A DESCRIPTION Of the New WORLD OR America Islands and Continent and by what people those Regions are now inhabited And what places are there desolate and without Inhabitants And the Bays Rivers Capes Forts Cities and their Latitudes the Seas on their Coasts the Trade Winds the North-west Passage and the Commerce of the English Nation as they were all in the Year 1649. Faithfully described for information of such of his Countrey as desire Intelligence of these perticulars By George Gardyner of Peckham in the County of Surrey Esq. LONDON Printed for Robert Leybourn and are to be sold by Thomas Pirrepoint at the Sun in S. Pauls Churchyard 1651. To the right honorable Sir Henry Vane junior SIR SInce God hath made You eminent in doing great services to your Countrey and appointed you of that Councill which the Parliament hath lately established to contrive the Weal of our Nation upon their excellent instructions This discourse having relation to divers of them I crave leave to direct it to You. And if it be too low for your Thoughts you have goodnesse enough to afford mee a favourable construction Sir The greatest Princes in the East receive no Request without a Present I have no other to you but to desire you would favourably receive this and reckon me among the number of Your Devoted Servants George Gardyner Errata PAge 5. line 6. for Scotia read Socatra p. 26. l. 2 power r. roveâ—ibid l. 6. for Cameron r. come on p. 32. l. 4. r. Continent for Cotinents p. 39. l. 3. put in 〈◊〉 washed at flouds p. 35. l. 13. r. bold for cold p. 61. l. 13. r. Tortuga for Tortaga p. 62. l. 9. r. its for it is p. 87. l 5. r. clear for clean p. 101. l. 14. r. far for furze p. 116. l. 9. r. wels for willow trees p. 118. l. 5. r. Nicaragua for Nicurayna p. 123 l. 2. r. Verauga for Carauga p. 133. l. 8. r. Caco for Coco and so where ever you come p. 143. l. 17. r. Limets for Climato ibid. l. ult. read Painters for Planters p. 145. l. 14. r. principall for principals p. 146. l. 2. r. Darian p. 148 l. 〈…〉 Phillip for Chilip To the English Nation IN this unquiet age I conceive there is nothing so pertinent to a mans felicity next to the enjoying of happy places as to know where they are And to think our neighbouring Regions of Europe receive a greater share of prosperity than we in England is without doubt a great mistake Neither doth any part of the old World make such promises to all sorts of men as doth the New World commonly called America For he that shall desire to advance himself by his labour will finde many places where he may do it with much quietnesse He that shall desire to enjoy much land and live in a Civil Government under others may finde places enough for him to pitch upon He that shall desire to command a Countrey himself and get into possession of it without difficulty wil finde many Islands fit for his turn that are fruitfull and desolate wanting Inhabitants which at small charge may be transported thither He that shall desire to be possest of great rich mines of gold and silver and precious stones and large Dominions and withall hath but fortitude courage and a reasonable English Gentlemans Estate may by an ordinary Providence over him attain to these great matters And that man that shall have store of Commodities lie by him which he cannot vent although they are necessary for mans accomodation will finde here places that he may exchange them at to his great advantage But if the Decipherers of this Orbe had been as cautious in setting down truths as they have been prolixious in impertinencies our Nation would certainly ere this have made greater advantages upon those Regions For my part as I am an English man so I desire that name and people may grow great and famous and extend their authority and name beyond either Roman Grecian Assyrian or Persian Nations And if from this discourse they may draw any thing that may prove for their Honour or Profit I have my aim And I shall assure them I have related nothing but what my own knowledg or good intelligence perswades me is certainly true which my future actions with Gods leave shall declare I have been plain in discourse of the Forreign Commerce of our Nation All which I intended in a larger Volumn but the Flemmings and Irish taking me in my comming from those remote parts of America took from me that greater relation which I intended instead of this Epitomie from thence which I present with a resolution to submit to that common censure all Book-makers must undergo but with confidence I have in this subscribed my self READER Thy humble Servant GEORGE GARDYNER The Contents of the Book CHAP. 1. OF the Commerce of the English Nation Pag. 1 The generall description of America or the New World chap. 2 p. 31 Of Gold Silver Quick-silver Emraulds and Pearl chap. 3 p. 39 Of the Island of New found Land chap. 4 p. 45 Martins Vineyard chap. 5 p. 47 Long Island chap. 6 p. 48 The Bermudas or Somers Islands chap. 7 p. 50 Of the Islands of Lucaos or Bahama chap. 8 p. 52 Of Hispaniola chap. 9 p. 57 Of the Island of Cuba chap. 10 p. 62 Jamico Island chap. 11 p. 66 The Island of Saint John De Portrico chap. 12 p. 67 Sancta Crux the Virgins Virgin Gorda Blances Anagada Sombrito chap. 13. p. 69 Angula chap. 14 p. 71 Saint Martins chap. 15 ibid. Eustas chap. 16 p. 72 Saint Bartholomew chap. 17 ibid. Saint Christophers chap. 18 p. 73 Nivis or the Snowes Barbada and Redouda chap. 19 p. 74 Monserat chap. 20 p. 75 Antego Margelante Dominica Matinina Santalusa Gardelupa Dodos sanctos Deseada chap. 21 ibid. The Burbudos chap. 22 p. 77 Trinidado chap. 23 p. 79 Margreata Tortuga Gardiner Caracute Cubava and Tamasca chap. 24 p. 80 Of the North-west Passage and the Lands called Nova Britania or Nova Framuncia chap. 25 p. 83 New England chap. 26 p. 90 New Holland chap. 27 p. 93 The Swedes Plantation chap. 28 p. 94 Virginia chap. 29 p. 95 Maryland chap. 30 p. 102 Old Virginia chap. 31 p. 104 Florida chap. 32 p. 105 Of New Spain chap. 33 p. 107 The Councill of New Galisia chap. 34 p. 109 Gutamalia Kingdome chap. 35 p. 110 Of Panuco chap. 36 p. 111 The Province of Talascalia or Angels chap. 37 p. 113 Youcatan Province chap. 38 p. 116 The Province of Honduras chap. 39 p. 118 Of the Province of Nicaragua chap. 40 p. 120 The Province of Castorica chap. 41 p. 123 The Province of Varagua chap. 42 p. 124 Of the Province of Ciblioa chap. 43 p. 126 Nevv Biskay chap. 44 p. 127 Chiamerla chap. 45 p. 128 Culiacan chap. 46 p. 129 Sacetas chap. 47 p 130 Xalisco chap. 48 p. 131 Guadalaiara chap. 49 ibid. Mechocan chap. 50
Plantations with most of the Masters in those places especially in Virginia for besides their being back-beaten and belly-beaten it is three to one if they live out their servitude by reason of the unwholsomenesse of the Countreys In which disasters that happen to our Nation I cannot but condole their misfortunes as if we of all Europe were of the seed of Cham when the Spaniard at the same time managed their businesse so well that scarcely will one of them serve in the Indies except it be the Viceroy or some great Personage and I know that Nation in nothing exceeds us but in their keeping together as one people The third Question Is whether the trade of England may not be increased It is not hard to imagine when we see the greatnesse of Asia and Africa and the little Commerce that we have with them that it may well be increased And although the trade of Europe be much greater the rest yet doth it want much of that exactnesse which we may have in it For where as we gain in some parts and lose in others it is possible to assure the Land to gain in all and lose in none The fourth Question Is how it hath been hindred and what is the let in the growth of it The people generally suppose 't is the danger of the seas and the little security in the parts abroad for the Merchants Goods and ships In answer I affirm the trade of the Hollanders never flourished so as in time of War and their enemies were more strong at Sea then ours upon which we may conclude it is not that that is the true cause Wherefore I finde these other causes to be the obstruction in the trade The first is the Companies of our Nation which sort of people I account a benefit or a losse according as they are established and managed in which the Companies of England have been defective which appeareth in the generall damages which themselves and Adventurers have had with them and few publick memorials they have erected at home or abroad that hath appeared a publick good but divers acts have seemed the contrary And on particulars we finde there are five Companies that are well in years amongst us the other which was of later establishment which really was the best the Giney Company is dissolved And to omit the general damage that all the Inland Companies do to our Nation which is from my purpose now to treat of the five Companies of exportation are first the Cloth Company that trade into Holland Hamborough the Baltick Seas and elsewhere with all the white Clothes exported the Kingdome The second is the East India Company the third the Turkey the fourrh the Muscovia the fifth the Company of Greenland alias Grinland Of which I conceive the Cloth Company to be the greatest Monopoly for this cause Besides the ingrossing of the commodity of white Cloth to themselves which is a great barre to the priviledge of the Nation The carrying of them out of the Laud is a pernicious thing to five sorts of men Merchants Seamen Cloth-dressers Sheare-men and Diers which last people receive the greatest damage although they were accounted anciently the Staple-manufacture of our Nation The prejudice to the Cloth-dressers and Diers appears in the carrying away from them forty Clothes white more then are worked at home by which it appears that where there is one imploy'd now in that course there might be forty if it were managed at home And all that ever I heard that the Company could say for themselvs is that the trade of making white Cloth would be spoiled for the Dutch and Poles if they could not have it white would forbear buying of it But I am sure the Merchants buy it beyond the seas for their profit and not to set their Country-men at worke or else they differ much from them of the Company And if they want it to trade with they will have it as well drest by us as their own Nation but if they be obstinate and will not buy it we shall gaine and not lose for our Sea-men and Merchants that make short Voyages with small profit will then vent it to those parts which now have it at the second hand from them that buy it white from us and so the Merchants will make two profits in stead of one and the Sea-men longer Voyages The East-India Company come home to this question in that it hath lost many advantagious places there and impoverished many that adventured with them giving them after fifteen or sixteen yeares forbearance of their money instead of 70li yearly which the Dutch give most yeares to their Adventurers 70li for their principall And the Dutch lately to renew their Lease which not long since was neer expired being but for 21 yeares at the first compounded with the States Generall to have it renewed for so much longer for the summe of eight hundred thousand pound paid to them and five hundred thousand to the West-India Company which the States owed the said West-India Company And whereas the Dutch Company hath whole Countries divers Islands Cities Castles Forts c. and all taken in by the sword to the contrary our men hath lost money lost time which was considerable in those actions and divers Countries which they never got but were delivered by the Natives such was Pulway Pullerroon Lantor Rosingen Wayer Timor Tiadore Ternat and the Castle of Amboyna where the Dutch committed the greatest murther that of late yeares hath been heard of upon our Nation by racking torturing by fire and water throwing in dungeons and their easing themselves on them untill their bodies became blistered then drawing them forth and beheading some sawing a-sunder others at other times their cruelty hath been after the same manner and this accompanied with revilling of our Nation which things are in perticular related by them that escaped from those miseries recording before the Tribunall of the late King their sufferings and his dishonour which he heard with as much patience as the losse of the English at the Isle of Ree I know not the hearts of other men but my minde is that all men that acknowledge a Government and subscribe to maintaine it ought to be protected as well abroad as at home There is difference between the bloud of Peace and War as David saith and this was not as the rest of Rochell and the Isle of Ree but by the snare that Joab smote Amasa And upon discourse it will be found that act is justified by that people to this day The cause of the Dutches flourishing our Companies say was there stock exceeding the English But it will appear upon examination that the English Company had sixteene hundred thousand pounds under writ for when the Dutch had but eight The Turkey Company is little before it in goodnesse although men have not so eminently suffered yet some have been inslaved by the Turks of Barbary But the great prejudice as
Spanish Dominions where there is the most of them Chickameckians and in the Islands Canables In which sort of people the Craibey Islands do so abound that they prove bad neighbours to the English and French that are there seated as those in the land are to the Spaniards And these Indians live upon what they get from the strangers that are neer them the other more civil Indians and some of them are so inhumane that they will eat mans flesh Their common food is what they get by hunting and fishing And such of them that have Islands and Provinces to themselves live in such kind of habitation as I have said the second sort of Indians do The Religion of all of them that are not made Spanish Christians is to worship stones beasts or fowls and serpents but generally the Devill whom they much fear and therefore worship Their Priests are conjurers and witches and in those arts can do very strange things The statures of the Natives differ as with us in Europe but their complexions generally are tawny and swarâ—hy as also their skins Although in divers places I suppose they would be otherwise did they not anoint their flesh with oiles and grease and bask themselves in the Sun and winde against which they have little or no defence going almost all naked excepting amongst those Civill Indians with the Spaniards Their naturall weapons are generally Batooâ—s Bowes and Arrows Their Bows are made of some bending wood their Arrows of Canes and Reeds headed with fishes bones and flints with which they are excellent marksmen The heads of divers they poyson to do the more mischief There are naturall to these parts which are wild in the Woods divers kinds of Beasts and Fowles many of which are not elsewhere in the world to be found as also many fruits not known amongst us Amongst the Plantations there is not any thing wanting that is to be had in Europe and much more which is naturall to those parts but the substance of flesh fisn and fruits is not so substantiall as that of Europe and not any thing comparable with that in England which is the cause that they are much easier of digestion and causeth a more constant appetite then we have with us The treasures that are yearly drawn from the bowels of the Spanish Regions are infinitely great And in the subjection of any other Prince or people of Europe there is neither Mine of Gold Silver Quick-silver Emraulds or Beads of Pearl all which are in great plenty in the Spanish Dominions And in regard I shall in my relations speak of many Countreys that are plentifull of these riches I shall here describe how they are obtained CHAP. 3. Of Gold Silver Quick-silver Emraulds and Pearl THe gold is engendred in the Mountains from whence by rains and flouds into the Plains and rivers where for the most part they find it That of the plains is in veines of hard earth that conteineth part pure grains of gold like pompeon-seeds which is the best but the most that is got in the Indies is in the Rivers where it is found mixed with the sand in pouder even as the sand it self They separate it from the earth and sand by washing in a bowle of the fashion of a Barbers bason Where they finde it in hard veines they break them with the Hammers and make them fit to wash first putting the earth or sand into the bason and receiving water into one side of it turn it out at the other untill they have washed out the earth from the gold which as the heavier substance remains behind at the bottome of the bowle The silver Mine is found in the earth in veines or branches much like the Tinne or Cole in England and is worked almost in the same manner under the ground The way of separating the silver from the drosse is first to take the oare and break it in Hammer-mils and grind it to powder then sift it through a Copper searse and put it into a furnace under which they maken fire by degrees mixing with every fifty quarts of pouder five of salt and stiring it together with quick-silver which they squeeze through a piece of holland upon the said pouder and salt and when they finde the quick-silver sufficiently incorporate with the silver then they put it altogether in a Cauldron in which there is water and a wheel that going round turneth out the earth and drosse with the water the quick-silver and silver as the more heavy substance remains behind which they take from the Cauldron and wash it after the manner of gold till they finde it clean from all drosse and filth and then putting it into a cloth they strain forcibly from it some quick-silver the remainder being as a leafe of silver And to separate the silver from the quick-silver they put it into a violent fire and cover it with an earthen pot of the fashion of a sugar loaf which is also covered with coals and kept very hot and from a hole in the said pot to which is fashioned a pipe like the pipe of a Limbeck they receive the quick-silver which evacuates by the same pipe leaving the silver of the same form it was put in but wanting much of the bignesse and waight The Quick-silver and Vermillion is found together in Rocks or very hard earth That part that is found to contein the quick-silver they break to pieces and putting it into earthen fire-pots well luted they set it on a violent fire made in the Indies of straw which they find to be excellent for that work what of it evacuateth out of the pot goeth up till meeting nothing to receive it it falleth down cold in the same manner we have it The remainner in the pot being sufficiently separated from the drosse and earth the fire is taken away and when it is throughly cold they open the pot and poure out the Quick-silver into leather baggs which keepeth it best conveighing it where they please in them Those that open these pots and stirreth the silver and it together in refining the silver swallow a pellet of gold that lying in the stomack draweth the Quick-silver which in time getteth into their bodies from whence it goeth out with the said pellet in excrement And if the pot be not throughly cold when 't is open it is two to one if they lose not their teeth or hair dis-figure their noses and faces and many times utterly spoile themselves Wherefore they are very cautious in this action The Emraulds are in great abundance in divers parts of the Spanish Countreys they get them in veines of stone that is almost like chrystal some as big as a hazel nut and of severall colours as whitish green and white and the most perfect absolute green The Pearls are found in greatest plenty in the North seas and they are roundest and most orient although there are great store at the Island of Pearls in the South Seas which
north-west passage it hath been so thorowly searched into by our Nation that can give no incouragemēt to a farther trial save that story men tel of a Manuscript in Portugall shewed to one of our Merchants of the passage that way of a Portugall ship of the Phillipinas droven from thence by foule weather through this straight to Portugall but to men that know the distance between that streight and those Ilands it would seem the most ridiculous story in the World beside the falsity of the Informers the Greeks relation being a far better story for he saith in regard he was taken by Squire Candis in the South-sea and lost all he had to procure some relief in his old age he would advise the English a speedier way to the East-Indies then they now took And this intelligence he giveth after he is retired to his Native Country to repose from his troublesome way of adventuring to Sea From whence we may easily guesse for the bad turn our Nation did him he would not wish us a good one but the scope of his intelligence being but to have a bill of exchange to receive money as he pretended to come into England But how likely it was that he would leave those rich parts of America which he lived in with the Spaniards to retire to his own Nation and from thence to undertake a Voyage for us to the worst place in the World a rationall man cannot apprehend But were there such a passage it would much more concern the Portugals and the Spaniards then it doth the English for their trade is to the north part of the East Indies and ours to the south theirs to the Moluccos Philipinaes Japan and China whereas we seldome passe beyond Bantam in Java but were there a passage that way yet it were not to be chosen before the other for could a man sail in a strait line first from England to the straight and then from the straight to the East Indies it would prove a farther way than the other by the Cape of Bonaspei But those that know any thing of those seas know that the sea course to any part of north America is as low as 23 24 25 or 30 the highest For the wind which bloweth in the south sea east and west as well as in the north that is to say for the most part west without the Tropicks and almost constantly East within them Wherefore you must go out of your way aswell from the north part of America to the East-Indies as from England to this supposed Straight and there is as much difference in relation to pleasantnesse in voyages as between summer and winter For when you are clean of the Bay of Biscai in all the voyage by the Cape you find no cold weather till you return to the same place again but to the contrary is so cold icy about the Straight in the middle of Summer that there is no making way without much difficulty and trouble And in the south sea where the Sun keeps the same course as in the north in June Sir Francis Drake in compassing the world found so much cold in thirty eight degrees north latitude that he was forced into a southerly course And this makes a strong probability that there is no sea to the north of America but that the land of this New world reacheth by the north parts even to the northwardly Provinces of the Empire of Japan or Tartaria For I finde that the winds that blow West and north-west in England being sea-winds are not so cold as those that come east and north-east which are land-winds Which I apprehend the onely cause of difference in the temperature of the air with us and the north parts of America For New England that lyeth in 41 42 is much colder in the winter then the most northwardly parts of England which are in 56. And those parts of America that are in that height are cold almost the whole year through as the undertakers in the north passage plainly prove and this is caused certainly by the land-wind which that heigh for the most part bloweth west and northwardly which is so much more colder in regard it cometh from those vast Regions that are far thicker and untill'd uninhabited with wood swamps and such moist crudities as are not in Europe On the land of the north-side Hudsons Straight there hath been seen some of the wild Natives but how they live is a kind of miracle And from the south of this Strait till you come to New England is but one Plantation which is at the Fort of Kebeck on the north-west side the River Canada 100 leagues from the Island Antecostey that lieth at the mouth of the said River The French drive a great trade with the Natives for Bever-skins in exchange of hatchets knives penny looking-glasses bels beads and such toys There are good store of the Natives in these parts all alongst the Coast and are willing to exchange such Commodities as they have for such truck as the French bring them although it is to be done with much care to prevent their treachery CHAP. 26. New England THe Plantations of the North Government of New England beginneth about 44 degrees and the coast is indifferently seated with English almost as southwardly as 41. This Countrey at first was laid out in severall proportions to divers Noblemen and Gentlemen of England each having within his circuit a severall power But at this day it hath but three divisions onely that is to say the north and his bounds the middle and the south the north Government is the worst and hath fewest people the middle Government is that of Boston which is the best and hath most inhabitants The south is the Government of New Plimouth in which is the best ground the north Government hath scarce a Town worthy the name of a Village but the middle hath many Towns and Villages The principall is Boston fairly built the great street is neer half a mile long full of wel-furnished shops of Merchandize of all sorts Here is resident a Councill and the Governour which is yearly chosen from amongst them this town hath a good Port called the Bay of Bòston with many ships which is secured with a Castle guarded with Souldiers and Ordnance Neer Boston lyeth Charles Town and five miles into the Countrey is the town of Cambridge that hath a University with many Students The south Government is that of New Plimouth that hath the name from the town which is an indifferent Market town The land of all this Region is generally barren and rocky but the care of the inhabitants supplyeth the naturall defects of the Country from the proceed of the Commodities it affordeth which is Pipe sraves Clabbord Fish English grain and fruits with the building of Ships which they often sell to other parts and iron works with these they drive a trade to most parts of Europe especially to Spain the Canary
and Caribey Islands it is a wholsome air and the English people are well-colour'd and have many children which thrive well in that Countrey They punish sin as severely as the Jeivs did in old time but not with so good a warrant And they have brought the Indians into great awe but not to any Gospell knowledge CHAP. 27. New Holland TO the southwest of New England lyeth the Dutch Plantation It hath good ground and good ayr but few of that Nation inhabiting there which maketh that there is few Plantations in the land and but one Village whose inhabitants are part English and part Dutch Here is resident the the Governour appointed by the West India Company This Village lyeth on Hudsons River in 40 and a half three miles within the mouth of the River and almost joyning to a Fort that hath Guns but they are unmounted There is the Fort of Orange 30 miles up the said River and there is a Mill to saw boards for the Colony they have here indifferent plenty of English and Indian Corn but the best profit is the trade with the natives for Bever and other skins Those that trade here pay 16 in the hundred Custome to the West-India Company of Holland These Dutch are mischievous neighbours for with their Indian trade they supply the natives with Guns and Ammunition which in time may prove their own confusion and doth already prejudice their neighbours CHAP. 28. The Swedes Plantation THe Swedes are seated between the Dutch and Virginia in a Village by a fort which lyeth eight miles within Delaware River On the north side the said River they are few in number and their principall businesse is their commerce with the Indians for they have little or no Cattle They furnish the Indians with Guns and weapons as the Dutch do and once in a year have commonly a supply and relief from Swethland by a ship that fetcheth their Skins and other Truck CHAP. 29. Virginia Virginia is to the southward of the Swedes and the north Cape of the great Bay that leadeth to Virginia and Maryland lyeth distant from the Swedes Fort neer 130 English miles this Bay is 240 miles up navigable for the biggest ships it lyeth almost north and south and it receiveth divers Rivers which issueth into it from the west and east those on the west-side are both the biggest and most those on the east-side are not many nor great This coast is also a flat coast as is New Holland and the Swedes The English are seated on the east-side the Bay from the said point called Cape Charles and by the Creeks and Bay-side 30 miles up the Bay Without the said Cape are certain Islands called Smith's Islands which are broken low grounds unfit for habitation On the west-side the Bay within Cape Henry 8 miles lieth the water call'd Lin-Haven which issueth there into the Bay it hath divers Branches on which there are Plantations even to the head of most of them And between the said Haven and James River which is distant 12 miles is two small Creeks that are indifferently seated but on the side of the great Bay there is no Plantation between the Cape and James River which is distant from it 20 miles this River floweth more then 120 miles and almost so far Navigable for good ships It is Shelvie and dangerous without a good Pilot it receiveth divers Rivers and Creeks on the East-side the most eminent is the Elizabeth River which issueth into the great River within eight miles of the sandy point that is the first point of the South-side the great River and over against Point Comfort Island by which you must keep close aboard by reason the River is there onely to be entred four miles higher then Elizabeth River is Nawcimond River which two are the principall and on the West-side the most eminent and best is Chickhomoney whose mouth is 10 miles beyond James Town this main River as also the Rivers and Creeks that run into it are seated by the water-side onely by reason of the conveniency of carriage And between point Comfort and York there is a small River called the Pecoson River which is seated and then a little further York River which is a fair River and navigable 20 miles for ships This River is seated neer fifty miles up but on the East-side better than on the West And the other Rivers which run into the Bay between this and Maryland are Payankatank and to Pahanoc and the great River of Patowmek are unseated with any but the Natives Here is good plenty of Millet but not much English grain For which this Region is not so naturall as New England or New Holland for the crops within a year or two will degenerate Their onely commodity is Tobacco which I think to be more naturall to the Countrey then any other thing The best sort is the sweet sented which is not inferiour to the Spanish Cattle are of the same price here as in England and New England and by reason there are no Markets and little money to buy them fresh meat is very scarcely eaten The Virginia proverb is That hogs and women thrive well amongst them But the later I think are indifferently subject to the fate of those men that go there which is much sicknesse or death For the air is exceeding unwholsome insomuch as one of three scarcely liveth the first year at this time though formerly they report the mortality hath stretcht to the taking away of eleven of twelve The reason of this is not the latitude for that is 37 degrees and a half In which lyeth many excellent wholsome Countreys but I conceive it to be the changeablenesse of the weather which is mighty extream in heat and cold and as various as the wind both Winter and Summer The next cause is the Swamps standing-waters and Marishes and mighty store of Rivers and low lying of the land There is two other pernicious companions that haunt the English inhabitants the one is the disease called the Country Duties which they originally caught of the Indians and the cure is the same they use in England for the French Pox it being almost alike The other is the Rattle-snake so called for the rattle in her taile whose bitings are present death And this vermine in the Summer is so stirring that they are in the fields woods and commonly in their houses to their great anoyance yet this mortality doth rather harden the peoples hearts then bring them to God for I think they are the farthest from conscience and morall honesty of any such number together in the world And for want of administration of Justice there are many have left the place and are gone to Maryland which lyeth up the Bay The Virginia bread is commonly of Millet called Poane And if the servants have enough of that their complaint wil procure no remedy The Rivers and Creeks afford much fish in Summer and furze in the woods good store of Deer
and Turkeys in Winter and fowl by the water-side in divers places and yet is provision so scarce that they are all the year furnished with fish and pease and bisket from New England The great resort of shipping is in winter for then is the Tobacco struck into cask and fit for sale This Countrey is for the most part plain with few hils and were it not so woody probably not altogether so unwholsome It is without any Minerall save Iron Stone which is in great plenty In divers parts of the Countrey the natives are under contribution of the Governour and pay him great tributes of skins and he them with good priviledges over the English which in time may prove a third Massacre CHAP. 30. Maryland THis Province is divided from Virginia by the great River Patomuk It lying on the North-side the said River and West-side of the great Virginia Bay It is more wholsome then the parts of Virginia now seated and better for English grain The English inhabitants are few and those of different Religions for some amongst them are Papists but most Protestants There hath always been toleration in Religion and is at this present The natives of this place have never been treacherous to the English but doth them good service in their grounds cattle and hogs Many of their children being bred up amongst them they live here in greater plenty than at Virginia as having more range of the woods and fewer neighbours with Indian woodsmen to kill them meat Those that are come from Virginia are seated on the River Bolus the next to the River Patomuk up the Bay and by such as are drawing thither from New England and daily go from Virginia it is likely to be a flourishing Countrey CHAP. 31. Old Virginia SOuth frō this Uirginia lieth the Province known by the name of Old Uirginia it is remarkable for Cape Hatrask that lyeth in neer 36 degrees From which Cape far out at sea is flat shelvy ground The Cape is a point of a broken Island and hath between it and the main Roanock Island to the South of the River Ockam which there issueth into the Sea This River is deep within and broad but so shallow at the mouth that a Pinnace can hardly enter it at high water otherwise it were convenient for a Plantation For it is farre beyond Uirginia in all respects or any Land we possesse in the Main The Indians of this River pay contribution to the Governour of Uirginia And along this coast till you come to Florida is no Plantation nor inhabitants but the natives CHAP. 32. Florida THis Province begins in 34 degrees and hath on the Eastcoast before you come to the Cape of Florida two Forts in which are Spanish Garrisons The first and most northerly is the Fort of Saint Mark within the point of Saint Helena in 32 degrees and a half distant from the Havena Incuba 100 leagues The other is called Saint Augustine which is the principall because the Haven is good and neer the Channell of Bahama in 29 degrees 40 minutes The point of Canes in 28 which hath to the South the river Ages and at the Cape of Florida are many little Islands called the Martors and these Islands reach from the said Cape within a league and a half of Cuba The head of the Martors to the East hath an Island of 14 leagues but very narrow The out-most eastern point lyeth in 24 degrees and a half and from the Cape of Florida to the Government of Pancuco along the Coast of the Sea is 300 leagues which Seas are called the Gulf of New Spain In all this Coast there is no Town nor Plantation and few Indians by reason the Spaniards have taken them away to other parts There hath not been worked Mines either of gold or silver in this Florida Neither have the Spaniard any Commodity from them save Indians This Gulf of New Spain or Mexico hath two entrances the one is between Youcatan and Cuba where the stream commeth fiercely in the other is between Cuba and the Cape of Florida where it runneth more violently out CHAP 33. Of New Spain BEsides this Province of Florida the King of Spain in this northern America hath three great Kingdomes The first and principall is the Kingdom of New Spain the second is the Kingdome of Galisia the third the Kingdom of Gutemalia and the Province of Varagua that adjoyneth to the Straight of Dearian and is properly of the Councill of Panama The Kingdom of Spain hath in it a Viceroy and Councill intituled the Viceroy of Mexico And within his Government the Province and Bishoprick of Mexico that of Tlascala Guaxaca Mechoan Chiapa Yucatan and Panuco The Indirns of this Kingdome are of two sorts the Chickamecans which are a sort of rogues that live much after the manner of Toreges or ancient Irish by robbing and spoiling passengers on the way Towns and Villages And the other live even as decently as the Spaniard and are of all trades and vocations as they are of sharp wits and of great agility of body as appeareth by their extraordinary feats of activity on the Rope and tumblings This Kingdome is a high Countrey for the most part of it and for riches pleasantnesse and wholsomnesse accounted one of the best in the world as lacking nothing naturally that is to be had excepting wine and oil which they might also have but that it is forbidden to plant Vineyards or Olive yards by the King of Spain and it hath divers things not elswhere to be had both of Trees Herbs and Drugs CHAP 34. The Councill of New Galisia THis Kingdome of New Galisia hath no Viceroy but is governed by a Councill whose bounds is parted from New Spain at the Port of Nativity on the South Sea to the North North-west and North-east It hath no bounds but may inlarge their territories as they see occasion on the Indians It hath already these Provinces The first Guadalaiaca Xalisco Sacaticas Chiamerla Culiacan New Biscai and Sivaloa And this Kingdome is not much inferiour to New Spain and it hath the same sorts of Indians CHAP. 35. Gutamalia Kingdome THis Kingdome of Gutamalia is governed as the other by a Council without a Viceroy and is the southwardliest Region of this North America and hath within its bounds the Provinces of Gutamalia from whence the Kingdome taketh name Soconusco Chiapa Suchitepeque Verapas Honduaras and Cacos Saint Saviour and Saint Michael Nievaraqua Chuluteca Taquesgalpa and Costarica or the rich Coast The Indians in these Provinces are more warlike than the rest and have more unwillingly submitted to the Spanish yoake and therefore they have had almost continuall wars the most of the Indians living till very lately after the manner of the Chickamecians though many of them are docible as the Indians of Mexico This is a rich wholsome Kingdome not inferiour to Galisia but rather exceeds it But when I come to each perticular Province I