wonder what Deuill carried the Religion of Mahomet thither For from Derbent which is vpon the extreme borders of Persia it is aboue thirtie dayes Iourney to passe ouerthwart the Desart and so to ascend by the banke of Etilia into the foresaid Countrey of Bulgaria All which way there is no Citie but onely certayne Cottages neere vnto that place where Etilia falleth into the Sea Those Bulgarians are most wicked Saracens more earnestly professing the damnable Religion of Mahomet then any other Nation whatsoeuer Moreouer when I first beheld the Court of Baatu I was astonied at the sight thereof for his Houses or Tents seemed as though they had beene some huge and mightie Citie stretching out a great way in length the people ranging vp and downe about it for the space of some three or foure leagues And euen as the people of Israel knew euery man on which side of the Tabernacle to pitch his Tent euen so euery one of them knoweth right well towards what side of the Court hee ought to place his house when he takes it from off the Cart. Whereupon the Court is called in their Language Horda which signifieth the midst because the Gouernour or Chieftaine among them dwels alwayes in the middest of his people except onely that directly towards the South no subiect or inferiour person placeth himselfe because towards that Region the Court gates are set open but vnto the right hand and the left hand they extend themselues as farre as they will according to the conueniencie of places so that they place not their houses directly opposite against the Court. At our arriuall wee were conducted vnto a Saracen who prouided not for vs any victuals at all The day following we were brought vnto the Court and Baatu had caused a large Tent to bee erected because his house or ordinary Tent could not contayne so many men and women as were assembled Our Guide admonished vs not to speake till Baatu had giuen vs commandement so to doe and that then we should speake our minds briefly Then Baatu demanded whether your Maiestie had sent Ambassadors vnto him or no I answered that your Maiestie had sent Messengers to Ken-Can and that you would not haue sent Messengers vnto him or Letters vnto Sartach had not your Highnesse beene perswaded that they were become Christians because you sent not vnto them for any feare but onely for congratulation and courtesies sake in regard that you heard they were conuerted to Christianitie Then led he vs vnto his Pauilion and we were charged not to touch the cords of the Tent which they account in stead of the threshold of the house There we stood in our habit bare-footed and bare-headed and were a great and strange spectacle in their eyes For indeed Frier Iohn de Plano Carpini had beene there before my comming howbeit because he was the Popes Messenger he changed his habit that hee might not be contemned Then wee were brought into the very midst of the Tent neither required they of vs to doe any reuerence by bowing our knees as they vse to doe of other Messengers Wee stood therefore before him for the space wherein a man might haue rehearsed the Psalme Miserere mei Deus and there was great silence kept of all men Baatu himselfe sate vpon a seat long and broad like vnto a Bed gilt all ouer with three staires to ascend thereunto and one of his Ladies sate beside him The men there assembled sate downe scattering some on the right hand of the said Lady and some on the left Those places on the one side which the women filled not vp for there were only the Wiues of Baatu were supplyed by the men Also at the very entrance of the Tent stood a bench furnished with Cosmos and with stately great cups of Siluer and Gold being richly set with Precious Stones Baatu beheld vs earnestly and wee him and he seemed to me to resemble in personage Monsieur Iohn de Beaumont whose soule resteth in peace And he had a fresh ruddie colour in his countenance At length hee commanded vs to speake Then our Guide gaue vs direction that we should bow our knees and speake Wherevpon I bowed one knee as vnto a man then he signified that I should kneele vpon both knees and I did so being loth to contend about such circumstances And againe hee commanded me to speake Then I thinking of Prayer vnto God because I kneeled on both my knees beganne to pray on this wise Sir we beseech the Lord from whom all good things doe proceed and who hath giuen you these earthly benefits that it would please him hereafter to make you partaker of his heauenly blessings because the former without these are but vaine and improfitable And I added further Be it knowne vnto you of a certaintie that you shall not obtayne the ioyes of Heauen vnlesse you become a Christian for God saith Whosoeuer beleeueth and is baptized shal be saued but he that beleeueth not shal be condemned At this word he modestly smiled but the other Moals began to clap their hands and to deride vs. And of my silly Interpreter of whom especially I should haue receiued comfort in time of need was himselfe abashed and vtterly dasht out of countenance Then after silence made I said vnto him I came vnto your Sonne because we heard that he was become a Christian and I brought vnto him Letters on the behalfe of my Souereigne Lord the King of France and your Sonne sent me hither vnto you The cause of my comming therefore is best knowne vnto your selfe Then he caused me to rise vp And he enquired your Maiesties Name and my name and the name of mine Associate and Interpreter and caused them all to be put downe in writing He demanded likewise because hee had beene informed that you were departed out of your owne Countries with an Armie against whom you waged warre I answered against the Saracens who had defiled the House of God at Ierusalem He asked also whether your Highnesse had euer before that time sent any Messengers vnto him or no To you Sir said I neuer Then caused he vs to sit downe and gaue vs of his Milke to drinke which they account to be a great fauour especially when any man is admitted to drinke Cosmos with him in his owne house And as I sate looking downe vpon the ground he commanded me to lift vp my countenance being desirous as yet to take more diligent view of vs or else perhaps for a kind of Superstitious obseruation For they esteeme it a signe of ill lucke or a prognostication of euill vnto them when any man sits in their presence holding downe his head as if he were sad especially when hee leanes his cheeke or chin vpon his hand Then we departed forth and immediately after came our Guide vnto vs and conducting vs vnto our Lodging said vnto mee Your Master the King requesteth that you
Emperour and great Duke of all Russia Volademer Moskoe and Nouogrode King of Casan and Astracan Lord of Vobskoe great Duke of Smolenskoe Tuer Huder Vghory Perme Viatsky Bolgory c. Lord and great Duke of Nouogrod in the Low Countreyes of Chernigo Rezan Polotskey Rostoue Geraslaue Bealozera Leifland Oudorskey Obdorskey Condingskey King of all Syberia and the North Coasts Commander of the Countreyes of Iuersky Grysinsky and Emperour of Kabardiuskey of Chirkasky and of the whole Countrey of Garskey and of many other Countreyes and Kingdomes Lord and Emperour to know of his Maiesties health of England the Queene and Princes The second being a Captayne of Gunners the Emperours Guard named Kazriâ—e Dauydowich Beaheetchoue pronouncing the Emperour and Princes Title said hee was sent from them to know his Lordships health and vsage with the Kings Gentlemen The third was one of the Secretaries named Pheodor Boulteene obseruing the former order did deliuer what he had in command from the Emperor Prince and Empresse to informe the Embassador of their much fauour towards him and the Kings Gentlemen in prouiding for his Honourable entertayne and ease a faire large house to lodge in Also that they three were sent from the Emperour Prince and Empresse to be his Prestaues to supply the Emperours goodnesse toward him to prouide his necessaries and deliuer any sute it pleased the Ambassadour to make to the Emperour To all which the Embassadour very wisely gaue answere as they made report vnto the Emperour So we all presently mounted againe the Prestaues on either hand of the Ambassadour his Horse and Foot-cloth being led by his Page some small distance his Coach behind that and some sixe thousand Gallants after behind all who at the Embassadors riding through the guard that was made for him very courteously bowed himselfe Thus was he followed by thousands and within the three wals of the Citie many hundreds of young Noblemen Gentlemen and rich Merchants well mounted begirt the wayes on euery side diuers on foot also euen to the gate of the house where the Embassadour was to be lodged which was some two miles Whether being come he was brought into his Bed-chamber by the Noblemen his Prestaues where with many thankes for their honourable paines they were dismist betaking themselues to their further affaires The next morning came three other Prestaues with the former to know of his Lordships health and how he had rested the night past withall that if his Lordship wanted any thing they all or any one of them were as commanded so readie to obey therein These with the Interpreter and sixe Gentlemen were most within the walls lodged in a house ouer the gate besides we had fiftie Gunners to attend and guard vs in our going abroad The eight of October being the fourth day after our comming to Musco the Prestaues came to his Lordship to let him vnderstand they heard he should goe vp the next day wherefore they desired his speech and Embassage to the Emperour and the rather that the Interpreter might as they pretended translate it To this purpose very earnestly at seuerall times they made demand The Embassadour answered that he was sent from a mightie Prince to bee his Embassadour to their Emperour and being sent to their Master he deemed it not only a dishonour to him but a weaknesse in them to require that at his hands The â—leuenth of October his Lordship being sent for by his Prestaues there wayting hauing excellent Iennets for himselfe the Kings Gentlemen and good horses for the rest as likewise two gallant white Palfreis to carrie or draw a rich Chariot one parcell of the great Present with his followers and the Emperours guard carrying the rest on each side the streets standing the Emperours guard with Peeces in their hands well apparelled to the number of two thousand by esteeme many Messengers posting betwixt the Court and our Prestaues Thus with much state softly riding till we came vnto the vtmost gate of the Court hauing passed through the great Castle before there his Lordship dismounted Then met him a great Duke named Knase Andriay Metowich Soomederoue with certayne Gentlemen to bring him vp So in order as we rode we ascended the staires and a stone Gallerie whereon each side stood many Nobles and Courtiers in faire Coates of Persian Stuffe Veluet Damaske c. At the entry to the great Chamber two Counsellors encountred the Embassadour to conduct him through that Roome round about which sat many graue and richly apparrelled Personages Then we entred the Presence whether being come and making obeysance we staid to heare but not vnderstand a very gallant Nobleman named Peter Basman deliuer the Emperours Title Then the particular of the Presents and some other Ceremonies which performed the Embassadour hauing libertie deliuered so much of his Embassage as the time and occasion then affoorded After which the Emperour arising from his Throne demanded of the King of Englands health the Princes and Queenes then of the Embassadors and the Kings Gentlemen and how they had beene vsed since they entred within his Dominions to all which with obeysance wee answered as was meete Then the young Prince demanded the very same The Embassador hauing taken the Kings Letter of his Gentleman Vsher went vp after his obeysance to deliuer it which the Lord Chancellor would haue intercepted But the Embassadour gaue it to the Emperours owne hands and his Majestie afterwards deliuered it to the Lord Chancellor who tooke it and shewing the superscription to the Emperour and Prince held it in his hand openly with the Seale towards them Then the Emperour called the Embassadour to kisse his hand which he did as likewise the Princes and with his face towards them returned Then did hee call for the Kings Gentlemen to kisse his hand and the Princes which they after obeysance made did accordingly Afterwards his Majestie inuited his Lordship the Kings Gentlemen and the rest to dine with him as likewise Master I. Mericke Agent by name who gaue his attendance there on the Embassadour and was now as diuers times very graciously vsed of the Emperour and Prince no stranger that I euer heard off like him in all respects Being entred the Presence we might behold the excellent Majestie of a mightie Emperour seated in a Chaire of Gold richly embroydered with Persian Stuffe in his right hand hee held a golden Scepter a Crowne of pure Gold vpon his head a Coller of rich stones and Pearles about his necke his outward Garments of Crimson Veluet embroydered very faire with Pearles Precious stones and Gold On his right side on equall height to his Throne standing a very faire Globe of beaten Gold on a Pyramis with a faire Crosse vpon it vnto which before hee spake he turned a little and crost himselfe Nigh that stood a faire Bason and Ewer which the Emperour often vseth daily Close by him in another Throne sat the Prince in an
fidelitie and for keeping their oath alreadie giuen Therefore after many circumstances they inferred that they would presently send their Messengers to the generall Parliament but mooued with the perswasion of the honorable Lord Generall to wit that his Maiestie would bee contented with their fidelitie once made and performed vnder oath and with their griefe for the same cause and will cheerefully forgiue them and doth not refuse to giue his Sonne to raigne ouer them Adding withall that many Kingdomes to wit the Kingdome of Hungarie the Kingdome of Bohemia and a great part of Russia doe earnestly request that he would receiue them vnder the happy gouernment of his Maiestie that they might enioy the priuiledges of Poland and Litow to which none in the whole world can be compared But because his Excellent Maiestie as a Christian Lord reiecting all other Kingdomes and Dominions will graciously receiue vnder his Rule and gouernment the said Dominions and that he is sorry for their destruction he therefore now admonisheth them if they will bee vnder his prosperous Rule and enter into an vnion together with the Kingdome of Poland and the great Duchy of Litow and liue friendly with them if they will performe and consent therevnto His Excellent Maiestie promiseth to remit their offence and to receiue them vnder his happy gouernment and authoritie and refuseth and by no meanes will alter or change their faith and conscience or places dedicated vnto God or builded for deuotion neither will impose on them any other Religion or alter their ancient Manners or Customes but will bestow on them priuiledges and offices and that the Rights and Priuiledges which the Poles with the great Duchy of Litow doe enioy shall be conferred on them and that they shall be equalled with the Kingdome and great Duchy of Litow c. which iurisdictions and priuiledges in former times their Predecessors wanted For this perswasion therefore of the honourable Lord Generall which he had in charge from his Maiestie to make they yeeld all thankes but notwithstanding they propound and plainly adde that their oath shall be so that his Maiesties sonne shall succeed in their gouernment with certaine additions to wit that they will haue none other ouer them but onely his Maiesties sonne and that the whole Land doth make it knowne and propound their iudgement and sentence by way of denunciation that by no meanes but by offering his Maiesties sonne these troubles of Moscouia can be extinguished Adding withall that at that time in the first troubles when the honourable Lord Generall came into the Country of Moscouia and required the oath for the Kings Maiesties sonne if his Maiestie had made any mention thereof it is certaine that the Commons and all the Nobilitie would not haue consented thereunto by any meanes and that greater effusion of bloud had risen thereupon And that they had taken for their Prince Klutzinsky called the Wor to whom all were not assembled who also at that time had a great power of men as well of Poles as Russes and Litowes They therefore seeing the great discord amongst the people taking counsell did freely choose for their Lord and Emperour his Excellent Maiesties sonne vnto whom they had a great affection and who had a long time before layen in their hearts assuring themselues also that by this election of his Maiesties sonne many troubles and dissentions would be pacified and so reiected the aforesaid Wor Klutzinsky As also they receiued into their chiefe Citie the chiefe Generall But when it was heard that his Excellent Maiestie would by no meanes giue vnto them his sonne for their Lord and to rule ouer them they fell into such effusion of bloud and insurrections As also the same time the whole Country of Moscouia looked and expected nothing else then his Maiesties sonne Calling to memorie for their better aduice that it was to be feared least whilest his Maiestie came too late with his sonne diuers parts of the Land should choose vnto themselues seuerall Lords As to the Southward the Castles Strachen and others to the King of Persia part of Pomerland and Siberia to the Kings of Denmarke and England Nouogrod Plesco Iuanogrod and others to the King of Sweden and that the other Cities would choose to themselues other Lords separate from the rest In the meane season they desire his Excellent Maiestie to make a speedy end of these warres according to his Obligation and promise ratified by the oath of the honorable Lord Generall and the whole Armie and that his Maiestie himselfe with his sonne would come into Moscouia They request also that his Excellent Maiestie would retayne with himselfe and his Sonne Counsellors and Messengers of their Commonwealth for the ordayning and concluding of perpetuall Conditions They request also that his Maiestie in the name of his Sonne would send vnto all the Inhabitants of the Townes and write vnto the seuerall Cities signifying his comming into their Dominions and willing that out of the seuerall Prouinces all sorts of men send their Messengers to treate and conclude of the affaires of all sorts of People and of peâ—petuall tranquillitie Promising after the said Charge and Letters to all people in generall and notifying from their said Lord that by Gods grace there may bee throughout the whole Land of Moscouia tranquillitie peace and securitie To conclude they pray heartily vnto the Lord God to grant vnto his Maiestie in this businesse begun a prosperous and speedy end Thus haue wee seene dissolute resolutions or resolute dissolutenesse men onely constant in inconstancy resolued vpon irresolution As we often see sicke persons turning euery way and no way eased in the night time longing for day and in the day for night such was now the Russian sicknesse they would and they would not and yet would againe and againe would not they scarsly knew what or why fluctuating in an inward storme of diuersifyed hopes feares desires distracted affections no lesse then in that outward broile of State For it was not long that they looked toward Poland whether for breach of conditions of that part or out of inueterate hate to the Pole or their Nationall iealousie and distrust of Strangers or a naturall inconstancy they fell off from that Prince and their Chancellor Father to the now raigning Emperour employed there with others in Embassage were detayned thereupon prisoners It is also reported that they made secret ouertures to His Maiestie of Great Britaine and that Sir Iohn Merick and Sir Willam Russel were therein employed but the strong conuulsions and sharpe agues and agonies of that State could not or would not endure the lingring of such remote pâ—isicke the wheele of Things being whirled about before such a Treatie might admit a passage of Messengers to and fro Once that Russian Head grew so heady and giddy that at last it bred innumerable Heads yea the whole Body became Heads in the worst of tyrannies a popular
nor stand for him as one himselfe nor any other Prince for him shall not practise or seeke any thing against the King of Sweden Those Lands and Castles which belongeth to the Kingdome of Sweden of old or those which now the Emperours Maiesty hath yeelded to the Kings Maiesty by this conclusion of peace he shall not seeke to get them vnder him or haue possession of them In like manner the Kings Maiesty of Sweden shall not stand against the Emperours Maiesty c. to assist the King of Poland and Lettow and all the Dominions of Poland and Lettow neyther with men nor treasure and not to be with him as one Neyther shall the Kings Maiesty by himselfe or other Princes and Gouernours seeke any practise against the Emperours Maiestie and his Lands and Castles which belong to the Emperour of Russia hee shall by no meanes seeke to get vnder him or possesse the same It is also agreed and concluded betweene vs that those Ambassadours which the Emperours Maiesty shall send to the Kings Maiesty and the Kings Maiesty to the Emperours Maiesty for the confirmation of this conclusion of peace shall haue full authority to conferre betweene the Emperours Maiesty and the Kings Maiesty of Swethland for a vnion and ioynt assistance against Sigismond King of Poland and the Crowne of Poland and the great Dukedome of Lettow in such manner as shall be thought fit and requisite by both the Princes 33. And for more certaine and firme assurance that all this here hath bin concluded and agreed on betweene vs the above said Emperours Maiestie and Kings Maiesties great ample and powerfull Ambassadours by the mediation and intercession of the great Lord King Iames his Maiesties great Ambassadour in his presence this conclusion is made established and finished and shall by our great Lord and great Duke M.F. of all Russia Sam. and by his successours and hereafter being great Lords Emperours and great Dukes be kept faithfully firmely and vnmoueable and shall be followed in all points and finished without all falshood or deceipt and our great Lords Emperours and great Dukes c. by his commandment wee his great Commissioners Ocholuech and Namestincke of Susdall Knese Dannyll Euanowich Mezetskey I the Emperours Maiesties Dwarenni and Namestincke of Shatskey Olexsey Euanowich Zuzen I the Emperours Maiesties Duke Michcola Meketesin Nouokseno I the Emperours Maiesties Duke Dobrenia Semenou haue confirmed this conclusion of peace with the kissing of the Crosse and thereunto set our hands and Seales also the Kings Maiesties of great Brittaines great Ambassadour Sir Iohn Merricke Knight Gentleman of his Maiesties priuie Chamber for the more witnessing of the same that this is also concluded here betweene vs hath firmed with his owne hand and Seale both these obligations and a confirmation which wee the Emperours Maiesties ample Ambassadours haue giuen to the Kings Maiesties great Commissioners and against that we haue taken the like writing of confirmation from the Kings Maiesties great Ambassadours Written at Stalbo in the yeare from the creation of the World 7125. the seuen and twentieth day of February HAuing here presented the fruits of his Maiesties mediation betwixt the Muscouite and Sweden I thought good also to adde this other testimonie of Bâ—ati Pacifici in the peaceable fruits of his endeuours betwixt the said King of Sweden and the King of Denmarke after bloudy warres betwixt them in which the English voluntaries were so great a part of whom if I mistake not foure thousand serued the Daâ—e vnder the command of the right honorable the Lord Willoughby The Articles of agreement betwixt them are these six concluded January 16. 1613. translated out of the Dutch Copie Printed at Copenhagen first and after at Hamburge 1. That the King of Sweden shall haue againe the Citie of Calmar with all that belongeth vnto it excepting Artillery which shall be restored to the King of Denmarke or to be sold for his profit 2. That the King of Denmarke shall haue Elsborch and Orland with all the forces and strength of Arensborch in pawne for the space of twelue yeares ensuing for the sum of fifteene Tâ—n of Gold the which sum of money the King of Sweden shall pay vnto the King of Denmark within the foresaid twelue yeares at certaine times in consideration of his charges during the said warres 3. That the Nauigation and passages by Seas and Land to Norway shall be vsed free without any hinderance of those of Sweden 4. That Lapland shall be free without giuing of any contribution 5. That the King of Denmarke shall haue Grone-land free without paying of any contribution vnto the King of Sweden 6. That the King of Denmarke shall beare the three Crownes without any gaine-saying or contradiction of the King of Sweden which was the first and principall cause of these aforesaid bloudy and vnneighbourly warres and continuall irruptions Both Kings subscribing hereto CHAP. XI A relation of two Russe Cossacks trauailes out of Siberia to Catay and other Countries adioyning thereunto Also a Copie of the last Patent from the Muscouite A Copie of a Letter written to the Emperour from his Gouernours out of Siberia TO our Lord Emperour and great Duke Michaile Fedrâ—wich of all Russia your Maiesties Vassals Euan Kâ—â—rakiâ— and Euan Kâ—bâ—â—litiâ— doe knocke their heads c. Lord this present 7127. yeere or 1619 we writ vnto your Maiestie by a Cozack of Tobolsko Clement Oboshkin that there were come to Tobolsko Ambassadours out of the Dominions of Catay and from the King of Altine with the people of Tobolsko Euashâ—â— Petlin and Andrashko Madiegene And with them together doe go to you great Lord Ambassadours out of the Dominions of Labin and the Altine Char from Skiâ—gia with presents the which we dispatcht to your Maiestie with Burnash Nikâ—â—â—â—e the sixt of Iuly and before them wee dispatcht to your Maiestie Euashkâ— Pettlin and Patoy Kizall by whom we sent vnto your Maiestie a Letter from Tambur King of Cathay and a Copie of the King Altines Letter translated with a Card and description of the places which way Euashkâ— Petlin Andrushko Madigene passed from the Castle of Tomao into the Dominions of Catay as also in what other Dominions they were The Letter it selfe which came from Altine Char Labatharshan doth carrie to your Maiestie but as for the Letter out of Catay there is none in Tobolsko to translate it The Copie of the Altine Chars or golden Kings Letter to the Emperour of Russia TO the Lord Emperour and great Duke The golden King receiued your Letter In former times Lord it came to my hearing that your Princely good Ambassadours did seeke a way or passage to come to me since which time it is now thirteene yeeres but then the people of 〈◊〉 Tubâ—ntâ— Maâ—tà ra black Kolmaks did not suffer your Princely good Ambassadors to come to me but did rob and spoile them Now since ten of your Maiesties people are come to me
and I haue sent to you Ichkmen Kichenga to do obeysance vnto your Maiesty and see your Princely eyes whâ—n your Maiestie vouchsafed to doe their obeysance and see your Princely eyes And to me you sent of your Grace three Cups of Siluer a Bow a Sword two Gunâ—es and two Garment Clothes all which your Princely fauours I haue receiued and what shall bee behouâ—â—full for your Majesty from hence I will furnish you withall As also I am to request your 〈◊〉 in respect the Ambassadours doe passe betweene vs very miserably and poore by reasonâ— hâ—re are now some small warres betwixt vs and the blacke Kâ—lâ—â—acks and there are but small 〈◊〉 Tobolsko Castle and in the Castles of Tomin Darkâ— and from the Barban people Now if so be your Majestie will fauour me and defend me with these people from Karakula and will bee pleaâ—ed to 〈◊〉 on warre on your owne side and I on mine that matter will bee done betweene vs and all good matters continue betwixt vs. And so by your Princely fauour Ambassadors may continually passe betweene vs. Iuan Tarchan Varchies and Andrei Tarchan Varchies did conduct two of your Maiesties Messengers into the Dominions of Catay according to your Majesties commandement and they are returned to me againe out of Catay Also Lord there is come vnto me the Tarchan of Labaia and I haue sent vnto you with my Presents the said Tarchan Labar and Riâ—ibacshy Anâ—haij and with them ten men and two men of Sirgos in their Letter is written that there is sent vnto your Maiestie three Leopards with their clawes an Irbish with his clawes three Lizernes with their clawes a red and a yellow Damaske vpon a gold ground a piece of Veluet and an ambling Horse And I am humbly to request your Majestie if it bee your Majesties fauour to grace mee for your owne honour with a garment of cloth of Gold and of diuers colours fiue Garments of fine Cloth a Head-piece a shirt of Male a Sword a Bow twentie Gunnes a Flaggon of Gold a Kettle of Siluer and fiue sorts of Precious Stones of each one a Tennet a Dwarfe and Workmen to make Guns and Powder and two thousand pence Your Maiesties name is growne renowmed and famous euery where therefore I doe reuerence vnto your Majestie because many Kings of many Countreyes haue spread abroad the fame of your Majesties name euery where And I request that Ambassadours may speedily passe betwixt vs and now if it be your Maiesties fauour I desire you to dispatch these my Ambassadours with speed to me backe againe Anno 7128. the three and twentieth of September in the Emperours Dominions at Soldota a Cazacke of Siberia called Euashko Pettlin did report beeing examined of his Trauels The last yeere past 7127. hee said that the Boiaren and Voyauod Knez Euan Simonowich Koorockin sent him from the Castle of Tomo and his fâ—llowâ— Andrashko to conduct the Kings Altines Ambassadours as also to inquire or search the Kingdomes of Catay They went from the Castle of Tomo about the ninth of May and trauelled from Tomo to Kirgis with much expedition tenne dayes and in Kirgis is a Duke subiect to the Emperours Maiestie his name is Nemi who gaue them victuals and post Through this Land of Kirgis they werre halfe a day and came to the Dominion of Mutalla to the Altine King who gaue them prouisions and post and dispatched them thence so they passed through his Land fiue weekes to the Country of Sheremugaly where raigneth a Queene called Manchika who caused to haue prouision and post giuen them In this Countrey of Sheromogula they trauelled foure dayes and came into the Dominions of Catay called Crim where is a wall made of stone fifteene fathomes high alongst the side of which wall they went ten dayes where they saw pettie Townes and Villages belonging to 〈◊〉 Queene Manchika but in those ten dayes they saw no people vpon the wall at all At the end of these ten dayes they came to the gate wherein lye very great Peeces of Ordnance shooting shot as bigge as a mans head and in the said gate standeth in watch three thousand men and they come with their Merchandizes to traffique at the gate The Altine men also come to the gate with their Horses to sell to the Catay men but are not permitted to come within the walls except very few at once Thus their whole trauell from Tomo Castle to this gate was twelue weekes besides some dayes that they stood still and from the gate to the great Empire of Catay tenne dayes and came to the Citie or Castle of Catay about the beginning of September and were lodged in the great Embassadors house and hauing beene there in Catay foure dayes there vsed to come vnto them a Secretary with two hundred men vpon Asses very well apparelled and did entertayne and feast them with Sacke and other Drinkes made of Grapes and told them that the Emperour or King Tambur had sent him to aske them wherefore they were come into the Dominions of Catay Whereupon they answered that our great Lord and Emperour had sent them to discouer the Dominions of Catay and see the King thereof but hee answered them againe that without presents they could not see the King and withall gaue them a Letter which Letter they brought with them to Tolbosko and from thence is sent to the Emperours Maiestie by them Out of Catay they went about the twelfth of October and came to the Castle of Tobolsko about Whitsontyde the same yeere 1619. A Description of the Empires of Catay and Labin and other Dominions aswell inhabited as places of Pasture called Vlusses and Hords and of the great Riuer Ob And other Riuers and Land passages FRom Kirgis to the Riuer Bakanna is sixe dayes trauell and from Bakanna to Kinchike is nine dayes trauell from Kinchike to the great Lake in which Lake Rubies or Saphires grow is three dayes trauell and the compasse of that Lake is twelue dayes trauell on horsebacke There falleth also into the said Lake foure Riuers to wit from the East South West and North yet the water doth not increase in the Lake nor decrease There falleth yet another Riuer into the said Lake which commeth from betweene the East and the North and is called Kitta vpon which we went fifteen dayes to the head of it where we found the King Altine in progresse the way is very stony And from the King Altine to an Vlusses fiue dayes trauell the Vlusses is called Algunat and the Duke in it is called Tâ—rmâ—shine from him to another Vlusses fiue dayes the Vlusses is called Chikursha and the Duke in it is called Carakula from thence to an Vlusses fiue dayes called Suldussa wherein is a King called Chaksaâ—a from him to an Vlusses called Bâ—suâ— fiue dayes the Dukes name is Chichim from him to an Vlusses called Iglethin fiue dayes the Duke is Taschils Cherekta from him
of the Second part of Purchas his PILGRIMS CHAP. I. A Voyage set forth by the Right Worshipfull Sir Thomas Smith and the rest of the Muscouie Company to Cherry Iland and for a further Discouerie to bee made towards the North-Pole for the likelihood of a Trade or a passage that way in a Ship called the Amitie of burthen seuentie tunnes in the which I Ionas Poole was Master hauhauing foureteene Men and one Boy Anno Dom. 1610. H. pag. 699. A briefe note what Beasts Fowles and Fishes were seene in this land pag. 707. CHAP. II. A Commission for Ionas Poole our Seruant appointed Master of a small Barke called the Elizabeth of fiftie tunnes burthen for Discouery to the Northward of Greeneland giuen the last day of May 1610. H. P. ibid. CHAP. III. A briefe Declaration of this my Voyage of Discouery to Greeneland and towards the West of it as followeth being set forth by the right Worshipfull Sir Thomas Smith Gouernour of the right Worshipfull Company of new Trades c. written by Ionas Poole H. pag. 711. CHAP. IIII. A Relation written by Ionas Poole of a Voyage to Greeneland in the yeere 1612. with two Shippes the one called the Whale the other the Sea-horse set out by the right Worshipfull the Muscouie Merchants H. pag. 713. CHAP. V. A Iournall of the Voyage made to Greeneland with sixe English Shippes and a Pinnasse in the yeere 1613. written by Master William Baffin H.P. pag. 716. CHAP. VI. A Voyage of Discouery to Greeneland c. An. 161â— written by Ro. Fotherbye H.P. pag. 720. CHAP. VII A true report of a Voyage Anno 1615. for Discouerie of Seas Lands and Ilands to the Northwards as it was performed by Robert Fotherbie in a Pinnasse of twenty tunnes called the Richerd of London H.P. pag. 728. A Letter of Robert Fotherby to Captain Edge written in Crosse-rode Iuly 15. 1615. pag. 731. CHAP. VIII Diuers other Voyages to Greenland with Letters of those which were there employed communicated to me by Master William Heley in the yeere 1617. 1618. 1619. 1620. 1621. 1623. pag. 732. A Letter of Master Robert Salmon to Master Sherwin In Sir Thomas Smiths Bay the 24. of Iune 1618. pag 733. A Letter of Master Th. Sherwin Bell-sound this â—9 of Iune 1618. â—bid A Letter of Iames Beuersham to Master Heley From Faire-hauen the 12. of Iuly 1618. ibid. A Letter of Iohn Chambers to W. Heley Bel-sound Iune 16. 1619. pag. 734. A Letter of I. Catcher to Master Heley from Faire-hauen Laus Deo this seuenteenth of Iune 1620. pag. 735. A Letter of Robert Salmon from Sir Thomas Smiths Bay Iuly 6. 1621. ibid. Laus Deo in Faire-Hauen the foure and twentieth of Iune 1623. pag. 736. Master Catchers Letter the nine and twentieth of Iune 1623. pag. 737. Captaine William Goodlards Letter â— Bel-sound this eight of Iuly 1623. ibid. CHAP. IX The late changes and manifold alterations in Russia since Iuan Vasilowich to this present gathered out of many Letters and Obseruations of English Embassadours and other Trauellers in those parts pag. 738. § 1. Of the reigne of Iuan Pheodore his sonne and of Boris ibid. The most solemne and magnificent coronation of Pheodor Iuanowich Emperour of Russia c. the tenth of Iune in the yeere 1â—84 seene and obserued by Master Ierom Horsey Gentleman and seruant to her Maiestie pag. 740. § 2. Occurrents of principall Note which happened in Russia in the time while the Honorable Sir Thomas Smith remained there Embassadour from his Maiestie pag. 748. § 3. One pretending himselfe to be Demetrius with the Popes and Poles helpes attaineth the Russian Empire his Arts Acts Mariage fauour to the English and miserable end pag. 755. The Copie of a Letter sent from the Emperor Demetry Euanowich otherwise called Grishco Otreapyoue pag. 758. The Copie of the translation of a Commission that was sent from the Mosko from the Emperour Demetry Euanowich alias Gryshca Otreapyoue by a Courtier named Gauaryla Samoylowich Salmanoue who was sent downe to the Castle of Archangell to Sir Thomas Smith then Lord Embassadour pag. 759. The Copie of the Translation of a new Priuiledge that was giuen to the Company by the Emperour Demetry Euanowich otherwise called Gryshca Otreapyoue the which Priuiledge was sent into England ouer-land by Olyuer Lysset Merchant and seruant to the foresaid Company ibid. The Copie of the translation of a Contract made by the Emperour Demetry Euanowich otherwise called Gryscha Otreapyoue and the daughter of the Palatine Sendamersko chiefe Generall of Poland pag. 761. § 4. The Copie of the Translation of a Letter sent from the new Emperour Vassily Euanowich Shoskey to the Kings Maiesty by Master Iohn Mericke pag. 765. Captaine Margarets Letter to Master Mericke from Hamborough Ian. 29. 1612. pag. 780. § 5. Of the miserable estate of Russia after Swiskeys deportation their election of the King of Polands Sonne their Interregnum and popular estate and choosing at last of the present Emperour with some remarkeable accidents in his time H.P. pag. 782. Pacta inter Primarium Ducem Exercituum Regni Poloniae inter Heroes Moscouiae pag. 783. CHAP. X. A briefe Copie of the points of the Contracts betweene the Emperours Maiestie and the Kings Maiestie of Sweden in Stolboua the seuen and twentieth of February 1616. pag. 792. CHAP. XI A Relation of two Russe Cossacks trauailes out of Siberia to Catay and other Countries adioyning thereunto Also a Copie of the last Patent from the Muscouite A Copie of a Letter written to the Emperour from his Gouernours out of Siberia pag. 797. The Copie of the Altine Chars or golden Kings Letter to the Emperour of Russia ibid. A Description of the Empires of Catay and Labin and other Dominions as well inhabited as places of Pasture called Vlusses and Hords and of the great Riuer Ob and other Riuers and Land passages pag. 799. CHAP. XII Notes concerning the discouery of the Riuer of Ob taken out of a Roll written in the Russian tongue which was attempted by the meanes of Antonie Marsh a chiefe Factor for the Moscouie Company of England 1584 with other notes of the North-east H. pag. 804. The report of Master Francis Cherry a Moscouie Merchant and Master Thomas Lyndes touching a warme Sea to the South-east of the Riuer Ob and a Note of Francis Gaulle H.P. p. 806. CHAP. XIII Discoueries made by Englishmen to the North-west Voyages of Sir Sebastian Cabot Master Thorne and other Ancients and Master Weymouth H.P. ibid. The Voyage of Captaine George Weymouth intended for the discouery of the North-west Passag toward China with two flye Boates. pag. 809. CHAP. XIV Iames Hall his Voyage forth of Denmarke for the discouery of Greenland in the yeere 1605. abbreuiated H. pag. 814. CHAP. XV. The second Voyage of Master Iames Hall forth of Denmarke into Greeneland in the yeere 1606. contracted H. pag. 821. CHAP. XVI The Voyage of Master Iohn Knight which had beene at Greeneland once
before 1605. Captaine of a Pinnasse of the King of Denmarke for the Discouery of the North-west passage begunne the eighteenth of Aprill 1606. H. pag. 827. CHAP. XVII The fourth Voyage of Iames Hall to Groaneland wherein he was set forth by English Aduenturers Anno 1612. and slaine by a Greenelander Written by William Baffin H. pag. 831. CHAP. XVIII A true Relation of such things as happened in the fourth Voyage for the Discouerie of the North-west Passage performed in the yeere 1615. written by William Baffin H. P. pag. 836. CHAP. XIX A briefe and true Relation of Iournall containing such accidents as happened in the fift Voyage for the discouery of a passage in the North-west set forth at the charges of the right Worshipfull Sir Thomas Smith Knight Sir Dudly Digges Knight Master Iohn Mostenholme Esquire Master Alderman Iones with others in the goodship called the Discouery of London Robert Bileth Master and my selfe Pilot performed in the yeere of our Lord 1616. pag. 844. CHAP. XX. A briefe Discourse of the probability of a passage to the Westerne or South Sea illustrated with testimonies and a briefe Treatise and Map by Master Brigges H.P. pag. 848. The Contents of the Chapters and Paragraphs in the Fifth Booke of the second part of Purchas his PILGRIMS CHAP. I. A Description of the West Indies by Antonio de Herrera his Maiesties chiefe Chronicler of the Indies and his Chronicler of Castile H. P. pag. 855 The Presidents Counsellors Secretaries and Attourneys which vnto this present day haue serued and doe serue in the supreme Councell of the Indies from their first Discouerie pag. 916. The Gouernours and Vice-royes which haue gouerned vntill this time the Kingdomes of New-Spaine and of Peru. pag. 917. CHAP. II. Obseruations gathered out of the First Second Third and Fourth Bookes of Iosephus Acosta a learned Iesuite touching the naturall historie of the Heauens Ayre Water and Earth at the West Indies Also of their Beasts Fishes Fowles Plants and other remarkeable rarities of Nature pag. 918. § 1. Of the fashion and forme of Heauen at the new-found World and of the Ayre and Winds ibid. § 2. Of the Ocean that inuirons the Indies and of the North and South Seas their ebbing flowing Fishes fishing Lakes Riuers and Springs pag. 928. § 3. Of the qualitie of the Land at the Indies in generall Properties of Peru and of new Spaine and other parts of Vulcanes and Earthquakes pag. 935. § 4. Of Metals in the Indies and especially of the Gold and Siluer and Quick-siluer pag. 941. § 5. Of Emeralds Pearles Indian Bread Trees Fruits Flowers naturall and carried thither from Spaine pag. 952. § 6. Of Beasts and Fowles in the Indies pag. 962. Of Fowles that are proper to the Indies and Venison pag. 965. CHAP. III. Extracts of Gonzalo Ferdinando de Ouiedo his Summarie and the generall Historie of the Indies pag. 970. Of the Mynes of Gold and the manner of working in them ibid. Of the manner of fishing for Pearles pag. 972. Of the familiaritie which certaine of the Indians haue with the Deuill and how they receiue answere of him of things to come and other superstitions pag. 973. Of diuers particular things as Wormes Serpents Beasts Fowles Trees c. pag. 975. Of Trees Fruits and Plants pag. 981. Of Reedes or Canes pag. 983. Of venemous Apples wherwith they poyson their Arrowes pag. 985. Of Fishes and of the manner of fishing p. 986. Of the increase and decrease that is rising and falling of our Ocean Sea and South Sea called the Sea of Sur. pag. 989. Of the straight or narrow passage of the Land lying betweene the North and South Sea by the which Spices may much sooner and easilier be brought from the Ilands of Molucca into Spaine by the West Ocean then by that way wherby the Portugals saile into the East India ibid. How things that are of one kinde differ in forme and qualitie according to the nature of the place where they are engendred or grow and of the beasts called Tigres pag. 990. Of the manners and customes of the Indians of the Firme Land and of their Women pag. 991. Of the chiefe Ilands Hispaniola and Cuba pag. 993. CHAP. IIII. Mexican Antiquities gathered out of the writings of Iosephus Acosta a learned Iesuite pag. 1000. § 1. Of the ancient Inhabitants of new Spain and of the sixe Linages of the Nauatlacas Of the Mexican Exodus and aduentures by the way the foundation of Mexico their first King and Tribute ibid. § 2. Of the second King Vitzilouitli and of his successours and their Acts vntill the reigne of Motezuma their last King pag. 1009. § 3. Of the election of great Motezuma the last King of Mexico his pompe and manner of gouernment prodigious fore-warnings of his ruine and the Spanish conquest pag. 1018. CHAP. V. Of the ancient superstitions of the Mexicans and Indians of America gathered out of the fifth booke of Iosephus Acosta pag. 1026. CHAP. VI. Ciuill Customes and Arts of the Indians taken out of Acostas 6. Booke pag. 1050. CHAP. VII The Historie of the Mexican Nation described in pictures by the Mexican Author explained in the Mexican language which exposition translated into Spanish and thence into English together with the said Picture-historie are heere presented H. pag. 1066 § 1. The Mexican Chronicle ibid. § 2. The second part of this Booke contayning the particular Tributes which euery Towne subdued payed vnto the Lords of Mexico pag. 1080 § 3. The third part of this Booke contayneth the priuate behauiour in Marriages education of Children and Trades with the Martiall Ecclesiasticke and Ciuill policie of the Mexican people pag. 1102. CHAP. VIII Conquest of Mexico and New Spaine by Hernando Cortes pag. 1118. CHAP. IX Larger Relations of things most remarkeable obserued by the Spaniards at their first comming Cholallas holies Popocatepecs ashes Mutezumas multiforme Magnificence and Maiestie Mexican Citie and Temple with other Antiquities gathered out of the Third part of the Historie of Francis Lopez de Gomara pag. 1123. The Hill called Popocatepec ibid. Description of Mexico as it flourished in those times pag. 1131. Other Mexican Antiquities Letters Numbers Yeeres Dayes Weekes c. pag. 1135. Their reckoning by numbers ibid. The Contents of the Chapters and Paragraphs in the sixth Booke of the Second part of Purchas his PILGRIMS CHAP. I. A Briefe Relation of the seuerall Voyages vndertaken and performed by the Right Honourable George Earl of Cumberland in his owne person or at his owne charge and by his direction collected out of the Relations and Iournals of credible persons Actors therein pag. 1141. CHAP. II. The Voyage to Saint Iohn de Porto Rico by the Right Honourable George Earle of Cumberland written by himselfe H. pag. 1150. CHAP. III. A large Relation of Port Ricco Voyage written as is reported by that learned man and reuerend Diuine Doctor Eglambie his Lordships Chaplaine and Attendant in that Expedion very much abbreuiated H. pag.
afterwards deliuered to the generall Assembly of the said Companie at a Court holden the 25. of Iune 1611. Published by authority of the said Counsell pag. 176â— CHAP. IX A Letter of Sir Samuell Argoll touching his Voyage to Virginia and Actions there Written to Master Nicholas Hawes Iune 1613. H. p. 1764. CHAP. X. Notes of Virginian Affaires in the gouernment of Sir Thomas Dale and of Sir Thomas Gates till Ann. 1614. taken out of Master Ralph Hamor Secretarie to the Colonie his Booke pag. 1766. CHAP. XI A Letter of Sir Thomas Dale and another of Master Whitakers from Iames Towne in Virginia Iune 18. 1614. And a peece of a Tractate written by the said Master Whitakers from Virginia the yeere before pag. 1768. To the R. and my most esteemed friend M. D.M. at his house at F. Ch. in London ibid. Part of a Tractate written at Henrico in Virginia by M. Alexander Whitaker Minister to the Colonie there which then gouerned by Sir Thomas Dale 1613. pag. 1771. CHAP. XII Of the Lotterie Sir Thomas Dales returne the Spaniards in Virginia Of Pocahuntas and Tomocomo Captaine Yerdley and Captaine Argoll both since Knighted their Gouernment the Lord La Warres Death and other occurrents till Anno 1619. pag. 1773. CHAP. XIII The estate of the Colonie Anno 1620. and Master Dermers Letter to me from Virginia touching his Voyage for the South Sea pag. 1775. A Note of the Shipping Men and Prouisions sent to Virginia by the Treasurer and Companie in the yeere 1619. pag. 1776. CHAP. XIIII A true Relation of a Sea-fight betweene two great and well appointed Spanish Ships or Men of Warre and an English ship called the Margaret and Iohn or the Black Hodge going for Virginia pag. 1780 CHAP. XV. Virginian affaires since the yeere 1620. till this present 1624. pag. 1783. § 1. A Note of the shipping Men and prouisions sent and prouided for Virginia by the Right Honourable Henry Earle of South-hampton and the Companie and other priuate Aduenturers in the yeere 1621. c. With other Occurrents then published by the Companie ibid. Ships and People ibid. And for the benefit of the Plantations these things following haue beene here done this yeere ibid. Other Occurrents of note ibid. Gifts pag. 1784. § 2. 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 Companie touching Silke-workes pag. 1787. His Maiesties gracious Letter to the Earle of South-hampton Tresurer and to the Counsell and Companie of Virginia here commanding the present setting vp of Silke-workes and planting of Vines in Virginia pag. 1787. § 3. The barbarous Massacre committed by the Sauages on the English Planters March the two and twentieth 1621. after the English accompt pag. 1788. § 4. A Note of prouisions necessarie for euery Planter or personall Aduenturer to Virginia and accidents since the Massacre pag. 1719. CHAP. XVI English Voyages to the Summer Ilands Henry Mays Shipwracke there 1593. The first Colony sent 1612. pag. 1793. A Copie of the Articles which Master R. More Gouernour Deputie of the Summer Ilands propounded to the Company that were there with him to be subscribed vnto which both hee and they subscribed the second of August in his House Anno 1612. which about the same time hee sent into England to the Worshipfull Companie of the Aduenturours pag. 1795. CHAP. XVII Relations of Summer Ilands taken out of Master Richard Norwood his Map and Notes added thereto printed 1622. The Historie of the Creatures growing or liuing therein being inlarged out of Captaine Smiths written Relations pag. 1796. 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 pag. 1801. CHAP. XIX Briefe intelligence from Virginia by Letters a supplement of French-Virginian occurrants and their supplantation by Sir Samuel Argal in right of the English plantation pag. 1â—05 CHAP. XX. Virginias Verger or a discourse shewing the benefits which may grow to this Kingdome from American-English Plantations and specially those of Virginia and Summer Ilands p. 1809. The Contents of the Chapters and Paragraphs in the tenth Booke of the Second part of Purchas his PILGRIMS CHAP. I. A Briefe Relation of the discouerie and plantation of New England and of sundrie accidents therein occurring from the yeer of our Lord 1607. to this present 1622. published by the President and Councell and dedicated to the Princes Highnesse here abbreuiated p. 1827. CHAP. II. The voyage of Master Henrie Challons intended for the North plantation of Virginia 1606. taken by the way and ill vsed by Spaniards written by Iohn Stoneman Pilot. H. pag. 1832. CHAP. III. Extracts of a Booke of Captaine Iohn Smith printed 1622. called New Englands trialls and continuing the storie thereof with Motiues to the businesse of fishing there pag. 1837. An Abstract of Letters sent from the Colonie in New England Iuly sixteene 1622. p. 1840. CHAP. IIII. A Relation or Iournall of a plantation setled at Plimoth in New England and proceedings therof printed 1622. and here abbreuiated p. 1842. CHAP. V. Good newes from New England or a relation of things remarkable in that Plantation written by E. Winslow and here abbreuaited pag. 1853. CHAP. VI. Noua Scotia The Kings Paâ—ent to Sir William Alexander Knight for the plantation of New Scotland in America and his proceedings therein with a description of Mawooshen for better knowledge of those parts pag. 1871. The description of the Country of Mawooshen discouered by the English in the yeere 1602.3 5 6 7 8 and 9. H. pag. 1873. 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. Guy to M. Slany Also of the weather the three first winters and of Captaine Weston with other remarkable occurrents H. pag. 1876. Master Iohn Guy his Letter to Master Slany Treasurer and to the Counsell of the New-found-land plantation pag. 1877. To Master Iohn Slany Treasurer and others of the Councell and Companie of the New-found-land plantation the 29. of Iuly 1612. pag. 1879. CHAP. VIII Captaine Richard Whitbournes voyages to New-found-land and obseruations there and thereof taken out of his printed booke p. 1882. A Relation of New-found-land pag. 1884. CHAP. IX The names of diuers honourable persons and others who haâ—e vndertaken to helpe to aduance his Maiesties plantation in the New-found-land written by the said R. W. with extracts of certaine Letters written from thence pag. 1888. The second Part of the tenth Booke CHAP. X. DIuers warlike Fleets set forth to Seâ— against the Spaniards by our English Debora Queene Elizabeth of glorious memorie Her manifold deliueries and victories pag. 1891. CHAP. XI The Popes Bull the King of Spaines preparations the Duke of Medinas Expedition the Duke of Parmas Forces for the inuasion of England diuers Sea fights twixt
the English and Spanish Fleets the Sea flight of the Spanish and miserable disasters in their returne Their lyes The Queenes religious triumph pag. 1895. Squadron of the Galeons of Portugall p. 1898. Don Alonso Peres de Gusman the good Duke of Medina Sidonia Countie of Nebla Marquesse of Casheshe in Africa Lord of the Citie of Saint Lucar Captaine Generall of the Occian Sea of the Coast of Andaluzia and of this Armie of his Maiestie and Knight of the honorable Order of the golden Fleece pag. 1902. The true relation of the successe of the Catholike Armie against their Enemies by the Letters of the Post-master of Logrono of the fourth of September and by Letters from Roan of the 31. of August and by Letters from Paris of the Kings Embassadour there wherein hee declareth the imprisonment of Francis Drake and other great Nobles of England and how the Queene is in the field with an Armie and of a certaine mutinie which was amongst the Queenes Armie with the successe of the said Catholike Armie since they entred in the Groyne till they came on the Coast of England with two Ballets compounded by Christouer Brauo a blinde man of Cordowa printed with licence by Gabriel Ramos Beiarano printer pag. 1913. CHAP. XII A discourse of the Portugall voyage Anno 1589. Sir Iohn Norris and Sir Francis Drake Generalls written as is thought by Colonell Antonie Wingfield imployed in the same voyage formerly published by his friend to whom it was written and here abbreuiated pag. 1914. CHAP. XIII A briefe and true report of the Honourable voyage vnto Cadiz 1596. of the ouerthrow of the Kings Fleet and of the winning of the Citie with other accidents gathered out of Meteranus Master Hackluyt and others pag. 1927. CHAP. XIIII The voyage to the Iles of Azores vnder the conduct of the Right Honorable Earle of Essex 1597. pag. 1935. § 1. The relation thereof by the said Earle and other Commissioners ibid. § 2. A larger relation of the said Iland voyage written by Sir Arthur Gorges Knight collected in the Queenes ship called the Wast Spite wherein he was then Captaine with Marine and Martiall discourses added according to the occurrences pag. 1938. The Conclusion of the Worke with some later aduertisements touching his Maiesties care for Virginia pag. 19â—0 Maps and Peeces cut in Brasse or VVood in the last ten Bookes AMerica p. 857 America Meridionalis p. 882 America Septentrionalis p. 853 Map of the Arctike Pole p. 625 Borussia or Prussia p. 626 Hondius his Map of China p. 361 Purchas his Map of China p. 402 Denmarke p. 622 England p. 1980 Florida p. 689 Great Britaine and Ireland p. 1981 Greenland p. 468 Vlphilas Gottick letters p. 658 Hispaniola p. 861 Island p. 644 Lithuania p. 629 Liuonia p. 627 Magellan Streight p. 900 Mexican hieroglyphic histor cut in 65. peeces p. 1067 c. to 1117. Moscouia p. 778 Norwegia p. 620 Polonia p. 630 Russia p. 220 Noua Scotia p. 1874 New Spaine p. 871 Tartaria p. 234 Taurica Chersonesus p. 632 Virginia p. 1692 PEREGRINATIONS AND DISCOVERIES IN THE REMOTEST NORTH AND EAST PARTS OF ASIA CALLED TARTARIA AND CHINA THE FIRST BOOKE CHAP. I. The Iournall of Frier WILLIAM DE RVBRVQVIS a French-man of the Order of the Minorite Friers vnto the East parts of the World Anno Dom. 1253. TO the most Excellent and most Christian Lord Lewis by Gods grace the Renowmed King of France Frier William de Rubruk the meanest of the Minorites Order wisheth health and continuall Triumph in Christ. It is written in the Booke of Ecclesiasticus concerning the Wiseman He shall trauell into forreine Countries and good and euill shall hee try in all things The very same Action my Lord and King haue I atchieued howbeit I wish that I haue done it like a wise man and not like a Foole. For many there bee that performe the same Action which a wise man doth not wisely but more vndiscreetly of which number I feare my selfe to bee one Notwithstanding howsoeuer I haue done it because you commanded mee when I departed from your Highnesse to write all things vnto you which I should see among the Tartars and you wished me also that I should not feare to write long Letters I haue done as your Maiestie enioyned me yet with feare and reuerence because I want words and Eloquence sufficient to write vnto so great a Maiestie Bee it knowne therefore vnto your Sacred Maiestie that in the yeare of our Lord 1253. about the Nones of May wee entred into the Sea of Pontus which the Bulgarians call the great Sea It contayneth in length as I learned of certayne Merchants one thousand and eight miles and is in a manner diuided into two parts About the midst thereof are two Prouinces one towards the North and another towards the South The South Prouince is called Synopolis and it is the Castle and Port of the Soldan of Turkie but the North Prouince is called of the Latines Gasaria of the Greekes which inhabit vpon the Sea shoare thereof it is called Cassaria that is to say Caesaria And there are certayne head-lands stretching forth into the Sea towards Synopolis Also there are three hundred miles of distance betweene Synopolis and Cassaria Insomuch that the distance from those points or places to Constantinople in length and breadth is about seuen hundred miles and seuen hundred miles also from thence to the East namely to the Countrey of Hiberia which is a Prouince of Georgia At the Prouince of Gasaria or Cassaria wee arriued which Prouince is in a manner three square hauing a Citie on the West part thereof called Kersoua wherein Saint Clement suffered Martyrdome And sayling before the said Citie wee saw an Iland in which a Church is said to be built by the hands of Angels But about the midst of the said Prouince toward the South as it were vpon a sharpe Angle or Point standeth a Citie called Soldaia directly against Synopolis And there doe all the Turkie Merchants which Traffique into the North Countries in their Iourney outward arriue and as they returne home-ward also from Russia and the said Northerne Regions into Turkie The foresaid Merchants transport thither Ermines and gray Furres with other rich and costly Skinnes Others carrie Clothes made of Cotton or Bombast and Silke and diuers kinds of Spices But vpon the East part of the said Prouince standeth a Citie called Matriga where the Riuer Tanais dischargeth his streames into the Sea of Pontus the mouth whereof is twelue miles in breadth For this Riuer before it entreth into the Sea of Pontus maketh a little Sea which hath in breadth and length seuen hundred miles and it it is in no place thereof aboue sixe paces deepe whereupon great Vessels cannot saile ouer it Howbeit the Merchants of Constantinople arriuing at the foresaid Citie of Materta send their Barkes vnto the Riuer of Tanais to buy dryed fishes Sturgeons Thosses Barbils
Guide told mee that I must present somewhat vnto Scacatai and so he caused vs to stay going himselfe before to giue notice of our comming By this time it was past three of the clocke and they vnladed their houses neere vnto a certayne water And there came vnto vs his Interpreter who being aduertised by vs that we were neuer there before demanded some of our victuals and wee yeelded vnto his request Also hee required of vs some garment for a Reward because hee was to interpret our Sayings vnto his Master Howbeit we excused our selues as well as we could Then hee asked vs what we would present vnto his Lord And we tooke a flagon of Wine and filled a Maund with Bisket and a Platter with Apples and other Fruits But he was not contented therewith because we brought him not some rich garment Notwithstanding wee entred so into his presence with feare and bashfulnesse Hee sate vpon his bed holding a Citron in his hand and his Wife sate by him who as I verily thinke had cut and pared her Nose betweene the Eyes that she might seeme to be more flat and saddle-nosed for she had left her selfe no Nose at all in that place hauing anoynted the very same place with a blacke Oyntment and her Eye-browes also which sight seemed most vgly in our Eyes Then I rehearsed vnto him the same words which I had spoken in other places before For it stood vs in hand to vse one and the same speech in all places For we were well fore-warned of this circumstance by some which had beene amongst the Tartars that we should neuer vary in our Tale. Then I besought him that he would vouchsafe to accept that small gift at our hands excusing my selfe that I was a Monke and that it was against our profession to possesse Gold or Siluer or precious Garments and therefore that I had not any such thing to giue him howbeit he should receiue some part of our victuals in stead of a blessing Hereupon he caused our Present to be receiued and immediately distributed the same among his men who were met together for the same purpose to drinke and make merry I deliuered also vnto him the Emperour of Constantinople his Letters this was eight dayes after the Feast of Ascension who sent them forth-with to Soldaia to haue them interpreted there for they were written in Greeke and he had none about him that was skilfull in the Greeke Tongue He asked vs also whether we would drinke any Cosmos that is to say Mares Milke For those that are Christians among them as namely the Russians Grecians and Alanians who keepe their owne Law very strictly will in no case drinke thereof yea they account themselues no Christians after they haue once drunke of it and their Priests reconcile them vnto the Church as if they had renounced the Christian Faith I gaue him answere that wee had as yet sufficient of our owne to drinke and that when our drinke fayled vs we must be constrayed to drinke such as should bee giuen vnto vs. Hee enquired also what was contayned in our Letters which your Maiestie sent vnto Sartach I answered that they were sealed vp and that there was nothing contayned in them but good and friendly words And he asked what words wee would deliuer vnto Sartach I answered the words of Christian Faith He asked againe what these words were For he was very desirous to heare them Then I expounded vnto him as well as I could by mine Interpreter who had no wit nor any vtterance of speech the Apostles Creed Which after hee had heard holding his peace he shooke his head Then hee assigned vnto vs two men who should giue attendance vpon our selues vpon our Horses and vpon our Oxen. And hee caused vs to ride in his company till the Messenger whom he had sent for the Interpretation of the Emperours Letters was returned And so wee trauelled in his company till the morrow after Pentecost VPon the Eeuen of Pentecost there came vnto vs certayne Alanians who are there called Acias being Christians after the manner of the Grecians vsing Greeke Bookes and Grecian Priests howbeit they are not Schismatikes as the Grecians are but without acception of persons they honour all Christians And they brought vnto vs sodden flesh requesting vs to eat of their meate and to pray for one of their company beeing dead Then I said because it was the Eeuen of so great and so solemne a Feast Day that wee would not eate any flesh for that time And I expounded vnto them the Solemnitie of the said Feast whereat they greatly reioyced for they were ignorant of all things appertayning to Christian Religion except only the Name of Christ. They and many other Christians both Russians and Hungarians demanded of vs whether they might be saued or no because they were constrayned to drinke Cosmos and to eate the dead carkasses of such things as were slaine by the Saracens and other Infidels Which euen the Greeke and Russian Priests them selues also esteeme as things strangled or offered vnto Idols because they were ignorant of the times of Fasting neither could they haue obserued them albeit they had knowne them Then instructed I them aswell as I could and strengthened them in the Faith As for the flesh which they had brought wee reserued it vntill the feast day For there was nothing to be sold among the Tartars for Gold and Siluer but onely for Cloath and Garments of the which kind of Merchandize wee had none at all When our Seruants offered them any Coyne called Yperpera they rubbed it with their fingers and put it vnto their noses to try by the smell whether it were Copper or no. Neither did they allow vs any food but Cowes Milke onely which was very sowre and filthy There was one thing most necessary greatly wanting vnto vs. For the water was so foule and muddy by reason of their Horses that it was not meete to be drunke And but for certaine Bisket which was by the goodnesse of God remaining vnto vs we had vndoubtedly perished VPon the day of Pentecost there came vnto vs a certaine Saracen vnto whom as he talked with vs we expounded the Christian Faith Who hearing of Gods benefits exhibited vnto mankind by the Incarnation of our Sauiour Christ and the Resurrection of the dead and the Iudgement to come and that in Baptisme was a washing away of sinnes said that hee would be baptized But when wee prepared our selues to the baptizing of him hee suddenly mounted on horse-back saying that he would go home and consult with his wife what were best to be done And on the morrow after he told vs that he durst in no case receiue Baptisme because then he should drinke no more Cosmos For the Christians of that place affirme that no true Christians ought to drinke thereof and that without the said liquor hee could not liue in that Desart From which
Idol-temple I found the Priests of the said Idols there For alwaies at the Kalends they set open their Temples and the Priests adorne themselues and offer vp the peoples Oblations of Bread and Fruits First therefore I will describe vnto you those rites and ceremonies which are common vnto all their Idol-temples and then the superstitions of the foresaid Iugures which be as it were a sect distinguished from the rest They doe all of them worship towards the North clapping their hands together and prostrating themselues on their knees vpon the earth holding also their foreheads in their hands Whereupon the Nestorians of those parts will in no case ioyne their hands together in time of prayer but they pray displaying their hands before their breasts They extend their Temples in length East and West and vpon the North side they build a Chamber in manner of a Vestrie for them selues to goe forth into Or sometimes it is otherwise If it be a foure square Temple in the midst of the Temple towards the North side thereof they take in one Chamber in that place where the Quire should stand And within the said Chamber they place a Chest long and broade like vnto a Table and behind the said Chest towards the South stands their principall Idoll which I saw at Caracarum and it was as big as the Idoll of Saint Christopher Also a certaine Nestorian Priest which had beene in Catay said that in that Countrey there is an Idoll of so huge a bignesse that it may be seene two daies iourney before a man come at it And so they place other Idols round about the foresaid principall Idoll being all of them finely gilt ouer with pure gold and vpon the said Chest which is in manner of a Table they set Candles and Oblations The doores of their Temples are alwaies open towards the South contrary to the customes of the Saracens They haue also great Bels like vnto vs. And that is the cause as I thinke why the Christians of the East will in no case vse great Bells Notwithstanding they are common among the Russians and Graecians of Gasaria ALl their Priests had their heads and beards shauen quite ouer and they are clad in Saffron coloured garments and being once shauen they leade an vnmarried life from that time forward and they liue an hundred or two hundred of them together in one Cloister or Couent Vpon those daies when they enter into their Temples they place two long Formes therein and so sitting vpon the said Formes like Singing-men in a Quire namely the one halfe of them directly ouer against the other they haue certaine bookes in their hands which sometimes they lay downe by them vpon the Formes and their heads are bare so long as they remaine in the Temple And there they reade softly vnto themselues not vttering any voice at all Whereupon comming in amongst them at the time of their superstitious deuotions and finding them all sitting mute in manner aforesaid I attempted diuers waies to prouoke them vnto speech and yet could not by any meanes possible They haue with them also whithersoeuer they goe a certaine string with an hundred or two hundred Nut-shels thereupon much like to our bead-roll which wee carrie about with vs. And they doe alwaies vtter these words Ou mam Hactani God thou knowest as one of them expounded it vnto me And so often doe they expect a reward at Gods hands as they pronounce these words in remembrance of God Round about their Temple they doe alwaies make a faire Court like vnto a Church-yard which they enuiron with a good wall and vpon the South part thereof they build a great Portall wherein they sit and conferre together And vpon the top of the said Portall they pitch a long Pole right vp exalting it if they can aboue all the whole Towne besides And by the same Pole all men may know that there stands the Temple of their Idols These rites and ceremonies aforesaid be common vnto all Idolaters in those parts Going vpon a time towards the foresaid Idoll-temple I found certaine Priests sitting in the outward Portall And those which I saw seemed vnto mee by their shauen beards as if they had beene French men They wore certaine ornaments vpon their heads made of Paper The Priests of the foresaid Iugures doe vse such attire whithersoeuer they goe They are alwaies in their Saffron coloured Iackets which bee very straight being laced or buttened from the bosome right downe after the French fashion and they haue a Cloake vpon their left shoulder descending before and behind vnder their right arme like vnto a Deacon carrying the houssel-box in time of Lent Their letters or kind of writing the Tartars did receiue They begin to write at the top of their paper drawing their lines right downe and so they reade and multiply their lines from the left hand to the right They doe vse certaine papers and characters in their Magicall practices Whereupon their Temples are full of such short scrolls hanged round about them Also Mangu-Can hath sent letters vnto your Maiestie written in the language of the Moals or Tartars and in the foresaid hand or letter of the Iugures They burne their dead according to the ancient custome and lay vp the ashes in the top of a Pyramis Now after I had sate a while by the foresaid Priests and entred into their Temple and seene many of their Images both great and small I demanded of them what they beleeued concerning God And they answered Wee beleeue that theâ—e is onely one God And I demanded farther Whether doe you beleeue that he is a Spirit or some bodily substance They said Wee beleeue that hee is a Spirit Then said I Doe you beleeue that God euer tooke mans nature vpon him Then they answered No. And againe I said Sithence yee beleeue that hee is a Spirit to what end doe you make so many bodily Images to represent him Sithence also you beleeue not that hee was made man why doe you resemble him rather vnto the Image of a man then of any other creature Then they answered saying we frame not those Images whereby to represent God But when any rich man amongst vs or his sonne or his wife or any of his friends deceaseth he causeth the Image of the dead partie to be made and to be placed here and we in remembrance of him doe reuerence thereunto Then I replyed You doe these things onely for the friendship and flatterie of men No said they but for their memorie Then they demanded of mee as it were in scoffing wise Where is God To whom I answered Where is your soule they said In our bodies Then said I Is it not in euery part of your bodie ruling and guiding the whole bodie and yet notwithstanding is not seene or perceiued Euen so God is euery where and ruleth all things and yet is he inuisible being vnderstanding and wisedome it selfe Then being desirous to
to discouer by Sea North-east and North-west named for Cathay being chiefly procured by priuiledge from King Edward the sixt and other his Nobilitie by and at the cost and sute of Master Sebastian Cabota then Gouernour for Discoueries with Sir Andrew Iudde Sir George Barnes Sir William Garrard Master Anthony Hussie and a companie of Merchants was in the last yeere of his Maiesties raigne 1553. The generall charge whereof was committed to one Sir Hugh Willoughbie Knight a goodly Gentleman accompanied with sufficient number of Pilots Masters Merchants and Marriners hauing three Ships well furnished to wit The Bona Sperança the Edward Bonauenture and the Confidentia The Edward Bonauenture Richard Chancelor being Pilot and Steuen Burrough Master hauing discouered Ward-house vpon the Coast of Finmark by storme or fogge departed from the rest found the Bay of Saint Nicholas now the chiefe Port of Russia there wintred in safetie and had ayde of the people at a Village called Newnox The other two ships attempting further Northwards as appeared by Pamphlets found after written by Sir Hugh Willoughbie were in September encountred with such extreame cold that they put backe to seeke a wintring place and missing the said Bay fell vpon a desaâ—t Coast in Lappia entring into a Riuer immediately frozen vp since discouered named Arzina Reca distant East from a Russian Monasterie of Monkes called Pechingho from whence they neuer returned but all to the member of seuentie persons perished which was for want of experience to haue madâ— Caues and Stoues These were found with the Ships the next Summer Anno 1554. by Russe-fishermen and in Anno 1555. the place sent vnto by English Merchants as hereafter appeareth Anno 1554. the said ship Edward Bonauenture although robbed homewards by Flemings returned with her companie to London shewing and setting foorth their entertainments and discouerie of the Countries euen to the Citie of Mosco from whence they brought a priuiledge written in Russe with the Kings or great Dukes seale the other two ships looked for and vnknowne to them where they were Anno 1555. the said companie of Merchants for a discouerie vpon a new supply sent thither againe with two Ships to wit the Edward Bonauenture and another bearing the name of the King and Queene Philip and Marie whose Maiesties by their Letters to the said Muscouite recommended sundry their subiects then passing whereof certaine to wit Richard Chancelor George Killingworth Henrie Lane and Arthur Edwards after their arriuall at the Bay and passing vp Dwina to Nologda went first vp to Mosco where vpon knowledge of the said Letters they with their trayne had speciall entertainment with houses and dyet appointed and shortly permitted to the Princes presence they were with Gentlemen brought through the Citie of Mosco to the Castle and Palace replenished with numbers of people and some gunners They entred sundry roomes furnished in shew with ancient graue personages all in long garments of sundry colours Gold Tissue Baldekin and Violet as our Vestments and Copes haue beene in England sutable with Caps Iewels and Chaines These were found to bee no Courtiers but ancient Muscouites Inhabitants and other their Merchants of credit as the manner is furnished thus from the Wardrobe and Treasurie waiting and wearing this apparell for the time and so to restore it Then entring into the Presence being a large roome floored with Carpets were men of more estate and richer shew in number aboue one hundred set square who after the said English-men came in doing reuerence they all stood vp the Prince onely sitting and yet rising at any occasion when our King and Queenes names were read or spoken Then after speeches by interpretation our men kissing his hand and bidden to dinner were stayed in another roome and at dinner brought through where might bee seene massie siluer and gilt Plate some like and as bigge as Kilderkins and Wash-bowles and entring the Dining place being the greater roome the Prince was set bare-headed his Crowne and rich Cap standing vpon a pinacle by Not farre distanâ— sate his Metropolitan with diuers other of his kindred and chiefe Tartarian Captaines none sate ouer against him or any at other Tables their backes towards him which tables all furnished with ghests set there was for the English-men named by the Russes Ghosti Carabelski to wit Strangers or Merchants by ship a table in the midst of the roome where they were set direct against the Prince and then began the seruice brought in by a number of his young Lords and Gentlemen in such rich attire as is aboue specified and still from the Princes table notwithstanding their owne furniture they had his whole messes set ouer all in massie fine Gold deliuered euery time from him by name to them by their seuerall Christian names as they sate viz. Richard George Henrie Arthur Likewise Bread and sundry drinkes of purified Mead made of fine white and clarified Honey At their rising the Prince called them to his table to receiue each one a Cup from his hand to drinke and tooke into his hand Master George Killingworths beard which reacheth ouer the table and pleasantly deliuered it the Metropolitane who seeming to blesse it said in Râ—sse This is Gods gift As indeed at that time it was not onely thicke broad and yellow coloured but in length fiue foote and two inches of assize Then taking leaue being night they were accompanied and followed with a number carrying pots of drinke and dishes of meate dressed to our lodging This yeere the two Ships with the dead bodyes of Sir Hugh Willoughbie and his people were sent vnto by Master Killingworth which remayned there in Mosco Agent almost two yeeres and much of the goods and victuals were recouered and saued Anno 1556. The Companie sent two Ships for Russia with extraordinarie Masters and Saylers to bring home the two ships which were frozen in Lappia in the riuer of Arzina aforesaid The two ships sent this yeere from England sayling from Lapland to the Bay of Saint Nicholas tooke in lading with passengers to wit a Russe Ambassadour named Ioseph Napea and some of his men shipped with Richard Chancelor in the Edward But so it fell out that the two which came from Lappia with all their new Master and Marriners neuer were heard of but in foule weather and wrought Seas after their two yeeres wintring in Lapland became as is supposed vnstanch and sunke wherein were drowned also diuers Russes Merchants and seruants of the Ambassadour A third ship the Edward aforesaid falling on the North part of Scotland vpon a rocke was also lost and Master Chancelor with diuers other drowned The said Russe Ambassadour hardly escaping with other his men Marriners and some goods saued were sent for into Scotland from the King Queene and Merchants the messenger being Master Doctor Laurence Hussie and others And then as in the Chronicles appeareth honorably entertayned and receiued at London This
the Mandarines which come this way aske vs why we stay amongst these Mangines that is Rusticks and Barbarians We must say they leaue the Barke and pierce to the pith and marrow of the Kingdome if we would see the China splendor and politie He writes for Labourers Bookes Images and Pictures for consolation of new Conuerts the Ethnicks worship that of the Virgin and call her Scin mu nian nian that is holy Mother and Queene of Queenes and ends with imploring the patronage and intercession of all the heauenly Quire specially of the blessed Virgin the Apostles the Angels guardians of China to obtaine of the holy Trinitie happy successe to their endeuours c. But wee will returne to our best acquainted in China Ricius whom we left newly arriued at Nanquin The case was now altered at Nanquin they went on foot without impediment to their lodging which was in a huge Monastery called Cinghensu in which is great resort of guests which there hire lodgings being built in the centre of the Citie The Iaponians were now beaten from Corai and Quabacondono was dead which had so terrified that vnwarlike Nation He heard that they had heard of his going to Pequin and that the Corai warre was the frustrating of his designes in that vnseasonable time The President was verie glad of his comming and exhorted him to buy a house there and sends two of his followers to looke out for one Scarsly had he and Chiutaiso gotten home to their lodging when the President followeth to visit them which hee did with the solemnest Rites And when they were set in the Hall the Abbot came to offer them the wonted potion kneeling to all three to the President hee was bound as supreme gouernour of Temples and the President inuited the Father to spend two or three daies in his house to see the Fire-workes which that full Moone the first of the yeere would bee to bee seene which strange deuices of lights that and the following nights which he did and beheld that which without wonder cannot be beholden the Nanquiners herein exceeding as may be thought the whole world When it was reported that the President had visited him all the Maiestie of Magistrates did the like yea some whom he had not visited The President of the Court of Criminall Causes and the President of the Treasury which is the second Tribunall came with rites gifts as also did others yea hee which a little after was the High Colao at Pequin which all vrged him to buy a house and he now went thorow all Streets and Palaces without gainesaying which he knew from a vision hee before had had thereof and procured a house which the President helped to furnish So much admiration and respect had the opinion of Europaean science acquired to him these being to the China wits baits for the Gospels fishing Now first did they heare that the Earth was round for they conceited the Heauen round and the Earth square that the Centre drew all heauie things to it that the Vniuerse was inhabited round that there were Antipodes that the Earths interposition caused the Moones eclipse some saying that the Moon opposite to the Sunne was dazled or amazed others that there was a hole in the Sunne against which the Moone opposed lost her light that the Sunne was greater then the Earth and that the Starres also this was out of measure paradoxicall the like was the soliditie of the Orbes and their number the fixed posture of the Starres the Planets wandrings the eleuation and depression of the Pole according to the various Climates and likewise the inequalitie of the daies without the Tropikes Geographicall Maps in plano and Globes Meridians Parallels Degrees the Line Tropikes Poles Zones Spheres Sun-dialls they had not at all vnderstood with other points of Europaean learning A Doctor of theirs confessed himselfe ashamed For said hee you may thinke of me as wee doe of the Tartars and barbarous out-lawes for you begin where wee end which hee spake of the studie of eloquence which takes vp our childhood their whole life They numbred fiue Elements Metall Wood Fire Water Earth one of which they said was procreated of the other the Aire they did not acknowledge for one because they see it not placing a vacuum or emptinesse where wee place the aire as incredible it was that the fierie Element was the highest and that Comets and Exhalations were there with fired Father Matthew writ a booke of the Elements in their language much applauded and often by them reprinted Diuers became his Schollars one sent from his Master in Hanlin Colledge in Pequin the chiefe place for China learning to be admitted into which is a great dignitie Hee was very wittie and without any Master attained the first booke of Euclide and exacted of Father Matthew Geometricall demonstrations And when hee added some things of Christianitie you need not saith he confute that Idolatrous Sect it is enough to teach the Mathematikes For these Bonzi would also be Philosophers and Mathematicians They said the Sunne hid himselfe by night behinde a Hill called Siumi rooted in the Sea foure and twentie miles deepe And for the eclipses they said that the God Holochan caused that of the Sun couering it with his right hand and that of the Moone with his left Not at Pequin alone but at Nanquin also is a Colledge of China Mathematicians of better building then Astrologicall Science They do nothing but bring their Almanacks to the rules of the ancients when they mis-reckoned they ascribed it to irregularitie of nature not theirs deuising some prodigious euent to follow These at first were afraide that Father Matthew would haue depriued them of their dignitie and freed of that feare they visited him friendly and he them where hee saw a strange sight There is an high Mountaine on the top whereof is an open Plaine or Floore fit to contemplate the Starres In this open space one euery night is appointed to watch and obserue if any Comets or other alterations be in the skie thereof to giue the King notice and what it portends In this place of cast mettall are Mathematicall Instruments admirable for their greatnesse and neatnesse the like whereof wee haue not seene in Europe They haue continued there in all chance and change of weather neere two hundred and fiftie yeeres without damage Of them were foure greater the one a huge Globe distinguished by degrees with Meridians and Parallels as great as three men can fadome it stood on a huge Cube of brasse likewise vpon his Axel-tree in the Cube was a little doore sufficient for it to passe when need was On the vtter superficies was nothing grauen neither Stars nor Regions whereby it appeares that it was either vnfinished or purposely so left that it might serue both for a Celestiall and a Terrestriall Globe The second was a huge
Daughters Those assisting Captaynes he honoured with a plate of Iron like a Charger in which are engrauen those their exploits for deliuerance of the Kingdome which being shewne to the King is priuiledged with pardon of any penaltie though mortall three times except for Treason which forfeiteth presently all Priuiledges Euery time it obtaynes any pardon it is engrauen in the Plate The Sonnes in Law and Fathers in Law of the King and some which haue extraordinarily merited of the State enjoy like Honours and Reuenues with the same diminution of time as before He also ordained that all Magistracie and Gouernment should belong to those Licentiates and Doctors whereto neyther the fauour of the King or other Magistrates are necessary but their owne merits except where corruption frustrates Law All Magistrates are called Quonfu and for honours sake they are stiled Lau ye or Lau sie that is Lord or Father The Portugals call them Mandarins These haue some representation of Aristocratie in that Gouernment for though they doe nothing but first petitioning the King hee also determines nothing without their sollicitation And if a priuate man petitions which is seldome because Officers are appointed to examine Petitions before the King sees them the King if hee will grant it sends it to the Tribunall proper for that businesse to aduise him what is fit to bee done I haue found for certaine that the King cannot giue Money or Magistracie to any except hee bee solicited by some Magistrate I meane this of publike Reuenues which doubtlesse doe exceed one hundred and fiftie Millions yearely are not brought into the Palace Treasurie nor may the King spend them at his pleasure but all whether Money or Rice and other things in kinde are layed vp in the publike Treasuries and Store-houses in all the Kingdome Thence the expenses of the King his Wiues Children Eunuches Family and of all his Kindred are in Royall sort disbursed but according to the ancient Lawes neither more nor lesse Thence the Stipends of Magistrates and Souldiers and all Officers thorow the Kingdome are paid the publike Buildings the Kings Palace Cities Walls Towres Fortresses and all prouision of War are thence sustayned which cause new Tributes sometimes to be imposed this huge Reuenue notwithstanding Of Magistrates are two sorts one of the Court which rule there and thence rule the Kingdome and other Prouinciall which gouerne particular Cities or Prouinces Of both sorts are fiue or six Bookes to be sold euery where printed twice each moneth at Pequin as by their course of printing you haue seene is easie contayning nothing else but the name Countrey and degree of the Magistrates and therefore printed so often because of the exaltings shiftings setting lower death of Parents which suspends three yeares to mourning in priuate their owne deaths or depriuations Of the Court Tribunals are reckoned sixe the first Li pu Pu is asmuch as Tribunall or Court and Li as Magistrates to which it belongeth to name the chiefe Magistrates of the Kingdome bringing vp from the lower to the higher according to the Lawes prescribed or if they deserue it abasing or quite depriuing them For those Licentiates and Doctors continually ascend except their owne faults deject them wherein a depriuation makes for euer vncapable The second is called Ho-pu that is the Exchequer Court or that of the Treasury which exacts and disburseth the Kings Reuenues The third is the Li-pu or Court of Rites which ordereth the publike Sacrifices Temples Priests Kings Marriages Schooles Examinations Festiuall Dayes common Gratulations to the King Titles giuen to the wel-deseruing Physicians Colledges of Mathematicians entertayning and sending Embassages with their Rites Presents Letters the King holding it abasing to his Majesty to write to any The fourth is the Pimpu or Military Court which rewards the meriting and takes from the sluggish Souldier ordereth their Musters and giues Military degrees The fifth is Cumpu which hath care of the publike Buildings Palaces for the King or his Kindred and the Magistrates Shippes for publike burthens or Armadas Bridges Walls of Cities and all like prouisions The sixth Court is Himpu which inquireth into Criminall Causes and sentenceth them also all the publike Prisons are subject hereto All the affaires of the Kingdom depend on these Courts which therefore haue Magistrates and Notaries in euery City and Prouince to admonish them faithully of all things the multitude and order facilitating this so weighty a Designe For first in euery Court is a Lord Chiefe Iustice or President called Ciam Ciu who hath two Assistants one sitting at his right hand the other at his left called Cilam their dignity in the Royall Cities is accounted principall After these euery Tribunall hath diuers Offices each of which hath diuers Colleagues besides Notaries Courtiers Apparitors and other Seruants Besides these Tribunals there is another the greatest in the Court and Kingdome they call them Colaos which are three or foure sometimes sixe which haue no peculiar businesses but take care of the whole Re-publike and are the Kings Priuy-Counsell in all Affaires These are daily admitted into the Kings Palace and there abide whole dayes and answere as they see cause to the Petitions which are put vp to the King who was wont to define matters with these Colai in publike and shewing their answere to the King hee alters or approoueth the same and sets his hand thereto for the execution Besides these Orders of Magistrates and others not mentioned as like to our owne there are two sorts not vsuall with vs the one Choli the other called Zauli In each of these Orders are aboue sixty choice Philosophers men approued for their wisdome and courage before experienced These two Rankes are vsed by the King in Court or Prouince businesses of greater weight with great and Royall power which causeth to them great respect and veneration These by Libell admonish the King if any thing be done contrary to the Lawes in any parts of the Kingdome not sparing any of the Magistrates nor the Kings House nor the King himselfe to the wonder of other Nations And although the King sometimes bee touched to the quicke and toucheth them to the quicke againe yet cease they not still to rip the sore till it be cured Other Magistrates may doe it yea any priuate man but these mens Libels or Petitions are of most worth as proceeding from their peculiar Office The Copies of them and of the Kings answers are printed by many so that the Court and State Affaires flye thorow the Kingdome and are by some written in Bookes and those of most moment transcribed into the Annals of the Kingdome Of late when the King would for loue of a second Sonne haue excluded the eldest so many by Libels reprehended the King that he in anger depriued or abased one hundred of the Magistrates They yet ceased not but one day went together into
killed sufficient to fill all our Casks to leaue for them if there be occasion The foure and twentieth of Iune there was killed at Faire-hauen eighteene Whales which proue verie small to yeelde by their estimation one hundred and twentie tunnes hauing there fiue Flemmings well fortified and ships of fiue hundred Tuns some of them and two more expected thither euerie day which I feare will hinder much our shippes in their fishing this yeare and in my iudgement not to be remoued from thence for they hauing a Commission from the States to fish vpon this Coast were our whole Fleete there and could put them away yet would they flie to one of our Southerne harbours and so should we spend our time in following of them and lose our Voyage There were two French Ships of Saint Iohn de Luz at Faire-Hauen which were put away by the Flemmings and our Ships which they iudge are gone for the Cape With a beanie heart I write you the lamentable accident which happened here the eight and twentieth of Iune our shallops all out in chase and my selfe asleepe my brother hauing a shallop lying by the ships side spide a Whale going into the Ice Bay followed him and strucke him and his rope being new ranne out with kinckes which ouerthrew his shallop where he lost his life with my Boy Bredrake being as we thinke carried away with the rope the dearest Whale to me that euer was strucke in this harbour there was neuer anie losse I thinke went so neere my heart c. Many other Letters I could haue added but doubt I haue already wearied you with this vncouth Coast whereto our English Neptunes are now so wonted that there they haue found not onely Venison but Pernassus and Helicon and haue melted a Musaa◠Fountain out of the Greenland Snowes and Icie Rockes who le Elaborate Poems haue I seene of Master Heley as also of Iames Presson there composed but we haue harsher Discoueries in hand to which wee are now shipping you This I thought good at our parting to aduertise thee that Master Heley hath affirmed to me touching the diuersitie of weather in Greeneland that one day it hath beene so cold the winds blowing out of some quarter that they could scarce handle the frozen sailes another day so hot that the pitch melted off the ship so that hardly they could keepe their cloathes from pollution yea he hath seene at midnight Tobacco lighted or fired by the Sunne-beames with a Glasse Likewise for a farewell to our Whale-storie I thought good to deliuer Stowes relation touching a Whale somewhat differing in forme from those here vsually found in Greeneland my selfe also hauing spoken with some diligent viewers thereof in Thanet where it was taken Iulie 9. 1574. shooting himselfe on shore besides Rammesgate in the Parish of Saint Peter and there dying forsaken of his Ocean parent Hee came on shoare about sixe of the clocke at night and died about sixe the next morning before which time he roared and was heard more then a mile on the land The length was two and twentie yards the nether iaw twelue foote in the opening one of his eyes which in the Greene-land Whale is verie small not much greater then the eye of an Oxe being taken out of his head was more then sixe Horses in a Cart could draw a man stood vpright in the place whence the eye was taken The thicknesse from the backe whereon he lay to his bellie which was vpwards was fourteene foote his taile of the same breadth three men stood vpright in his mouth betwixt his eyes twelue foote some of the ribs sixteene foote long the tongue fifteene foote long his liuer two Cart load into his nostrils anie man might haue crept the Oyle of his head Spermaciti c. CHAP. IX The late changes and manifold alterations in Russia since IVAN VASILOWICH to this present gathered out of many Letters and Obseruations of English Embassadors and other Trauellers in those parts §. I. Of the reigne of IVAN PHEODOR◠his sonne and of BORIS REader I here present thee not what I would of Russian affaires but what I could We Englishmen vnder the gouernment of his Maiestie haue enioyed such a Sun-shine of peace that our Summers day to many hath beene tedious they haue loathed their Manna and lenged for I know not what Egyptians flesh pots For what else are Warres but pots set ouer the fire of Anger how often of Furie yea of Hell the Furies or Deuils blowing the coales and boyling mans flesh who le Families Villages Townes Cities Shires Prouinces not onely hurried thereby in confusions of State harried and enflamed with combustions of goods and goodnesse but the flesh of Men Women and Children but chered and as it were boyled beyond the manifold shapes of Death vnto the bones into the Vapors Froth Scumme Chaos nothing and lesse then nothing of Humanitie Such is the inhumanitie the immanitie the inanitie of Warres And such Warres haue made impressions into all our Neighbour Countries whiles wee sit vnder the shadow of Beati Pacifici haue lightened on Turkie and blasted the Seraglio haue thunder-stricken Barbarie haue torne the Atlas there and rent the Grison Alpes in Europe haue shaken France with earthquakes haue raysed Belgian stormes Bohemian broyles Hungarian gusts Germanian whirlewinds these selfe-diuided in Ciuill that is the vilest vnciuillest massacres and worst of Warres that I mention not the inundations and exundations of Poland the Snowes and Mists of Sweden the Danish Hailes and Frosts But all these and more then all these Tempests Turnado's Tuffons haue combined in Russia and there made their Hell-mouth centre there pitching the Tents of Destruction there erecting the Thrones of Desolation Pestilence and Famine had gone two yeeres before as direful Heralds to denounce these dreadfull warres and mutations of State the Pestilence possessing the Northerne parts of the World and dispossesing it of many thousands the Famine in Russia wanting necessaries to eate necessarily deuoured all things not onely Cats Mice and impure Creatures but mens flesh also and that in neerest necessitude Parents reuoking to their wombes by vnnaturall passage the dearest pledges of Nature which hauing euen now dyed with hunger were made preseruatiues from like death to those which first had giuen them life The Mightier made sale of the Poorer yea Fathers and Mothers of their Sonnes and Daughters and Husbands of their Wiues that price might bee had to buy Corne which was now beyond all names of whatsoeuer price credible But these things must be further searched Bloudinesse is a slipperie foundation of Greatnesse and the Mercifull haue the promise to finde mercy other wisedome how euer seeming politike is earthly sensuall deuillish yea ruine to the foole-wise Consultors as appeareth in Pharaohs working wisely that is cruelly to preuent the multiplying Israelites The greatest of Creatures on Sea and Land the Elephant and Whale liue on grasse weeds
Sea to London Being arriued at her Maiesties Royal Court and hauing deliuered the Emperours Letters with good fauour and gracious acceptance he was forthwith againe commanded to repasse into Russia with other Letters from her Maiestie to the Emperour and Prince Boris Pheodorowich answering the Emperours Letters and withall requesting the fauour and friendship which his Father had yeelded to the English Merchants and hereunto was he earnestly also solicited by the Merchants of London themselues of that Companie to deale in their behalfe Being thus dispatched from London by Sea he arriued in Mosco the twentieth of Aprill 1586. and was very honourably welcommed and for the Merchants behoofe obtayned all his Requests being therein specially fauoured by the Noble Prince Boris Pheodorowich who alwayes affected Master Horsey with speciall liking And hauing obtayned priuiledges for the Merchants he was recommended from the Emperour againe to the Queene of England his Mistresse by whom the Prince Boris in token of his honourable and good opâ—nion of the Queenes Maiestie sent her Highnesse a Royall present of Sables Luzarns cloth of Gold and other rich things So that the Companie of English Merchants next to their thankfulnesse to her Maiestie are to account Master Horseys paines their speciall benefit who obtayned for them those priuiledges which in twentie yeeres before would not be granted The manner of Master Horseys last dispatch from the Emperour because it was very honorable I thought good to record Hee was freely allowed post-horses for him and his seruants victuals and all other necessaries for his long iourney at euery Towne that he came vnto from Mosco to Vologda which is by Land fiue hundred miles he receiued the like free and bountifull allowances at the Emperours charge New victuall and prouision were giuen him vpon the Riuer Dwina at euery Towne by the Kings Officers being one thousand miles in length When he came to the new Castle called Archangel he was receiued of the Duke Knez Vasili Andrewich Isuâ—nogorodsky by the Emperours Commission into the Castle Gunners being set in rankes after their vse where he was sumptuously feasted from thence he was dispatched with bountifull prouision and allowance in the Dukes Boat with one hundred men to rowe him and one hundred Gunners in other Boats to conduct him with a Gentleman Captaine of the Gunners Comming to the Road where the English Dutch and French ships rode the Gunners discharged and the shippes shot in like manner fortie sixe pieces of their Ordnance and so hee was brought to his lodging at the English house vpon Rose Iland And that which was the full and complete conclusion of the fauour of the Emperour and Boris Pheodorowich toward Master Horsey there were the next day sent him for his further prouision vpon the Sea by a Gentleman and a Captaine the things following Sixteene liue Oxen seuentie Sheepe six hundred Hens fiue and twentie flitches of Bacon eightie bushels of Meale six hundred loaues of bread two thousand Egges ten Geese two Cranes two Swannes sixtie fiue gallons of Meade fortie gallons of Aquavitae sixtie gallons of Beere three young Beares foure Hawkes store of Onions and Garleeke ten fresh Salmons a wilde Boare All these things were brought him downe by a Gentleman of the Emperours and another of Prince Boris Pheodorowich and were receiued in order by Iohn Frese seruant to Master Horsey together with an honourable present and reward from the Prince Boris sent him by Master Francis Cherry an English man which present was a whole very rich piece of cloth of Gold and a faire paire of Sables IVan Vasilowich is reported to haue had seauen Wiues and of them to haue left three children suruiuing Theodore or Pheodore and Demetrius a yongling by his last wife and a Daughter which was the wife of L. Boris aforesaid whose sister Pheodore had married in his Fathers life time who would haue caused her diuorse for her barrennesse as he had caused Iuan his eldest sonne diuers times to doe and his refusing it at last was the occasion of that angry last and fatall blow before mentioned but being protracted by faire excuses for a time the diuorse of soule and body in the Father preuented that in the marriage bed of the Sonne Yet by his Testament he ordained that if within two yeares she proued not fruitfull hee should marrie another The executers vrged this after that terme expired but Gernia or Irenia so wrought with her husband that their counsels were frustrate wherein she was assisted by the politicke wisdome of her brother Boris who was now become chiefe Pilot though not the Master in that Russian ship and is said formerly to haue beene no small doer in those cruel designes of Iuan his deceassed Master yet had he cunningly cast the blame on him now dead and wisely insinuated into the people fauour by mitigating the seueritie of his Decrees You haue read before of his great Reuenues and wealth recorded by eye witnesses Thuanus saith that three hundred of the Knazeys and Boiarens whereof the Senate of the Empire consisted by aduise of the Executors had subscribed Boris made the simpler Emperor beleeue that it was a conspiracie against him whereupon they were all committed ten of which whom he thought his most dangerous aduersaries were suddainly and priuily executed to the rest he procured the Emperours pardon and fauour seeming very sorrowfull that this clemency had beene so much foreslowed and that the hastie execution had preuented his officious indeuors for their deliuerance And that he might seem serious he got their goods to be restored to their heires so working himselfe into the good liking of all degrees But soone after yong Demetrius the Emperours brother was slaine as hee was going to Church betwixt two Boiarens by a mad man as he seemed who was thereupon suddenly slaine but the author which set him on worke could not be found whereupon Boris was suspected to affect the soueraigntie Thuanus elsewhere telleth that hee corrupted those which were about Demetrius and the great Bell being rung as is vsuall in cases of fire to bring the people together Demetrius at that noise running forth some were set in that tumult to kil him which accordingly was effected as he was comming downe a Ladder the rumour whereof caused the tumultuous people making no curious search for the doers to kil those of the Family which they met in their furie to put the suspition thereof from themselues which notwithstanding Boris exercised seuerer tortures and terrible executions vpon them and as one which hartily execrated the fact burned the fort to expiate the parricide This place being farre remote from the Court whither he was thought purposely to haue sent him could not admit so open euidence of manifold testimony but that it gaue occasion of other Tragedies by another supposed Demetrius as shall anon appeare Meane while Boris could not escape aspersion of the fact past and suspition of like
to sweepe the snowe away where he should passe and were said to bee slaues which I verily beleeue because certainly they were his Subiects Then came the Prince richly apparelled with two Tartar Princes standing before on his sled and two young Dukes behind with two hundred sleds following him The eight of Februarie the Emperor sent vs sleds to ride abroad and this day the rather that we might behold a reported victorie against the reputed Rebell Demetrie c. So we the Kings Gentlemen did behold three hundred poore Prisoners seuenteene Ensignes and eleuen Drums brought in with more glorie then victorie About this time returned Peter Basman one of the Generals who had performed very honourable seruice and certainly he was the man of greatest hope and expectation in the whole Empire who was brought into the Mosco with all the Counsell Nobles Gentlemen and Merchants a grace neuer performed before to any Subiect But not without suspition of some extraordinarie secret herein and â—â—â—ides particular fauours bountifull rewards and a promise he should neuer goe againe vntill the Emperor himselfe went he was being but a young man made a Priuie Counsellor Forth with one thing I will you shall obserue the Emperors fauour and his then noble Spirit he making diuers times sute as was thought because they were in great danger to goe againe to the warres once prostrated himselfe to obtayne his desire but falling downe too humbly hee could not easily rise againe whereby the Emperor vnderstanding of his many and great wounds was said to weepe rising himselfe vp to raise and helpe him vp but extraordinarie Causes haue the like Effects as hereafter you shall vnderstand We were lodged in the same house where the young Prince Iohn of Denmarke brother to that King and our now Queene of England did lodge who would haue married the young Princesse Oucksinia the Emperors only daughter but that he vnhappily there died but not in any of those lodgings for it is a custome there that where a Prince dyes especially a stranger not of long time after to let any other lodge there Now the Ambassador vnderstanding of the conuenience of his passage downe by sled-way also fearing as wise men had cause what the issue of these warres would be knowing the state here vsed in any sutes bethought himselfe aduisedly that it was high time being the middest of Februarie to desire a second audience for his sooner dispatch which he forthwith requested and wrote a letter to that purpose vnto the Lord Chancellor Vpon the tenth of March the Ambassador with the Kings Gentlemen all richly apparelled and all his followers decently attending very honourably as before and with the like recourse of beholders and guard of Gunners but that they were said to bee Citizens by reason of their warres but in like apparell was attended to the Court being receiued with the former grace or more he ascended the Presence the Emperour and Prince holding their wonted state onely changing their Vestments with the season but for the riches nothing inferior So soone as the Ambassador and the Kings Gentlemen were come opposite to his Throne hee commanded seates that they might sit downe then with a Maiestick countenance representing rather constraint then former cheerfulnesse he declared that He his Sonne and Councell had considered his Maiesties Letter the Maiestie of King Iames of England as also on whatsoeuer else was desired and in token of his ioyfull receiued amâ—tie with the renowmed King of England as with his Predecessor he had wrote his Princely Letters to that purpose Herewith the Chancellor from the Emperour deliuered the Ambassadors his Highnesse Letters to his excellent Maiestie Withall vnderstanding by the Chancellor hee had some farther matter to intreat of then in his Briefe to his Maiestie was remembred therefore hee had appointed foure principall Councellors to consult with him of his Requests which was done After the Ambassador yeelding courteous thanks for his Maiesties fauour his Lordship attended by many Nobles proceeded to the Councell Chamber whither presently after came foure Councellors and the Emperours Tolmach who after salutations we withdrew to the next chamber where wee passed away an houre in discourse among many young Nobles hauing the Ambassadors Interpreter In the end after three or foure goings and returnes of the Chancellor from the Emperour wee went againe before him where after hee had commanded vs to sit downe as before by the mouth of the Chancellor was openly deliuered a Briefe of the whole Embassie and that dayes particular desire according to the Ambassadors request confirmed Also in good and pleasing language was declared the great desire that the Emperour had for the continuance of peace and amitie with the renowmed Iames King of England as with the late Queene Elizabeth withall that in due time all accidents well ended he would send an honourable Ambassador for further affaires as likewise to congratulate with our King of his happinesse in so plausible comming to his Right and Inheritance Likewise a Granâ— of a new Priuiledge for the Companie which he said should be vnder the golden Seale c. Which ceremonious speech ended the Emperor called for the Ambassador and the Kings Gentlemen to kisse his hand and the Princes which done with the Emperors nod or bowing to vs as likewise the Princes desiring the remembrance of his and the Princes commendations to his Maiestie the Prince and Queene of England we were dismissed but not before the Emperor said he would send home to vs. Thus we tooke our last leaue of the Emperors Court being more graciously and especially entertayned then before or then euer any would take knowledge Ambassadors were vsed withall we are honorably attended home and a Duke of great account named Knas Euan Euaâ—â—owich Courlâ—teâ— was attended with many of the Emperors seruants within our Gates following him a dinner sent from the Emperor by some two hundred persons consisting of three hundred seuerall dishes of Fish for it was now Lent of such strangenesse greatnesse and goodnesse for their number as it were not to bee beleeued by any report but by a mans owne eye-sight with infinite store of Meades and Beere in massie plate c. The eighteenth of March the Emperor sent by Vassilly â—râ—gâ—râ—wich Tâ—lâ—pnoâ—e the Roll wherein was the Demands of the Ambassador and the particulars of the whole negotiation as there at large appeares The nineteenth his Maiestie sent 〈◊〉 Mâ—nshoy Buldâ—coâ—e vnder Treasurer a royall Present to the Ambassador of many particulars also to each of the Kings Gentlemen being rewarded he departed The twentieth of March being honourably accompanyed with thousands of Gallants of each side the streets all along as we passed the Ambassador departed from the Citie of Mosco with the whole numbers of horse-men still becking vs till we came a shore mile on this side the Citie where we made a stand and after some complement betweene the Ambassador and his
at Yeres a House at Vologda a House at Colmogro and a House at Michael the Archangell being the shipping place these said Houses they shall keepe as in former time according to this our Imperiall Letter of fauour or gratified without paying any manner of Rent or any other duties whatsoeuer either at Mosko Yereslaue Vologda Colmogro or at the Castle of the Archangell neither shall they pay any taxe Also at those Houses at Yereslaue Vologda Colmogro and at Archangell they shall haue House-keepers of their owne Countrey-men or Russes of a meane sort that are not Merchants a man or two in a House to lay vp their goods in those Houses and to make sale of their goods out of those Houses to whom they will according to this our Imperiall Letter of fauour but their Russe House-keepers in their absence shall not sell any of their Commodities And the English Merchants shal come with their ship to their Port as in former times they haue done to vnlade their goods out of their ships and likewise to lade them againe with our Russia Commodities at their owne charges of Boates and hire of men and ferrying ouer the said goods from their ships to their House at the Castle of Archangell Likewise our Officers Customers and Swornemen shall take a iust note of all such goods as they haue both of Russia and English Commodities and the note to passe vnder the Merchants Firma because it may be knowne what goods passeth of the strangers and of the Russes But they shall not looke ouer their goods neither vnbind any packs in any place and when they doe send their owne Englishmen from Archangell to our Citie of Mosko or doe send Russia Commodities into their owne Land Then all our Officers and Customers shall let them passe without delay according to this our Letter of fauour And whensoeuer the Merchants shall be desirous to send any of their owne Countreymen into their owne Land or into any other Kingdome ouer Land they shall doe it freely with our Imperiall Maiesties order without carrying any Commoditie ouer with them and they shall haue their Letters of Passe giuen them in the Embassdours Office And concerning any matters of debate or controuersie in Merchandize or iniurie then they shall be iudged by the Keeper of the Seale and Secretarie Vassily Yacolowich Shelcolou doing right and Iustice to both parties with equitie and truth and what cannot be found out by Law or Inquisition there shall be vsed Lots His Lot that is taken forth shall haue right done vnto him Likewise in what place else in all our Kingdome there doe happen any matter of discord in Merchandize or by iniurie then our men of authoritie or Gouernours and all manner of our Officers shall doe true Iustice betweene them and what cannot be sought out by Law shall be sought out by Lot his Lot that is taken out shall haue right done vnto him as before mentioned as also they shall not take any custome or dutie of them for any Law matter not in any place in our Kingdome Moreouer this our Imperiall Letter in all our Realme and Dominion our Officers and all manner of our subiects shall not disobey or breake it in any point whatsoeuer but if there bee any that doth disobey this our Imperiall Letter of fauour that then those people shall bee in our high displeasure and executed to death This our Imperiall Letter of gratitude is giuen at our Imperiall Palace and House in our Citie of Mosko from the yeere of the beginning of the World 7107. in the month of Nouember being vnderwritten as followeth By the great Lord Emperour and great Duke Boris Pheodorowich of all Russia selfe-vpholder his Keeper of the Seale and Secretarie by name Vassily Yacolowich Sheallcaloue §. III. One pretending himselfe to be DEMETRIVS with the Popes and Poles helpes attayneth the Russian Empire his Arts Acts Marriage fauour to the English and miserable end HAuing thus presented you Boris his Tragedie out of that printed Author and his Grant to the English from a written Copie it shall not bee amisse to take more leisurely and mature view of this Pretender against whom Boris his desire of secrecie permitting none guiltie of the murther to suruiue had vnfurnished him of Arguments He produced a Purse giuen him by his Mother with the Historie of his life after that sending him away and acknowledging another whom she was more willing to act that bloudy Scene then her own Son with other particulars which bred strong confidence in such as weary of Boris were desirous it should be so But for the death of the yong Emperor his mother it is by most ascribed to Demetrius who seeing the people of Musco his friends and the Emperour and his Mother in hold pretended he could not come thither whiles his enemies liued wherevpon they in a mutinie slue them to auert the enuie whereof it is probable that it was made to be their owne act and their Keepers therefore by him imprisoned Boris his daughter was thrust into a Nunnerie and so made dead also to the succession But as I haue before deliuered out of that diligent learned and sincere Historian Thuanus Boris his attayning the Scepter I shall likewise intreat your patience out of him to receiue these Relations of Demetrius Thuanus writeth that after the murther of that true or false Demetrius some yeeres after in the borders of Polonia and Muscouia appeared one which called himselfe Demetrius and in testimonie thereof shewed a Wart in his face and one arme shorter then the other noted before in the true Demetrius a man of sharpe wit bold courage liberall mind gentle behauiour and of parts composed to a Scepter-worthinesse First was he made knowne to the Iesuites of principall note in Poland to whom he promised if he might receiue helpe for the recouery of his just Inheritance his first care should be to reduce the Russians to the Vnion of the Romish Church This thing was commended to the Pope as conducing to the enlarging of the holy See by his ayde and furtherance with the Polish King and Nobilitie to be promoted which also was done by the Iesuites themselues who brought him to George Miecinsy Palatine of Sendomir a man potent in that Kingdome with whom he couenanted also to marrie his Daughter if hee succeeded in his Russian Enterprize He had lurked awhile in Liefland casting off his Cowle and had there learned to speake and write the Latine Tongue and had written to Pope Clement the Eighth with his owne hand not inelegantly And being by the said Palatine and Visnouitzi his Sonne in Law brought before King Sigismund he made a pithy and Masculine speech that he should remember that himselfe had beene borne in Prison and Captiuitie whence Gods mercie had deliuered him to learne him to succour others afflicted with like disastre Thus by the Kings fauour the Palatines money the Iesuites industrie not to mention the
Imperiall Pallace and beganne to gouerne the Empire more inclining to the Poles and forreiners then to the Russes which vntimely expressing himselfe hastned his ruine Seuentie noble Families of Boris his kindred or faction were exiled that their Goods might be â—hared amongst strangers and new Colonies of men planted brought into Russia His clemency was remarkable to Suisky who being condemned for not onely refusing to acknowledge this Emperour but vttering also reproachfull speeches of him as being of base Parentage and one which had conspired with the Poles to ouerthrow the Russian Temples Nobility and now his prayers ended and the fatall stroake on his knees expected on the seauenth of Iuly by vnexpected mercy euen then receiued his pardon The last which yeelded to him were the Plescouites Some tell of exceeding Treasures also which hee found laid vp for other purposes which through his profusenesse soone vanished The first of September was designed to his inauguration being New yeeres day to the Russes as sometimes to the Iewes but for other causes it was hastned and his Mother was sent for out of a Monasterie into which Boris had thrust her farâ—e from the Court An honorable Conuoy was herein employed and himselfe with great shew of Pietie went to meet her embraced her with teares and bare-headed on foot attended her Chariot to the Castle whence afterwards she remoued with her women into a Monasterie where the Noblest Virgins and Widdowes of Russia vse to sequester themselues from the World His Mother was noted to answere with like affection to him whether true or dissembled on both parts At his entrance to the Kingdome after Ceremonies ended Nicolas Cnermacouius a Iesuite made him a goodly Oration the like was done by the Senate To the Iesuits was alotted a faire place of entertaynment not far from the Castle wherein to obserue the Romish Rites and Holies and euen then by their meanes he had declared himselfe in that point but for feare of Suiskie hee stayed till fitter oportunitie Hauing thus setled things his care was to recompence the Poles to enter league with that Nation and to consummate the Marriage For which purpose hee sent three hundred Horsemen with Athanasius the Treasurer who in Nouember came to Cracouia had audience of King Sigismund where he with all thankfulnesse acknowledged the Kings forwardnesse with his Nobles to recouer his right whereto God had giuen answerable successe beyond expectation that he deplored the Turkish insolencies in Hungary and other parts to vindicate which he would willingly joyne with the Pole and other Christian Princes meane whiles hee was willing to make an euerlasting league with him and to that end entreated his good leaue to take vnto himselfe a Wife out of Poland namely Anna Maria the Daughter of George Miecinsie the Palatine of Sendomir to whom for money men and endangering of his owne life hee was so much engaged The eight day after the Contract was solemnely made by the Cardinall Bishop of Cracouia and the Embassadour with her Parents feasted by the King Demetrius had sent her and her Father Iewels worth 200000. Crownes Thus farre haue wee followed Thuanus and hee Iacobus Margaretus a French Captayne of Demetrius guard of Partisans which published a Booke hereof Now let vs present you a little English Intelligence touching this Demetrius and his respect to men of our Nation in those parts and first his Letter to Sir Iohn Mericke The Copie of a Letter sent from the Emperor DEMETRY EVANOWICH otherwise called GRISHCO OTREAPYOV the which Letter was sent to Master IOHN MERRICK Agent out of the Campe as Master MERRICK was taking his Iournie to the Sea-side the eighth of Iune Anno 1605. FRom the great Lord Emperour and great Duke Demetry Euanowich of all Russia To the English Marchant Iohn Merrick wee giue to vnderstand that by the iust iudgement of God and his strong power we are raised to our Fathers throne of Vladedmer Mosko and of all the Empire of Russia as great Duke and sole commander likewise we calling to memorie the loue and amitie of our Father the great Lord Emperour and great Duke Euan Vassilywich of all Russia and our Brother Theodor Euanowich of all Russia which was held and kept by them and other great Christian Princes in the same forme and manner doe we likewise intend and purpose to hold and keepe Loue and amitie but especially and aboue all others doe we intend to send and to haue loue and friendship with your King Iames and all you his English Merchants we will fauour more then before Further as soone as this our Letter doth come to your hand and as soone as you haue ended your Markets at the shipping place of Michael the Archangell then to come vp to Mosco to behold our Maiesties presence And for your poste Horse I haue commanded shall be giuen you and at your comming to Mosco then to make your appearance in our Chancery to our Secretarie Ofanasy Vlassou Written in our Maiesties Campe at Tooly in the yeare of the world Anno seauen thousand one hundred and thirteene The Copie of the translation of a Passe giuen to Master IOHN MERRICK which was giuen him in the time of his being in the Campe at Molodoue with the Emperour DEMETRY EVANOWICH otherwise called GRISHCO OTREAPYOVE FRom the great Lord Emperour and great Duke Demetry Euanowich of all Russia from Mosco to our Cities and Castles as also to the Castle of Archangell at the Shipping place and hauen to our Generals Secretaries and all other our Officers c. There did make suite vnto vs the English Marchant Iohn Merricke and his Company that we would gratifie them to be suffered to passe to the new Castle of Archangell or to the shipping place or hauen in regard of trafficke of Merchandise Also that if he doe send home any of his fellowes and seruants from the shipping place being of the English that then they might be suffered to passe into England Also that to whatsoeuer Citie of ours the English Marchant Iohn Mericke and his fellowes doth or shall come vnto then all yee our Generals Secretaries and oll other our Officers shall suffer them to passe euery where without all delay And as for our Customes as for passing by or for head mony our custome of goods you shall not take any of them nor of their seruants Likewise when the English Merchants Iohn Merricke with his fellowes and seruants shall come to the Castle of Archangell then Timophey Matphewich Lazaroue and our Secretary Rohmaneum Mocaryoued Voronoue at the foresaid Castle of Archangell shall suffer and permit the English Merchant Iohn and his companie to trade freely Moreouer when at the shipping place they haue ended and finished their Markets and that then the said Iohn Merricke shall desire to send into England any of his fellowes or seruants with goods then likewise they shall be suffered to passe But Russâ— people and other strangers of
rumours and reports hee had beene their Captayne to doe that which God the disposer of Kingdomes by the successe had approoued so that now they were freed from a cruel Tyrant nor had they any Sorcerer or Impostor to mock them that it remayned now seeing the Imperiall Family was extinct they should now seeke one of noblest bloud of wisest experience of most religious zeale who might esteeme his peoples hearts his strongest Forts such an one as either is or is thought to bee the best man to become their Prince Thus was himselfe chosen Emperour the thirteenth of the Kalends of Iune A writing was published to justifie the killing of Demetrius a runnagate Fryer called Grishkae or Gregorie Strepy professed in the Monasterie in the Castle which therefore hee would neuer enter lest hee should bee knowne with other aspersions of Heresie Sorcerie affectation of inducing Popery the Popes Letters also challenging his promise produced to giue the Iesuites Temples Colledges and other necessaries with other ouer-tures to the Palatine Sandâ—mersko for Smolensko and Nouogrod his bringing in Poles in Russian Roomes his luxurie riot pompe reseruing Boris his Daughter in a Nunnerie with intent of incestuous lust hauing murthered her Mother and Brother making a siluer Throne with sixe Lions on each side and other pride abusing Nunneries to lust and lasciuiousnesse c. But wee shall giue you hereof more authenticke testimonie then this of Thuanus in Suiskeys Imperiall Letter to His Majestie Meane-while touching this Demetrius we will produce a few English Testimonies extracted out of their Letters and Relations wherein if some circumstantiall discrepance appeare in things done both so farre and so foule in tumultuous furie where men had rather hide themselues then become witnesses lest whiles they would bee Spectators they should bee forced to bee Actors and haue their parts acted in that bloudie Tragedy it is no maruell I produce all Witnesses I can in a cause of so remarkeable consequence and choose rather to bee prolixe then negligent that the Reader out of so much euidence may better weigh and examine the truth THe late Emperour of Russia called by the name of Demetry Euanowich is now credibly said as some of them say to haue beene the Sonne of a Russe Gentleman named Gregorie Peupoloy and that in his younger yeeres he was shorne a Frier into a Monasterie from whence hee afterwards priuily got away trauelled into Germanie and other Countreyes but had his most abiding in Poland in which time he attayned to good perfection in Armes and Military knowledge with other abilities of sufficiencie Afterwards finding a conceit taken by the Russes of a secret conueying away of Demetry Euanowich brother and heire to Pheodore Euanowich Emperour and that some other should be made away in his steed And finding also the generall distaste of the gouernment of Boris then Emperour who after a faire beginning did in his latter yeeres vphold himselfe and his house with oppression and crueltie And hauing also many circumstances and oportunities of time and age and such other likelihoods to aduantage and second his pretence began first to broach his Title as before and by degrees found such a generall acceptation of all sorts of people that it so daunted Boris that as it was then rumoured about hee first and afterwards his Wife and his Sonne succeeding him made themselues away by Poyson Though now it goeth for certayne that the poysoning of them was procured by the Pretender to make the easier way to the Empire which thereby he obtayned entring and continuing the same with all the State and greatnesse that such a place required Vntill at length the Russes moued rather by other certainties then by any thing discouered by himselfe the sixt day after his marriage which was kept with very great pompe and solemnitie being the seuenteenth of May last past taking a time when the Poles stood least on Guard came to the Court with one consent of Nobilitie and Commons about three of the clocke in the morning and mastring the Guards drew the Emperour out of his bed from the Empresse and charging him that hee was not the true Demetry Euanowich but a false Pretender he confessed the Deceit and was forthwith hewed in pieces by the multitude Peter Basman resisting was likewise slaine and both brought into the Market place where their bodies lay for a time to bee viewed of euery man The old Queene denied him to bee her Sonne excusing her former acknowledgement to haue proceeded from feare and the generall acceptance which he found amongst the people As many Poles as made resistance were slaine to the number of seuenteene hundred The new Empresse her Father his brother with the other Poles were committed to safe keeping to the number of eight or nine thousand And then proceeding to a new Election they chose Emperour Vassiloe Euanowich Shoskey who not long before was at the Blocke to haue beene beheaded for reporting that hee had seene the true Demetry Euanowich after he was dead and did helpe to burie him But the Emperour did recall him and afterwards aduanced him to the chiefest place of dignitie about his person He is the next of bloud liuing descended of the Race of the old Emperour Iuan Vasilowich of the age of fiftie yeeres or thereabouts neuer married but kept vnder during Boris time a Prince of great wisdome and a great fauourer of our Nation as did specially appeare by the care hee had to guard the English House from rifling when the late Demetry was brought in by the Poles The late Pretender was oâ— stature low but well set hard fauoured and of no presence howsoeuer otherwise of a Princely disposition executing Iustice without partialitie And not remitting the insolencie euen of the Poles well seene in martiall practises and trayning his Nobilitie to the Discipline of warre to make them the readier against the Tartar not giuen either to women or drinke but very liberall and bountifull which occasioned some grieuous Exactions to maintayne the same And to conclude a man in the opinion of such as knew him not vnworthy of a better gotten and longer continued Empire which hee lost chiefly through the greatnesse of his minde supposing that none of his Subjects durst attempt any such matter against his person when as in the meane time the practice went on with such a generall Conjuration that the Russes were summoned by the ringing of a Bell to bee readie to enter the Court. And to shake off that Gouernment which would haue made them a more noble Nation then formerly they haue beene IT is reported by some of Ours that hee the rather was inclinable to our Nation in the respect he bare to his Majestie hauing read that his worthy Worke dedicated to Prince Henrie Hee is said also to haue beene a resolute man of his hands to haue delighted in fighting with the Beare actiue and strong I haue likewise heard that
hee gaue the command of his Guard consisting of strangers to Captayne Gilbert a Scot to haue made one Buchenskoy a Learned and Religious Protestant his Secretarie and otherwise to haue beene so alienated from Russian manners and so well affected to Strangers that they conspired as aforesaid The people are said to haue entred the Castle which was a quadrant hauing a high bricke wall of seuen stories and another of stone and a Market place with stones in their pockets which are rare thereabouts and some with weapons Some report from Captayne Gilberts Relation that lying on his bed not long before his death as hee thought awake an aged man came to him which sight caused him to arise and come to Captayne Gilbert and his guard that watched but none of them had seene any thing Hereupon he returned to his Bed but within an houre after he againe troubled with like apparition called and sent for Buchinskie telling him that he had now twice seene an aged man who at the second comming told him that though for his owne person he was a good Prince yet the injustice and oppressions of his inferiour Ministers must bee punished and his Empire should bee taken from him In this perplexitie his Secretarie gaue him good and holy counsell saying till true Religion were there planted his Officers would bee lewd the people oppressed and God Almightie offended who perhaps by that Dreame or Vision had admonished him of his dutie The Emperour seemed much moued and to intend that good which that Countrey was not so happy to receiue For a few dayes after as that Relation auerreth his Russe Secretarie came to him with a Sword at which the Emperour jested and hee suddenly after sawcie speeches assaulted him with many other Grandes of that Conspiracie and like another Caesar slue him crying Libertie before his guards could apprehend the danger of which some were slaine but the most with Gilbert their Captayne got to a place called Coluga which with the helpe of some Russes they fortified and held for their defence Buchinskie the Secretarie was taken and imprisoned the strangers murthered the English except who haue in all changes been well beloued of the Russians as indeed they deserue hauing alway done good seruice to the Emperours And their interest saued the life of that worthy man Buchinskey which they requited with much obseruance to the succeeding Emperour Suiskey who comes next to be spoken of and first you shall haue his Letter to our Gracious Souereigne §. IIII. SVISKEY the Successour his Letter to our King describing the former DEMETRIVS his Acts and Tragedie The Copie of the Translation of a Letter sent from the new Emperour Vassily Euanowich Shoskey to the Kings Maiestie by Master Iohn Mericke The loue and mercie of God that guideth vs in the wayes of peace we glorifie with the Trinitie FRom the great Lord Emperour and great Duke Vassily Euanowich of all Russia sole Commander of Voladomer Mosko Nouogrod King of Cazan and Astracan of Syberia Lord of Vobsko and great Duke of Smolensko Twerskoy Yauharskoy Pearmskoy Vatskoy Bollharskoy and of other Lord and great Duke of Nouogroda of the Low Countrey of Cherneego Rezanskoy Polotskoy Rostouskoy Yereslaueskoy Bealozerskoy Leeflanskoy Owdorskoy Obdorskoy Condinskoy and Commander of all the North parts also Lord of the Land of Eeuerskoy Cartalinskoy and ouer the Empire of the Gorgians of the Land of Cabardinskoy and Eeharskoy Land likewise of many other Lordships Lord and Commander To our beloued Brother Iames King of England Scotland France and Ireland Wee giue to vnderstand that Sigismund King of Poland and great Duke of Letto in Anno 7109. did send vnto the late Emperour Boris his Embassadour named Lewis Sapeago being Chancelor of the great Dukedome of Poland requesting the said Emperour Boris that the former league and peace made and concluded vpon by the great Lord Emperour and great Duke Theodore Euanowich of all Russia and him Sigismond King of Poland might be stedfastly holden and continued till the time of that league were expired As also that the Emperour Boris would inlarge the said league for thirtie yeeres more whereupon the Emperour Boris yeelded thus farre vnto the request of the King of Poland that hee would continue the old league till the full time were expired and assent to a new league for twentie yeeres more and to that effect he tooke an Oath to hold and keepe all the contents faithfully mentioned in the said Writing touching the same league and instead of the King of Poland his Embassadour Lewis Sapeagoe was sworne in the presence of the Emperour Boris And after the Polish Embassadour was departed from the Mosko the Emperour Boris sent vnto Sigismund King of Poland his Embassadour being one of the Priuie Councell called Michailo Zleabowich Sallteecoue with some others to end and finish the aforesaid league to the which league the King of Poland himselfe was sworne in the presence of the Emperours Embassadour to hold and keepe the said league faithfully according to the tenour of their Writing But not long after Sigismund King of Poland with one Pauarade entred into such a practise as be therein falsified his Oath and made way to the shedding of much Christian bloud First by retayning and vpholding one Gryshca Otreapyoue a Runnagate a Coniurer and one that left his profession being a Monke and ran away out of Russia into Poland and being come thither tooke vpon him to be the Son of the great Emperour Euan Vassilawich of famous memorie and by name Demetry Euanowich when as it was well knowne in our Kingdome that before he was shorne a Monke he was commonly called Yowshco Son to one Bowghdan Otreapyoue dwelling at a place called Galitts and when hee had committed much villanie to saue his life he shoare himselfe a Frier and so runne from one Monasterie to another and lastly came into a Monasterie called Chowdo where hee was made one of the Clearkes being so placed there by the Patriarke of Mosko himselfe But he did not leaue off his former life for he continued still in his most Deuillish actions as he did before he was shorne committing villany forsaking God and falling to the studie of the Blacke Arte and to many such like euils he was inclined Also there was found by him a Writing which shewed how he was falne from God and the same was made well knowne to the holy Patriarch of Mosko and of all Russia and to the Metropolitanes Archbishops and Bishops and to all the holy Cleargie whereupon the said Rulers of our true Christian Faith which is from the Grecian Law for these his most vngodly works consulted to send him to perpetuall Prison there to end his life Whereupon this notorious Instrument of Satan perceiuing this his ouerthrow and that his vile practises were discouered ran away out of the Kingdome of Mosko beyond the borders and into Letto to a place
gouernment shall I say or confusion Neither were Hydras heads monstrously multiplying two for each cut off like this for besides so many Wor's after the first and second Demetrius which might make vp that comparison each limbe nay almost each haire of this Hydra not the Nobles alone but the basest which had nothing but themselues and were nothing but Numbers became so many prodigious Heads they also like Pharaohs leane kine deuouring the fat and vpon light pretences beheading themselues in cutting off the heads and nobler Persons amongst them When they had thus made away almost all the Grandes and left the South parts to the spoile of the Poles which once againe were drawing neere to Mosco to besiege it the Poles also suffered some disaster their Souldiers mutinying for want of pay and banding themselues to returne into Poland there inuaded the Mints and Custome-houses and some gouernments detayning them for their pay sending also threatning Letters to diuers Cities and Townes forced diuers Nobles and Plebeians to composition The Turkes and Tartars brake likewise into Walachia Moldauia and Polonia so that Zolkiewsky or Sulcosky the Generall was forced to goe against them of whom he made so great a slaughter that the Great Turke committed the Polake Embassadour at Constantinople to Ward and threatned the Poles with inuasion These mutinous Souldiers continued meane while that and the next yeere to spoile Poland doing much damage to the King and the Bishops challenging many millions due as they said for pay Yea they passed further into Prussia and made spoile in euery place on the eight of Nouember 1613. passing with a great prey to Thorn being parted into three Bands the Sapians the Sborouians and Smolenskians Another companie of them terrified Silesia The Tartars likewise made impression and committed great spoile in Podolia Thus an Armie diuided could not conquer nor so vtterly exterminate Russia as otherwise opportunity was offered the Pole Souldiers being herein like angry Elephants which sometime recoyle vpon their owne troupes and doe more spoyle then the enemy could either haue effected or expected But whiles the Inuaders were thus inuaded the Russes were forward to worke those executions on themselues which their enemies could haue wished to them till at last awakened with the horrour of their owne euils some began to thinke of a better course In the North about the Dwina a bold fellow a Butcher rayling at the Nobilities basenesse and the Officers corruptions said if they would choose a good Treasurer and pay Souldiers well they might haue those which would fight and expell the Poles their Enemies prouided that they would first choose a worthy Generall for which place he recommended to them a poore maymed Gentleman called Pozarsky who had done good seruice but being neglected now had retyred himselfe not farre off The multitude approued the Butchers counsell and chose Pozarsky for their Leader and that Butcher for a Treasurer deliuering into his hands what money they had which he so faithfully disbursed Pozarsky also discharging so well the trust reposed that a great Army was gathered and the siege of Musco thereby raysed And joyning with Knes Demetry Mastroukswich a kind of Tartar which commanded an Army of Cossaks in seruice of the Russe they â—ell in consultation with Boris Liciu the third Great Souldier of that Countrey vpon choice of an Emperour Their mindes herein disagreeing some naming one some another some named Mastroukswich himselfe other for further securitie against the Poles and to recompence the sufferings and imprisonment of the Russian Chancellor in Poland named his young Sonne Micallowich vnder whose Empire hauing a good Councell appointed they might liue happily This was first approued by the Cossaks and then by the other Armies the Butcher also was taken to become a Counsellor and those three Leaders aforesaid were made Militarie Commanders for the present Emperour against the Poles Embassadours also were sent to diuers Princes to mediate betwixt them and the Pole and betwixt them and the Sweden and by his Majestie of Great Brittaine whom God long preserue to reigne ouer vs his countenance and intercession there hath beene some agreement and the young Emperour hath setled his Dommâ—ons in peace making at last a truce for fourteene yeeres with the Poles obtayning also in that Treatie his Father the Chancellour his libertie and returne out of Poland who since is consecrated Patriarke of Russia His Embassadour to the Emperour came to Lintz in December 1613. and thence was conueighed by the Emperours Officers to the Court where hee had solemne audience where after rich presents of Furres and his Letters he deliuered his speech that Michael Phedorowich was now by vnanimous consent aduanced to the Russian Empire and willing to entertayne and continue the ancient confederacie betwixt both Empires desiring the Imperiall Majestie to dehort the Pole from his vniust attempts to deliuer the Russe Captiues and not againe to infest the recouered Musco but to enter into peace and abstayne from Christian bloudshed Likewise to send an Embassadour to his Court c. This mediation Caesar promised and gaue the Embassadour liberall entertainment and gentle dispatch Not long after in May 1614. the Russian Embassadour had audience with the States of the Vnited Prouinces at Hage and before that in England I was present both at his arriuall at Grauesend and his honourable entertaynment into London and saw him also presently after the running at Tilt and White-hall the foure and twentieth of March admitted to his Maiesties presence performing that Russian Rite of bowing with his face downe to or neere the ground c. Anno 1615. The Turkish Embassador treated with the Caesarean Majestie about the mediation betwixt the Pole and the Muscouite who employed to that purpose Erasmus Heidel and the Baron of Dohn The Pole notwithstanding sent an Army in his Sonnes challenge who was shortly to follow to Smolensko into Muscouia Pontus Tellagard the Sweden Commander infesting also the Russians at the same time But the next yeere 1616. Sir Iohn Merike Knight a man of great experience in those Northerne parts was employed his Majesties Embassadour to negotiate betwixt those two Great Princes the Moscouite and the Sweden the Articles of whose composition I obtayned by the mediation of Sir Thomas Smith my ancient Benefactor in this kind and haue here communicated to thee but in another Chapiter as being now past our Tragicke Thunders as also the following Russe-China Newes that you may see not only the face of Russia washed from her bloudy pollutions but her hands further then euer extended fortunate in treaty of Commerce as far as China likewise the Russe Patent to the English Sweet is the name of Peace and the thing it selfe a Heauen vpon Earth BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS His Maiesties word else-where here his deed for they shall be called said the only begotten Son the Children of God euen the God of peace will
most excellent Maiestie of great Brittaine his great Ambassadour Sir Iohn Merricke Knight 10. And as for the Russe Ordnance in these Castles which shall be giuen to our Lord Emperour and great Duke c. from the Kings Maiestie G.A. c. which Ordnance shall remaine there shall be giuen to his Maiesties Officers and what munition of Artillerie as prouision for Warres and Bels and other matters which their Kings Maiestie hath taken in the Land of Russia out of those Castles before the contract which the Kings Maiesties great Commissioners and the great Lord King Iames c. great Ambassadour Sir Iohn Merricke Knight did erect as the twentieth of Nouember such Ordnance and prouisions shall remaine to the Kings Maiesties vse and Crowne of Sweden without all contradiction or cauilation 11. And because the late great Lord Emperour and great Duke Vasilly Euanowich of all Russia Sam. did giue and confirme by writings vnto their high mighty late Lord King Charles the ninth of S. c. and to the Crowne of Sweden the Castle Corela and the Prouince thereof for that faithfull and good willing aide which was done vnto him against the Polish people in like manner doth confirme and establish the same by this contract of our great Lord Emperour and great Duke M.F. c. the same yeelding and donation of the great Lord Zare and great Duke Vasily Euanowich c. for himselfe his successours and hereafter being Emperours and great Dukes of all Russia and for the whole Empire of all Russia that the said Castle of Corella with all profits reuenewes and rents by Land and by Water according to their former auncient and now being borderers nothing exempted in all accordingly as it was by former Emperours and great Dukes of all Russia as they possest and held it so hereafter it shall remaine to their Kings Maiestie G.A. of S. c. and to his Maiesties Successours and hereafter following Kings of Sweden and the Crown of Sweden without all cauillation or contradiction for euerlasting times 12. And that hereafter there be no more difficulty or variance concerning the borderers of the Land it is concluded and agreed vpon that in this yeare 7125. vpon the first of Iune our great Lord Emperour and great Duke M.F. c. and their high mighty King G.A. c shall send on both sides speciall good Courtiers and Notaries to meete between Lodiga and Oreseke at the mouth of the Riuer Laua whence it doth fall into the Lake of Lodiga so that they shall meete vpon the said Riuer on the midst of the Bridge which of both sides their people shall make vpon that Riuer and when there the one shall haue shewed the other their ample Commissions and shall appeare that they are worthy to measure out the borders thereby betweene the Emperours Maiestie and the Kings Maiesties Lands so that from the borders of Nouogrod Lodiga and Odow with their Prouinces and also from Somerskey Volost be deuided from the auncient and former precincts and borders of Oreseeke Copora Yam and Euanogorod in iust manner as it ought to be at the same time next ensuing the first day of Iune then the said Courtiers and Notaries three in presence in the said manner on both sides shall meete together vpon the borders of Nouogrod betweene the Prouince of Olimets and Corela at Salomensky Towne by the Lake of Lodiga which Courtiers also shall view the same Prouinces according to the former borders and as the former are exprest how they haue bin and confirme the same and if they so chance that they cannot happen vpon the former auncient borders then shall they by iust inquisition make new borders and Land-markes in such manner that hereafter there be no further controuersie concerning those borders and those Courtiers or Gentlemen shall not part asunder of neither side till they haue sufficiently and friendly ended that businesse in all manner and what those Courtiers shall finish and effect in this manner the same according as befitteth there shall expresse by writing vpon parchment on both sides and confirme the same by their subscription Seales kissing of the Crosse and oath interchangeable and as concerning the deuiding of borders and the Gentlemen shall doe it as namely of Nouogrod Lodiga Odo Somerskey Volost of one part and also betweene Oreseke Copora Yam and Euanogorod on the other side and also betweene the borders of Nouogrod and Corela shall be set downe and written the same shall be iâ—remoueable and fast for euerlasting times by our great Lord Emperour and great Duke Michall Fedorowich of all Russia c. and the Kings Maiestie Gustauus Adolphus c. and their successours and hereafter being on both sides for euerlasting times according to this contract of an euerlasting peace and for more firme confirmation of the same that it shall be held and kept it shall be declared further in the Letters of contract which shall be hereafter giuen betweene both Princes from the Emperours Maiestie by kissing the Crosse and confirmation of his said Letters by his great Seale and by the Kings Maiesties oath vpon the holy Euangelists 13. As also the former of blessed and most famous memory great Lord Emperour and great Duke Fedor Euanowich of all Russia Sam. our great Lord Emperour and great Duke Michall Fedorowich of all Russia Sam c. Vnckle in conclusion of peace made at Tavsin in the yeare 7103. did yeelde and giue ouer all his pretention and claime to the Countrey of Leifland as also the great Lord Emperour and great Duke Vasily Euanowich of all Russia Sam. in a conclusion of peace made at Wyburgh in the yeare 7117 did renounce the same so it is now here concluded and agreed that our great Lord Emperour and great Duke M. F c. and his successours and hereafter being Emperours and great Dukes shall at no time for euer challenge vnto themselues any right or pretence to the Countrey of Leifland neither shall our great Lord Emperour and great Duke M.F. of all Russia Sam. nor his successours great Lords Emperours and great Dukes of all Russia hereafter write vnto their great Lord King Gustauus Adolphus nor his successours hereafter being Kings of Sweden nor to the Crowne of Sweden with the title of Leifland or those Castles which the Emperours Maiestie hath now renounced to the Kings Maiestie for euer neither by Letters of confirmation to write themselues or name themselues in them nor suffer his Uoyauodes Seruants and Commanders to write themselues with the title of Leifland or the Townes aforesaid neither in writing nor speeches to name themselues As also our great Lord Emperour and great Duke M. F. of all Russia Sam. his successours and hereafter being great Lord Emperour and great Duke of all Russia in their writings and speeches shall giue to their Kings Maiestie and hereafter being Kings of Sweden their accustomed title of Leifland and Corella Item on both sides the great
Commissioners haue agreed since at this Treatie we could not accord vpon the full title of both the great Potentates As to intitle the Emperours Maiestie and of many other Dominions Lord and Conquerour and the Kings Maiestie with the title of Ingermanland wee haue of both sides great Commissioners referred the same to both great Potentates liking therein and if that either Potentate will be pleased to write the other with the full title as to the Emperours Maiestie the Kings Maiestie doth write the full title with the word Conquerour and that the Emperours Maiestie also doe write to the Kings Maiestie his full title with Ingermanland then both the Potentates are to send those titles by their Ambassadours and nominate the same full title in one of their Letters of confirmation and the other Letter to be written according to this our present agreement and if in both the Letters the titles be written to the full as the Emperours Maiesties full title with Conquerour and the Kings Maiestie with Ingermanland then both sides Ambassadours shall shew one the other the said Letters and hauing shewen them shall goe to each Prince with the same if then on either side the Potentate shall not like thereof and shall send the said Letters of confirmation with the short title according to this our present agreement the Ambassadours of both sides shall in like manner make knowne the same one to the other and so proceede therewith to both Potentates 14. Also it is agreed and concluded that there shall be free commerce of Trade betweene both the great Kingdomes the Empire of Russia and the Kingdome of Swethen and both Kingdomes subiects so that all the subiects of our great Lord Emperour and great Duke Michael Fedorowich of all Russia Sam. Merchants of the Dominions of Russia from Nouogrod Plesco and other Cities and Townes paying their due custome shall haue free liberty without let to trafficke at Stockholme Wiburgh Reuell Narue and other Townes in the Countries of Swethland Fynland and Leifland and they that dwell and plant themselues at Iuangrod Yam Copora Nettingburgh and Coreilla what Nation soeuer either Russe or other people shall haue free liberty without let to trafficke and to trade paying their due custome in the right Custome houses at Mosco Nouogrod Plesco Lodiga and other Townes of Russia with the Emperours Maiesties subiects and also haue libertie to trauell through the Dominions of our great Lord Emperor and great Duke M.F. c. for their trade of Merchandize within the Dominions of Russia 15. And by reason heretofore our great Lord Emperour and great Duke Michall Phedorowich of all Russia c. his Maiesties subiects Merchants had their free house of merchandize at Reuell also now by contract of Tausin and Wiburgh it is concluded they should haue a good place for a house appointed them in Reuell as also in other the Kings Maiesties Townes as at Stockholme and Wyburgh they shall haue house and Diuine Seruice according to their Religion in the said houses without let or hinderance but at Reuell in their Church as formerly they haue done yet to set vp no Church according to their Religion And as heretofore their Kings Maiesties his Subiects haue had a free house of trade at Nouogrod now also according to the contract of Tausina and Wyburgh they are to haue a good place for a house prepared them at Nouogrod and the Emperours Maiesties other Cities at Mosco and Plesco house for the said purpose and vse their Diuine Seruice according to their Religion in the house but to build no Churches for that vse any where For breuitie I haue omitted the following Articles to the 29. the substance whereof is as followeth The 16. determineth what debts shall be recouerable The 17. Free passage of Subiects thorow each others Territories 18. Freedome of Prisoners on both sides 19. Liberty of Inhabitants to stay in the places surrendred 20. Fugitiues to be redeliuered 21. Borderers to be restrained from robberies 22. For ending of quarrels if any happen 23.24 Confirmation of former contracts of Tawsina and Wiburge 25. No priuate or publike practise to be made against each other 26. Shewing of Letters of confirmation at the meeting of Ambassadours of both sides 27. Honorable conuoy for Ambassadours on either part 28. And also for Interpreters free passage 29. Item It is agreed and concluded that if by the permission and pleasure of God there happen an alteration of gouernment in Sweden or Russia them that Prince which shall newly come to his gouernment first shall reueale by his Ambassador to the other Prince from himselfe and after that the other shall visit him by his Ambassadour 30. Item If it so fall out at any time that of both sides the Princes as our great Lord c. their great Lord King Gustavus Adolphus shall find one to the other their great Ambassadours to confer of good matters then those said great Ambassadours vpon the borders shall meet without all controuersie or strife either betweene Odow and Euangorou or betweene Lodiga and Oreseke where they shall thinke most fitting for them on both sides in the midst of the diuision of the borders and there to conferre of these good matters in friendly and louing sort eyther by the Princes Commission or other commandement as they shall haue 31. Item If it happen that the Emperours Maiesties Subiects and Merchants their Boates Lodies and Merchants Vessels shall go to Reuell Wybourgh or other Townes and Castles of Swethen Fynland or Liefland or ships and other Vessels whereupon the Emperours Maiesties Ambassadours and Messengers shall be going to the Emperors Maiestie to the Pope into England or any other Kingdome by the Kingdome of Swethen or comming backe againe bee cast away and brought to the Swethish shoare eyther vpon the Salt Sea or the Lake of Lodiga by tempests or other meanes such people shall haue free libertie without hinderance to goe from thence with all the goods they can saue or shall get saued and the Kings Maiesties people shall helpe them to saue their goods In like manner if it happen with the Kings Maiestie Gustavus Adolphus of Swethen c. Subiects and Merchants Boats and Merchants Vessels with Commodities or otherwise be cast away and brought to the Emperors Maiesties shoare vpon the Ladigo or Plesco Lake then these people shall haue free liberty to goe away with all their goods which they can saue or get to be saued without let or hinderance and the Emperors Maiesties people shall helpe them to saue their goods 32. Item It is concluded and agreed on that our great Lord c. shall not ayde or assist against the Kings Maiesty of Sweden Gustavus Adolphus and the Crowne of Swethland the Kingdome of Poland and Lettow nor his Sonne Ladislaus and the Crowne of Poland and the Dukedome of Lettow nor all the Dominions of Poland and Lettow nor shall helpe him with men or treasure
equitie and right and where the truth cannot be found out by Law it shall be referred to oath and lot and on whom soeuer the lot fals to him shall the right be adiudged And if any of the English Merchants in any of our Citie within our Kingdomes doe complaine of any wrong offered them by our people for debts growing by trade or otherwise we command our Gouernours and all other our authorised people that they presently minister true iustice vnto them And for any wrong or other matter of controuersie that the English Merchant shall haue against any of our Subiects our Gouernours and other our authorised people vpon their complaint for all controuersies matters of debt excepted shall giue our Subiects so offending vpon suretie setting them time to appeare at Mosco to answere the same with the English Merchants face to face before our Chancellour in the Office of Embassy and in these matters our Chancellour shall truely examine the businesse and minister true iustice and what by examination cannot be found shall be referred as before to oath and lot the Iudges and Iustices through our Dominions shall take no kinde of duetie of the English Merchants for their matters of Law We will and command that those our Imperiall gracious Letters of priuiledge be strictly obserued in all points in all parts of our Dominions and by all our Subiects Gouernours Secretaries and other Officers without disobeying in any thing And whosoeuer shall not obey this our Princely and gracious Letters of priuildge but shall offer wrong to the English Merchants those our Subiects shall be with vs in our high displeasure Thâ—se our gracious Letters of priuiledges are sealed with our Imperiall Seale of Gold in our Princely Pallace of our Imperiall Citie of Mosco in the yeare from the Worlds creation 7129. in the moneth of May the eleuenth day Subscribed by our Imperiall Maiesties Chancellour of our Office of Embassy and our priuie Chancellour Euan Corbatouesin Gramotin BVt it is now high time to leaue Russia and all that Barbarous shoare of Samotees and Tartars onely we will borrow helpe of some Barbarians to shippe vs thence to Sea And although Finch Gourdon and others haue in the former Booke inserted so great light yet seeing Master Marsh hath entertained other guides we will take Sea by Ob and thence set forth on further discoueries CHAP. XII Notes concerning the discouery of the Riuer of Ob taken out of a Roll written in the Russian tongue which was attempted by the meanes of ANTONIE MARSH a chiefe Factor for the Moscouie Company of England 1584. with other notes of the North-east FIrst he wrote a Letter from the Citie of Mosco in the yeare 7092. after the Russe accompt which after our accompt was in the yeare 1584. vnto foure Russes that vsed to trade from Colmogro to Pechora and other parts Eastward whose answere was By writings receiued from thee as also by reports wee vnderstand thou wouldest haue vs seeke out the mouth of the Riuer Ob which we are content to doe and thou must giue therefore fiftie rubbles it is requisite to goe to seeke it out with two Cochimaes or companies and each Cochima must haue ten men and wee must goe by the Riuer Pechora vpwards in the Spring by the side of the Ice as the Ice swimmeth in the Riuer which will aske a fortnights time and then we must fall into Ouson Riuer and fall downe with the streame before we come to Ob a day and a night in the spring Then it will hold vs eight dayes to swimme downe the Riuer Ob before we come to the mouth therefore send vs a man that can write and assure thy selfe the mouth of Ob is deepe On the Russe side of Ob soiourne Samoeds called Vgorskai Sibierskie Samoeds and on the other side dwel another kinde of Samoeds called Monganet or Mongaseisky Samoeds We must passe by fiue Castles that stand on the Riuer of Ob. The name of the first is Tesuoi Gorodok which standeth vpon the mouth of the Riuer Padon The second small Castle is Nosoro-gorodock and it standeth hard vpon the side of Ob. The third is called Necheiour-goskoy The fourth is Charedmada The fift is Nadesneà a that is to say The Castle of comfort or trust and it standeth vpon the Riuer Ob lowermost of all the former Castles toward the Sea Heretofore your people haue bin at the said Riuer of Obs mouth with a Ship and there was made shipwracke and your people were slaine by the Samoeds which thought that they came to rob and subdue them The Trees that grow by the Riuer are Firres and a kinde of white soft and light Firre which we call Yell. The bankes on both sides are very high and the water not swift but still and deepe Fish there are in it as Sturgeons and Cheri and Pidle and Nelma a dainty fish like white Salmons and Moucoun and Sigi and Sterlidi but Salmons there are none Not farre distant from the maine at the mouth of Ob there is an Island whereon resort many wilde beasts as white Beares and the Morses and such like And the Samoeds tell vs that in the winter season they oftentimes finde there Morses teeth If you would haue vs trauell to seeke out the mouth of Ob by Sea we must goe by the Isles of Vaygats and Noua Zembla and by the Land of Matpheone that is by Matthewes Land And assure thy selfe that from Vaygats to the mouth of Ob by Sea is but a small matter to sayle Written at Pechora the yeare 7092. the twenty one of February Master MARSM also learned these distances of places and Ports from Caninos to Ob by Sea FRom Caninos to the Bay of Medemske which is somewhat to the East of the Riuer Pechora is seuen dayes sayling The Bay of Medemsky is ouer a day and a halfe sayling From Medemske Sanorost to Carareca is sixe dayes sayling From Carska Bay to the farthest side of the Riuer Ob is nine dayes sayling The Bay of Carska is from side to side a day and a nights sayling He learned another way by Noua Zembla and Matthuschan Y ar to Ob more North-eastward From Caninos to the Iland of Colgoieue is a day a nights sayling From Colgoieue to Noua Zembla are two dayes sayling There is a great Osera or Lake vpon Noua Zembla where wonderfull store of Geese and Swannes doe breede and in moulting time cast their feathers which is about Saint Peters day and the Russes of Colmogro repaire thither yearely and our English men venter thither with them seuerall shares in money they bring home great quantitie of Doune-Feathers dried Swannes and Geese Beares skinnes and Fish c. From Naromske Reâ—a or Riuer to Mattuschan Y ar is sixe dayes sayling From Mattuschan Y ar to the Peronologli Teâ—pla that is to say To the warme passage ouer-land compassing or sayling round
Pilot from Venice dated the 20. of Nouember 1596. which came not to his hands And also another Letter dated the 24. of Ianuarie 1596. which came to his hands And thereof he wrote me answere dated the 28. of May 1597. which I receiued the first of August 1597. by Thomas Norden an English Merchant yet liuing in London wherein he promised still to goe with me into England to performe the said voyage for discouerie of the North-west passage into the South Sea if I would send him money for his charges according to his former writing without the which money he said he could not goe for that he said he was vndone vtterly when he was in the ship Santa Anna which came from China and was robbed at California And yet againe afterward I wrote him another Letter from Venice whereunto he wrote me answere by a Letter written in his Greeke language dated the 20. of October 1598. the which I haue still by me wherein he promiseth still to goe with me into England and performe the said voyage of discouerie of the North-west passage into the South Sea by the said streights which he calleth the Streight of Noua Spania which he saith is but thirtie daies voyage in the streights if I will send him the money formerly written for his charges The which money I could not yet send him for that I had not yet recouered my pension owing mee by the Companie of Turkie aforesaid And so of long time I stayed from any furder proceeding with him in this matter And yet lastly when I my selfe was at Zante in the moneth of Iune 1602. minding to passe from thence for England by Sea for that I had then recouered a little money from the Companie of Turkie by an order of the Lords of the Priuie Counsell of England I wrote another Letter to this Greeke Pilot to Cefalonia and required him to come to me to Zante and goe with mee into England but I had none answere thereof from him for that as I heard afterward at Zante he was then dead or very likely to die of great sicknesse Whereupon I returned my selfe by Sea from Zante to Venice and from thence I went by land through France into England where I arriued at Christmas An. 1602. safely I thanke God after my absence from thence ten yeeres time with great troubles had for the Company of Turkies businesse which hath cost me a great summe of money for the which I am not yet satisfied of them A Treatise of the North-west passage to the South Sea through the Continent of Virginia and by Fretum Hudson THe noble plantation of Virginia hath some very excellent prerogatiues aboue many other famous Kingdomes namely the temperature of the aire the fruitfulnesse of the soile and the commodiousnesse of situation The aire is healthfull and free both from immoderate heate and from extreme cold fo that both the Inhabitants and their Cattell doe prosper exceedingly in stature and strength and all Plants brought from any other remote climate doe there grow and fructifie in as good or better manner then in the soile from whence they came Which though it doe manifestly prooue the fruitfulnesse of the soile yeelding all kindes of Graine or Plants committed vnto it with a rich and plentifull increase yet cannot the fatnesse of the earth alone produce such excellent effects vnlesse the temperature of the aire be likewise so fauourable that those tender sprouts which the earth doth abundantly bring forth may bee cherished with moderate heate and seasonable moisture and freed both from scorching drought and nipping frost The North part of America Gerardus Mercator a very industrious and excellent Geographer was abused by a Map sent vnto him of foure Euripi meeting about the North Pole which now are found to bee all turned into a mayne Icie Sea One demonstration of the craftie falshood of these vsuall Maps is this that Cape Mendocino is set in them West North-west distant from the South Cape of California about seuenteene hundred leagues whereas Francis Gaule that was imployed in those discoueries by the Vice-roy of New Spaine doth in Hugo Linschotten his booke set downe their distance to be onely fiue hundred leagues Besides this in the place where Sir Thomas Button did winter in 57. degrees of latitude the constant great Tydes euery twelue houres and the increase of those Tydes whensoeuer any strong Westerne winde did blow doe strongly perswade vs that the mayne Westerne Ocean is not farre from thence which was much confirmed vnto them the Summer following when sayling directly North from that place where they wintered about the latitude of 60. degrees they were crossed by a strong Current running sometimes Eastward sometimes Westward So that if we finde either Hudsons Bay or any Sea more neere vnto the West wee may assure our selues that from thence we may with great ease passe to any part of the East Indies And that as the World is very much beholding to that famous Columbus for that hee first discouered vnto vs the West Indies and to the Portugal for the finding out the ordinarie and as yet the best way that is knowne to the East Indies by Cape Bona Speranza So may they and all the world be in this beholding to vs in opening a new and large passage both much neerer safer and farre more wholesome and temperate through the Continent of Virginia and by Fretum Hudson to all those rich Countries bordering vpon the South Sea in the East and West Indies And this hope that the South Sea may easily from Virginia be discouered ouer Land is much confirmed by the constant report of the Sauages not onely of Virginia but also of Florida and Canada which dwelling so remote one from another and all agreeing in the report of a large Sea to the Westwards where they describe great ships not vnlike to ours with other circumstances doe giue vs very great probabilitie if not full assurance that our endeuours this way shall by Gods blessing haue a prosperous and happy successe to the encrease of his Kingdome and Glorie amongst these poore ignorant Heathen people the publique good of all the Christian world the neuer-dying honour of our most gracious Soueraigne the inestimable benefit of our Nation and the admirable and speedie increase and aduancement of that most noble and hopefull Plantation of Virginia for the good successe whereof all good men with mee I doubt not will powre out their prayers to Almightie God H. B. VOYAGES AND TRAVELS TO AND IN THE NEW WORLD CALLED AMERICA RELATIONS OF THEIR PAGAN ANTIQVITIES AND OF THE REGIONS AND PLANTATIONS IN THE NORTH AND SOVTH parts thereof and of the Seas and Ilands adiacent THE FIFTH BOOKE CHAP. I. A Description of the West Indies by ANTONIO De HERRERA his Maiesties Chiefe Chronicler of the Indies and his Chronicler of Castile To the Licentiate PAVL of Laguna President of the Royall and Supreme Councell of the Indies THe
was in the Citie of Saint Dominicke in the Iland Hispaniola with one President a learned man though now because of the warre he is a Souldiour with title of Captaine Generall and foure Iustices that beare rods like an Alcalde and deale in ciuill and criminall matters in a degree of apeale and in the instance in matter of Court and the Gouernment is onely commended to the President which now is in Don Antonio Ossorio and the limits thereof The second Court was established in the Citie of Mexico in New Spaine the first President which was Nunyo of Guzman had no authoritie for he was placed but for a season with the second Court the Bishop D. Sebastian Ramirez for he was so in the Court of Hispanyola he had the Gouernment of the Kingdomes and the supreame authoritie and hee left that established that which belonged vnto it and vnto iustice as at this present it is The President of this Court is the Vice-roy which now is the Earle of Monterrey there are eight Iustices which doe iudge in ciuill matters and in the appeale of the cases of gouernment which the Vice-roy establisheth There are three Iustâ—ces of criminall cases which beare rods and deale in criminal cases and two Atturnies one of ciuill another of criminall causes and hee prouideth the Rulers charges that are not reserued to the King and the other Officers anâ— helpes of cost in releases and vacacions in the limits of this Court of Mexico and in that Counsell of new Galicia The third Court was that of Panama in Terra firme for this name was giuen to it because it was the first place where from the Ilands the Castillanes went to inhabit and as their common speech was to say that they went and came from the Firme Land though other Prouinces were found in the firme land of that Orbe this Prouince continued this name loosing that of Castilla del Oro wherewith the Kings commanded it should be called and when the affaires of Peru grew greater in the yeare 1542. It was thought good that this Court should be remoued to the Citie of The Kings where the Vice-roy which now is Doâ— Lewis of Velasco hath at his charge the gouernment of these limits and that of the Courts of the Charcas and Quito There is in this Court of the Kings eight Iustices three Iustices of Court and two Atturneys in the same order as in Mexico and the Vice-roy is resident in the Citie of the Kings and is the President of this Court and shall be in the other two when he is present in them and doth diuide all the repartitions of Indians that are voide in the bounds of them The fourth Court was established in the Prouince of the Confines and seeming it was needlesse it was dissolued and the yeare 1570. it was established againe in the Citie of Saint Iames of the Kingdome of Guatemala in it is one President which is the Doctor Criaâ—â— of Castile foure Iustices with rods and one Attorney They sit on ciuill and criminall cases in appeales and in the first instance in matters of Court the President onely hath the Gouernment and assigneth the Indians prouideth the Rulerships and other Offices temporall The fift Court was established in the Citie of Sancta Fe de Bogata in the new Kingdome of Granada with one President which now is the Doctor Francisco de Sande foure Iustices with rods and one Atturney with the same authority that the former The sixt was established in the Citie of Guadalaiara of the new Kingdome of Gallâ—cia with one Regent three chiefe Iustices which dispatched a great while without Seale and the matters increasing the Seale was giuen and a Register and a President was placed which now is Doctor Sanctiago de Vera and three Iustices with rods one Atturney and the Viceroy of New Spain hath the Gouernment The seuenth Court was placed in the Citie of Saiâ—t Francis of Quito of the Prouince of Piru where there was also a Regent chiefe Iustices without Seale and afterward the Court was established with a President which now is the Licentiat Miguel de Vuarar with three Iustices with rods one Atturny with the same faculty of Guadalaiara the gouernment the rest remaining to the Vice-roy of Piru as abouesaid The eight Court was in the Citie of the Plate in the Prouince of the Charcas with a Regent and chiefe Iustices after there was placed a President foure Iustices with rods Atturney Seale and Register and now is President the Licentiat Cepeda with reseruation of the prouiding the charges and the rest to the Vice-roy of Piru The ninth Court is that which was established againe in the Citie of Panama with a President of Sword and Cloake because of the matters of warre which is now Don Alonso de Sotomayor with the title of Captaine Generall of Terra firme there are three Iustices with roddes which doe deale in Appeales of ciuill and criminall cases and at first instance in matters of Court and it hath onely the Gouernment In the Citie of Saint Iames of the Prouince of Chile was placed the tenth Court and because it seemed needelesse it was dissolued and a Gouernour was prouided which dependeth on the Viceroy of Piru In the Citie of the Philippinas called Manila was a Court and it was dissolued because it seemed needelesse a few yeares since it was established againe with a Captaine Generall which is Don Peter of Acunya which is President and foure Iustices and one Atturney with the same authoritie that the other Courts For the Catholike Kings of Castile with the aduise of the supreme Councell of the Indies doe alwayes prouide with a sincere and iust minde that which is conuenient for the preseruation and augmenting of the spirituall and temporall things of those parts without any spare of expences or labor and euery Court hath according to the vse of these Kingdomes Secretaries Relators Sergeants Porters and the Officers which are necessarie THe harmonie and agreement of this great Monarchie is such that to euery Minister hath beene giuen the authoritie that as well by reason of estate as for the reputation of iustice hath seemed to be conuenient reseruing to the supreme Maiestie that which hath beene iudged to be necessarie to his authoritie For to the Vice-royes and Presidents that they may haue to reward the well-deseruing and they be more respected there are Offices assigned which they may prouide and matters wherein they may gratifie and to the prouiding of the Person Royall haue remayned with consultation of the supreme Councell of the Indies the offices following For the Kingdome of Chile a Gouernour and a learned Iustice with facultie to incommend or authorise the Indians another for Tucuman with the same facultie another for the Prouinces of the Riuer of Plate for Popayan Sancta Martha Cartagena and Veragua with their Gouernour in euery one with
supreme Councell the King Don Philip the third our Lord in imitation of his Catholike and Godly Predecessors for the greater good of his subiects hath instituted a Priuie Councell where all the businesses of spirituall and temporall warrants fauours and rewards may bee conferred and dispatched and besides this there are two Halls instituted where on dayes appointed they may intreat of matters of warre with the President and three Counsellors of the Indies and two or three of the Counsell of warre and other dayes of the matters of the goods by the President and Counsellors of Indies and two of the Counsell of the goods Atturney and Secretarie of the Counsell of the Indies the President naming those that he shall thinke best for it And as these Catholike Kings doe alwayes looke to the benefit of the people of that Orbe considering that the propagation of the holy Gospell in no part of it could goe more prosperously by any other hands then his nor bee attended for his preseruation and to haue the Conquerours and Inhabiters of those parts more satisfied seeing all were his Subiects and borne in these Kingdomes declared by their Royall warrants dated the yeere 1520. in Valladolid and in the yeere 1523. in Pamplona that their Maiesties nor any of their Heires in no time shall alienate from the Crowne Royall of Castile and Lion the Ilands and Prouinces of the Indies Towne or any part of them and so they promised it and gaue their Royall word The Presidents Counsellors Secretaries and Atturneys which vnto this present day haue serued and doe serue in the Supreme Councell of the Indies from their first Discouerie PRESIDENTS IOhn Rodriguez of Fonseca brother to the Lord of Coca and Alaejos Archbishop of Rosano and Bishop of Burgos being Deane of Siuil gouerned that which appertayned to the dispatching of the Fleets and Armies of the Indies till the Catholike King Don Fernando V. called him to the end that in his Court hee might take charge of the Indian affaires and he did it till the Emperor came to reigne which commanded that the Doctor Mercurino Gatinara his great Chancellor should be Superintendent of all the Councels and all the dispatches passed through his hands and intermedled in all the Assemblies that were made Friar Garcia of Loaysa Generall of the Order of Saint Dominicke the Emperours Confessor Bishop of Osma which was Archbishop of Siuil and Cardinall Don Garcia Manrique Earle of Osâ—rno which being Assistant of Siuil did gouerne till the Cardinall came from Rome Don Lewis Hurtado of Mendoça Marques of Mondejar which after was President of the Royall and supreme Councell of Castile The Licenciate Don Franciscus Tello of Sandoual which hauing beene of the Councell of the Indies went for President of the Royall Chancerie of Granada and from thence came to gouerne in the Councell of Indies The Licenciate Don Iohn Sarmiento was also of the Councell of the Indies and after went to gouerne in the Royal Chancerie of Granada from whence he returned to be President of the Royall and supreme Councell of the Indies Lewis Quixada Lord of Villagarcia and of the Councell of Warre The Licenciate Iohn of Obando of the supreme Councell of the holy Inquisition did preside in the Councell of the Indies and of the goods Royall The Licenciate Don Antonio de Padilla of the Royal and supreme Counsell of Castile passed to be President of the Councell of the Orders and after to the supreme Councell of the Indies The Licenciate Hernando of Vega and Fonseca of the supreme Councell of the holy and generall Inquisition passed to the Councell of the goods Royall and from it to the Royall and supreme Councell of the Indies The Licenciate Don Pedro de Moya of Contreras the first Inquisitor that went to Mexico for to seate the holy Office in that Citie Hee was Archbishop of that Citie and President of the supreme Councell of the Indies The Licenciate Paul of Laguna of the Royall and supreme Councell of Castile and of the holy and generall Inquisition passed to gouerne in the Councell of the goods Royall and Tribunals of it and was after President of the supreme Councell of the Indies and in his time began the Royall Councell of the House-hold COVNSELLORS HErnando of Vega Lord of Grajal which was chiefe Knight of Lion and President of the Councell of Orders Licenciate Lewis Zapata Licenciate Moxica Doctor S. Iames. Doctor Palacios Penbios Doctor Gonçalo Maldonado which was Bishop of the citie Rodrigo Master Lewis Vaca Bishop of Canarie Doctor Aguirre Doctor Mota Bishop of Badajoz Doctor Sosa Doctor Peter Martyr of Angleria Abbot of Iamayca Mosiur of Lassao of the Emperours Chamber and of the Councell of Estate Licenciate Garcia of Padilla of the habit of Calatrana Doctor Beltran Doctor Galindez of Caruajal Doctor Bernal Licenciate Peter Manuel Licenciate Rodrick of the Court. Licenciate Montoya Licenciate Mercado Licenciate Antonie of Aguilera Licenciate Don Hernando of Salas. Licenciate Iohn Thomas Doctor Villafanye Licenciate Bottelbâ— Maldonado Licenciate Otalora Licenciate Iames Gasâ—a of Salazar Licenciate Gamboa Doctor Gomez of Santillana Licenciate Espadero Licenciate Don Iames of Zunnigo Licenciate Lopez of Sarria Licenciate Enao Doctor Lope of Bayllo Licenciate Gedeon of Ynojosa of the habit of Saint Iames. Licenciate Villafanne Doctor Antonie Gonçalez Licenciate Franciscus Balcazar Licenciate Medina of Sarauz Licenciate Don Lewis of Mercado Doctor Peter Gutierrez Flores Licenciate Peter Dayes of Tudança Licenciate Benitte Rodriguez Valtodano Licenciate Austine Aluarez of Toledo and of the Chamber Doctor Don Roderick Zapata Licenciate Pâ—â—er Brano of Sotomayor Licenciate Molina of Medrano of the habit of Saint Iames of the Chamber Commissioner of this Historie Licenciate Iames of Armenteros Licenciate Alonso Perez of Salazar Licenciate Gonçalo of Aponte and of the Chamber Licenciate Don Iohn of Ocon of the habit of Calatrana Licenciate Hernando of Saanedra Licenciate Don Thomas Ximenez Ortiz Licenciate Eugenius of Salazar Licenciate Don Franciscus Arias Maldonado Licenciate Andrew of Ayala Licenciate Benauente of Benauides Licenciate Roocke of Villagutierre Chumazero SECRETARIES IOhan Colona Michael Perez of Almazan Gaspar of Gricio The Knight Lope of Conchillos Franciscus of the Cobos chiefe Commander of Leon. Iohn of Samano The Commander Franciscus of Eraso Antonie of Eraso The Commander Iohn of Ybarra ATTVRNEYS or SOLLICITORS THe Licenciate Franciscus of Vargas Licenciate Prado Licenciate Martin Ruyz of Agreda Doctor Franciscus Hernandez of Liebana Licenciate Ierome of Vlloa Licenciate Gamboa Licenciate Lopez of Sarria Licenciate Seipion Antolâ—â—ez Licenciate Negroâ— Doctor Valençuela Doctor Marcus Caro. Licenciate Bennet Rodriguez of Valtodano Licenciate Alonso Perez of Salazar Licenciate Roâ—cke of Villagutierre Chumazero The Gouernours and Vice-royes which haue gouerned vntill this time the Kingdomes of New Spaine and of Piru In New Spaine DOn Fernando Cortes Marques of the Valley Gouernour chiefe Iustice and Captaine generall The Licenciate Lewis Pance of the House of the Duke of Arcos Iudge of