May 28 they arrived at Greenland and met with eleven Sail of Dutch fishing in Hornfound whom they forced away and took from them all they caught and also the English that were in their Ships and made 1900 Tuns of Oyl and discovered Wyâ—hes Island in seventy nine Degrees There are some Discoveries of Land which cannot be said to belong to any of the four grand Divisions being separate 〈◊〉 Seas of vast extent viz. New Guinea towards the Equator so called because thought to be opposite to the African Guiny New Zelanâ— the Antipodes almost to â—ngland discovered first by Fernando de Quier but both of the East India Companies in Holland now pretend to it tho' they were but ill used when they attempted to settle themselves there About three hundred Leagues from it lies another Tract of Land called Antony Van Diemens Land discovered by the Dutch. The Land of Parrats if any such was part of Terra Australis incognita In the year 150â— one Gonneuille a Frenchman sailed thither and was well entertained by a petty King called Arosea Who also brought away with him some of the Natives amongst the rest the Kings Son Essomeric of whose Race there are some yet in Normandy saith Du Val. New Holland is so highly esteemed by the Dutch that they have caused the Map thereof to be cut in the Stones of their Magnificent State-house though I could not afford one Map for it here It is a Tract of Land containing about 1600 Leagues Not far from Greenland lieth Cherry Island thirty Degrees to the North Eastwards whereof saith our Sea Waggoner is the Island of Nova Zembla and twenty Leagues to a Degree is the Scale made in the Chart so that thirty multiplied by twenty makes six hundred Leagues which is three hundred more than the true distance This also is certain that in all the Land Maps that I have seen it is laid down above one hundred and twenty and 50 Leagues Eastwards farther than it ought to be And I have the rather instanced in this particular for that I have reason to think that this was the chief cause of the misfortune of that venturous and worthy design of Captain Wood in his Attempt for a N. E. passage to China I cannot also but mention the Opinion of some who tell us that Nova Zembla is the Isle Carambice of the Antients from whence Men may go upon the Ice as far as Greenland and further so that its thought that the people that first inhabited America went over this way The Land of Jesso lies between Asia and America where they are separated by great and wide Arms of the Sea tho' others think they excur and meet almost together and by this way was America first peopled but utrum horum mavis accipe The Inhabitants of Jesso exchange their Fish their Tongues their Whales Oyl in the Cities of Japan which are next to them The Planks of their Barks are not nailed but sowed together with Ropes made of the Rinds of Cocos The Relations of the Dutch in the year 1643 tells us that part of the Country acknowledges the King of Japan and that the Governor who resides at Mâ—zimay carries him every year Silver Feathers of sundry Colours and fine Furs Thus briefly have I described all the most known parts of the Earth but must leave that of the unknown to the discovery of future Ages only give me leave to say a word or two to our English Planters c. And I have done To advance an happy Plantation the Undertakers Planters and Place it self must contribute their Endeavors Let the Undertakers be Men of no shallow Heads nor narrow Fortunes such as will be contented with their present loss to be Benefactors to Posterity Let the Planters be Honest Skilful and Painful People for what hope is there that they who were Drones at home will be Bees abroad Let the Place be naturally strong or at leastwise capable of Fortification for though at first Planters are sufficiently fenced with their own Poverty yet when once they have got Wealth they must get Strength to defend it Islands are easily shut whereas Continents have their Doors ever open not to be bolted without great charges Let not the Towns where there is choice of Ground be built in places of a servil nature as being over-awed or commanded by some Hills about them Let it have some Staple Commodity to ballance Traffick with other Countries few Countries can stand alone the Luxury of our Age hath made superfluities necessary Let the Planters endeavor to be loved and feared of the Natives using Justice and Honesty being as naked in their dealings with the Natives as they are naked in their attire imbracing all occasions to convert them each Convert is a Conquest and it is more honour to overcome Paganism in one than to destroy a thousand Pagans for an extirpation of the Natives is rather a supplanting than planting a New Colony I am confident said Dr. Fuller long since that America is now grown Marriagable and hopes to get Christ for a Husband by the preaching of the Gospel I shall only add that no Nation hath spread her Sails for Traffick further than the English And that our Foreign Plantations upon the Asian African and American Continents are so many and so conveniently seated that no Christian Nation hath opportunity of piercing deeper into those vast Heathenish Islands than the English And yet can we say we have improved the Advantages God hath put into our hands to his glory and the propagation of his Gospel have we made so much as one solemn Mission of Pious and Learned Men to preach the glad Tidings of Salvation in Jesus Christ so much as to those ignorant Heathens and Idolaters that confine upon the English Pale yea or the poor Negros that are detained in cruel slavery in our own Plantations I cannot say what Glory and Advantage this would be to the English Nation Pardon me therefore Great Sirs the Proposal of his to your pious considerations whom it doth most concern For your faithful management of the opportunities intrusted to you for the Service of God and the enlargement of his Kingdom at home and abroad you may be assured will not only make an Accession of Renown and Honor to your selves and generous Families but bring in also eternal prosperity and Happiness from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ As I pray God it may Amen FINIS
wind and weather Niencheu Kincheu Chucheu Kinhoa Vencheu Ningpo and Xoahing all chief Cities and bravely adorned not far from Ningpo lies Liampo once much frequented by the Portugals The whole Province of Chekiang is every where cut through with Rivers Rivulets and murmuring streams some natural others artificial The chief River Che which gives name to the Country of which they tell us that annually upon the eighteenth day of the eighth Moon which is our October a prodigious Spring-tide happens roaring extreamly in its ascent beyond the loud murmur of Cataracts or Water-breaks and comes with a head high and strangely mounted above the Waters The Province of Nanking by the Tartars called Kiangnan is the second in honour in magnitude and fertility in all China It is divided into fourteen great Territories having Cities and Towns an hundred and ten Nanking or Kiangning being the Metropolis a City that if she did not exceed most Cities on the Earth in bigness and beauty yet she was inferior to few for her Pagodes her Temples her Porcelane Towers her Palaces and Triumphal Arches Fungiang Sucheu Sunkiang Leucheu Hoaigan Ganking Ningue Hoeicheu are also eminent Places and of great Note and Trade The Province of Quantung lies along upon the Sea-shore having many convenient Havens and Harbors It contains ten Counties and eighty great and small Cities Quancheu or Canton by the Portugals is the Metropolis and chief of the Province exceedingly beautified with Pagodes Palaces stately Structures and Triumphal Arches fortified with strong Walls Towers Bulwarks and Redoubts defended by five Castles Of the greatest Trade and the richest in the whole Kingdom The other great Cities are Xaocheu Hoeicheu Chaocheu Chacking Liencheu and Luicheu The Island of Ainan or Hainan is reckoned for the tenth County it lies in the Bay of Tunking separated from China by a Chanel of about five leagues broad where they fish for Pearls it chief City is Kiuncheu or Ingly fortified with strong Walls handsom Buildings and well seated for Trade and the whole Island produceth all Necessaries for human sustenance Southwards of Canton lie many small Islands in the Sea on one of which or rather a little Rock joyned to a great Island lieth the City Macao once possessed by the Portuguese so naturally fortified that 't is almost invincible being defended with two strong Castles against the attempts of an Enemy The Province of Quansi in Bigness plenty of Merchandise and pleasant Fields may compare with the rest It is divided into eleven great Countries which contain ninety eight Cities great and small the chief whereof is Quilia full of stately Structures other chief Cities are Gucheu Kingyang Cincheu Nunning Taping Chingan and others The Province of Quicheu is divided into eight Counties having great and small Cities to the number of eighty one of which Quiyang is the chief Chinyveng Tunying Liping are the next considerable The Province of Junnan though the last in place is not the least in extent and goodness viz. in the abundance of rich commodities 'T is divided into twelve Provinces contaning eighty seven Cities great and small besides thirteen Garisons The Metropolis Junnan boasts to be one of the best and greatest Cities in all China flourishing in Trade and Riches adorned with fair Structures and Temples Jungning Likiang Yaogan Tali Manhoa Kinghung and Lancand are other chief places In short they reckon in these Counties twelve hundred ninety nine Towns two hundred forty seven great Cities called Cheu and eleven hundred fifty two little Towns called Hien yet as big an ordinary City in Europe Martinius sets down thirteen hundred forty eight Towns whereof one hundred fifty nine are great called Cheu and the other Hien There are also great Garisons or Military Countries every one with lesser Garisons under their commands thirty seven in number also several Forts and Castles to the number of one hundred seventy six Besides these Towns and Fortresses China is very full of innumerable Villages and Hamlets so that it appears to be as one entire City Corea is divided into eight Territories On the North it joins to Nieuche in Tartary the South respects the Island Fungma or Quelpaerts on which in the year 1653 the Ship Sperwer of Batavia was Shipwracked and of sixty four men thirty six got to shore who suffered many extreamities and there found one of their Dutch Country men that had been prisoner twenty seven years The whole Country is exceeding populous full of Towns built after the Chinese manner whose Fashions Language Letters Religion and Government the Coreans follow It s chief City is Pinjang but by the aforesaid Dutch mens Relations Sioor was the Royal City from whence in the year 1666 in a Fishermans bark in ten days eight of them got to Gotto Island and from thence to Nengesaque on the Island Dysma The Isle Formosa once Paccand now under the Tartars abounds with Deer wild-Goats Hares Coneys Swine and Tygers the Woods with Pheasants and Pidgeons and the Ground produceth Rice Wheat Sugar Ginger Cinnamon Coco-Nuts and several other necessaries for human Sustenance Their chief practice or special Virtues are Theft Murder and Adultery but if any of the Women prove with Child before they are thirty seven years of Age when they are ready to be delivered the Midwife kneads it to death in the womb They Write Read and have Registers In Anno 1654 hapned a mighty Earthquake which continued seven weeks with little intermissions In December and January is generally the fairest Weather Their greatest Rains are in July and August The Mousons or stormy Seasons begin in October and continue till March which is called the Northern the other or Southern begins in May and holds till September Against the north-North-East part of Formosa lies a rich golden Mine surrounded by many Rocks from whence in August the Rains wash down great store of gold Oar not far from the Fort Kelang which the Dutch had in possession Taywan or Tayovan upon the Isle Formosa the utmost North-point being distant almost a league but the Southermost point within a Bow-shot of the Land it is about two leagues and an half in Length and a quarter in Breadth on the North-side upon a Sand-Hill stands the Fort Zelandia built by the Dutch 1632 under the Castle Westward lies another Fort guarded by two points of the Sea A Bow-shot distant lies a strong Outwork being the Key to the Castle called Utrecht Eastward from which stands the Town built by the Dutch On the other side on the main of Formosa stands the Fort and Village Sakkam well planted with Cannon but in the year 1661 Coxinga and his Associates being a crew of Rebels Chineses took both the Island of Formosa and Tayoven from the Dutch after a siege of ten Months where Coxinga found ten Tun of Gold forty pieces of Ordnance and other things to a great value Of JAPAN JAPONAE ac TERRAE IESSONIS Novissima Descriptio Robt. Morden THE Island of Japan
Comely Affable People faithful in their Dealings addicted to Learning having three Universities such as they are But their Law allows of no Physitians but admit of some Chyrurgeons to cure their Wounds The Air is healthy but the changes of Weather are very uncertain for sometimes it Snows and Hails in the midst of Summer and the Winds are often in that season most furious Their Commodities are Sheep Cows and Horses Great plenty of most sort of Sea-fish all the year round their Coast There are Lakes upon the high Mountains well stored with Fresh-Water-Fish and their Rivers with Salmon In Summer time they have plenty of of Wild Fowl as Mallard Duck Teal Partridge Wild Geese Plowers In Winter time Ravens Eagles Wild Ducks Swans c. Their Drink is Milk mingled with Water Their Bread is Cod caught in the Winter time and dried in the Frost commonly called Stock-Fish as also Hokettle or the Nurse-Fish with the Livers they make Oil to burn in their Caves under Ground the other parts they cut into pieces and bury them four or five Weeks under Ground then wash them and dry them in their Stoves and this serves instead of Bread if broiled on the Coals it serves for Meat and of the Skins of the Fish they make their Shooes The general Employment of the People is either Fishery or the making of Wad-moll or a course sort of Woollen Cloth of which they make Gowns Coats Caps Mittins for Seamen and Fishermen There is also little Shock Dogs said to be the Whelps of ordinary Bitches lined by Foxes that come on over the Ice There is only one Fort which is upon one of the chief of the West Mâ—â—ny Isles ten Leagues from Merchants Foreland with twelve Iron Guns in it and there their Courts are held and the Bishop has his Residence As for their Government and Laws see Dithmar Belfkins and Arugreine Jonas or Purchas in his Pilgrimage Sometimes Danes Hamburgers and Lubekers put into the Island and furnish the Islanders with such Provisions as they want The chiefest places where the Ships stay are the Havens of Haneford and Keplawick and the Governor resides at Belested the Danes bring from thence dried Fish Train-Oil Butter Tallow Sulphur Raw Hides and particularly a sort of Whales Teeth which some esteem as much as Ivory Betwixt Cape Farewel and Cape Sumay lieth a great Sea dilating it self both towards the North South and West giving great hopes of a North West passage to China and the East Indies much searched into by many English Worthies Frobisher Weymouth Hudson Button Baffin Smith James and others who have sailed therein some one way some another and given names to many places as may be seen in the Map and in the year 1667 an Honourable and Worthy Design was renewed and undertaken by several of the Nobility of England and divers Merchants of London for the discovery of this North West passage and to settle a Trade with the Indians there Captain Zachariah Gillam being Commander who in the Nonsuch Ketch passed through Hudsons Straights then into Baffins Bay from thence Southerly into the Latitude of fifty one Degrees or thereabouts in a River now called Prince Ruperts River he there found a friendly correspondence with the Natives Built a Fort called Charles Fort returned with good success and laid the Foundation of an advantageous Trade in those parts But in the year 1687 seised upon by the French. The North West Part of AMERICA by R. Morden Atâ—â— Atlas in Cornhill Of GREENLAND GReenland is a Country of vast extent an unknown Tract and not yet fully discovered for notwithstanding several Voyages and many Ships have touched upon its Coasts yet it still lies obscured in a Northern Mist unless the names of certain Bays Capes c. viz. Cape Farewel Cape Comfort Cape Desolation Warwicks Foreland and Bearsford where 't is said the King of Denmark hath a Governor Of GREENLAND TOwards the North East lies a Tract of Land called Greenland by the English Spitsburg by the Dutch seated between seventy six Degrees and eighty two of Northern Latitude but whether an Island or Continent is not yet known The whole Land is so compassed with Ice that it is difficult to be approached sometimes in the middle of June tho' ordinarily the Ice breaks in May. The Soil is in most places nothing but Rocks or heaps of vast Stones many of them so high that the upper half seems to be above the Clouds The little Vallies between them are nothing else but broken Stones and Ice heaped up from many Generations About Roefield and Maple Haven is the greatest quantity of low Land which also is full of Rocks Stony and for the most part covered with Snow and Ice which when melted as in Summer discovers nothing but a barren Ground producing Heath Moss and some few Plants as a kind of Cabbage Lettice Scurvy-Grass Sorrel Snakeweed Hartsease a kind of Strawberry divers sorts of Ranunculus and of semper Vives in the Mountains that are exposed to a warm Air and Sun-beams in the Holes and Rocks infinite quantity of Fowls Nest whose Dung with the Moss washed down by the melted Snow makes a Mould in the Vallies or Clefts which produceth those Plants aforesaid For tho' it hath the Sun for half a year yet never about thirty three Degrees and forty Minutes above the Horizon the power of its Beams are insufficient to dispel the Cold or dissolve the Ice so that the Vapors from the Earth are not hot enough to warm the Air nor thin enough to rise to any considerable height but hang continually in thick dark Mists about the Land that sometimes you cannot see the length of your Ship. 'T is also remarkable that at Cherry in June 1608 it was so hot that melted Pitch ran down the sides of the Ships and that the Ice is raised above the Water many Fathoms and many times above thirty Fathom under Water and sometimes 't is frozen to the bottom of the Sea. The freezing and breaking of the Ice makes a great and terrible noise sometimes it breaks into great pieces and sometimes it shatters at once into small pieces with more noise but less danger The Beasts of the Country are Foxes of divers Colours Raindeer Bears six Foot high and fourteen Foot long Of Water Fowl there is great variety and in so great abundance that with their flight they darken the Sun viz. Ducks Willocks Stints Sea-pidgeons Sea-Parrots Gulls Noddees There are also great quantities of Fishes as Seals Dog Fishes Lobsters Gernels Star-Fish Macarel Dolfins Unicorns Whales c. Our Men that wintered in Greenland Anno 163â— lost the Light of the Sun October the fourteenth and saw it not again till February the third Those that staid there 1633 say that October the fifth was the last day they saw the Sun tho' they had Twilight till the seventeenth and on the twenty second the Stars were plainly to be seen and so continued for all
which is defended by a Fort built upon a Rock just in the Entrance with an open Port but unsecure Bay for great Ships Clissa supposed to be the Andretium of Strabo and Anderium of Ptol. is a strong Fort more by Nature than Art Situated upon a Rock which stands just in the middle of the Passage between the Mountains which is so narrow that not a Man or Horse can pass by without the License of their Castle It is now in the Possession of the Venetians taken from the Turks 1647. under the Conduct of the Signior Fescolo it is about 8 Miles North of Spalato and 4 from Salona In 1647. Obraozza Carino Ortissina Velino Nadino Vrana Tino and Salona were subdued to the Venetian Arms by the prosperous Success of Foscolo And Sebenico Besieged by Mahomet Techli who was forced to raise the S ege with the loss and slaughter of many of his Soldiers Zegna the Senia of the Ancients Zara the Jadera of Ptolomy strongly Fortified and well Manned of a commodious Situation almost encompassed with the Sea only the East end joyned to the firm Land new very strong being secured by divers Redoubts and 4 Royal Bastions and a new Line of Fortification which makes it the most considerable and strongest Place in all Dalmatia Sehenico is a strong Fortress seated on a rising Hill whose spacious Port is secured by the Fort of St. Nicolas and the Hills by a Cittadel and the new Works of St. John. Salona a Roman Colony and the ordinary Arsenal for their Navies well known in Ancient Stories for the Retreat of Dioclesian and the Garden of his Retirement after he had renounced the Empire Trau Tragurium of Strabo and Plin. is situated between the firm Land and a little Island Bua joyned to the Land by a Stonebridg and to the Island by a Wooden-bridg it is about 18 or 20 Miles West from Spalato Lessina is the Isle which Ptol. calls Pharia Strabo Pharos very high Rocky and Mountainous reckoned about 100 Miles in compass at the South end is a good Haven where is the Town having a Cittadel on the top of a steep Rock The place is noted for the Fishing Trade of Sadelli which are like Anchovies 100 Miles from Zara 30 Miles South from Spalato and 30 Miles North from Lisse Almissa the Peguntium of Ptolomy or Pigantia seated on a high Rock and Defended with a strong Castle now belonging to the Turks teste Baud. Castle Novo a strong Fortress within the Gulf of Cataro taken by the Venetian under the Conduct of General Conaro 1687. Cataro Ascrivium Plin. Ascrivion Ptol. a strong Hold also of the Venetians against the Turks But Mr. Wheeler saith 't is the first Town belonging to the Turks Budua the Butua of Ptol. is the last place of the Venetians on the Dalmatian Shores. Places more belonging to the Turks are Narenza Dulcigno or Vlcinium of old a City of indifferent good Trade where the Franks have a Consul containing about 7 or 8000 Inhabitants Scudari the Scodra of Old strongly Seated on a steep Rock Memorable for the years stout Resistance which it made against Mahomet the Second but taken Anno 1578. by the Turks And Alâ—sio the Lissus of Old the farthest Town of all Dalmatia where Scanderbeg was Buried Of the Commonwealth of Ragusa THIS is a small Commonwealth whose Town and Territories are in Dalmatia upon the Gulf of Venice and which pays Annually to the Turk 50000 Livres as being environed by the Territories under his Jurisdiction and not able to subsist without the Grand Signior's Leave It makes some Acknowledgment also to the Venetians as Masters of the Gulf. It keeps good Correspondence also with the Princes of Italy and endeavours to preserve themselves under the Protection of the King of Spain to whom it pays Tribute in the Person of the Vice-Roy of Sicily The Gentlemen must Marry Ladies if they desire to be accounted Nobles of Ragusa Contrary to the Custom of other Nations they count the Age of Men from the Conception and not from the day of their Birth The Revenue of the Republick is about 300000 Livres The Inhabitants addict themselves altogetheâ— to Trade In the year 1667. a great misfortune befell the City it being almost all swallowed up by an Earthquake Their Principal Port iâ— that of the Holy Cross Santa Cruce about nine miles from the City The chief Governour is called the Rector but his Government lasts but one Month. The Citizens change every day the Governour of their Castle Neither do they let him enter into his Command but in the Night and then they blind his Eyes The Turks have a kindness for the Ragusians because they pay their Tribute exactly and because they have by their means all the Commodities of Europe which they stand in need of They give them those Privileges which they grant to no other Christian for they permit them to buy Provisions in their Dominions For the Country about Ragusa is so Barren full of Rocks and Stones that if it brings forth any thing 't is by means of the Earth which they fetch from other parts The Town is well Built and Fortified with Walls and a Castle a Noted Empory and of a good Trade the Epidaurus of Old. 1. Sabioneera is a Town Seated on a long slip of Land opposite to Curzola belonging to the Republick of Ragusa where are many delightful and fruitful Gardens 2. Santa Croce the Entrance good the Port large deep and secure being every way Land-locked by Mountains round it covered with Vineyards Gardens and Houses of Pleasure of the Ragusians 3. Budua the Bulua of Ptol. is the last place of the Venetians on the Dalmatian Shores. 4. The Gulf of Lodrin was anciently the Gulph of Apolonia where Caesar narrowly escaped with his Life and Fleet. 'T is a dangerous passage about 150 miles over Curzola by Strabo Corcyra Nigro once belonging to the Republique of Ragusa but taken from them by the Venetians by a cunning Exchange The Town is of the same Name and seated upon a Peninsula is a Bishops Seat and Walled besides which there is about five Villages Along the Coast of Dalmatia lies a great cluster of Islands Debronicha Turcis Liburnides Insulae by Strab. the Names of the chief you will find in the Maps most of them belonging to the Venetians which are said to contain 40000 Inhabitants Of SERVIA A New Map of SERVIA BULGARIA en ROMANIA By Robt. Morden SERVA or Zervia as some call it contains part of Moesia Superior and part of Dalmatia of old it had once Kings of its own now extinct It was once under the Hungarian Kings now wholly possessed by the Turks It is now divided into Maritine and Midland Servia teste Joan. Lucio Servia Maritima olim Chulmia now Herzegovina extendeth towards Dalmatia and Albania Servia Mediterranea is divided into two parts viz. Rascia and Bosna It is a Fruitful and pleasant Country consisting of Plains Woods and Hills not
Gods for its excellent Ships and Archers for the Bull that ravished Europa for the Amours of Pasiphae and Ariadne for the cruelty of the Minotaur for the Government of Saturn for the habitation and Sepulchre of Jupiter for the Laws of Minos and Rhadamanthus for the Labyrinth of Daedalus and many other things the Inhabitants boast of but there is no belief of men that were always accounted Lyers as Tit. 1.12 out of Epimenides Anciently it had an 100 Cities 40 remaining in the time of Ptolomy 1. Gnossus now Cinosus 2. Cydon now Canea Mater Orbium hence Poma Cydonia now Adam's Apples 3. Eleuthera or Erythraea 4. Miletum named 2 Tim. 4.20 with Act. 27.7 8 c. and 21.17 5. Gortyna hence Spicula Gortynia their best Arrows 6. Dictamnum 7. Ampelus 8. Minoa now Allemara The chief Mountains are 1. Ida the highest in the Island now called Psiloriti from the top whereof may be discerned both Seas 2. Dicte now Sethia and Lasthi 3. Leuci a long Chain of Hills called of late di Madara la Spachia and la Sfacioles The Rivers are none of them Navigable but the defect is supplied with good Harbours and Bays The Mullet Scarus was a great Roman delicacy Its Commodities are Muscadel Wine Sugar Sugar-Candy Honey Wax Gum Olives Dates Raisins but little Corn. This Island was first Governed by Saturn then by Jupiter who was Interred at Gnossos then succeeded Minos his Son begotten on Europa after that the Island was Governed by a Republick and in the time of Pompey the Great it was subdued by the Romans then the Emperors of Constantinople were Masters of it after it was given to Boniface M. of Montferrat who parted with it to the Venetians Anno Dom. 1204. But the Turks in the year 1669. after a War of 24 years quite expelled the Venetians and so became Masters of it This Island is now divided into four Territories which bear the Name of so many Principal Cities viz. Candia Canea Retimo and Sittia The Principal Fortresses are Grabates Suda and Spinalonga held by the Venetians Candia the Capital City so strong by Art and Nature that it was the Bulwark of Christendom and maintained it self against many long and desperate Sieges of the Turks before it surrendered to them Other Islands are 2. Claude Act. 27.16 now Gozo 3. Dia now Standia 4. Letoa now Christina 5. Aegilia now Cecerigo Crete has one Archbishop and eight Bishops The Ionian Islands 1. Zant anciently Zacynthus in North Lat. 36 degr 30. min. The Town is stretched along the shore and is very populous according as the rest of the Island that has 50 Towns and Villages some Springs it is infested with frequent Earthquakes The Greek Church is here and as in other places under the Venetian much Latinized in their Doctrine though they hate the Church of Rome The Latines have here a Bishop and divers Churches and Convents The English have a Factory but no Priest as in other places and they seem to the Natives to live without Religion to die without hope as they are buried without decency to the disgrace of our Reformed Church and the great scandal of them that are without Here is plenty of Currans Wine Oyl Mellons and other good Fruits 2. Straphades 2 Isles 50 miles South of Zant here live many Greek Monks well fortified 3. Cephalonia formerly Samos Melaena and Teleboe 't is 120 miles in Circuit the greatest Isle in Vlysses Kingdom Argostoli a large Port every way Land-lockt the Residence of the Venetian Proveditor the chief Town is Cefalona it affordeth abundance of Currans Wine Oyl c. 4. Thiaki four or five miles over against Port Pescarda it affords abundance of Currans 5. Ithaca formerly Dalichium now Val de Compare the Birth-place of Vlysses now without Inhabitants yet it has good Currans 6. Echinades five Scoglio's now called Curzolari at the mouth of the River Achelous near these were fought the Battels of Actium and Lepanto 7. St. Mauro by the Greeks Leucas Leucada and Nerilos 't is separated from Acarnania by a Streight of five Paces over and three or four foot deep in water the Castle is strong called St. Mauro Delivered up to General Morosini July 1684. The Port is good and named Chimeno and the Island Leucas 't is inhabited with Turks and Greeks most are Pyrats 't is thirty or forty miles in Compass and fruitful in Corn Pasture Oranges c. 8. Corfu formerly Corcyra an 180 miles in Compass but for a Rock West the Town would be almost impregnable in the Castle East resides the Venetian General by Sea and Land to whom the other Islands appeal The Ruined Towns are Cassiopia now Cassopo 2. Chersopolis now Palaeopoli here are also the Gardens of Alcinous c. The Inhabitants are very revengeful here is plenty of Wine Oyl and Fruits but little Corn. The Greeks have here a Proto-pappa subject to the Bishop of Cephalonia but the Latins have a Bishop Thus much for the Graecian Islands in the Aegaean Cretan and Ionian Seas The present State of the Countries Forts and other Places which belong to the Europeans in the West and East-Indies THERE were at first but two Nations in Europe that Successfully undertook long Voyages by Sea or who sent Colonies into Distant Climates The Spaniards toward the West and the Portugals into the East These also obtained from Pope Alexander the Sixth a Donation of all Lands undiscovered but the other Europeans were not satisfied at the Pope's Liberality for the English Dutch and French would also have their share since which time there have been several Changes in those Countries that Rigor which the Portugal and Spaniard used to exclude all other Nations serving only to destroy themselves The French have first in Canada Montreal the Three Rivers Quebec Tadousac and other Places upon the great River of St. Lawrence and upon Sufferance or Incroachment they pretend to that which we call Nova Scotia the Island of Cape Bretan In New-found-Land they have Bay Plaisance and Bay Blanco 2. Among the Islands called Antilles part of St. Christophers St. Bartholomews Santa Cruez St. Martins Guadaloupe La Desirée Maria Galante Les Saintes Martinique St. Aloisia Grenada and the Grenadins La Tortue and several Colonies in the Western part of the Spanish Island otherwise call'd Sancto Domingo 3. Upon the Southern Continent of America upon the Coast of Guyana the Island of Cayene where stands the Fort St. Michael de Ceperoux now call'd Fort St. Louis The Islands of Corou Coonama Comoribo c. 4. The Trade of the Coast of Africa upon the Rivers of Senega where they have a Fort Also upon the River of Gambia at Rufisque near Cape Vert at great Sestre at Ardra and many other places in Guinie 5. Fort Dauphin and many other Fortresses in the Island of Madagascar call'd by them the Dauphin Island The Islands of St. Marie Bourbon and Diego Rois The Bereaux new Suratt and other Places in the Mogull's
Life Tragical his Death desperate After whose Death the Kingdom was divided into 2 parts half of it had the title of Ethnarch the other half divided into 2 Tetarchies Archelaus banished and dying in Exile his Ethnarchy was reduced into a Roman Province and the Government committed unto Pontius Pilate by Tiberius Caesar under whom our Saviour the Holy Jesus did suffer Death when the Jews cried out his Blood be upon Us and Ours A wish not long after effected with all fulness of Terror for the Calamities of the War inflicted by Gallus Vespasian and Titus exceed both Example and Description and destroyed about 110000 Thousand People The Land destroyed and on every Head an Annual Tribute imposed The Jews were quiet until the Reign of Adrian when again they raised new Commotions being headed by Berochab their counterfeit Messiah but Julius Severus Lieutenant to Adrian razed 50 of their strong holds and 985 Towns and slew five hundred and fourscore Thousand so that the Countries lay waste and the ruined Cities became an habitation for wild Beasts and the Captives were transported into Spain and from thence again exiled in the year 1500. In which Interval of time the Country inhabited by other People about the time of Constantine embraced the Christian Religion But in the Reign of Phocas the Persians overran the whole Country of Palestine inflicting unheard of Tortures on the patient Christians No sooner freed from that Yoak but they suffered under a greater by the execrable Saracens under the Conduct of Omar who were long after expulsed by the Turks then newly planted in Persia by Tangrolipix When the Christians of the West for the recovery of the Land set forth an Army of 300000 Godfry of Bologne the General who made thereof an absolute Conquest and was elected King of Jerusalem in the 89th year of that Kingdom and during the Reign of Guy the Christians were utterly driven out and destroyed by Saladine the Egyptian Sultan who held it until Selymus the first Emperor of the Turks in the year 1517 added the Holy Land together with Egypt unto the Ottoman Empire under whose power it now is governed by two Sanziacks under the Bassa of Damascus one residing at Jerusalem the other at Naplous It is now for the most part inhabited by Moors and Arabians those possessing the Vallies these the Mountains some few Turks many Greeks with other Christians of all Sects and Nations some Jews who inherit no part of the Land but live as Aliens in their own Country The Chorographical Division of Canaan This Land of Canaan within Jordan was divided into 5 principal Parts or Provinces vix 1st Jewry in the South where King Davids Throne was set and the Holy City built comprehending the two Tribes of Judah and Benjamin 2d Samaria in the midst the chief Seat of the 10 Tribes of Israel containing the Tribe of Ephraim and the half Tribe of Manasses 3d Galile in the North East where Christ Jesus was very conversant and was divided into the higher and the lower containing part of Asher all Napthali and part of Zebulun 4th Phaenicia on the North-West part of Canaan containing the Sea-coast of Asher and Zebulun 5th The Land of the Philistins upon the West of Canaan whose Country was allotted to Judah Dan and Simeon these were always great Enemies to the Israelites and from them was the whole Land called Palestine The Land of Canaan without Jordan possessed by the Amorites who had diven out the Moabites and Ammonites contained 3 principal parts 1st part of the Kingdom of Sihon King of the Amorites in Heshbon taken from the Moabites which was given to the Reubenites 2d The Land of Gilead which contained part of the Kingdom of Sihon taken from the Ammonites and part of the Kingdom of Og King of Bashan which was given to the Gadites 3d. The rest of the Kingdom of Og with half Gilead and the Region of Argob was given to the half Tribe of Manasses All which are delineated in the Map as also the Names of the Chief Cities and Towns in each Tribe Once a Country so fertile that it was called A Land flowing with Milk and Honey adorned with pleasant Mountains and luxurious Vallies neither scorched with Heat nor pinched with Cold. The Wealth and Power of it so Great the People Cities and Towns so Numerous that there was no Country in the World that could compare with it But now remains a fearful Monument of Divine Vengeance a sad and dismal Mirror for all other like sinful Countries to view their Destiny by Jerusalem though fallen from her ancient Lustre deserves still our Remembrance Once her Kings her Princes her Temple her Palaces were the Greatest the Richest the Fairest and most Magnificent in the World. Once a City Sacred and Glorious the Seat of Infinite Majesty the Theatre of Mysteries and Miracles the Diadem in the Circle of Crowns and the Glory of the Universe but now Icabod It was ruined by Nebuchadnezzar Vespasian and Titus utterly razed it and destroyed above Eleven hundred thousand People To describe this Country in all its Circumstances to speak of its Laws Religions its Divisions Wars and Alterations to write of all the various Transactions that have hapned in it would require a Volume of itself I shall therefore leave it to my aforesaid Description of this Part of the World where I shall give a more particular Geographical and Historical Relation of its Cities Towns and other memorable Transactions which will be a very useful and necessary Introduction into the Principia ' of ancient Geography and History Of ARMENIA MAJOR GEORGIA c. ARMENIA GEORGIA COMANIA By Rob t Morden ARmenia is divided by the River Euphrates into two parts Major and Minor. The greater Armenia is by the Turks call'd Turcomania by the Persians Thoura Emnoe or Aremnoe by the Nestorians Zelbecdibes by Sanson Curdistan by Cluver Papul and Curdi The ancient Inhabitants were the Mardi and Gordiaei now the Turcomans and Curdes The first are said to be descended from Turquestan in Tartary from whence came the Turks The later are descended from the ancient People of Assyria Ptolomy divided Armenia into four principal parts which contained 20 Provinces and 87 Cities Pliny accounted 120 Strategies Governments or particular Jurisdictions of every Province A Country much better known and more famous in ancient Time than now The Advantage of its Bounds the Nature of its Situation the Magnificence of some of its Kings among which Tygranes Son-in-law to Mithridates King of Pontus hath been the most Famous its Greatness Government and Riches much contributed to its Renown In this Country are the Heads of four Rivers Euphrates Tygris Phasis and Araxes Euphrates Perath Moses Frat Nicolaio Morot sou Turcis from one side of the Mountain Mingol falls this River which divides Armenia and Mesopotamia from Asia Minor Syria and Arabia descends into Chaldea where it waters the ancient Babylon and joins with Tygris somwhat below
The last Kings of Tombote were reported to have great store of Gold in Bars and Ingots The Kingdom of Guâ—lâ—ta affords Millet Genehâ—a is rich in Cotton In that of Agades stands a City indifferently well built Borno formerly the Country oâ— the Garamanâ—es is inhabited by a People that have all things in common every particular person acknowledging them for his Children which are most like 'em the most flat nos'd being acconuted the most beautiful They of Senega trade in Slaves Gold-dust Hides Gums and Civets The Negro's there are very strong and therefore bear a better price those of Guiny are good but not so strong for which reason they are usua ly put to work within doors 'T is the Proverb That he that would have good service from a Negro must give him little Meat keep him to hard Labor and beat him often To the South of Niger lie several little Kingdoms that of Melli with a City containing six thousand Houses Gago abounding in Gold. Zâ—â—râ—g considerable for its â—rade Zâ—nfara fertile in Corn. To reckon any more of their Towns would be as tedious as unnecessary as being neither well peopl'd nor of any Trade And indeed all these Kingdoms and People are so little known that 't is not worth the time and pains to speak more of them I shall only say That the Arabian Geographer tells Wonders of Ghana or Cano of its Greatness Riches and Trade of its King Government Palace c. But how far to be credited must be left to those who have been in those parts the Portugals and Hollanders having been the chief Traders on these Coasts Of GVINY Giny is a long Coast of Land contained between the Cape of Sirra Leone on the West and the River Camerones on the East containing about seven or eight hundred Leagues in length and not above one hundred or one hundred and fifty in breadth It is divided into three principal Parts called Maleguete Guiny and Benin Under the Name of Malaguete is contained all that Land between the Capes of Sirra Leona and Palmâ—s and is so called from the abundance of Mâ—leguete a sort of Spice like Pepper but much stronger than that of India and of their Palm-trees they make Wine as strong as the best of ours Guiny extends from Cape Palmas to the River Voltas it is the largest and best known of all the three Parts its Coast from Cape Palmas to Cape three Punctas is called the Ivory Coast that which is beyond it is called the Cold Coast where are the Kingdoms of Sabou Foetu Accara and others The Kingdom of Benin which is the third Part hath more than two hundred and fifty Leagues in length Cape Formosa dividing it into two parts its principal City so called is esteemed the greatest and best built of any in Guiny the King thereof is said to keep five or six hundred Wives The whole Coast of Guiny is subject to such excessive heats that were it not for the Rains and the coolness of the Nights it would be altogether unhabitable It furnishes other Countries with Parrats Apes White Salt Elephants Teeth Hides Cotton Wax Ambergreefe Gold and Slaves The Natives are reputed to be presumptuous Thieves Idolaters and ver superstitious keeping their Festisoes day or Sabbath on the Thursday there is Saint George of the Mine built by the Portugals but now in the possession of the Hollander as also the Ports Nassau Cormentin and Axima To the English among others belongs Cape Corse and to the Danes Frederic's burgh The best City that belongs to the Negro's is Ardra toward the Coast in Benin 〈…〉 Govern'd by a King who sent an Embassador to Paris toward the end of the year 1670 for the settlement of a Trade The Baboons in Guiny do the Natives very great pieces of service For they fetch Water turn the Spit and wait at Table c. Nubia is three hundred Leagues in length and two hundred in breadth It preserves some remains of Christianism in the old Churches and in their Ceremonies of Baptism The Nubians are under a King who always keeps a Body of Horse upon the Frontiers of his Kingdom as having potent Enemies to his Neighbours the Abâ—ssius and Turkish Historians credibly relates that an Army of one hundred thousand Horse was rais'd and lead against one of the Governors of Egypt by a King of Nubia Out of this Country the Merchants export Gold Civet Sandal-wood Ivory Arms and Cloath The Nubians trade chiefly with the Egyptians of Caire and other Cities of that Country They have a subtile and penetrating Poyson an ounce whereof is valued at a hundred Ducats Insomuch that one of the principal Revenues of the King is in the Duties which he receives for the Exportation of this Poyson They sell it to strangers upon condition they shall not make use of it within the Kingdom There grow Sugar-Canes in the Country but the Natives know not what to do with them There are among them a sort of Bereberes of the Musselman Religion who travel in Troops to Cairo where they put themselves into service and return again as soon as they have got ten or twelve Piasters together The Capital Cities are Nubia and Dancala near to Nile The rest so little known that it suffices to see their names in the Maps A Relation made in the year 16 7 tell us That the King of Dancala pays a Tribute in Linen Cloath to the King of the Abyssius Geography is in some measure beholding to this Country as being the place that gave birth to that famous Nubian Geographer Of ETHIOPIA Or HABESSINIA HABESSINIA Seu ABASSIA at ETHIOPIA By R. Morden So little of Truth hath been communicated to this part of the World concerning Ethiopia that having met with the Ethiopick History of Job Ludolfus which is the most exact Account extant I have been the larger in taking an Abstract of it 'T is seated as this Author tells us in Africa above Egypt beyond Nubia between the eighth and sixteenth Degree of North Latitude contrary to all our Maps extant which extends it self to the fourteenth or fifteenth Degree South Latitude So that the length of it from North to South is not more than four hundred and eighty Miles of sixty to a Degree but according to the old Maps it was more than one thousand eight hundred of the same Miles and the length of it is about six hundred Miles from the Red-Sea at the Port of Bailleur to the River Nilus at the farthest limits of Dembea Towards the North it joyns to the Kingdom of Fund or Sennar by the Portugals Fungi a part of the antient Nubia towards the Fast it was formerly bounded by the Red-Sea But now the Turks are Masters of Arkiko the Island Matzua and all that Coast only the Prince of Dancale who commands the Port of Baylur is a Friend to the Abessines But the King of Adel a Mahumetan upon the straits of Bab-elman dab the Dreadful Mouth
be Rich. A New Map of VIRGINIA By Rob t Morden NO sooner had Colonus alias Columbus made his prime discovery of the Western World when seconded by John Cabot a Venetian the Father of Sebastian Cabot in behalf by the incouragement and at the charges of Henry the Seventh King of England who in the year 1497 discovered all this Coast from the Cape of Florida in the South beyond New-found-land in the North as far as to the Latitude of 67 and half Causing the Sachims or Petit-Kings to turn Homagers to the King and Crown of England This discovery by the two Cabots Father and Son did first intitle he Crown of England to the right of that vast Tract of Land. This design was after seconded by Mr. Hare bringing thence certain of the said Petit-Kings who did homage to King Henry the Eight Rediscovered by the Direction and at the charge of Sir Walter Rawleigh Anno 1584 who sending Mr. Philip Amadas and Mr. Arthur Barlow did take possession thereof in Queen Elizabeths name in honor of whom he caused all the said Tract of Land to be called Virginia Some say it was so called by the Queen her self by the Natives called Apalchen but Virginia is now circumscribed by that space of Land that lies between Mary-land which bounds it on the North and Carolina on the South New-England New-York New-Jersey Mary-land Carolina and Pensilvania have since been separated from it by particular Patents and made distinct Provinces of themselves The entrance by Sea into this Country is by the Mouth of the Bay of Chesapeac between Cape Henry and Cape Charles The chief Rivers of Virginia are 1. Powhatan now called James River on the West side of the mouth of the Bay of Chesapeac this River is at its entrance about three Miles wide and Navigable about one hundred and fifty Miles 2. Pamaunkee termed York River fourteen Miles Northward from James River Navigable now sixty or seventy Miles but with small Vessels about thirty or forty Miles farther 3. Rappahanoc antiently known by the name of Toppahanoc Navigable about one hundred and thirty Miles Besides these Navigable and more principal Rivers there are other smaller Rivers and of less note which fall into some or other of the forementioned Into Powhattan falls Apumatuc Southward Eastward Quyonycahanuc Nunsamund and Chesopeac Northward Chickâ—mabania Into Pamuunkee fall Poyankatank That part of the Country now planted by the English is divided into Nineteen Counties viz. On the Eastern Shore the Country of Northampton in Acomack on the Western Shore the Counties of Caratuck Lower-Norfolk Nansemund Isle of Wight Surry Warwick Henrico James Charles York New-Kent Glocester Middlesex Lancaster Northumberland Westmoreland Rappahanock and Hartford Of the few Towns hitherto erected in this Colony the chief is James Town the principal seat of the English and so denominated from and in honor of King James of Great Britain This Town is situated in a Peninsula on the North-side of James-River and hath in it many fair Houses whereof some are of Brick and at a little distant from the City is a fair Brick House called Green-Spring whe e the present Governor himself usually resides The other English Towns of most considerable note are only three viz. Henricopolis or Henry's Town situated about eighty Miles from James's City farther within Land Dales Gift so named from Sir Thomas Dale Deputy-Governor in the year 1610 at whose charges it was built and planted and Elizabeth's City containing several good Houses of Brick and Stone and lying on the same side of the River with James's City only nearer the mouth of the River Though English and other Foreign Coyns are not wholly wanting here upon several occasions yet the usual way of Traffick is by exchange of one Commodity for another but the general Standard by which all other Commodities receive their value is Tobacco which of all other Commodities this Country is capable of producing hath been hitherto the Subject of the Planters Industry of which there are two sorts one called Sweet-Scented the other called Oranoac which signifies as much as bright and large the first is of the greatest price the other more in quantity The Plantations that are judg'd to produce the best sort of Sweet-Scented are upon York River Of this Commodity of Tobacco there is so great a quantity planted in Virginia and imported from thence into England that the Custom and Excise paid for it in England yields the King about 50000 or 60000 Pound Sterling yearly for there are bound hither every year above one hundred and fifty Sail of Ships from England and other English Plantations merely for the taking off of this Commodity which they barter for Clothing Houshold-Stuff and all manner of Utensils and the only thing which lessens the value of it is the great quantity that is planted of it which if it were in less abundance it would be of much more esteem and yield far greater profit The Government of Virginia is by a Governor and Council deputed and authorized from time to time by the King of Great Britain the Legislative Power being in the Governor and a General Assembly which he calls to advise with and which consists of two Houses the upper House which is the Council it self and the lower which consists of chosen Bugâ—sses The chief Court of Judicature where all Civil and Criminal Causes are heard and determined and where the Governor and Council are Judges is called the Quarter-Court as being held every quarter of a year There are also Inferior Courts which are kept every Month in each of the forementioned Counties where matters not of the highest moment that is to say not relating to Life or Member or exceeding a certain limited value are tried and from whence in such Cases Appeals are made to the Quarter Courts There are likewise appointed by the Governor for the better administration of Justice in every respective Country Sheriffs Justices of Peace and other Officers of whom being deputed by the Governor to sit there these Country-Courts chiefly consist The Climate of Virginia is generally healthful and since the rectification of Diet and Lodging not disagreeable to English Bodies however at the first Plantation they were subject to a Distemper called a Seasoning though of late not frequent and much less mortal A Description of Mary-Land MAry-Land is a large and fertile Province lying between thirty eight Degrees and forty Degrees of North Latitude upon both sides of Cheasa-peak-Bay which is Navigable near two hundred Miles The Southerly Banks of the River Patow-meck divide it from Virginia on the South The Atlantick Ocean and Delaware Bay bounds it on the East Pensilvania on the North and the Meridian of the first Fountain of the River Patow-meck on the West This Province of mary-Mary-Land his Majesty King Charles the First Anno 1632 granted by Patent to the Right Honourable Caecilius Calvert Lord Baltemore and to his Heirs and Assigns and by that Patent created him and
but gentle Showers and a fine Skie From thence to this present Month which endeth Summer commonly speaking we have had extraordinary Heats yet mitigated sometimes by cool Breezes And whatever Mists Fogs or Vapors foul the Heavens by Easterly or Southerly Winds in two hours time are blown away by the North-West the one is always followed by the other A Remedy that seems to have peculiar Providence in it to the Inhabitants V. The natural produce of the Country of Vegetables is Trees Fruits Plants Flowers The Trees of most note are the Black-Walnut Cedar Cyprus Chesnut Poplar Gumwood Hickery Sassafrax Ash Beech and Oak of divers sorts as Red White and Black Spanish Chesnut and Swamp the most durable of all which there is plenty for the use of Man. The Fruits that I find in the Woods are the White and Black Mulbery Chesnut Walnut Plums Strawberries Cranberries Hurtleberries and Grapes of divers sorts The great red Grape is in it self an extraordinary Grape and by Art doubtless may be cultivated to an excellent Wine if not so sweet yet little inferior to the Frontiniack as it is not much unlike in taste There is a white kind of Muskedel and a little black Grape like the Cluster Grape of England not yet so ripe as the other but they tell me when ripe sweeter and that they only want skilful Vinerous to make good use of them Here are also Peaches and very good and in great quantities not an Indian Plantation without them but whether naturally here at first I know not however one may have them by Bushels for little they make a pleasant Drink and I think not inferior to any Peach you have in England except the true Newington VI. The Artificial produce of the Country is Wheat Barley Oats Rye Pease Beans Squashes Pumkins Water-Melons Musk-Melons and all Herbs and Roots that our Gardens in England usually bring forth VII of living Creatures Fish Fowl and the Beasts of the Woods here are divers sorts some for Food and Profit and some for Profit only VIII We have no want of Horses and some are very good and shapely enough two Ships have been freighted to Barbadoes with Horses and Pipe-staves since my coming in Here is also plenty of Cow-Cattel and some Sheep the People plow mostly with Oxen. IX There are divers Plants that only not the Indians tells us but we have had occasion to prove by Swellings Burnings Cuts c. that they are of great Virtue suddenly curing the Patient And for smell I have observed several especially one the wild Mirtle the other I know not what to call but are most fragrant X. The Woods are adorned with lovely Flowers for Colour Greatness Figure and Variety I have seen the Gardens of London best stored with that sort of Beauty but think they may be improved by our Woods XI The first Planters in these parts were the Dutch and soon after them the Sweeds and Finns The Dutch applied themselves to Traffick the Sweeds and Finns to Husbandry XII The Dutch inhabit mostly those parts of the Province that lie upon or near to the Bay and the Sweeds the Freshes of the River Delaware As they are People proper and strong of Body so they have fine Children and almost every House full rare to find one of them without three or four Boys and as many Girls some six seven and eight Sons And I must do that right I see few young Men more sober and laborious XIII The Dutch have a Meeting-place for Religious Worship at New Castle and the Sweeds three one at Christiana one at Tenecum and one at Wicoco within half a Mile of this Town XIV The Country lieth bounded on the East by the River and Bay of Delaware and Eastern Sea it hath the advantage of many Creeks or Rivers rather that run into the main River or Bay some Navigable for great Ships some for small Craft Those of most Eminency are Christiana Brandywine Skillpot and Skulkill any one of which have room to lay up the Royal Navy of England there being from four to eight Fathom Water XV. The lesser Creeks or Rivers yet convenient for Sloops and Ketches of good burthen are Lewis Mespilion Cedar Dover Cranbrook Feversham and Georges below and Chichester Chester Toacawny Pemmapecka Portquessin Neshimenek and Pennberry in the Freshes many lesser that admit Boats and Shallops Our People are most setled upon the upper Rivers which are pleasant and sweet and generally bounded with good Land. The planted part of the Province and Territories is cast into six Counties Philadelphia Buckingham Chester New Castle Kent and Sussex containing about four thousand Souls Two General Assemblies have been held and with such Concord and Dispatch that they sate but three Weeks and at least seventy Laws were past without one Dissent in any material thing And for the well Government of the said Counties Courts of Justice are estabisht in every County with proper Officers as Justices Sheriffs Clarks Constables c. which Courts are held every two Months But to prevent Law Suits there are three Peace-makers chosen by each County-Court in the nature of Common Arbitrators to hear differences betwixt Man and Man and Spring and Fall there is an Orphans Court in each County to inspect and regulate the Affairs of Orphans and Widows XVI Philadelphia the expectation of those that are concerned in this Province is at last laid out to the great content of those here that are any ways interested therein The Situation is a Neck of Land and lieth between two Navigable Rivers Delaware and Skulkill whereby it hath two Fronts upon the Water each a Mile and two from River to River Delaware is a glorious River but the Skulkill being an hundred Miles Boatable above the Falls and its course North-East toward the Fountain of Susquahannab that tends to the heart of the Province and both sides our own it is like to be a great part of the settlement of this Age. But this I will say for the good Providence of God that of all the many places I have seen in the World I remember not one better seared so that it seems to me to have been appointed for a Town whether we regard the Rivers or the conveniency of the Coves Docks Springs the loftiness and soundness of the Land and the Air held by the People of these parts to be very good Of West New Jarsey THIS Province of West Jarsey with that call'd East Jarsey among other Tracts of Lands and Territories was granted by the late King to the present King James the Second when Duke of York and to his Heirs and Assigns for ever who granted the whole Premises entire unto John Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret to be holden in common And the Lord Berkley being minded to dispose of his Moiety or half part Edward Byllynge bought the same of him Whereupon that each Party might hold their Country in severalty it was mutually agreed by Sir George Carteret
in the great Bay. It is the best prepared place to build Navies at easie rates at his Majesties pleasure since they are of late something more choice in their Timber then formerly they were and specially since Ship-Timber is so generally wanting in England and Ireland and the Eastland Oak as some say is so very spungy It carries the most aw and countenance and can best with a little incouragement defend it self against a Foreign assault and is most fit and ready to help and relieve His Majesties other Colonies if such a distress should happen And it is the grand Nursery that breeds and indeed that is found most proper to breed Men in great numbers of resolute bold and lasting courage and all other Creatures in like manner nearest unto those of old England in the World and their Men most fit for Navigation Merchandize or War by Sea or Land. A Description of New York NEw York contains all that Tract of Land which is seated between New England Virginia Mary-Land and the length of which Northward into the Country as it hath not been fully discovered so 't is not certainly known but in general it extends to the Banks of the great River Canada East and West its breadth is accounted two hundred Miles comprehending also that Tract of Land which is betwen Hudson's River and Delaware River called New Jarsey It s principal Rivers are Hudson's River toward the East Raritan River about the middle and Delaware River on the West its chiefest Islands are Long-Island Manahattens-Island and Staten-Island It was so called from his Royal Highness the Duke of York the Proprietor thereof by Grant from his Majesty Anno 1664. Who the same year grants and conveys out of it all that aforesaid Tract of Land and Premises which is between Hudson's River and Delaware River unto John Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret jointly by the name of New Caesarea or New Jarsey So that New York now contains only that part of New England which the Dutch formerly seized and called it the New Netherland and Nova Belgia lying between Hudson â—s and Conecticut Rivers on the Continent with the Islands of Manahatten and Long-Island opposite thereunto Manahattens Island so called by the Indians it lyeth betwixt the Degrees of forty one and forty two North Latitude and is about fourteen Miles long and two broad whose chief place is New York seated upon the South end of the aforesaid Island having a small Arm of the Sea which divides it from Long Island on the Eastside of it which runs Eastward to New England and is Navigable though dangerous Hudson's River runs by New York Northward into the Country toward the Head of which is seated New Albany a place of great Trade with the Indians betwixt which and New York being above one hundred Miles is as good Corn-Land as the World affords enough to entertain hundreds of Families in the time of the Dutch-Government of those Parts At Sopers was kept a Garison but since the reducement of those parts under his Majesties Obedience by the care of the Honourable Colonel Nichol's Deputy to his Highness such a League of Peace was made and Friendship concluded betwixt that Colony and the Indians that they have not resisted or disturbed any Christians there in the setling or peaceable Possession of any Lands with that Government but every Man hath sate under his own Vine and hath peaceably reapt and enjoyed the Fruits of their own labors which God continue New York is built most of Brick and Stone and covered with red and black Tile and the Land being high it gives at a distance a pleasing Aspect to the Spectators The Inhabitants consist most of English and Dutch and have a considerable Trade with the Indians for Bevers Otter Raccoon skins with other Furs as also for Bear Deer and Elk Skins and are supplied with Venison and Fowl in the Winter and Fish in the Summer by the Indians which they buy at an easie rate and having the Country round about them they are continually furnished with all such Provisions as 〈◊〉 needful for the life of Man not only by the English and Dutch within their own but likewise by the Adjacent Colonies The Commodities vented from thence are Furs and Skins before-mentioned as likewise Tobacco made within the Colony as good as is usually made in Mary-land Also Horses Beef Pork Oyl Pease Wheat and the like Long Island the West end of which lies Southward of New York runs Eastward above one hundred Miles and is in some places eight in some twelve in some fourteen Miles broad it is inhabited from one end to the other On the West end are four or five Dutch Towns the rest being all English to the number of twelve besides Villages and Farm-houses The Island is most of it of a very good Soil and very natural for all sorts of English Grain which they sow and have very good increase of besides all other Fruits and Herbs common in England as also Tobacco Hemp Flax Pumpkins Melons c. There are several Navigable Rivers and Bays which put into the Northside of Long Island but upon the Southside which joyns to the Sea it is so fortified with Bars of Sands and sholes that it is a sufficient defence against any Enemy yet the Southside is not without Brooks and Rivulets which empty themselves into the Sea yea you shall scarce travel a Mile but you shall meet with one of them whose Christal Streams run so swift that they purge themselves of such stinking Mud and Filth which the standing or low-paced Streams of most Brooks and Rivers Westward of this Colony leave lying and are by the Suns exhalation dissipated the Air corrupted and many Fevers and other Distempers occasioned not incident to this Colony Neither do the Brooks and Rivulets premised give way to the Frost in Winter or Drought in Summer but keep their course throughout the year Towards the middle of Long Island lyeth a Plain sixteen Miles long and four broad upon which Plain grows very fine Grass that makes exceeding good Hay and is very good Pasture for the Sheep or other Cattel where you shall find neither stick nor stone to hinder the Horse Heels or endanger them in their Races and once a year the best Horses in the Island are brought hither to try their swiftness and the swiftest rewarded with a Silver Cup two being annually procured for that purpose There are two or three other small Plains of about a Mile square which are no small benefit to those Towns which enjoy them Upon the Southside of Long Island in the Winter lie store of Whales and Grampusses which the Inhabitants begin with small Boats to make a Trade catching to their no small benefit Also an innumerable multitude of Seals which make an excellent Oyl they lie all the Winter upon small broken Marshes and Beaches or Bars of Sand beforementioned and might be easily got were here some skilful Men would
is a place of Trade being in the Road of the Persian Caravans Thyatyra Akisar by the Turks the last of the Seven Asian Churches is a City well inhabited and of a very considerable Trade of Cotton-wooll which they send to Smirna Hierapolis Seideschecher Turcis teste Crussio Leuncl Pambuck-kalaf Smith Aphiom-Carassar Tavenn is seated over against Laodicea where are now to be seen the Ruines of vast Fabricks and the Grotta of Platonium of Strab. famous for those pestilential Vapors which it perspires Melaxo Mol. Melesso aliis formerly Miletus sent several Colonies abroad and a long time withstood the Kings of Lydia Halicarnassus famous for the Mausoleum built by Queen Artemisia in memory of Mausolus her Husband Xanthus famous for the stout Resistance of its ancient Citizens against Harpagus Alexander and Brutus in all which Sieges they suffered all Extremities imaginable Sattalia otherwise Antali lends its Name to a Gulph hard by Tarsus Tarsos Plin. Tarso Europis Terassa incolis Tersis Turcis Leuncl once a famous Academy and Archbishoprick and Metropolitan of Cilicia built by Sardanapalus Anno Mundi 3440. post Romam 60 Isodoro It hath also been called Antoniana Severiana Hadriana the place of St. Paul's Education Cogni the Iconium of old advantageously scituated in the Mountains Tiagna where the learned Apollonius was born Amasia Amasea Strab. Ptol. Amnasan Turcis is famous for the Birth of Mithridates and Strabo for the Martyrdom of Theodorus and for the Residence of the eldest Son of the Grand Signior built in the hollow of a Mountain Zela not far off built by Zeila Son of Nicomedes famous for the Victory of Pharnaces over Strabo Trebizond Trapesus Strab. Plin. Mel. c. Trabisonda Trebisonda Europaeis Tarabasar Turcis teste Leunc the Seat of an Empire of short continuance viz. 200 years from the year 1261 to the 1460. now the Residence of a Turkish Basha Tocat the new Caesaria of old is a fair City and one of the most remarkable Thorough-fares in the East where are lodged the Caravans from Persia Diabequer Bagdat Constantinople Smirna and other places The Christians have there Twelve Churches and there resides an Archbishop that hath under him Seven Suffragans The onâ— place in all Asia where Saffron grows in the middle of the Town is a great Rock upon the Top whereof is an high Castle with a Garison to command the Neighbouring Parts 't is govern'd by an Aga and Cadi for the Bashaw lives at Siwas which is the ancient Sebastia a large City three days Journy from Tocat Laiazzo the famous Issus near to Pylae Ciliciae where several Battels have been fought In modern Story That of a Soldan of Egypt against Bajazet the second Emperor of the Turks wherein he was defeated In the same place Alexander the Great defeated Darius in person There Ventidius Bassus vanquish'd the Parthians And Severus the Emperor overcame Pescenninus Niger his Rival in the Empire Not far off stood the ancient Anchiale built in the same day and year in which Tarsus was by Sardanapalus Satalia Attalia Ptol. Antali Turcis teste Leunc is famous for its rich Tapestries and for giving Name to the Neighbouring Gulph founded by Ptolomy Philadelphus King of Egypt Among the Rivers of Asia the Less there is first Thermodon upon whose Banks the Amazons inhabited now called Parmon Hali Halys Strab. Ptol. Pli. Laly Nig. Câ—silirma P. Gyl Otmagiuchi Aytotu Turcis teste Leuncl was the Bounds of the Kingdom of Cyrus and Croesus Granicus toward the Hellespont Granica Saus Lazzara teste Nig. was the Witness of the first Victory of Alexander the Great over the Persians Pactolus Strab. Plin. Chrysorhoas Sol. now Sarabat near to Sardis and Thyatira was famous for its golden Oar Meander Strab. Plin. Zenoph Maeandros Ptol. now Madre ex Aulocrene fonte oriens for his Swans and his Windings Cydnus near Tarsus now Carasu Leuncl whose Waters were so cold that they kill'd the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa who bath'd himself therein And Alexander who did the same was forsaken and given over by all his Physicians The most renowned Mountains of the Lesser Asia are Taurus which divides all Asia into two Parts as we have said already It is the most famous Mountain in the World for its Height its Length and for its Members Caucasus and Imaus Ida near to Troy is famous for the judgment of Paris between the three Goddesses On Mount Tmolus Midas preferred Pan's Pipe before Apollo's Harp. On Cragus was the Monster Chimaera made tractable by Bellerophon On Latmus passed the Loves of the Moon and Endymion Mount Stella for the fatal Overthrow of Mithridates by Pompey and Bajazet's by Tamerlain Of SYRIA SYria Soria Italis La Sourie Gallis Suristan Turcis Souristan Incolis By the Ancients it was divided into three principal parts viz. Syria Propria Phaenicia and Palestina or the Holy Land. At present the Turks divide it into three Beglerbegs viz. of Halep or Aleppo Tripoli or Tarabolos and Scham or Damascus which contains 16 or 20 Sangiacks whose Names and Situations being for the most part to us unknown I shall follow the Ancient Geography and first speak of Syria Propria In the Division or Parts of this I find much Contrariety among all Geographers and in all Maps Baudrand tells us 't is divided into Comagena Phoenicia Coelosyria Palmyrena and Seleucia In another place he saith its parts are Syria Propria Coelosyria Comagene and Palmyrene Cluverius saith 't is divided into Antiochene Comagene Coelo-Syria and Palmyrene Golnitz divides it into Comagena Seleucia Coelo-Syria and Idumaea Heylin into Phoenicia Coelo-Syria and Syrophoenicia Bleau into Comagena Coelo-Syria Phoenicia Damascena and Palmyrena I come therefore to speak of the chief places in Syria Propria which are 1. Antioch or Antiochia magna Theopolis à Justiniano Imperatore Rebbata à S. Trinitate by the Turks Antachia Leuncl once the Metropolis of Syria situate on the River Orontes now Assi or Hasei 12 Miles from the Mediterranean Shoar Once adorned with stately Palaces Temples c. The Seat of some of the Roman Emperors The Suburbs called Daphne from Apollo's Mistriss so called turned into a Laurel now 5 Miles from Antioch was accounted one of the most delicious places in the World famous for the Oracle and Temple of Apollo who was here worshipped in a Grove 10 Miles in Compass planted with Cypresses and other Trees so full and close together that the Beams of the Sun could not dart through watered with pleasant Streams beautified with Fountains and enriched with Variety of Fruits 2. Aleppo Chalybon Rawolfio Postello Beroea Berou or Beroe Zonara Cedreno P. Gyll Hierapolis teste Bellonio Sansone Brietio At present Aleppo or Halep is the greatest and principal City of all Syria and one of the most famous of the East and the 3d in the Ottoman Empire if we consider it as the Rendezvous of the Caravans and of the Turkish Armies as the Magazine of
Jewels of Spices of Silks and other costly Commodities which are brought thither by Sea and Land and from thence sent into other Parts of the World by the Port of Alexandretta or Scandaroon 3. Hamah Leuncl Hamous Bellon Aman aliis Damant in mappa Bleau is the Apamea or Apamia of the Ancients built by Seleucus and so called from the Name of his Wife seated in the midst of a great Plain encompassed with pleasant Hills abounding in Corn and Wine Its Orchards stored with Variety of Fruits and Palm-Trees Its Gardens watered with many Chanels drawn from the Orontes 4. Hams Hemz Turcis Haman Bell. Chemps Postel I. Kydo Camalu Nigro is the Emisa Euseb Emissa Ptol. Hemesa Plin. for pleasant Situation much as the same with Hamah 5. Seleucia built near the Mouth of Orontes by Seleucus esteemed the greatest City-Builder in the World viz. 9 of his own Name 16 in memory of his Father Antiochus 6 bearing the Name of his Mother Laodicea and 3 in remembrance of his Wife Apamoea besides several others either built repaired or beautified by him It had the Surname of Pieria called also Soldin Nig. Seleuche-Jolber Leone Sidonienfi 6. Zeugma seated on the Banks of the River Euphrates where Alexander the Great passed over on a Bridge of Boats. 7. Samosatha Seempsat L. Sidoniensi near the Banks of the Euphrates over which there was a Bridge for a passage into Mesopotamia here was born Lucian and Paulus Samosatenus Patriarch of Antioch who was condemned for Heresie 8. Palmira Amagara Ortel Fayd Sans seated near the Desart of Arabia famous for Zenobia who stood in opposition with Gallienus for the Empire of the East but was taken Prisoner and led in Triumph through Rome by Aurelian 9. Adada is memorable for the Victory that Aretus King of Arabia obtained against Alexander King of Jewry 10. Damascus Damasco Europaeis Sciam Minad Scham incolis Leuncl Damas Gallis once the chief City of Syria and one of the most ancient in all Asia seated near the River Chrysorrhoas Pharphar Hebraeis Adegele Bell. Farfar Ferne Gist in a Soil so fertile in Gardens Orchards and Vineyards a place so pleasant with Rivers and Fountains so surfeiting of Delights so ravishing with Pleasures that some have called it The Paradise of the World famous for the Temple of Zacharias garnished with 40 stately Porches and adorned with about 9000 Lanthorns of Gold and Silver Ruined and destroyed by the Persians Macedonians Romans Parthians Saracens Tartars by the Soldans of Egypt and by the Turks After the Battel of Issus Alexander the Great found in Damas 200600 Talents of coined Mony and 500 Talents uncoined Laudicha Laodicea Cic. Strab. Plin. Laodice Polyb. so called from Laodice the Wife of Antiochus and Mother of Seleucus surnamed Cabiosa called Lizza Lyche Minad Olivario 100 Miles from Damascus There was also another Laodicea Ptol. upon the Sea-Coast 30 Miles from Antioch West Rhamata Hebraeis Lyche incolis teste Mol. Beritus now Barutti or Berite once much frequented by Merchants and others near which is that noted Valley where as it is said St. George by killing the Dragon redeemed the King's Daughter Biblus now Gibbeleth was the Habitation of Cinivas the Father of Myrrha Mother to the fair Adonis from whom the Neighbouring River took its Name once a Bishops See now desolate I had almost forgot Alexandretta or Scanderone the Sea-port of Aleppo a confused heap of paltry Houses inhabited by the Greeks who keep Fudling Schools for the Mariners and other meaner sort of the People only the dwellings of the Vice-Consuls are very convenient But Tavernier saith They must be Men who love Money that accept of those Employments for the Air like that at Ormus is so bad in Summer especially that if it doth not kill yet they cannot avoid very dangerous Distempers And after some stay there to remove to a better Air is to endanger their Lives But Auri sacra fames Of MESOPOTAMIA THE Padan Aram of the Scripture Yrakin by the Persians Jazeirey by the Arabians Meredin by the Arminians by the Turks Diarbeck is a Peninsula between the Euphrates and Tygris on the West South and East and on the North the Mountains separate it from Turcomania the South part desart and barren the Northern part abounding with Corn and Wine A Country memorable for the Birth of Abraham and Rebecca the long Abode of Jacob and the Birth of his Children the Original of the Hebrew Nation Successively subjected to the Babylonians Assyrians Medes and Persians from them Conquer'd by the Romans Recover'd again by the Persians then sell into the power of the Sarazens and now enslaved under the Turks Orpha or Ourfa is the ancient Edesa Edessa Ptol. Plin. Edesa Strab. Erech by the Hebrews and Rages as Villanovanus tells us Orpha by Paulus Jovius Rotas by Haithonus Rhoas Rhoa Niger Orfa by P. Gyllius Rohai al. Orrhoai Arab. The Capital City of Mesopotamia where they dress the Yellow Cordovant Skins the Blue at Tocat the Red at Diabeker Carrha known to the Romans for the death of wealthy Crassus Orfa Baud. Heren Nig. Sans Dr. Leonard Ronwolf who in Anno 1575. was at Haran tells us it was then called Ophra 11 days Journy or 232 Miles from Mosul or Ninive That it was a fair City well inhabited and richly furnished with Merchandize but especially with fair Coverlets of divers Colours Tavernier and Thuenot tell us That Ourfa is built where stood the ancient Edessa memorable in the Church History for the Story of Abagarus and in Roman History for the death of the Emperor Caracalla and by the Report of the Inhabitants the place where Abraham lived So that Havan Edessa Carrha and Orfa seem to me to be all the same City The Walls of the City are of Free Stone with Battlements and Towers but Ruinous within upon the South-side there is a Castle upon a Hill with some old pitiful Guns The City is governed by a Bashaw Diarbeker or Diarbequir is also the Caramit or Caremu Carahemit Turcis teste Leuncl the Amida of Procop. Ammaea Ptol. Hemit incolis olim Constantia dicta teste Baud. Zoriga Molet seated near the Tygris a Frontier Town of great Strength the Seat of a Turkish Basha containing two or three fair Piazza's and a magnificent Mosque formerly a Christian Church 'T is well peopled containing by Report 2000 Christians â…” Armenians the rest Nestoreans and some few Jacobites Famous for its Red Marroquins surpassing in Colour all others in the last as also for excellent Wine and good Bread. Bi r or Birigeon is seated on the Euphrates upon the Brow of a Hill Plenty of Bread Wine and Fish Sharmely Tav Tcharmelick Thev is a very good Town with a fair Inn and very good Baths round about it near which is a Mountain on the top whereof is a Fortress with a Garison which the Grand Visier in the Year 1631. after his loss at Bagdat intended to have