sicke They noted also we had no women nor cared for any of theirs some therefore thought we were not borne of women and therefore not mortall but that we were men of an old generation many yeares past risen againe from immortalitie Some would Prophesie there were more of our generation yet to come to kill theirs and take their places Those that were to come after vs they imagined to be in the ayre yet invisible and without bodies and that they by our intreaties for loue of vs did make the people die as they did by shooting invisible bullets into them To confirme this their Physicians to excuse their Ignorance in curing the disease would make the simple people beleeue that the strings of bloud they sucked out of the sicke bodies were the strings wherein the invisible bullets were tyed and cast Some thought we shot them our selues from the place where we dwelt and killed the people that had offended vs as we listed how farre distant soever And others said it was the speciall worke of God for our sakes as we had cause in some sort to thinke no lesse whatsoever some doe or may imagine to the contrary especially some Astrologers by the eclipse of the Sunne we saw that yeare before our Voyage and by a Comet which began to appeare but a few dayes before the sicknesse began but to exclude them from being the speciall causes of so speciall an Accident there are farther reasons then I thinke fit to present or alledge These their opinions I haue set downe that you may see there is hope to imbrace the truth and honor obey feare and loue vs by good dealing and government though some of our company towards the latter end before we came away with Sir Francis Drake shewed themselues too furious in slaying some of the people in some Townes vpon causes that on our part might haue bin borne with more mildnesse notwithstanding they iustly had deserued it The best neverthelesse in this as in all actions besides is to be indevoured and hoped and of the worst that may happen notice to be taken with consideration and as much as may be eschewed the better to allure them hereafter to Civilitie and Christianitie Thus you may see How Nature her selfe delights her selfe in sundry Instruments That sundry things be done to decke the earth with Ornaments Nor suffers she her servants all should runne one race But wills the walke of every one frame in a divers pace That divers wayes and divers workes the world might better grace Written by Thomas Heriot one of the Voyage How Sir Richard Grenvill went to relieue them IN the yeare of our Lord 1586. Sir Walter Raleigh and his Associates prepared a ship of a hundred tun fraughted plentifully of all things necessary but before they set sayle from England it was Easter And arriving at Hatoraâ—k they after some time spent in seeking the Collony vp in the Country and not finding them returned with all the provision againe to England About 14. or 15. dayes after Sir Richard Grenvill accompanied with three ships well appoynted arrived there Who not finding the aforesaid ship according to his expectation nor hearing any newes of the Collony there seated and left by him as is said 1585. travailing vp and downe to seeke them but when he could heare no newes of them and found their habitation abandoned vnwilling to lose the possession of the Country after good deliberation he landed fiftie men in the I le of Roanoak plentifully furnished with all manner of provision for two yeares and so returned for England Where many began strangely to discant of those crosse beginnings and him which caused me remember an old saying of Euripides Who broacheth ought that 's new to fooles vntaught Himselfe shall iudged be vnwise and good for naught Three Ships more sent to relieue them by Mr. White WE went the old course by the west Indies and Simon Ferdinando our continuall Pilot mistaking Virginia for Cape Fear we sayled not much to haue beene cast away vpon the conceit of our all-knowing Ferdinando had it not beene prevented by the vigilancy of Captaine Stafford We came to Hatorask the 22. of Iuly and with fortie of our best men intending at Roanoack to find the 50 men left by Sir Richard Grenvill But we found nothing but the bones of a man and where the Plantation had beene the houses vnhurt but overgrowne with weeds and the Fort defaced which much perplexed vs. By the History it seemes Simon Ferdinando did what he could to bring this voyage to confusion but yet they all arrived at Hatorask They repayred the old houses at Roanock and Master George How one of the Councell stragling abroad was slaine by the Salvages Not long after Master Stafford with 20. men went to Croatan with Manteo whose friends dwelled there of whom we thought to haue some newes of our 50 men They at first made shew to fight but when they heard Manteo they threw away their Armes and were friends and desired there might be a token giuen to be knowne by least we might hurt them by misprision as the yeare before one had bin by Master Layne that was ever their friend and there present yet lame The next day we had conference with them concerning the people of Secotan Aquascogoc and Pomeiok willing them of Croatan to see if they would accept our friendship and renew our old acquaintance which they willingly imbraced and promised to bring their King and Governours to Roanoak to confirme it We also vnderstood that Master Howe was slaine by the men of Wingina of Dassamonpeack and by them of Roanoack that the fiftie men left by Sir Richard Grenvill were suddainly set vpon by three hundred of Secotan Aquascogoc and Dassamonpeack First they intruded themselues among 11 of them by friendship one they slew the rest retyring to their houses they set them on fire that our men with what came next to hand were forced to make their passage among them where one of them was shot in the mouth and presently dyed and a Salvage slaine by him On both sides more were hurt but our men retyring to the water side got their boat ere they had rowed a quarter of a myle towards Hatorask they tooke vp foure of their fellowes gathering Crabs and Oysters at last they landed on a little I le by Hatorask where they remained a while but after departed they knew not whether So taking our leaues of the Croatans we came to our Fleet at Hatorask The Governour having long expected the King and Governours of Pomeiok Secotan Aquascogoc and Dassamonpeack and the 7. dayes expired and no newes of them being also informed by those of Croatan that they of Dassamonpeack slew Master How and were at the driving our men from Raonoack he thought no longer to deferre the revenge Wherefore about midnight with Captaine Stafford and twentie-foure men whereof Manteo was one for our guide
nor the scandalous imputations of some few little better then Atheists of the greatest ranke amongst vs suggested against him all this could never force from him so much as a seeming desire to leaue the busines but preferred the service of God in so good a voyage before any affection to contest with his godlesse foes whose disasterous designes could they haue prevailed had even then overthrowne the businesse so many discontents did then arise had he not with the water of patience and his godly exhortations but chiefly by his true devoted examples quenched those flames of envie and dissention We watered at the Canaries we traded with the Salvages at Dominica three weekes we spent in refreshing our selues amongst these west-India Isles in Gwardalupa we found a bath so hot as in it we boyled Porck as well as over the fire And at a little Isle called Monica we tooke from the bushes with our hands neare two hogsh-heads full of Birds in three or foure houres In Mevis Mona and the Virgin Isles we spent some time where with a lothsome beast like a Crocodil called a Gwayn Tortoises Pellicans Parrots and fishes we daily feasted Gone from thence in search of Virginia the company was not a little discomforted seeing the Marriners had 3 dayes passed their reckoning and found no land so that Captaine Ratliffe Captaine of the Pinnace rather desired to beare vp the helme to returne for England then make further search But God the guider of all good actions forcing them by an extreame storme to hull all night did driue them by his providence to their desired Port beyond all their expectations for never any of them had seene that coast The first land they made they called Cape Henry where thirtie of them recreating themselues on shore were assaulted by fiue Salvages who hurt two of the English very dangerously That night was the box opened and the orders read in which Bartholomew Gosnoll Iohn Smith Edward Wingfield Christopher Newport Iohn Ratliffe Iohn Martin and George Kendall were named to be the Councell and to choose a President amongst them for a yeare who with the Councell should governe Matters of moment were to be examined by a Iury but determined by the maior part of the Councell in which the President had two voyces Vntill the 13 of May they sought a place to plant in then the Councell was sworne Mr Wingfield was chosen President and an Oration made why Captaine Smith was not admitted of the Councell as the rest Now falleth every man to worke the Councell contriue the Fort the rest cut downe trees to make place to pitch their Tents some provide clapbord to relade the ships some make gardens some nets c. The Salvages often visited vs kindly The Presidents overweening iealousie would admit no exercise at armes or fortification but the boughs of trees cast together in the forme of a halfe moone by the extraordinary paines and diligence of Captaine Kendall Newport Smith and twentie others were sent to discover the head of the river by divers small habitations they passed in six dayes they arrived at a Towne called Powhatan consisting of some twelue houses pleasantly seated on a hill before it three fertile Isles about it many of their cornefields the place is very pleasant and strong by nature of this place the Prince is called Powhatan and his people Powhatans to this place the river is navigable but higher within a myle by reason of the Rockes and Isles there is not passage for a small Boat this they call the Falles the people in all parts kindly intreated them till being returned within twentie myles of Iames towne they gaue iust cause of iealousie but had God not blessed the discoverers otherwise then those at the Fort there had then beene an end of that plantation for at the Fort where they arrived the next day they found 17 men hurt and a boy slaine by the Salvages and had it not chanced a crosse barre shot from the Ships strooke downe a bough from a tree amongst them that caused them to retire our men had all beene slaine being securely all at worke and their armes in dry fats Herevpon the President was contented the Fort should be pallisadoed the Ordnance mounted his men armed and exercised for many were the assaults and ambuscadoes of the Salvages our men by their disorderly stragling were often hurt when the Salvages by the nimblenesse of their heeles well escaped What toyle we had with so small a power to guard our workemen adayes watch all night resist our enemies and effect our businesse to relade the ships cut downe trees and prepare the ground to plant our Corne c I referre to the Readers consideration Six weekes being spent in this manner Captaine Newport who was hired onely for our transportation was to returne with the ships Now Captaine Smith who all this time from their departure from the Canaries was restrained as a prisoner vpon the scandalous suggestions of some of the chiefe envying his repute who fained he intended to vsurpe the government murther the Councell and make himselfe King that his confederats were dispersed in all the three ships and that divers of his confederats that revealed it would affirme it for this he was committed as a prisoner thirteene weekes he remained thus suspected and by that time the ships should returne they pretended out of their commisserations to referre him to the Councell in England to receiue a check rather then by particulating his designes make him so odious to the world as to touch his life or vtterly overthrow his reputation But he so much scorned their charitie and publikely defied the vttermost of their crueltie he wisely prevented their policies though he could not suppresse their envies yet so well he demeaned himselfe in this businesse as all the company did see his innocency and his adversaries malice and those suborned to accuse him accused his accusers of subornation many vntruthes were alledged against him but being so apparently disproved begat a generall hatred in the hearts of the company against such vniust Commanders that the President was adiudged to giue him 200l. so that all he had was seized vpon in part of satisfaction which Smith presently returned to the Store for the generall vse of the Colony Many were the mischiefes that daily sprung from their ignorant yet ambitious spirits but the good Doctrine and exhortation of our Preacher Mr Hunt reconciled them and caused Captaine Smith to be admitted of the Councell the next day all receiued the Communion the day following the Salvages voluntarily desired peace and Captaine Newport returned for England with newes leaving in Virginia 100. the 15 of Iune 1607. By this obserue Good men did ne'r their Countries ruine bring But when evill men shall iniuries beginne Not caring to corrupt and violate The iudgements-seats for their owne Lucr's sake Then looke that Country cannot long haue peace Though for the present
all his Souldiers with a tripple power and twice tripple better meanes by what they haue done in his absence the world may see what they would haue done in his presence had he not prevented their indiscretions it doth iustly proue what cause he had to send them for England and that he was neither factious mutinous nor dishonest But they haue made it more plaine since his returne for England having his absolute authoritie freely in their power with all the advantages and opportunitie that his labours had effected As I am sorry their actions haue made it so manifest so I am vnwilling to say what reason doth compell me but onely to make apparant the truth least I should seeme partiall reasonlesse and malicious CHAPTER XII The Arrivall of the third Supply TO redresse those jarres and ill proceedings the Treasurer Councell and Company of Virginia not finding that returne and profit they expected and them ingaged there not having meanes to subsist of themselues made meanes to his Maiestie to call in their Commission and take a new in their owne names as in their owne publication 1610. you may â—eade at large Having thus annihilated the old by vertue of a Commission made to the right Honourable Sir Thomas West Lord de la Warre to be Generall of Virginia Sir Thomas Gates his Lieutenant Sir George Somers Admirall Sir Thomas Dale high Marshall Sir Fardinando Wainman Generall of the Horse and so all other offices to many other worthy Gentlemen for their liues though not any of them had ever beene in Virginia except Captaine Newport who was also by Patent made vice-Admirall those noble Gentlemen drew in such great summes of money that they sent Sir Thomas Gates Sir George Somers and Captaine Newport with nine shippes and fiue hundred people who had each of them a Commission who first arrived to call in the old without the knowledge or consent of them that had endured all those former dangers to beat the path not any regard had at all of them All things being ready because those three Captaines could not agree for place it was concluded they should goe all in one ship so all their three Commissions were in that Ship with them called the Sea-Venture They set sayle from England in May 1609. A small Catch perished at Sea in a Hericano the Admirall with an hundred and fiftie men with the two Knights and their new Commission their Bils of Loading with all manner of directions and the most part of their provision arrived not With the other seaven Ships as Captaines arrived Ratliffe whose right name as is sayd was Sicklemore Martin and Archer with Captaine Wood Captaine Webbe Captaine Moone Captaine King Captaine Davis and divers Gentlemen of good meanes and great parentage But the first as they had beene troublesome at Sea began againe to marre all ashore for though as is said they were formerly sent for England yet now returning againe graced by the titles of Captaines of the passengers seeing the Admirall wanting and great probabilitie of her losse strengthened themselues with those new companies so exclaiming against Captaine Smith that they mortally hated him ere ever they saw him Who vnderstanding by his Scouts the arrivall of such a Fleet little dreaming of any such supply supposed them Spanyards But he quickly so determined and ordered our affaires as we little feared their Arrivall nor the successe of our incounter nor were the Salvages any way negligent for the most part to ayd and assist vs with their best power Had it so beene we had beene happy for we would not haue trusted them but as our foes where receiuing them as our Countreymen and friends they did what they could to murther our President to surprise the Store the Fort and our Iudgings to vsurpe the government and make vs all their servants and slaues till they could consume vs and our remembrance and rather indeed to supplant vs then supply vs as master William Box an honest Gentleman in this voyage thus relateth In the tayle of a Hericano wee were separated from the Admirall which although it was but the remainder of that Storme there is seldome any such in England or those Northerne parts of Europe Some lost their Masts some their Sayles blowne from their Yards the Seas so over-raking our Ships much of our prouision was spoyled our Fleet separated and our men sicke and many dyed and in this miserable estate we arrived in Virginia But in this Storme When ratling Thunder ran along the Clouds Did not the Saylers poore and Masters proud A terror feele as strucke with feare of God Did not their trembling ioynts then dread his rod Least for foule deeds and black mouth'd blasphemies The rufull time be come that vengeance cryes To a thousand mischiefes those lewd Captaines led this lewd company wherein were many vnruly Gallants packed thither by their friends to escape ill destinies and those would dispose and determine of the government sometimes to one the next day to another to day the old Commission must rule to morrow the new the next day neither in fine they would rule all or ruine all yet in charitie we must endure them thus to destroy vs or by correcting their follies haue brought the worlds censure vpon vs to be guiltie of their blouds Happie had we beene had they never arrived and we for ever abandoned and as we were left to our fortunes for on earth for the number was never more confusion or misery then their factions occasioned The President seeing the desire those Braues had to rule seeing how his authoritie was so vnexpectedly changed would willingly haue left all and haue returned for England But seeing there was small hope this new Commission would arriue longer he would not suffer those factious spirits to proceede It would be too tedious too strange and almost incredible should I particularly relate the infinite dangers plots and practices he daily escaped amongst this factious crew the chiefe whereof he quickly layd by the heeles till his leasure better served to doe them iustice and to take away all occasions of further mischiefe Master Percie had his request granted to returne for England being very sicke and Mr West with an hundred and twentie of the best he could chuse he sent to the Fâ—lles Martin with neare as many to Nandsamund with their due proportions of all provisions according to thir numbers Now the Presidents yeare being neare expired he made Captaine Martin President to follow the order for the election of a President every yeare but he knowing his owne insufficiency and the companies vntowardnesse and little regard of him within three houres after resigned it againe to Captaine Smith and at Nandsamund thus proceeded the people being contributers vsed him kindly yet such was his iealous feare in the midst of their mirth he did surprise this poore naked King with his Monuments houses and the Isle he inhabited and there
Padget 5. Pembrok 6. Cauendish 7. Smith 8. Hambleton St Catherins forte F Pembroks forte K Kings Castell M Southampton forte L Devonshire Redute O A Scale of 8 Miles 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 St George Towne D Warwicks forte E The 3 Bridges A.B.C. P Riches Mount State house The Letters A.B.C. shew the sittuation of the 3 bridges P the Mount D.E.F.G.H.I.K.L.M.N.O. the forts how and by whom they wer made the history will shew you The discription of the land by Mr Norwood All contracted into this order by Captaine Iohn Smith Smiths forte I Pagets forte H Penistons Redoute G Charles forte N Printed by Iames Reeve THE FOVRTH BOOKE TO MAKE PLAINE THE TRVE PROCEEdings of the Historie for 1609. we must follow the examinations of Doctor Simons and two learned Orations published by the Companie with the relation of the Right Honourable the Lord De la Ware What happened in the first gouernment after the alteration in the time of Captaine George Piercie their Gouernour THE day before Captaine Smith returned for England with the ships Captaine Dauis arriued in a small Pinace with some sixteene proper men more To these were added a company from Iames towne vnder the command of Captaine Iohn Sickelmore alias Ratliffe to inhabit Point Comfort Captaine Martin and Captaine West hauing lost their boats and neere halfe their men among the Saluages were returned to Iames towne for the Saluages no sooner vnderstood Smith was gone but they all reuolted and did spoile and murther all they incountered Now wee were all constrained to liue onely on that Smith had onely for his owne Companie for the rest had consumed their proportions and now they had twentie Presidents with all their appurtenances Master Piercie our new President was so sicke hee could neither goe nor stand But ere all was consumed Captaine West and Captaine Sickelmore each with a small ship and thirtie or fortie men well appointed sought abroad to trade Sickelmore vpon the confidence of Powhatan with about thirtie others as carelesse as himselfe were all slaine onely Ieffrey Shortridge escaped and Pokahontas the Kings daughter saued a boy called Henry Spilman that liued many yeeres after by her meanes amongst the Patawomekes Powhatan still as he found meanes cut off their Boats denied them trade so that Captaine West set saile for England Now we all found the losse of Captaine Smith yea his greatest maligners could now curse his losse as for corne prouision and contribution from the Saluages we had nothing but mortall wounds with clubs and arrowes as for our Hogs Hens Goats Sheepe Horse or what liued our commanders officers Saluages daily consumed them some small proportions sometimes we tasted till all was deuoured then swords armes pieces or any thing wee traded with the Saluages whose cruell fingers were so oft imbrewed in our blouds that what by their crueltie our Gouernours indiscretion and the losse of our ships of fiue hundred within six moneths after Captaine Smiths departure there remained not past sixtie men women and children most miserable and poore creatures and those were preserued for the most part by roots herbes acornes walnuts berries now and then a little fish they that had startch in these extremities made no small vse of it yea euen the very skinnes of our horses Nay so great was our famine that a Saluage we slew and buried the poorer sort tooke him vp againe and eat him and so did diuers one another boyled and stewed with roots and herbs And one amongst the rest did kill his wife powdered her and had eaten part of her before it was knowne for which hee was executed as hee well deserued now whether shee was better roasted boyled or carbonado'd I know not but of such a dish as powdered wise I neuer heard of This was that time which still to this day we called the staruing time it were too vile to say and scarce to be beleeued what we endured but the occasion was our owne for want of prouidence industrie and gouernment and not the barrennesse and defect of the Countrie as is generally supposed for till then in three yeeres for the numbers were landed vs we had neuer from England prouision sufficient for six moneths though it seemed by the bils of loading sufficient was sent vs such a glutton is the Sea and such good fellowes the Mariners we as little tasted of the great proportion sent vs as they of our want and miseries yet notwithstanding they euer ouer-swayed and ruled the businesse though we endured all that is said and chiefly liued on what this good Countrie naturally afforded yet had wee beene euen in Paradice it selfe with these Gouernours it would not haue beene much better with vs yet there was amongst vs who had they had the gouernment as Captaine Smith appointed but that they could not maintaine it would surely haue kept vs from those extremities of miseries This in ten daies more would haue supplanted vs all with death But God that would not this Countrie should be vnplanted sent Sir Thomas Gates and Sir George Sommers with one hundred and fiftie people most happily preserued by the Bermudas to preserue vs strange it is to say how miraculously they were preserued in a leaking ship as at large you may reade in the insuing Historie of those Ilands The gouernment resigned to Sir Thomas Gates 1610. WHen these two Noble Knights did see our miseries being but strangers in that Countrie and could vnderstand no more of the cause but by coniecture of our clamours and complaints of accusing and excusing one another They embarked vs with themselues with the best meanes they could and abandoning Iames towne set saile for England whereby you may see the euent of the gouernment of the former Commanders left to themselues although they had liued there many yeeres as formerly hath beene spoken who hindred now their proceedings Captaine Smith being gone At noone they fell to the I le of Hogs and the next morning to Mulbery point at what time they descried the Long-boat of the Lord la Ware for God would not haue it so abandoned For this honourable Lord then Gouernour of the Countrie met them with three ships exceedingly well furnished with all necessaries fitting who againe returned them to the abandoned Iames towne Out of the obseruations of William Simmons Doctor of Diuinitie The gouernment deuolued to the Lord la Ware HIs Lordship arriued the ninth of Iune 1610. accompanied with Sir Ferdinando Warnman Captaine Houlâ—roft Captaine Lawson and diuers other Gentlemen of sort the tenth he came vp with his fleet went on shore heard a Sermon read his Commission and entred into consultation for the good of the Colonie in which secret counsell we will a little leaue them that we may duly obserue the reuealed counsell of God Hee that shall but turne vp his eie and behold the spangled canopie of heauen or shall but cast downe his eie and consider the embroydered
charge but care must be had they arriue in the Spring or else that prouision be made for them against winter Of certaine red berries called Kermes which is worth ten shillings the pound but of these haue beene sold for thirty or forty shillings the pound may yeerely be gathered a good quantity Of the Muskrat may be well raised gaines worth their labour that will endeuour to make triall of their goodnesse Of Beuers Otters and Martins blacke Foxes and Furres of price may yeerely be had six or seuen thousand and if the trade of the French were preuented many more 25000. this yeere were brought from those northerne parts into France of which trade we may haue as good part as the French if we take good courses Of Mines of Gold and Siluer Copper and probabilities of Lead Crystall and Allum I could say much if relations were good assurances it is true indeed I made many trialls according to the instructions I had which doth perswade me I need not despaire but that there are metals in the Country but I am no Alcumist nor will promise more then I know which is who will vndertake the rectifying of an iron Forge if those that buy meat and drinke coles ore and all necessaries at a deare rate gaine where all these things are to be had for taking vp in my opinion cannot lose Of woods seeing there is such plenty of all sorts if those that build ships and boats buy wood at so great a price as it is in England Spaine France and Holland and all other prouisions for the nourishment of mans life liue well by their trade when labour is all required to take these necessaries without any other tax what hazard will be here but to doe much better and what commodity in Europe doth more decay then wood for the goodnesse of the ground let vs take it fertill or barren or as it is seeing it is certaine it beares fruits to nourish and feed man beast as well as England and the Sea those seuerall sorts of fishes I haue related thus seeing all good things for mans sustenance may with this facility be had by a little extraordinary labour till that transported be increased all necessaries for shipping onely for labour to which may added the assistance of the Saluages which may easily be had if they be discreetly handled in their kinds towards fishing planting and destroying woods what gaines might be raised if this were followed when there is but once men to fill your store houses dwelling there you may serue all Europe better and farre cheaper then can the Iland Fishers or the Hollanders Cape-blanke or Newfound land who must be at much more charge then you may easily be coniectured by this example Two thousand will fit out a ship of 200. tunnes one of 100. tuns if of the dry fish they both make fraught that of 200. and goe for Spaine sell it but at ten shillings a quintall but commonly it giues fifteene or twenty especially when it commeth first which amounts to 3. or 4000 pound but say but ten which is the lowest allowing the rest for waste it amounts at that rate to 2000. which is the whole charge of your two ships and the equipage then the returne of the mony and the fraught of the ship for the vintage or any other voyage is cleere gaine with your ship of one hundred tunnes of traine Oile and Cor-fish besides the Beuers and other commodities and that you may haue at home within six moneths if God please to send but an ordinary passage then sauing halfe this charge by the not staying of your ships your victuall ouerplus of men and wages with her fraught thither with necessaries for the Planters the Salt being there made as also may the nets and lines within a short time if nothing may be expected but this it might in time equalize your Hollanders gaines if not exceede them hauing their fraughts alwaies ready against the arriuall of the ships this would so increase our shipping and sailers and so incourage and imploy a great part of our Idlers and others that want imployment fitting their qualities at home where they shame to doe that they would doe abroad that could they but once taffe the sweet fruits of their owne labours doubtlesse many thousands would be aduised by good discipline to take more pleasure in honest industry then in their humors of dissolute idlenesse But to returne a little more to the particulars of this Countrey which I intermingle thus with my proiects and reasons not being so sufficiently yet acquainted in those parts to write fully the estate of the Sea the Aire the Land the Fruits their Rocks the People the Gouernment Religion Territories Limitations Friends and Foes But as I gathered from their niggardly relations in a broken language during the time I ranged those Countries c. the most Northerne part I was at was the Bay of Pennobscot which is East and West North and South more then ten leagues but such were my occasions I was constrained to be satisfied of them I found in the Bay that the Riuer ranne farre vp into the Land and was well inhabited with many people but they were from their habitations either fishing amongst the Iles or hunting the Lakes and Woods for Deere and Beuers the Bay is full of great Iles of one two six or eight miles in length which diuides it into many faire and excellent good Harbours On the East of it are the Tarrentines their mortall enemies where inhabit the French as they report that liue with those people as one Nation or Family And Northwest of Pennobscot is Mecaddacut at the foot of a high Mountaine a kinde of fortresse against the Tarrentines adioyning to the high Mountaines of Pennobscot against whose feet doth beat the Sea but ouer all the Land Iles or other impediments you may well see them foureteene or eighteene leagues from their situation Segocket is the next then Nuskoucus Pemmaquid and Sagadahock vp this Riuer where was the Westerne Plantation are Aumoughcawgen Kinnebeke and diuers others where are planted some Corne fields Along this Riuer thirtie or fortie miles I saw nothing but great high clifts of barren Rocks ouergrowne with Wood but where the Saluages dwell there the ground is excellent salt and fertill Westward of this Riuer is the Country of Aucocisco in the bottome of a large deepe Bay full of many great Iles which diuides it into many good Harbours Sawocotuck is the next in the edge of a large Sandy Bay which hath many Rockes and Iles but few good Harbours but for Barkes I yet know but all this Coast to Pennobscot and as farre as I could see Eastward of it is nothing but such high craggy clifty Rockes and stony Iles that I wonder such great Trees could grow vpon so hard foundations It is a Countrey rather to affright then delight one and how to describe a
amongst vs not fearing any thing and kindly bad vs welcome in English he was a Sagamo towards the North where the ships vse to fish and did know the names of most of the Masters that vsed thither such victuall as we had we gaue him being the first Saluage we yet could speake with he told vs this place where we were was called Patuxet and that all the people three or foure yeeres agoe there died on the plague in a day or two we could not be rid of him then he returned to the Massasoyts from whence he came where is some sixty people but the Nawsits are 100. strong which were they encountred our people at the first Two daies after this Samoset for so was his name came againe and brought fiue or six of the Massasoyts with him with certaine skinnes and certaine tooles they had got that we had left in the woods at their alarums much frieâ—-dship they promised and so departed but Samoset would not leaue vs but fained himselfe sicke yet at last he went to entreat the Saluages come againe to confirme a peace now the third time as we were consulting of our Marshall orders two Saluages aâ—peared but when we went to them they vanished not long after came Samoâ—et Squanto a natiue of Patuxet where we dwell and one of them carried into Spaine by Hunt thence brought into England where a good time he liued and now here signified vnto vs their great Sachem of Massasoyt with Quadaquina his brother and all their men was there by to see vs not willing to send our Gouernour we sent Edward Wollisto with presents to them both to know their minds making him to vnderstand by his Interpreters how King Iames did salute him and was his friend after a little conference with twenty of his men he came ouer the brooke to our Plantation where we set him vpon a rug and then brought our Gouernour to him with Drums and Trumpets where after some circumstances for they vse few complements we treated of peace with them to this effect That neither he nor any of his should iniury or doe hurt to any of vs if they did he should send vs the offender that we might punish him and wee would doe the like to him if any did vniustly warre against him we would aid him as he should vs against our enemies and to send to his neighbour confederats to certifie them of this that they might likewise be comprised in these conditions that when any of them came to vs they should leaue their Bow and Arrowes behinde them as we would our peeces when we came to them all which the King seemed to like well of and was applauded of his followers in his person hee is a very lusty man in his best yeeres an able body graue of countenance and spare of speech in his attire little differing from the rest after all was done the Gouernour conducted him to the brooke but kept our hostage till our messengers returned in like manner we vsed Quaddaquina so all departed good friends Two of his people would haue staied with vs but wee would not permit them onely Samâ—set and Squanto wee entertained kindly as yet wee haue found they intend to keepe promise for they haue not hurt our men they haue found stragling in the Woods and are afraid of their powerfull Aduersaries the Narrobiggansets against whom hee hopes to make vse of our helpe The next day Squanto went a fishing for Eeles and in an houre he did tread as many out of the Ose with his feet as he could lift with his hand not hauing any other instrument But that we might know their habitations so well as they ours Stephen Hopkins and Edward Winslo had Squaâ—tum for their guide and Interpreter to Packanoki the habitation of the King of Massasoyt with a red horsemans coat for a present to entreat him by reason we had not victuall to entertaine them as we would he would defend his people so much from visiting vs and if hee did send he should alwaies send with the Messenger a copper Chaine they gaue him that they might know he came from him and also giue them some of his Corne for seede that night they lodged at Namasoet some fifteene miles off by the way we found ten or twelue women and children that still would pester vs till we were weary of them perceiuing it is the manner of them where victuall is to bee gotten with most ease there they will liue but on that Riuer of Namaschâ—t haue beene many habitations of the Saluages that are dead and the land lies waste and the Riuer abounding with great plenty of fish and hath beene much frequented by the French The next day trauelling with six or seuen Indians where we were to wade ouer the Riuer did dwell onely two old men of that Nation then liuing that thinking vs enemies sought the best aduantage they could to fight with vs with a wonderfull shew of courage but when they knew vs their friends they kindly welcommed vs after we came to a towne of the Massasoits but at Pakanoki the King was not towards night he arriued and was very proud both of our message and presents making a great oration to all his people Was not he Massasint Commander of the country about him was not such a towne his and the people of it and 20. townes more he named was his and should they not bring their skins to vs to which they answered they were his and they would victual they had none nor any lodging but a poore planke or two a foot high from the ground wheron his wife and he lay at the one end we at the other but a thin Mat vpon them two more of his chiefe men pressed by and vpon vs so that we were worse weary of our lodging then of our iourney Although there is such plenty of fish and fowle and wild beasts yet are they so lasie they will not take paines to catch it till meere hunger constraine them for in two or three daies we had scarce a meales meat whereby we were so faint we were glad to be at home besides what for the fleas and their howling and singing in the night in their houses and the Musketas without doores our heads were as light for want of sleepe as our bellies empty for want of meat The next voiage we made was in a Shallop with ten men to Nawsit sixteene miles from vs to fetch a Boy was lost in the Woods we heard was there whom Aspinet their King had bedecked like a saluage but very kindly he brought him to vs and so returned well to Patuyet Immediatly after the arriuall of the last ship they sent another of fiue and fifty tuns to supply them with seuen and thirty persons they set saile in the beginning of Iuly but being crossed by westernly winds it was the end of August ere they could passe Plimoth and arriued in
2. 3. 1. 2. 3. Truth travayle and Neglect pure painefull most vnkinde 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. Doth proue consume dismay the soule the corps the minde Edw Ingham To my deare friend by true Vertue ennobled Captaine Iohn Smith MOre then enough I cannot thee commend Whos 's both abilities and Loue doe tend So to advance the good of that Estate By English charge and Planters propagate Through heapes of painfull hazards in the first Of which that Colony thy Care hath nurst And often that effected but with ten That after thee and now three hundred men Haue faild in 'mong the Salvages who shake At bruit of Thee as Spaine at Name of Drake Which well appeares considering the while Thou governedst nor force of theirs ne guile Lessend a man of thine but since I rue In Brittish blood they deeply did imbrue Their Heathen hands And truth to say we see Our selues wee lost vntimely leaving Thee Nor yet perceiue I any got betweene Thee and thy merit which hath better beene In prayse or profit much if counted iust Free from the Weales abuse or wronged trust Some few particulars perhaps haue sped But wherein hath the publicke prospered Or is there more of those Vast Countries knowne Then by thy Labours and Relations showne First best And shall wee loue Thee now the lesse Farre be â—t fit condignely to expresse Thankes by new Charge or recompence by whom Such past good hath such future good may come David Wiffin Noble Captaine Smith my worthy Friend NOt like the Age wherein thou liu'st to lie Buried in basenesse sloth or Ribaldrie For most doe thus hast thou thy selfe applide But in faire Actions Merits height descride Which like foure Theaters to set thee forth The worlds foure Quarters testifie thy worth The last whereof America best showes Thy paines and prayse and what to thee shee owes Although thy Sommer shone on th' Elder Three In as great Deeds as great varietie For opening to Her Selfe Her Selfe in Two Of Her large Members Now Ours to our view Thereby endearing vs to thy desart That doubly dost them to our hands impart There by thy Worke Heere by thy Workes By each Maist thou Fames lasting Wreath for guerdon reach And so become in after Times t' ensue A President for others So to doe William Grent To his worthily affected Friend Captaine Iohn Smith AMongst so many that by learned skill Haue given iust prayse to thee and to thy Booke Deare friend receiue this pledge of my good will Whereon if thou with acceptation looke And thinke it worthie ranke amongst the rest Vse thy discretion I haue done my best 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Contents of the generall History divided into six Books The first Booke THE first voyage to the new World by Madock Prince of Wales The next by Haâ—no Prince of Carthage and how it was offred K. Hen. 7. by Chr. Cullumbus that vndertooke it for the Spanyards 1492. How Iohn Cabot was imployed by King Hen. the 7. and found the Continent before Cullumbus Also Sir Martin Frobisher and Sir Humphrey Gilbert ranged towards the North. And how Captaine Amidas was sent to discover the coast of Florida by Sir Water Raleigh and his associates And the Country Wingandacoa was called Virginia by Qâ—cene Elizabeth Page 1 4. Sir Richard Greenvill sent thither with 108. he left for a plantation The discovery of the Rivers Chawonok and Moratoc The trechery of their King who with eight more were slaine and they all returned to England againe the same yeare with Sir Francis Drake pag. 5 9. The Observations of Master Heriot Of their commodities victuall fruâ—ts beasts fishes and foules Their Religion and beliefe of God of the Creation of the world and man the immortalitie of the soule the subtiltie of their Priests the peoples simplicitie and desire of salvation and other Accidents pag. 9 12. Sir Rich Greenvill sent to supply them Not finding them left fiftie Their successe page 13. Master White sent to relieue them found they were all slaine yet left 115. more and departed Returning the second time he could not heare of them his Observations and Accidents pag. 14 16. A discovery by Captaine Gosnoll of Elizabeths Isles his Observations Relations and returne pag. 17.18 The voyage of Captaine Pring to the same Coast. The discovery of Captaine Waymouth his Observations Relations and returne pag. 18 20. A Map of the old Virginia with the figures of the Salvages The second Booke Of Virginia now planted discovered by Captaine SMITH THe Latitude Temperature and Capes a description of Chisapeack Bay and sâ—aven navigable Rivers that fall into it with their severall Inhabitants and diversitie of Language pag. 21 25. Of things growing Naturally as woods fruits gummes berries herbs roots also of beasts birds and fishes how they divide the yeare prepare their ground plant their corne and vse it and other victuall page 25. 29. What commodities may be had by industry The description of the people their numbers constitutions dispositions attyre buildings lodgings and gardens their vsage of children striking of fire making their Bowes and Arrowes kniues swords targets and boats how they spinne make fish-hooks and ginnes and their order of hunting Consultations and order in Warres pag. 29 33. Their musicke entertainment trade Physicke Chirurgery and Charmes Their Religion God burials ordinary and extraordinary Temples Priests Ornaments solemnities Coniurations Altars sacrifices black boyes and resurrection pag. 34 36. The manner of their government their Emperor his attendants watch treasury wiues successors authority tenure of their lands and manner of punishment with some words of their Language Englished pag. 37 40. And a Mappe of the Countrey of Virginia now planted The third Booke Of the Accidents and Proceedings of the English THeir orders of government Accidents in going first landing and governement setled pag. 41.42 The Salvages assault the Fort the ships returne their names were left occasion of sicknes plenty vnexpected the building of Iames Towne the beginning of Trade two proiects to abandon the Country pag. 43 46. Their first attempts vpon the Salvages Captaine Smith taken prisoner their order of Triumph and how he should haue beene executed was preserved saved Iames towne from being surprised how they Contured him Powhataâ— entertained him would haue slaine him how Pocahontas his daughter saved him and sent him to Iames Towne The third plot to abandon the Countrey suppressed pag. 47 49. Their first Supply and Accidents The Salvages opinion of our God Captaine Smith revisits Powhatan Iames Towne burnt A coâ—ceited gold mine A needlesse charge Captaine Newports returne for England pag 50 53. Iames Towne rebuilt with a Church and Store-house The Salvages plot to murther all the English their insolencies suppressed Different opinions among the Councell p. 53. Their names landed in this Supply p. 54. The discovery of the Bay of Chriapeack Their fight and conference with the Kuskarawaoks Ambuscadoes prevented in the river Patawomek A mine like
no such matter and that he would lend me mâ—n to fish and hunt He sent me word he would come himselfe to Roanock but delaying time eight dayes that all his men were there to be assembled not liking so much company I resolued the next day to goe visit him but first to giue them in the I le a Canvisado and at an instant to seaze on all their Canows about the I le But the towne tooke the Alarum before I ment it For when I sent to take the Canows he met one going from the shore ouerthrew her and cut off two Salvages heads wherevpon the cry arose being by their spyes perceiued for they kept as good watch over vs as we of them Vpon this they to their Bowes and we to our Armes three or foure of them at the first were slaine the rest fled into the woods The next morning I went to Dassamonpeack and sent Pemissapan word I was going to Croatan and tooke him in my way to complaine Osocon would haue stole my prisoner Skico Herevpon he did abide my comming being among eight of the principall est I gaue the watchword to my men and immediately they had that they purposed for vs. Himselfe being shot through with a Pistoll fell downe as dead but presently start vp and ran away from them all till an Irish Boy shot him over the buttocks where they tooke him and cut off his head Seauen dayes after Captaine Stafforton sent to me he descryed twentie-three Sayle The next day came to me himselfe of whom I must say this from the first to the last he neither spared labour or perill by land or sea fayre weather or foule to performe any serious seruice committed to him He brought me a letter from Sir Francis Drake whose generous mind offered to supply all my defects of shipping boats munition victuall clothes and men to further this action and vpon good consultation and deliberation he appointed me a ship of 70. tuns with an hundred men and foure moneths victuals two Pinnaces foure small Boats with two sufficient Masters with sufficient Gangs All this being made ready for me suddenly arose such a storme for foure dayes that had like to haue driuen the whole Fleete on shore many of them were forced to the Sea whereof my ship so lately giuen me was one with all my prouision and Company appoynted Notwithstanding the storme ceasing the Generall appointed me a ship of 170. tuns with all prouisions as before to carry me into England the next August or when I had performed such Discoueries as I thought fit Yet they durst not vndertake to bring her into the harbour but she must ride in the road leauing the care of the rest to my selfe advising me to consider with my Company what was fittest and with my best speed returne him answer Herevpon calling my Company together who were all as priuy of the Generals offer as my selfe their whole request was in regard of all those former miseries and no hope of the returne of Sir Richard Grenvill and with a generall consent they desired me to vrge him we might all goe with him for England in his Fleete for whose reliefe in that storme he had sustained more perill of wrack then in all his honorable actions against his enemies So with prayses to God we set sayle in Iune 1586. and arriued in Portsmouth the 27. of Iuly the same yeare Leaving this remembrance to posteritie To reason lend me thine attentiue eares Exempt thy selfe from mind-distracting cares Least that's here thus proiected for thy good By thee reiected be ere vnderstood Written by Mr Ralph Layne Governour The Observations of Mr. Thomas Heriot in this Voyage For Marchandize and Victualls WHat before is writ is also confirmed by that learned Mathematician Mr Thomas Heriot with them in the Country whose particular Relation of all the Beasts Birds Fishes Foules Fruites and Rootes and how they may be vsefull because I haue writ it before for the most part in the Discourse of Captaine Amidas and Captaine Layne except Silk grasse Wormesilke Flax like Hempe Allum Wapeith or Terra sigillata Tar Rosen Turpentine Civet-cats Iron ore Copper that hold Silver Coprose and Pearle Let those briefes suffice because I would not trouble you with one thing twice Dyes For Dyes Showmack the herbe Wasebur little rootes called Chapacor and the barke of a tree called by the Inhabitants Tangomockonominge which are for divers sorts of Reds What more then is related is an herbe in Dutch called Melden described like an Orange growing foure foote high the seede will make good broth and the stalke burnt to ashes makes a kinde of Salt other Salt they know not and we vsed of it for Pot-herbs Of their Tobacco we found plenty which they esteeme their chiefe Physicke Ground nuts Tiswaw we call China roots they grow in clusters and bring forth a bryer stalke but the leafe is far vnlike which will climbe vp to the top of the highest tree the vse knowne is to cut it in small peeces then stampe straine it with water and boyled makes a gelly good to eate Cassavia growes in Marishes which the Indians oft vse for bread and broth Habascon is like a Parsnip naught of it selfe except compounded and their Leekes like those in England Sequenummener a kinde of Berry like Capers and three kinde of Berries like Acornes called Sagatamenor Osamenor and Pummuckoner Saquenuckot and Maquowoc two kinde of beasts greater then Conies and very good meate in some places such plenty of gray Conies like hayres that all the people make them mantels of their skins I haue the names of 28. severall sorts that are dispersed in the Country of which 12. kindes we haue discouered and good to eate but the Salvages sometimes kill a Lyon and eate him There is plentie of Sturgeon in February March Aprill and May all Herings in abundance some such as ours but the most part of 18.20 or 24. yncheâ— long and more Trouts Porpisses Rayes Mullers Old-wiues Plaâ—ce Tortoises both by Sea and Land Crabs Oysters Mussels Scalops Periwinckles Crevises Secanank we haue the Pictures of 12. sorts more but their names we know not Turkeys Stockdoues Partridges Cranes Hernes Swans Geese Parrots Faulcons Merlins I haue the names in their language of 86. severall sorts Their woods are such as ours in England for the most part except Rakeock a greaâ— sweet tree whereof they make their Canowes and Ascopo a kinde of tree like Lowrell and Saxefras Their Natures and Manners Their Clothing Townes Houses Warres Arts Tooles handy crafts and educations are much like them in that part of Virginia we now inhabite which at large you may reade in the Description thereof But the relation of their Religion is strange as this Author reporteth Some Religion they haue which although it be farre from the truth yet being as it is there is hope it may be the
Cherry this they call Messamins they be satte and the iuyce thicke Neither doth the taste so well please when they are made in wine They haue a small fruit growing on little trees husked like a Chesnut but the fruit most like a very small Acorne This they call Chechinquamins which they esteeme a great daintie They haue a berry much like our Gooseberry in greatnesse colour and tast those they call Rawcomens and doe eat them raw or boyled Of these naturall fruits they liue a great part of the yeare which they vse in this manner The Walnuts Chesnuts Acornes and Chechinquamins are dryed to keepe When they need walnuts they breake them betweene two stones yet some part of the shels will cleaue to the fruit Then doe they dry them againe vpon a Mat over a hurdle After they put it into a morter of wood and beat it very small that done they mix it with water that the shels may sinke to the bottome This water will be coloured as milke which they call Pawcohiccora and keepe it for their vse The fruit like Medlers they call Putchamins they cast vpon hurdles on a Mat and preserue them as Pruines Of their Chesnuts and Chechinquamins boyled they make both broath and bread for their chiefe men or at their greatest feasts Besides those fruit trees there is a white Popular and another tree like vnto it that yeeldeth a very cleare and an odoriferous Gumme like Turpentine which some called Balsom There are also Cedars and Saxafras trees They also yeeld gummes in a small proportion of themselues Wee tryed conclusions to extract it out of the wood but nature afforded more then our arts In the watry valleyes groweth a Berry which they call Ocoughtanamnis very much like vnto Capers These they dry in sommer When they eat them they boile them neare halfe a day for otherwise they differ not much from poyson Mattoum groweth as our Bents The feed is not much vnlike to Rie though much smaller This they vse for a daintie bread buttered with deare suet During Sommer there are either Strawberries which ripen in Aprill or Mulberries which ripen in May and Iune Raspises hurts or a fruit that the inhabitants call Maracocks which is a pleasant wholsome fruit much like a Lemond Many herbes in the spring are cōmonly dispersed throughout the woods good for brothes and sallets as Violets Purslain Sorrell c. Besides many we vsed whose names we know not The chiefe root they haue for food is called Tockawhoughe It groweth like a flagge in Marishes In one day a Salvage will gather sufficient for a weeke These roots are much of the greatnesse and taste of Potatoes They vse to cover a great many of them with Oke leaues and Ferne and then cover all with earth in the manner of a Cole-pit over it on each side they continue a great fire 24 houres before they dare eat it Raw it is no better then poyson and being rosted except it be tender and the heat abated or sliced and dryed in the Sunne mixed with sorrell and meale or such like it will prickle and torment the throat extreamely and yet in sommer they vse this ordinarily for bread They haue another roote which they call Wighsacan as th' other feedeth the body so this cureth their hurts and diseases It is a small root which they bruise and apply to the wound Pocones is a small root that groweth in the mountaines which being dryed and beate in powder turneth red And this they vse for swellings aches annointing their ioynts painting their heads and garments They account it very precious and of much worth Musquaspen is a roote of the bignesse of a finger and as red as bloud In drying it will wither almost to nothing This they vse to paint their Mattes Targets and such like There is also Pellitory of Spaine Sasafrage and divers other simples which the Apothecaries gathered and commended to be good and medicinable In the low Marishes grow plots of Onyons containing an Acre of ground or more in many places but they are small not past the bignesse of the toppe of ones Thumbe Of beasts the chiefe are Deere nothing differing from ours In the deserts towards the heads of the rivers there are many but amongst the rivers few There is a beast they call Aroughcun much like a badger but vseth to liue on trees as Squirrels doe Their Squirrels some are neare as great as our smallest sort of wilde Rabbets some blackish or blacke and white but the most are gray A small beast they haue they call Assapanick but we call them flying Squirrels because spreading their legs and so stretching the largenesse of their skins that they haue beene seene to fly 30 or 40 yards An Opassom hath a head like a Swine and a taile like a Rat and is of the bignesse of a Cat. Vnder her belly shee hath a bagge wherein she lodgeth carrieth and suckleth her young A Mussascus is a beast of the forme and nature of our water Rats but many of them smell exceeding strongly of Muske Their Hares no bigger then our Conies and few of them to be found Their Beares are very little in comparison of those of Muscovia and Tartaria The Beaver is as big as an ordinary water dog but his legs exceeding short His forefeete like a dogs his hinder feet like a Swans His taile somewhat like the forme of a Racket bare without haire which to eat the Salvages esteeme a great delicate They haue many Otters which as the Beaver's they take with snares and esteeme the skins great ornaments and of all those beasts they vse to feed when they catch them An Vtchunquoyes is like a wilde Cat. Their Foxes are like our silver haired Conies of a small proportion and not smelling like those in England Their Dogges of that Country are like their Woolues and cannot barke but howle and the Woolues not much bigger then our English Foxes Martins Powlecats Weesels and Minkes we know they haue because we haue seene many of their skinnes though very seldome any of them aliue But one thing is strange that we could never perceiue their Vermine destroy our Hennes Egges nor Chickens nor doe any hurt nor their flyes nor serpents any way pernicious where in the South parts of America they are alwayes dangerous and often deadly Of Birds the Eagle is the greatest devourer Hawkes there be of divers sorts as our Falconers called them Sparrow-hawkes Lanarets Goshawkes Falcons and Osperayes but they all prey most vpon fish Their Partridges are little bigger then our Quailes Wilde Turkies are as bigge as our tame There are Woosels or Blackbirds with red shoulders Thrushes and divers sorts of small Birds some red some blew scarce so bigge as a Wrenne but few in Sommer In Winter there are great plentie of Swans Cranes gray and white with
Proceedings and the Ships returne ALL this time our care was not so much to abandon the Countrey but the Treasurer and Councell in England were as diligent carefull to supply vs. Two good ships they sent vs with neare a hundred men well furnished with all things could be imagined necessary both for them and vs The one commanded by Captaine Newport the other by Captaine Francis Nelson an honest man and an expert Marriner But such was the lewardnesse of his Ship that though he was within the sight of Cape Henry by stormy contrary winds was he forced so farre to Sea that the West Indies was the next land for the repaire of his Masts and reliefe of wood and water But Newport got in and arrived at Iames Towne not long after the redemption of Captaine Smith To whom the Salvages as is sayd every other day repaired with such provisions that sufficiently did serue them from hand to mouth part alwayes they brought him as Presents from their Kings or Pocahontas the rest he as their Market Clarke set the price himselfe how they should sell so he had inchanted these poore soules being their prisoner and now Newport whom he called his Father arriving neare as directly as he foretold they esteemed him as an Oracle and had them at that submission he might command them what he listed That God that created all things they knew he adored for his God they would also in their discourses tearme the God of Captaine Smith Thus the Almightie was the bringer on The guide path terme all which was God alone But the President and Councell so much envied his estimation among the Salvages though we all in generall equally participated with him of the good thereof that they wrought it into the Salvages vnderstandings by their great bounty in giving foure times more for their commodities then Smith appointed that their greatnesse and authoritie as much exceeded his as their bountie and liberalitie Now the arrivall of this first supply so overioyed vs that wee could not devise too much to please the Marriners We gaue them libertie to trucke or trade at their pleasures But in a short time it followed that could not be had for a pound of Copper which before was sould vs for an ounce thus ambition and sufferance cut the throat of our trade but confirmed their opinion of the greatnesse of Capt. Newport wherewith Smith had possessed Powhatan especially by the great presents Newport often sent him before he could prepare the Pinnace to goe and visti him so that this great Savage desired also to see him A great coyle there was to set him forward When he went he was accompanied with Captaine Smith Mr Scrivener a very wise vnderstanding Gentleman newly arrived and admitted of the Councell with thirtie or fortie choisen men for their guard Arriving at Werowocomoco Newports conceit of this great Savage bred many doubts and suspitions of trecheries which Smith to make appeare was needlesse with twentie men well appointed vndertooke to encounter the worst that could happen Knowing All is but one and selfe-same hand that thus Both one while scourgeth and that helpeth vs. Nathaniell Powell Gent. Robert Behethland Gent. Mitchell â—hittiplace Gent. William â—hittiplace Gent. Anthony Gosnoll Gent. Richard Wyssin Gent. Iohn Taverner Gent. William Dyer Gent. Thomas Coe Gent. Thomas Hope Gent. Anas Todkill Gent. These with nine others whose names I haue forgotten comming a-shore landed amongst a many of creekes over which they were to passe such poore bridges onely made of a few cratches thrust in the ose and three or foure poles laid on them and at the end of them the like tyed together onely with barkes of trees that it made them much suspect those bridges were but traps Which caused Smith to make diverse Salvages goe over first keeping some of the chiefe as hostage till halfe his men were passed to make a guard for himselfe and the rest But finding all things well by two or three hundred Salvages they were kindly conducted to their towne Where Powhatan strained himselfe to the vtmost of his greatnesse to entertaine them with great shouts of ioy Orations of protestations and with the most plenty of victualls he could provide to feast them Sitting vpon his bed of mats his pillow of leather imbrodered after their rude manner with pearle and white Beads his attyre a faire robe of skinnes as large as an Irish mantell at his head and feete a handsome young woman on each side his house sat twentie of his Concubines their heads and shoulders painted red with a great chaine of white beads about each of their neckes Before those sat his chiefest men in like order in his arbour-like house and more then fortie platters of fine bread stood as a guard in two fyles on each side the doore Foure or fiue hundred people made a guard behinde them for our passage and Proclamation was made none vpon paine of death to presume to doe vs any wrong or discourtesie With many pretty Discourses to renew their old acquaintance this great King and our Captaine spent the time till the ebbe left our Barge aground Then renewing their feasts with feares dauncing and singing and such like nurth we quartered that night with Powhatan The next day Newport came a shore and receiued as much content as those people could giue him a boy named Thomas Salvage was then giuen vnto Powhatan whom Newport called his sonne for whom Powhatan gaue him Namontack his trustie servant and one of a shrewd subtill capacitie Three or foure dayes more we spent in feasting dauncing and trading wherein Powhatan carried himselfe so proudly yet discreetly in his salvage manner as made vs all admire his naturall gifts considering his education As scorning to trade as his subiects did he bespake Newport in this manner Captaine Newport it is not agreeable to my greatnesse in this pedling manner to trade for triftes and I esteeme you also a great Werowance Therefore lay me downe all your commodities together what I like I will take and in recompence giue you what I thinke fitting their value Captaine Smith being our interpreter regarding Newport as his father knowing best the disposition of Powhatan could vs his intent was but onely to cheate vs yet Captaine Newport thinking to out braue this Salvage in ostentation of greatnesse and so to bewitch him with his bountie as to haue what he listed it so hapned that Powhatan hauing his desire valued his corne at such a rate that I thinke it better cheape in Spaine for we had not foure bushells for that we expected to haue twentie hogsheads This bred some vnkindnesse betweene our two Captaines Newport seeking to please the vnsatiable desire of the Salvage Smith to cause the Salvage to please him but smothering his distast to avoyd the Saluages suspition glanced in the eyes of Powhatan many trifles who fixed his humor vpon a few blew beades A long
did faile him that should haue giuen fire to that mercilesse Pistoll So not finding that course to be the best they ioyned together to vsurpe the government thereby to escape their punishment The President had notice of their proiects the which to withstand though his old souldiers importuned him but permit them to take their heads that would resist his command yet he would not suffer them but sent for the Masters of the ships and tooke order with them for his returne for England Seeing there was neither Chirurgian nor Chirurgery in the Fort to curâ— his hurt and the ships to depart the next day his Commission to be suppressed he knew not why himselfe and souldiers to be rewarded he knew not how and a new commission granted they knew not to whom the which disabled that authority he had as made them presume so oft to those mutinies as they did besides so grievous were his wounds and so cruell his torments few expecting he could liue nor was hee able to follow his busines to regaine what they had lost suppresse those factions and range the countries for provision as he intended and well he knew in those affaires his owne actions and presence was as requisit as his directions which now could not be he went presently abroad resoluing there to appoint them governours and to take order for the mutiners but he could finde none hee thought fit for it would accept it In the meane time seeing him gone they perswaded Master Percy to stay who was then to goe for England and be their President Within lesse then an houre was this mutation begun and concluded For when the Company vnderstood Smith would leaue them saw the rest in Armes called Presidents Councellors divers began to fawne on those new commanders that now bent all their wits to get him resigne them his Commission who after much adoe and many bitter repulses that their confusion which he â—ould them was at their elbowes should not be attributed to him for leauing the Colony without a Commission he was not vnwilling they should steale it but never would he giue it to such as they And thus Strange violent forces drew vs on vnwilling Reason perswading 'gainst our loues rebelling We saw and knew the better ah curse accurst That notwithstanding we imbrace the worst But had that vnhappie blast not hapned he would quickly haue qualified the heate of those humors and factions had the ships but once left them and vs to our fortunes and haue made that provision from among the Salvages as we neither feared Spanyard Salvage nor famine nor would haue left Virginia nor our lawfull authoritie but at as deare a price as we had bought it and payd for it What shall I say but thus we left him that in all his proceedings made Iustice his first guide and experience his second even hating basenesse sloath pride and indignitie more then any dangers that neuer allowed more for himselfe then his souldiers with him that vpon no danger would send them where he would not lead them himselfe that would never see vs want what he either had or could by any meanes get vs that would rather want then borrow or starue then not pay that loued action more then words and hated falshood and covetousnesse worse then death whose adventures were our liues and whose losse our deaths Leaving vs thus with three ships seaven boats commodities readie to trade the harvest newly gathered ten weeks provision in the store foure hundred nintie and od persons twentie-foure Peeces of Ordnance three hundred Muskets Snaphances and Firelockes Shot Powder and Match sufficient Curats Pikes Swords and Morrios more then men the Salvages their language and habitations well knowne to an hundred well trayned and expert Souldiers Nets for fishing Tooles of all sorts to worke apparell to supply our wants six Mares and a Horse fiue or sixe hundred Swine as many Hennes and Chickens some Goats some sheepe what was brought or bred there remained But they regarding nothing but from hand to mouth did consume that wee had tooke care for nothing but to perfect some colourable complaints against Captaine Smith For effecting whereof three weekes longer they stayed the Ships till they could produce them That time and charge might much better haue beene spent but it suted well with the rest of their discretions Besides Iames towne that was strongly Pallizadoed containing some fiftie or sixtie houses he left fiue or sixe other severall Forts and Plantations though they were not so sumptuous as our successors expected they were better then they provided any for vs. All this time we had but one Carpenter in the Countrey and three others that could doe little but desired to be learners two Blacksmiths two saylers those we write labourers were for most part footmen and such as they that were Adventurers brought to attend them or such as they could perswade to goe with them that neuer did know what a dayes worke was except the Dutch-men and Poles and some dozen other For all the rest were poore Gentlemen Tradsmen Serving-men libertines and such like ten times more fit to spoyle a Common-wealth then either begin one or but helpe to maintaine one For when neither the feare of God nor the law nor shame nor displeasure of their friends could rule them here there is small hope ever to bring one in twentie of them ever to be good there Notwithstanding I confesse divers amongst them had better mindes and grew much more industrious then was expected yet ten good workemen would haue done more substantiall worke in a day then ten of them in a weeke Therefore men may rather wonder how we could doe so much then vse vs so badly because we did no more but leaue those examples to make others beware and the fruits of all we know not for whom But to see the justice of God vpon these Dutch-men Valdo before spoke of made a shift to get for England where perswading the Merchants what rich Mines he had found and great service he would doe them was very well rewarded and returned with the Lord La Warre but being found a meere Impostor he dyed most miserably Adam and Francis his two consorts were fled againe to Powhatan to whom they promised at the arrivall of my Lord what wonders they would doe would he suffer them but to goe to him But the King seeing they would be gone replyed You that would haue betrayed Captaine Smith to mee will certainely betray me to this great Lord for your peace so caused his men to beat out their braines To conclude the greatest honour that ever belonged to the greatest Monarkes was the inlarging their Dominions and erecting Common-weales Yet howsoever any of them haue attributed to themselues the Conquerors of the world there is more of the world never heard of them then ever any of them all had in subiection for the Medes Persians and Assyrians never Conquered all Asia nor
bloud to effect that your Maiestie and all the Kings honest subiects most earnestly desire And so I humbly kisse your gracious hands Being about this time preparing to set saile for new-New-England I could not stay to doe her that seruice I desired and she well deserued but hearing shee was at Branford with diuers of my friends I went to see her After a modest salutation without any word she turned about obscured her face as not seeming well contented and in that humour her husband with diuers others we all left her two or three houres repenting my selfe to haue writ she could speake English But not long after she began to talke and remembred mee well what courtesies shee had done saying You did promise Powhatan what was yours should bee his and he the like to you you called him father being in his land a stranger and by the same reason so must I doe you which though I would haue excused I durst not allow of that title because she was a Kings daughter with a well set countenance she said Were you not afraid to come into my fathers Countrie and caused feare in him and all his people but mee and feare you here I should call you father I tell you then I will and you shall call mee childe and so I will bee for euer and euer your Countrieman They did tell vs alwaies you were dead and I knew no other till I came to Plimoth yet Powhatan did command Vitamatomakkin to seeke you and know the truth because your Countriemen will lie much This Saluage one of Powhatans Councell being amongst them held an vnderstanding fellow the King purposely sent him as they say to number the people here and informe him well what wee were and our state Arriuing at Plimâ—th according to his directions he got a long sticke whereon by notches hee did thinke to haue kept the number of all the men hee could see but he was quickly wearie of that taske Comming to London where by chance I met him hauing renâ—wed our acquaintance where many were desirous to heare and see his behauiour hee told me Powhatan did bid him to finde me out to shew him our God the King Queene and Prince I so much had told them of Concerning God I told him the best I could the King I heard he had seene and the rest hee should see when he would he denied euer to haue seene the King till by circumstâ—nces he was satisfied he had Then he replyed very sadly You gaue Powhatan a white Dog which Powhatan fed as himselfe but your King gaue me nothing and I am better than your white Dog The small time I staid in London diuers Courtiers and others my acquaintances hath gone with mee to see her that generally concluded they did thinke God had a great hand in her conuersion and they haue seene many English Ladies worse fauoured proportioned and behauioured and as since I haue heard it pleased both the King and Queenes Maiestie honourably to esteeme her accompanied with that honourable Lady the Lady De la Ware and that honourable Lord her husband and diuers other persons of good qualities both publikely at the maskes and otherwise to her great satisfaction and content which doubtlesse she would haue deserued had she liued to arriue in Virginia The gouernment deuolued to Captaine Samuel Argall 1617. THe Treasurer Councell and Companie hauing well furnished Captaine Samuel Argall the Lady Pocahontas alias Rebecca with her husband and others in the good ship called the George it pleased God at Graues-end to take this young Lady to his mercie where shee made not more sorrow for her vnexpected death than ioy to the beholders to heare and see her mâ—ke so religious and godly an end Her little childe Thomas Rolfe therefore was left at Plimâ—th with Sir Lewis Stukly that desired the keeping of it Captaine Hamar his vice-Admirall was gone before but hee found him at Plimoth In March they set saile 1617. and in May he arriued at Iames towne where hee was kindly entertained by Captaine Yearley and his Companie in a martiall order whose right hand file was led by an Indian In Iames towne he found but fiue or six houses the Church downe the Palizado's broken the Bridge in pieces the Well of fresh water spoiled the Store-house they vsed for the Church the market-place and streets and all other spare places planted with Tobacco the Saluages as frequent in their houses as themselues whereby they were become expert in our armes and had a great many in their custodie and possession the Colonie dispersed all about planting Tobacco Captaine Argall not liking those proceedings altered them agreeable to his owne minde taking the best order he could for repairing those defects which did exceedingly trouble vs we were constrained euery yeere to build and repaire our old Cottages which were alwaies a decaying in all places of the Countrie yea the very Courts of Guard built by Sir Thomas Dale was ready to fall and the Palizado's not sufficient to keepe out Hogs Their number of people were about 400. but not past 200. fit for husbandry and tillage we found there in all one hundred twentie eight cattell and fourescore and eight Goats besides innumerable numbers of Swine and good plentie of Corne in some places yet the next yeere the Captaine sent out a Frigat and a Pinnace that brought vs neere six hundred bushels more which did greatly relieue the whole Colonie For from the tenants wee seldome had aboue foure hundred bushels of rent Corne to the store and there was not remaining of the Companies companie past foure and fiftie men women and Children This yeere hauing planted our fields came a great drought and such a cruell storme of haile which did such spoile both to the Corne and Tobacco that wee reaped but small profit the Magazine that came in the George being fiue moneths in her passage proued very badly conditioned but ere shâ— arriued we had gathered and made vp our Tobacco the best at three shillings the pound the rest at eighteene pence To supply vs the Councell and Company with all possible care and diligence furnished a good ship of some two hundred and fiftie tunne with two hundred people and the Lord la Ware They set saile in Aprill and tooke their course by the westerne Iles where the Gouernour of the I le of Saint Michael receiued the Lord la Ware and honourably feasted him with all the content hee could giue him Going from thence they were long troubled with contrary winds in which time many of them fell very sicke thirtie died one of which number was that most honourable Lord Gouernour the Lord la Ware whose most noble and generous disposition is well knowne to his great cost had beene most forward in this businesse for his Countries good Yet this tender state of Virginia was not growne to that maturitie to maintaine such state and pleasure as was
Passenger and three pounds for euery tun of goods at which rate a thousand ships may now better be procured then one at the first when the common stocke defrayed all fraughts wages prouisions and Magazines whereby the Ships are so pestred as occasions much sicknesse diseases and mortality for though all the Passengers die they are sure of their fraught and then all must be satisfied with Orations disputations excuses and hopes As for the letters of aduice from hence and their answers thence they are so well written men would beleeue there were no great doubt of the performance and that all things were wel to which error here they haue beene euer much subiect and there not to beleeue or not to releeue the true and poore estate of that Colony whose fruits were commonly spent before they were ripe and this losse is nothing to them here whose great estates are not sensible of the losse of their aduentures and so they thinke or will not take notice but it is so with all men but howsoeuer they thinke or dispose of all things at their pleasure I am sure not my selfe onely but a thousand others haue not onely spent the most of their estates but the most part haue lost their liues and all onely but to make way for the triall of more new conclusions and he that now will aduenture but twelue pounds ten shillings shall haue better respect and as much fauour then he that sixteene yeere agoe aduentured as much except he haue money as the other hath but though he haue aduentured fiue hundred pound and spent there neuer so much time if hee haue no more and not able to begin a family of himselfe all is lost by order of Court But in the beginning it was not so all went then out of one purse till those new deuices haue consumed both mony and purse for at first there were but six Patentees now more then a thousand then but thirteene Counsailors now not lesse then an hundred I speake not of all for there are some both honourable and honest but of those Officers which did they manage their owne estates no better then the affaires of Virginia they would quickly fall to decay so well as it but this is most euident few Officers in England it hath caused to turne Banquerupts nor for all their complaints would leaue their places neither yet any of their Officers there nor few of the rest but they would be at home but fewer Aduenturers here will aduenture any more till they see the businesse better established although there be some so wilfully improuident they care for nothing but to get thither and then if their friends be dead or want themselues they die or liue but poorely for want of necessaries and to thinke the old Planters can releeue them were too much simplicity for who here in England is so charitable to feed two or three strangers haue they neuer so much much lesse in Virginia where they want for themselues Now the generall complaint saith that pride couetousnesse extortion and oppression in a few that ingrosses all then sell all againe to the comminalty at what rate they please yea euen men women and children for who will giue most occasions no small mischiefe amongst the Planters As for the Company or those that doe transport them prouided of necessaries God forbid but they should receiue their charges againe with aduantage or that masters there should not haue the same priuilege ouer their seruants as here but to sell him or her for forty fifty or threescore pounds whom the Company hath sent ouer for eight or ten pounds at the most without regard how they shall be maintained with apparell meat drinke and lodging is odious and their fruits sutable therefore such merchants it were better they were made such merchandize themselues then suffered any longer to vse that trade and those are defects sufficient to bring a well setled Common-wealth to misery much more Virginia Quest. 7. How thinke you it may be rectified Answ. If this Maiestie would please to intitle it to his Crowne and yearely that both the Gouernours here and there may giue their accounts to you or some that are not ingaged in the businesse that the common stocke bee not spent in maintaining one hundred men for the Gouernour one hundred for two Deputies fifty for the Treasurer fiue and twenty for the Secretary and more for the Marshall and other Officers who were neuer there nor aduentured any thing but onely preferred by fauour to be Lords ouer them that broke the ice and beat the path and must teach them what to doe if any thing happen well it is their glory if ill the fault of the old directors that in all dangers must endure the worst yet not fiue hundred of them haue so much as one of the others also that there bee some present course taken to maintaine a Garrison to suppresse the Saluages till they be able to subsist and that his Maiesty would please to remit his custome or it is to be feared they will lose custome and all for this cannot be done by promises hopes counsels and countenances but with sufficient workmen and meanes to maintaine them not such delinquents as here cannot be ruled by all the lawes in England yet when the foundation is laid as I haue said and a common-wealth established then such there may better be constrained to labour then here but to rectifie a common-wealth with debaushed people is impossible and no wise man would throw himselfe into such a society that intends honestly and knowes what he vndertakes for there is no Country to pillage as the Romans found all you expect from thence must be by labour For the gouernment I thinke there is as much adoe about it as the Kingdomes of Scotland and Ireland men here conceiting Virginia as they are erecting as many stately Offices as Officers with their attendants as there are labourers in the Countrey where a Constable were as good as twenty of their Captaines and three hundred good Souldiers and labourers better then all the rest that goe onely to get the fruits of other mens labours by the title of an office Thus they spend Michaelmas rent in Mid-summer Moone and would gather their Haruest before they haue planted their Corne. As for the maintenance of the Officers the first that went neuer demanded any but aduentured good summes and it seemes strange to me the fruits of all their labours besides the expence of an hundred and fifty thousand pounds and such multitudes of people those collaterall Officers could not maintaine themselues so well as the old did and hauing now such liberty to doe to the Saluages what they will the others had not I more then wonder they haue not fiue hundred Saluages to worke for them towards their generall maintenance and as many more to returne some content and satisfaction to the Aduenturers that for all their care charge and diligence can heare nor
so much wealth he knew would please them in England though it did displease all his Company and to lose such a prize he would not for hazarding a mutiny So first hee reuealed himselfe to Kendall in faire tearmes reprouing his dishonesty but not being answered according to his expectation he committed both Chard and him to person The next Sabboath day Dauis comming on shore More also taxed with very hard language and many threats to lay him fast also if he mended not his manners Dauis for the present replied little but went with him to the place of praier but in the midst of diuine seruice he goeth away commanding all his Sea-men to follow him presently aboord where he encourageth them to stand to him like men and hee would free the Prisoners haue all the Amber-greece for themselues and so be gone The Gouernor hearing of this resolution prepares with his company to repulse force with force so that a generall expectance of a ciuill vnciuill warre possessed euery man but this threatning gust passed ouer more calmlier then was expected for Dauis hauing better aduised with himselfe repenâ—ed his rashnesse and desired a reconcilement with the Gouernor Peace thus concluded Kendall was set at libertie but Chard was condemned and vpon the ladder to be hanged for his obstinacy yet vpon better consideration More repriued him but kept him a prisoner all the time he staied in the Country which was generally thought a very bad reward for his great desert and that there was more of this Amber-greece imbeziled then would haue contented all the finders that neuer had any consideration at all The greatest part though More thus recouered yet Dauis and Kendall had so much either by the ignorance or conniuency of the Gouernors that arriuing in England they prepared themselues for a new voiage at last they two falling out the Company hauing notice thereof so tormented them both they gaue ouer their voiage and durst not be seene a long time after The Gouernor thus rid of the ship and those discontents remoued his seat from Smiths I le to Saint Georges after he had fitted vp some small Cabbens of Palmata leaues for his wife and family in that valley where now stands their prime towne called S. Georges hee began to apply himselfe to fortifie the Countrey and training his men in the exercise of armes For although he was but a Carpenter he was an excellent Artist a good Gunner very witty and industrious he built and laid the foundation of eight or nine Forts called the Kings Castle Charles Fort Pembrookes Fort Smiths Fort Pagits Fort Gates Fort Warwicks Castle Saint Katharines Fort c. mounting in them all the Ordnance he had preparing the ground to build Houses plant Corne and such Fruits as they had Being thus busied and as the necessitie of the time required keeping his men somewhat hard at worke Master Keath his Minister were it by the secret prouocation of some drones that grew weary of their taskes or his affection to popularity is not certaine But he begins to tax the Gouernor in the Pulpit hee did grinde the faces of the poore oppressing his Christian brethren with Pharoab taxes More finding this in short time might breed ill bloud called the Company together and also the Minister vrging them plainly to tell him wherein he had deserued those hard accusations whereupon with an vniuersall cry they affirmed the contrary so that Keath downe of his knees to aske him forgiuenesse But Master More kindly tooke him vp willing him to kneele to God and hereafter be more modest and charitable in his speeches notwithstanding two other discontents so vpbraided More with that doctrine and stood to maintaine it he impaneled a Iury with a great deale of seeming much adoe he would hang them being condemned one of them with the very feare fell into a dead Palsie so that the other was set at libertie and proued after a very good labourer Many conclusions he tried about the Sea-venture the wracke of Sir George Somers but he got onely for his paines but two peece of Ordnance Hauing framed a Church of timber it was blowne downe by a tempest so that he built another in a more closer place with Palmeta leaues Before this yeere was expired the aduenterers sent them an aduiso with thirtie Passengers and good prouisions to prepare with all expedition for their defence against the Spaniard whom they vnderstood ere long would visit them This occasioned him to keepe all his men together in that I le so hard at worke that wanting libertie to goe abroad for food liuing onely on that they had and expected daily to receiue from England they were so ouer-toiled many fell sicke but none died Very earnest this ship was to haue all the Amber-greece which M. More perceiuing was the chiefest cause of their comming and that it was the onely loadstone to draw from England still more supplies for all the expresse command sent from the Company he returned this ship but with the one third part so from thence she went to Virginia and not long after arriued safely in England But before her returne the Company sent the Martha with sixtie Passengers more they arriued in Iune with one Master Bartlet to suruey the Iland and the estate of the Colonie with expresse command for all the Amber-greece but More perceiuing him not as he would haue him and that the Company began to mistrust him would send no more but another third part wherewith they returned leauing a French-man to make triall of the Mulberies for Silke but he did not bring any thing to perfection excusing himselfe they were not the right Mulberies he expected About this time they were in hope of a small crop of Tobacco but it was most spoiled for want of knowledge to vse it Now in England Master More became amongst the Merchants maruelous distastfull for the detaining so long the Amber-greece which delaies they so much abhorred they forthwith dispatched the Elizabeth the second time and forty Passengers much rebuking More for so long detaining the Amber-greece for the which hauing now no more colourable excuses he deliuered it wherewith the ship went to Virginia thence home In this ship was brought the first Potato roots which flourished exceedingly for a time till by negligence they were almost lost all but two cast-away roots that so wonderfully haue increased they are a maine releefe to all the Inhabitants This ship was not long gone but there came two Spanish ships founding with their Boat which attempted to come in but from the Kings Castle Master More made but two shot which caused them presently depart Marke here the handy worke of the diuine prouidence for they had but three quarters of a barrell of powder and but one shot more and the powder by carelesnesse was tumbled downe vnder the mussels of the two peeces were discharged yet not touched with fire when they were
discharged This feare thus past appeares another much worse which was the extremity of famine in this extemity God sent Captaine Daniel Elfrid with a caruell of meale which a little relieued them but brought withall so many Rats that within two yeeres after neere ruined all now though Elfrid had deceiued his friend Fisher of this Caruell in the West Indies they reuenged Fishers iniury for Elfrid had his passage for England and they made vse of all he had Some two moneths after came in the Blessing with an hundred Passengers and two daies after the Starre with a hundred and foure score more amongst which were many Gentlemen as Master Lower for Marshall Master Barret Master Felgate and diuers others but very vnproper for what they vndertooke Within foureteene daies after came in the Margaret and two Frygats and in them one hundred and threescore Passengers also Master Bartlet came now expresly to diuide the Country into Tribes and the Tribes into shares But Master More finding no mention made of any part for himselfe nor all them with him as he was promised in England by no meanes would admit of any diuision nor suffer his men from finishing their fortifications which was so necessary it was his maine ambition to see that accomplished but such vnkindnesse grew betwixt this Master Bartlet and the Gouernour that the rude multitude with all the disdaine they could deuise caused Bartlet returne for England as he came About this time William Millington was drawne into the Sea by a fish but neuer after euer seene The neglect of this diuision was very hardly conceited in England so that Master More grew more and more in dislike with the company notwithstanding he followed the building of these Forts so earnestly neglecting planting of Corne till their store was neere all consumed whereby they became so feeble and weake some would not others could not goe abroad to seeke releefe but statued in their houses and many that went abroad through weaknesse were subiect to be suddenly surprized with a disease called the Feauges which was neither paine nor sicknesse but as it were the highest degree of weaknesse depriuing them of power and ability from the execution of any bodily exercises whether it were working walking or what else being thus taken if any presently gaue them food many times they straight recouered yet some after a little rest would bee able to walke but if they found not present succour died About this time or immediatly before came in a company of Rauens which continued amongst them all the time of this mortality and then departed which for any thing knowne neither before nor since were euer seene or heard of this with diuers other reasons caused Master More to goe out to Sea to see if he could discouer any other Ilands but he went not farre ere ill weather forced him backe and it were a noble aduenture of him would vndertake to make more perfect all the dangers are about the Summer Iles. Thus famine and misery caused Gouernour More leaue all his workes and send them abroad to get what they could one hundred and fifty of the most weake and sicke he sent to Coupers I le where were such infinite numbers of the Birds called Cahowes which were so fearelesse they might take so many as they would and that admired abundance of fish that the extremity of their hunger and their gluttony was such those heauenly blessings they so consumed and wasted by carelesâ—â—sse and surfetting many of them died vpon those silly Birds that offered themselues to the slaughter which the Gouernour vnderstanding caused them for change of aire to be remoued to Port-royall and a Company of Fishers with a Boat to releeue them with fish but the Gange grew so lazie the poore weaklings still died they that remained killed the Cattle they found in the I le faining the heat caused them to runne into the Sea and so were drowned so that the Gouernour sent againe for them home but some obtained leaue still to liue abroad one amongst the rest hid himselfe in the Woods and liued onely on Wilkes and land Crabs sat and lusty many moneths but most of them being at Saint Georges ordinarily was taken one hundred and fifty or two hundred great fishes daily for their food for want of hookes and lines the Smith made hookes of old swords and lines of old ropes but finding all those poore Engines also decay they sent one of the two Frigats last left with them for England to tell them of this misery All which was now attributed to Master Mores peruersnesse who at first when he got the Amber-Greece had not such a generall applause but now all the worst could possibly be suggested was too good for him yet not knowing for the present how to send a better they let him continue still though his time was neere expired and with all speed sent the Welcome fraught with prouision where shee well arriued and proued her selfe as welcome in deed as in name for all those extremities Master Lewes Hues writeth not one of all those threescore that first beganne this Plantation was dead which shewes it was not impossible but industry might haue preuented a great part of the others sluggish carelesnesse This ship much refreshed this miserable Colony but Master More seeing they sent not for him his time being now expired vnderstanding how badly they reputed him in England and that his imploiment now was more for their owne ends then any good for himselfe resolued directly to returne with this ship Hauing setled all things in the best order he could left the gouernment to the charge of the counsell of six to succeed each other monethly till they had further directions from England whose names were Captaine Miles Kendall Captaine Iohn Mansfield Thomas Knight Charles Caldycot Edward Waters and Christopher Carter with twelue others for their assistances More thus taking leaue of those Ilands arriued in England much wrangling they had but at last they confirmed him according to promise eight shares of Land and so he was dismissed of his charge with shew of fauour and much friendship The rule of the six Gouernors THE first thing they did was casting of lots who should rule first which lot lighted vpon Master Caldicot This last supply somewhat abated the extremitie of their miseries and the better in that their fortifications being finished they had the more leasure to goe abroad with that meanes was brought to that purpose to fish Chard as you haue heard whom all this while More had kept Prisoner they set at libertie now by reason of their former miseries little or nothing could be done yet this Gouernor hauing thus concluded his moneth and prepared a Frigot and two and thirtie men hee imbarked himselfe with two other of his fellow counsellers namely Knight and Waters for the West-Indies to get Fruits and Plants Goats young Cattle and such like But this poore vessell whether
generality but of such bad condition that it seemed they had picked the Males out of Newgate the Females from Bridewell As the Gouernour found it his best course to grant out the women to such as were so greedy of wiues and would needs haue them for better for worse and the men hee placed in the Kings Castle for souldiers But this bad weake sickly supply being dispersed for their best reliefe by the much imployment of his boats in remoouing them many of his owne men became infected so that for some weekes they were not able to doe him any seruice at all Strict instructions also they brought for the planting of Sugar caneâ— for which the Iland being rockie and dry is so vnproper that few as yet haue beene seene to prosper yet there are others hold the contrary opinion that there is raine so ordinarily the Iles are so moist as produceth all their plants in such infinit abundance there is no great reason to suspect this were it rightly vsed more then the râ—st Seuenty thousand weight of Tobacco being prepared towards her fraught she returned for England No sooner was shee gone then came in another sent by the Company and generalty well conditioned but shee failed not much to haue beene cast away amongst those dangerous terrible rocks by her came also expresse command they should entertaine no other ships then were directly sent from the Company this caused much grudging and indeed a generall distraction and exclamation among the Inhabitants to be thus constrained to buy what they wanted and sell what they had at what price the Magazin pleased and to debarre true men from comming to them for trade or reliefe that were daily receiued in all the harbours in England So long this ship stayed going for fraught and wages the Master not caring how long he lay at that rate in a good harbour the Gouernour was ready to send her away by Proclamation Thus ended the first yeere of the gouernment of C. Butler With the first of the second yeere were held the Assises where all the Bailiffes were fined for not giuing a beginning to the building of the bridges there was also an order to restraine the excessiue wages all handicrafts men would haue and that the Church-wardens should meet twice a yeere to haue all their presentments made perfect against the Assises The Assises done all the ablest men were trained in their armes and then departed to their owne homes The towne thus cleered he made certaine new carriages for some demy Culuerings and a large new store-house of Cedar for the yeerely Magazines goods finished Warwicks Fort begun by Master More and made a new platforme at Pagits Fort also a faire house of lime and stone for the Townes-house The three bridges appointed by the generall assembly was followed with such diligence though they were more then an hundred or an hundred and twenty foot in length hauing the foundation and arches in the Sea were raised and accomplished so that man or beast with facility might passe them At Whitsonday was held the fourth generall Assise at Saint Georges where were tryed twenty seuerall causes foure or fiue were whipped or burnt in the hand for breaking of houses also an order was made that the party cast in the triall of any cause should pay to euery of the Iurours foure pence moreouer that not past ten leaues at the most should grow vpon a plant of Tobacco and that also in the making it vp a distinction should diligently be obserued of two kinds a better and a worse then they built a strong stone house for the Captaine of the Kings Castle and corps du guard and repaired what defects they could finde in the platformes and carriages Captaine Powell so oft mentioned hauing beene in the West-Indies for the States of Holland came to an anchor within shot of their Ordnance desiring admittance for wood and water of which hee had great need but the Gouernor would not permit him so he weighed and departed whereat the company were so madded it was not possible to constraine them to cease their exclaimations against the Companies inhihition till they were weary with exclaming But still for their better defence not thinking themselues sufficiently secure hauing finished two new plat-formes more arriued the Magazin ship but her Master was dead and many of the Passengers the rest for most part very sicke and withall a strange and wonderfull report of much complaint made against the Gouernor to the Company in England by some of them returned in the last yeeres shipping but it was eight daies before she could get in by reason of ill weather being forced againe to Sea so that time they kept euery night continually great fires she might see the Ile as well by night as day but at last she arriued and he plainly vnderstood he had more cause a great deale to looke for misconstruction of all his seruice then an acknowledgment much lesse a recompence any better then his predecessors but it is no new thing to require the best desert with the most vildest of ingratitude The very next daies night after the arriuall of the Magazins ship newes was brought the Gouernor by a dismaied Messenger from Sands his Tribe that one hundred Spaniards were landed in that part and diuers ships discouered at Sea whereupon he presently manned the Forts and instantly made thitherward in person with twentie men determining as he found cause to draw together more strength by the way Being got thither by the breake of the next day in stead of an enemy which he expected he met onely with a company of poore distressed Portugals and Spaniards who in their passage from Carthagena in the West-Indies in consort with the Spanish fleet of Plait by the same storme that had indangered the Magazin ship lost theirs vpon those terrible Rocks being to the number of seuenty persons were strangely preserued and the manner was thus About Sunne-set their ship beating amongst the Rocks some twenty of the Sailers got into the Boat with what treasure they could leauing the Captaine the Master and all the rest to the mercy of the Sea But a Boy not past foureteene yeares of age that leaped after to haue got into the Boat missing that hope it pleased God he got vpon a Chest a drift by him whereon they report he continued two daies and was driuen neere to the cleane contrary part of the I le where he was taken vp neere dead yet well recouered All this night the ship sticking fast the poore distressed in her the next day spying land made a raft and were those gaue the alarum first a shore about three of the clocke in the after noone The morning after about seuen of the clocke came in the Boat to a place called Mangroue Bay and the same day their Carpenter was driuen a shore vpon a Planke neere Hog-Bay There was a Gentlewoman that had stood wet vp to the
t' were to goe to bed or drinke And all thou yet hast done thou dost esteeme As nothing This doth cause me thinke That thou I 'aue seene so oft approu'd in dangers And thrice captiu'd thy valour still hath freed Art yet preserued to conuert those strangers By God thy guide I trust it is decreed For me I not commend but much admire Thy England yet vnknowne to passers by-her For it will praise it selfe in spight of me Thou it it thou to all posterity Your true friend and souldier Ed. Robinson To my honest Captaine the Author MAlignant Times What can be said or done But shall be censur'd and traduc't by some This worthy Worke which thou hast bought so deare Ne thou nor it Detractors need to feare Thy words by deeds so long thou hast approu'd Of thousands know thee not thou art belou'd And this great Plot will make thee ten times more Knowne and belou'd than ere thou wert before I neuer knew a Warrier yet but thee From wine Tobacco debts dice oaths so free I call thee Warrier and I make the bolder For many a Captaine now was neuer Souldier Some such may swell at this but to their praise When they haue done like thee my Muse shall raise Their due deserts to Worthies yet to come To liue like thine admir'd till day of Doome Your true friend sometimes your souldier Tho. Carlton NEW ENGLAND The most remarqueable parts thus named by the high and mighty Prince CHARLES Prince of great Britaine THE PORTRAICTUER OF CAPTAYNE IOHN SMITH ADMIRALL OF NEW ENGLAND These are the Lines that shew thy Face but those That shew thy Grace and Glory brighter bee Thy Faire-Discoueries and Fowle-Overthrowes Of Salvages much Civilliz'd by thee Best shew thy Spirit and to it Glory Wyn So thou art Brasse without but Golde within If so in Brasse too soft Smiths Acts to beare I fix thy Fame to make Brasse steele out weare Thine as thou art Virtues Goâ—â—â— Dauies Heref HONY S OIT QVI MAL Y PENSE A Scale of Leagues Observed and described by Captayn John Smith 1614 London Printed by Geor Low THE SIXTH BOOKE THE GENERALL HISTORIE OF NEW-ENGLAND COncerning this History you are to vnderstand the Letters-Patents granted by his Maiesty in 1606. for the limitation of Virginia did extend from 34. to 44. which was diuided in two parts namely the first Colony and the second the first was to the honourable City of London and such as would aduenture with them to discouer and take their choice where they would betwixt the degrees of 34. and 41. The second was appropriated to the Cities of Bristol Exeter and Plimoth c. and the West parts of England and all those that would aduenture and ioine with them and they might make their choise any where betwixt the degrees of 38. and 44. prouided there should bee at least 100. miles distance betwixt these 2. Colonies each of which had lawes priuileges and authoritie for the gouernment and aduancing their seuerall Plantations alike Now this part of America hath formerly beene called Norumbega Virginia Nuskoncus Penaquida Cannada and such other names as those that ranged the Coast pleased But because it was so mountainous rocky and full of Iles few haue aduentured much to trouble it but as is formerly related notwithstanding that honourable Patron of vertue Sir Iohn Popham Lord chiefe Iustice of England in the yeere 1606. procured meanes and men to possesse it and sent Captaine George Popham for President Captaine Rawley Gilbert for Admirall Captaine Edward Harlow master of the Ordnance Captaine Robert Dauis Sargeant-Maior Captaine Elis Best Marshall Master Seaman Secretary Captaine Iames Dauis to be Captaine of the Fort Master Gome Carew chiefe Searcher all those were of the Councell who with some hundred more were to stay in the Country they set saile from Plimoth the last of May and fell with Monahigan the eleuenth of August At Sagadahock 9. or 10. leagues southward they planted themselues at the mouth of a faire nauigable Riuer but the coast all thereabouts most extreme stony and rocky that extreme frozen Winter was so cold they could not range nor search the Country and their prouision so small they were glad to send all but 45. of their company backe againe their noble President Captaine Popham died and not long after arriued two ships well prouided of all necessaries to supply them and some small time after another by whom vnderstanding of the death of the Lord chiefe Iustice and also of Sir Iohn Gilbert whose lands there the President Rawley Gilbert was to possesse according to the aduenturers directions finding nothing but extreme extremities they all returned for England in the yeere 1608. and thus this Plantation was begunne and ended in one yeere and the Country esteemed as a cold barren mountainous rocky Desart Notwithstanding the right Honourable Henry Earle of South-hampton and those of the I le of Wight imploied Captaine Edward Harlow to discouer an I le supposed about Cape Cod but they found their plots had much abused them for falling with Monahigan they found onely Cape Cod no I le but the maine there they detained three Saluages aboord them called Pechmo Monopet and Pekenimne but Pechmo leapt ouer board and got away and not long after with his consorts cut their Boat from their sterne got her on shore and so filled her with sand and guarded her with Bowes and Arrowes the English lost her not farre from thence they had three men sorely wounded with Arrowes Anchoring at the I le of Nohone the Saluages in their Canowes assaulted the Ship till the English Guns made them retire yet here they tooke Sakaweston that after he had liued many yeeres in England went a Souldier to the warres of Bohemia At Capawo they tooke Coneconam and Epenow but the people at Agawom vsed them kindly so with fiue Saluages they returned for England yet Sir Francis Popham sent diuers times one Captaine Williams to Monahigan onely to trade and make core fish but for any Plantations there was no more speeches For all this as I liked Virginia well though not their proceedings so I desired also to see this country and spend some time in trying what I could finde for all those ill rumors and disasters From the relations of Captaine Edward Harlow and diuers others In the month of Aprill 1614. at the charge of Capt. Marmaduke Roydon Capt. George Langam Mr. Iohn Buley and Mr. William Skelton with two ships from London I chanced to arriue at Monahigan an I le of America in 434. of Northerly latitude out plot was there to take Whales for which we had one Samuel Cramton and diuers others expert in that faculty also to make trialls of a Mine of gold copper if those failed Fish and Furs were then our refuge to make our selues sauers howsoeuer we found this Whale-fishing a costly conclusion we saw many and spent much time in chasing them but could not
kill any They being a kinde of Iubartes and not the Whale that yeelds Fins and Oile as we expected for our gold it was rather the Masters deuice to get a voyage that proiected it then any knowledge he had at all of any such matter Fish and Furs were now our guard by our late arriuall and long lingring about the Whale the prime of both those seasons were past ere wee perceiued it wee thinking that their seasons serued at all times but we found it otherwise for by the middest of Iune the fishing failed yet in Iuly and August some were taken but not sufficient to defray so great a charge as our stay required of dry fish we made about forty thousand of Cor-fish about seuen thousand Whilest the Sailers fished my selfe with eight others of them might best bee spared ranging the Coast in a small Boat we got for trifles neere eleuen thousand Beuer skinnes one hundred Martins as many Otters and the most of them within the distance of twenty leagues we ranged the Coast both East and West much further but Eastward our commodities were not esteemed they were so neere the French who afforded them better with whom the Saluages had such commerce that only by trade they made exceeding great voyages though they were without the limits of our precincts during the time we tried those conclusions not knowing the coast nor Saluages habitations with these Furres the traine Oile and Cor-fish I returned for England in the Barke where within six moneths after our departure from the Downes wee safely arriued backe the best of this fish was sold for 5. li. the hundred the rest by ill vsage betwixt three pounds and 50. shillings The other ship stayed to fit her selfe for Spaine with the dry fish which was sold at Maligo at forty Rialls the Quintall each hundred weighing two quintals and a halfe But one Thomas Hunt the Master of this ship when I was gone thinking to preuent that intent I had to make there a Plantation thereby to keepe this abounding Countrey still in obscuritie that onely he and some few Merchants more might enioy wholly the benefit of the Trade and profit of this Countrey betraied foure and twenty of those poore Saluages aboord his ship and most dishonestly and inhumanely for their kinde vsage of me and all our men caried them with him to Maligo and there for a little priuate gaine sold those silly Saluages for Rials of eight but this vilde act kept him euer after from any more imploiment to those parts Now because at this time I had taken a draught of the Coast and called it New England yet so long he and his Consorts drowned that name with the Eccho of Cannaday and some other ships from other parts also that vpon this good returne the next yeere went thither that at last I presented this Discourse with the Map to our most gracious Prince Charles humbly intreating his Highnesse hee would please to change their baâ—barous names for such English as posteritie might say Prince Charles was their God-father which for your better vnderstanding both of this Discourse and the Mâ—p peruse this Schedule which will plainly shew you the correspondency of the old names to the new as his Highnesse named them The old names The new names Cape Cod. Cape Iames. The Harbor at Cape Cod. Milforth hauen Chawum Barwick Accomack Plimoth Sagoquas Oxford Massachusets Mount Cheuit hills Massachusits Riuer Charles Riuer Totan Famouth A great Bay by Cape Anne Bristow Cape Tragubigsanda Cape Anne Naembeck Bastable Aggawom Southampton Smiths Iles. Smiths Iles. Passataquack Hull Accominticus Boston Sassanows Mount Snowdon hill Sowocatuck Ipswich Bahanna Dartmouth A good Harbor within that Bay Sandwich Ancociscos Mount Shuters hill Ancocisco The Base Anmonghcawgen Cambridge Kenebecka Edenborow Sagadabock Leth. Pemmayquid S. Iohns towne Segocket Norwich Mecadacut Dunbarton Pennobscot Aberden Nusket Low mounds Those being omitted I named my selfe Monahigan Barties Iles. Matinack Willowbies Iles. Metinacus Haughtons Iles. The rest of the names in the Map are places that had no names we did know But to continue the History succeedingly as neere with the day and yeere as may bee Returning in the Barke as is said it was my ill chance to put in at Plimoth where imparting those my purposes to diuers I thought my friends whom as I supposed were interested in the dead Patent of this vnregarded Countrey I was so encouraged and assured to haue the managing their authoritie in those parts during my life and such large promises that I ingaged my selfe to vndertake it for them Arriuing at London though some malicious persons suggested there was no such matter to be had in that so bad abandoned Countrey for if there had other could haue found it so well as I therefore it was to be suspected I had robbed the French men in New France or Cannada and the Merchants see me forth seemed not to regard it yet I found so many promised me such assistance that I entertained Michael Cooper the Master of the Barke that returned with me and others of the Company how he dealt with others or others with him I know not but my publike proceeding gaue such encouragement that it became so well apprehended by some few of the Virginia Company as those proiects for fishing onely was so well liked they furnished Couper with foure good ships to Sea before they at Plimoth had made any prouision at all for me but onely a small Barke set out by them of the I le of Wight Some of Plimoth and diuers Gentlemen of the West Countrey a little before I returned from New England in search for a Mine of Gold about an I le called Capawuck South-wards from the Shoules of Cape Iames as they were informed by a Saluage called Epenew that hauing deluded theÌ„ as it seems thus to get home seeing they kept him as a prisoner in his owne Countrey and before his friends being a man of so great a stature he was shewed vp and downe London for money as a wonder and it seemes of no lesse courage and authoritie then of wit strength and proportion for so well he had contriued his businesse as many reported he intended to haue surprised the ship but seeing it could not be effected to his liking before them all he leaped ouer-boord Many shot they made at him thinking they had slaine him but so resolute they were to recouer his body the master of the ship was wounded and many of his company And thus they lost him not knowing more what to do returned againe to England with nothing which so had discouraged all your West Countrey men they neither regarded much their promises and as little either me or the Countrey till they saw the London ships gone and me in Plimoth according to my promise as hereafter shall be related I must confesse I was beholden to the setters forth of the foure ships that went with Couper in
meane which is Wood Flax Pitch Tarre Rozen Cordage and such like which they exchange againe to the French Spaniards Portugals and English c. for what they want are made so mighty strong and rich as no state but Venice of twice their magnitude is so well furnished with so many faire Cities goodly Townes strong Fortresses and that abundance of shipping and all sorts of Merchandize as well of Gold Siluer Pearles Diamonds precious Stones Silkes Veluets and Cloth of Gold as Fâ—sh Pitch Wood or such grosse Commodities What voiages and discoueries Eâ—st and West North and South yea about the world make they What an Army by Sea and Land haue they long maintained in despight of one of the greatest Princes of the world and neuer could the Spaniard with all his Mines of Gold and Siluer pay his debts his friends and Army halfe so truly as the Hollanders still haue done by this contemptible Trade of Fish Diuers I know may alleage many other assistances but this is the chiefest Mine and the Sea the source of those siluer streames of all their vertue which hath made them now the very miracle of industry the onely paterne of perfection for these affaires and the benefit of fishing is that Primum Mobile that turnes all their spheares to this height of plentie strength honor and exceeding great admiration Herring Cod and Ling is that triplicitie that makes their wealth and shippings multiplicitie such as it is and from which few would thinke it they should draw so many millions yeerely as they doe as more in particular in the trials of New England you may see and such an incredible number of ships that breeds them so many Sailers Mariners Souldiers and Merchants neuer to be wrought out of that Trade and fit for any other I will not deny but others may gaine as well as they that will vse it though not so certainly nor so much in quantitie for want of experience and this Herring they take vpon the Coast of England and Scotland their Cod and Ling vpon the Coast of Izeland and in the North seas if wee consider what gaines the Hamburgans the Biskinners and French make by fishing nay but how many thousands this fiftie or sixty yeeres haue beene maintained by New found land where they take nothing but small Cod whereof the greatest they make Cor-fish and the rest is hard dried which we call Poore-Iohn would amaze a man with wonder If then from all those parts such paines is taken for this poore gaines of Fish especially by the Hâ—â—landers that hath but little of their owne for building of ships and setting them to sea but at the second third fourth or fift hand drawne from so many pâ—râ—s of the world ere they come together to be vsed in those voiages If these I say can gaine why should we more doubt then they but doe much better that may haue most of all those things at our doores for taking and making and here are no hard Landlords to racke vs with high rents or extorting fines nor tedious pleas in Law to consume vs with their many yeeres disputation for Iustice no multitudes to occasion such impediments to good orders as in popular States so freely hath God and his Maiestie bestowed those blessings on them will attempt to obtaine them as here euery man may be master of his owne labour and land or the greatest part if his Maiesties royall meaning be not abused and if he haue nothing but his hands he may set-vp his Trade and by industry quickly grow rich spending but halfe that time well which in England we abuse in idlenesse worse or as ill Here is ground as good as any lieth in the height of forty one forty two forty three c. which is as temperate and as fruitfull as any other parallel in the world As for example on this side the line West of it in the South Sea is Nona Albion discouered as is said by Sir Francis Drake East from it is the most temperate part of Portugall the ancient Kingdomes of Galizia Bisky Nauarre Aragon Cattilonia Castillia the old and the most moderatest of Castillia the new Valentia which is the greatest part of Spaine which if the Histories be true in the Romans time abounded no lesse with gold siluer Mines then now the West-Indies the Romans then vsing the Spaniards to worke in those Mines as now the Spaniards doe the Indians In France the Prouinces of Gascony Langadooke Auignon Prouince Dolphine Pyamont and Turyne are in the same parallel which are the best and richest parts of France In Italy the Prouinces of Genua Lumbardy and Verona with a great part of the most famous state of Venice the Dukedomes of Bononia Mantua Ferrara Rauenna Bolognia Florence Pisa Sienna Vrbine Ancona and the ancient Citie and Countrey of Rome with a great part of the Kingdome of Naples In Slauonia Istria and Dalmatia with the Kingdomes of Albania In Grecia those famous Kingdomes of Macedonia Bullulgaria Thessalia Thracia or Romania where is seated the most pleasant and plentifull Citie in Europe Constantinople In Asia in the same latitude are the temperatest parts of Natolia Armenia Persia and China besides diuers other large Countries and Kingdomes in those most milde and temperate Regions of Asia Southward in the same height is the richest of Gold Mines Chily and Baldinia and the mouth of the great Riuer of Plate c. for all the rest of the world in that height is yet vnknowne Besides these reasons mine owne eies that haue seene a great part of those Cities and their Kingdomes as well as it can finde no aduantage they haue in Nature but this they are beautified by the long labour and diligence of industrious people and art This is onely as God made it when hee created the world Therefore I conclude if the heart and intrailes of those Regions were sought if their Land were cultured planted and manured by men of industry iudgement and experience what hope is there or what need they doubt hauing the aduantages of the Sea but it might equalize any of these famous Kingdomes in all commodities pleasures and conditions seeing euen the very hedges doe naturally affoord vs such plentie as no ship need returne away emptie and onely vse but the season of the Sea Fish will returne an honest gaine besides all other aduantages her treasures hauing yet neuer beene opened nor her originals wasted consumed nor abused And whereas it is said the Hollanders serue the Easterlings themselues and other parts that want with Herring Ling and wet Cod The Easterlings a great part of Europe with Sturgion and Cauiare as the Blacke Sea doth Grecia Podolia Sagouia Natolia and the Hellespont Cape Blanke Spaine Portugall and the Leuant with Mulit and Puttargo New foundland the most part of the chiefe Southerne Ports in Europe with a thin Poore-Iohn which hath beene so long so much ouer-laied
would long ere this haue troubled their neighbours or haue eaten the pride of Spaine it selfe Now hee knowes little that knowes not England may well spare many more people then Spaine and is as well able to furnish them with all manner of necessaries and seeing for all they haue they cease not still to search for that they haue not and know not it is strange we should be so dull as not maintaine that which we haue and pursue that we know Surely I am sure many would take it ill to be abridged of the titles and honors of their predecessorâ— when if but truly they would iudge themselues looke how inferior they are to their Noble Vertues so much they are vnworthy of their honors and liuings which neuer were ordained for shewes and shadowes to maintaine idlenesse and vice but to make them more able to abound in honor by Heroicall deeds of action iudgement pietie and vertue What was it both in their purse and person they would not doe for the good of their Common-wealth which might moue them presently to set out their spare children in these generous designes Religion aboue all things should moue vs especially the Clergie if we are religious to shew our faith by our works in conuerting those poore Saluages to the knowledge of God seeing what paines the Spaniards takes to bring them to their adultered faith Honor might moue the Gentry the valiant and industrious and the hope and assurance of wealth all if we were that we would seeme and be accounted or be we so farre inferior to other Nations or our spirits so farre deiected from our ancient predecessors or our mindes so vpon spoile piracy and such villany as to serue the Portugall Spaniard Dutch French or Turke as to the cost of Europe too many doe rather then our God our King our Country and our selues excusing our idlenesse and our base complaints by want of imploiment when here is such choice of all sorts and for all degrees in the planting and discouering these North parts of America My second voyage to New England IN the yeere of our Lord 1615. I was imploied by many my friends of London and Sir Ferdinando Gorges a noble Knight and a great fauourer of those actions who perswaded the reuerend Deane of Exeter Doctor Sutliffe and diuers Merchants of the West to entertaine this Plantation Much labour I had taken to bring the Londoners and them to ioyne together because the Londoners haue most Money and the Westerne men are most proper for fishing and it is neere as much trouble but much more danger to faile from London to Plimoth then from Plimoth to New England so that halfe the voiage would thus be saued yet by no meanes I could preuaile so desirous they were both to be Lords of this fishing Now to make my words more apparant by my deeds to begin a Plantation for a more ample triall of those conclusions I was to haue staied there but with sixteene men whose names were Tho. Dirmer Gent. Iohn Gosling Sould. Thomas Digby Walter Chisell were to learne to be Sailers Edw. Stallings William Ingram Daniel Baker Robert Miller Daniel Cage Dauid Cooper Adam Smith And two Boyes Francis Abbot Iohn Partridge Tho. Watson I confesse I could haue wished them as many thousands had all other prouisions beene in like proportion nor would I haue had so few could I haue had means for more yet would God haue pleased we had safely arriued I doubted not but to haue performed more then I promised and that many thousands ere this would haue bin there ere now The maine assistance next God I had to this small number was my acquaintance amongst the Saluages especially with Dohoday one of their greatest Lords who had liued long in England and another called Tantum I caried with mee from England and set on shore at Cape Cod by the meanes of this proud Saluage I did not doubt but quickly to haue got that credit amongst the rest of the Saluages and their alliance to haue had as many of them as I desired in any designe I intended and that trade also they had by such a kinde of exchange of their Countrey Commodities which both with ease and securitie might then haue beene vsed with him and diuers others I had concluded to inhabit and defend them against the Tarentines with a better power then the French did them whose tyrannie did inforce them to embrace my offer with no small deuotion and though many may think me more bold then wise in regard of their power dexteritie treachery and inconstancy hauing so desperately assaulted and betraied many others I say but this because with so many I haue many times done much more in Virginia then I intended here when I wanted that experience Virginia taught mee that to me it seemes no more danger then ordinary and though I know my selfe the meanest of many thousands whose apprehensiue inspection can pierce beyond the bounds of my abilities into the hidden things of Nature Art and Reason yet I intreat such giue mee leaue to excuse my selfe of so much imbecillitie as to say that in these eighteene yeeres which I haue beene conuersant with these affaires I haue not learned there is a great difference betwixt the directions and iudgement of experimentall knowledge and the superficiall coniecture of variable relation wherein rumour humour or misprision haue such power that oft times one is enough to beguile twentie but twentie not sufficient to keepe one from being deceiued Therefore I know no reason but to beleeue my owne eies before any mans imagination that is but wrested from the conceits of my owne proiects and endeuours but I honor with all affection the counsell and instructions of iudiciall directions or any other honest aduertisement so farre to obserue as they tie me not to the crueltie of vnknowne euents These are the inducements that thus drew me to me to neglect all other imploiments and spend my time and best abilities in these aduentures wherein though I haue had many discouragements by the ingratitude of some the malicious slanders of others the falsenesse of friends the treachery of cowards and slownesse of Aduenturers Now you are to remember as I returned first from New England at Plimoth I was promised foure good ships ready prepared to my hand the next Christmas and what conditions and content I would desire to put this businesse in practise and arriuing at London foure more were offered me with the like courtesie But to ioyne the Londoners them in one was most impossible so that Ianuary with two hundred pound in Chash for aduenture and six Gentlemen well furnished I went from London to the foure ships were promised me at Plimoth but I found no such matter and the most of those that had made such great promises by the bad returne of the ship went for Gold and their priuate emulations were extinct and qualified Notwithstanding at last with
mortall disease for where I had seene one hundred or two hundred Saluages there is scarce ten to be found and yet not any one of them touched with any sicknesse but one poore French man that died They say this plague vpon them thus sore fell It was because they pleas'd not Tantum well From the West Country to make triall this yeere onely to fish is gone six or seuen saile three of which I am certainly informed made so good a voyage that euery Sailer that had a single share had twenty pound for his seuen moneths work which is more then in twenty moneths he should haue gotten had he gone for wages any where Now although these former ships haue not made such good voiages as they expected by sending opinionated vnskilfull men that had not experienced diligence to saue that they tooke nor take that there was which now patience and practice hath brought to a reasonable kinde of perfection in despight of all detractors and calumniations the Country yet hath satisfied all the defect hath beene in their vsing or abusing it not in it selfe nor me But Adue desert for fortune makes prouision For Knaues and Fooles and men of base condition Now all these proofes and this relation I now called New-Englands triall I caused two or three thousand of them to be printed one thousand with a great many Maps both of Virginia and New-England I presented to thirty of the chiefe Companies in London at their Halls desiring either generally or particularly them that would to imbrace it and by the vse of a stocke of fiue thousand pound to ease them of the superfluity of the most of their companies that had but strength and health to labour neere a yeere I spent to vnderstand their resolutions which was to me a greater toile and torment then to haue beene in new-New-England about my businesse but with bread and water and what I could get there by my labour but inconclusion seeing nothing would be effected I was contented as well with this losse of time and charge as all the rest A Plantation in New-England VPon these inducements some few well disposed Gentlemen and Merchants of London and other places prouided two ships the one or a hundred and threescore tunnes the other of threescore and ten they left the Coast of England the two and thirtieth of August with about a hunred and twenty persons but the next day the lesser ship sprung a leake that forced their returne to Plimoth where discharging her and twenty passengers with the greater ship and one hundred passengers besides Sailers they set saile againe the sixt of September and the ninth of Nouember fell with Cape Iames but being pestred nine weekes in this leaking vnwholsome ship lying wet in their Cabins most of them grew very weake and weary of the Sea then for want of experience ranging two and againe six weekes before they found a place they liked to dwell on forced to lie on the bare ground without couerture forty of them died and threescore were left in very weake estate at the ships comming away about the fifth of Aprill following and arriued in England the sixth of May. Though the Harbour be good the shore is so shallow they were forced to wade a great way vp to the knees in water vsed that that did them much hurt little fish they found but Whailes and a great kinde of Muftell so fat that few did eat of them that were not sicke these miseries occasioned some discord and gaue some appearance of faction but all was so reconciled that they vnited themselues by common consent vnder their hands to a kinde of combination of a body politike by vertue whereof to inact and constitute lawes and ordinances and Officers from time to time as should bee thought most conuenient for their generall good Sixteene or seuenteene daies they could doe little for want of their Shallop which was amending yet Captaine Miles Standish vnto whom was ioyned in Councell William Bradfor Stephen Hopkins and Edward Tilly went well armed a shore and by that time they had gone a mile met fiue or six Indians that fled into the Woods we traced them by the footing eight or ten miles then the night approaching we made a fire by which we lay that night and the next morning followed the Saluages by their tract thinking to finde their habitations but by the way we found a Deere amongst many faire springs of water where we refreshed our selues then we went a shore and made a fire that they at the ship might perceiue where we were and so marched to a place where we supposed was a Riuer by the way we saw many Vines Saxefras haunts of Deere Fowle and some fiâ—ty Acres of plaine ground had beene planted by the Indians where were some of their graues from thence we followed a path that brought vs through three or foure fields had beene planted that yeere in one graue we digged wee found a basket or two of Indian Corne so much as we could carry we tooke with vs the rest we buried as we found it and so proceeded to the place we intended but we found it not such a Harbour as we expected and so we returned till the night caused vs take vp our lodging vnder a tree where it rained six or seuen houres the next morning as we wandred we passed by a tree where a young sprig was bowed downe ouer a bough and some Acornes strewed vnder it which was one of their Gins to a catch a Deere and as we were looking at it Bradford was suddenly caught by the leg in a noosed Rope made as artificially as ours as we passed we see a lease of Bucks sprung some Partriges and great flocks of wilde Geese and Ducks and so we returned well wearied to our ship Master Iones our Master with foure and thirty men also went vp and downe in the frost and snow two or three daies in the extremity of the cold but could finde no harbour only among the old graues we got some ten bushels of Corne some Beanes and a bottle of Oile and had we not thus haply found it we had had no Corne for seede so that place we euer called Corne-hill the next day Master Iones with the Corne and our weakest men returned to the Ship but eighteene of vs quartered there that night and in the morning following the paths wee found in the Snow in a field a greater hill or graue then the rest diging it wee found first a Mat vnder that a boord three quarters long painted and carued with three Tyns at the top like a Croner betweene the Mats also were Bowles Traies and Dishes and such trash at length we found a faire new Mat and vnder that two bundles the one biggar the other lesse in the greater wee found a great quantity of fine red powder like a kinde of imbalmement and yeelded a strong but no offensiue smell with the bones and
well much more him that was sicke women rubbing him to keepe heat in him but their charmes ended vnderstanding of vs though he had lost his sight his vnderstanding failed not but taking Winslow by the hand said Art thou Winslow Oh Winslow I shall neuer see thee againe Hobamock telling him what restauratiues they had brought he desired to taste them with much adoe they got a little Confexion of many comfortable Conserues into his mouth as it desolued he swallowed it then desoluing more of it in water they scraped his tongue which was al furred swolne and washed his mouth and then gaue him more of it to eat and in his drinke that wrought such an alteration in him in two or three houres his eies opened to our great contents with this and such brothes as they there prouided for him it pleased God he recouered and thus the manner of his sicknesse and cure caused no small admiration amongst them During the time of their stay to see his recouery they had sent to New Plimoth for diuers good things for him which he tooke so kindly that he fully reuealed all the former conspiracies against vs to which he had oft beene moued and how that all the people of Powmet Nawset Succonet Mattachist Manamet Augawam and Capawac were ioyned to murder vs therefore as we respected our liues kill them of Massachuset that were the authors for take away the principals and the plot wil cease thus taking our leaues arriuing at our fort we found our braue liberall friend of Pamet drawing Standish to their Ambuscados which being thus discouered we sent him away as though he knew not suspected any thing Them at the Massachusets some were so vilde they serued the Saluages for victuall the rest sent vs word the Saluages were so insolent they would assault them though against their Commission so fearefull they were to breake their Commission so much time was spent in consultations they all were famished till Wassapinewat againe came and told them the day of their execution was at hand Then they appointed Standish with eight chosen men vnder colour of Trade to catch them in their owne trap at Massachuset acquaint it with the English in the Towne where arriuing he found none in the Barke and most of the rest without Armes or scarce clothes wandering abroad all so sencelesly secure he more then wondered they were not all slaine with much adoe he got the most of them to their Towne The Saluages suspecting their plots discouered Pecksnot a great man and of as great a spirit came to Habamak who was then amongst them saying Tell Standish we know he is come to kill vs but let him begin when he dare Not long after many would come to the Fort and whet their Kniues before him with many brauing speeches One amongst the rest was by Wittawamat bragging he had a Knife that on the handle had the picture of a womans face but at home I haue one hath killed both French English and that hath a mans face on it and by and by these two must marrie but this here by and by shall see and by and by eat but not speake Also Pecksnot being of a greater stature then the Captaine told him though he were a great Captaine he was but a little man and I though no Sachem yet I am of great strength and courage These things Standish bare patiently for the present but the next day seeing he could not get many of them together but these two Roarers and two more being in a conuenient roome and his company about him Standish feased on Pecksnots Knife then hanging about his necke wherewith he slew him and the rest slew Wittuwamat and the other Saluage but the youth they tooke who being Brother to Wittuwamat and as villanous as himselfe was hanged It is incredible how many wounds they indured catching at their weapons without any feare or bruit till the last gasp Habamack stood by all this time very silent but all ended he said Yesterday Pecksnot bragged of his strength and stature but I see you are big enough to lay him on the ground The Towne he left to the guard of Westons people three Saluages more were slaine vpon which rumour they all fled from their houses The next day they met with a file of Saluages that let fly their Arrowes shot for shot till Hobamack shewed himselfe and then they fled For all this a Saluage Boy to shew his innocency came boldly vnto vs and told vs Had the English Fugitiues but finished the three Canowes they were a making to haue taken the ship they would haue done as much to all the English which was onely the cause they had forborne so long But now consulting and considering their estates those that went in the Pinnace to Barty Iles to get passage for England the rest to New Plimoth where they were kindly entertained The Sachem Obtakâ—est Powas and diuers other were guilty the three fugitiues in their fury there slew but not long after so distracted were those poore scattered people they left their habitations liuing in swamps where wiâ—h cold and infinite diseases they endured much mortalitie suing for peace and crying the God of England is angry with them Thus you see where God pleases as some flourish others perish Now on all hands they prepare their ground and about the middest of Aprill in a faire season they begin to plant till the latter end of May but to God pleased that in six weekes after the latter setting there scarce fell any raine so that the stalke was first set began to care ere it came to halfe growth and the last not like to yeeld any thing at all Our Beanes also seemed so withered we iudged all vtterly dead that now all our hopes were ouerthrowne and our ioy turned into mourning And more to our sorrow we heard of the twice returne of the Paragon that now the third time was sent vs three moneths agoe but no newes of her onely the signes of a wracke we saw on the Coast which wee iudged her This caused not euery of vs to enter into a priuate consideration betwixt God and our consciences but most solemnly to humble our selues before the Lord by fasting and praying to releeue our deiected spirits by the comforts of his mercy In the morning when wee assembled all together the skies were as cleere and the drought as like to continue as euer yet our exercise continued eight or nine houres Before our departure the skies were all ouer-cast and on the next morning distilled such soft sweet moderate showers continuing foureteene daies mixed with such seasonable weather as it was hard to say whether our withered Corne or drooping affections were most quickned and reuiued such was the bounty and mercy of God Of this the Indians by the meanes of Hobamock tooke notice who seeing vs vse this exercise in the midst of the
weeke said It was but three daies since Sunday and desired to know the reason which when hee vndâ—rstood he and all of them admired the goodnesse of God towards vs shewing the difference betwixt their coniurations and our praiers and what stormes and dangers they oft receiue thereby To expresse our thankfulnesse wee assembled together another day as before and either the next morning or not long after came in two ships to supply vs and all their Passengers well except one and he presently recouered For vs notwithstanding all these wants there was not a sicke person amongst vs. The greater ship we returned fraught the other wee sent to the Southward to trade vnder the command of Captaine Altom So that God be thanked we desire nothing but what we will returne Commodities to the value Thus all men finde our great God he That neuer wanted nature To teach his truth that onely he Of euery thing is Author For this yeere from England is gone about fortie saile of ships only to fish and as I am informed haue made a farre better voyage then euer Now some new great obseruers will haue this an Iland because I haue writ it is the Continent others report that the people are so bruit they haue no religion wherein surely they are deceiued for my part I neuer heard of any Nation in the world which had not a Religion deare bowes and arrowes They beleeue as doe the Virginians of many diuine powers yet of one aboue all the rest as the Southerne Virginians call their chiefe God Kewassa and that wee now inhabit Oke but both their Kings Werowance The Masachusets call their great God Kiehtan and their Kings there abou ts Sachems The Penobscotes their greatest power Tantum and their Kings Sagomes Those where is this Plantation say Kiâ—htan made all the other Gods also one man and one woman and of them all mankinde but how they became so dispersed they know not They say at first there was no King but Kiehtan that dwelleth farre westerly aboue the heauens whither all good men goe when they die and haue plentie of all things The bad men goe thither also and knocke at the doore but he bids them goe wander in endlesse want and miserie for they shall not stay there They neuer saw Kiehtan but they hold it a great charge and dutie that one age teach another and to him they make feasts and cry and sing for plentie and victorie or any thing is good They haue another Power they call Hobamâ—ck which wee conceiue the Deuill and vpon him they call to cure their wounds and diseases when they are curable he perswades them he sent them because they haue displeased him but if they be mortall then he saith Kiehtan sent them which makes them neuer call on him in their sicknesse They say this Hobamock appeares to them somtimes like a Man a Deere or an Eagle but most commonly like a Snake not to all but only to their Powahs to cure diseases and Vâ—deses which is one of the chiefe next the King and so bold in the warres that they thinke no weapon can kill them and those are such as coniure in Virginia and cause the people to doe what they list For their Gouernment euery Sachem is not a King but their great Sachems haue diuers Sachems vnder their protection paying them tribute and dare make no warres without his knowledge but euery Sachem taketh care for the Widowes Orphans the aged and maimed nor will they take any to first wife but them in birth equall to themselues although they haue many inferior Wiues and Concubins that attend on the principall from whom he neuer parteth but any of the rest when they list they inherit by succession and euery one knowes their owne bounds To his men hee giueth them land also bounded and what Deere they kill in that circuit he hath the sore-part but it in the water onely the skin But they account none a man till hee hath done some notable exploit the men are most imploied in hunting the women in slauery the younger obey the elders their names are variable they haue harlots and honest women the harlots neuer marrie or else are widowes They vse diuorcement and the King commonly punisheth all offenders himselfe when a maid is maried she cutteth her haire and keepes her head couered till it be growne againe Their arts games musicke attire burials and such like differ very little from the Virginians onely for their Chronicles they make holes in the ground as the others set vp great stones Out of the Relations of Master Edward Winslow Now I know the common question is For all those miseries where is the wealth they haue got or the Gold or Siluer Mines To such greedy vnworthy minds I say once againe The Sea is better then the richest Mine knowne and of all the fishing ships that went well prouided there is no complaint of losse nor misery but rather an admiration of wealth profit and health As for the land were it neuer so good in two yeeres so few of such small experience liuing without supplies so well and in health it was an extraordinary blessing from God But that with such small meanes they should subsist and doe so much to any vnderstanding judgement is a wonder Notwithstanding the vaine expectation of present gaine in some ambition in others that to be great would haue all else slaues and the carelesnesse in prouiding supplies hath caused those defailements in all those Plantations and how euer some bad conditions will extoll the actions of any Nation but their owne yet if we may giue credit to the Spaniards Portugals and French writings they indured as many miseries and yet not in twenty yeeres effected so much nay scarce in fortie Thus you may see plainly the yeerely successe from New England by Virginia new- which hath beene so costly to this Kingdome and so deare to me which either to see perish or but bleed Pardon me though it passionate me beyond the bounds of modesty to haue beene sufficiently able to fore-see their miseries and had neither power nor meanes to preuent it By that acquaintance I haue with them I call them my children for they haue beene my Wife my Hawks Hounds my Cards my Dice and in totall my best content as indifferent to my heart as my left hand to my right And notwithstanding all those miracles of disasters haue crossed both them and me yet were there not an Englishman remaining as God be thanked notwithstanding the massacre there are some thousands I would yet begin againe with as small meanes as I did at first not that I haue any secret encouragement I protest more then lamentable experience for all their discoueries I haue yet heard of are but Pigs of my owne Sow nor more strange to me then to heare one tell me hee hath gone from Billingsgate and discouered Grauesend Tilbury Quinborow Lee and Margit which to
those did neuer heare of them though they dwell in England might bee made some rare secrets and great Countries vnknowne except some few Relations of Master Dirmer In England some are held great trauellers that haue seene Venice and Rome Madrill Toledo Siuill Algere Prague or Ragonsa Constantinople or Ierusalem and the Piramides of Egypt that thinke it nothing to goe to Summer Iles or Virginia which is as far as any of them and I hope in time will proue a more profitable and more laudable iourney as for the danger you see our Ladies and Gentlewomen account it nothing now to goe thither and therefore I hope all good men will better apprehend it and not suffer them to languish in despaire whom God so wonderfully and oft hath preserued What here I haue writ by Relation if it be not right I humbly intreat your pardons but I haue not spared any diligence to learne the truth of them that haue beene actors or sharers in those voyages In some particulars they might deceiue mee but in the substance they could not for few could tell me any thing except where they fished But seeing all those haue liued there doe confirme more then I haue writ I doubt not but all those testimonies with these new begun examples of Plantation will moue both Citie and Country freely to aduenture with me more then promises But because some Fortune-tellers say I am vnfortunate had they spent their time as I haue done they would rather beleeue in God then their calculations and peraduenture haue giuen as bad an account of their actions and therefore I intreat leaue to answer those obiecters that thinke it strange if this be true I haue made no more vse of it rest so long without imploiment nor haue no more reward nor preferment To which I say I thinke it more strange they should tax me before they haue tried as much as I haue both by land and sea as well in Asia and Affrica as Europe and America where my Commanders were actors or spectators they alwaies so freely rewarded me I neuer needed bee importunate or could I euer learne to beg What there I got I haue spent yet in Virginia I staied till I left fiue hundred behinde me better prouided then euer I was from which blessed Virgin ere I returned sprung the fortunate habitation of Summer Iles. This Virgins Sister now called New England at my humble sute by our most gracious Prince Charles hath beene neere as chargeable to me and my friends for all which although I neuer got shilling but it cost mee a pound yet I would thinke my selfe happy could I see their prosperities But if it yet trouble a multitude to proceed vpon these certainties what thinke you I vndertooke when nothing was knowne but that there was a vast land I neuer had power and meanes to doe any thing though more hath beene spent in formall delaies then would haue done the businesse but in such a penurious and miserable manner as if I had gone a begging to build an Vniuersitie where had men beene as forward to aduenture their purses and performe the conditions they promised mee as to crop the fruits of my labours thousands ere this had beene bettered by these designes Thus betwixt the spur of desire and the bridle of reason I am neere ridden to death in a ring of despaire the reines are in your hands therefore I intreat you ease me and those that thinke I am either idle or vnfortunate may see the cause and know vnlesse I did see better dealing I haue had warning enough not to be so forward againe at euery motion vpon their promises vnlesse I intended nothing but to carie newes for now they dare aduenture a ship that when I went first would not aduenture a groat so they may be at home againe by Michaelmas which makes me remember and say with Master Hackluit Oh incredulitie the wit of fooles that slouingly doe spit at all things faire a sluggards Cradle a Cowards Castle how easie it is to be an Infidell But to the matter By this all men may perceiue the ordinary performance of this voyage in fiue or six moneths the plentie of fish is most certainly approued and it is certaine from Cannada and New England within these six yeeres hath come neere twenty thousand Beuer skinnes Now had each of these ships transported but some small quantitie of the most increasing Beasts Fowles Fruits Plants and Seeds as I proiected by this time their increase might haue beene sufficient for more then one thousand men But the desire of present gaine in many is so violent and the endeuours of many vndertakers so negligent euery one so regarding their priuate gaine that it is hard to effect any publike good and impossible to bring them into a body rule or order vnlesse both honesty as well as authoritie and money assist experience But your home-bred ingrossing Proiecters will at last finde there is a great difference betwixt saying and doing or those that thinks their directions can be as soone and easily performed as they can conceit them or that their conceits are the fittest things to bee put in practise or their countenances maintaine Plantations But to conclude the fishing will goe forward wâ—ether you plant it or no whereby a Colony may be then transported with no great charge that in short time might prouide such fraughts to buy on vs there dwelling as I would hope no ship should goe or come emptie from New England The charge of this is onely Salt Nets Hookes Lines Kniues Irish-rugges course cloth Beads Glasse and such trash onely for fishing and trade with the Saluages besides our owne necessarie prouisions whole endeuours would quickly defray all this charge and the Saluages did intreat me to inhabit where I would Now all those ships till these last two yeeres haue beene fishing within a square of two or three leagues and scarce any one yet will goe any further in the Port they fish in where questionlesse fiue hundred may haue their fraught as well as elsewhere and be in the market ere others can haue the fish in their ships because New Englands fishing begins in February in Newfoundland not till the midst of May the progression hereof tends much to the aduancement of Virginia and Summer Iles whose empty ships may take in their fraughts there and would be also in time of need a good friend to the Inhabitants of Newfoundland The returnes made by the Westerne men are commonly diuided in three parts one for the owner of the ship another for the Master and his Company the third for the victualers which course being still permitted will be no hinderance to the Plantation as yet goe there neuer so many but a meanes of transporting that yeerely for little or nothing which otherwise wil cost many hundreds of pounds If a ship can gaine twenty thirty fifty in the hundred nay three hundred for one