast of Peru. Euen as Magellan found out this Straight vpon the South so some haue pretended to discouer another Straight which they say is in the North and suppose it to be in Florida whose coast runnes in such sort as they know no end thereof Peter Melendez the Adelantade a man very expert at Sea affirmeth for certaine that there is a Straight and that the King had commanded him to discouer it where in he shewed a great desire he propounded his reasons to proue his opinion saying that they haue seene some remainders of Ships in the North Sea like vnto those the which the Chinois vse which had beene impossible if there were no passage from one Sea vnto another Moreouer hee reported that in a certaine great Bay in Florida the which runs 300. leagues within the Land they see Whales in some season of the yeare which come from the other Sea One of the most admirable secrets of Nature is the ebbing and flowing of the Sea not onely for this strange property of rising and falling but much more for the difference there is thereof in diuers Seas yea in diuers coasts of one and the same Sea There are some Seas that haue no daily flowing nor ebbing as we see in the inner Mediterranean which is the Thyrene Sea and yet it flowes and ebbes euery day in the vpper Mediterranean Sea which is that of Venice and iustly giueth cause of admiration that these two Seas being Mediterranean and that of Venice being no greater then the other yet hath it his ebbing and flowing as the Ocean and that other Sea of Italie none at all There are some Mediterranean Seas that apparantly rise and fall euery moneth and others that neither rise in the day nor in the moneth There are other Seas as the Spanish Ocean that haue their flux and reflux euery day and besides that they haue it monethly which commeth twice that is to say at the change and at the full of euery Moone which they call Spring-tides To say that any Sea hath this daily ebbing and flowing and not monethly I know not any It is strange the difference we finde of this subiect at the Indies for there are some places whereas the Sea doth daily rise and fall two leagues as at Panama and at a high water it riseth much more There are other places where it doth rise and fall so little that hardly can you finde the difference It is ordinary in the Ocean Sea to haue a daily flowing and ebbing and that was twice in a naturall day and euer it fals three quarters of an houre sooner one day then another according to the course of the Moone so as the tide fals not alwaies in one houre of the day Some would say that this flux and reflux proceeded from the locall motion of the water of the Sea so as the water that riseth on the one side fals on the other that is opposite vnto it so that it is full Sea on the one side when it is a low water on the opposite as we see in a Kettle full of water when we mooue it when it leanes to the one side the water increaseth and on the other it diminisheth Others affirme that the Sea riseth in all parts at one time and decreaseth at one instant as the boyling of a Pot comming out of the centre it extendeth it selfe on all parts and when it ceaseth it fals likewise on all parts This second opinion is true and in my iudgement certaine and tried not so much for the reasons which the Philosophers giue
in their Meteors as for the certaint experience wee may make For to satisfie my selfe vpon this point and question I demanded particularly of the said Pilot how he found the tides in the straight and if the tides of the South Sea did fall when as those of the North did rise And contrariwise this question being true why the increase of the Sea in one place is the decrease thereof in another as the first opinion holdeth He answered that it was not so but they might see plainely that the tides of the North and South Seas rise at one instant so as the waues of one Sea incountred with the other and at one instant likewise they began to retire euery one into his Sea saying that the rising and falling was daily seene and that the incounter of the tides as I haue said was at threescore and tenne leagues to the North Sea and thirtie to the South Whereby we may plainely gather that the ebbing and flowing of the Ocean is no pure locall motion but rather an alteration whereby all waters really rise and increase at one instant and in others they diminish as the boyling of a Pot whereof I haue spoken It were impossible to comprehend this point by experience if it were not in the Straight where all the Ocean both on th' one side and on th' other ioynes together for none but Angels can see it and iudge of the opposite parts for that man hath not so long a sight nor so nimble and swift footing as were needefull to transport his eyes from one part to another in so short a time as a tide will giue him respite which are onely six houres There are in the Indian Ocean an infinite number of fishes the kindes and properties whereof the Creator onely can declare There are many such as we haue in the Sea of Europe as Shads and Aloses which come from the Sea into the Riuers Dorads Pilchards and many other There are others the like I doe not thinke to haue seene in these parts as those which they doe call Cabrillas which doe somewhat resemble the Trowt and in new Spaine they call them Bobos they mount from the Sea into the Riuers I haue not seene any Besugues there nor Trowts although some say there are in Chille There are Tonins in some parts vpon the coast of Peru but they are rare and some are of opinion that at a certaine time they doe cast their spawne in the Straight of Magellan as they doe in Spaine at the Straight of Gibraltar and for this reason they finde more vpon the coast of Chille although those I haue seene there are not like to them in Spaine At the Ilands which they call Barlouente which are Cuba Saint Dominicke Portrique and Iamaique they finde a fish which they call Manati a strange kinde of fish if we may call it fish a creature which ingenders her yong ones aliue and hath teates and doth nourish them with milke feeding of grasse in the fields but in effect it liues continually in the water and therefore they eate it as fish yet when I did eate of it at Saint Dominique on a friday I had some scruple not for that which is spoken but for that in colour and taste it was like vnto morsels of Veale so is it greene and like vnto a Cowe on the hinder parts I did wonder at the incredible rauening of the Tiburons or sharkes when as I did see drawne from one that was taken in the Port out of his gullet a Butchers great Knife a great Iron hooke and a piece of a Cowes head with one whole horne neither doe I know if both were there or no. I did see in a creeke made with that Sea a quarter of a horse for pleasure hanging vpon a stake whither presently came a company of these Tiburons at the smell thereof and for the more pleasure this Horse-flesh was hung in the ayre I know not how many hand breadth from the water this company of fish flocke about it leaping vp and with a strange nimblenesse cut off both flesh and bone off the Horse legge as if it had beene the stalke of a lettuce their teeth being as sharpe as a rasour There are certaine small fishes they call Rambos which cleaue to these Tiburons neither can they driue them away and they are fed with that which falles from the Tiburons There are other small fishes which they call flying fishes the which are found within the tropickes and in no other place as I thinke they are pursued by the Ducades and to escape them they leape out of the Sea and goe a good way in the ayre and for this reason they are called flying Fishes they haue wings as it were of linnen cloath or of parchment which doe support them some space in the ayre There did one flye or leape into the Ship wherein I went the which I did see and obserue the fashion of his wings In the Indian Histories there is often mention made of Lezards or Caymans as they call them and they are the very same which Plinie and the Auncients call Crocodiles they finde them on the Sea side and in hot Riuers for in cold Riuers there are none to be found And therefore they finde none vpon all the coasts of Peru vnto Payra but forward they are commonly seene in the Riuers It is a most fierce and cruell beast although it be slow and heauie Hee goes hunting and seekes his prey on the Land and what he takes aliue he drownes it in the water yet doth he not eate it but out of the water for that his throate is of such a fashion as if there entred any water he should easily be drowned It is a wonderfull thing to see a combat betwixt a Caymant and a Tigre whereof there are most cruell at the Indies A religious man of our company told me that he had seene these beasts fight most cruelly one against the other vpon the Sea shoare the Caymant with his taile gaue great blowes vnto the Tygre striuing with his great force to carry him into the water and the Tigre with his pawes resisted the Caymant drawing him to Land In the end the Tigre vanquished and opened the Lezard it seemes by the belly the which is most tender and penetrable for in euery other part he is so hard that no Lance and scarce a harquebuze can pierce it The victory which an Indian had of a Caymant was yet more rare the Caymant had carried away his yong childe and sodainely plunged into the Sea the Indian moued with choller cast himselfe after him with a knife in his hand and as they are excellent swimmers and diuers and the Caymant swimmeth alwayes on the toppe of the water hee hurt him in the belly and in such sort that the Caymant feeling himselfe wounded went to the shoare leauing the little infant dead But the combat which the Indians haue with Whales
is yet more admirable wherein appeares the power and greatnesse of the Creator to giue so base a Nation as be the Indians the industrie and courage to incounter the most fierce and deformed beast in the world and not onely to fight with him but also to vanquish him and not to triumph ouer him Considering this I haue often remembred that place of the Psalmes speaking of the Whale Draco iste quem formasti ad illudendum eum What greater mockerie can there be then to see an Indian leade a Whale as bigge as a Mountaine vanquished with a cord The manner the Indians of Florida vse as some expert men haue told me to take these Whales whereof there is great store is they put themselues into a Canoe which is like a barke of a tree and in swimming approach neere the Whales side then with great dexteritie they leape to his necke and there they ride as on horse-back expecting his time then he thrusts a sharpe and strong stake which he carries with him into the Whales nostrill for so they call the hole or vent by which they breathe presently he beates it in with another stake as forcibly as he can in the meane space the Whale doth furiously beate the Sea and raiseth Mountaines of water running into the deepe with great violence and presently riseth againe not knowing what to doe for paine the Indian still sits firme and to giue him full paiment for this trouble hee beates another stake into the other vent or nosthrill so as he stoppeth him quite and takes away his breathing then he betakes him to his Canoe which he holds tied with a cord to the Whales side and goes to Land hauing first tied his cord to the Whale the which he lets run with the Whale who leapes from place to place whilest he finds water enough being troubled with paine in the end he comes neere the Land and remaines on ground by the hugenesse of his body vnable any more to moue then a great number of Indians come vnto the Conquerour to gather his spoiles they kill him and cut his flesh in peeces the which is bad enough this doe they dry and beate into powder vsing it for meate it doth last them long wherein is fulfilled that which is spoken in another Psalme of the Whale Dedisti eum escam populis Aethiopum Peter Mendez the Adelantade did often speake of this kinde of fishing Whereof Monardes makes mention in his Booke There is another fishing which the Indians doe commonly vse in the Sea the which although it be lesse yet is it worthy the report They make as it were faggots of bul-rushes or dry sedges well bound together which they call Balsas hauing carried them vpon their shoulders to the Sea they cast them in and presently leape vpon them being so set they lanch out into the deepe rowing vp and downe with small reedes of either side they goe a league or two into the Sea to fish carrying with them their cords and nets vpon these faggots and beare themselues thereon They cast out their nets and doe there remaine fishing the greatest part of the day and night vntill they haue filled vp their measure with the which they returne well satisfied Truely it was delightfull to see them fish at Callao of Lima for that they were many in number and euery one set on horse-backe cutting the waues of the Sea which in their place of fishing are great and furious resembling the Tritons or Neptunes which they paint vpon the water and being come to Land they draw their barke out of the water vpon their backes the which they presently vndoe and lay abroad on the shoare to drie There were other Indians of the Vallies of Yca which were accustomed to goe to fish in leather or skins of Sea-wolues blowne vp with winde and from time to time they did blow them like bals of winde lest they should sinke In the vaâ—e of Canete which in old time they called Guaroo there were a great number of Indian fishers but because they resisted the Ingua when he came to conquer that Land hee made shew of peace with them and therefore to feast him they appointed a solemne fishing of many thousand Indians which went to Sea in their vessels of reeds at whose returne the Ingua who had laid many Souldiers in ambush made a cruell butcherie of them so as afterward this Land remained vnpeopled although it be aboundant and fertile I did see another manner of fishing whereunto Don Francis of Toledo the Viceroy did leade me yet was it not in the Sea but in a Riuer which they call great in the Prouince of Charcas where the Indians Chiraquanas plunged into the water and swimming with an admirable swiftnesse followed the fish where with darts and hookes which they vse to carry in their right hand onely swimming with the left they wound the fish and so hurt they brought them forth seeming in this more like vnto fishes then men of the Land But now that we haue left the Sea let vs come to other kinde of waters that remaine to be spoken of In place of the Mediterranean Sea which is in the old world the Creator hath furnished this new with many Lakes whereof there are some so great as they may be properly called Seas seeing the Scripture calleth that of Palestina so which is not so great as some of these The most famous is that of Titicaca which is at Peru in the Prouince of Callao the which as I haue said in the former booke containes neere fourescore leagues in compasse into the which there runs ten or twelue great Riuers A while since they began to saile in it with Barkes and Ships wherein they proceeded so ill that the first Ship was split with a tempest that did rise in the Lake The water is not altogether sower nor salt as that of the Sea but it is so thicke as it cannot be drunke There are two kindes of fishes breede in this Lake in great abundance the one they call Suches which is great and sauorous but phlegmaticke and vnwholesome and the other Bogos which is more healthfull although it be lâ—sse and fuller of bones there are great numbers of wilde-ducks and Wigens When as the Indians will feast it or shew delight to any one that passeth along the two bankes which they call Chuouyto and Omasugo they assemble a great number of Canoes making a circle and inuironing the fowle vntill they take with their hands what they please and they call this manner of fishing Chaco On the one and the other banke of this Lake are the best habitations of Peru. From the issue thereof there growes a lesser Lake although it be great which they call Paria vpon the bankes whereof there are great numbers of cattell especially Swine which grow exceeding fat with the grasse vpon those bankes There are many other Lakes in the high Mountaines whence proceede Brookes and
also other strange Countries make sumptuous buildings therewith The Indians doe draw from these flouds that runne from the Mountaines to the Vallies and Plaines many and great Brookes to water their Land which they vsually doe with such industrie as there are no better in Murcia nor at Millan it selfe the which is also the greatest and onely wealth of the Plaines of Peru and of many other parts of the Indies §. III. Of the qualitie of the Land at the Indies in generall Properties of Peru and of new Spaine and other parts Of Vulcanes and Earthquakes WE may know the qualitie of the Land at the Indies for the greatest part seeing it is the last of the three Elements whereof we haue propounded to treate in this Booke by the discourse we haue made in the former Booke of the burning Zone seeing that the greatest part of the Indies doth lye vnder it But to make it knowne the more particularly I haue obserued three kindes of Lands as I haue passed through those Regions whereof there is one very low another very high and the third which holds the middle of these two extreames The lower is that which lyeth by the Sea coasts whereof there is in all parts of the Indies and it is commonly very hot and moist so as it is not so healthfull and at this day we see it lesse peopled although in former times it hath beene greatly inhabited with Indians as it appeareth by the histories of new Spaine and Peru and where they kept and liued for that the soile was naturall vnto them being bred there They liued of fishing at Sea and of seeds drawing brooks from the Riuers which they vsed for want of raine for that it raines little there and in some places not at all This low Countrie hath many places vnhabitable as well by reason of the Sands which are dangerous for there are whole Mountaines of these Sands as also for the Marishes which grow by reason of the waters that fall from the Mountaines which finding no issue in these flat and low Lands drowne them and make them vnprofitable And in truth the greatest part of all the Indian Sea coast is of this sort chiefly vpon the South Sea the habitation of which coasts is at this present so wasted and contemned that of thirty parts of the people that inhabited it there wants twenty nine and it is likely the rest of the Indians will in short time decay Many according to the varietie of their opinions attribute this to diuers causes some to the great labour which hath beene imposed vpon these Indians others vnto the change and varietie of meates and drinkes they vse since their commerce with the Spaniards others to their great excesse and drinking and to other vices they haue for my part I hold this disorder to be the greatest cause of their decay whereof it is not now time to discourse any more In this low Countrie which I say generally is vnhealthfull ond vnfit for mans habitation there is exception in some places which are temperate and fertile as the greatest part of the Plaines of Peru where there are coole vallies and very fertile The greatest part of the habitation of the coast entertains all the traffike of Spain by Sea whereon all the estate of the Indies dependeth Vpon this coast there are some Towns well peopled as Lima and Truxillo in Peru Panama and Carthagena vpon the maine Land and in the Ilands Saint Dominique Port Ricco and Hauana with many other Towns which are lesse then these as the True Crosse in new Spain Yâ—a Arigua and others in Peru the Ports are commonly inhabited although but slenderly The second sort of Land is contrary very high and by consequent cold and dry as all the Mountaines are commonly This Land is neither fertile nor pleasant but very healthfull which makes it to be peopled and inhabited There are Pastures and great store of Cattle the which for the most part entertaines life and by their Cattell they supply the want they haue of Corne and Graine by trucking and exchange But that which makes these Lands more inhabited and peopled is the riches of the Mines that are found there for that all obeys to Gold and Siluer By reason of the Mines there are some dwellings of Spaniards and Indians which are increased and multiplied as Potozi and Gancanelicqua in Peru and Cacatecas in new Spaine There are also through all these Mountaines great dwellings of the Indians which to this day are maintained yea some will say they increase but that the labour of the Mines doth consume many and some generall diseases haue destroyed a great part as the Cocoliste in new Spaine yet they finde no great diminution In this extremitie of high ground they finde two commodities as I haue said of Pastures and Mines which doe well counteruaile the two other that are in the lower grounds alongst the Sea coast that is the commerce of the Sea and the abundance of Wine which groweth not but in the hot Lands Betwixt these two extreames there is ground of a meane height the which although it be in some parts higher or lower one then other yet doth it not approach neither to the heate of the Sea coast nor the intemperature of the Mountaines In this sort of soyle there groweth many kindes of Graine as Wheate Barley and Mays which growes not at all in the high Countries but well in the lower there is likewise store of Pasture Cattell Fruits and greene Forrests This part is the best habitation of the three for health and recreation and therefore it is best peopled of any part of the Indies the which I haue curiously obserued in many Voyages that I haue vndertaken and haue alwayes found it true that the Prouince best peopled at the Indies be in this scituation Let vs looke neerely into new Spaine the which without doubt is the best Prouince the Sunne doth circle by what part soeuer you doe enter you mount vp and when you haue mounted a good height you begin to descend yet very little and that Land is alwayes much higher then that along the Sea coast All the Land about Mexico is of this nature and scituation and that which is about the Vulcan which is the best soile of the Indies as also in Peru Arequipa Guamangua and Cusco although more in one then in the other But in the end all is high ground although they descend into deepe Vallies and clime vp to high Mountaines the like is spoken of Quitto Saint Foy and of the best of the New Kingdome To conclude I doe beleeue that the wisedome and prouidence of the Creator would haue it so that the greatest part of this Countrie of the Indies should be hillie that it might be of a better temperature for being low it had beene very hot vnder the burning Zone especially being farre from the Sea Also all the Land I haue seene at the Indies is neere
into New Spaine and with the second Armie of Grigialua and with the third of Cortese and with the fourth of Pamphilo di Narbaez all by order of Lieutenant Velasco whereby Cuba was in manner dispeopled and by the former causes mentioned of Hispaniola and by the contagion of the small Pockes which was vniuersall in all these Ilands So that the Great God hath in manner wholly extinguished them for their not without others sinnes They haue much Gold and Brasse vse to fish much with the Rouerso before mentioned as also that Wild-goose chase There are innumerable Cranes such as are in Spaine the Boyes take infinite Egges and young ones There are Turtles greater then in Spaine Euery yeare there passe from the end of Cuba infinite numbers of diuers sorts of Birds which come from the North of the firme Land and crosse ouer the Alacrain Ilands and Cuba and flye ouer the Gulfe Southwards I haue seene them passe ouer Darien and Nombre de dios and Panama in diuers yeeres in the Firme Land so many that they couer the Skie and this passage or march continueth a moneth or more about the moneth of March I thinke they flie round about the World for they neuer are seene to returne toward the West or North and we see them not euery yeere one after another from morning to night the aire is couered and some flie so high that they cannot bee seene others lower yet higher then the Mountaines tops They come from the North-west and North to the Southwards and then turne South-west occupying in length more then the eye can discerne and a great space in breadth The lowest are Eaglets and Eagles and all seeme Birds of prey of many kinds and plumes The higher cannot bee discerned in their plumes but in manner of flying and qâ—antâ—tie appeare of diuers sorts There haue beene Serpents killed in Cuba as bigge as a mans thigh and fiue and twentie or thirtie foot long and more They are tame and the Indians eate them and find sometimes in their bellies sixe or seuen creatures bigger then Conies which they swallow whole I am loth to lead you with this Author along with Grigialua in his long Expedition from hence to Iucatan and other parts Neere to Porto de termini he found two Trees seeming set by hand standing alone and fifteene paces off diuers Idols of Chalke They saw two Images made of the wood Copei in manner of Sodomiticall villenie ioyned together and another of Chalke with his circumcised member betwixt his hands Iamaica was in people vices creatures and other things like the former they were the Inuentors of the reuerso-fishing and Goose-catching with Gourds or Pompions aforesaid which sometimes they practised also with leaues and greene boughes on their heads and vsed that Garland as is before said of the Pompions Of Cubagua the Pearle Iland and of the Pearle-fishing is spoken before In Cubagua is a bituminous Fountayne hauing otherwise no water to drinke nor Hearbes nor Trees but a few of Guaiacan nor any liuing creatures though at first comming of the Christians there were a few Conies At the East point is the Fountayne running into the Sea with an Oily substance floating on it profitable for Medicine there called Deuils Dung They that liue there fetch their water seuen leagues off from Cumana on the firme Land and wood from Margarita The Kings fifth of the Pearle-fishing hath yeelded 15000. Duckets yeerly a thing not knowne that so many Pearles haue beene taken from so small a space the Iland of Cubagua not compassing aboue three leagues In the Gulfe of Orâ—tigâ—a and the Ilands therein in the Prouince of Nicaragua on the South Sea are many shel-fishes of a long forme some a Cubit long some lesse creased growing broader and broader to the end when they are opened they haue a fishie substance within them and shine within as the Pearle-oysters doe halfe their length thence by degrees loosing that shining toward the broader end The Pearles within them are not so fine as the other The Indians vse the shels to digge their loose ground fastning the shell to a handle of wood binding it fast and making a kind of Spade thereof In the yeare 1517. An Englishman vnder colour of Discouery came with a great ship towards Brasill on the Firme Land and thence trauersed to Hispaniola and came neere the Hauen of Saint Domingo and sent his Boat full of people on shoare and desired Trade But the Captaine of the Fort shot from the Castle at the Boate because shee came directly to the Port and thereupon they returned to their ship The English seeing this entertainment tooke their course towards the Iland of Saint Iohn and entred the Port of Saint German and there demanded victuals and prouisions for their ship complaining of the wrong done them at Saint Domingo comming thither for Trade to buy with their Mony and to barter Commodities There they got some victuals for which they paid in wrought pieces of Pewter and other things and so returned towards Europe where it is likely they came not for there was neuer any more heard of them The next yeare a French Pirat guided by a Spanish Pilot came to trade in the Iland of Pearles and a Portugall Carauell which he had taken on the Coast of Brasill and would haue landed his Boats full of men but was resisted and a Battel betwixt both parts followed in which thirteene Frenchmen were slaine and two of ours Three or foure Nauarrois and Biskainers fled from them and said the French were Theeues and came to take the Iland whereupon they went with all their strength and tooke her Boat and the ship fled out of sight c. Ouiedos twentieth Booke is of shipwrackes and disaduentures which haue happened to the Spaniards in those parts One which happened 1514. is admirable the ship sinking and fiue and twentie persons escaping in the Boat hast forbidding prouision of Card Compasse or victuall to saue their liues Thus liued they twelue dayes at Sea neither had they any thing to eate or drinke only a young man had saued two pounds of Bisket which beeing diuided amongst them he which had most had not aboue an ounce and halfe Vrine or the Sea was their drinke In this case they made Vowes to our Lâ—die of Antica in Siuill and on the twelfth day hauing made a Saile of their shirts they came to Siluer-port in Hispaniola Their Pilot Aâ—to Caluo told me the Storie The same yeare in the Pleet of Pedrarias de Auilla a Portugal youth being scoffed at and flouted by the Spaniards leaped into the Sea in a fresh gale and not without the wonder of all men was taken vp by another ship aliue whom after I saw vaunting of this folly and saying that no Castilian durst haue done it which I easily beleeue as hauing more wit then this Foole. Yet will I imitate a little this foolish
they did wheresoeuer they came was to build a House or Tabernacle for their false god which they set alwayes in the middest of their Campe and there placed the Arke vpon an Altar in the same manner as they haue vsed in the holy Christian Church This done they sowed their land for bread and pulses which they vsed and they were so addicted to the obedience of their god that if he commanded them to gather they gathered but if he commanded them to raise their Campe all was left there for the nourishment of the aged sicke and wearie which they left purposely from place to place that they might people it pretending by this meanes that all the Land should remaine inhabited by their Nation We may well iudge what this Vitzliputzli was for that there was neuer seene nor heard speake of customes more superstitious nor sacrifices more cruell and inhumane then those which hee taught them To conclude they were inuented by the enemie of mankinde The Chiefe and Captaine whom they followed was called Mexi whence came the name of Mexico and of the Mexican Nation This people marching thus at leisure as the other sixe Nations had done peopling and tilling the Land in diuers parts whereof there is yet some shewes and ruines and after they had endured many trauels and dangers in the end they came to the Prouince of Mechouacan which is as much to say as a land of fish for there is great abundance in goodly great Lakes where contenting themselues with the situation and temperature of the ground they resolued to stay there Yet hauing consulted with their Idoll vpon this point and finding him vnwilling they demanded license to leaue some of their men to people so good a Land the which he granted teaching them the meanes how to doe it which was that when the Men and Women should be entred into a goodly Lake called Pascuaro to bathe themselues those which remayned on Land should steale away all their clothes and then secretly raise their Campe and depart without any bruit the which was effected and the rest which dreamt not of this deceit for the pleasure they tooke in bathing comming forth and finding themselues spoyled of their garments and thus mocked and left by their Companions they remayned discontented and vexed therewith so as to make shew of the hatred they had conceiued against them they say that they changed their manner of life and their language At the least it is most certaine that the Mechouacans haue beene alwayes enemies to the Mexicans and therefore they came to congratulate the Marquesse De Valle after his victorie obtayned when he had conquered Mexico From Mechouacan to Mexico are aboue fiftie leagues and vpon the way is Malinalco where it happened that complayning to their Idoll of a woman that was a notable witch which came in their company carrying the name of their sister to their god for that with her wicked artes shee did them much harme pretending by certaine meanes to bee worshipped of them as their goddesse the Idoll spake in a dreame to one of those old men that carried the Arke commanding him to comfort the people making them new and great promises and that they should leaue this his sister with her family being cruell and bad raysing their Campe at mid-night in great silence leauing no shew what way they passed So they did and the Witch remayning alone with her family in this sort peopled a Towne which they call Malinalco the Inhabitants whereof are held for great Sorcerers being issued from such a mother The Mexicans for that they were greatly diminished by these diuisions and by the number of sicke and wearied persons which they had left behinde meant to repayre themselues and to stay in a place called Tula which signifies a place of Reedes There their Idoll commanded them to stop a great Riuer that it might couer a great Playne and by the meanes he taught them they did inuiron a little Hill called Coatepec making a great Lake the which they did plant round about with Willowes Elmes Sapines and other Trees There began to breede much fish and many birds came thither so as it became a very pleasant place The situation of this place seeming pleasant vnto them and being wearied with trauell many talked of peopling there and to passe no farther wherewith the Deuill was much displeased threatning the Priests with death commanding them to returne the Riuer to her course saying that hee would that night chastise those which had beene disobedient as they had deserued And as to doe ill is proper to the Deuill and that the diuine Iustice doth often suffer such to be deliuered into the hands of such a Tormentor that choose him for their god It chanced that about mid-night they heard a great noyse in one part of the Campe and in the morning going thither they found those dead that had talked of staying there The manner of their death was that their stomacks were opened and their hearts pulled out And by that meanes this good god taught these poore miserable Creatures the kindes of sacrifices that pleased him which was in opening the stomacke to pull out the heart as they haue since practised in their horrible sacrifices Seeing this punishment and that the Playne was dryed the Lake being emptied they asked counsell of their god what to doe who commanded them to passe on the which they did by little and little vntill they came to Chapultepec a league from Mexico famous for the pleasantnesse thereof They did fortifie themselues in these Mountaines fearing the Nations which inhabited that Country the which were opposite vnto them especially for that one named Copil sonne to this Sorceresse left in Malinalco had blamed and spoken ill of the Mexicans for this Copil by the commandement of his mother awhile after followed the Mexicans course labouring to incense the Tapanecas and other neighbours against them euen vnto the Chalcas so as they came with a strong Armie to destroy the Mexicans Copil in the meane space stood vpon a little Hill in the middest of a Lake called Acopilco attending the destruction of his Enemies and they by the aduice of their Idoll went against him tooke him suddenly and slue him carrying his heart to their god who commanded them to cast it into the Lake fayning that thereof did grow a plant called Tunal where since Mexico was built They came to fight with the Chalcas and other Nations hauing chosen for their Captaine a valiant man called Vitzilonilti who in an encounter was taken and slaine by the Enemies But for all this they were not discouraged but fought valiantly and in despight of their Enemies they brake the squadrons and carrying their Aged their Women and young Children in the midst of their battaile they passed on to Atlacuyauaya a Towne of the Culhuans whom they found solemnising of a Feast in which place they fortified
resolued to punish the Mexicans seuerely causing a great number of the Nobilitie to be slaine at a maske which they made in the Palace the which did so farre exceed as all the people mutined and in a furious rage tooke Armes to be reuenged and to kill the Spaniards They therefore besieged them in the Palace pressing them so neere that all the hurt the Spaniards could doe them with their Artillerie and Crosse-bowes might not terrifie them not force them to retyre from their enterprise where they continued many dayes stopping their victuals not suffering any one to enter or issue forth They did fight with stones and cast Darts after their manner with a kind of Lances like vnto Arrowes in the which there are foure or sixe very sharpe Rasors the which are such as the Histories report that in these warres an Indian with one blow of these Rasors almost cut off the necke of a Horse and as they did one day fight with this resolution and furie the Spaniards to make them cease shewed forth Moteçuma with an other of the chiefe Lords of Mexico vpon the top of a plat-forme of the house couered with the Targets of two Souldiers that were with them The Mexicans seeing their Lord Moteçuma stayed with great silence Then Moteçuma caused the Lord to aduise them to pacifie themselues and not to warre against the Spaniards seeing that he being a prisoner it could little profit him The which being vnderstood by a yong man called Quicuxtemoc whom they now resolued to make their King hee spake with a loud voyce to Moteçuma willing him to retyre like a Villaine that seeing he had beene such a Coward as to suffer himselfe to bee taken they were no more bound to obey him but rather should punish him as he deserued calling him Woman for the more reproach and then he began to draw his Bowe and to shoot at him and the people began to cast stones at him and to continue their combate Many say that Moteçuma was then hurt with a stone whereof hee dyed The Indians of Mexico affirme the contrarie and that hee dyed as I will shew hereafter Aluaro and the rest of the Spaniards seeing themselues thus pressed gaue intelligence to Captaine Cortes of the great danger they were in who hauing with an admirable dexteritie and valour giuen order to Naruaes affaires and assembled the greatest part of his men hee returned with all speed to succour them of Mexico where obseruing the time the Indians rest for it was their custome in warre to rest euery fourth day Hee one day aduanced with great policy and courage so as both he and his men entred the Palace where as the Spaniards had fortified themselues they then shewed great signes of ioy in discharging their Artillerie But as the Mexicans fury increased being out of hope to defend themselues Cortes resolued to passe away secretly in the night without bruit Hauing therefore made Bridges to passe two great and dangerous passages about mid-night they issued forth as secretly as they could the greatest part of his people hauing passed the first bridge they were discouered by an Indian woman before they could passe the second who cryed out their enemies fled at the which voyce all the people ranne together with a horrible furie so as in passing the second bridge they were so charged and pursued as there remayned aboue three hundred men slaine and hurt in one place where at this day there is a small Hermitage which they vnproperly call of Martyrs Many Spaniards to preserue the gold and jewels which they had gotten perished and others staying to carry it away were taken by the Mexicans and cruelly sacrificed to their Idols The Mexicans found King Moteçuma dead and wounded as they say with Poniards and they hold opinion that that night the Spaniards slue him with other Noblemen The Marquesse in his Relation sent to the Emperor writes the contrary and that the Mexicans killed him that night with a sonne of Moteçuma which he led with him amongst other Noblemen saying that all the treasure of gold stones and siluer fell into the Lake and was neuer more seene But how soeuer Moteçuma dyed miserably and payed his deserts to the iust iudgement of our Lord of Heauen for his pride and tyrannie his body falling into the Indians power they would make him no Obsequies of a King no not of an ordinarie person but cast it away in great disdaine and rage A seruant of his hauing pitie of this Kings miserie who before had beene feared and worshipped as a God made a fire thereof and put the ashes in a contemptible place Returning to the Spaniards that escaped they were greatly tyred and turmoyled the Indians following them two or three dayes very resolutely giuing them no time of rest being so distressed for victuals as a few graines of Mays were diuided amongst them for their meate The Relations both of the Spaniards and Indians agree that God deliuered them here miraculously the Virgin Mary defending them on a little Hill whereat this day three leagues from Mexico there is a Church built in remembrance thereof called our Lady of succour They retyred to their ancient friends of Tlascalla whence by their aide and the valour and policy of Cortes they returned afterwards to make war against Mexico by Water and Land with an inuention of Brigantines which they put into the Lake where after many combats and aboue threescore dangerous battailes they conquered Mexico on Saint Hippolitus day the 13. of August 1521. The last King of the Mexicans hauing obstinately maintayned the warres was in the end taken in a great Canoe whereinto hee fled who being brought with some other of the chiefest Noblemen before Fernando Cortes this petie King with a strange resolution and courage drawing his dagger came neere to Cortes and said vnto him Vntill this day I haue done my best indeuour for the defence of my people now am I no farther bound but to giue thee this dagger to kill me therewith Cortes answered that he would not kill him neither was it his intention to hurt them but their obstinate folly was guiltie of all the miserie and afflictions they had suffered neither were they ignorant how often he had required peace and amitie at their hands Hee the commanded them to be intreated curteously Many strange and admirable things chanced in this Conquest of Mexico for I neither hold it for an vntruth nor an addition which many write that God fauoured the Spaniards by many miracles It is most certaine by the Relations of many and by the Histories which are written that in diuers battailes which the Spaniards had as well in New Spaine as in Peru the Indians their enemies did see a Horseman in the ayre mounted on a white horse with a Sword in his hand fighting for the Spaniards whence comes the great reuerence they beare at the Indies to the glorious Apostle Saint Iames. Otherwhiles they
answered to our Nouember they prepared what was necessary for the Children that should bee made Nouices the moneth following the Children with the old men made a certayne shew with rounds and turnings and this Feast was called Ituraymi which commonly they make when it raines too much or too little or when there is a plague Among the extraordinary Feasts which were very many the most famous was that which they called Ytu This Feast Ytu hath no prefixed time nor season but in time of necessitie To prepare themselues thereunto all the people fasted two dayes during the which they did neither company with their wiues nor eate any meate with Salt or Garlicke nor drinke any Chica All did assemble together in one place where no stranger was admitted nor any beast they had Garments and Ornaments which serued onely for this Feast They marched very quietly in Procession their heads couered with their Veâ—les sounding of Drummes without speaking one to another This continued a day and a night then the day following they danced and made good cheere for two dayes and two nights together saying that their Prayer was accepted And although that this Feast is not vsed at this day with all this ancient Ceremony yet commonly they make another which is very like which they call Ayma with Garments that serue onely to that end and they make this kinde of Procession with their Drummes hauing fasted before then after they make good cheere which they vsually doe in their vrgent necessities And although the Indians forbeare to sacrifice beasts or other things publikely which cannot be hidden from the Spaniards yet doe they still vse many Ceremonies that haue their beginnings from these Feasts and ancient Superstitions for at this day they doe couertly make this Feast of Ytu at the dances of the Feast of the Sacrament in making the dances of Lyamallama and of Guacon and of others according to their ancient Ceremonies THe Mexicans haue beene no lesse curious in their Feasts and Solemnities which were of small charge but of great effusion of mans bloud We haue before spoken of the principall Feast of Vitziliputzli after the which the Feast of Tezcalipuca was most solemnized This Feast fell in May and in their Kalender they called it Tozcolt it fell euery foure yeere with the feast of Penance where there was giuen full indulgence and remission of sinnes In this day they did sacrifice a Captiue which resembled the Idoll Tezcalipuca it was the nineteenth day of May vpon the Euen of this Feast the Noblemen came to the Temple bringing a new Garment like vnto that of the Idoll the which the Priest put vpon him hauing first taken off his other Garments which they kept with as much or more reuerence then wee doe our Ornaments There were in the Coffers of the Idoll many Ornaments Iewels Earerings and other Riches as Bracelets and precious Feathers which serued to no other vse but to be there and was worshipped as their God it selfe Besides the Garment wherewith they worshipped the Idoll that day they put vpon him certayne ensignes of Feathers with fannes shadowes and other things being thus attired and furnished they drew the Curtayn or Veile from before the doore to the end he might be seene of all men then came forth one of the chiefe of the Temple attyred like to the Idoll carrying flowres in his hand and a Flute of earth hauing a very sharpe sound and turning towards the East he sounded it and then looking to the West North and South he did the like And after he had thus sounded towards the foure parts of the World shewing that both they that were present and absent did heare him he put his finger into the Aiâ—e and then gathered vp earth which hee put in his mouth and did eate it in signe of adoration The like did all they that were present and weeping they fell flat to the ground inuocating the darknesse of the night and the winds intreating them not to leaue them nor to forget them or else to take away their liues and free them from the labours they endured therein Theeues Adulterers and Murtherers and all other offenders had great feare and heauinesse whilest this Flute sounded so as some could not dissemble nor hide their offences By this meanes they all demanded no other thing of their God but to haue their offences concealed powring forth many teares with great repentance and sorrow offering great store of Incense to appease their Gods The couragious and valiant men and all the old Souldiers that followed the art of Warre hearing this Flute demanded with great deuotion of God the Creator of the Lord for whom we liue of the Sun and of other their Gods that they would giue them victory against their enemies strength to take many Captiues there with to honour their Sacrifices This Ceremony was done ten dayes before the Feast During which ten dayes the Priest did sound this Flute to the end that all might doe this worship in eating of earth and demand of their Idoll what they pleased they euery day made their Prayers with their eyes lift vp to Heauen and with sighs and groanings as men that were grieued for their sinnes and offences Although this contrition was onely for feare of the corporall punishment that was giuen them and not for any feare of the eternall for they certainly beleeued there was no such seuere punishment in the other life And therefore they offered themselues voluntarily to death holding opinion that it is to all men an assured rest The first day of the Feast of this Idoll Tezcalipuca beeing come all they of the Citie assembled together in a Court to celebrate likewise the Feast of the Kalender whereof we haue already spoken which was called Toxcoalth which signifies A dry thing which Feast was not made to any other end but to demand raine in the same manner that wee solemnize the Rogations and this Feast was alwayes in May which is the time that they haue most need of raine in those Countreyes They beganne to celebrate it the ninth of May ending the nineteenth The last day of the Feast the Priests drew forth a Litter well furnished with Curtaynes and Pendants of diuers fashions This Litter had so many armes to hold by as there were Ministers to carrie it All which came forth besmeered with blacke and long haire halfe in tresses with white strings and attyred in the liuery of the Idoll Vpon this Litter they set the personage of the Idoll appointed for this Feast which they called the resemblance of their God Tezcalipuca and taking it vpon their shoulders they brought it openly to the foot of the staires then came forth the young men and Maydens of the Temple carrying a great coard wreathed of chaines of roasted Mays with the which they enuironed the Litter and putting a chaine of the same about the Idols necke and a Garland vpon his head They called the coard Toxcalt
Opinion of the Resurrection ibid. Their Kings Buriall place 281.20 Their theeueries in the Borders 314 60. Their Custome to cease vpon the Goods of Strangers deceased 313. 316.10 When They conquered China how long they held it and how expelled See 376.20 Tartars vide Crim Tartars Nagayan Tartars Mordwit Tartars Chicasce Tartars Cheremisse Tartars c. Tatami are Iaponian Mats 326 10 Taurica Chersonesus now Cassaria 53.30 Taurica Chersonesus described from pag. 632. Vnto 643. The length of the banke 636.1 The soyle 636.50 The Seasons Soyle Bounds Originall Princes c. 637. Part belongs to the Turke and part to the Tartars ibid. Taurinum the Citie where 49 40 Tauris in Persia the Merchandise of it 70.40 Taute and Manse Ilanders of Cathaya 34.10 Tayth City in Catay 800.50 Described ibid. Tebeth the Prouince now a Wildernesse 90.20 How Trauellers passe it ibid. They desire Strangers to take their Daughters Mayden-heads 90 40. They are great Negromancers 90.60 And 91 20 Tebet a Tartarian people that for pitty eate their Dead Parents 23.1 They make Cups of their Sculles 23.10 30. They haue much Gold 23.10 Teeth couered with Gold 92 20 Teeth the fume of Quick-siluer makes them fall out 950.1 Telegas or Waggons in the Russian 242.20 Temple of the Sun in the Indies 893.60 Conuerted into a Monastery 895.60 Temple and Statua erected to a Gouernour 328 Temple a most huge one 281 1. With gilded Steeples 265. 267.10 Temples of Peru 1032. Of Mexico described 1033. 1133 40 Temples of Mexico described 1133.30 Their Muniton kept in them 1134.1 Temples of the Mexicans haue Cloysters and Couents 1049 30 Tempests yearely in China and strange ones 198.1.39.60 Tempests cruell ones in the Mountaynes of Cathay 36.20 Layed ibid. Tempests extreme ones in Hispaniola 997.1 Tempests vsuall at the new Moone 256 Tempests raysed by the Deuill 974 60 Tenduch the Prouince of the Tartarian Presbyter Iohn 710.20 Tenerise in the West Indies the scite and distance from Santa Martha Villages about it Mynes c. 885.40 Riuers ibid. Tennis play of the Mexicans the fashion of it 1127.40.50 Tensa the Lords of it command all in Iapon 324.20 They are as Heires apparent 325.40 Tenth of the Spoyles due to the Prince of the Crim Tartars 641 40 Tenths of Wooll the great Cham hath 88.22 Tents the huge number and richnesse of the Tartarian Princes 86.20 Tenure in Capite in Russia 424.10 Tephelis or Tiflis the Georgians chiefe Citie 55.1 Terme for Law suites in Island 650.50 Terzas the Armenian Christians in Persia 400 Testimoniall in the Russes Coffin 218.1 Tezcalipuca the Mexican Idoll his great Festiuall the cause and manner 1047 Thaican or Thracian the Castle where 73.20 Thebeth Chesmir Sensim and Bachfi orders of Southsayers in Tartarie 81.1.20 Theeues their Thumbes cut off 264.50 Theeues how punished in China 204.10 Theeues all the way betwixt the Dominion of the Mogores and Cathay 311.312 c. Theeuerie ignominions to Posteritie 335.40 Theft dispensed withall vpon Confession before the Sacrament 37.20.30 Theodosia or Capha the Citie in Taurica 636.20 Christianitie deâ—ayed there ibid. How farre from Constantinople ibid. Theologie of the Chinois 397 Theodulus of Acon his foolish message to Mangu-Chan 29.10.20 c. Thistles with Stalkes foure inches square in the Indies 897.60 Tholoman the Prouince Gold plentifull there 94.30 Thomas Edge his Voyage 464.60 His returne 466.1 And second Voyage ibid. His second Voyage and Commission 709. His third Voyage 467.10 His Iland ibid. His fourth Voyage ibid. Another Voyage 468.30 Another 469.10 Thomas Perez Ambassadour to China how vsed 267.20 Sir Thomas Button confident to finde the Northwest Passage 848.40 Sir Thomas Smith Embassadour into Russia 747. His stately intertainment puts the Russes out of their Complement ibid. Denies to giue the Copie of his Embassage beforehand 748.10 His Audience ibid. His entertainement 749. His second audience 750.40 Take his leaue and returnes for England 751.20 A message sent to him from Demetrius 759.20 Sir Thomas Smiths Iland 730.10 A barren place ibid. Sir Thomas Smiths Inlet discouered to the furthest end 725.30 Sir Thomas Smiths Sound the Latitude 847 Saint Thomas buryed in Malepur 138.40 Saint Thomas his Tombe stâ—aâ—ge things concerning it 105.1.40.50 Thornsting Prouince in West Island 665.10 Thorro King of Goâ—land c. Made and a God 659.50 Thred made of Indian Nuts and how 71.50 Thred of Conies haire 1132.40 Thred gotten out of a Leafe 557.10 Threshold the Tartars touch not 84.20 Throne a most stately one 279.30 Throne of the King reuerenced in his absence 392.40 Thule whether it bee Island 643.50 Thule is not Island 655.10 But one of the Brittish Iles or Scandia or Tylemarke in Norway 655.50 marg Thunder in 70. Degrees 42. minutes North 580 Thunder worshipped by the Mexicans their odde opinion one 1027.30 Thunderbolts frequent in the West Indies where 885.1.890.40 Thunderbolt one Beast killed with it exempts the Hâ—ard from tribute 87.50 Thursday the Etymâ—n 664.50 Tibaldo de Vesconti di Piacenza the Popes Legate at Acon 67.1 Chosen Pope and called Gregorie the tenth 67.10 Sendeth Preachers into Tartarie ibid. Tiburon the Cape on the West of Hispaniola 859.10 Tickes of the water troublesome in the West Indies their cure 975.10 Tien tautec what in Chinese 201.40 Tiflis the Metropolitan Citie of the Georgians 49.10 Tiger deuoures a man â— story of it 902.50 Tigres their battels with the Crocodile 931 Tigres of the West Indies can distinguish an Indian from a Spaniard 963.30 Tigres of India described how killed a Tigre tamed 991 Tigris the head of it 49.30 Timber how Island is supplyed with 662.40 Timochaim in Persia 70.50 72.20 Tingoesi the people described 527.30.551.40 Speake like Turkie-Cockes ibid. Nations beyond them 528.10 Their dexterity to take Fowle Fish and Venison ibid. See also 530.20 Neere to China 543.60 546 Tingui the Citie 96.40 Tinguigui the Citie Drunkennesse well ouertaken there 97.40 Tinna the chiefe Citie of the Russes in the Samoieds Countrey 526.10 Tinlau a Riuer 257.30 Tipany in Lapland 560.20 Tides in the Sea where none 518.30 Tides a discourse of them 930.1.10.20 c. Tids their Course come from the North 492 Tides the chiefe Argument of the Northwest passage 848.40 Tylemarke in Norway is Thule 655. marg Time of the day finely declared 409 30 Tyras the Riuer Nester in Moldauia 633.1 Tithes payed in Groneland 520.1 Tithes payed in the West Indies 908.50 Titicaca Lake the greatnesse thicknesse of the water sorts of the Fishes and Fowles and the taking of them 932.20 Title of the King of Sweden 771. Of the Emperour of Russia See Russian Emperour or Emperour of Russia of the King of Poland 783.1 Titles the Chinois Ambition of them 393.1 Titles a great Merchandize in Iapon 324.10 Titubul the Citie 291.30 Tlacaellec a valiant Mexican Generall his Acts 1011.1012.1013 c. Winnes a battell onely with Children 1014.10 Refuses the Kingdome 1015. His great Honour Death and Funerall 1016.10 Toade found aliue
His purpose altered Stronâ—â—â—ream Herd of white Deere The Riuer searched Noua Zembla pleasant to the eye Cause of much Ice in those Seas which make no nauigable passage Willoughbies Land a conceit of Card-makers it seeming to be no other then Newland or Greenland as is before obserued cap. 2. as Costing Sarch of Brunell is to others Noua Zembla Note Greene Sea Thunder No night in ten weekes See Hak. 10.3 May 5. stilo nouo Beala 〈◊〉 Wardhouse They doubled the North Cape Assumption Point Zenâ—â— Lofoote No variatioâ— A great current setting to the North-east Farre Iles set 14. leagues to farre West Stromo Iune m The Bittacle is a close place in which the Compasse standeth Busse Iland Their first sight of stars for further North they 〈◊〉 continuall Sun-light Change of water A strange current out of the South-west Note well Bonets are those which are laced and eeked to the sayles to enlarge them with reference whereto the mayne course missen course fore course is vnderstood of those sayles without their Bonets A current from the North. Variation one point East Latitude 48. degrees 6. minutes * To spend the Mast is vnderstood of breaking it by foule weather only * That is bare no more sayle but the mayne sayle c. Variation Iuly The Banke of New found Land Variation west 17. degrees French-men Fishing on the Banke Variation 15. degrees North-west Variation 13. degrees Foggie and thick weather Many great Cods taken Many great Scoales of Herrings To sound is to trie the depth by Line and Lead or Pole c. Variation 17. degrees Land being low white and sandie 43. degrees 25. minutes Sight of Land againe and of two Ships Fiue Ilands Sixe Saluages come aboord them A large Riuer 44. Degrees 10. minutes The trade of the French with the Saluages They spoyle Houses of the Saluages Variation 10. degrees toward the North-west Variation 6. degrees to the West Variation 5. a halfe degrees A great current and many ouer-fals A great Rut. A current to the South-west and South-west by West with ouer-fals August They goe on Land neere Cape Cod. Sauages This dangerous Riffe is in 41. degrees 10 minutes and lyeth off East from Cape Cod into the Sea The Flats A current setting to the North. Variation one point Variation 10. degrees 37. Degrees 25. minutes 37. Degrees 6. minutes A low Land with a white sandie shoare 37. degrees 26. minutes Barre of Virginia Kings Riuer Note 37. degrees 22. minutes Variation 4. degrees Westward The Banke of Virginia The Coast lyeth South South-west and North North-west Latitude 37. degrees 15. minutes This agreeth with Robert Tyndall The Point of the Land A great Bay and Riuers A small Shallop needfull The Norther Land is full of shoalds Many Ilands They strike Latitude 39. degrees 5. minutes Latitude 38. degrees 39. minutes Deceitfull streames September Latitude 39. degrees 3. minutes The Land like broken Ilands The course along the Land from the mouth of one Riuer to the mouth of the Norther Bay or Lake Variation 8. degrees neere the Hills 2. degrees variation off at Sea High and a bold shoare Three great Riuers The Northermost barred An excellent Riuer Latitude 40. degrees 30. minutes A very good Harbour The people of the Countrey come aboord they are very ciuill Yellow Copper Tall Oakes The great Bay in 40. degrees and 30. minutâ— Dryed Currants Mantles of Feathers Furs Hempe Red Copper Another Riuer foure leagues to the Northward A narrow Riuer to the Westward Colman slaine and two more hurt Colmans Point Treacherous Sauages Good Harbour 28. Canoes full of men Oysters and Beanes Copper Pipes Variation 13. degrees The Riuer a mile broad Very high and mountainous Land Very louing people Maiz Pompions and Tabacco Shoalds and small Ilands Grapes and Pompions Beauers and Otters skins Oration End of the Riuers Nâ—uigablenesse They returne downe the Riuer Store of Chest-nuts Okes Wal-nut trees Chest-nut trees Ewe trees Cedar trees c. Mountaines Small skins A pleasant place to build a Towne on Likelihood of Minerals October Treacherie of these Sauages A skirmish and slaughter of the Sauages A Myne of Copper or Siluer The Countrey of Manna-hata The great mouth of the great Riuer They leaue the Coast of Virginia Aprill 17. May. The Iles of Orkney Note Farre Ilands 62 degrees 24. minutes Westmony Iune Groneland Frobishers Streights Desolation A current West North-west East entrance into the Streights Iuly Desire prouoketh Iles of Gods Mercies Hold with Hope A mightie growne Sea Magna Britannia August Salisburies fore-land A great and whurling Sea A Streight which led vs into the deepe Bay of Gods great Mercies Cape Worsenholme Cape Digs Orkney Farre Iles. Island The South-east part of Island Westmonie Iland Mount Hecla casteth out fire A mayne of Ice * Or Diraford Lousie Bay An hot Bath The first of Iune Iland of Desolation Store of Whales Iland of Ice ouerturneth Danger by Ice Hudson entred 100. leagues further then any had been Discontents Desire prouokes Exercises of pleasure and profit on the Ice Difference of Tydes and Bayes Ice aboue 100. fathome A dangerous Rocke Iles of Gods Mercie Partridges Drift-wood Three Capes Prince Henries Cape King Iames his Cape Queene Annes Cape Note Mount Charles Cape Salsburie Deepes Cape Worsenhams Cape Deere Store of fowle and grasse Sorell and Scuruy grasse Fowles hanged Discord see Widhouse his Relations following Michaelmasse Day and Bay Anchor lost Sea of two colours Footing of a man Sticke on a Rocke Last of October Nouember the tenth frozen in Iohn Williams dyeth Henry Greenes bad conditions Greenes conspiracie Their hand wintring Store of Partridgâ—s Other Fowles succeeding in their seasons Miserable diet Medicinable budde A Sauage Turke Fishing Belly straits Wilson Green their wickednesse Robert Iuet 〈◊〉 Widhouses notes Oath abused The Carpenter spared They bind the Master The Carpenter let goe The names of the company exposed in the Shallop Lâ—st sight of the Shallop Foure Ilands The wicked flee where none pursueth Cockle grasse A Rocke Note Iuly 27. Sauages Sauages manner of fowling Greenes confidence Sauages dogges Sauages trecherie Trecherie iust to vniust Traytors Greene slaine Wicked and wretched end of wretched wicked men Miserie pursueth the rest Poore Diet. Robert Iuets death A sayle of Fowy Bere Hauen in Ireland They arriue at Plimouth Ilanders poore The cause of their stay as Island They are related by Master Hakluit in his 3. vol pag 121. Friesland Saint Thomas Monasterie in Greenland Hote Spring and the strange effects thereof Estotiland Drogio Abrah Ortel Chart. 6. Hak. vol. 3. Botero Maginus Hondius c. * There is also the relation hereof by Quirino himseife extant together with this in Râ—musio Tom. 2. Out of which I haue heere added diuers annotations * The Italians call the sayling into the Mediterranean the Leuant or East and thence intâ— the Spanish Ocean and these parts the Ponent or West * These are particularly related by Quirino the
others Countries New Ambassadors in case of new successors Place of Ambassadors meeting Case of Shipwracke Neither party to aide the Pole e. Confirmation Names of the CoÌ„missioners Ambassadour from Catay and from the King of Altine See sup pag. 527. 552. None able to translate the China Characters Easterne Tartar Nations Russian Presents Tarchan of Labaia Sirgos Three Leopards c. for a Present His requests Relation of two Russe trauellers of their Voyage to Catay Tomo a new Castle beyond Ob. See sup pag. 527. Kirgis Mutalla Sheromugola Q. Manchika Wall of Catay The gate and guard See for better vnderstanding hereof Goes other Iesuites Relations in the second Booke * Such are the Tartars dwellings or fleetings rather with their beasts Their Iournal or daily iourneyes from place to place Huge Lake King Altine Vlusses or Tartarian Hords Yellow Mugals or Moal-Tartars Mugalla or Taâ—taria Orientalis from Bughar in Bactâ—ia to the Sea Their buildings Friers Idols Candles Candle burning withouâ— flame Rites of Religion Corne. Fruits People and attyre Distilled wine Cutuffs or Patriarkes Lobas or Friers Continencie shauing Three Kingdomes Ortus Talguth Shar Blacke Mugols or Cara Catay Shrokalga in Catay Walls of Catay Tower-becons Cara Catay But fiue gates in the wall Shirocalga Short Ordnance Yara Tayth Shirooan White Castle Catay greatest Citie of Catay If Catay be the same with China as before in Goes and the Iesuites is obserued many difficulties arise But this Russian Relation and that of Chaggi Memes seeme to agree to place some Catay North from China if this did not speake of the wall The Tartar names so differ from those of the Portugalls that it is hard to reconcile them And the Iesuitâ— make foure moneths trauell from the wall to Pequin which is here but a few daies except we say the Russes entred the wall at the North East part of it which the shortnesse of their iourney admits not Perhaps this chiefe Citie was but the chiefe of that Prouince where the Vice-roy resided and they were willing to make the most of their trauells Russiâ—a fide Yet the neerenesse of the Sea there also causeth scruple I suppose rather that these Russes entred China but a little way and receiued the Vice-royes Letter only there obserued with Ragall Rites and had much by Relation of that little which they tell How euer I haue here offered this to thy view at more leisure to vse thy more iudgement Merchants Kartalla Riuer Ob. This doth cleer the doubtfull passages pag. 760. Sealed with the Golden Seale How to finde out Ob from Pechora Ouson Riuer Vgorskdi and Sibierskie A shipwracke at the mouth of Ob. An Island neere the mouth of Ob. The way to discouer Ob by Sea Mattpheone or Matthewes land Aâ—ter our stile 1584. Caninos Medemske Carareca Carska Ob. Caninos Colgoieue Noua Zembla Naromske Mattuschan Yaâ— The Sands The two Seas that is the North and the East Sea The bignes of the Cliffe or Isle of Mattuschan Anthonie Marsh sent two of his men vpon the discouery of Ob by land with foure Russes Bodan Master Marsh his man brought to Mosco Russian iealousie of discouery A warme Sea beyond Ob. Mastâ—r Thomas Linde Third Volume of English voyages pag 446. See of these voâ—â—ges Hak. Tom. 1. Some thinke that the Mexican Kings Mutezuma the last professed that they were strangers were hence deriued D. â— Colon de vita patris Chrisâ—oph Col. 6.13 See Hak. tom 3. pag. 5. This Map some say was taken out of Sir Seb. Cabots Map by Clem. Adams 1549. Ramus Tom. 2. See Hak. Tom. 3. pag. 7 All the Coast to Florida discouered by the English from 67. deg 30. min. as he writ to Ramusio R. praefat Tom. 3. as likewise he was cause of the Russian and Greenland discoueries See sup l. 2. c. 1. W. Purchas Thorn and Eliot first finders of America Mosc and Turkie Companies Master Cartwright had bin in Persia and Turkie See the former Tome Buquhamnes Orkney The Start 59. degrees 30. minutes Faire I le Two small Ilands 57. degrees 55. min. no variation Variation eleuen degrees Westward No variation Guls and Pigions 59. deg 51. min. A great Iland of Ice Groneland A maine bank of Ice Black water as thick as puddle The Cape of desolation 60. deg 37. min. Store of Guls. America descried â—n 6â— degr and 30. min. Warwicks Foreland supposed to be an Iland The greatest hope of the North-west passage A current Westward in sixtie one degrees A current likely to set to the West A maine bank of Ice in 60. degrees The North coast of America seemeth to be broken land Blacke puddle water America againe discried in 63. deg 53. min. The loathsome noyse of Ice Sayles ropes and tackling frozen Thick fogge freezing as fast as it fell Mutinie 68. deg 53. min They returne froÌ„ the North. Mutiners punished A great Iland of Ice cracked like a thunder-clap and was ouerthrowne Great store of Sea Foule vpon the Ice An Inlet in 61. degrees 40. minutes The return out of the Inlet The variation 35. degrees Westward An Iland on the coast of America in 55. deg 30. min. The Godspeedâ— stroke vpon a piece of Ice Many Ilands The variation 22. degrees to West A Storme 55. deg 31. min. Variation 17. degr 15. min. They discrie the land again â—5 deg 20. min. A pleasant low land being all Ilands 55. degrees The variation 18. deg and â—2 min. Westwardâ— Temperate ayre Grâ—at hope of a passage 〈◊〉 three places 〈…〉 Rocks strangly vanishing A great Rocke A Whirlwinde taking vp the Sea They were entred 30. leagues into an Inlet in 56. degrees They returned for England This Book was also subscribed by W. Cobreth and Iohn Drew The lands end May 1605. Iohn Cunningham Iohn Knight of whom after Flecâ—rie Variation obserued A race of a tide Variation obserued Busse Iland wrong placed First sight of Groenland Cape Christian. The shoare full of Ice Cape Desolation Compasse varied Black water Sight of the Lion Iune 1605. Ilands of Ice Mightie incumbrance of Ice A mightie current setting North North-west A huge high Iland of Ice Noyse by the fall Our people determined to returne backe againe Former discoueries A mightie banke of Ice Another banke of Ice The Lions departing from vs. A mightie current Sight of Land Mount Cunningham Queene Annes Cape Queene Sophias Cape Christians Foord Our anchoring Our first landing in Groinland Our first sight of the people Boat of Seale skins Our entring into their Tents Eaters of Dogs Of the other sort of Boats There is one of these Boats in Sir T. Smiths Hall The manner of killing of their great fish or Seales Their comming to our ships Obseruation of the latitude Obseruation of the tides Our departing in the Pinnasse from the ship The Sauages begin to sling stones at vs. They sling stones againe Denmarks Hauen The people come againe The subtiltie of the Sauages My Boy shot with a Dart.
to the Mountaines on the one side or the other and sometimes of all parts So as I haue oftentimes said there that I would gladly see any place from whence the horizon did fashion it selfe and end by the heauen and a Countrie stretched out and euen as we see in Spaine in a thousand champaine fields yet doe I not remember that I haue euer seene such sights at the Indies were it in the Ilands or vpon the maine Land although I haue trauelled aboue seuen hundred leagues in length But as I haue said the neerenesse of the Mountaines is very commodious in this region to temper the heate of the Sunne To conclude the best inhabited parts of the Indies are as I haue said and generally all that Countrie abounds in Grasse Pastures and Forrests contrary vnto that which Aristotle and the ancients did hold So as when we go out of Europe to the Indies we wonder to see the Land so pleasant greene and fresh Yet this rule hath some exceptions and chiefly in the Land of Peru which is of a strange nature amongst all others whereof we will now proceede to speake We meane by Peru not that great part of the world which they call America seeing that therein is contained Bresil the Kingdome of Chille and that of Grenade and yet none of these Kingdomes is Peru but onely that part which lies to the South beginning at the Kingdome of Quitto which is vnder the Line and runs in length to the Realme of Chille the which is without the Tropickes which were six hundred leagues in length and in breadth it containes no more then the Mountaines which is fiftie common leagues although in some places as at Chachapayas it be broader This part of the world which wee call Peru is very remarkeable and containes in it strange properties which serueth as an exception to the generall rule of the Indies The first is that vpon all the coast it blowes continually with one onely winde which is South and South-west contrary to that which doth vsually blow vnder the burning Zone The second is that this winde being by nature the most violent tempestuous and vnhealthfull of all others yet in this Region it is maruellous pleasing healthfull and agreeable so as we may attribute the habitation of that part thereunto without the which it would be troublesome and inhabitable by reason of the heate if it were not refreshed with the winde The third propertie is that it neuer raines thunders snowes nor hailes in all this coast which is a matter worthy of admiration Fourthly that a little distance from the coast it raines snowes terribly Fiftly that there are two ridges of Mountaines which runne the one as the other and in one altitude notwithstanding on the one there are great Forrests and it raines the greatest part of the yeare being very hot and the other is all naked and bare and very cold so as winter and summer are diuided on those two Mountaines and raine and cleerenesse it selfe For the better vnderstanding hereof we must consider that Peru is diuided as it were into three parts long and narrow which they call Lanos Sierras and Andes the Lanos runs alongst the Sea coast the Sierras be all hils with some vallies and the Andes be steepe and craggie Mountaines The Lanos or Sea coast haue some ten leagues in breadth in some parts lesse and in some parts a little more The Sierra containes some twenty leagues in breadth and the Andes as much sometimes more sometimes lesse They run in length from North to South and in breadth from East to West It is a strange thing that in so small a distance as fiftie leagues equally distant from the Line and Pole there should be so great a contrarietie as to raine almost continually in one place and neuer in the other It neuer raines vpon the coast or Lanos although there fals sometimes a small dew which they call Guarna and in Castill Mollina the which sometimes thickens and fals in certaine drops of water yet is it not troublesome nor such as they neede any couering Their couerings are of mats with a little earth vpon them which is sufficient Vpon the Andes it raines in a manner continually although it be sometimes more cleere then other In the Sierra which lies betwixt both the extreames it raineth in the same season as it doth in Spaine which is from September vnto Aprill but in the other season the time is more cleere which is when the Sunne is farthest off and the contrary when it is neerest That which they call Andes and Sierra are two ridges of most high Mountaines which runne aboue a thousand leagues the one in view of the other and almost equally There are an infinite number of Vicagues which breede in the Sierres and are properly like vnto wilde Goates very nimble and swift There are also of those beasts which they call Guanacos and Pacos which are sheepe which we may well tearme the Asses of that Countrie whereof we shall speake in their place And vpon the Andes they finde Apes very gentle and delightfull and Parrots in great numbers There also they finde the herbe or tree which they call Coca that is so greatly esteemed by the Indians and the trafficke they make of it is worth much mony That which they call Sierre causeth Vallies where as it opens which are the best dwellings of Peru as is the Valley of Xauxa of Andaguaylas and Yucay In these Vallies there growes Wheat Mays and other sorts of fruits but lesse in one then in the other Beyond the Citie of Cusco the ancient Court of the Lords of those Realmes the two ridges of Mountaines separate themselues one from the other and in the midst leaue a Playne and large Champaigne which they call the Prouince of Callao where there are many Riuers and great store of fertile Pastures there is also that great Lake of Titicaca And although it bee a full soile and in the same height and intemperature that the Sierre hauing no more Trees nor Forrests yet the want they haue of bread is counteruailed with the rootes they sow the which they call Papas and they grow in the earth This roote is the Indians foode for drying it and making it cleane they make that which they call Chugno which is the bread and nourishment of those Prouinces There are other rootes and small herbes which they eate It is a healthfull soile best peopled and the richest of all the Indies for the abundance of Cattell they feede as well of those that are in Europe as Sheepe Neat and Goates as of those of the Country which they call Guanacos and Pacos and there are store of Partridges Next to the Prouince of Callao is that of Charcas where there are hot Vallies very fertile and very high Rocks the which are very rich in mynes so as in no part of the World shall you finde
did see in some battailes the Image of our Lady from whom the Christians haue receiued in those parts incomparable fauours and benefits c. And therefore we ought not to condemne all these things of the first Conquerors of the Indies as some religious and learned men haue done doubtlesse with a good zeale but too much affected For although for the most part they were couetous men cruell and very ignorant in the course that was to be obserued with the Infidels who had neuer offended the Christians yet can we not denie but on their part there was much malice against God and our Men which forced them to vse rigour and chastisement Euery one may vnderstand by the Relation and Discourse I haue written in these Bookes as well at Peru as in New Spaine when as the Christians first set footing that these Kingdomes and Monarchies were come to the height and period of their power The Inguas of Peru possessing from the Realme of Chille beyond Quitto which are a thousand leagues being most abundant in gold siluer sumptuous seruices and other things as also in Mexico Moteçuma commanded from the North Ocean Sea vnto the South being feared and worshipped not as a man but rather as a god Then was it that the most high Lord had determined that that stone of Daniel which dissolued the Realmes and Kingdomes of the World should also dissolue those of this new World And as the Law of Christ came when as the Roman Monarchie was at her greatnesse so did it happen at the West Indies wherein wee see the iust prouidence of our Lord For being then in the World I meane in Europe but one head and temporall Lord as the holy Doctors doe note whereby the Gospell might more easily bee imparted to so many People and Nations Euen so hath it happened at the Indies where hauing giuen the knowledge of Christ to the Monarchs of so many Kingdomes it was a meanes that afterwards the knowledge of the Gospell was imparted to all the people yea there is herein a speciall thing to be obserued that as the Lords of Cusco and Mexico conquered new Lands so they brought in their owne language for although there were as at this day great diuersitie of tongues yet the Courtly speech of Cusco did and doth at this day runne aboue a thousand leagues and that of Mexico did not extend farre lesse which hath not beene of small importance but hath much profited in making the preaching easie at such a time when as the Preachers had not the gift of many tongues as in old times He that would know what a helpe it hath beene for the conuersion of this people in these two great Empires and the great difficultie they haue found to reduce those Indians to Chrisâ— which acknowledge no Soueraigne Lord let him goe to Florida Bresil the Andes and many other places where they haue not preuayled so much by their preaching in fiftie yeeres as they haue done in Peru and new Spaine in lesse then fiue If they will impute the cause to the riches of the Country I will not altogether denie it Yet were it impossible to haue so great wealth and to be able to preserue it if there had not beene a Monarchie This is also a worke of God in this age when as the Preachers of the Gospell are so cold and without zeale and Merchants with the heat of couetousnesse and desire of command search and discouer new people whither we passe with our commodities for as Saint Augusâ—â—ne saith the prophesie of Esay is fulfilled in that the Church of Christ is extended not onely to the right hand but also to the left which is as hee declareth by humane and earthly meanes which they seeke more commonly then Iesus Christ. It was also a great prouidence of our Lord that when as the first Spaniards arriued there they found aide from the Indians themselues by reason of their partialities and great diuisions This is well knowne in Peru that the diuision betwixt the two brothers Atahualpa and Guasca the great King Guanacapa their father being newly dead gaue entrie to the Marquesse Don Francis Pizarre and to the Spaniards for that either of them desired his alliance being busied in warre one against the other The like experience hath beene in new Spaine that the aide of those of the Prouince of Tlascalla by reason of their continuall hatred against the Mexicans gaue the victorie and siegniorie of Mexico to the Mâ—rquesse Fernando Cortes and his men and without them it had beene impossible to haue wonne it yea to haue maintayned themselues within the Country They are much deceiued that so little esteeme the Indians and iudge that by the aduantage the Spaniards haue ouer them in their Persons Horses and Armes both offensiue and defensiue they might easily conquer any Land or Nation of the Indies Chille stands yet or to say better Arauco and Tuecapel which are two Cities where our Spaniards could not yet win one foot of ground although they haue made warre there aboue fiue and twentie yeeres without sparing of any cost For this barbarous Nation hauing once lost the apprehension of horse and shot and knowing that the Spaniards fall as well as other men with the blow of a stone or of a dart they hazard themselues desperately entring the Pikes vpon any enterprise How many yeeres haue they leuied men in new Spaine to send against the Chychymequos which are a small number of naked Indians armed only with bowes and arrowes yet to this day they could not be vâ—â—quished but contrariwise from day to day they grow more desperate and resolute But what shall we say of the Chucos of the Chiraguanas of the Piscocones and all the other people of the Andes Hath not all the flower of Peru beene there bringing with them so great prouision of Armes and Men as we haue seene What did they With what victories returned they Surely they returned very happy in sauing of their liues hauing lost their baggage and almost all their horses Let no man thinke speaking of the Indians that they are men of nothing but if they thinke so let them goe and make triall Wee must then attribute the glorie to whom it appertaynes that is principally to God and to his admirable disposition for if Moteçuma in Mexico and the Ingua in Peru had beene resolute to resist the Spaniards and to stop their entrie Cortes and Pizarre had preuayled little in their landing although they were excellent Captaines It hath also beene a great helpe to induce the Indians to receiue the Law of Christ the subiection they were in to their Kings and Lords and also the seruitude and slauerie they were held in by the Deuils tyrannies and insupportable yoke This was an excellent disposition of the diuine Wisedome the which drawes profit from ill to a good end and receiues his good from an others ill which it hath not sowen It is most certaine
that no people of the West Indies haue beene more apt to receiue the Gospell then those which were most subiect to their Lords and which haue beene charged with the heauiest burthens as well of Tributes and Seruices as of Customes and bloudie Practises All that which the Mexican Kings and those of Peru did possesse is at this day most planted with Christian Religion and where there is least difficultie in the Gouernment and Ecclesiasticall Discipline The Indians were so wearied with the heauy and insupportable yoke of Satans lawes his sacrifices and ceremonies whereof wee haue formerly spoken that they consulted among themselues to seeke out a new Law and an other God to serue And therefore the Law of Christ seemed vnto them and doth at this day seeme iust sweet cleane good and full of happinesse And that which is difficult in our Law to beleeue so high and soueraigne Mysteries hath beene easie among them for that the Deuill had made them comprehend things of greater difficultie and the selfe-same things which hee had stolen from our Euangelicall Law as their manner of Communion and Confession their adoration of Three in One and such other like the which against the will of the Enemie haue holpen for the easie receiuing of the Truth by those who before had embraced Lyes God is wise and admirable in all his workes vanquishing the Aduersarie euen with his owne weapon hee takes him in his owne snare and kills him with his owne sword Finally our God who had created this People and who seemed to haue thus long forgot them when the houre was come hee would haue the same Deuils enemies to mankinde whom they falsly held for gods should giue a testimonie against their will of the true Law the power of Christ and the triumph of the Crosse as it plainly appeares by the presages prophesies signes and prodigies here before mentioned with many others happened in diuers parts and that the same ministers of Satan Sorcerers Magicians and other Indians haue confessed it And wee cannot denie it being most euident and knowne to all the World that the Deuill dareth not hisse and that the Practises Oracles Answers and visible Apparitions which were so ordinarie throughout all this Infidelitie haue ceased whereas the Crosse of Christ hath beene planted where there are Churches and where the Name of Christ hath beene confessed And if there be at this day any cursed minister of his that doth participate thereof it is in Caues and on the tops of Mountaines and in secret places farre from the name and communion of Christians The Soueraigne Lord be blessed for his great mercies and for the glorie of his holy Name And in truth if they did gouerne this people temporally and spiritually in such sort as the Law of Iesus Christ hath set it downe with a milde yoke and light burthen and that they would impose no more vpon them then they can well beare as the Letters Patents of the good Emperour of happy memorie doe command and that they would imploy halfe the care they haue to make profit of these poore mens sweats and labours for the health of their soules it were the most peaceable and happy Christian part of all the World c. CHAP. V. Of the ancient superstitions of the Mexicans and Indians of America gathered out of the fifth Booke of IOSEPHVS ACOSTA FIrst although the darknesse of Infidelitie holdeth these Nations in blindnesse yet in many things the light of Truth and Reason workes somewhat in them And they commonly acknowledge a supreme Lord and Author of all things which they of Peru called Vnachocha and gaue him names of great excellence as Pachacamac or Pachayachachic which is the Creator of Heauen and Earth and Vsapu which is admirable and other like names Him they did worship as the chiefest of all whom they did honor in beholding the Heauen The like wee see amongst them of Mexico and China and all other Infidels Which accordeth well with that which is said of Saint Paul in the Acts of the Apostles where he did see the Inscription of an Altar Ignoto Deo to the vnknowne God Whereupon the Apostle tooke occasion to preach vnto them saying Hee whom you worship without knowing him doe I preach vnto you In like sort those which at this day doe preach the Gospell to the Indians finde no great difficultie to perswade them that there is a High God and Lord ouer all and that this is the Christians God and the true God And yet it hath caused great admiration in mee that although they had this knowledge yet had they no proper Name for God if wee shall seeke into the Indian tongue for a word to answere to this Name of God as in Latin Deâ—s in Greeke Theos in Hebrew El in Arabike Alla but we shall not finde any in the 〈◊〉 or Mexican tongues So as such as preach or write to the Indians vse our Spanish name Dios fitting it to the accent or pronunciation of the Indian tongues the which differ much whereby appeares the small knowledge they had of God seeing they cannot so much as name him if it be not by our very name yet in truth they had some little knowledge and therefore in Pâ—ru they made him a rich Temple which they called Pachacamac which was the principall Sanctuarie oâ— the Realme And as it hath beene said this word of Pachacamac is as much to say as the Creator yet in this Temple they vsed their Idolatries worshipping the Deuill and Figures They likewise made Sacrifices and Offerings to Viracocha which held the chiefe place amongst the worships which the Kiâ—gâ— Iuguâ—â— made Hereof they called the Spaniards Virâ—cochas for that they hold opinion they are the 〈◊〉 of Hâ—auen and diuiâ—e eâ—en as others did attribute a Deitie to Paul and 〈◊〉 calling the one Iupiter and the other Mercurie so would they offer sacrifices vnto them as vnto gods and as the Barbarians of Mâ—litâ— which is Maltè seeing that the Viper did not huâ—â— the Apostle they called him God NExt to Viracocha or their supreme God that which most commonly they haue and doe adore amongst the Infidels is the Sunne and after those things which are most remarkâ—able in the celestiall or â—lementarie nature as the Moâ—ne Starres Sea and Land The Guiâ—cas or Oratories which the Iâ—guas Lords of Peru had in greatest reuerence next to Viracocha and the Sunne was the Thunder which they called by three diuers names Châ—â—â—â—illa Catuillâ— and Iâ—tiillapa supposing it to be a man in heauen with a Sling and a Mace and that it is in his power to cause Raine Haile Thunder and all the rest that appertaines to the Region of the Aire where the Cloudes engender It was a Guacâ— for so they called their Oratories generall to all the Indians of Peru offering vnto him many sacrifices and in Câ—scâ— which is the Court and Metropolitan Citie they did sacrifice children vnto him