Dolphin THe nexte daye being the 25. of the moneth the weather was also stormie darke and windie but yet we sayled a part of the day toward Weast North-weast and in the euening we put our selues athwart vnto the second quarter that thence we departed then did we by our compasse know that we were North-weast and by Weast about seauen leagues and an halfe from the Cape of S. Iohn and as we were aboute to hoyse sayle the wind turned into the North-weast wherefore we went toward North-east about fiftéene leagues and came to thrée Ilands two of whiche are as stéepe and vpright as any wall that it was not possible to climbe them and betwéene them there is a little clift These Ilands were as full of Birds as any fielde or meddow is of grasse that there do make their nestes and in the greatest of them there was a great and infinite number of those that we cal Margaulz that are white and bigger than any Géese which were feuered in one part In the other were only Godetz Isoli but towarde the shoare there were of those Godetz and greate Apponatz like to those of that Ilande that we aboue haue mentioned we went downe to the lowest part of the least Iland where we kild aboue a thousand of those Godetz Apponatz We put into our Boates so many of them as wée pleased for in lesse than one houre we might haue filled thirtie such boates of them we named them the Ilands of Margaultz About fiue leagues from the sayde Ilandes on the Weast there is another Iland that is about two leagues in length and so much in breadth there did we stay all night to take in water and wood That Ilande is enuironed rounde about with sande and hath a very good roade about it thrée or four faddome déepe Those Ilands haue the best soyle that euer we saw for that one of their féelds is more woorth than all the new land We foūd i◠all full of goodly trées medowes champaines full of wild peason blomed as thicke as ranke and as faire as any can be séene in Brittayne that they séemed to haue bin plowed and sowed There was also great store of gooseberies strawberies damaske roses parseley with other very swéete and pleasant hearbes About the said Iland are very great beastes as great as Oxen which haue two great téeth in their mouths like vnto the Elephant and liue also in the Sea We saw one of them sléeping vpon the banke of the water we thinking to take it went to it with our Boates but so soone as he heard vs he cast himselfe into the Sea We also sawe Beares and Woolues we named it Brions Iland About it towarde South-east and North-weast there are great medowes As farre as I could gather and comprehend I thinke that there be some passage betwéene the new land and Brions land if so it were it would be a great shortning as well of the time as of the way if any perfection coulde be founde in it Aboute foure leagues from that Ilande towarde West South-weast there is firme lande that séemeth to be as an Ilande compassed aboute with little Ilands of sandes There is a goodly Cape which we named Cape Doulphin for there is the beginning of good groundes On the seauen and twentith of Iune we compassed the said landes about that lie Weast South-weast a farre off they séeme to bée little hilles of sande for they are but lowe landes we coulde neyther goe to them nor land on them bycause the winde was against vs. That daye we wente fiftéene leagues ¶ Of the Iland called Alezai and of S. Peeters Cape THe next day we went along the said land aboute tenne leagues till we came to a Cape of redde lands that is all craggie within the which there is a bracke looking toward the North. It is a very low Countrey There is also betwéene y e sea a certain poole a plaine fielde and frō that Cape of land◠and y e poole vntill to another Cape there is about 14. leagues The land is fashioned as it were halfe a circle all compassed about with sand like a ditch ouer which as farre as ones eye can stretch there is nothing but marrish groundes and standing pooles And before you come to the first Cape very néere the mayne lande there are two little Ilands Aboute fiue leagues from the seconde Cape towarde South weast there is another Iland very high and poynted which we named Alezai The first Cape we named S. Peeters Cape bycause vpon that day we came thither ¶ Of the Cape called Orleans Cape of the Riuer of Boates of wild mens Cape and of the qualitie and temperature of the Countrey FRom Brions Iland to this place there is a good sandie ground and hauing sounded toward South-weast euen to the Shoare about fiue leagues we found 12. faddome water and within one league 6. and very néere the shoare rather more than lesse But bycause we would be better acquaynted with this stonie and rockie ground we stroke our Sayles lowe and athwart The nexte daye being the last of the moneth saue one the winde blewe South and by East We sayled Westwarde vntill Tuesday morning at Sunne rising béeing the last of the moneth without any sighte or knowledge of any lande except in the euening towarde Sunne sette that we discouered a Land whiche séemed to bée two Ilandes that were beyond vs West south-weast about nine or tenne leagues All the next day till the nexte morning at Sunne rising we sayled Westward about fortye leagues and by the way we perceyued that the lande wée hadde séene like two Ilandes was firme lande lying South south-east and North north-weast till to a verye good Cape of lande called Orleans Cape All the sayde lande is lowe and playne and the fairest that may possibly be séene full of goodly meddowes and Trées True it is that we could finde no harborough there bycause it is all full of shelues and sandes We with our boates went on shore in many places and among the reste we entred into a goodly riuer but very shallow which we named the riuer of boats bycause that there we saw boats ful of wild men that were crossing the riuer We had no other notice of the sayde wilde men for the winde came from the Sea and beate vs againste the shore that we were constrained to retire oure selues with our boates toward our shippes till the next day morning at Sunne rising being the firste of Iuly we sayled Northeast in which time there rose great mystes stormes and therefore we strucke our sayles till two of the clocke in the after noone that the weather became cleare and there we had sight of Orleance Cape of another about seuē leagues from vs lying North and by East and that we called Wilde mens Cape On the Northside of this Cape aboute halfe a league there is a very dangerous shelf and banke of stones Whilest we wer at this Cape we
and other thynges after theyr fashion These Women béeing come to our Shippes our Captayne dyd very friendly entertayne them Then Donnacona prayde our Captayne to tel those women that he should come agayne after ten or twelue monethes bring Donnacona to Canada agayne with him that hée did only to appeale them which our Captayne did wherefore the Women as well by words as signes séeme to be very glad giuing our Captaine thankes and tolde him if he came againe and brought Donnacona with him they would giue him many things in signe whereof eache one gaue our Captayne a chayne of Esurgny and then passed to the other side of the Riuer agayne where stoode all the people of Stadagona who taking all leaue of their Lord wente home agayne On Saturday following béeing the sixth of the moneth we departed out of the sayd Porte and came to harborough a little beneath the Ilande of Orleans aboute twelue leagues from the Porte of the Holy Crosse and vppon Sunday we came to the Iland of Filberdes where we stayde vntill the sixtéenth of that Moneth till the fiercenesse of the waters were past which at that time ranne too swifte a course and were too dangerous to come downe alongst the Riuer and therefore we stayde till fayre weather came In the meane while many of Donnaconas Subiects came from the Riuer of Saguenay to him but béeing by Domagaia aduertised that their Lorde was taken to be caryed into France they were all amazed yet for all that they would not leaue to come to oure Shippes to speake to Donnacona who tolde them that after twelue monethes he shoulde come agayne and that he shoulde be very well vsed with the Captayne Gentlemen and Mariners Which when they hearde they greately thanked oure Captayne and gaue their Lorde thrée bundles of Beauers and Sea Woolues Skinnes with a greate knife of redde Copper that commeth from Saguenay and manye other thyngs They gaue also to our Captayne a Chayne of Esurgny for whyche oure Captayne gaue them tenne or twelue Hatchettes and they gaue hym hartie thankes and were very well contented The nexte daye béeing the sixtéenth of May wée hoysed Sayle and came from the sayde Iland of Filburdes to another aboute fiftéene leagues from it which is aboute fiue leagues in length and there to the ende we might take some rest the night following we staide that day in hope the next day we might passe and auoyde the dangers of the riuer of Saguenay which are great That euening we went a land and found great store of Hares of which we toke a great many and therefore we called it The Ilande of Hares in the night there arose a contrarie winde with suche stormes and tempest that we were constrayned to bende to the Iland of Filburdes againe from whence we were come bycause there was none other passage among the said IlaÌ„ds and there we stayde till the one and twentie of that moneth that faire weather and good winde came again and then we sayled again and that so prosperously that we passed to Honguedo which passage vntil that time had not bene discouered we caused our ships to course athwart Pratos Cape which is the beginning of the Port of Cator and bicause the wind was good and conuenient we sayled all day and all night without staying and the next day we came to the middle of Brions Ilande which we were not minded to do to the end we might shorten our way These two Ilands lie Northwest Southeast and are about fiftie leagues one from another The said Iland is in latitude 47. degrées and a halfe Vpon Thursday being the 26. of the moneth and the feast of the Ascention of our Lord we coasted ouer to go to a land and shallow of low sands which are about eight leagues Sowthwest froÌ„ Brions Iland on which are large Champaines full of trées towns and also an enclosed sea of which neyther could we sée or perceiue any gap or any way to enter therein On Friday following being the 27. of the moneth bycause the winde did change on the cost we came to Brions Iland againe where we stayed till the beginning of Iune and toward the Southeast of this Iland we sawe a land séeming vnto vs as an Ilande we coasted it about two leagues and a halfe and by y e way we had notice of thrée other high Ilands lying toward the Sandes after we had known these things we retourned to the Cape of the saide land whiche doeth diuide it selfe into two or thrée very high Capes the waters ther are very déep the floud of the Sea runneth so swift that it cannot possibly be swifter That day we came to S. Laurence his Cape whiche is 45. degrées and halfe towards the South wée named it S. Paules Cape it is at 47. degrées and a quarter The Sonday followyng beyng the fourth of Iune and Whitsonday we hadde notice of the coaste lying East Southeast distant from the new found land aboute 22. leagues and bycause the wind was against vs we went to a Hauen which we named S. Spiritus Porte where wée stayed till Tuisdaye that we departed thence sayling along that coaste vntill wée came to S. Peters Ilandes We found along the saide coaste many very dangerous Ilands and Shelues whych lye all in the waye East southeast and Weast Northweast about 23. leagues into the Sea Whilest we were in the said S. Peters Ilands we met with many ships of France and of Britaine we stayed there from S. Barnabas day being the 11. of the moneth vntil the 16. that we departed thence and came to cape of Ras and entred into a Porte called Rogaoso where we toke in freshwater and wood to passe the sea there we lefte one of our boates Then vpon Monday beyng the 19. of Iune we went from that Porte and wyth suche good and prosperous weather we sailed along the Sea in such sorte that vpon the 6. of Iune 1536. we came to the Porte of S. Malo by the grace of God to whom we pray here ending oure Nauigation that of his infinite mercie he will graunte vs hys grace and fauoure and in the end bring vs to the place of euerlasting felicitie AMEN Here foloweth the language of the Country and Kingdomes of Hochelaga and Canada of vs called Newe Fraunce But firste the names of theyr Numbers Secada 1 Indahir 6 Tigneni 2 Aiaga 7 Hasche 3 Addigue 8 Hannaion 4 Madellon 9 Ouiscon 5 Assem 10 Here followe the names of the chiefest partes of man and other wordes necessarie to be knowen the Heade aggonzi the Browe hergueniascon the Eyes higata the Eares abontascon the mouth esahe the Teeth esgongai the Tongue osnache the Throate agonhon the Bearde hebelim the Face hegouascon the heares aganiscon the Armes atayascon the Flanckes aissonne the Stomacke aggruascon the Bellie eschehendo the Thighes hetnegradascon the Knees agochinegodascon the Legges agouguenehonde the Feete onchidascon the Handes aignoascon the Fingers agenoga the Nailes agedascon a Mans member amoascon a Womans member castaigne an Ele esgueny a Snaile vndeguezi a Tortois heuleuâ—ime Wooddes conda leaues of Trees hoga God cudragny giue me some drincke quazahoa quea giue me to breakfast quasa hoa quascaboa giue me my supper quaza hoa quatfriaÌ„ let vs goe to bed casigno agnyda hoa good morrow aignag let vs go to play casigno candy come speak with me assigniquaddadia looke vpon me quagathoma Holde your peace aista let vs go with the boate casigno casnouy giue me a knife buazahca agoheda a Hatchet adogne a bowe ahenca a darte quahetan let vs go a hunting quasignâ— donnascat a Stagge aionnesta a Sheepe asquenondo a Hare Sourhanda a Dogge agayo a Towne canada a Man aguâ—huni a Woman agruaste a Boy addegesta a Wench agniaquesta a Childe exiasta a Gowne cabata a doublet caioza Hosen hemondoha Shoes atha a Shirte amgoua a Cappe castrua Corne osizi Breade carraconny Water ame Flesh quahouascoÌ„ Paces queion Damsons honnesta Figges absconda Grapes ozoba Nuttes quahoya a Hen sahomgahea a Lamprey zisto a Salmon ondacon a Whale ainne honne a Goose sadeguenha a Streete adde Cucumber seede casconda to Morrow achide the Heauen quenhia the Earth damga the Sunne ysmay the Moone assomaha the Starres stgnehohaÌ„ the Winde cohoa the Sea agogasy the waues of the Sea coâ—a an Ilande cahena an Hill agacha the Ise honnesca Snowe cama Colde athau Hotte odazani Fier azista Smoke quea a House canoca Beanes sahâ— Cinamond adhotathny my Father addathy my Mother adanahe my Brother addagrim my Sister adhoasseue They of Canada saye that it is a monthes sayling to goe to a lande where Cinamonds and Cloues are gathered Here endeth the second Relation of Iames Carthiers discouerie nauigation to the newe founde Lande by him named New Fraunce translated out of Italian into Englishe by I. F. Patisco il male sperando il bene FINIS Cape Latte A noughtie liuer
builde and inhabite can neuer be atchieued for as Fraunciscus Lopez di Gomara and dyuers other Spanishe Authors affirme the Spanyards neuer prospered or preuailed but where they planted whych of the Portingales maye also be verifyed as in the Histories of all theyr Conquests and Discoueries doth manifestly appeare And as there is none that of right may be more bolde in this enterprice than the Englishmen the land being first found out by Iohn Gabot the Father and Sebastian Gabot one of hys three sonnes in the yeare 1494. in the name and be halfe of King Henry the seauenth as both by the foresaide Ramusius in his first Volumes and our owne Chronicles and Sebastian Gabots letters patents yet extant and in his Mappe maye be seene so there is no nation that hath so good righte or is more fit for this purpose than they are who trauayling yearely into those partes with 50. or 60. saile of shippes might very commodiouslye transporte a sufficient number of men to plant a Colonie in some conuenient Hauen and also might yeeld them yearly succour and supply of al things necessary receyuing againe such commodities as the country doth produce And this the Frenchmen had done long since if first their warres with the Spanyardes and since their cruell dissentions at home had not hindered them And Iohannes Varrozzana a Florentine if he had not beene preuented by death purposed as the foresayde Ramusius writeth to perswade Francis the French King to send forth good store of people to inhabite certaine places of these coastes where the aire is moste temperate and the soyle moste fruitfull with goodly Riuers and Hauens sufficient to harborough any nauie the inhabitantes of which places might be occasiō to bring many good purposes to effecte and amongest manye others to reduce those poore rude and ignorant people to the true worship and seruice of God and to teache them how to manure and till the ground transporting ouer Beastes and Cattell of Europe into those large and champion countreys and finally in time they might discouer vp into the land and search whether among so many Ilands as are there there be any passage to the Sea of Cataya And thus much oute of the third Volume of Voyages and Nauigations gathered into the Italian tongue by Ramusius whiche Bookes if they were translated into English by the liberalitie of some noble Personage ou◠Sea-men of England and others studious of Geographie shoulde know many worthy secrets whiche hitherto haue beene concealed For the beste Cosmographers of this age as I am by the skilfull in those Sciences informed and as to him that doth diligently consider their Mappes it shall plainely appeare haue described Asia Africa and America chiefly by the help of those bookes But to returne to that from whence I did digresse althoughe some attemptes of oure Countrey-men haue not had as yet suche successe as was wished they ought not therefore to bee the slower in this enterprice for if they were of late contented in their voyage to haue stayed al the Winter in those colder Countries if their store of victualles had beene sufficient howe muche rather ought we nowe in a farre more temperate clime where Iames Carthier accompanyed wyth 120. men remained a whole Winter contrary to hys determination when he set out of Fraunce Thus beseeching God that this my trauel may take that effect for the which it is meant I commende the diligent consideration to al such Gentlemen Merchants and Pilots as seeke Gods glory the aduauncement of their Countrey and the happy successe to the prouidence of the Almighty who in my opinion hath not in vaine stirred vppe the mindes of so many Honourable and Worshipfull persons to the furtheraunce of these commendable and worthy Discoueries In Oxford I. F. ¶ The first relation of Iames Carthier of the new land called New Fraunce nevvly discouered in the yeare of oure Lorde 1534. ¶ How Maister Iames Carthier departed from the Port of S. Malo with two Ships and came to the new land and howe he entred into the Porte of Buona Vista AFter that Sir Charles of Mouy Knight Lord of Meyleray Vice-admirall of Fraunce had caused all the Captaines Maisters and Mariners of the Shippes to be sworne to behaue themselues truely and faithfully in the seruice of the most Christian King of France vnder the charge of the sayde Carthier vpon the 20. day of Aprill 1534. we departed from the Porte of S. Malo with two Ships of thrée score tun apéece burden and by well appointed men in eche one and with suche prosperous weather we sailed onwardes that vppon the 10. of May we came to the newe found land where we entred into the cape of Buona Vista which is in Latitude 48. degrées and a halfe and in Longitude * But bicause of the great store of Ice that was alongest the sayde lande we were constrayned to enter into a Hauen called Saint Katherins Hauen distaunt from the other Porte aboute fiue leagues towarde South southeast there did we stay ten daies looking for faire weather and in the meane while we mended and dressed our boates ¶ Howe we came to the Ilande of Byrdes and of the greate quantitie of Byrdes that there be VPon the 21. of May the wind beyng in the Weast we hoised saile and sailed toward North and by east from y e Cape of Buona Vista vntil we came to the Iland of Birdes which was enuironed about with a banke of Ice but brokē and crackte Notwithstanding the saide banke our two boates went thither to take in some Birdes whereof there is such plentie that vnlesse a manne didde sée them he woulde think it an incredible thing for albeit the Ilande which containeth aboute a league in circuite be so full of them that they séeme to haue béene brought thither and sowed for the nonce yet are there a hundreth fold as many houering about it as within some of the which are as big as Iayes blacke and white with beakes lyke vnto Crowes they houer alwaies about the sea they cannot flye very high bycause their wings are so little and no bigger than halfe ones hand yet doe they flye as swiftly as any birdes of the ayre leuell to the water they are also excéeding fat we named them Aporath In lesse than halfe an houre we filled two boats ful of them as if they had béene with stones so that besides them which we did eate fresh euery ship dyd powder and salt fiue or sixe barrels ful of them ¶ Of two sortes of Byrdes the one called Godetz the other Margaulz and how we came to Carpunt BEsides these there is an other kinde of Birdes whyche houer in the aire ouer the sea lesser than the others and these doe al gather thēselues togither in the Iland put thēselues vnder the wings of other byrds that are greater these we named Godetz There are also of another sorte but bigger white who bite euen as Dogges those wée
grow vpon the toppe of theyr crowne as long as a horsse taile and then with certaine leather strings binde it in a knot vpon their heades They haue no other dwelling but their boates which they tourne vpside down and vnder them they lay themselues al along vpon the bare ground They eate their fleshe almoste rawe onely that they heate it a little vppon imbers of coles so doe they theyr fishe Vpon Magdalens day we with our boates wente to the bancke of the riuer and fréelye went on shore among them whereat they made many signes of gladnesse and al their meÌ„ in two or thrée companies began to sing and daunce séeming to be very glad of our comming They had caused al the yoÌ„g women to flée into the wood two or thrée excepted that stayed with them to each of which we gaue a combe and a little bell made of Tinne for which they were very glad thanking our Captaine rubbing his armes and breastes with theyr handes When the men saw vs giue something vnto those that had stayde it caused all the rest to come out of the wood to the ende they should haue as muche as the others These women were about twentie who altogither in a knot fell vpon our Captaine touching and rubbing him with their haÌ„ds according to their manner of cherishing and making muche of one who gaue to eache of them a little Tinne bell then sodainely they began to daunce and sing many songs There we founde great store of Mackrels that they had taken vpon the shore with certaine nettes that they make to fishe of a kinde of hempe that groweth in that place where ordinarilye they abide for they neuer come to the sea but onlye in fishing time As farre as I vnderstand ther groweth likewise a kinde of Millet as bigge as small Peason like vnto that which groweth in Bresil which they eat in stead of bread They had greate store of it They call it in theyr â—ong RAPAIGE They haue also Primes that is â—o saye Damsins which they dry for winter as we do they cal theÌ„ HONESTA They haue also Figges Nuttes Apples and other fruites and Beanes that they cal SAHV their Nuttes CAHEHYA If we shewed them any thing that they haue not nor knowe not what it is shaking their heads they will say NOHDA whiche is as much to say they haue it not nor they know it not Of those things they haue they would with signes shew vs the way how to dresse them and how they grow They eate nothing that hath any tast of salte They are very great Théeues for they will filâ—h and steale whatsoeuer they can lay hold of and all is fish that commeth to net ¶ How our men set vp a great Crosse vpon the poynt of the sayd Porte and the Captayne of those wild men after a long Oration was by our Captayne appeased and contented that two of his Children should goe with him VPon the 24. of y e Moneth we caused a faire high Crosse to be made of the heigth of thirtie foote which was made in the presence of many of them vpon the poynt of the entrance of the Gulfe in the middest whereof we hanged vp a Shéeld with thrée Floure de Luces in it and in the toppe was carued in the wood with Anticke letters this posse VIVE LE ROY DE FRANCE Then before them all we set it vp vpon the sayd poynt They with great héede beheld both the making and setting of it vp So soone as it was vp we altogither knéeled downe before them with our hands towarde Heauen yéelding God thankes and we made signes vnto them shewing them the Heauens and that all our saluation dependeth only on him which in them dwelleth whereat they shewed a great admiration looking first one at another and then vpon the Crosse And after we were returned to oure Shippes their Captayne clad with an old Beares Skinne with thrée of his Sonnes and a Brother of his with him came vnto vs in one of their Boates but they came not so néere vs as they were wont to do there he made a long Oration vnto vs shewing vs the crosse we had set vp and making a Crosse with two of his fingers then did he shew vs all the Countrey about vs as if he would say that all was his and that we should not set vp any Crosse without his leaue His talke being ended we shewed him an Axe fayning that we would giue it him for his skinne to whiche he listned for by little and little he came néere our Ships One of our fellowes that was in our boate tooke holde on theirs suddaynely lept into it with two or thrée more who enforced him to enter into our Ships whereat they were greatly astonished But our Captaine did straightwayes assure theÌ„ that they should haue no harme nor any iniury offered them at all and entertained them very frendly making them eate and drinke Then did we shew them with signes that the Crosse was but only set vp to be as a light and leader which wayes to enter into the port and that we would shortly come againe and bring good store of iron wares and other things but that we would take two of his children with vs and afterward bring them to the said port againe and so we clothed two of them in shirtes and coloured coates with red cappes and put about euery ones necke a copper chaine whereat they were greatly contented then gaue they their old clothes to their fellowes that wente backe againe and we gaue to each one of those thrée that weÌ„t backe a hatchet and some kniues which made theÌ„ very glad After these were gone and had told the newes vnto their fellowes in the after noone there came to our ships sixe boates of them with fiue or sixe men in euery one to take their farewels of those two we had retained to take with vs and brought them some fish vttering many words which we did not vnderstand making signes that they woulde not remoue the Crosse we had set vp ¶ How after we were departed from the saide porte following our voiage along the sayd coast we went to discouer the land lying South-east and North-weast THe nexte daye being the 25. of the moneth we had faire weather and went from the said porte and being out of the Riuer we sailed East North-east for after the entrance into the said Riuer the land is enuironed about and maketh a bay in maner of halfe a circle where being in our Ships we might sée al the coast sayling behind which we came to séeke the land lying South-east and North-weast the course of which was distant from the riuer about twentie leagues ¶ Of the Cape S. Aluise and Momorancies Cape and certayne other lands and how one of our Boates touched a Rocke and suddainely went ouer it ON monday being the 27. of the moneth about sunne set we went along the saide lande as we haue sayde lying
South-east and North-weast til Wensday that we saw another Cape where the land beginneth to bend toward y e East we went alongst it about 15. leagues then doth the land begin to turne Northward About thrée leagues frō the sayd Cape we sounded and found 12. faddome water The said lands are plaine and the fairest and most without woods that we haue séene with goodly gréene féelds and medowes we named the said Cape S. Aluise Cape bycause that was his day it is 49. Degrées and a halfe in Latitude and in Longitude * On Wensday morning we were on the East side of the Cape and being almost night we went North-eastward for to approch néere to the said land which trēdeth North and South From S. Aluise Cape to another called Momerancies Cape about fiftéene leagues the lande beginneth to bende Northweast About thrée leagues from the sayd Cape we woulde néedes sounde but we could finde no ground at 75. faddome yet went we alongst the sayd land about tenne leagues to the Latitude of 50. degrées The Saturday following being the first of August by Sunne rising we had sight of certayne other landes lying North and North-east that were very high and craggie and séemed to be mountaynes betwéene which were other low lands with Wooddes and Riuers we wente aboute the sayde landes as well on the one side as on the other still bending North-weast to sée if it were either a Gulfe or a passage vntill the fifth of the moneth The distance from one land to the other is about fiftéene leagues The middle betwéene them both is 50. degrées and a thirde part of one in Latitude We had much ado to go fiue miles farther the winds were so great and the tide against vs. And at fiue miles end we might playnely sée and perceyue land on both sides whiche there beginneth to spreade it selfe but bycause we rather-fell than gote way against the wind◠we went toward land purposing to goe to another Cape of land lying Southwarde which was the farthermost out into the Sea that we could sée about fiue leagues from vs but so soone as we came thither we founde it to be nought else but Rockes stones and craggie cliftes such as we had not found any where that we had sayled Southwarde from S. Iohns Cape and then was the tide with vs which caryed vs against the winde Westwarde so that as we were sayling along the sayd coast one of our Boates touched a Rocke and suddainely went ouer but we were constrayned to leape out for to direct it on according to the tide ¶ How after we had agreed and consulted what was best to bee done wee purposed to returne from S. Peeters straight and from Tiennots Cape AFter we had sayled along the sayd coast for the space of two houres behold the tyde began to turne againste vs with so swift and raging a course that it was not possible for vs with thirtéene oares to rowe or gette one stones cast farther that we were constrayned to leaue our Boates with some of our men to gard them and tenne or twelue men went on shoare to the sayd Cape where we found that the land beginneth to bend South-weast whiche hauing séene we came to our Boates againe and so to oure Shippes whiche were still readie rigged hoping to goe forward but for all that they were fallen more than four leagues where we had lefte them where so soone as we came we assembled togither all our Captaynes Maysters and Marriners to haue their aduice and opinion what was best to be done and after that euery one had sayd considering that the Easterly windes beganne to beare sway and blow and that the floud was so great that we did but fall and that there was nothing to be gotten and that stormes and tempestes beganne to puffe in those new Countreys and that we were so farre from home not knowing the perils and dangers were behind for eyther we must agrée to turne and come backe againe or else to stay there all the yeare Moreouer we did consider that if an exchange of the Northerne windes did take vs it were not possible for vs to depart thence All which opinions being heard and considered we altogither determined to addresse oure selues homeward Now bycause vpon Saint Peeters day we entred into the sayde straighte we named it Saint Peeters Straight We sounded it in many places in some we found 70. faddome water in some 50. and néere the shoare but 30. and cléere ground From that day till Wensday following we had a good and prosperous gale of wind that we trended the sayd land about on the North East South-east Weast and North-weast sides for such is the situation of it excepted one Cape of low lands that bendeth towarde South-east about 25. leagues from the straight In this place we sawe certayne smokes that the people of the Countrey made vppon the sayd Cape but bycause the winde blew vs towarde the coast we went not to them whiche when they saw they came with two Boates and twelue men vnto vs and as fréelie came vnto our Shippes as if they had bin French men and gaue vs to vnderstande that they came from the greate Gulfe and that Tiennot was their Captayne who then was vpon that Cape making signes vnto vs that they were going home to their Countreys where we were come from with our Shippes and that they were laden with Fish We named the sayd Cape Tiennots Cape From the saide Cape all the lande trendeth East South-east and West Northwest All the land lyeth low very pleasant enuironed with sand where the sea is entermingled with marishes and shallowes the space of twentie leagues then doth the land begin to trend from Weast to East North-east altogither enuironed with Ilands two or thrée leagues from land in whiche as farre as we could sée are many dangerous shealues more than foure or fiue leagues from land ¶ How that vpon the ninth of August we entred within White Sands and vpon the fifth of September we came to the port of S. Malo FRom the said Wensday vntill Saturday following we had a great wind from the South-weast whiche caused vs to draw East North-east on which day we came to the Easterly partes of the new land betwéene the Barnes and the Doble Cape There beganne great stormie winds comming from the East with great rage wherefore we coasted the Cape North North-weast to searche the Northerne parte which is as we haue sayd all enuironed with Ilands and being néere the said Ilands and land the wind turned into the South which brought vs within the said gulfe so that the next day being the ninth of August we by the grace of God entred within White Sands And this is so much as we haue discouered After that vpon the fiftéenth of August being the feast of the Assumption of our Lady after that we had heard seruice we altogither departed from the porte of White Sands and with a happie and
Germans Cape to the said Ilands is about xviij leagues a half at the ende of which ther is a goodly plot of grounde full of huge highe trées albeit the rest of the coast be compassed about w t sandes w tout any signe or shew of harboroughs til we came to Thiennots Cape which tendeth Northwest about vij leagues from y e forsaid Ilāds which Thiennots Cape we noted in our former voyage therfore we failed on all that night Weast Northwest til it was day then the winde turned again frō vs wherefore we wente to séeke a Hauen wherin we might harbor our ships by good hap found one fit for our purpose about vij leagues a half beyond Thiennots Cape and that we named S. Nicholas Hauen it lyeth amidst foure Ilandes that stretcheth into the sea Vpon the next we for a token set vp a woodden crosse But note by the way that crosse must be turned Northeast and then bending toward it leaue it on the left hand and you shall finde thrée fadome water and within the Hauen but two Also you are to take héede of two shelues that leane outwarde halfe a league All this coaste is full of quicke sandes and very daungerous albeit in sighte manye good Hauens séeme to be there yet is there nought else but shelues and sandes We staide and rested our selues in the sayde Hauen vntill the seauenth of August being Sundaye on whiche daye we hoysed sayle and came towarde lande one the neather side towarde Rabasts Cape distant from the sayd Hauen about twentie leagues North Northeast and South Southweast but the nexte daye there rose a stormie and a contrarie winde and therefore we coulde finde no Hauen there towarde the South Thence we wente coasting along toward the North beyonde the aboue-sayde Hauen aboute tenne leagues where we founde a goodly greate gulfe full of Ilandes passages and entraunces towarde what winde soeuer you please to bend for the knowledge of this gulfe there is a greate Ilande that is a Cape of the maine lande stretching somewhat further foorth than the others and aboute two leagues wythin the lande there is an Hill fashioned as it were an heape of corne We named the sayde Gulfe Saint Laurence hys Baie The twelfth of the sayde month we went from the sayd S. Laurence hys Bay or Gulfe sayling Westwarde and came to finde a Cape of maine lande on the Northside of the Baye that runneth from the saide Sainte Laurence his Baie about fiue and twentie leagues West and by South And of the two wilde men whiche we toke in our former voyage it was tolde vs that this was of the Band◠towarde the South and that there was an Ilande on the Southerlye parte of whiche is the waye to goe to Honguedo where the yeare before we hadde taken them in Canada and that two dayes iourney from the sayde Cape an Ilande began the Kingdome of Siguenay in the land◠Northwarde extending towarde Canada and aboute thrée leagues athwart the saide Cape there is aboue fiftie faddome déepe Moreouer I beléeue that there was neuer so many Whale◠séene as we sawe that day about the Cape The next daye after our Ladie day in August being the fiftéenth of the month hauing past those straightes where we had notice of certaine landes that we left toward the South whiche landes are full of very high hilles and therfore we named them The Ilands of the Assumption and one Cape of the sayd high countryes lyeth East north-easte and Weste south-west the distaunce betwéene which is about fiue twentie leagues The Countryes lying North maye playnely be perceyued to be higher thā the Southerly more than thirtie leagues We trended y e saide landes about towarde the South frō the said day vntyl Twesday noone following the winde being in the West and therfore we bended toward the North purposing to go and sée the land that we before had spyed Being arriued there wée founde the sayd Ilands as it were ioyned togither and lowe toward the Sea And the Northerly mountaines that are vpon the saide lowe Ilandes stretching Easte Weste and by Southe Our men tolde vs that there was the beginning of Saguenay and that it was land inhabited and that thēce commeth the redde Copper of them named CAIGNETDAZE There is betwéen the Southerly Ilands and the Northerly about 30. leagues distance and more thā 100. faddome depth The saide men did moreouer certifye vnto vs that there was the way and beginning of the gret riuer of Hochelaga a ready way to Canada which riuer the further it went the narower it came euen vntil to Canada and that then there was freshe water which went so farre vpwards that they hadde neuer hearde of any man had gone to the heade of it and that there is no other passage but with small boates Our Captayne hearing their talke and how they did affirm no other passage to be there woulde not at that time procéede any further tyll he had séene and noted the other Ilandes coast towarde the North which he had ommitted to sée after Saint Larance his gulfe bycause he would exquisitly know if in the Ilandes toward the South any passage had bin discouered ¶ How our Captain caused the shippes to retourne backe again only to know if in Saint Laurence gulfe there were any passage towarde the North. CHAP. 2. VPon the 18. of August being Wednesday our Captain◠caused his shippes to winde backe and bend toward the other shore so that we trended the sayd Northerly cost whiche runneth South-east North-west being fashioned like vnto halfe a bowe and is a very high land but yet not so high as that on the Southerly partes The Thursday following we came to seuen very high Ilandes whiche we named The round Ilands These Ilandes are distant from the others about fourtie leagues and stretche out into the Sea aboute thrée or foure leagues Aboute these there are goodly lowe groundes to be séene full of goodlye trées whiche we the Fryday following with our boates compassed aboute Ouerthwart these Ilandes there are diuerse sandie shelues more than two leagues into the sea very daungerous whiche at a a lowe water remaine almost dry At the furthest boundes of these lowe Ilands that containe about tenne leagues ther is a riuer of fresh water that with such swiftnesse runneth into the sea that for the space of one league within it the water is as freshe as anye fountaine water We with our boates entred into the saide riuer at the entraunce of whiche we foūd about one fadome water There are in this riuer many fishes shaped like horsses which as our wilde men told vs al the daye long lye in the water and the night on lande of which we sawe therein a great number The next day being the one and twentith of the month by breake of day we hoysed sayle and sayled so long about the sayde coaste that wée had sight of the Northerly partes of it
¶ A SHORTE AND briefe narration of the two Nauigations and Discoueries to the Northweast partes called NEWE FRAVNCE First translated out of French into Italian by that famous learned man Gio Bapt Ramutius and now turned into English by Iohn Florio Worthy the reading of all Venturers Trauellers and Discouerers IMPRINTED AT LONdon by H. Bynneman dvvelling in Thames streate neere vnto Baynardes Castell Anno Domini 1580. ¶ TO THE RIGHT VVORshipful Edmond Bray Esquire High Sherife within hir Maiesties Countie of Oxenford I. Florio vvisheth much encrease of worship in this life and in the Worlde to come eternall happinesse THe olde saying is None so bolde as blynd Bayard nor anye so readye to vndertake as the leaste able to performe Euen so right Worshipfull it nowe fareth with me who at the requests and earneste solicitations of diuers my very good frends heere in Oxforde haue vndertaken this translation wherin I holde my selfe farre inferiour to many Howbeeit forasmuch as that seruaunt was of his Lord and Maister most highly discommended whiche hiding his Talent in the grounde had thereby profited nothing my selfe being very loath to incurre the same faulte and so to become worthy the like reprehension haue the rather aduentured to translate this parte of Nauigation whiche I assure my selfe with other mens trauel and diligence may be an occasion of no smal commoditie and benefite to this our Countrie of Englande And heerein the more to animate and encourage the Englishe Marchants I doe onely for breuitie sake propose vnto them the infinite treasures not hidden to themselues whiche both the Spaniardes the Portugales and the Venetians haue seuerally gained by their suche nauigations and trauailes Nowe right Worshipful when I had well considered with my selfe that hir Maiestie hathe deemed your Worship a very meete man for that aucthoritie wherein you nowe presently remaine I my selfe coulde not but accompt your Worship for the present the fittest man within the shire to patronize and defende this my simple labour whereby any benefite maye either happen to hir Maiesties person or commoditie to hir highnesse common weale and if the wealthe of a Prince be any cause of the safetie of his person which who doubteth it may be and not vntruly saide to be bothe But to the ende your Worshippe haue not altogither so muche cause to condemne me for this my bolde attempt vpon no maner of acquaintance I thought it not vnfit vnto you that I haue the rather herevnto presumed vppon the request and warrant of my deare and welbeloued friend Maister H. Leigh who no doubt is a man verie mindfull of al your Worships courtesies from time to time shewed toward him Thus not willingly desirous to be herein more tedious than is requisite I cease from troubling your good Worship hartily praying the Almightie to encrease the same with abundaunce of all other vertues to his good wil and pleasure and withall wholly committe my selfe vnto your Worships good disposition From Oxenford the 25. of Iune 1580. Your Worships most humble at commaundement I. Florio ¶ To all Gentlemen Merchants and Pilots WHen I had taken in hande to translate thys Treatise which I did for the benefite and behoofe of those that shall attempt any newe discouerie in the Northweast partes of America I thought good brieflye to touch the vse of my translation that the Reader may see and consider the drift of my trauell For although this Discourse may seeme very barraine and not to containe suche matter as is pretended as beyng a particular Relation of certaine Prouinces whyche haue beene hitherto of all men rather contemned than throughly knowen yet if the Marchant Venturer or skilfull Pilot or whosoeuer desirous of newe Discoueries haue the readyng and perusing thereof for whome especially I haue done it into Englishe they will find matter worthy the looking and consequently gratefully accept my paines herein For here is the Description of a Countrey no lesse fruitful and pleasant in al respects than is England Fraunce or Germany the people though simple and rude in manners and destitute of the knowledge of God or any good lawes yet of nature gentle and tractable and most apt to receiue the Christian Religion and to subiect themselues to some good gouernement the commodities of the Countrey not inferiour to the Marchandize of Moscouy Danske or many other frequented trades the voyage verye shorte being but three weekes sayling from Bristowe Plymmouth or any commodious Porte of the Weast Country with a direct course to the coast of the Newe found land Al which oportunities besides manye others mighte suffice to induce oure Englishemen not onely to fall to some traffique wyth the Inhabitants but also to plant a Colonie in some conuenient place and so to possesse the Countrey without the gainsaying of any man whiche was the iudgement and counsell of Iohn Baptista Ramusius a learned and excellent Cosmographer Secretary to the famous state of Venice whose words bicause they are not impertinēt to this purpose I haue here set downe Why doe not the Princes saieth he whyche are to deale in these affaires sende forth two or three Colonies to inhabite the Country to reduce this sauage natiō to some ciuilitie considering what a battle and fruitfull soyle it is how replenished with all kinde of graine how it is stored wyth al sortes of Byrdes and Beastes wyth such faire and mighty Riuers that Captaine Carthier and his company in one of them sayled vppe a hundreth and foure score leagues findyng the countrey peopled on both sides in greate abundaunce And moreouer to cause the Gouernors of those Colonies to send forth men to search and discouer the North lands about Terra del Lauorader and toward Weast northweast to the Seas whiche are to saile to the Country of Cataya and from thence to the Ilands of Molucke These were enterprises to purchase immortall praise which the Lord Anthony di Mendoza Viceroy of Mexico willing to put in execution sent forth his Captains both by Sea and by Land vpon the Northweast of Nuoua Spagona and discouered the Kingdome of the seauen Cities about Ciuola And Franciscus Vasques de Coronada passed from Mexico by lande towarde the Northweast 2850. miles in so muche that he came to the Sea whyche lyeth betweene Cataya and America where he met with the Catayan shyppes And no doubt if the French men in this their newe Fraunce would haue discouered vp further into the land towards the Weast northweast partes they shoulde haue founde the Sea and might haue sayled to Cataya Thus much out of Ramusius where you may see this learned mans iudgement concerning the planting of Colonies and inhabiting these countries whych might be a meane not only to discouer the Sea on the backe-side as he desireth but also to come vnto the knowledge of the Countries adiacent and namely of Saguenay whiche aboundeth with Golde and other Mettalles as in the seconde Relation is to be seene All whyche thyngs excepte they
Further about two leagues there is an other greater riuer in whiche they tooke good store of Salmon that we named S. Iames his Riuer Beyng in the sayde riuer we sawe a Shippe of Rochell that the night before had passed the Porte of Brest where they thought to haue gone a fishing but the marriners not knowing where they were we with our boates approched neare vnto it and did directe it to another Porte one league more toward the Weast than the saide riuer of S. Iames which I take to be one of the beste in all the Worlde and therefore wée named it Iames Carthiers Sound If the foile were as good as the harboroughes are it were a great commoditie but it is not to be called the new Land but rather Stones and wilde Furres and a place fitte for wilde beastes for in all the Northe Ilande I didde not sée a Cartâ—oade of â—ood earth yet went I on shoare in many places and in the Iland of White Sandes there is nothyng else but Mosse and small Thornes scattered here and there withered and drye To be shorte I beléeue that this was the lande that God allotted to Caine. There are men of an indifferent good stature and bignesse but wilde and vnruly they weare their haire tyed on the top like a wreath of Hay and put a woodden pin within it or any other such thing in steade of a naile and wyth them they binde certaine birdes feathers They are clothed with beastes skinnes as wel the men as womeÌ„ but that the womeÌ„ go somwhat straightlier and closer in their garmentes than men doe wyth their wastes gyrded they paint themselues with certaine Roan coloures their Boates are made of the barke of a trée called Boul wyth the whyche they fishe and take greate store of Seales and as farre as we coulde vnderstande since oure commyng thither that is not their habitation but they come from the maine lande out of hotter Countreys to take of the sayde Seales and other necessaries for theyr lyuing ¶ Of certaine Capes that is to say the double Cape the pointed Cape Cape Roiall and the Cape of Milke of the Mountaines of Barnes of the Ilandes of Doâ—e houses and of the greate fishing of Cods VPon the 13. of that moneth we came to our Shippes agayne with our boates on purpose to saile forwards bycause the weather was faire vpon Sundaye we caused seruice to be saide then on Monday being the 25. of the moneth we departed from Brest and sailed toward the South to take a viewe of the landes that there we had séene that séemed vnto vs to be two Ilandes but when we were amiddest the Bay we knew it to be firme lande where was a greate double Cape one aboue the other and therfore wée named it the Double Cape In the entrance of the Bay we sounded and founde it to be an hundred faddome rounde aboute vs. From Brest to the double Cape there is about 20 leagues and aboute fiue or sixe leagues beyond we sounded againe and founde 20 faddome water The saide lande lyeth Northeast and Southweast The nexte day being the 16. of the moneth we sailed along the saide coaste towarde Southweast and by South aboute 35 leagues from the double Cape where wée founde very stéepe and wilde hilles among the whyche were séene certaine small Cabbans whyche we in the Countrey call Barnes and therfore we named them the Hilles of the Barnes The other Lands and Mountaines are all craggie cleft and â—utte and betwixt them and the sea there are other Ilandes but lowe The day before through the darke mists and â—ogges of the weather we coulde not haue sighte of any lande but in the euening we spyed an entraunce into the lande by a ryuer among the saide Hilles of Barnes and a Cape lying toward the Southwest about 3. leagues froÌ„ vs. The saide Cape is on the top of it blunt pointed and also towarde the Sea it endeth in a pointe wherefore we named it the pointed Cape on the north side of whiche there is a plaine Iland And bycause we would haue notice of the said entrance to sée if there were any good Hauens we stroke saile for that night The next day being the 17. of the Moneth we had stormie weather from Northeast wherefore we tooke our way toward the Southwest vntil Thurseday morning and we went about 37. leagues til we came athwart a Bay full of rounde Ilandes like Doue houses and therefore wée named them the Doue houses And from the Bay of Saint Iulian from the whyche to a Cape that lyeth South and by weast which we called Cape Riall there are 7. leagues and toward the Weast Southweast side of the saide Cape there is another that beneath is all craggie and aboue round On the North side of whiche about halfe a league there lyeth a lowe Ilande that Cape we named the Cape of Milke Betwéene these two Capes there are certaine lowe Ilandes aboue whiche there are also certaine others that shew that there 〈◊〉 some riuers About two leagues from Cape Roiall we sounded and found tenne faddome water and there is the greatest fishing of Coddes that is possible for staying for our companie in lesse than an houre we tooke aboue an hundred of them ¶ Of certayne Ilands that lie betweene Cape Roiall and the Cape of Milke THe nexte daye being the eyghtenth of the Moneth the winde with such rage turned against vs that we were constrayned to go backe toward Cape Royall thinking there to find some harborough and with oure Boates wente to discouer betwéene the Cape Royall and the Cape of Milke and found that aboue the low Ilands there is a great and very déepe Gulfe within which are certaine Ilands The sayd Gulfe on the South side is shutte vp The foresayd low grounds are on one of the sides of the entrance and Cape Royall is on the other The sayde lowe groundes do stretche themselues more than halfe a league within the Sea It is a playne Countrey but an ill soyle and in the middest of the entrance thereof there is an Iland The sayde Gulfe in latitude is fortie eyght degrées and an halfe and in Longitude * That night we found no harborough and therefore we launched out into the Sea leauing the Cape toward the Weast ¶ Of the Iland called S. Iohn FRom the sayde daye vntill the 24. of the moneth being S. Iohns day we had both stormie weather and winde against vs with such darknesse and mistes that vntill Saint Iohns day we could haue no sight of any land and then had we sight of a Cape of land y e from Cape Royall lieth Southweast about 35. leagues but that day was so foggie and mistie that we could not come néere land and bycause it was S. Iohns day we named it Cape S. Iohn ¶ Of certayne Ilands called the Ilands of Margaulz and of the kinds of beastes and birds that there are found Of the Iland of Brion and Cape
saw a man running after our boats that were going along the coast who made signes vnto vs that we shoulde retourne towarde the sayd Cape againe We séeing such signes began to tourne toward him but he séeing vs come began to flée so soone as we were come on shoare we set a knife before him and a woollen girdle on a little staffe and then came to our ships again That day we trended the sayde land about nine or ten leagues hoping to finde some good harborough but it was not possible for as I haue sayd alreadie it is a very low land enuironed round about with great shelues Neuerthelesse we went that day on shore in foure places to sée the goodly and swéete smelling trées that there were we founde them to be Cidrons Ewe-trées Pines white Elmes Ashes Willowes with manye other sortes of trées to vs vnknowen but without any fruit The groundes where no wood is are very faire and al full of peason white and red gooseberies strawberies blackeberies and wilde corne euen like vnto Rie that it séemeth to haue bene sowen and plowed This Countrey is of better temperature than any other that can be séene and very hote There are many Thrushes Stockdoues and other byrdes to be short there wanteth nothing but good harborough ¶ Of the Baie called Saint Lunario and other notable Baies and Capes of lande and of the qualitie and goodnesse of those groundes THe next day being the seconde of Iuly we discouered and had sight of land on the Northerne side towarde vs that dyd ioyne vnto the lande abouesayd all compassed about and we knewe that it had about * in déepth and as muche athwart we named it Saint Lunarios Baie with our boates we went to the Cape toward the North and founde the land and grounde so lowe that for the space of a league from land there was but halfe a faddome water On the Northeast side from the sayde Cape about seauen or eight leagues there is another Cape of lande in the middest whereof there is a Baie fashioned triangle wise verye déepe and as far as we could ken from it lieth Northeast The said Baie is compassed about w t sands and shelues about ten leagues from land and there is but one faddome water from the saide Cape to the banke of the other ther is about fiftéene leagues We being a crosse the sayde Capes discouered another lande and Cape and as farre as we coulde ken it lay North by East All that night the weather was very ill and great windes so that we were constrained to heare a small sayle vntill the next morning being the thirde of Iuly that the winde came from the West and we sayled Northwarde to haue a sight of the lande that we had left on the Northeast side aboue the lowe landes among whiche high and lowe landes there is a Gulfe or Breach in some places about sixe and twenty faddome déepe and fiftéene leagues in breadth with varietie of landes hoping to finde some passage thyther we went euen as the passage of the Castels The sayde gulfe lyeth Easte Northeast and West Southwest The grounde that lyeth on the South side of the sayde gulfe is as good and easie to be wrought and full of as goodly fieldes and meadowes as anye that euer we haue as plaine and smoothe as anye die and that which lyeth on the North is a Countrey altogither hillie full of woods and very high and great trées of sundry sortes among the rest there are as goodly Ceders and Firre trées as possibly can be séene able to make mastes for ships of thrée hundered Tunne Neyther did we sée anye place that was not full of the sayde trées excepted two onlye that were full of goodly medowes with two very faire Lakes The middest of the sayde Baie is seauen and fourtie degrées and halfe in latitude ¶ Of the Cape of Hope and of Saint Martins Creeke howe seuen boats ful of wilde men came to our boate wold not retire themselues but being terrified with our Colubrins and lanches we shot at them they fled with great hast THe Cape of y e said South land was called The Cape of Hope through the hope that there we had to finde some passage The fourth of Iuly we went along y e coast of y e sayd land on the Northerly side to finde some harborough where we entred into a Créeke altogither open on y e South where there is no succour against y e wind we thought good to name it S. Martines Creeke Ther we stayed frō the fourth of Iuly vntil the twelfth while we were there on Monday being the sixth of y e month seruice being done we w t one of our boates went to discouer a Cape point of lande y t on the Northerne side was about seauen or eight leagues from vs to sée whiche way it did bend being within halfe a league of it we sawe two cōpanies of boats of wilde men going frō one land to the other theyr boates were in nūber about fiue fortie or fifty One parte of the whiche came to the sayde pointe and a great number of the mē went on shore making a grét noyse beckning vnto vs that we shoulde come on lande shewing vs certaine skinnes vppon péeces of Woodde but bicause we hadde but one onely boate we woulde not goe to them but went to the other side lying in the sea they séeing vs flée prepared two of their boats to follow vs with whiche came also fiue more of them that were comming from the sea side al which approched néere vnto our boate dauncing and making many signes of ioye and myrth as it were desiring our friendship saying in theyr tongue NAPEV TONDAMEN ASSVRTAH with manye other that we vnderstoode not But bicause as we haue said we had but one boate we wold not stande to theyr curtesie but made signes vnto them that they should turne backe which they would not do but with great furye came toward vs and sodainely with their boates compassed vs aboute and bycause they woulde not awaye from vs by any signes that we coulde make we shotte of two péeces among them whiche did so terrifie them that they put themselues to flight towarde the sayde pointe makyng a great noyse and hauing stayde a while they began a new euen as at the first to come to vs againe being come néere our boate we strucke at them with two launces which thing was so great a terrour vnto them that with greate hast they began to flée and would no more follow vs. ¶ How the sayde men commming to our shippes and our men going toward them both parties went on land and how the saide wilde men with great ioye beganne to traficke with our men THe next daye part of the sayde wilde men with nine of their boates came to the point and entrance of the créek where we with our ships were at road We being aduertised of theyr cōming went
prosperous weather we came into the middle of the Sea that is betwéene the newâ— land 〈◊〉 Briâ—tanie in which place we were tost and turmoyled thrée dayes long with great stormes and windie tempests comming from the east which with the aide and assistance of God we suffered then had we faire weather and vpon the fifth of September in the said yeare we came to the port of S. Malo whence we were come The language that is spoken in the Land newly discouered called new Fraunce God the Sunne Isnetz the Heauen camet the Day the Night aiagla Water ame Sand estogatz a Sayle aganie the Head agonaze the Throate conguedo the Nose hehonguesto the Teeth hesangne the Nayles agetascu the Feete ochedasco the Legges anoudasco a dead man amocdaza a Skinne aionasâ—a that Man yea a Hatchet asogne greene Fish gadagâ—ursere good to be eaten guesandâ— Almonds anougaza Figges ascondâ— Gold henyosco the priuie members assegnega an Arow cacta a greene Tree hauedâ— an earthen dish audaâ—o a Bow Brasse aignetaze the Brow ansce a Feather yco the Moone casmogan the Earth conda the Winde canut the Rayne â—nnoscon Bread cacacomy the Sea a met a Shippe casaomy a Man vndo the Heares hoc hosco the Eyes ygata the Mouth hachâ— the Eares hâ—ntasco the Armes agescâ— a Woman enrasesco a sicke Man alouedeche Shoes attâ— a Skin to couer a maÌ„s priuy meÌ„bers â—nscozâ—n vondico Flesh red cloth cahâ—neta a Knife agobodâ— a Macrell 〈◊〉 Nuttes 〈◊〉 Apples â—onesta Beanes sabe a Swoord achesco Heere endeth the first relation of Iames Carthiers discouery of the new land called New France translated into English out of Italian by I. F. Assai ben balla a chi fortuna suma ¶ A shorte and briefe narration of the Nauigation caused to be made by the King of France to the Ilands of Canada Hochelaga Saguenay and diuers others which now are called New France vvith a discourse of the particulars customes and manners of the inhabitoures therein Chap. 1. IN the yeare of our Lord 1535. vpon Whitsonday being the 16. of May by the commandement of our owne Captayne Iames Carthier and with a common accord in the Cathedrall Churche of S. Malo we deuoutely each one confessed our selues and receyued the Sacrament and all entring into the Quier of the sayde Church we presented our selues before the Reuerend Father in Christ the Lorde Bishop of S. Malo who blessed vs all being in his Bishops Roabes The Wensday following béeing the 19. of May there rose a good gale of winde and therefore we hoysed Sayle with thrée Shippes that is to say the great Hermina being in burthen about a hundreth or a hundreth and twentie Tunne wherein the foresayde Captayne Iames Carthier was Generall and Maister Thomas Frosmont chiefe Mayster accompanyed with Mayster Claudius of Pont Briand Sonne to the Lord of Monteceuell and Cupbearer to the Dolphin of France Charles of Pomeraâ—â—â— Iohn Powlet and other Gentlemen In the second Shippe called the little Hermina being of thréescore Tunne burthen were Captaynes vnder the said Carthier Mace Salobert and Mayster William Marie In the third Shippe called the Hemerillon being of fortiâ— Tunne in burthen were Captaynes M. William Brittan and M. Iames Maingare So we sayled with a good and prosperous wind vntil the 20. of the said moneth at which time the weather tourned into stormes teÌ„pests y e which with contrarie winds and darkenesse endured so long y t our ships being without any rest suffered as much as any ships that euer went on seas so that the 25. of Iune by reason of that foule and foggie weather all our shippes loste sight one of another neyther sawe we one another againe tyll we came to the newe lande where we had appointed to méet After we had lost one another we in the Generals ship were with contrarie windes tost too and fro on the sea vntil the seuenth of Iuly vpon which daye we arriued and came to the Iland called the Iland of Byrdes which lyeth from the main lande .44 leagues This Ilande is so full of byrdes that all our ships might easily haue bin fraighted with them and yet for the great number that there is it wold not séeme that any were taken away We to victual our selues filled two boats of them This Iland hath the Pole eleuated .49 degrées and 40. minutes Vppon the eight of the sayde moneth we sayled further and with a prosperous weather came to the Porte called The Port of white Sandes that is in the Baie called The Baie of Castels where we had purposed to méete and stay togither the fiftéenth of the said month In this place therfore we loked for our felows that is to say the other two ships til the .26 of the moneth on which daye both came togither So soone as our fellowes were come we set our shippes in a readinesse taking in both water wood and other necessaries And then on the 29. of the saide moneth early in the morning wée hoised saile to passe on further and sailing alongst the Northerne coast that runneth Northeast and Southwest til two houres after Sunne set or there aboutes and then we crossed along two Ilandes whiche doe stretch further forth than the others whiche we called S. Williams Ilandes bâ—ing distant aboute 20. leagues or more from the Porte of Brest All the coast from the Castels to that place lyeth East Weast Northeast and Southweast hauing betwéene it sundrye little Ilandes altogither barren and full of stones wythoute eyther earth or trées excepted certayne Valleys onely The nexte daye being the laste of Iulye sauing one we sayled on Westward to finde out other Ilands which as yet we had not founde xij leagues and a halfe among whiche there is a great Baye towarde the North all ful of Ilandes and great créekes where manye good harboroughes séeme to be them we named Saint Marthas Ilandes from which about a league and a halfe further into the sea there is a dangerous shallow wherin are four or fiue rocks which lye from Saint Marthas Ilandes about vij leagues as you passe into the said Ilands on the East and on y e West side to which we came the said day an houre after noone and from that houre vntil midnight we sailed about fiftéene leagues athwart a cape of y e lower Ilands which we named S. Germans IlaÌ„ds South-eastward froÌ„ whiche place about thrée leagues there is a very dangerous shallow Likewise betwéen S. Germans Cape S. Marthas about two leagues froÌ„ the said IlaÌ„ds there lyeth a baÌ„ck of sand vpon which hanck y e water is but two fadome déepe therfore séeing y e daÌ„ger of y e coast we struck saile went no further y e night The next day being y e last of Iuly we wente al along the coast y t runneth East west West by North which is al enuironed about w t Ilandes drie sandes and in truth are very daungerous The length froÌ„ S.
which as yet we had not séene and of the Iland of the Assumption which we had founde departing from the sayde land which thing so soon as we had done and that we were certifyed no other passage to be there we came to our shippe againe whiche we had left at the said Ilands where is a good harborough the water being about nine or ten faddome In the same place by occasion of contrarie winds and foggie mystes we were constrayned to stay not being either able to come out of it or hoyse sayle til the four twentith of the month On which day we departed came to a hauen on the Southerly coast about 80. leagues from the said Ilands This hauen is ouer against thrée flat Ilāds y t lye amidst a riuer bycause on the half way of y e sayd Ilands the said Hauen toward the North there is a verye great riuer that runneth betwéene the high low Ilands more than thrée leagues into the sea it hath many shelues there is not altogither one fadome water so that the place is very dangerous from bank to bancke of the saide shelues there is either xv or xx yardes All the Northerly cost rūneth East Northeast and South Southwest The saide hauen wherin we stayed is as it were but a sluce of the waters that rise by the floud and but of smal accompt we named them S. Iohns Isleetes bycause we founde them and entred into thē the day of the beheading of that Saint Aboute fiue leagues afore you come to the said hauen Westward there is no passage at al but only with little boates The hauen of S. Iohns Islettes dryeth vp all the waters that rise by flowing yea if it flowe a faddome The best place to harborough ships therin is on the South part of a certaine little Islande that is ouer against the sayde hauen whereby the bancke or shore of of the Iland riseth Vpon the first of September we departed out of the said hauen purposing to go towarde Canada and about 15. leagues from it towarde West Southwest amidst y e riuer there are thrée Ilandes ouer against the whiche the riuer runneth swift and is of a great depth it is that which leadeth and runneth into the Countrey and kingdome of Saguenay as by the two wilde men of Canada it was tolde vs. Thys riuer passeth and runneth along very high and stéepe hilles of bare stone where very little earth is and notwithstanding there is greate quantitie of sundrie sortes of trées that growe in the sayde bare stones euen as vppon good and fertile ground in such sorte that we haue séene some so great as well woulde suffise to make a maste for a shippe of fortie Tunne burden and as gréene as possible can be growing in a stonie rocke without any earth at all At the entraunce of the sayd riuer we mette with foure boates ful of wilde men whiche as farre as we coulde perceyue verye fearefullye came toward vs so that some of them went backe agayne the other came as neare vs as easilye they might heare and vnderstond one of our wilde men who tolde them his name and then toke acquaintaunce of them vpon whose word they came to vs. The nexte day being the seconde of September we came out of the riuer to goe to Canada and by reason of the Seas flowing the tide was verie swifte and daungerous for that on the South part of it there lye two Ilandes about whiche more than thrée leagues compasse lye manye greate stones and but two faddome water and the flowing amidst those Ilandes is verye vnconstante and doubtefull that if it hadde not bene for our boates we hadde bene in great dāger to loose our liues and coasting along the saide dry sands there is more than fiftéen fadome water About fiue leagues beyonde the riuer of Saguenay Southweast there is another Ilande more Northerly acrosse whiche are certaine highe péeces of lande and thereaboutes we thought to haue caste Ancker on purpose to staye the nexte tide but we could sound no ground by thrée score fadome within a flighte shoote from shoare so that we were constrayned to winde backe to the sayde Ilande where wée sounded againe and founde eightéene faddome The nexte mornyng we hoysed saile and wente thence sayling further on where wée hadde notice of a certayne kinde of fishe neuer to-fore of anye manne séene or knowen They are aboute the bignesse of a Purpois yet nothing like them of bodye verye well proportioned headed lyke Graye-houndes altogither as white as Snowe wythout anye spotte within which Riuer there is great quantitie of them they do liue altogyther betwéene the Sea and the freshe Water These of the Countrey call them ADHOTHVYS they folde vs that they be very sauorye and good to be eaten Moreouer they affirme none to be foūd else-wher but in that riuer The sixth of the month the weather being calme faire we went about fiftéene leagues more vpward into the riuer and there lighted on an Iland that looketh Northward and it maketh a little hauen or créeke wherin are many innumerable great Tortoyzes continuallye lying about that Ilande There are likewise great quantitie of the said Aphothuys taken by the inhabitours of the Coūtry so that there is as gret concourse and méeting in that place as is at Bordeous in Fraunce at euery tide This Iland is in length about thrée leagues and in bredth two and is a goodly and fertile plot of ground replenished with many goodly and great trées of manye sortes Among the rest ther are many Filburde trées which we found hanging full of them somewhat bigger and better in sauour than ours but somewhat harder and therefore we called it The Iland of Filburdes The seuenth of the month being our Ladies euen after seruice we went from that Ilande to goe vp higher into the riuer and came to the Fourteene Ilandes seauen or eight leagues from the Ilande of Filburdes where the Countrey of Canada beginneth one of which Ilandes is ten leagues in length and fiue in bredth greatlye inhabited of such men as onlie liue by fishing of suche sortes of fishes as the riuer affourdeth according to the seasō of them After we had cast Ancker betwéene the sayde Ilande and the Northerly coast we went on lande and tooke our two wilde men with vs méeting with many of those Countrey people who woulde not at all approch vnto vs but rather fledde from vs vntill our two men beganne to speake vnto them telling thē that they wer Taignoagny Domagaia who so soone as they had takē aquaintance of thē began greatly to reioyce dauncing and shewing many sorts of ceremonies and many of the chiefest of thē came to our boats brought many Eles other sorts of fishes with two or thrée burdens of great Millet wherwith they make their bread many gret mus◠milions The same daye came also manye other boates full of those Countreymen and