a sort of Ceder-trees Trees which differ from all other in the World in several respects the Wood whereof is very sweet and well sented The English who settled themselves upon this Isle in the Year 1612 are the only Proprietors Proprietors thereof having now established a powerful Colony there wherein are about five thousand Inhabitants The Island is exceeding strong and defended as it were with a kind of natural Fortification being so fenced about with Rocks that without knowledge of the Passages a Boat of ten Tun cannot be brought into the Haven although by the assistance of a skilful Pilot there is entrance for Ships of the greatest burden And besides the natural strength of those Islands the English have since their settling there added such artificial helps and so strongly fortified the approaches by Block-houses and Forts as renders it impregnable In the Year 1616 which is four Years after the first settling there Captain Tucker is sent over with a new Supply whereupon they applied themselves the more earnestly to the planting of Corn Tobacco and other Commodities so that in about three Years those Isles began to gain so much repute in England that the improving them became a publick business many great Lords and Persons of Quality interesting themselves therein as Adventurers whereupon Captain Buttler was dispatched thither with a new Supply of 500 Men about which time the Isle was divided into Tribes or Counties and the whole reduced to a settled Government both in Church and State after which things succeeded so well that it has been ever since growing to greater perfection A DESCRIPTION OF CAROLINA CAROLINA so called from his late Majesty King Charles the Second of eternal Memory is a new Colony not long since settled by the English in that part of Florida adjoyning to Virginia which makes its Northern bounds in the Latitude of thirty six Degrees Situation and extends its self to the Latitude of 29 Degrees which terminates its extream Southern bounds It is on the East washed with the Atlantick Ocean and is bounced on the West by Mare Pacificum of the South-Sea A New Map of CAROLINA By Robt. Morden This Province of Carolina saith he was in the Year 1663. granted by Letters Patents from his late Majesty in propriety to Edward Earl of Clarendon George Duke of Albemarl William Earl of Craven John Lord Berkley Anthony Lord Ashly since Earl of Shaftsbury Sir George Carteret and Sir John Coleton Knights and Baronets and Sir William Berkley Knight By which Letters Patents the Laws of England are always to be in force in Carolina only the Lords Proprietors have power with the consent of the Inhabitants to make such By-laws as may be thought necessary for the better government of the Province So that no Money can be raised or Law made without the consent of the Inhabitants or their Representatives They are likewise thereby indued with a right to appoint and impower Governours and other Magistrates to grant Liberty of Conscience make Constitutions with many other great Priviledges c. as will sufficiently appear by the Letters Patents And the said Lords Proprietors have there settled a Constitution of Government whereby is granted Liberty of Conscience and wherein all possible care is taken for the equal administration of Justice and for the lasting security of the Inhabitants both in their Bodies and Estates And by their Care and Endeavours and at their very great charge two Colonies are likewise settled in that Province one at Albemarl in the most Notherly part and the other at Ashly-River which is in the Latitude of thirty two Degrees and some odd Minutes Albemarl Albemarl which borders upon Virginia only exceeds it in Health Fertility and Mildness of Winter being in the Growths Productions and other things much of the same nature with it and therefore I shall not trouble my self nor the Reader with a particular Description of that part but apply my self principally to discourse of the Colony settled at Ashly-River This Colony was first settled in the Month of April 1670. by the Lords Proprietors who did at their sole charge furnish out three Ships with a considerable number of able Men and eighteen Months Provision together with Cloth Tools Ammunition and whatsoever else was thought necessary for this new Settlement and continued for several years after to supply the place with all things necessary until the Inhabitants were by their own industry able to live of themselves in which condition they have now been for divers years past and are arrived to a very great degree of plenty so that most sorts of Provisions are cheaper there than in any other of the English Colonies Ashly-River Ashly-River about seven Miles from the Sea divides itself into two branches the Southermost still retains the name of Ashly but the North branch is called Cooper-River Upon the Point of Land which divides those two Rivers the Proprietors in the Year 1680. ordered the Port-Town that should serve for them both to be built calling it Charles-Town which is since considerably advanced to the number of near two hundred Houses more being daily raising by persons of all sorts that repair thither from the more Northern English Colonies in the Sugar-Islands besides those that go from England and Ireland many persons who likewise went thither Servants having since their times were out gotten good stocks of Cattel and Servants of their own built themselves Houses and exercise their Trades Many that went thither in that condition being now worth several hundred Pounds living in a very plentiful condition and continually adding to and increasing their Estates so that Land is already become of that value near the Town that it is sold for twenty Shillings per Acre though pillaged of all its valuable Timber and not cleared of the rest And the Land that is cleared and fitted for planting and fenced is let for ten Shillings per Annum the Acre though twenty Miles distance from the Town and six Men will in six Weeks time fell clear fence in and fit it for planting At this Town as soon as its Foundations were well laid there Rode at one time sixteen Sail of Ships some whereof carried above two hundred Tun that came from divers Parts of the King's Dominions to traffick there which great concourse of Shipping will undoubtedly make it a considerable Town of Trade It 's a Country blessed with a temperate and wholsom Air Temperature neither the heat in Summer nor the cold in Winter being the least troublesom or offensive the latter being so exceeding moderate that it doth not so much as check the growth and flourishing of the Trees and Plants which is occasioned either by reason of its having the great Body of the Continent to the Westward of it and by consequence the North-West Wind which always blows contrary to the Sun and is the freezing Wind as the North-East is with us in Europe or else from the
West other Mountains prevented their sight and the exceeding Coldness prevented further Discovery and compelled them to a speedy return The same Gentleman at another time when he went to make what Discovery he could of the Countrey met with another sort of Indians who were Enemies to the Christians yet venturing amongst them and presenting them with some small Trifles of Glass and Metals found them very kind to him and would fain have obliged him to have setled amongst them by proposing a Match between him and their King's or some other Great Man's Daughter whom he should best fancy nor could he wave their Courtesie nor obtain leave to depart without a Promise of returning again within six Months And South-west from them he found a Nation differing in Government from all the other Indians that inhabit those Parts being rather Slaves than Subjects to their King who was a very grave Man and courteous to Strangers yet horrid barbarous in his Superstition that whilst this Gentleman was there he sent three Youths to kill as many young Women of their Enemies as they could meet withal to serve his Son who was then newly dead in the other World They were not long before they returned with Skins torn off the Head and Faces of several young Girls which they laid at the Feet of their King who received them as the most acceptable Presents CHARLES the Second by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. Whereas by Our Letters Patents bearing date the Twenty Fourth Day of March in the Five and Twentieth Year of Our Reign We were graciously pleased to give unto our right Trusty and right Well-beloved Couzen and Counsellor Edward Earl of Clarendon Our High Chancellour of England Our right Trusty right entirely Beloved Couzen Counsellour George Duke of Albemarl Master of Our Horse Our right Trusty and Well-beloved William now Earl of Craven Our right Trusty and Well-beloved Councellour Anthony Lord Chancellour of our Exchequer Our right Trusty and Well-beloved Counsellour Sir George Carteret Knight and Baronet Vice-Chamberlain of Our Houshold Our right Trusty and Well-beloved Sir John Colleton Knight and Barronet and Sir William Berkley Knight all that Territory Province or Tract of Ground called Carolina situate lying and being within our Dominions of America extending from the North end of that Island called Luke-Island which lyeth in the Southern Virginia Seas within six and thirty deg of Northern Latitude and to the West as far as the River of St. Matthias which Bordereth upon the Coast of Florida and within one and thirty deg of Southern Latitude and so West in a direct Line as far as the South Seas aforesaid Now know ye that We at the humble Request of the said Grantees in the aforesaid Letters Patents named and as a farther mark of Our particular Favour towards them We are graciously pleased to enlarge Our said Grant unto them according to the Bounds and Limits hereafter specified and in Favour to the Pious and Noble purpose of the said Edward Earl of Clarendon c. of Our especial Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion have Given Granted and Confirmed and by this Our present Charter for Us Our Heirs and Successors do Give Grant and Confirm unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon c. their Heirs and Assigns at that Province Territories or Tract of Land situate lying and being within Our Dominions of America aforesaid extending North and Eastward as far as the North end of Carah-Tuck River or Inlett upon a straight Westerly Line to Wianoacke Creek which lyeth within or about thirty six deg thirty min. of Northern Latitude and so West in a direct Line as far as the South-Seas and South and Westward as far as thirty nine deg inclusive Northern Latitude and so West in a direct Line as far as the South Seas together with all and singular Ports Harbours Bays Rivers and Islets belonging unto the Province and Territory aforesaid and also all the Soil Lands Fields Woods Mountains Fenns Lakes Rivers Bays Islets situated or being within the Bounds or Limits last before mentioned with the Fishing of all sorts of Fish Whales Sturgeons and all the Royal Fishes in the Seas Bays Islets and Rivers within the Premises and the Fish therein taken together the Royalty of the Sea upon the Coast within the Limits aforesaid And moreover all Veins Mines and Quarries as well discovered as not discovered of Gold Silver Gems and Precious Stones and all other whatsoever be it of Stones Marble or any other thing whatsoever found or to be found within the Province Territory Isles and Limits aforesaid And furthermore the Patronage and Advowsons of all the Churches and Chappels which as Christian Religion shall encrease within the Province Territory Isles Islets and Limits aforesaid shall happen hereaf-to be Erected together with Licence and Power to Build and Found Churches and Chappels and Oratories in convenient and fit places within the said Bounds and Limits and to cause them to be dedicated and consecrated according to the Ecclesiastical Laws of our Kingdom of England together with all and singular the like and as ample right Jurisdictions Priviledges Prerogatives Royalties Liberties Immunities and Franchises of what kind soever within the Territories Isles Islets and Limits aforesaid to have Use Exercise and enjoy the same as amply and fully and in as ample manner as any Bishop of Durham in our Kingdom of England ever heretofore had held used or enjoyed or of right ought or could have use or enjoy and them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon c. their Heirs and Assigns we do by these Presents for Us Our Heirs and Successors make create and constitute the true and absolute Lords and Proprietors of the said Province or Territory and of all other the Premisses saving always the Faith Allegiance and Sovereign Dominions due to Us Our Heirs and Successors for the same to have hold possess and enjoy the said Province Territories Isles Islets and all and singular of them the Premisses unto them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon c. their Heirs and Assigns for ever to be holden of Us Our Heirs and Successors as of our Manor of Eastgreen within Our County of Kent in free and common Soccage and not in Capite nor by by Knight-Service yielding and paying a parly to Us Our Heirs and Successors for the same a fourth part of all Gold and Silver Oâ—r which within the Limits hereby granted shall from time to time happen to be found over and beside the yearly Rent of twenty Marks and the fourth part of the Gold and Silver Oar in and by the said recited Letter Patents reserved and payable And that the Province or Territory hereby granted and described may be dignified with as large Titles and Priviledges as any other Part of our Dominions and Territories in that Region Know ye that We of our further Grace certain Knowledge and meer
as Brazil Ebony and the like Cassia Cinnamon Cotton Pepper Tobacco Indico Ginger Potatoes Pine-Apples and Sugar-Canes grow likewise there in great plenty and a certain living or sensible Plant esteemed one of the admirablest rarities in the World which as soon as touch'd with the hand falls down and the Leaves run together as if they were suddenly withered but so soon as the hand is removed and the party gone it presently rises up and flourisheth again from whence it is called by some The Chaste Plant in regard it will not endure to be touched without expressing its resentments of its injury There are not many venomous Creatures Venomous Creatures to be found in this Island nor in any of the Caribbees but yet there are many Snakes and Serpents of many colours and forms some whereof are nine or ten foot long and near as big as a Man's thigh one whereof being killed a whole Hen feathers and all were found in her belly besides a dozen Eggs upon which the Hen was sitting when the Serpent seized her which shews them to be very large notwithstanding they are not poysonous but pleasure the inhabitants by freeing their Houses from Rats and other such like Vermine which they kill and devour There is another sort of Serpent above an Ell long and not above an Inch about which feed upon Frogs and Birds and are in colour of so lovely green that they are very delightful to the eye But there are two sorts of Snakes that are very hurtful and dangerous the first is gray on the back and feels soft like Velvet the other is either yellow or red very dreadful to look on their heads being flat and broad and their jaws exceeding wide and armed with eight or ten teeth as sharp as Needles from whence they produce their poyson which lies in little purses near the roots of their teeth they do not chew their Food but swallow it down whole for if they should the inhabitants say they would poyson themselves they are so exceeding venomous that if a man chance to be hurt by them if help be not immediately had the wound in two hours proves incurable nor have they any other vertue that deserves commendation but this they never hurt any man which doth not first molest them A DESCRIPTION OF THE Islands of BERMVDAS OR THE SUMMER-ISLANDS EAst of Virginia and Carolina which is a part of Florida lies the Isles of Bermudas so called from John Bermudas by whom they were first discovered or the Summer-Islands as they are likewise sometimes called from the Shipwreck which Sir George Summers an English-man suffered upon that Coast they are a great multitude of Isles being no less than 400 in number as some affirm that lie distant 1600 Leagues from England from Madera 1000 from Hispaniola 400 and from Carolina which is the nearest part of land about 300 Leagues AESTIVARUM INSULAE â— BARMUDAS Lat. 32 D 25 m 3300 miles from London 500 from Roanoke in Virginia by R. Morden A. Sands Fort B. Warwick Fort C. Davers Fort D. Cavandish F. E. Pagets Fort F. Smiths Fort G. Pembrak F. H. Kings Castle I. Charles F. K. Tuckers Tom. L Smiths I. Circasoltitium aestirum Anno 16â—6 solvere ex his Insulis quinque viri in Schapha superne aperta trium doliorum majorum capacitatis et post septem hebdomadarum navigationuÌ„ omnes incolumes in Hiberniam appulerunt quale ab hominum memoria vix accidiss creditur The biggest of these Isles is called St. Georges St. Georges and is about five or six Leagues long and in the broadest place not a League broad all the rest being much less The whole cluster do together form a body much like a Crescent and inclose several very good Ports the chief whereof are those of the Great Sound Harrington's Inlet South-hampton and Pagets which with their Forts of Dover and Warwick take their names from the several Noblemen that have been concerned as Adventurers The Earth in those Isles is exceeding fertile yielding two Crops every Year Fertility which they generally gather in about the Months July and December They have several sorts of excellent Fruits Fruits as Oranges Dates Mulberries both white and red in the Trees whereof breed abundance of Silk-worms which produce great plenty of that Commodity and Tobacco there has been found some Pearl and Amber-grease They have likewise there plenty of Tortoise their flesh being counted there very delicious they have good store of Hogs and great variety of Fowls and Birds amongst which are Cranes and a sort of Sea-Fowl which breeds in holes like our Rabits and such is the fruitfulness and the delightful verdure wherein these Isles always appear that Summers seemed to take pleasure in his Shipwreck and neglecting his return for England endeavoured with the assistance of Sir Thomas Gates to settle a Plantation there At their first coming ashore they found themselves supplied by a vast variety of Fowl which were taken without difficulty no less than one thousand of one kind somewhat bigger than a Pigeon being caught by them in two or three hours space this sort of Fowl lay speckled Eggs as large as Hens on the Sand and this they do every day without being frighted though Men sit down by them The greatest inconveniency that attends the place is their want of fresh Water there is none for their occasions but what is to be found in Wells Pits there being neither Fountain nor Stream in all these Isles The Sky is almost continually serene and clear and the Air Air. so exceeding temperate and healthy that it is rare to hear of a Man's dying of any other distemper than that of Old Age which has occasioned many to remove from England thither barely for the enjoyment of a long and healthful Life and when they have continued there for any considerable time they are exceeding fearful of removing out of so good an Air lest it should hasten their removal to the grave However when the Sky is at any time darkened with Clouds it Thunders and Lighten and the Weather proves exceeding stormy and tempestuous the Wind sometimes rather thundering than blowing from every quarter for forty eight hours together The North and North-West Winds cause Winter in December January and February which is however so very moderate that young Birds and Fruits and other Concomitants of the Spring are seen there in those Months The Isle of St. Georges which is the biggest and of more fame than all the rest and to which the name of Bermudas is more generally given is situated in thirty two Degrees and thirty Minutes of North-Latitude No venomous Beasts Beasts are to be found in this Island neither will they live if brought thither their Spiders are no way poysonous but are of sundry and various colours and in hot weather make their Webs so exceeding strong that the small Birds are sometimes entangled and caught therein There grows in this Island
these Presents for Us Our Heirs and Successors do Grant and Confirm unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon c. their Heirs and Assigns full and absolute Licence Power and Authority that they the said Edward Earl of Clarendon c. their Heirs and Assigns from time to time hereafter for ever at his and their Will and Pleasure may Alien Grant Demise or Enfeoff the Premises or any part or parcel thereof to him or them that shall be willing to Purchase the same and to such Person or Persons as they shall think fit To have and to hold to them the said Person or Persons their Heirs of Assigns in the Fee-simple or Fee-tail or for term of Life or Lives or Years to be held of them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon c. their Heirs and Assigns and not immediately of Us Our Heirs and Successors And to the same Person or Persons and to all and every of them We do Give and Grant by these Presents for Us Our Heirs and Successors Licence and Authority and Power that such Person or Persons may have and take the Premises or any parcel thereof of the said Earl of Clarendon c. their Heirs and Assigns and the same to hold to themselves their Heirs or Assigns in what estate of Inheritance soever in Fee-simple or in Fee-tail or otherwise as to them and the said Earl of Clarendon their Heirs and Assigns shall seem expedient The Statute of the Parliament of Edward Son of King Henry heretofore King of England Our Predecessor commonly called the Statute of Quia Emptores Terrarum or any other Statutes Act Ordinance Use Law Customs or any other Matter Cause or Thing heretofore Published or Provided to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding and because many Persons born or Inhabiting in the said Province for their Deserts and Services may expect to be capable of marks of Honour and Favour which in respect of the great distance cannot be conferred by Us Our Will and Pleasure therefore is and We do by these Presents Give and Grant unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon c. their Heirs and Assigns full Power and Authority to give and confer unto and upon such of the Inhabitants of the said Province or Territory as they shall think do or shall merit the same such Marks of Favour and Titles of Honour as they shall think fit so as those Titles of Honour be not the same as are enjoyed by and conferred upon any of the Subjects of this Our Kingdom of England And further also We do by these Presents for Us Our Heirs and Successors Give and Grant by these to them the said Edward Earl of Clarendon c. their Heirs and Assigns full Power Liberty and Licence to Erect Raise and Build within the said Province and Places aforesaid or any other part or parts thereof such and so many Forts Fortresses Castles Cities Boroughs Towns Villages and other Fortifications whatsoever and the same or any of them to fortifie and furnish with Ordnance Powder Shot and Arms and all other Weapons Ammunition and Habiliments of War offensive and defensive as shall be thought fit and convenient for the welfare and safety of the said Province or places of any parts thereof and the same or any of them from time to time as occasion shall require dismantle disfurnish demolish and put down and also to place constitute and appoint in or over all or any of the said Castles Forts Fortifications Cities Towns or Places aforesaid Governours Deputy-Governours Magistrates Sheriffs and other Officers Civil and Military as to them shall seem meet and to the said Cities Towns Boroughs Villages or any other place or places within the said Province or Territory to grant Letters or Charters of Incorporation with all Liberties Franchises and Priviledges requisite and usual or to be within any Corporation within this Our King of England granted or belonging And in the same Cities Boroughs Towns and other places to constitute erect and appoint such and so many Markets Marts and Fairs as shall in that behalf be thought fit and necessary And further also to make and erect in the Province or Territory aforesaid or any parts thereof so many Mannors with such Seignories as to them shall seem meet and convenient and every of the said Mannors to hold and to have a Court-Baron with all things whatsoever which to a Court-Baron doth belong and to have and to hold Views of Frank-pledge and Courts-Leet for the conservation of the peace and better government of those Parts with such Limits Jurisdictions Precincts as by the said Edward Earl of Clarendon c or their Heirs shall be appointed for that purpose with all things whatsoever which to a Court-Leet or a View of Frank-pledge belong the same Courts to be holden by Stewards to be deputed and authorized by the said Edward Earl of Clarendon c. or their Heirs or by the Lords other Mannors and Leets for the time being when the same shall be erected and because that in so remote a Country and situate among so many Barbarous Nations the Invasion as well of Savages as other Enemies Pirates and Robbers may probably be seared Therefore we have as for Us our Heirs and Successours given power by these presents unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon c. their Heirs and Assigns by themselves or their Captains or other Officers to Levy Muster and Train all sorts of Men of what condition soever born whether in the said Province or elsewhere for the time being and to make War and to pursue the Enemies aforesaid as well by Sea as by Land yea even without the Limits of the said Province and by God's assistance to vanquish and take them and being taken to put them to death by the Laws of War and to save them at their pleasure and to do all and every thing which to the Charge and Office of a Captain-General of any Army belongs or hath accustomed to belong as fully and freely as any Captain-General of an Army hath ever had the same Also Our Will and Pleasure is and by this Our Charter We do give unto the said Edward Earl of Clarendon c. their Heirs and Assigns full Power and Authority in cause of Rebellion Tumults or Sedition if any should happen which God forbid either upon the Land within in the Province aforesaid or upon the main Sea in making a Voyage thither or returning from thence by him and themselves their Captains Deputies or Officers to be authorized under his or their Seals for that purpose to whom also for Us Our Heirs and Successours We do give and grant by these presents full power and authority to exercise Martial Laws against mutinous and seditious persons of these parts such as shall refuse to submit themselves to their Government or shall refuse to serve in the Wars or shall flie to the Enemy or shall forsake their Colours or Ensigns to be loyterers or straglers otherwise howsoever offending
plant there and called it New-Netherland but Sir Samuel Argal Governour of Virginia routed them after which they got leave of King James to put in there for Fresh-Water in their Passage to Brazile and did not offer to plant till a good while after the English were setled in the Countrey In 1664. His late Majesty King Charles the Second sent over four Commissioners to reduce the Colony into bounds that had been encroached upon by each other who marched with three hundred Red-Coats to Manhadees and took from the Dutch the chief Town then called New-Amsterdam now New-York and Aug. 29. turned out their Governour with a Silver Leg and all the rest but those who acknowledged Subjection to the King of England suffering them to enjoy their Houses and Estates as before Thirteen days after Sir Robert Car took the Fort and Town of Aurania now called Albany and twelve days after that the Fort and Town of Arasapha then Delaware-Castle manned with Dutch and Swedes so that now the English are Masters of three handsom Towns three strong Forts and a Castle without the loss of one man The first Governour of these Parts for the King of England was Colonel Nicols one of the Commissioners It is a Countrey of a rich and fertil Soyl It s Fertility well watered with Rivers as in Mary-Land already spoken of and is found to produce the same Beasts Birds Fish Fruits Commodities Trees c. and in as great plenty and it is reported that one Bushel of European Wheat has yielded an hundred in one year The most considerable Town is that of New-York It s Situation being well seated both for Trade Security and Pleasure in a small Isle called Manahatan regarding the Sea made so by Hudson's River which severeth it from Long-Island which said River is very commodious for Shipping being about two Leagues broad The Town is large containing about five hundred well-built Houses built with Dutch-Brick and the meanest not valued under one hundred Pounds to the landward it is encompassed with a Wall of good thickness and fortified at the entrance of the River so as to command any Ship which passeth that way by a Fort called James-Fort and for Civil Government it hath a Mayor Alderman Sheriff and Justices of the Peace for their Magistrates The Inhabitants are most English and Dutch who have a very considerable Trade with the Indians for the Skins of Elks Deer Bears c. also for those of Beaver Otter Racoon-skins with other rich Furs and are supplied with Venison and Fowl in the Winter and Fish in the Summer by the Indians at an easie price This Province formerly contained all that Land which is seated in the North part of America betwixt England and Mary-Land the length toward the North being not fully known the breadth is about 200 Miles The chief Rivers are Hudson-River Raritan River and Delaware-Bay and the principal Islands are the Manahatan-Island Long-Island and Stater-Island Manahatan-Island so called by the Indians lieth within land betwixt forty one and forty two Degrees of North Latitude and is in length about fourteen Miles and two broad New-York is seated on the West-end of this Island having a small Arm of the Sea which divides it from Long-Island on the South Long-Island runs Eastward above a hundred Miles and in some places eight twelve and fourteen Miles broad inhabited from one end to the other having a rich Soil for all English-Grain the Fruits Trees and Herbs very good in May you may see the Woods and Fields so richly bedecked with Roses and variety of other delightful Flowers as equal if not excel many Gardens in England This Country is also possessed with sundry sorts of People Its Inhabitants not much unlike the Indians of Virginia being well-proportioned swarthy black-haired very expert in their Bow and Arrows which are their chief Weapons of War they are very serviceable and courteous to the English being of a ready Wit and very apt to recieve Instruction from them but there are now but few Indians upon the Island being strangely decreased since the English first settled there for not long ago there were six Towns full of them which are now reduced to two Villages the rest being cut off by Wars among themselves or some raging mortal Diseases They live principally by Hunting Fowling and Fishing their Wives tilling the Land and planting the Corn they feed on Fish Fowl and Venison likewise Pol-cats Turtles Racoon and the like they build small moveable Tents which they remove three times a year chiefly quartering where they plant their Corn besides their Hunting and Fishing-Quarters Their principal Recreation are Foot-ball and Cards at which they will play away all they have except a Flap to cover their nakedness they are very great lovers of Strong-drink so that without they have enough to be drunk they care not to drink at all if their company be so great that they have not enough to make them all drunk they usually chuse so many as are proportionable to that quantity and the rest must be spectators if any happen to be drunk before he has taken his share which is ordinarily a quart of Brandy Rum or Strong-waters to shew their Justice they will pour the rest down his Throat in which debauches they often kill one another which the Friends of the dead revenge upon the Murtherer unless he purchase his Life with Money which is made of Periwinkle-shell both black and white strung like Beads They observe several Ceremonies in their Reigious Rites Their Religion and are said to Worship the Devil which usually they perform once or twice a Year unless upon some extraordinary occasion as the making of War or the like when their Corn is ripe which is usually about Michaelmas The day being appointed by their Chief Priest or Pawaw most of them go a Hunting for Venison when they are all assembled if the Priest wants Money he then tells them their God will accept no Offering but Money which the People believing every one gives according to his ability the Priest takes the Money and putting it into some Dishes sets them upon the top of their low flat-roofed Houses and so falls a calling upon their God to come and receive it which with many loud hollows and out-crys striking the ground with sticks and beating themselves is performed by the Priest and seconded by the People After being thus wearied a Devil by his conjuration appears amongst them sometimes in the shape of a Fowl a Beast or a Man which so amazeth the people that they dare not stir the Priest improves the opportunity and stepping out makes sure of the Money and then returns to lay the Spirit who is often gone before he comes back having taken some of the company along with him but if at such times any English come among them it puts a period to their proceedings and they will desire his absence saying Their God will not come till
they are departed They are much addicted to go to War against one another but they sight no pitch'd Battel but upon their Enemies approach having first secured their Wives and Children in some Island or thick Swamp armed with Guns and Hatchets they way-lay their Enemy and it 's counted a great Fight when seven or eight are slain they seldom give quarter to any but the Women and Children whom they reserve and make use of for the increasing their strength When an Indian dies they bury him upright Their way of Burial sitting upon a Seat with his Gun Money and Goods to furnish him in the other World which they believe to be Westward where they shall have great store of Game for Hunting and live at ease at his Funeral his Relations paint their Faces black making at his Grave once or twice every day sad Lamentations thus continuing till the blackness is wore off their Faces and after that once a Year they mourn afresh for him visiting and trimming up the Grave not suffering any Grass to grow near it fencing it with a Hedge and covering it with Mats for a shelter from the Rain Notwithstanding all this bustle when an Indian is dead his Name dies with him none daring ever after to mention his Name it being not only a breach of their Law but an affront to his Friends and Relations as if done on purpose to renew their grief And every person bearing the same Name instantly changes it for another which every one invents for himself some call themselves Rattlesnakes others Buckshorn or the like yea if a person die whose Name is some Word used in common Speech they change that Word and invent a new one which makes their Language very troublesom When any one is sick after his Friends have used all possible means every one pretending skill in Physick but all proving ineffectual they send for a Pawaw or Priest who sitting down by the sick person without the least inquiring after the Distemper expects a Fee or Gift according to which he proportions his work beginning with a low voice to call sometimes upon one God and then on another still raising his vice beating his naked breasts and sides till the sweat runs down and his breath is almost gone and what remains he breaths upon the face of the sick person three or four times together so takes his leave Their Weddings are performed without any Ceremony Their Marriages the Match being first made by Money which being agreed on and given to the Woman makes a Consummation of the Marriage if we may so call it after which he keeps her during pleasure and upon the least dislike turns her away and takes another It is no offence for their married Women to lie with another Man provided she acquaint her Husband or some of her nearest Relations therewith but if not they account it such a fault as is sometimes punishable by death When any Woman finds herself quick with Child she keeps herself chaste or untouched by Man until her delivery the like she observeth in her giving such a strange Custom which our European Ladies would not well relish An Indian may have two or three or more Wives if he please but it is not now so much used as before the English came they being inclined to imitate them in things both good and bad Any Maid before she is married lies with whom she pleases for Money without the least scandal or aspersion it being not only customary but lawful They are extream charitable to one another for if any one has to spare he freely imparts to his friends and whatever they get by Gaming or otherwise they share one with another leaving commonly the least part to themselves When their King or Sachen sits in Council he hath a company of armed Men to guard his person great respect being shewed him by the people which chiefly appears by their silence after he has declared the cause of their convention he demands their Opinions ordering who shall first begin who having delivered his mind tells them he hath done for no man interrupts him though he makes never so many long stops and halts till he says he hath no more to say the Council having all delivered their Opinions the King after some pause gives the definitive Sentence which is commonly seconded by a shout from the people thereby signifying their assent or applause If any person be condemned to die which is seldom but for Murder or Incest the King himself goes out in person for they have no Prisons and the guilty person flies into the Woods to seek him out and having found him the King shoots first though at never such a distance and then happy is the man that can shoot him down who for his pains is made some Captain or Military Officer Their Clothing Their Clothing is a yard and a half of broad Cloth which they hang on their Shoulders and half a yard of the same being put between their Legs is tied up before and behind and fastened with a Girdle about their middle and hangs with a slap on each side they wear no Hats but commonly tye either a Snakes-skin about their â—eads a Belt of their Money or a kind of Ruff made with Deers-hair and dyed of a Scarlet-colour which they esteem very rich they grease their Bodies and Hair very often and paint their Faces with divers Colours as Black White Red Yellow Blew which they take great pride in every one being painted in a several manner Thus much for the Customs of the Indians and the Colony of New-York Hudson's River runs by New-York Northward into the Country towards the head of which is seated New-Albany a place of a very considerable Trade with the Natives betwixt which and New-York being above an hundred Miles distance is as good Corn-land as the World affords it was reduced to his Majesties obedience by Col. Nicholas and a League of Friendship concluded between the Inhabitants and the Indians by whom they have never been since disturbed but every man hath sate under his own Vine and hath peaceably reaped and enjoyed the Fruits of his own Labour which God continue A DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENGLAND It s Discovery new-NEw-England was first discovered as well as the other Northern-Coasts of America by Sebastian Cabot in the Year 1497. and in 1584. Mr. Philip Amadas and Mr. Arthur Barlow were the first Christians that took possession thereof for Queen Elizabeth The Year following Sir Richard Greenvile conveyed an English Colony thither under the government of Mr. Ralph Lane who continued there till the next Year but upon some extraordinary occasion returned with Sir Francis Drake into England being accounted by some the first discoverer thereof It is seated on the North of Mary-Land It s Situation and on the South Virginia lying about 40 and 41 Degrees of North-Latitude and it is reported to have 70 Miles of Sea-Cost where are found divers good Havens
Scurvey against which their Turnips proved a sovereign Remedy There are Musk-Cats and Musk-Rats and near the Coasts is great killing of Marses or Sea-Oxen a small Ship in a small time slew fifteen hundred of them They are bigger than an Ox the Hide dressed is as thick again as a Bull 's they have Teeth like Elephants about a foot longer growing downwards out of the upper Jaw and therefore less dangerous It is sold dearer than Ivory and by some thought ns great an Antidote as the Vnicorn's Horn. The young ones eat like Veal which the old will defend to the utmost holding them in their Arms or Fore-feet out of the Bellies of five of these Fishes which live both on the Land and Water they make an Hogshead of Train-Oyl They sleep in great Companies and have one Centinel or Watchman to wake the rest upon occasion Their Sâ—ins are short-haired like Seals theirfaces resembles a Lion's and may therefore more justly be called Sea-Lyons than Sea-Oxen or Horses East of New-found-land over against Cape-Ray at the distance of about 70 Miles from that Shore lies a Bank or Ridge of Ground extending about 300 Miles in length and not above 75 in breadth where broadest This great Bank is covered with Water when the Sea is high and uncovered and dry on the Ebb on all sides whereof the Sea is 200 fathom deep so that ships of a considerable Burthen may ride over it And about this Bank lies dispersed several small Isles called by St. Sebastian Cabot the first Discoverer Los Boocaloos or the Isles of Cod-Fish from that Prodigious quantities of Cod-fish there found which were said to obstruct the passage of his Vessels It is almost incredible how many Nations yearly Trade thither Their Trade amounting to between three or four hundred Sayl of Ships that are assured to find sufficient Freight of Cod and Poor John one man catching an hundred in an hour they Fish with Hooks which are no sooner thrown into the Sea but the greedy Fish snapping the Bait is taken and drawn on Ship-board where they lay him on a Plank one cutting off his Head another guts and takes out its biggest Bones another salts and barrels it which being thus ordered is hence transported by the European Nations to all parts of Christendom and through most other parts of the World They fish only in the Day the Cod not biting in the Night nor doth the Fish last all Seasons but begins towards Spring and ends in September for in Winter they retire to the bottom of the Sea where Storms and Tempests have no power Near these Coasts is another kind of Fishing for Cod which the call Dried as the other Green-Fish The Fishermen retire into some Harbour and every Morning send out their Shallops two or three Leagues into the Sea who fail not of their Load by Noon or soon after which they bring to Land and order as the other After this Fish has lain some days in Salt they take it out and dry it in the Wind laying it again in heaps and exposing it daily to the open Ayr till it be dry which ought to be good and temperate to make the Fish saleable for Mists moisten it and make it rot and the Sun causes yellowness At this their Fishing the Mariners have likewise the pleasure of taking Fowl without going out of their Vessels for baiting their Hook with the Cod's Livers these Fowls are so greedy that they come by Flocks and fight who shall get the Bait first which soon proves its Death and one being taken the Hook is no sooner thrown out but another is instantly catcht And were the English diligent to inspect the advantage that might accrue to this Nation by setling Plantations on the Island and raise Fortifications for the security of the Place we might give Laws to all Foreigners that come to Fish there and in few years engross the whole Fishery to our selves the greatest Ballance perchance of Foreign Trade In the Year 1623. Sir George Calvert Knight and Principal Secretary of State and afterwards Lord Baltemore obtained a Patent of part of New-found-Land which was erected into a Province and called Avalon where he caused a Plantation to be setled and a stately House and Fort to be built at Ferryland and afterwards transported himself and Family thither and continued the Plantation by his Deputy till by Descent after his Lordships Decease it came to his Son and Heir the right Honourable Caecilius now Lord Baltemore who by Deputies from time to time was no less careful to preserve his interest there which tho' during the last Troubles in England was by Sir David Kirk's means for some years discontinued he was soon re-invested in the same by His Majesties most happy Restauration A DESCRIPTION OF THE Island of TOBAGO THis Island of Tobago is situaated in 11 degrees Iss Situation 30 minutes North Latitude and in 53 degrees 6 minutes Longitude West from the Lizard and about 40 League distance from Barbados its extent not exceeding 32 Miles in Length and about 11 in Breadth It is a Countrey blest with a temperate and wholesom Air It s Temperature by reason of a warm and temperate heat being moderated by a continual Brieze of Wind so that here is no Summer spent on purpose for Winter-provisions because all the year long both Herbage and Fruit bud up by a perpetual Spring And the Island is so well stored with Materials for Building that provided you bring dextrous Hands and good Artificers you may in a short time with little Charge build both Houses Towns and Fortifications The Soyl doth naturally produce Indian-Corn Corn Grain such as grows at Virginia New-York Carolina c. But no English Grain grows here however there are English Pease of divers sorts and Beans and Pulse enough likewise there is Guinea-Corn Bonevis the French-Pea the Kidney-Pea the Pigeon-Pea the French-Bean c. Here are excellent Fruits in great abundance Its Fruits as the Cushen-Apple which are both Meat and Drink only made distinguishable by the Art of Boyling whose Nut if preserved you may eat and of the Rinds while green make an excellent Lamp-Oyl which by small Labour is easily obtained Here is a Fruit called a Bonano which may be eaten raw or bettered by an easie decoction of Fire Here is also the Fig-tree such as is that in Spain and Portugal and several parts in America Then there is the Prickle-Apple the Pomegranate the Pine-Apple Pome Citrons Oranges of three sorts the sower for Sawce and the Flowers for Essences the sweet ones are eaten for Recreation But the China-Orange that grows here in America super-excels those in Europe beyond expression Of Limons here are two sorts the sower one for Limonadoes and the sweet one for Delectation So of Limes also here are sweet and sower with the last of which they make Limeads and Punch Guavers is a Fruit that is exceeding stony there is the
Complexion Stature Customs Dispositions Laws Religion Apparel Diet Houses c. are much the same with those of Virginia already treated of being likewise many different Tribes or sorts of People and each governed by their particular King There are many strange Rites and Ceremonies used by the Native Indians Their Religion they believe there are several Gods which they call Mantaac but of different sorts and degrees yet there is but one absolute God from all eternity who when he made the World created other Gods to be as a Means and Instrument used in the Creation and that the Sun Moon and Stars are petty Gods out of the Waters they affirm all the variety of Creatures were made for Mankind that Woman was made first who by the assistance of one of the Gods conceived and brought forth Children but know not how long it was since this was done having no Arithmetick nor Records but only Tradition from Father to Son they make the Images of their Gods in the shape of Men placing one at least in their Houses or Temple where they worship sing pray and make Offerings They believe that after this Life the Soul shall be disposed of according to its Works here either to the habitation of the Gods to enjoy perpetual happiness or to a great Pit or Hole in the furthest part of their Countrey toward Sun-set which they count the furthermost part of the World there to burn continually which place they call Popogusso and relate that one that was buried was the next day seen to move upon his Grave whereupon his Body was taken up again who when he was revived declared that his Soul was near entring into Popogusso had not one of the Gods saved him and suffered him to return and warn his Friends to avoid that terrible place another being taken up related that his Soul was alive while his Body was in the Grave and had been travelling in a long broad way on both sides whereof grew delicate Trees bearing excellent Fruits and at length arrived at most curious houses where he met his Father that was dead before who charged him to go back and shew his Friends what good they were to do to enjoy the pleasures of this Place and then to return to him again Whatever Tricks or Subtilty the Priests use the Vulgar are hereby very respectful to their Governors and careful of their actions though in criminal Causes they inflict punishments according to the quality of the Offence they are great Negromancers and account our Fire-works Guns and Writing to be the works of God rather than Men. When one of their Kings was sick he sent to the English to pray for him Some of them imagine that we are not mortal men nor born of Women but say we are an old Generation revived and believe that there are more of us yet to come to kill their Nation and take their places who are at present invisible in the Air without Bodies and that at their intercession they cause those of their Nation to die who wrong the English Their Idol they place in the innermost Room of the House of whom they relate incredible Stories they carry it with them to the Wars and ask counsel thereof as the Romans did of their Oracles they sing Songs as they march towards Battel instead of Drums and Trumpets their Wars are exceeding bloody and have wasted the people very much Once a year they hold a great Festival meeting together out of several Villages each having a certain Mark or Character on his Back whereby it may be discerned whose Subject he is the place where they meet is spacious and round about are Posts carved on the top like a Nuns Head in the midst are three of the fairest Virgins lovingly embracing and clasping each other about this living Image and artificial Circle they dance in their savage manner Their chief Idol called Kiwasa in made of wood four foot high the Face resembling the Inhabitants of Florida painted with flesh-colour the Breast white the other parts black the Legs only sported with white with Chains and Strings of Beads about his neck This Idol is the Keeper of the dead Bodies of their Kings which are advanced on Scaffolds nine or ten foot high this Kiwasa or Guardian being placed near them and underneath liveth a Priest who there mumbles his Devotions night and day This Province of Mary-Land His Majesty King Charles the First in Anno 1632. granted by a Patent to the Right Honourable Caecilius Calvert Lord Baltemore and to his Heirs and Assigns and by that Patent created him and them the true and absolute Lords and Proprietors of the same saving the Allegiance and Sovereign Dominion due to His Majesty his Heirs and Successors thereby likewise granting to them all Royal Jurisdictions both military and Civil as Power of enacting Laws martial Laws making of Warand Peace Pardoning Offences conferring of Honours coyning of Money c. and in acknowledgment thereof yielding and paying yearly to his Majesty his Heirs and Successors two Indiâ—n Arrows at Windsor-Castle in the County of Berks on Easter-Tuesday together with the fifth part of all the Gold and Silver-Oar that shall be found there The Lord Baltemore hath his Residence at Mattapany about eight miles distance from St. Maries where he hath a pleasant Seat though the general Assemblies and Provincial Courts are kept at St. Maries and for the better inviting of People to settle here his Lordship by the Advice of the General Assembly of that Province hath long since established a Model of good and wholsom Laws for the ease and benefit of the Inhabitants with toleration of Religion to all sorts that profess the Faith of Christ which hath been a principal motive to many to settle under that Government rather than in another where Liberty of Conscience was denied them NEW ENGLAND And NEW YORK by Rob Morden i Charles Towne k Cambridg l Water town m Naâ—ton n Dabham o Medfeild p Chensford q Ballerica r Sudbury a Roxbury b Deâ—byster c Miltem d â—â—ymouth e Bâ—â—â—bry f Malden g Wiâ—â—sunt h Farmington The Inhabitants being in number about 16000 have begun the building of several Towns which in few years 't is hoped may come to some perfection as Calverton Herrington and Harvey-Town all commodiously seated for the benefit of Trade and conveniency of Shipping but the principal Town is St. Maries seated on St. Georges River being beautified with divers well-built Houses and is the chief Place or Scale of Trade for the Province A DESCRIPTION Of NEW-YORK ADjoyning to Mary-Land Northwards is a Colony called New-York from our present Gracious Sovereign when Duke of York the Proprietor thereof by Grant from His Majesty and is that part of new-New-England which the Dutch once possessed it was first discovered by Mr. Hudson It s Discovery and sold presently by him to the Dutch without Authority from his Sovereign the King of England in 1608. The Hollanders in 1614. began to