a Captayne also and with a ship of one hundred and fortie tunnes and seuentie men came to the said Sound of Dariene Anno 1575. and had conference with those Negroes But hearing that the Mules were now conducted with Souldiers hee resolued on a new Enterprize which neuer any had attempted and landed in that place where Captayne Drake had had conference with the Negros and hauing brought his ship aground and couered her with boughes and hid his Ordnance in the ground he tooke two small Peeces of Ordnance and Calieuers with store of victuals and went twelue leagues with sixe Negros into the mayne Land to a Riuer which runneth into the South Sea There he cut wood and made a Pinnasse fortie fiue foot by the keele and therewith went into the South Sea to the Iland of Pearles fiue and twentie leagues distant from Panama to watch for shippes comming from Peru thither he tooke a Barke with 60000. Pezos of Gold comming from Quito and staying sixe dayes longer tooke another which came from Lima with 100000. Pezos of Siluer in barres and delaying somewhat long sent away his Prizes and went with his Pinnasse vp the Riuer This delay gaue opportunitie of intelligence and Iohn de Ortega was sent to pursue him at a partition of the Riuer into three when he was taking vp the greatest feathers of Hennes which the English had plucked diuerted him vp the lesser streame whereby hee lighted on the treasure first Oxenham beeing gone to get Negros to helpe him carrie his treasure his owne men quarrelling for larger pay Some of the English were taken which bewrayed the ship and the rest were betrayed by the Negros whiles they were making Canoas for the North Sea there to take some Barke They confessed that they had no license from the Queene and were all executed but two Boyes Thus perished Oxenham a man if his Case had beene iust worthy of lasting memory for an attempt so difficult Quem sinon tenuit magnis tamen exâ—idit ausis The King of Spaine sent Souldiers to take those fugitiue Negros which had assisted the English and two Gallies to guard the Coast. This and Captayne Barkers frustrated attempts giue greater lustre to Drakes glory Andrew Barker of Bristoll much wronged by the Inquisition Anno 1576. sought to right himselfe in those parts and came with two ships to Nombre de Dios and the Riuer of Chagre eighteene leagues distant to the North-west landed ten men to seeke intelligence of Negros which they could not find and most of the men also died of the Calentura Betwixt that and Veragua he tooke a Prize and another in the Gulfe of Honduras Mutuall quarrels betwixt Coxe and the Captayne betrayed them to the Spaniards which assayling them slue the Captayne and eight men at the I le Francisco After this Coxe went with his Pinnasse and tooke the Towne of Truxillo but eight men were by reason of men of warre chasing the ship thus forced to shift for themselues left there to their fortunes Fourteene others and the Frigat with the treasure were cast away Diuers of the rest after their returne were long imprisoned These indeed are pettie things to Captayne Drakes expedition in December 1577. wherein he encompassed first of any Generall and except Candish more fortunately then all of them together this whole Terrestriall Globe He set forth with fiue ships and one hundred sixtie three Mariners The whole Voyage you haue before at large The Carkasse of the shippe or some bones at least of that glorious Carkasse yet remayne at Deptford consecrated to Fame and Posteritie in which Queene Elizabeth being feasted Knighted this noble Mariner at which time a bridge of boords made for her Maiestie to passe fell with one hundred men thereon of which none were hurt as if Good Fortune had both sayled abroad and feasted at home in that ship The goods taken were sequestred by her Maiestie for answere to the Spaniard if need should bee Some principall Courtiers are said to haue refused the offer of some of this as Piratically gotten Bernardine Mendoza made demand for the King of Spaine whose Embassadour hee was and receiued answere from the Queene that the Spaniards had vniustly prohibited commerce to the English that Drake should legally answere if any thing were prooued against him the goods being to that purpose sequestred howsoeuer the Spaniard had put her Maiestie to greater charges against the Rebels which the Spaniard had raised in England and Ireland Neither did she know why her subiects and others were prohibited the Indies which she knew no reason to thinke proper to the Spaniards by vertue of the Popes Bull which could nothing oblige Princes which owed him no obedience nor by reason that the Spaniards had arriued here and there had directed Cottages and giuen names to Capes and Riuers Neither might these things hinder other Princes from commerce or to transport Colonies to places not inhabited by the Spaniards the Law of Nations not infringed hereby seeing prescription without possession is nothing worth the vse of the Sea and Aire being exposed to all Nor might any people or person challenge right ouer the Ocean whereof neither nature nor course of publike vse permitted possession Yet a great part of the money was repaied after to Peter Sebura the Spanish Agent which he repaid not to the owners but made vse thereof against the Queene in the affaires of the Spanish Netherlands as was afterwards found Thus farre briefly collected out of Master Camden and Lopez Vaz a Portugall Men noated to haue compassâ—d the world with Drake which haue come to my hands are Thomas Drake brother to Sir Francis Thomas Hood Thomas Biaccoler Iohn Gripe George a Musician Crane Fletcher Cary T. Moone Iohn Drake Iohn Thomas Robert Winterly Oliuer the Gunner c. A little before this the Prince of Orange had beene murdered and Parry had vndertaken the same on her Maiestie hauing the Cardinall Comensis instigation and the Popes absolution to that purpose The Spaniards had giuen great distaste in English and Irish rebellions and had lately arrested the English Ships and goods in Spaine with other vnkindenesses in Belgian businesses The Belgians had offered the confederate Prouinces to her Maiesties Protection and dominion This she refused but their Protection she accepted hauing discouered the Spaniards hatred to her Religion and Nation which how easie were it to put in extreamest execution if the Low-Countries were subdued to his full power their ancient priuiledges being all swallowed vp and so England should be exposed to Spanish machinations with such opportunities of neighbouring Forts Forces Harbours and Shippings She therefore to remoue present warre and future perils from her owne Countrie with masculine magnanimitie aduentured not for vainglory but necessitie to vndertake a businesse which made the world to wonder being little lesse then denouncing warre to so mighty a Monarke She agreed with the States to minister to their
name of a person who had the yeere before sent for the vse of the Colledge at Henrico diuers Bookes and an exact Map of America the Giuer is not knowne but the Bookes are valued at tenne pound Giuen by Master Thomas Bargraue Preacher in Virginia deceassed for the vse of the Colledge a Library valued at a hundred Markes And there is a contribution made by the Inhabitants in Virginia for the building of an house of entertainment for new commers at Iames Citie amounting to the value of fifteene hundred pounds Patents granted this yeere 1 To the Ladie Dale 2 To Sir Dudly Digges 3 To Sir Iohn Bourchier 4 To Captaine Ralph Hamer 5 To Master Arthur Swayne c. 6 To Master Rowland Trueloue c. 7 To Master Iohn Crowe 8 To Master Edward Rider 9 To Captaine Simon Leeke 10 To Master Daniell Gookin 11 To Master Edward Bennet 12 To Master Ioseph Leming 13 To Sir Charles North. 14 To Sir George Yeardly 15 To Master Thomas Leneson 16 To Captaine William Wildon 17 To Master Henry Southey 18 To Martins Hundred 19 To Master Robert Moston 20 To Master Edmund Wynne 21 To Captaine Henry Pelham c. 22 To Captaine Daniell Tucker 23 To Sir Bowyer Worsly 24 To Master Thomas Buckley 25 To Master Francis Harwell 26 To Sir Iohn Brooke Who together with their Associates haue vndertaken to transport great multitudes of people and cattle to Virginia §. II. Newes from Virginia in Letters sent thence 1621. partly published by the Company partly transcribed from the Originals with Letters of his Maiestie and of the Company touching Silke-workes IN the three last yeeres of 1619. 1620. and 1621. there hath beene prouided and sent for Virginia two and fortie Saile of ships three thousand fiue hundred and seuentie men and women for Plantation with requisite prouisions besides store of Cattle and in those ships haue beene aboue twelue hundred Mariners imployed There hath also beene sent in those yeeres nine shâ—ps to the Summer Ilands with about nine hundred people to inhabit there in which ships two hundred and fortie Mariners were imployed In which space haue beene granted fifty Patents to particular persons for Plantation in Virginia who with their Associates haue vndertaken therein to transport great multitudes of people and cattell thither which for the most part is since performed and the residue now in preparing as by the seuerall Declarations of each yeere in their particulars manifested and approoued in our generall and publike Quarter-Courts and for the fuller satisfaction of all desirous to vnderstand the particularities of such proceedings hath beene by printing commended to the vnderstanding of all Sir Francis Wiat was sent Gouernour into Virginia who arriued there in Nouember 1621. with Master George Sandys Treasurer Master Dauison Secretarie c. In the nine ships sent in that Fleet died but one Passenger of seuen hundred in whose roome there was another also borne at Sea Their prouisions were not found so well conditioned as was expected The Sailers are still blamed for imbezelling the goods sent to priuate persons for killing of Swine inordinate trucking c. It was ordained that for euery head they should plant but a thousand plants of Tobacco and for the better strength not to suffer aboue nine leaues to grow on each plant which will make about a hundred weight Master Gookin arriued also out of Ireland with fiftie men of his owne and thirtie Passengers well furnished The present gaine by Tobacco had made the planting of Corne to be neglected and some thinke that if Corne might there be valued not at two shillings sixe pence the bushell as deere as that which is brought from hence there would be lesse feare of famine or dependance on Tobacco The Letters written from the Gouernour and Treasurer in Virginia in the beginning of March last which came hither in Aprill gaue assurance of ouercomming and bringing to perfection in this yeere the Iron-workes Glasse-workes Salt-workes the plentifull sowing of all lorts of English graine with the Plough hauing now cleered good quantitie of ground setting of store of Indian Corne or Maiz sufficient for our selues and for trucke with the Natiues restraint of the quantitie of Tobacco and amendment of it in the qualitie learned by time and experience The planting of Vines and Mulberie trees neere to their Houses Figge-trees Pomegranates Potatoes and Cotton-wooll Seeds Pocoon Indico Sugar Canes Madder Woade Hempe Flaxe and Silke-grasse and for the erecting of a faire Inne in Iames Citie for the better entertainment of new commers whereto and to other publike workes euery old Planter there offered freely and liberally to contribute I write the words of their Letters And how in a late Discouerie made a few moneths before by some of them to the Southward they had past thorow great Forrests of Pines fifteene or sixteene miles broad and aboue threescore miles long very fit for Masts for shipping and for Pitch and Tarre and of other sorts of woods fit for Pot-ashes and Sope-ashes and came vnto a most fruitfull Countrey blessed with abundance of Corne reaped twice a yeere within the limits of Virginia where also they vnderstand of a Copper Myne an essay whereof was sent and vpon triall here found to be very rich and met with a great deale of Silke-grasse there growing which monethly may be cut of which kinds and Cotton-wooll all the Cambaya and Bengala Stuffes are made in the East Indies and of which kindes of Silke-grasse was heretofore made a piece of Grogeram giuen to Queene Elizabeth And how that in December last they had planted and cultiuated in Uirginia Vines of all as well those naturally growing as those other Plants sent them from these parts of Europe Orenge and Lemon-trees Fig-trees Sugar Canes Cotton-wooll Cassaui Roots that make very good bread Plantanes Potatoes and sundry other Indian fruits and Plants not formerly seene in Virginia which at the time of their said Letters began to prosper very well as also their Indico Seed for the true cure whereof there is lately caused a Treatise to be written Furthermore they write that in a Voyage made by Lieutenant Marmaduke Parkinson and other English Gentlemen vp the Riuer of Patomacke they saw a China Boxe at one of the Kings Houses where they were This Boxe or Casket was made of braided Palmito painted without and lined in the inside with blue Taffata after the China or East India fashion They enquiring whence it came the King of Patomecke said it was presented him by a certaine people of the Mountaines toward the South-west who got it from another Nation beyond them some thirtie dayes iournie from Patomacke called Acana Echinac beeing of small stature who had Houses Apparell and Houshold stuffe like vs and liuing within foure dayes iourney of the Sea had ships come into their Riuer and he his Brother along with them to that King which offer the Gouernour purposed not to refuse and the
of the earth for wee could neuer perceiue that shee returnes any more to them and yet in likelihood they remaine not long in the Earth after they are hatched because as I haue before said they cannot liue without breathing We sometimes see of the young ones no bigger then a mans hand which some fish will deucure They grow slowly and seeme to haue a very long life they will sleepe on the top of the water and were wont to sleepe often on the Land till the Countrie was peopled they will also liue out of the water some three weekes and that without meate but mourne and pine away they are very wittie Being on the Land turned vpon their backes they can no more without some helpe or aduantage recouer themselues by which meanes when they come on shoare to lay their Egges they are easily taken as also they are when they are cooting But otherwise wee take them for the most part by night making a great light in a Boate to which they will sometimes swimme and seldome shunne so that a man standing readie with a staffe in his hand which hath at one end a socket wherein is an Iron lesse then a mans finger foure-square and sharpe with a line fastned to it hee striking this Iron into the vpper shell of the Turckle it stickes so fast that after shee hath a little tired her selfe by swimming too and fro shee is taken by it They will liue the head being cut off foure and twentie houres so that if you cut the flesh with a Knife or touch it it will tremble and shrinke away There is no meate will keepe longer either fresh or salt But leauing these we will now come to speake of the Prickled Peares which are a fruit growing in these Ilands in such places as are scarce fit for any thing else namely vpon Rockes and Cliffes and commonly by the Sea side as if the salt-water did somewhat helpe to the generation and nourishing of them The tree seemes to grow certaine yeeres before it beares fruit and then to continue bearing very many yeeres hauing almost all the yeere long fruit vpon it And although we call this a Tree yet hath it scarce any bodie or branches but consisteth in a manner wholly of leaues and fruit soft and brittle But we will giue you a larger Historie of the Creatures from Captaine Smith in the next Chapter CHAP. XVIII Extracts out of Captaine IOHN SMITHS Historie of Bermudas or Summer Ilands touching the English Acts and Occurrents there from the beginning of the Plantation SOme one hundred and twentie of the Uirginian Company bought that Title which the Company might seeme to haue to Bermuda and obtayned Letters Patents of his Maiestie Sir Thomas Smith was elected Treasurer and Master Richard Moore sent thither with the first Colonie which found the three men well Carter Chard and Waters which had found store of Ambergrice which was the occasion of great stirres betwixt Moore and Kendall who was imprisoned Chard who was condemned and on the Ladder to be hanged but repriued and all Moores time detayned prisoner and Captaine Dauies who had almost kindled a mutinie till better thoughts did better him Sic vos non vobis was the conclusion of that Treasure to the finders howsoeuer Dauies and Kendall are said to haue licked their fingers well For the naturall Historie thereof I haue added thus much out of him to that which before hath beene deliuered by others The most troublesome to these Ilands are the Winds and Wormes specially in the Spring and Autumne rather to awaken industrie then to cause despaire The Musketas or Flies are very busie with a certaine Indian bugge called by the Spaniards a Cacaroatch which creeping into Chists by their ill sented dung defile all besides their eating Little Ants are in Summer so troublesome that they are forced to dry their figs on high frames anointing the feete with Tarre which stay their passage that else would spoile all Wormes in the earth are noisome to their Corne and Tobacco causing them great labour euery morning to destroy them which else would destroy all Large Lizards haue been there now destroyed by the Cats Spiders are large but beautifully coloured as if they were adorned with Siluer Gold and Peatle their Webs in Summer wouen from Tree to Tree a perfect raw Silke in substance and colour so strong that Birds like Snites bigger then Black-birds are snared in their Nets There are grey and white Hearne grey and greene Plouer wild Ducks and Mallards Coots Red-shankes Sea-wigeons grey Bitternes Cormorants numbers of small Birds like Sparrowes and Robbins which haue lately beene destroyed by the Wild Cats very many Wood-peckers Crowes which since the Plantation are killed and seldome seene except in places least inhabited where they are obserued to take their flight about Sun-set directing their course toward the North-west which causeth the coniecture of other Ilands Yea the Spaniards say this is not true Bermuda c. sometimes also are seene Falcons Iarfalcons Osprayes a Bird like a Hobby holden but a passenger The Cohow is so termed of his voice a night Bird all day hid in the Rockes The Egge-bird on the first day of May constantly obserued to come they begin to lay Egs as big almost as Hens Egges so continuing till Mid-summer so tame you must thrust them off then permitted to breed growing weake and their young are excellent meate The Egges of those are white of the Cohowes speckled as bigge as Hennes strict inhibition was made for their sparing beeing almost destroyed The Tropiks Bird hath his name of the places where he is most seene Another Bird of her Cry is called Pemblico seldome seene by day an vnwelcome Prophet of Tempests by her clamorous crying Owles are now gone Pigeons prosper not Tame Duckes and Geese are there Now for Plants there growing the most remarkeable are the Poyson-wead which is much in shape like our English Iuie with the touch thereof causing rednesse itching and blisters all which after a while passe away of themselues without further hurt The Red-reed is a tall Plant whose stalke is couered with a red rind the Roote steeped or a small quantitie of the iuyce drunke alone procureth a forceable Vomit generally vsed and effectuall against distempers of the stomacke A kind of Wood-bind is common neere the Sea running on Trees like a Vine the fruit somewhat like a Beane but flatter which eaten any way causeth to purge vehemently yet without further harme Another small Tree causeth costiuenesse There is also a Plant like a Bramble bearing a long yellow fruit with a hard shell and within a hard Berrie which stamped and taken inwardly purgeth gently Red-Pepper is a fruit like our Barberies which beaten or bruized with the Teeth sets all the mouth on a heat for the time terrible but swallowed whole haue the same operation that blacke Pepper The Sea-feather is a Plant growing on the
left fifteene men to keepe possession furnished with prouision for two yeeres A. 1587. Sir Walter Raleigh sent a new Colony of one hundred fifty persons with three saile a Ship of one hundred and twenty Tuns a Fly-boat and a Pinnace Hee appointed twelue Assistants to the Gouernour and incorporated them by the name of Gouernour and Assistants of the Citie of Raleigh in Virginia To these Sir Walter Raleigh sent succour fiue seuerall times the last by Samuel Mace 1602. An. 1603. the Bristow men sent thither by leaue of Sir Walter Raleigh in which Expedition was Master Robert Saltern who the yeere before had beene with Cap. Bart. Gosnold And thus are wee come to the beginning of his Maiesties gracious raigne when the North and South Plantations were by new Patents eagerly pursued the one from hence the other from the West parts of England Mawooshen and other parts were many yeeres visited by our men and An. 1607. a Plantation setled at Sagadahoc by two Ships sent by that wise and seuere Iustice Sir Iohn Popham and others the successe whereof hath been such that from the North Plantation it hath beene dignified with the Title of New England And for the Southerne parts A. 1606. a Colony went from hence set forth by the Virginia Company which haue euer since maintained their Plantation in differing fortunes As for the former Plantations of Sir Walter Raleigh some children were borne to them there and whether they liue they continued the possession or if the Sauages dealt perfidiously with them as Powhatan confessed to Cap. Smith that hee had beene at their slaughter and had diuers vtensills of theirs to shew their carkasses the dispersed bones of their and their Countrey mens since murthered carkasses haue taken a mortall immortall possession and being dead speake proclaime and cry This our earth is truly English and therefore this Land is iustly yours O English Thus haue we discouered the English right by Discouery Possession Praescription to which we may adde that none other Nation hath once aduentured to settle in those parts nor scarce to view them yea the French and Spanish Plantations in Florida Virginias Southerne neighbour soone ended in bloudy massacres the Spanish cruelly murthering the French vnder the conduct of Pedro Melendes which An. 1567. was repaid them by Dominique de Gorgues the acquittance written with his sword in Spanish bloud Florida euer since expecting ciuilizing from her first discouerers the English which is further ratified by the former Spanish disasters in the Expeditions of Pamphilo di Nauarez 1527. and of Solo 1537. into Florida which two iourneyes consumed neere one thousand men therein imployed besides other Expeditions of Ponce de Leon and others mentioned by Uega and the Spanish Authors Now for voluntary subiection of the Natiues giuing themselues and their lands to the Crown of England M. Ralph Lane hath testified for the first Colonie that Menatonon their King by his Messenger with him twentie foure principal men sent from Okisko King of Weopomiok his Vassall formally acknowledged Her Maiesty as seruants and homagers to her and vnder her to Sir W. R. For the last Plantation by the present Patent of His Maiesty Paspehay one of their Kings sold vs land for Copper and Powhatan the chiefe Lord of all the Sauages with thirty nine Werowances haue yeelded to more then formes and circumstances of homage besides contribution hauing also actually sold for Copper by him receiued of Cap. Iohn Smith and made voluntary cession of as much as the English desired going away with his people to leaue it to the English onely This purchase was much increased by Sir Thomas Dale and for whatsoeuer else which he held hee accepted a Copper Crowne as Vassall to His Maiesty which also hee really performed for a time howsoeuer since they haue beene perfidious And this perfidiousnesse of theirs hath further warranted the English Title Temperance and Iustice had before kissed each other and seemed to blesse the cohabitations of English and Indians in Virginia But when Virginia was violently rauished by her owne ruder Natiues yea her Virgin cheekes dyed with the bloud of three Colonies that of Sir R. Greenevile that of Sir W. R. both confessed by themselues and this last butchery intended to all extended to so many hundreths with so immaine inhumane dâ—uillish treachery that I speake not of thousands otherwise mis-caring here and mis-carrying there taking possession of Uirginia by their facts and fates by so manifold losses adding to the price of Virginias purchase Temperance could not temper her selfe yea the stupid Earth seemes distempered with such bloudy potions and cries that shee is ready to spue out her Inhabitants Iustice cryeth to GOD foe vengeance and in his name adiureth Prudence and Fortitude to the execution The Holy Patriarks had a promise of Canaan yet held no possession but with their dead bodies Ioseph by faith gaue charge concerning his bones Virginia by so many rights naturalized English by first discouery actuall possession chargeable continuation long prescription voluntary subiection deliuery of seisin naturall inheritance of English there borne reall sale legall cession regall vassallage disloyall treason hath now confiscated whatsoeuer remainders of right the vnnaturall Naturalls had and made both them and their Countrey wholly English prouoking vs if wee bee our owne not base degenerate vnworthy the name of English so that wee shall not haue any thing left like Dauids Embassadors which thus abused brought their Master a iust title to Ammon purchased by their disgraces to couer our nakednesse till Virginia couer reward inrich vs with a totall subiection at lest if not a fatall reuenge And thus much for our right which God hath giuen vs whose Virginian tribute is his glory that hee may indeed be Alpha and Omega as hath beene said of the Virginian Plantation which if it hath not satisfied the expectation hitherto no doubt that defect hath in great part proceeded from this The end of a thing is the beginning being first in intention though last in execution the end which Christians ought to ayme at is God Doing all things in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ to the glory of God the Father by the gracious guide and assistance of the Holy Ghost Glory is Frequens de aliquo fama cum laude And heereby is our Father glorified sayeth Christ if yee bring forth much fruite and so shall yee be my Disciples Loe here the scope of Christians Plantations to plant Christianity to produce and multiply Christians by our words and works to further the knowledge of God in his Word and Workes The workes of God glorifie their Creator The Heauens saith Dauid declare the glory of God c. I will triumph in the workes of thy hands O Lord how great are thy workes and thy thoughts are very deepe A bruitish man knoweth not neither doth a foole vnderstand this All creatures
same all in Pearle and the fourteenth day came in their Lientenant for the deliuery But in the valuing their quantity and quality would not be taken wherefore departed they with foure houres respite for further answere from their Gouernour Don Francisco Manso his answere was himselfe would come to conference which hee did the sixteenth day After dinner our Generall and Colonell Generall with the Spaniards had secret conference about this Ransoms whereupon concluding they absolutely broke of and therefore in all haste was fire put 〈◊〉 some of the houses and the Gouernour had two houres time to cleere him of our Army Thus hauing burnt Rio dela Hatcha Rancharia and Tapia The eighteenth day wee weighed and stood alongst for Sancta Marta to which we came thetwentieth day here we onely tooke some fiue Prisoners whereof one was the Lieutenant there The one and twentieth it was put to fire and we set sayle for Nombre de Dios to which we came the seuen and twentieth day where in like manner the people had acquited the Towne yet here was found by intelligence of some Negros as I heard two and twentie Sowes of Siluer Gold in Bullion some Iewels great store of Plate and Riall of Plate with much other luggage The nine and twentieth day Sir Thomas Baskeruile Colonell Generall with all his ablest Captaines and Souldiers tooke their iourney for Panama now the marke of our Voyage who neere the mid-way being empeaâ—hed by some Spaniards and Negros made their retreite to the Ships at Nombre de Dios at this encounter were few of our men slaine some hurt some of the which there left to the mercie of the Spaniards The fifth day of Ianuary all our men being shipped the towne and Galliots put to fire we set sayle then by the aduice of a Spaniard for the Riuer Nicorago in which way we fell with one Iland called Escudo a place which affordeth nothing good yet here wee stayed from the tenth day vntill the three and twentieth when we set sayle and plied to the Eastward which by Gods speciall fauour the eight and twentieth day we came in with Porta laâ—bella This morning died our Generall Sir Francis Drake This is the place where the people of Nombre de Dios meaneth to dwell at Here found we a beginning of a strong platforme with three Brasse Peeces vnmounted In my opinion this was our best remoue for if God had not preuented our Generals purpose for the Riuer Nicorago it would haue hazarded all her Maiesties Ships farre with the rest Here tooke we in ballast water mended our sayles and calked our ships such as had need The eight of February Sir Thomas Baskeruile taking vpon him Generall we all set saile for Santa Marca homewards but not able to recouer higher then Carthagena as wee ghesse in the Bonauenture with the splittng of all our sayles put ouer for Iamaica In this course lost we the Fore-sight the Susan Parnell the Helpe and the Gregory The fiue and twentieth day came we faire by Canaria granda which bore ouer vs in the morning East North-east and this day was all our flesh and fish spent The second of March making this our miserie like to be known to Sir Thomas Baskeruile who hath giuen mee his promise to relieue mee at my need his answere was carelesly for vs and with all said hee would goe in with the Iland Pinos to water which I vtterly misliked the winde then being good to stand alongst very ill to lose and more for that no Englishman in our fleete either knew or euer heard of any watering or other good there In this reasoning betwixt vs we descried twentie sayle of ships a head vs who were the Kings men of Warre wayting our home comming it was my fortune in the Bonauenture to take to taske the Vice-admirall one of the twelue Apostles of the Kings for so I thought by a great golden Saint which manned her Poope The manner of our fight and my deseruing I leaue euen to the report of mine enemies yet thus much vnderstand their Admirall with the rest all the next day being in the winde was content we should passe in peace Thus being quietly and we all disimbogued some two hundred leagues I made a second demand of Sir Thomas his promise for victuals which he vtterly refused wherefore aswell in regard of our Generals lacke as mine owne danger with a shot in our fight wherein it was indifferent with mee to liue or die I told him I must make more haste home then I presumed hee would yet wee stayed with him two dayes longer when in a storme I left him and this was the fourteenth day of March. Now for these two English Sea-worthies as wee haue begunne their American Aduentures and ended them together so I haue thought good to insert this following censure of a Gentleman in a Letter of his touching them both as an Epitaph dedicated to their memory SIr I haue according to your request and my owne plainnesse sent you here the comparison betweene those two Commanders Sir Francis Drake and Sir Iohn Hawkins They were both much giuen to trauell in their youth and age attempting many honourable Voyages alike as that of Sir Iohn Hawkins to Guiny to the Iles of America to Saint Iohn de Vlua So likewise Sir Francis Drake after many Discoueries of the West Indies and other parts was the first Englishman that did euer compasse the World wherein as also in his deepe iudgement in Sea causes he did farre exceed not Sir Iohn Hawkins alone but all others whomsoeuer In their owne natures and disposition they did as much differ as in the managing matters of the Warres Sir Francis beeing of a liuely spirit resolute quicke and sufficiently valiant The other slow iealous and hardly brought to resolution In Councell Sir Iohn Hawkins did often differ from the iudgement of others seeming thereby to know more in doubtfull things then he would vtter Sir Francis was a willing hearer of euery mans opinion but commonly a follower of his owne he neuer attempted any action wherein he was an absolute Commander but hee performed the same with great reputation and did easily dispatch great matters Contrariwise Sir Iohn Hawkins did only giue the bare attempt of things for the most part without any Fortune or good successe therein Sir Iohn Hawkins did naturally hate the Land-souldier and though hee were very popular yet he affected more the common sort then his equals Sir Francis contrarily did much loue the Land-souldier and greatly aduanced good parts wheresoeuer he found them Hee was also affable to all men and of easie accesse They were both of many vertues and agreeing in some As patience in enduring labours and hardnesse Obseruation and Memory of things past and great discretion in sudden dangers in which neither of them was much distempered and in some other vertues they differed Sir Iohn Hawkins had in him mercie and aptnesse
to Coruo the Englishmen at times had taken at the least twenty ships that came from Saint Domingo India Brasillia c. and all sent into England Whereby it plainly appeareth that in the end God will assuredly plague the Spaniards hauing already blinded them so that they haue not the sence to perceiue it but still to remaine in their obstinate opinions but it is lost labour to striue against God and to trust in man as being foundations erected vpon the sands which with the winde are blowne downe and ouerthrowne as we daily see before our eyes and now not long since in many places haue euidently obserued and therefore let euery man but looke into his owne actions and take our Low-Countries for an example wherein we can but blame our owne sinnes and wickednesses which doth so blinde vs that we wholly forget and reiect the benefits of God continuing the seruants and yoke-slaues of Sathan God of his mercy open our eyes and hearts that wee may know our onely health and Sauiour Iesus Christ who onely can helpe gouerne and preserue vs and giue vs a happy end in all our affaires By this destruction of the Spaniards and their euill successe the lading and shipping of the goods that were saued out of the ship that came from Malacca to Tercera was againe put off and therefore wee must haue patience till it please God to send a fitter time and that we receiue further aduise and order from his Maiestie of Spaine All this being thus past the Farmers of Pepper and other Merchants that had their goods in Tercera which were taken out of the lost ship that came from Malacca seeing that the hope of any Armada or any ships in the Kings behalfe to be sent to fetch it was all in vaine they made request vnto his Maiesty that he would grant them licence euery man particularly to ship his goods in what ship he would at his owne aduenture which in the end after long suite was granted vpon condition that euery man should put in sureties to deliuer the goods in the Custome-house at Lisbone to the end the King might be paied his custome as also that the goods that should be deliuered vnto them in Tercera should all be registred whereupon the Farmers of Pepper with other Merchants agreed with a Flushinger to fetch all the Cloues Nutmegs Mace and other spices and goods that belonged vnto them the Pepper onely excepted which as then the King would not grant to lade The same Ship arriued in Tercera about the last of Nouember and because it was somewhat dangerous being the latter end of the yeare we laded her with all the speede we could for as then the coast was cleare of Englishmen To be short this Flushinger being laden with most part of the goods sauing the Pepper that was left behinde we set saile for Lisbone passing some small stormes not once meeting with any ship but onely vpon the coast where we saw ten Hollanders that sailed with Corne towards Ligorne and other places in Italie and so by Gods helpe vpon the second of Ianuary Anno 1592. we arriued in the Riuer of Lisbone being nine yeares after my departure from thence and there I staied till the month of Iuly to dispatch such things as I had to doe and vpon the seuenteenth of the same month I went to Sentuual where certaine Hollanders lay with whom I went for Holland The end of the eight Booke ENGLISH PLANTATIONS DISCOVERIES ACTS AND OCCVRRENTS IN VIRGINIA AND SVMMER ILANDS SINCE THE YEERE 1606. TILL 1624. THE NINTH BOOKE CHAP. I. Part of the first Patent granted by his Maiestie for the Plantation of Virginia Aprill the tenth 1606. IAMES by the grace of God c. Whereas our louing and well disposed Subiects Sir Thomas Gates Sir George Summers Knights Richard Hakluyt Clerke Prebendary of Westminster Edward Maria Wingfield Thomas Hannam Rawleigh Gilbert Esquires William Parker George Popham and diâ—ers others of our louing Subiects haue beene humble Suitors vnto vs that we would vouch safe vnto them our License to make Habitation Plantation and to deduce a Colonie of sundry of our people into that part of America commonly called Virginia and other parts and Territories in America either appertayning vnto vs or which now are not actually possessed by any Christian Prince or people situate lying and being all along the Sea Coast betweene thirtie foure degrees of Northerly latitude from the Equinoctiall Line and fortie fiue degrees of the same latitude and in the mayne Land betweene the same thirtie foure and fortie fiue degrees and the Ilands thereunto adiacent within one hundred miles of the Coast thereof And to that end and for the more speedie accomplishment of the said intended Plantation and Habitation there are desirous to deuide themselues into two seuerall Colonies and Companies the one consisting of certaine Knights Gentlemen Merchants and other Aduenturers of our Citie of London and elsewhere which are and from time to time shall be ioyned vnto them which doe desire to beginne their Plantations and Habitations in some fit and conuenient place betweene thirtie foure and fortie one degrees of the said latitude all alongst the Sea Coast of Virginia and Coast of America aforesaid And the other consisting of sundry Knights Gentlemen Merchans and other Aduenturers of our Cities of Bristoll and Exeter and of our Towne of Plymmouth and other places which doe ioyne themselues vnto that Colonie which desire to beginne their Plantations and Habitations in some fit and conuenient place betweene thirtie eight and fortie fiue degrees of the said latitude all alongst the said Coast of Virginia and America as that Coast lyeth We greatly commending and graciously accepting of their desires to the furtherance of so Noble a worke which may by the prouidence of Almightie God hereafter tend to the glorie of his Diuine Maiestie in propagating of Christian Religion to such people as yet liue in darknesse miserable ignorance of the true knowledge and worship of God and may in time bring the Infidels and Sauages liuing in those parts to humane ciuilitie and to a settled and quiet gouernment doe by these our Letters Patents graciously accept of and agree to their humble and well intended desires And doe therefore for vs our Heires and Successours grant and agree that the said Sir Thomas Gates Sir George Summers Richard Hakluyt and Edward Maria Wingfield Aduenturers of our Citie of London and all such others as are or shall be ioyned vnto them of that Colonie shall be called the first Colonie and they shall and may beginne their said first Plantation and Seate of their first abode and Habitation at any place vpon the said Coast of Virginia or America where they shall thinke fit and conuenient betweene the said thirtie foure and fortie one degrees of the said latitude And that they shall haue all the Lands Woods Soyle Grounds Hauens Ports Riuers Mynes Minerals Marishes Waters Fishings Commodities and Hereditaments
waited on to his house in the same manner And thus inclosed as I said round with a Pallizado of Planckes and strong Posts foure foote deepe in the ground of yong Oakes Walnuts c. The Fort is called in honour of his Maiesties name Iames Towne the principall Gate from the Towne through the Pallizado opens to the Riuer as at each Bulwarke there is a Gate likewise to goe forth and at euery Gate a Demi-Culuerin and so in the Market Place The houses first raised were all burnt by a casualty of fire the beginning of the second yeare of their seate and in the second Voyage of Captain Newport which since haue bin better rebuilded though as yet in no great vniformity either for the fashion or beauty of the streete A delicate wrought fine kinde of Mat the Indians make with which as they can be trucked for or snatched vp our people do dresse their chambers and inward roomes which make their houses so much the more handsome The houses haue wide and large Country Chimnies in the which is to be supposed in such plenty of wood what fires are maintained and they haue found the way to couer their houses now as the Indians with barkes of Trees as durable and as good proofe against stormes and winter weather as the best Tyle defending likewise the piercing Sunbeames of Summer and keeping the inner lodgings coole enough which before in sultry weather would be like Stoues whilest they were as at first pargetted and plaistered with Bitumen or tough Clay and thus armed for the iniury of changing times and seasons of the yeare we hold our selues well apaid though wanting Arras Hangings Tapistry and guilded Venetian Cordouan or more spruse houshold garniture and wanton City ornaments remembring the old Epigraph We dwell not here to build vs Bowers And Hals for pleasure and good cheere But Hals we build for vs and ours To dwell in them whilst we liue here True it is I may not excuse this our Fort or Iames Towne as yet seated in somewhat an vnwholesome and sickly ayre by reason it is in a marish ground low flat to the Riuer and hath no fresh water Springs seruing the Towne but what wee drew from a Well sixe or seuen fathom deepe fed by the brackish Riuer owzing into it from whence I verily beleeue the chiefe causes haue proceeded of many diseases and sicknesses which haue happened to our people who are indeede strangely afflicted with Fluxes and Agues and euery particular season by the relation of the old inhabitants hath his particular infirmity too all which if it had bin our fortunes to haue seated vpon some hill accommodated with fresh Springs and cleere ayre as doe the Natiues of the Country we might haue I beleeue well escaped and some experience we haue to perswade our selues that it may be so for of foure hundred and odde men which were seated at the Fals the last yeere when the Fleete came in with fresh and yong able spirits vnder the gouernment of Captain Francis West and of one hundred to the Seawards on the South side of our Riuer in the Country of the Nansamundes vnder the charge of Captaine Iohn Martin there did not so much as one man miscarry and but very few or none fall sicke whereas at Iames Towne the same time and the same moneths one hundred sickned halfe the number died howbeit as we condemne not Kent in England for a small Towne called Plumsted continually assaulting the dwellers there especially new commers with Agues and Feuers no more let vs lay scandall and imputation vpon the Country of Virginia because the little Quarter wherein we are set dowee vnaduisedly so chosed appeares to be vnwholesome and subiect to many ill ayres which accompany the like marish places §. IIII. The Lord La WARRES beginnings and proceedings in Iames Towne Sir THOMAS GATES sent into England his and the Companies testimony of Virginia and cause of the late miseries VPon his Lordships landing at the South gate of the Pallizado which lookes into the Riuer our Gouernour caused his Company in armes to stand in order and make a Guard It pleased him that I should beare his Colours for that time his Lordship landing fell vpon his knees and before vs all made a long and silent Prayer to himselfe and after marched vp into the Towne where at the Gate I bowed with the Colours and let them fall at his Lordships feete who passed on into the Chappell where he heard a Sermon by Master Bucke our Gouernours Preacher and after that caused a Gentleman one of his owne followers Master Anthony Scot his Ancient to reade his Commission which intituled him Lord Gouernour and Captaine Generall during his life of the Colony and Plantation in Uirginia Sir Thomas Gates our Gouernour hitherto being now stiled therein Lieutenant Generall After the reading of his Lordships Commission Sir Thomas Gates rendred vp vnto his Lordship his owne Commission both Patents and the Counsell Seale after which the Lord Gouernour and Captaine Generall deliuered some few words vnto the Company laying many blames vpon them for many vanities and their Idlenesse earnestly wishing that he might no more finde it so least he should be compelled to draw the sword of Iustice to cut off such delinquents which he had much rather he protested draw in their defence to protect them from iniuries hartening them with the knowledge of what store of prouisions he had brought for them viz. sufficient to serue foure hundred men for one whole yeare The twelfth of Iune being Tuesday the Lord Gouernour and Captaine Generall did constitute and giue places of Office and charge to diuers Captaines and Gentlemen and elected vnto him a Counsell vnto whom he did administer an Oath mixed with the oath of Allegiance and Supremacy to his Maiestie which oath likewise he caused to be administred the next day after to euery particular member of the Colony of Faith Assistance and Secrecy The Counsaile which he elected were Sir Thomas Gates Kinght Lieutenant Generall Sir George Summers Knight Admirall Captaine George Percy Eâ—quire and in the Fort Captaine of fifty Sir Ferdinando Weinman Knight Master of the Ordnance Captaine Christopher Newport Vice-admirall William Strachei Esquire Secretary and Recorder As likewise the Lord Gouernour and Captaine Generall nominated Captaine Iohn Martin Master of the Battery workes for Steele and Iron and Captaine George Webb Sergeant Maior of the Fort and especiall Captaines ouer Companies were these appointed Captaine Edward Bruster who hath the command of his Honours owne Company Captaine Thomas Lawson Captain Thomas Holecroft Captaine Samuell Argoll Captaine George Yardley who commandeth the Lieutenant Generals Company Diuers other Officers were likewise made as Master Ralph Hamor and Master Browne Clarkes of the Counsell and Master Daniell Tucker and Master Robert Wilde Clarkes of the Store c. The first businesse which the Lord Gouernour and Captaine Generall after the
between Sagadahoc and it From the Iland vpward the water is fresh abounding in Salmons and other fresh-water fish Some thirteene or fourteen daies iourney from the entrance in the North-east branch there is a little arme of a Riuer that runneth East some daies iourney which hath at the entrance foure fathoms water Vpon this arme there is one ouer fail which standeth halfe a daies iourney aboue this braneh vpon this arme there are foure Townes The first is called Kenebeke which hath eightie houses and one hundred men The Lord whereof is Apombamen The second is Ketangheanycke and the Sagamos name is Octoworthe who hath in his Towne ninetie housholds and three hundred and thirtie men This Towne is foure dayes iourney from Kenebeke and eight dayes iourney from To the Northward is the third Towne which they call Naragooc where there are fiftie housholds and one hundred and fiftie men The chiefe Sagamo of that place is Cocockohamas And on the small branch that runneth East standeth the fourth Towne named by Mâ—ssakiga where there are but eight housholds and fortie men Vpon the Northwest branch of this Sound stand two Townes more The first is called Amereangan and is distant from Kenebeke sixe dayes iourney In this place are ninetie housholdes and two hundred and sixtie men with two Sagamoes the one called Sasuâ—a the other Scawas Seuen daies iourney hence there is another Sagamo whose name is Octoworâ—kin and his Townes name Namercante wherein are fortie housholds and one hundred and twentie men A dayes iourney aboue Namercante there is a downefall where they cannot passe with their Cannoes but are inforced to carrie them by Land for the space of a quarter of a mile and then they put them into the Riuer againe And twelue dayes iourney aboue this Downfall there is another where they carrie their Boates as at the first and sixe dayes iourney more to the North is the head of this Riuer where is the Lake that is of eight dayes iourney long and foure dayes broad before mentioned In this Lake there is one Iland and three dayes iourney from this Lake there is a Towne which is called Buccawganecants wherein are threescore housholds and foure hundred men And the Sagamo thereof is called Baccatusshe This man and his people are subiects to the Bashabez of Mawooshen and in his Countrey is the farthest limit of his Dominion where he hath any that doe him homage To the Westward of Sagadahoc foure dayes iourney there is another Riuer called Ashamabaga which hath at the entrance sixe fathoms water and is halfe a quarter of a mile broad it runneth into the Land two dayes iourney and on the East side there is one Towne called Agnagebcoc wherein are seuentie houses and two hundred and fortie men with two Sagames the one called Maurmet the other Casherokenit Seuen dayes iourney to the South-west of Ashamabaga there is another Riuer that is sixe fathoms to the entrance This Riuer is named Shawakotoc and is halfe a myle broad it runneth into the Land fiftie dayes iourney but foure dayes from the entrance it is so narrow that the Trees growing on each side doe so crosse with their boughes and bodies on the other as it permitteth not any meanes to passe with Boates that way for which cause the Inhabitants that on any occasion are to trauell to the head are forced to goe by Land taking their way vpon the West side At the end of this Riuer there is a Lake of foure dayes iourney long and two dayes broad wherein are two Ilands To the North-West foure daies iourney from this Lake at the head of this Riuer Shawakatoc there is a small Prouince which they call Crokemago wherein is one Towne This is the Westermost Riuer of the Dominions of Bashabez and Quibiquisson the Westermost To the Reader I Haue thought good to adde to the English Plantations in New England those in the neighbour Countrey of New-found-land This was first discouered Ann. 1497. by S. Sebastian Cabot set forth by King Henry the seuenth the Voyages followed of M. Rut Albert de Prato M. Hore and others Ann. 1583. actuall and formall possession was taken in the right of Queene Elizabeth of glorious memory and her Successours by that memorable Knight Sir Humfrey Gilbert see sup lib. 4. ca. 13. And in the yeere 1609. M. Iohn Guy of Bristoll did write a Treatise to animate the English to plant there a written Copy whereof I haue A. 1610. It pleased his most excellent Maiestie to grant a Patent for a Plantation part whereof the whole might seeme too long for our purpose we haue inserted CHAP. VII The beginning of the Patent for New-found-land and the Plantation there made by the English 1610. deliuered in a Letter dated thence from M. GVY to M. SLANY Also of the weather the three first Winters and of Captaine WESTON with other remarkable Occurrents IAMES by the Grace of GOD of Great Brittaine France and Ireland King Defendour of the Faith c. To all people to whom these Presents shall come greeting Know yee whereas diuers Our louing and well disposed Subiects are desirous to make Plantation to inhabite and to establish a Colony or Colonies in the Southerne and Easterne parts of the Countrey and I le or Ilands commonly called New-found-land vnto the Coast and Harbour whereof the Subiects of this our Realme of England haue for the space of fiftie yeeres and vpwards yeerely vsed to resort in no small numbers to fish intending by such Plantation and inhabiting both to secure and make safe the said Trade of Fishing to Our Subiects for euer And also to make some commendable benefit for the vse of mankind by the lands and profits thereof which hitherto from the beginning as it seemeth manifest hath remained vnprofitable And for better performance of such their purpose and intentions haue humbly besought Our Regall Authoritie and assistance Wee being well assured that the same Land or Countrey adioyning to the foresaid Coasts where Our Subiects vse to fish remaineth so destitute and desolate of inhabitance that scarce any one Sauage person hath in many yeeres beene seene in the most parts thereof And well knowing that the same lying and being so vacant is as well for the reasons aforesaid as for many other reasons very commodious for Vt and Our Dominions And that by the Law of Nature and Nations We may of Our Royall Authoritie possesse our selues and make graunt thereof without doing wrong to any other Prince or State considering they cannot iustly pretend any Soueraigntie or Right thereunto in respect that the same remaineth so vacant and not actually possessed and inhabited by any Christian or other whomsoeuer And therefore thinking it a matter and action well beseeming a Christian King to make true vse of that which God from the beginning created for mankind And therefore intending not onely to worke and procure the benefit and good of many of Our Subiects
that as throwes of a grieuous trauell they brought forth a Virgin both Truth to the Church and Queene to the State the one a fruitfull Mother to the soules the other to the wealth honour domesticke peace forraine victories and Nauall glorie of the English Nation This renowned Queene eight and thirty yeeres after vnable to alter that decree of the windes which now seemed themselues and forced Calis to become Spanish would try their windy fidelity in another expedition and prepared a strong Fleet to inuade the Spanish coast The charge whereof she committed to the Lord Robert Earle of Essex and the Lord Charles Howard Lord high Admirall of England who came vnto Plymmouth about the beginning of May 1596. being there accompanied with diuers other noble Peeres as the Earle of Sussex the Lord Thomas Howard the Lord Herbert the Lord Warden Sir Walter Raleigh the Lord Marshall Sir Francis Vere the Lord Burk Don Christopher yong Prince of Portugall yong Count Lodouick of Nassaw and the Admirall of the Hollanders Sir Iohn Vanderfoord besides many other most worthy Knights and Gentlemen of great worth attending vpon this most honorable Action It pleased them there to make their aboade for the time of that moneth aswell for the new furnishing and reuictualing of her Maiesties Royall Nauie as also for the expecting of some other ships which were to come from diuers places of the Realme and were as yet wanting Before their departure from Plymmouth it pleased their Lordships to publish in Print and make knowne to all the world especially to such as it concerned and that both in the Latine French Dutch English and Spanish tongue what were the true iust and vrgent causes that at this time prouoked her Maiestie to vndertake the preparing and setting forth of this so great a Nauie namely the King of Spaines preparations against her who had before whiles hee treated of peace Anno 1588. prepared to inuade her coast and now also to that purpose daily encreased his Nauie If therefore any should furnish the Spaniard with munition and prouisions they should expect what force could doe for all others of whatsoeuer Nation they aduised them to forsake the Spanish and Portugall Ports or to ioyne with the English for their owne security they hauing no quarrell in this designe but against the Spaniard Thus then all things being in a very good order and well appointed the most holy name of our Omnipotent God being most religiously and deuoutly called vpon ' and his blessed and sacred Communion being diuers times most reuerently and publikely celebrated being furnished with one hundred and fiftie good saile of ships or thereabout In the name of the most high and euerliuing God the first day of Iune they embarked themselues weighed Ancre and hoysed vp faile and put to Sea onward their iourney from the Sownds of Plymmouth to shew her Maiesties religious intendments in this exploit I haue thought good to adde here a Prayer made by her selfe as was reported and vsed as it was fitted for that designe MOst Omnipotent maker and guide of all our worlds masse that eâ—ely searchest and fadomest the bottome of all our hearts conceits and in them seest the true originals of all our actions intended thou that by thy foresight doest truely discerne how no malice of reuenge nor quittance of iniurie nor desire of bloudshed nor greedinesse of lucre hath bred the resolution of our nâ—w set out Army but a heedefull care and wary watch that no neglect of fees nor ouer-suretie of harme might breede either danger to vs or glory to them these being the grounds wherewith thou doest enspire the minde we humbly beseech thee with bended knees prosper the worke and with best forewindes guide the iourney speede the victory and make the returne the aduancement of thy glory the triumph of their f 〈…〉 e and surety to the Realme with the least losse of the English bloud To these deuout petitions Lord giue thou thy blessed grant The ninth of the same moneth comming something neere to the North Cape in a manner in the same altitude or not much differing which was about 43. degrees and something more yet bearing so as it was impossible to be descried from the land There it pleased the Lords to call a select Councell which was alwaies done by hanging out of a Flagge of the Armes of England and shooting off a great warning peece Of this select or priuie Counsell were no moe then these The two Lords Generall the Lord Thomas Howard the Lord Warden Sir Walter Raleigh the Lord Marshall Sir Francis Vere Sir George Cary Master of the Ordnance Sir Coniers Clifford and Sir Anthony Ashley Clarke of the said Counsell And when it pleased the Lords Generall to call a common Counsell as of tentimes they did vpon weighty matters best knowne to their honours then they would cause another kinde of Flag to be hanged out which was the red Crosse of S. George and was very easie to be discerned from the other that appertained onely to the select Counsell and so often as this Flag of S. George was hanged out then came all the Masters and Captaines of all the ships whose opinions were to be demanded in such matters as appertained vnto the said select Counsell It was presently concluded that our course in sailing should forthwith be altered and that we should beare more into the West for some purposes to them best knowne At that instant many Letters of instructions were addressed and sent to euery particular Master and Captaine of the Ships What the contents of those Letters of instructions were it was not as yet knowne vnto any neither was it held meete to be enquired or knowne of any of vs. But vnder the titles and superscriptions of euery mans particuler Letter these words were endorsed Open not these Letters on paine of your liues vnlesse wee chance to be scattered by tempest and in that case open them and execute the contents thereof but if by mishap you fall into your enemies hand then in any case cast them into the Sea sealed as they are It should seeme that these Letters did containe in them the principall place and meaning of this entended action which was hitherto by their deepe foresights kept so secret as no man to my knowledge eiâ—her did or could so much as suspect it more then themselues who had the onely managing thereof All this while our ships God be thanked kept in a most excellent good order being deuided into fiue squadrons that is to say The Earle of Essex the Lord Admirall the Lord Thomas Howard the Lord Warden Sir Walter Raleigh and the Admirall of the Hollanders All which squadrons albeit they did euery day separate themselues of purpose by the distance of certaine leagues as well to looke out for such ships as were happily vnder saile as also for the better procuring of Sea-roome yet alwayes commonly either that day or the next day toward euening they
Voyage Herein was Gods fauour and mercy mightily shewed towards all sides For by this Storme which so furiously for the time afflicted vs were wee and that Spanish Fleet vnder the Adelantado seuered and kept from incountring which had cost much blood and mischiese and to say a truth in all likelihood the worst might haue fallen to our shares For when wee had left the Ilands and were once crosse sayled for England I obserued that before the Storme diuers of our best Ships made all the haste they could homewards neuer following nor attending the Admirals course nor light Which is an Errour too much vsed amongst vs and very disorderly and dangerous as would haue beene well found if the Adelantado had then met with any of those straglers or with the Admirall himselfe homewards bound so stenderly accompanied Which manner of disorder and scattering in the Conduct of a Royall Nauie especially in so long a Voyage is very fit to bee straightly reformed These Spanish Flee-boates and Carauels had made many landings by stealth on that side of Cornewall and put the Countrey in great frights and amazements especially vpon the report of a great Fleet that was comming after them for England Whereupon our Reere Admirall from before the Saint Iues left the Seas and went a Land to take some order for the Countrey of Cornewall whereof hee was then her Maiesties Lieutenant seeing it then in much amazement and feare and so meant to goe ouer land to Plimouth there to meet with our Generall From the Road of Saint Iues the next morning wee in the Wast-spight set sayle for Kingroad and met with such foule weather as that ouer against the flat Holmes shee brake againe her Maine yard which was before broken and new fished in the beginning of this Voyage But at last with much adoe wee brought her about to Kingroad and within a few dayes after moored her safe in Hungread where I tooke speedie order for the paying and discharging of her men at the Spaniards cost and also for the repayring of her decayes By this time wee also had newes that our Admirall and the rest of our Fleet were safely met and arriued at Plimouth And at the same instant also wee had intelligence by a small man of Brasill but newly come from Corke in Ireland that Sir Iohn Norris President of Munster and the Lord Burgh Deputie of Ireland were both lately deceased Of which two men her Maiestie and the Realme had no small losse being both Martiall men of as great worth and seruice as England bred in many yeeres before And although it be no part of this matter to speake of them yet their Deathes being diuulged to vs at the same time cannot be thought vnfit or vnworthy by the way heere to be remembred and lamented After I had thus taken order with the Officers of the Ship at Bristoll I receiued Letters from the Lord Treasurer and the Lord Admirall for the accomplishing of that which I had already out of due consideration gone in hand withall I meane the discharging and paying of the Marriners and Souldiers being to the number of foure hundred men which would haue growne to a great and needlesse expense to haue kept them in pay and victuals vntill such time as I could haue sent vnto the Court to receiue directions backe againe for the same And therefore did first take vp monies vpon credit and then by the Drum make knowne in Bristow that there were Sugars Brasil wood and Fernanbuck aboord o r Ships which I would presently make sale of to those that would giue most for it and not merchand it vnder hand nor in secret to the preiudice and deceiuing of her Maiestie And therefore with the knowledge and aduice of the Master the Purser and Boatswaine of the Ship and the Customer and Searcher of Bâ—â—stow I landed those Wares in safe Cellers and sold them to the best Chapmen in publique testified vnder the hands of these Officers of the Citie and of the Ship for my discharge in that behaâ—â—e and made thereof fiue hundred pounds The which summe I deliuered to one Askew then Purser of the Wast-spight to the end that hee by his Booke might pay the Marriners and the Souldiers by the Powle as a care of mine for those poore-men vnder my Charge which was duely performed The which I haue beene the more precise to remember and notifie for that I tooke no small paines and care in getting those Sugars and Brasill wood aboard vs out of a torne Brasill 〈◊〉 that was ready to founder in the Seaâ— before Saint Michaels and abandoned to any that would aduenture to goe abâ—ord her to fetch away the lading Which businesse in that vacant time that the Ar 〈…〉 e lay at Villa Franca and we before S. Michaels Towne 〈◊〉 put my selfe and my Marriners vnto And I had not so much paines and trauell in the getting as trouble and vexation afterwards to preserue it whilest it was aboord when we came to Kingroad from the purloyning and stealing of the Marriners and Officers of the Ship And to say no more but a truth I dare thus much anouch and iustifie that if there had beene in some other of her Maiesties ships the like regard for these goods that were gotten and of the Prizes taken in this Iourney and as faithfully answered as were these that then for all the crosses and errours that had happened it had fully returned to her Maiestie the double value of all the Charges she had beene at for this Voyage But it was strange to see what carelesse courses were held in all such actions as were set out by the State and what poore returnes were made againe into the Exchequer And therefore more strange that the Prince could subsist so often to set out such chargeable Voyages without any manner of getting more then to particuler persons For so fell it out before in the Indian Voyage when Sancto Domingo and Cartagena were taken and sackâ— by Sir Francis Drake and when Cades in Spaine was surprised and sackt by the English Armie where was infinite wealth But that of Lisbona in Portugall vndertaken by Sir Iohn Norris where the Suburbes did so abound with Merchandize and Spicerie being wholly at the mercy and disposition of our Armie was to be excused for that our Shops kept not promise with him in comming vp the Riuer that should haue both assisted the land Armie with Munition and Victuals and also carried away those Spiceries and rich Merchandize wherein the Sea-men were greatly wanting and taxed by the generall voyce But in this Voyage wee all saw and knew that there were besides Brasill men three good Prizes taken that came from the Hauana laden with Cochynella and other rich Merchandize besides the Siluer Gold Pearle Ciuet Muske Amber-greece which was amongst the Passengers And those three Prizes whereof one was about 400. Tunnes by the report of those Merchants that came in them were
Castle Monasterie Woods of vnknowne trees Why those mynes are neglected Saile descryed A ship of Negroes Purpose of stay and holding the place Alteration by sicknesse and moâ—talitie Winteâ— so called of abundance of rain in Iuly and August The disease 400. English deâ—â— of sicknesse in Puerâ—o Rico. Black Pinnace sunke A thousand Ducats worth of pearles â—ound The Kings rich Chist of pearls in Margarita Lopez sent with Letters 80 peeces of brasen Ordnance brought from Puerto Rico. Ships left with Sir I. Barkley Cause of the Earles quick departure The Earâ—e departed from Puerto Rico the 14. of August The Authors employment with the Earle Of the nâ—ture qualitie â—nd largenesse of the mayne Iland of Saint Iohn de Pueâ—â—â— Rico. Riuer Toa Riuer Baiamond Gold found ordinarily â—n the Riuers of Saint Iohn de Puerto Rico. Vanitie of riches The soile M. Loquilla Woods and Timber Great ship sunke with foure miâ—â—ions and a halfe of treasure The playnes Herds almost wilde Ginger and Sugar Stansias for Ginger Ginger and Sugar their richest commodities Hides One man hauing 12000. head of beeues which vsually are greater then the English Beeues prosper there better then horses Their horses Goates Why sheâ—pe are scarse Woluâ—sh Dogs The wild dogs liue of Crabs Description of thâ—se land-crabs quere if they bâ—e not Tortoiâ—â—s Their experiment Goates more safe then Sheepe Swine Fowles Pidgeons in Trees Parrots as Crowes Fruits Pines Mammeis Guiauas That and Papâ—â—es good agaiâ—st flux Pâ—ums Wilde grapes Plantiâ—â—â— Cocos Palmeâ—os Other fruits Huge Citrons Oranges Pepper Trees diueâ—â—â—fied in fruits greene ripe and buds at once Caâ—â—auy bread Cassauie descr 〈…〉 The iuyce not poyson Mayâ— Ricâ— Drinkes Senâ—â—â—iue plant Cinamon High 〈◊〉 Hot calme continuing thirteene dayes An apparent Current in 32. degrees Ignorance beneficiall A terrible stormes High-swolne Sea Vndique pontus Flores descried Earle of Essex his Iland voyage 1597. The rest as needlesse is omitted Sir T. Pert set forth by King Henrie the eighth Master Tomson c. See Hak. tom 3. pag. 448. Spanish Inquisition Monstrous lies A pezo 4â— 8d Master Bodenham Master Chilton Chiltons seuenteene yeeres trauels in New Spaine and Peru. Ecantepec a hill supposed nine leagues high I suppose it should be nine miles Good out of Euill Henrie Hawkes Sir Iohn Hawkins his third voyage to Guinea and thence to the West Indies Sir Francis Drake Saint Iohn de Vllua The opinion of lawfulnesse to doe any inhumaniti to Sauages punished God vsed Christians vnchrist 〈◊〉 dealing to punish 〈◊〉 〈…〉 uagenesse to Sauâ—gâ—s Miles Philips Tompice the Poâ—t of Panuco Dauid Ingram Spanish gouernours crueltie Nuestra Sennora de Guadalupe Deuillish inquisition 63. Englishmen sentenced at once Anno 1575. besides Three Marryrs Iob Hortop his 23. yeeres misery Sceleton of a huge Giant * Vnderstand it of the Philippinae ships Ginger how it groweth Sea Monster like a man Second sentence of Inquisition Dauid Ingram Sir I. Hawkins his 3. voyages M. Wil. Hawkins Sir Richard Hawkins Sir Francis Drakes birth Camdeni Elizabetha pag. 301. s. His education His first founders Ex operanaâ—ticâ— piratica Drakes second Indian voyage This discourse was written by Lopez Vaz who was taken by the Earle of Cumberlands ships 1586. with his discourse about him Negro fugitiues Camden vbi sup Drakes vow for the South Sea Iohn Oxenham His audacious enterprize His prizes Discord causeth destruction Delay breeds danger Captaine Barker of Bristoll Coxes quarrels Drakes happie Circumnauigation see sup Tom. 1. l. 2. c. 3. See Camdâ—â—i Eliz. pag. 309. Sir Fr. Drakes to Domingo c. Names of the Captaines and Commanders by Sea Land English Shipâ— arrested the cause of the breaking out of Hostility S. Iâ—go taken Voyage of old Master William Hawkins Dominica S. Christopheâ—â— Saint Domingo assaulted and taken Ambitious Armes Cartagena assaulted and taken Mortality by a Calentura The Cause Other Townes taken * So Camden others Saint Augustin First vse of Tobacco and as may be thought of the foolish looke at the left eare which the Virginians say the Deuill so appearing to theÌ„ taught them * This voyage is printed in Master Hak. Tom. 2. part 2. but fincing this written Relation I thought good to insert it It was written by one Tho. Pinner Caricke of 1400. tuns Gally-fight Sir Francis Drakes last voyage Death of Sir Iohn Hawkins S. 10. Port Rico. R de la Hacha taken and Tapia S. Martha Nombre de Dios. S. Th. Baskeruile March for Panama S. Fr. Drakes death Sea fight Quarrell betwixt the Generals Reason for and against the Canary exploit The Grand Canaria Dominica Sir I. Hawkins sickneth At Porto rico He dyeth Treasure lost Know-saw Rio dela Hatcha Santa Marta Sir T. Baskeruils iâ—uâ—ney for Paâ—ama Escudo Sir F. Drakes death Captaine Michelson Treachery of Spaniards Sir G. Careys Captaine Newport Earle of Suffolke Thirteene sayles English before Hauana Sir R. Dudley Captaine Amâ—as Preston Captaine Summers Sir Antonie Sherley Captaine Parker Sir W. Raleigh M. W. Hawkins M. Reniger M. Pudsey M. Hare Sir I. Lancaster Fenton and Ward Iohn Drake Captaine Winters returne With this Cap. Winter I haue had coÌ„ference in Sept. 1618. at Bath which told me that solemne possession was actually taken of those parts to the vse of her Maiesty and her successors which he desired also should be published to the World The names of his companions They lose their ship Their returne to the Straits and thorow them to the North Sea Penguin Iland Port Saint Iulian Riuer of Plate Seales Foure English taken by Sauages the rest wounded Two dye Their Pâ—â—nasse â—â—st Pâ—â—cher Cardâ—r remayne No fresh water They drinke vâ—ine Red vrine Paâ—â—agâ— to the Mayne Pitcher breakes with drinking fresh water Tuppan basse Sauages He goeth with them Sauage towne described Caiou their Lord. Hospitall entertainment He learneth their language Their warres Captiues Man-eating Their drinke and drunkennesse Religion He teacheth them to make Targets and Clubs Three kindes of Balsâ—me Man-eating Spoiles Notes of gentrie Portugals eaten His departure He yeeldeth himselfe to a Portugall His impâ—â—â—â—ment Deliuerance His employments His coast voyages to IIheos Puerto Seguro Spirito Sancto S. Vincent R. Ieâ—ero Dauide Leake an English Surgeon Honest Portugal Fernambuc Hulke with eight English Marchant Royall Cap. Raymond Captain George Drake His arriuall in England The Q. rewardeth him See Tom. 1. l. 2. c. 4. I haue heard that all his sailes at his returne in the riuer were silke See Osorius de reb Eman. Sup. Toâ— 1. l. 3. Cap. Dauis his voyage into the South Sea reported by M. Iane. Hak. To. 3. Strange Canlbals with dogs faces orvizars Dreames omiuous Men lost or taken as Kâ—iâ—et saith Loathsome Wormes The morall of this and other historicall Tragedies The Roe-bucke Captaine Dauis blamed Mutinous companie Port Desire Tempests The Streits Extreme winter They enter fiftie leagues Death of men Miserable distresse Consultation Windes and snows violent Port S. Iulian. Port Desire His
hee determined to depart from Quito and to goe seeke the Captaine Iohn de Ampudia leauing thereto moe then two hundred of Footmen and Horsemen amongst whom were a great many Inhabitants of the Citie of Quito Unto those Inhabitants the Captaine gaue licence to carrie with them the Cacikes that were escheated them in sharing with as many Indians as they would That which they did and Alfonso Sanches Nuita carried forth with him his Cacike with moe then an hundred Indians besides and in like manner Peter Cibo and his Cousin and they led out more then an hundred and fifty with their wiues and sundry also sped out their children because that in a manner euery one died for hunger Also Moran Inhabitant of Popayan carried out moe then two hundred persons And the like did all the rest Citizens and Souldiers euery one after his abilitie the Souldiers crauing that they might haue licence giuen them to captiue those Indians men and women which they carried forth the which was granted them vntill the death of the said captiues and those deceased to take as many more When they departed out of the Prouince of Quito they carried out moe then sixe thousand Indians men and women and of all those there neuer returned home into their Countrie twenty persons For they died all through the great and excessiue trauell which they made them indure in those broyling Countries contrary to their nature It happened at that time that one Altonso Sanches whom the said Captaine sent for Chieftaine ouer a certaine number of men into a Prouince there met with a good company of women and young boyes laden with victuals who stayed waiting for them without mouing from the place to giue them of that which they had and hauing so done the Captaine commanded that they should be put to the sharpe of the sword It came to passe also that at the time that the said Captaine came into the Prouince of Lili to a Towne called Palo neere vnto the great Riuer where hee found the Captaine Iohn de Ampudia which was gone before to discouer and pacifie the Countrie the said Ampudia kept a Citie by him prouided of a Garrison in the name of his Maiestie and of the Marques Francis of Pizarro and had set ouer them for Gouernours ordinary one Petre Solano of Quennoues and eight Counsellours and all the rest of the Countrie was in peace and shared out amongst them And as hee knew that the said Captaine was in the said Riuer hee came to see him with a great number of the Inhabitants of the Countrie and peacefull Indians laden with victuals and fruits Shortly after also all the neighbour Indians came to see him bringing him food There were the Indians of Xamundi and of Palo and of Soliman and of Bolo Now because that they brought no Mahis which he would haue he sent a great number of Spaniards with their Indians to goe search for Mahis commanding them to bring some where soeuer they found any So went they to Bolo and to Palo and found the Indians men and women in their houses in peace and the said Spaniards with those that were with them tooke them and robbed their Mahis their Gold and Couerings and all that they had and bound many Wherefore they seeing that the Captaine kept no Faith with them all the Countrie arose and reuolted from the Spanish whereof ensued great damage and God and the Kings Maiestie offended and by this meanes the Countrey remayned dispeopled for that the Olomas and the Manipos their enemies which are Mountaine people and warlike descended daily to take and robbe them when they perceiued the Citie and places of their abode left destitute And amongst them hee who was the stronger did eate vp his fellow for all died for famine This done the Captaine came to the Citie of Ampudia where he was receiued for Generall From this place they goe to a Citie called Tukilicui from whence the Cacike of the place yeelded forth incontinent in peace a number of Indians going before him The Captaine demanded Gold of him and of his Indians The Cacike told him that hee had but a small deale and that which he had should be giuen him and immediatly all beganne to giue him all that they had Whereupon the said Captaine gaue vnto euery of them a ticket with the name of the said Indian for a testimoniall that he had giuen him Gold affirming that hee which should haue neuer a ticket should be cast to the Dogges to bee deuoured because he gaue him no Gold Whereupon the Indians for feare that they were put in gaue him all the Gold that they were able and those which had none fled into the Mountaines and other Townes for feare to bee slaine By reason whereof perished a great number of the natiue Inhabitants of the Countrie And shortly after the said Captaine commanded the Cacike to send two Indians to another Citie named Dagna to will them that they should come in peace and bring him Gold in abundance And comming to another Citie hee sent that night many Spaniards to take the Indians and namely of Tulilicui So as they brought the next morrow aboue an hundred persons and all those which could beare burdens they tooke them for themselues and for their Souldiers and put them to the chaine whereof they died all And the said Captaine gaue the little children vnto the said Cacike Tulilicui that hee should eate them and in truth the skinnes of those children are kept in the house of the said Cacike Tulilicui full of ashes and so departed hee from thence without an Interpreter and went towards the Prouinces of Castile where hee ioyned himselfe vnto the Captaine Iohn de Ampudia who had sent him to discouer another way doing both of them great outrages and much mischiefe vnto the Inhabitants of the Countrie where they became And the said Iohn de Ampudia came to a Citie the Cacike and Lord whereof called Bitacur had caused to make certaine Duches to defend himselfe and there fell into the same two Horses the one of Antonie Rodondos the other of Marc Marqueâ—â—s That of Marcos Marquis died the other not For which cause the said Ampudia commanded to take all the Indians men and women that might be and thereupon tooke and layed together more then an hundred persons whom they cast aliue into those Ditches and slue them and brent withall more then an hundred houses in the said Citie And in that manner met in a great Citie where without summoning the Indians being at peace and without any spokesman to goe betweene them they slue with their Speares a great number of them making on them mortall warre And as it is said soone after they were met the said Ampudia told the Captaine what he had done in Bitaco and how he cast so many into the Ditches and the said Captaine answered that it was well done and that he for his part had done as much
RICHARD WIFFIN THO. ABBAY THO. HOPE and since enlarged out of the Writings of Capt. IOHN SMITH principall Agent and Patient in these Virginian Occurrents from the beginning of the Plantation 1606. till Ann. 1610. somewhat abridged CAptaine Bartholomew Gosnold the first mouer of this Plantation hauing many yeeres solicited many of his friends but found small assistants at last preuailed with some Gentlemen as M. Edward-Maria Wingfield Captaine Iohn Smith and diuers others who depended a yeere vpon his proiects but nothing could be effected till by their great charge and industrie it came to bee apprehended by certaine of the Nobilitie Gentrie and Merchants so that his Maiestie by his Letters Patents gaue Commission for establishing Councels to direct here and to gouerne and to execute there to effect this was spent another yeere and by that time three Ships were prouided one of one hundred Tuns another of fortie and a Pinnace of twentie The transportation of the Company was committed to Captaine Christopher Newport a Mariner well practised for the Westerne parts of America But their orders for gouernment were put in a Box not to bee opened nor the Gouernours knowne vntill they arriued in Virginia On the ninteenth of December 1606. wee set saile but by vnprosperous winds were kept six weekes in the sight of England all which time M. Hunt our Preacher was so weake and sicke that few expected his recouerie Yet although hee were but ten or twelue miles from his habitation the time we were in the Downes and notwithstanding the stormy weather nor the scandalous imputation of some few little better then Atheists of the greatest ranke amongst vs suggested against him all this could neuer force from him so much as a seeming desire to leaue the businesse but preferred the Seruice of God in so good a Voyage before any affection to contest with his godlesse foes whose disasterous designes could they haue preuailed had euen then ouerthrowne the businesse so many discontents did then arise had he not with the water of patience and his godly exhortations but briefly by his true deuouted examples quenched those flames of enuy and dissention Wee watred at the Canaries we traded with the Sauages at Dominica three weekes we spent in refreshing our selues amongst these West India Iles in Gwardalupa wee found a Bath so hot as in it we boiled Porck as well as ouer the fire And at a little I le called Monica wee tooke from the Bushes with our hands neere two Hogsheads of Birds in three or foure houres In Mevis Mona and the Virgin Iles we spent some time wherewith a loathsome beast like a Crocadil called a Gwayn Tortoses Pellicans Parrots and Fishes wee daily feasted Gone from thence in search of Virginia the Company was not a little discomforted seeing the Mariners had three daies passed their reckoning and found no Land so that Captaine Ratcliffe Captaine of the Pinnace rather desired to beare vp the Helme to returne for England then make further search But God the guider of all good actions forcing them by an extreame storme to Hull all night did driue them by his prouidence to their desired Port beyond all their expectations for neuer any of them had seene that Coast. The first Land they made they called Cape Henry where anchoring M. Wingfield Gosnoll and Newport with thirtie others recreating themselues on shoare Were assaulted by fiue Sauages who hurt two of the English very dangerously That night was the Box opened and the orders read in which Bartholomew Gosnoll Edward Wingfield Christopher Newport Iohn Smith Iohn Ratliffe Iohn Martin and George Kendall were named to be the Councell and to chuse a President amongst them for a yeere who with the Councell should gouerne Matters of moment were to be examined by a Iury but determined by the Maior part of the Councell in which the President had two voices Vntill the thirteenth of May they sought a place to plant in then the Councell was sworne M. Wingfield was chosen President and an Oration made why Captaine Smith was not admitted to the Councell as the rest Now falleth euery man to worke the Councell contriue the Fort the rest cut downe Trees to make place to pitch their Tents some prouide Clap-board to relade the Ships some make Gardens some Nets c. The Sauages often visited vs kindly The Presidents ouerweening iealousie would admit no exercise at Armes or Fortification but the Boughs of Trees cast together in the forme of a halfe Moone by the extraordinary paine and diligence of Captaine Kendall Newport with Smith and twentie others were sent to discouer the head of the Riuer by diuers small habitations they passed in sixe dayes they arriued at a Towne called Powhatan consisting of some twelue houses pleasantly seated on a Hill before it three fertill Iles about it many of their Cornfields the place is very pleasant and strong by nature of this place the Prince is called Powhatan and his people Powhatans to this place the Riuer is Nauigable but higher within a mile by reason of the Rockes and Iles there is not passage for a small Boat this they call the Falls the people in all parts kindly intreated them till being returned within twentie miles of Iames Towne they gaue iust cause of iealousie but had God not blessed the discouerers otherwise then those at the Fort there had then beene an end of that Plantation for at the Fort where they arriued the next day they found seuenteene men hurt and a boy slaine by the Sauages and had it not chanced a crosse Bar shot from the Ships strooke downe a Bough from a Tree amongst them that caused them to retire our men had all beene slaine being securely all at worke and their Armes in Dry-fats Heereupon the President was contented the Fort should be pallisadoed the Ordnance mounted his men armed and exercised for many were the assaults and Ambuscadoes of the Sauages and our men by their disorderly stragling were often hurt when the Sauages by the nimblenesse of their heeles well escaped What toile we had with so small a power to guard our workemen adayes watch all night resist our enemies and effect our businesse to relade the Ships cut downe Trees and prepare the ground to plant our Corne c. I refer to the Readers consideration Six weekes being spent in this manner Captaine Newport who was hired onely for our transportation was to returne with the Ships Now Captaine Smith who all this time from their departure from the Canaries was restrained as a prisoner vpon the scandalous suggestions of some of the chiefe enuying his repute who fained he intended to vsurpe the gouernment murder the Councell and make himselfe King that his confederates were dispersed in all the three Ships and that diuers of his confederates that reuealed it would affirme it for this he was committed thirteene weekes hee remained thus suspected and by that time the Ships should returne they
were mustered eightie bands of Dutchmen sixtie of Spaniards six of high Germans and seuen bands of English fugitiues vnder the conduct of Sir William Stanlie an English Knight In the suburbs of Cortreight there were 4000. horsemen together with their horses in a readinesse and at Waten 900. horses with the troupe of the Marquesse del Gâ—â—sto Captaine generall of the horsemen Vnto this famous expedition and presupposed victory many potentates Princes and honorable personages hied themselues out of Spaine the Prince of Melito called the Duke of Pastrana and taken to be the Son of one Ruygomes de Silua but in very deede accompted among the number of King Philips base sons Also the Marquesse of Bargraue one of the sons of Arch-duke Ferdinand and Philippa Welsera Vespasian Gonsaga of the family of Mantua being for chiualâ—y a man of great renowne and heretofore Vice-roy in Spaine Item Iohn Medices base son vnto the Duke of Florence And Amadas of Sauoy the Duke of Sauoy his base son with many others of inferiour degrees At length when as the French King about the end of May signified vnto her Maiestie in plaine tearmes that she should stand vpon her guard because he was now certainly enformed that there was so dangerous an inuasion imminent vpon her Realme that he feared much least all her land and sea-forces would be sufficient to withstand it c. then began the Queenes Maiestie more carefully to gather her forces together and to furnish her own ships of warre and the principall ships of her subiects with souldiers weapons and other necessary prouision The greatest and strongest ships of the whole Nauie she sent vnto Plimmouth vnder the conduct of the right honorable Lord Charles Howard Lord high Admirall of England c. Vnder whom the renowned Knight Sir Francis Drake was appointed Vice-admirall The number of these ships was about an hundreth The lesser ships being 30. or 40. in number and vnder the conduct of the Lord Henry Seimer were commanded to lie betweene Douer and Caleis On land likewise throughout the whole realme souldiers were mustered and trained in all places and were committed vnto the most resolute and faithfull captaines And where as it was commonly giuen out that the Spaniard hauing once vnited himselfe vnto the Duke of Parma ment to inuade by the riuer of Thames there was at Tilburie in Essex ouer-against Grauesend a mighty army encamped and on both sides of the riuer fortifications were erected according to the prescription of Frederike Genebelli an Italian enginier Likewise there were certaine ships brought to make a Bridge though it were very late first Vnto the said Armie came in proper person the Queenes most roiall Maiestie representing Tomyris that Scithian warlike Princesse or rather diuine Pallas her selfe Also there were other such armies leuied in England The principal Recusants least they should stir vp any tumult in the time of the Spanish inuasion were sent to remaine at certain conuenient places as namely in the Isle of Ely and at Wisbich And some of them were sent vnto other places to wit vnto sundry Bishops and Noblemen where they were kept from endangering the state of the common wealth and of her sacred Maiestie who of her most gracious clemency gaue expresse commandement that they should be intreated with all humaniâ—ie and friendship The Prouinces of Holland Zeland c. giuing credit vnto their intelligence out of Spaine made preparation to defend themselues but because the Spanish ships were described vnto them to be so huge they relied partly vpon the shallow and dangerous Seas all along their coasts Wherefore they stood most in doubt of the Duke of Parma his small and flat-bottomed ships Howbeit they had all their ships of warre to the number of nintie and aboue in a readinesse for all assâ—yâ—s the greater part whereof were of a small burthen as being more meete to saile vpon their Riuers and shallow Seas and with these ships they besieged all the hauens in Flanders beginning at the mouth of Scheld or from the towne of Lillo and holding on to Greueling and almost vnto Caleis and fortified all their Sea-townes with strong garrisons Against the Spanish fleets arriuall they had prouided fiue and twenty or thirty good ships committing the gouernment of them vnto Admirall Lonck whom they commanded to ioine himselfe vnto the Lord Henry Seymer lying betweene Douer and Cales And when as the foresaid ships whereof the greater part besieged the hauen of Dunkerke were driuen by tempest into Zeland Iustin of Nassau the Admirall of Zeland supplied that squadron with fiue and thirty ships being of no great burthen but excellently furnished with Guns Mariners and Souldiers in great abundance especially with 1200 braue Musquetiers hauing beene accustomed vnto Sea-fights and being chosen out of all their company for the same purpose and so the said Iustin of Nassau kept such diligent ward in the Station that the Duke of Parma could not issue forth with his Nauie into Sea out of any part of Flanders In the meane while the Shanish Armada set saile out of the hauen of Lisbon vpon the 19. of May An. Dom. 1588. vnder the conduct of the Duke of Medina Sidonia directing their course for the Bay of Corunna alias the Groine in Gallicia where they tooke in souldiers and warlike prouision this port being in Spaine the neerest vnto England As they were sailing along there arose such a mighty tempest that the whole Fleet was dispersed so that when the Duke was returned vnto his company he could not escry aboue eighty ships in all whereunto the residue by little and little ioyned themselues except eight which had their Masts blowne ouer-boord One of the foure Gallies of Portingall escaped very hardly retiring her selfe into the hauen The other three were vpon the coast of Baion in France by the assistance and courage of one Dauid Gwin an English Captine whom the French and Turkish slaues aided in the same enterprise vtterly disabled and vanquished one of the three being first ouercome which conquered the two other with the slaughter of their Gouernour and souldiers and among the rest of Don Diego de Mandrana with sundry others and so those slaues arriued in France with the three Gallies set themselues at libertie The Nauie hauing refreshed themselues at the Groine and receiuing daily commandement from the King to hasten their iournie horsed vp sailes the 11. day of Iuly and so holding on their course till the 19. of the same moneth they came then vnto the mouth of the narrow Seas or English channell From whence striking their sailes in the meane season they dispatched certain of their small ships vnto the Duke of Parma At the same time the Spanish Fleete was escried by an English Pinnace Captaine whereof was Master Thomas Fleming after they had beene aduertised of the Spaniards expedition by their scoutes and espials which hauing ranged along the coast of Spaine were lately
with as much sumptuousnesse as they could get brauing therein their conquered Foes and setting to the shew of the world the fruits of their Ualour and Trauailes Whereas wee for the most part contrariwise going out brauely and returning home againe beggarly leaue no other testimony nor records of our Enterprises and Victories either to the liuing or to posteritie then the Merchants bookes wherin we are deep plunged euen to the morgage or sale of our Inheritance to conuert the true honor of Souldery into effeminate pompe and delicacy But now to the matter We hauing in this Fort repaired and supplied the defects of our weather beaten Nauie onely attended the fauour of the winds wherein it seemed the heauens were vtter enemies to our designes For during the space of an whole moneth together after wee were againe readie the weather stood flat opposite to our course insomuch that wee were not able to worke our selues out of the Harbour And in this consumption of Time we lost the best season of the yeere for our purpose and also greatly decayed our victualls and prouisions besides the number of our Souldiers and Mariners that daily diminished And about this time the Lord Rich finding himselfe as many others did altogether vnable to indure the inconueniences of the Seas in a long and toilesome voyage tooke his leaue of our Generall and gaue ouer the iourney In this extreamitie of contrary windes and crosse fortunes against which the policie and power of man could not preuaile our Generall with the aduice of his counsell resolued vpon some other course and to fashion his enterprises according to opportunitie and the proportion of the meanes that remained And thereupon cashing the greatest part of his Land Armie hee onely retained one thousand of the best Souldiers as was thought most of them being Companies brought out of the Low-Countries And also at that time hee discharged diuers of the smaller Ships and many of the Victuallers taking out of them such prouisions and store as remained to supply that which was spent and to lengthen out the time for those lesser numbers that were to be imployed And whilest these things were thus altering and ordering and committed to the care and charge of discreet Officers Our Admirall himselfe with his Reare-Admirall resolued to ride post to the Court to receiue further directions or approbation in that he intended for her Maiestie and the Lords of the Councell Leauing the charge both of the Nauie and Souldiers in his absence with the Lord Thomas Howard his Vice-Admirall and the Lord Mountioy his Leiftenant Generall by Land whom hee authorised together with the Counsell of Warre to marshall those affaires as occasion required Here by it may be easily coniectured what it is for men to vndertake Sea-actions that haue not great meanes to follow the same with prouisions and allowance of superfluitie to meet with lets and misaduentures and not to depend on the bare ordinary prouisions of a set proportion For by this great crosse of ours wee may well take knowledge how vncertaine and difficult it is to set out and prepare a Sea Army except it bee on the purse and defraies of a Prince able and willing to supply the expences and hinderances of such wast and accidents as doe many times happen by want of windes when all things else are in readinesse wherein oftentimes the ouerslipping and not taking of six houres aduantage of winde when it hath serued hath ouerthrowne a Uoyage And it hath to my knowledge so fallen out that some Ships that haue taken a present gale of a day by the benefit thereof haue performed their Uoyage and returning againe into the Harbour finding others of their consorts bound for the same place and ready at the same time still sticking fast at ancor by leesing the same opportunitie In this absence of our Generall at the Court there fell out such extreame stormy weather as that it greatly troubled and puzled our Ships both in Plimouth Road and in the Cat Water insomuch that many of their ancors came home and a Ship of the Reare-Admiralls of three hundred Tunnes called the Roe-buck draue a ground and bulged her selfe and so became vnseruiceable for that iourney although much paines and care was taken of all hands and specially by our Vice-Admirall himselfe in his owne person to haue preserued her During all this time of our abode in Plimouth which was some six or seuen weekes we neither found eyther want or dearth of any manner of victualls either in the Towne where our Mariners were daily resident or in the Countrey where the Land Army was quartered nor yet that extreame manner of inhaunsing the prices of all things vsed in London and in other places of the Realme vpon the extraordinary assembling of any such great troupes And withall it is strange to see how happily that poore corner of England doth often receiue and sustaine so many Armies and Fleets as doe there many times meet without any of those inconueniences or alterations that vpon the like occasion are found in many other more rich and fruitfull parts of the Kingdome Our Generall as is aforesaid hauing spent now sixe or seuen dayes in that iourney to the Court returned with a resolution to continue the voyage to the Seas and there as intelligence fell out to follow the best courses in spending the rest of the Summer and the remainder of his victualls all sorts being very sorry that so great preparations should haue vtterly qâ—ailed without effecting or attempting something of worth Wee therefore now proposed to our selues that by tarrying out till the last of October for the which time we were victualled after the Land Army was discharged wee might range the Coast of Spaine and so doe seruice in some of the Kings shipping or else lying in the height betweene the Rocke and the South Cape wee might intercept some Indian Fleet or Carrackes either outwards or homeward s bound or at the least wee might meete and fight with the Adelantado who was then saide to bee preparing of a Fleet and ready to put to the Seas Besides there was a brute giuen out thaâ— our Generall meant to attempt the Groyne or Ferrall and there to distresse some of the Kings shipping that lay in the Harbour But whatsoeuer pretences and speeches were giuen out for that matter both our Generall and the wisest of his Counsell of Warre did well enough knowâ— that the Groyne or Ferrall were then no morsells fit for our mouthes our Forces being so abated and those places so well warned and prouided for by our long delayes and impediments besides there was no likelihood that wee would euer ingage so many of her Maiesties best Ships within the circuit and mercy of those Harbours vpon so great disaduantage and hazard as they must haue adâ—entured in doing any good on any of them as they were then furnished But wee daily see that it is
Generals cabbin after a faint welcome the Generall began to challenge him of breach of order and Articles To whom the Reare Admirall answered that he knew not of any such breach my Lord replied that there was an article that none should land any of the Troopes without the Generals presence or his order The Reare Admirall desired the Generall to giue him leaue to defend himselfe by those Lawes which himselfe as well as others had deuised and his Lordship with the Counsell of warre had authorised and that then his Lordship should finde that he had not committed any Errour at all For saith he there is an Article that no Captaine of any ship nor Captaine of any Company if he be seuered from the Fleete shall land any where without direction from the Generall or some other principall Commander vpon paine of death c. But I take my selfe said he to be a principall Commander vnder your Lordship and therefore not subiect to that Article nor vnder the power of the law Marshall because a successiue commander of the whole Fleete in her Maiesties Letters Patents your Lordship and my Lord Thomas Howard failing And besides your Lordship agreed that I should land at this Island with your Lordship whom I haue attendea these foure dayes and finding that your Lordship came not being in your way thitherwards halfe a dozen leagues before I waied anchor I could not but thinke that you thought me strong inough to take this Island and that your Lordship was gone with some of the rest to some of the other Islands And stated so long from landing at Sir Guillie Merrickes intreatie as I heard mine owne company euen at my backe murmur and say that I durst not aduenture it And to tell your Lordship a plaine truth my intent at first was onely to water vntill I saw them follow me in that brauing manner which with our reputations wee could not then shun and giue ouer being already in our Boates for that purpose For if I had intended the taking of the Towne I would neuer haue retired so farre off from our first Roade that lay right before it This dispute held some halfe houre and then the Generall went ashoare and rested himselfe in the Reare Admirals lodging being well enough satisfied at that time In so much as the Reare Admirall desired my Lord to â—up there and that if his Lordship ment to call the matter further in question he would claime no priuiledge nor fauour thereby but answer it in the morning To which Sir Christopher Blunt taking my Lords answere from him said that he thought my Lord would not sup at all But the Reare Admirall finding Sir Christopher Blunts disposition told him that when he â—â—uited him he might disable his owne appetite but if my Lord pleased to stay he would be very glad of his presence In this meane while my Lord Thomas Howard very nobly and kindely taking care that no wrong nor disgrace might be offered to the Reare Admirall by any deuise or practise of his Enemies dealt with the Generall to finde how hee stood resolued and the next morning assured the Reare Admiral that my Lord sought nothing but a due acknowledgement of an offence alleadging that the rest would thinke him a very weake and came Commander if he should receiue no manner of satisfaction The Reare Admirall hoping that hee had done nothing vniustifiable and well assured that he was successiuely in the Commission for the whole commandement of the Fleete and therefore not subiect to any corporall danger as also because he assured himselfe of the Vice Admirall his honorable loue and sincere dealing came againe in the morning to visite the Generall Otherwise remembring the little trust that men ought to repose in reconciled enemies and the strong malice borne him by others in greatest fauour with my Lord had ment to haue put himselfe into his owne Squadron and so to haue defended himselfe or left my Lord. But my Lord Thomas Howard perswading him to goe and satisfie the Generall vpon whose word onely he made that aduenture after he had giuen him his honour with great kindnesse and resolution that he would make himselfe a party if any wrong or violence were offered contrary to the Generals promise vnto him he did as the Vice Admirall aduised him And so all things after a little dispute came to a quiet end and conclusion And within a day or two after the Generall accompanied with the Vice Admirall and other Lords and Commanders dined aboord our ship where he was exceedingly intertained and contented Onely this I omitted that when the Generall committed Captaine Bret Berry and Sydney The Reare Admirall desired that those Gentlemen might receiue no hard measure in his cause for whatsoeuer his Lordship doth conceiue to haue bin misdone hee must take it wholly on himselfe to answere being at that time the Chiefe and Commander This I haue set downe in manner as I heard it then from men of good sort not being present thereat my selfe nor at that time able to waite on the Generall by reason of the shot through my legge which I had receiued but the day before in this thanklesse seruice Thus was the whole day spent in reprehending and disciplining vs for our paines And yet notwithstanding these aggrauators and chiefe Instigators of our Generall vouchsafed to take the benefit of our reproued Trauailes in lodging and refreshing themselues in this good Towne both this night and three or foure dayes after But in the same day that our Generall ariued about one of the clocke after midnight all the Portugalâ— and Spaniards in the high Fort with their bagge and baggage abandoned the place leauing behinde them six peeces of great Artillery mounted For when they saw the whole Fleete together and so many gallant Troopes land with our Generall their hearts fainted and so they fled into the Countrie and woddy Mountaines adioining Then in the morning when it was too late although as yet wee knew not so much direction was giuen to certaine troopes and companies to guard all the foot of the high Fort to stop and stay them from stealing from thence that were already gone for it was giuen out that if they did not presently surrender it the place should be assailed But when newes was brought that they had abandoned the Fort and carried all away then was there much descanting of the foule ouersight so to suffer the Birds to escape out of the Cage that might haue bin so surely kept if we had not bestowed more labour in disciplining and correcting our owne pretended faults for landing then discretion or diligence in prosecuting the Enemy whom we had at an aduantage For presently vpon their arriuall they did nothing but examine and discipline our offence Whereas if they had gone in hand with the Fort and cast a carefull eye thereunto we had not lost the ransoming of so many Spanish prisoners nor
amount vnto being onely for victuals which our Country yeeldeth I hold it not fit here to set down lest I should be accused by some therein And withall it is to be considered that the trade thither as now it is doth yearely set on worke and relieue many numbers of people as Bakers Brewers Coopers Ship-Carpenters Smiths Net-makers Rope-makers Line-makers Hooke-makers â—â—lly makers and many other trades which with their families haue their best meanes of 〈◊〉 from these New-found-land Voyages Adde vnto them the families or seruants of 〈◊〉 Owneâ—â— and Masters of such Ships as goe thither and Mariners with their families hereby 〈…〉 ied and maintained c. THe Natiues of the Countrey haue great store of red Oaker which they vse to colour their Bodies Bowes and Arrowes and Cannowes withall which Cannowes are built in shape like the Wherries on the Riuer of Thames but that they are much longer made with the rinds of Birch trees which they sew very artificially and close together and ouerlay euery seame with Turpentine and in like manner they sew the rindes of Spruce trees round and deepe in proportion like a Brasse Kettle to boyle their meate in which hath beene well proued by three Mariners of a Ship riding at Anchor by me who being robbed in the night by the Sauages of their apparell and diuers prouisions did the next day seeke after them and came suddenly where they had set vp three Tents and were feasting hauing three Canoas by them and had three Pots made of such rindes of trees standing each of them on three stones boyling with twelue Fowles in each of them euery Fowle as bigge as a Widgeon and some so bigge as a Ducke they had also many such pots so sewed and fashioned like the leather Buckets that are vsed for quenching of fire and those were full of the yolks of Egges that they bad taken and boiled hard and so dried small which the Sauages vsed in their broth as Sugar is vsed in some meates they had great store of the Skins of Deere Beuers Beares Seales Otters and diuers other fine skins which were well dressed as also great store of seuerall sorts of flesh dried and by shooting off a Musket towards them they all ran away naked without any apparell but onely their hats on their heads which were made of Seales skins in fashion like our hats sewed handsomely with narrow bands about them set round with fine white shels such as are carried from Portugall to Braseile where they passed to the Indians as ready monie All their three Canoas their Flesh Skins Yolks of Egges Targets Bowes and Arrows and much fine Okar and diuers other things they tooke brought away and shared it amongst those three that tooke it and brought to me the best Canoa Bowes and Arrowes and diuers of their Skins and many other things worth the noting which may seeme to inuite vs to finde out some other trades with them Now also I will not omit to relate something of a strange Creature that I first saw there in the yeere 1610. in a morning early as I was standing by the water side in the Harbour of Saint Iohns which I espied verie swiftly to come swimming towards me looking cheerefully as it had beene a woman by the Face Eyes Nose Mouth Chin eares Necke and Forehead It seemed to be so beautifull and in those parts so well proportioned hauing round about vpon the head all blew strakes resembling haire downe to the Necke but certainly it was haire for I beheld it long and another of my companie also yet liuing that was not then farre from me and seeing the same comming so swiftly towards mee I stepped backe for it was come within the length of a long Pike Which when this strange Creature saw that I went from it it presently thereupon diued a little vnder water and did swim to the place where before I landed whereby I beheld the shoulders and backe downe to the middle to be as square white and smooth as the backe of a man and from the middle to the hinder part pointing in proportion like a broad hooked Arrow how it was proportioned in the forepart from the necke and shoulders I know not but the same came shortly after vnto a Boat wherein one William Hawkridge then my seruant was that hath bin since a Captaine in a Ship to the East Indies and is lately there imploied againe by Sir Thomas Smith in the like Voyage and the same Creature did put both his hands vpon the side of the Boate and did striue to come in to him and others then in the said Boate whereat they were afraid and one of them strooke it a full blow on the head whereat it fell off from them and afterwards it came to two other Boates in the Harbour the men in them for feare fled to land This I suppose was a Mermaide Now because diuers haue written much of Mermaides I haue presumed to relate what is most certaine of such a strange Creature that was seene at New-found-land whether it were a Mermaide or no I know not I leaue it for others to iudge c. R. W. CHAP. IX The names of diuers honorable persons and others who haue vndertaken to helpe aduance his Maiesties â—laviation in the New-found-land written by the said R. W. with extracts of certaine Letters written from thence THe right Honorable Henry Lord Cary Viscount of Fanlke-land Lord Deputie for the Kingdome of Ireland hath vndertaken to plant a Colonie of his Maiesties Subiects in the New-found-land and is well pleased to entertaine such as are willing to be Aduenturers with him therein vpon such Conditions as may appeare in the latter part of this Booke And in his Lordships absence hee hath authorized this Agent Master Leonard Wellsted by warrant vnder his hand and Seale to ratifie whatsoeuer shall be by him concluded therein The said Master Wellsteds Chamber is neere one Master Garlands house at the lower end of Saint Mar 〈…〉 lane in the fields The right Honorable Sir George Calâ—ert Knight one of the principall Secretaries vnto his Maiestie hath also vndertaken to planta large Circuit of that Countrie who hath already sent thither this yeare and the former yeare a great number of men and women with all necessarie prouisions fit for them where they liue pleasantly building of Houses 〈…〉 sing of Land for Corne and Meddowes Cabage Carrets Turneps and such like as also for Wood and Tobacco Likewise they are there preparing to make Salt for the prel 〈…〉 tion of fish another yeere and for diuers other seruices And his Honor is likewise well plâ—aled to entertaine such as will aduenture with him therein vpon very fit conditions The Worshipfull Iohn Slany of London Merchant who is one of the vndertakers of the New-found-land Plantation and is Treasurer vnto the pat 〈…〉 of that Societie who haue maintained a Colonie of his Maieâ—â—â—es subiects there about twelue yeeres and they
are willing to entertaine such as will further his Maiesties said Plan 〈…〉 vpon fit conditions Diuers Worshipfull Citizens of the Citie of Bristoll haue vndertaken to plant a large Circuit of that Countrie they haue maintained a Colony of his Maiesties subiects there any time these fiue yeeres who haue builded there many faire Houses and done many other good seruices who liue there very pleasantly and they are well pleased to entertaine vpon fit conditions such as will be Aduenturers with them The Worshipfull William Vanghan of Tarratod in the Countie of Ca 〈…〉 Doctor of the Ciuill Law hath also vndertaken to plant a Circuit in the New-found-land and hath in two seuerall yeeres sent thither diuers men and women and hee is willing to entertaine such as will be Aduenturers with him vpon fit conditions And there are many other worthy persons Aduenturers in the said Plantation whose names are not herein mentioned And it is well hoped that diuers others will also put their helping hand to aduance the same when they are giuen to vnderstand what honour and benefit may accrue thereby And if his Maiesties subiects of this Kingdome may be willing to set forth from euerie seuerall Countrie but one good Ship yearely thither with people and prouisions fit for them it will be then not onely a great honour and benefit to his Maiestie but also a great increase of Shipping and Marriners and the imploying and inriching of many thousands of poore people which now liue chargeably to the Parishioners The whâ—ah may be easily performed by the able Subiects to set forth the charge at first and so euerie Parish to recouer yearely their equall parts of the benefit which may accrue by the said stocke and thereby not onely disburden yeerely themselues of some of those which lie chargeable vnto them within their seuerall Parishes but also yeerely yeelde a great benefit to euery seuerall Countie though it lie something remote from the Sea-coast if they imploy a discreete honest man there who may yearely be accomptable to euerie Parish of the charge and likewise the benefit The which will not be anie way burdensome or hurtfull vnto any as the following discourse which I haue written will plainly informe them Extracts of a Letter from Captaine EDWARD WINNE Gouernour of the Colony at Ferryland within the Prouince of Aualon in Newfound-Land vnto the Right Honourable Sir GEORGE CALVERT Knight his Maisties Principall Secretary Iuly 28. 1622. May it please your Honour VPon the seuenteenth day of May I receiued here yo 〈…〉 Letters of the nineteenth of February from the â—aâ—ds of Robert Stoning Vpon the six and twentieth of the same a Ship of Master Iennins with your people and prouision arriued here in safetie and from the hands of Captaine Powell I receiued then your Honours Letters of the fourteenth of March. And vpon the last of Iune Master Iames came hither from Renouse and the Saltamaker Master Iohn Hickson from whose hands I receiued two Letters more that by Master Iames being of the fourth of May and the other by Hickson of the tenth of the same c. It may please your Honour that as soone as I had deliuered my last Letters of the fifth of September I immediately addressed my selfe onely to our businesse Notwithstanding our diligent labour and extraordinary paines-taking it was Alhaâ—â—entide before our first range of building was fitted for an habitable being c. After Christâ—asse wee imployed our selues in the Woods especially in 〈◊〉 weather whence wee got home as many Boord-stockes as afforded vs 〈◊〉 hundred Boords and about two hundred Timber-trees besides Wee got home as much or as many Trees as serued vs to pâ—lizade into the Plantation about foure Acrâ—â— of ground for the keeping off of both man and â—east with Post and Rayle seuen foot high shaâ—pened in the â—â—p the Trees being pâ—â—ched vpright and fastened with Spikes and Nayles Wee get also together as much fire-wood as will serue vs yet these two months We also fâ—â—â—ed much Garden ground for Seed I meane Barley Oates Rease and Beanes For addition of building we haue at this present a Parlour of fourteene fâ—ot besides the Chinney and twelue foot brâ—â—d of 〈◊〉 bright and a lodging Chamber ouer it to each a Chimney of Stone-work with Staires and a S 〈…〉 besides a 〈◊〉 of two 〈◊〉 or a story and a halfe which serues for a Store-house till wee are otherwise prouided The Forge hath beene finished these fine weekes the Saltworke is now almost ready Notwithstanding this great tâ—â—ke for so fe◠〈…〉 ds we haue both Wheat Barley Oates Pease and Bâ—â—nes about the quantâ—tie of two Aâ—res Of Garden roome about halfe aâ— Acre Corne though late sowne is now in earings the Bâ—â—nes and the goodâ—â—st Pease that I euer saw haue flourished in their bloomes this twentie dayes Wee haue a plentifull Kitchin Garden of Leâ—ticâ— Raddish Carrets Coleworts Turneps and many other things Wee haue also at this present a flourishing Meadow c. For the Countrey and Clymate It is better and not so cold 〈◊〉 England hitherto My comfort is that the Lord is with your Honour and your designes for we haue prospered to the admiration of all the beholders in what is done And thus with my humble duty remembred I rest c. Another Letter to Master Secretary CALVERT from Captaine WINNE of the seuenteenth of August 1622. May it please your Honour VVE haue Wheat Barley Oates and Beanes both eared and codded and though the late sowing and setting of them might occasion the contrary yet it ripens now so fast that it carries the likelihood of an approaching Haruest Wee haue also a plentifull Kitchen-Garden of many things and so ranke that I haue not seene the like in England Our Beanes are exceeding good our Pease shall goe wothout compare for they are in some places as high as a man of an extraordinary stature Raddish as big as mine arme Lettice Cale or Cabbage Turneps Carrets and all the rest is of like goodnesse We haue a Meadow of about three Acres it flourished lately with many cockets of good Hay and now it is made vp for a Winter feeding Wee hope to bee well fitted with many Acres of Meadow against another yeere of Pasture-land wee baute already to serue at least three hundred heads of Cattell and to all this if it please God a good quantitie of Seed-ground shall be fitted and such buildings as wee shall be able to accomplish Now in the next place it may please your Honour to vnderstand That touching this Countrey the Summer time here is so faire so warme and of so good a temperature that it produceth many Hearbes and Plants very wholsome medicinable and delectable many fruit Trees of sundry kindes many sorts of Berries wholsome to eate and in measure most abundant insomuch as many sorts of Birds and Beasts are relieued with them in time of Winter and whereof with further experience I