The second Booke.
THE SIXT VOYAGE. 1606.
To another part of Virginia, where now are
Planted our English Colonies, Whom God increase
and preserue: Discovered and Described by Captaine
IOHN SMITH, sometimes
Governour of the Countrey.
1606.
The latitude.
BY these former
relations you may see what incoveniences still crossed those good
intents, and how great a matter it was all this time to finde but a
Harbour, although there be so many. But this Virginia is a Country in America betweene the degrees of 34. and 45. of the North latitude. The bounds thereof on the East side are the great Ocean: on the South lyeth Florida: on the North nova Francia:
as for the West thereof, the limits are vnknowne. Of all this Country
we purpose not to speake, but onely of that part which was planted by
the English men in the yeare of our Lord, 1606. And this is under the degrees 37.38. and 39. The temperature of this Country doth agree well with English
constitutions, being once seasoned to the Country. Which appeared by
this, that though by many occasions our people fell sicke; yet did they
recover by very small meanes, and continued in health, though there
were other great causes, not onely to haue made them sicke, but even to
end their dayes, &c.
The temperature.
The Sommer is hot as in Spaine; the Winter cold as in France or England.
The heat of sommer is in Iune, Iuly, and August, but commonly the coole
Breeses asswage the vehemency of the heat. The chiefe of winter is
halfe December, Ianuary, February, and halfe March. The colde is
extreame sharpe, but here the Proverbe is true, that no extreame long continueth.
In the yeare 1607. was an extraordinary frost in most of Europe, and this frost was found as extreame in Virginia. But the next yeare for 8. or 10. dayes of ill weather, other 14. dayes would be as Sommer.
The windes.
The windes here are
variable, but the like thunder and lightning to purifie the ayre, I
haue seldome either seene or heard in Europe.
From the Southwest came the greatest gusts with thunder and heat. The
Northwest winde is commonly coole and bringeth faire weather with it.
From the North is the greatest cold, and from the East and Southeast as
from the Barmudas, fogs and raines.
Some times there are
great droughts, other times much raine, yet great necessitie of
neither, by reason we see not but that all the raritie of needfull
fruits in Europe, may be there in great plentie, by the industry of men, as appeareth by those we there Planted.
The entrances.
Cape Henry.
There is but one
entrance by Sea into this Country, and that is at the mouth of a very
goodly Bay, 18. or 20. myles broad. The cape on the South is called Cape Henry,
in honour of our most noble Prince. The land white hilly sands like
vnto the Downes, and all along the shores great plentie of Pines and
Firres.
Cape Charles.
The Country.
The north Cape is called Cape Charles, in honour of the worthy Duke of Yorke. The Isles before it, Smith's Isles, by the name of the discover. Within is a country that
may haue the prerogatiue over the most pleasant places knowne, for
large and pleasant navigable Rivers, heaven & earth never agreed
better to frame a place for mans habitation; were it fully manured and
inhabited by industrious people. Here are mountaines, hils, plaines,
valleyes, rivers, and brookes, all running most pleasantly into a faire
Bay, compassed but for the mouth, with fruitfull and delightsome land.
In the Bay and rivers are many Isles both great & small, some
woody, some plaine, most of them low and not inhabited. This Bay lyeth
North and South, in which the water floweth neare 200. myles, and hath
a channell for 140 myles, of depth betwixt 6 and 15 fadome, holding in
breadth for the most part 10 or 14 myles. From the head of the Bay to
the Northwest, the land is mountanous, and so in a manner from thence
by a Southwest line; So that the more Southward, the farther off from
the Bay are those mountaines. From which fall certaine brookes which
after come to fiue principall navigable rivers. These run from the
Northwest into the South east, and so into the West side of the Bay,
where the fall of every River is within 20 or 15 myles one of another.
The mountaines.
The soyle.
The mountaines are
of divers natures: for at the head of the Bay the rockes are of a
composition like Mill stones. Some of Marble, &c. And many peeces
like Christall we found, as throwne downe by water from those
mountaines. For in Winter they are covered with much snow, and when it
dissolveth the waters fall with such violence, that it causeth great
inundations in some narrow valleyes, which is scarce perceived being
once in the rivers. These waters wash from the rocks such glistering
tinctures, that the ground in some places seemeth as guilded, where
both the rocks and the earth are so splendent to behold, that better iudgements then ours might haue beene perswaded, they contained more then probabilities.
The vesture of the earth in most places doth manifestly proue the
nature of the soyle to be lusty and very rich. The colour of the earth
we found in diverse places, resembleth bole Armoniac, terra sigillata, and Lemnia,
Fullers earth, Marle, and divers other such appearances. But generally
for the most part it is a blacke sandy mould, in some places a fat
slimy clay, in other places a very barren gravell. But the best ground
is knowne by the vesture it beareth, as by the greatnesse of trees, or
abundance of weeds, &c.
The valleyes.
Plaines.
The Country is not
mountanous, nor yet low, but such pleasant plaine hils, and fertile
valleyes, one prettily crossing another, & watered so conveniently
with fresh brookes and springs, no lesse commodious, then delightsome.
By the rivers are many plaine marishes, containing some 20 some 100.
some 200 Acres, some more, some lesse. Other plaines there are few, but
onely where the Salvages inhabit: but all overgrowne with trees &
weeds, being a plaine wildernesse as God first made it.
The river Powhatan.
The branches
Iames Towne.
On the west side of
the Bay, we sayd were 5. faire and delightfull navigable rivers. The
first of those, and the next to the mouth of the Bay hath his course
from the West Northwest. It is called Powhatan, according to the name of a principall country that lyeth vpon it. The mouth of this river is neare three myles in breadth, yet doe the shoules force the Channell so neare the land, that a Sacre will overshoot it at point blanke. It is navigable 150 myles, the shouldes and soundings are here needlesse to be expressed. It falleth from Rockes farre west in a Country inhabited by a nation they call Monacans. But where it commeth into our discovery it is Powhatan. In the farthest place that was diligently observed, are falles, rockes, shoules, &c. which makes it past navigation any higher.
Thence in the running downeward, the river is enriched with many goodly
brookes, which are maintained by an infinit number of small rundles and
pleasant springs, that disperse themselues for best service, as do the
veines of a mans body. From the South there fals into it: First, the
pleasant river of Apamatuck. Next more to the East are two small rivers of Quiyoughcohanocke. A little farther is a Bay wherein falleth 3 or 4 prettie brookes & creekes that halfe intrench the Inhabitants of Warraskoyac, then the river of Nandsamund, and lastly the brooke of Chisapeack. From the North side is the river of Chickahamania, the backe river of Iames Towne; another by the Cedar Isle, where we liued ten weekes vpon Oysters, then a convenient harbour for Fisher boats at Kecoughtan, that so turneth it selfe into
Bayes and Creekes, it makes that place very pleasant to inhabit; their cornefields being girded therein in a manner as Peninsulaes.
The most of these rivers are inhabited by severall nations, or rather
families, of the name of the rivers They haue also over those some
Governour, as their King, which they call Werowances. In a Peninsula on the North side of this river are the English Planted in a place by them called Iames Towne, in honour of the Kings most excellent Maiestie.
The severall Inhabitants.
The first and next the rivers mouth are the Kecoughtans, who besides their women & children, haue not past 20. fighting men. The Paspaheghes (on whose land is seated Iames Towne, some 40. myles from the Bay) haue not past 40. The river called Chickahamania neare 250. The Weanocks 100. The Arrowhatocks 30. The place called Powhatan, some 40. On the South side this river the Appamatucks haue sixtie fighting men. The Qutyougcohanocks 25. The Nandsamũds 200. The Chesapeacks 100. Of this last place the Bay beareth the name. In all these places is a severall commander, which they call Werowance, except the Chickahamanians, who are governed by the Priests and their Assistants, or their Elders called Caw-cawwassoughes. In sommer no place affordeth more plentie of Sturgeon,
nor in winter more abundance of foule, especially in the time of frost.
I tooke once 52 Sturgeons at a draught, at another 68. From the later
end of May till the end of Iune are taken few, but yong Sturgeons of
two foot, or a yard long. From thence till the midst of September, them
of two or three yards long and few others. And in 4 or 5, houres with
one Net were ordinarily taken 7 or 8: often more, seldome lesse. In the
small rivers all the yeare there is good plentie of small fish, so that
with hookes those that would take paines had sufficient.
R. Pamavnkee.
The inhabitants.
Foureteene myles Northward from the river Powhatan, is the river Pamavnkee, which is navigable 60 or 70 myles, but with Catches and small Barkes 30 or 40 myles farther.
At the ordinary flowing of the salt water, it divideth it selfe into
two gallant branches. On the South side inhabit the people of Youghtanund, who haue about 60 men for warres. On the North branch Mattapament, who haue 30 men. Where this river is divided the Country is called Pamavnkee, and nourisheth neare 300 able men. About 25 myles lower on the North side of this river is Werawocomoco,
where their great King inhabited when I was delivered him prisoner; yet
there are not past 40 able men. Ten or twelue myles lower, on the South
side of this river, is Chiskiack, which hath some 40 or 50 men. These, as also Apamatuck Irrohatock, and Powhatan, are their great Kings chiefe alliance, and inhabitants. The rest his Conquests.
Payankatanke R.
Before we come to
the third river that falleth from the mountaines, there is another
river (some 30 myles navigable) that commeth from the Inland, called Payankatanke, the Inhabitants are about 50 or 60 serviceable men.
Toppahanock R.
The inhabitants.
The third navigable river is called Toppahanock. (This is navigable some 130 myles) At the top of it inhabit the people called Mannahoacks amongst the mountaines, but they are aboue the place we described. Vpon this river on the North side are the people Cuttatawomen, with 30 fighting men. Higher are the Moraughtacunds, with 80. Beyond them Rapahanock with 100. Far aboue is another Cuttatawomen with 20. On the South is the pleasant seat of Nantaughtacund having 150 men. This river also as the two former, is replenished with fish and foule.
Patawomek, R.
The inhabitants.
The fourth river is called Patawomeke, 6 or 7 myles in breadth. It is navigable 140 myles,
and fed as the rest with many sweet rivers and springs, which fall from
the bordering hils. These hils many of them are planted, and yeeld no
lesse plentie and varietie of fruit, then the river exceedeth with
abundance of fish. It is inhabited on both sides. First on the South
side at the very entrance is Wighcocomoco & hath some 130 men, beyond them Sekacawone with 30. The Onawmanient with 100. And the Patawomekes more then 200. Here doth the river divide it selfe into 3 or 4 convenient branches. The greatest of the least is called Quiyough,
trending Northwest, but the river it selfe turneth Northeast, and is
still a navigable streame. On the Westerne side of this bought is Tauxenent with 40 men. On the North of this river is Secowocomoco with 40. Somewhat further Potapaco with 20. In the East part is Pamacaeack
with 60. After Moyowance with 100. And lastly, Nacotchtanke
with 80. The river aboue this place maketh his passage downe a low
pleasant valley overshaddowed in many places with high rocky
mountaines; from whence distill innumerable sweet and pleasant springs.
Pawtuxunt, R.
The fift river is called Pawtuxunt,
of a lesse proportion then the rest; but the channell is 16 fadome
deepe in some places. Here are infinit skuls of divers kindes of fish
more then elswhere. Vpon this river dwell the people called Acquintanacksuak, Pawtuxunt, and Mattapanient.
Two hundred men was the greatest strength that could be there
perceived. But they inhabit together, and not so dispersed as the rest.
These of all other we found most civil to giue intertainement.
Bolus, R. The head of the Bay.
Sasquesahanock.
Thirtie leagues
Northward is a river not inhabited, yet navigable; for the red clay
resembling bole Armoniack we called it Bolus.
At the end of the Bay where it is 6 or 7 myles in breadth, it divides
it selfe into 4. branches, the best commeth Northwest from among the
mountaines, but though Canows may goe a dayes iourney or two vp it, we
could not get two myles vp it with our boat for rockes. Vpon it is
seated the Sasquesahanocks, neare it North
and by West runneth a creeke a myle and a halfe: at the head whereof
the Eble left vs on shore, where we found many trees cut with hatchets.
The next tyde keeping the shore to seeke for some Salvages; (for within
thirtie leagues sayling, we saw not any, being a barren Country,) we
went vp another small river like a creeke 6 or 7 myle. From thence
returning we met 7 Canowes of the Massowomeks,
with whom we had conference by signes, for we vnderstood one another
scarce a word: the next day we discovered the small river & people
of Tockwhogh trending Eastward.
The description of a Sasquesahanough.
Having lost our Grapnell among the rocks of Sasquesahanocks,
we were then neare 200 myles from home, and our Barge about two tuns,
and had in it but 12 men to performe this Discovery, wherein we lay
aboue 12 weekes vpon those great waters in those vnknowne Countries,
having nothing but a little meale, oatemeale and water to feed vs, and
searce halfe sufficient of that for halfe that time, but what provision
we got among the Salvages, and such rootes and fish as we caught by
accident, and Gods direction; nor had we a Mariner nor any had skill to
trim the sayles but two saylers and my selfe, the rest being Gentlemen,
or them were as ignorant in such toyle and labour. Yet necessitie in a
short time by good words and examples made them doe that that caused
them ever after to feare no colours. What I did with this small meanes
I leaue to the Reader to iudge, and the Mappe I made of the Country,
which is but a small matter in regard of the magnitude thereof. But to
proceed, 60 of those Sasquesahanocks came
to vs with skins, Bowes, Arrows, Targets, Beads, Swords, and Tobacco
pipes for presents. Such great and well proportioned men are seldome
seene, for they seemed like Giants to the English, yea and to the
neighbours, yet seemed of an honest and simple disposition, with much
adoe restrained from adoring vs as Gods. Those are the strangest people
of all those Countries, both in language & attire; for their
language it may well beseeme their proportions, sounding from them, as
a voyce in a vault. Their attire is the skinnes of Beares, and Woolues,
some haue Cassacks made of Beares heads & skinnes, that a mans head
goes through the skinnes neck, and the eares of the Beare fastned to
his shoulders, the nose and teeth hanging downe his breast, another
Beares face split behind him, and at the end of the nose hung a Pawe,
the halfe sleeues comming to the elbowes were the neckes of Beares, and
the armes through the mouth with pawes hanging at their noses. One had
the head of a Woolfe hanging in a chaine for a Iewell, his Tobacco pipe
three quarters of a yard long, prettily carued with a Bird, a Deere, or
some such devise at the great end sufficient to beat out ones braines:
with Bowes, Arrowes, and clubs, sutable to their greatnesse. These are
scarse knowne to Powhatan. They can make neare 600 able men, and are pallisadoed in their Townes to defend them from the Massawomekes their mortall enemies. Fiue of their chiefe Werowances came aboord vs, and crossed the Bay
in their Barge. The picture of the greatest of them is signified in the
Mappe. The calfe of whose leg was three quarters of a yard about,
and all the rest of his limbes so
answerable to that proportion, that he seemed the goodliest man we ever
beheld. His hayre, the one side was long, the other shore close with a
ridge over his crowne like a cocks combe. His arrowes were fiue
quarters long, headed with the splinters of a white christall-like
stone, in forme of a heart, an inch broad, and an inch and a halfe or
more long. These he wore in a Woolues skinne at his backe for his
Quiver, his bow in the one hand and his clubbe in the other, as is
described.
Tockwhogh, R.
Rapahanock, R. Kuskarawaock R. Wighcocomoco, R. Accomack, R.
On the East side the Bay, is the river Tockwhogh,
and vpon it a people that can make 100 men, seated some seaven myles
within the river: where they haue a Fort very well pallisadoed and
mantelled with barkes of trees. Next them is Ozinies with sixty men. More to the South of that East side of the Bay, the river Rapahanock, neere vnto which is the river Kuskarawaock, Vpon which is seated a people with 200 men. After that, is the river Tants Wighcocomoco,
& on it a people with 100 men. The people of those rivers are of
little stature, of another language from the rest, & very rude, But
they on the river Acohanock with 40 men, & they of Accomack 80 men doth equalize any of the Territories of Powhatan, and speake his language, who over all those doth rule as King.
Chawoneck.
The severall languages.
Southward we went to some parts of Chawonock and the Mangoags to search for them left by Mr White. Amongst those people are thus many severall Nations of sundry Languages, that environ Powhatans Territories. The Chawonockes, the Mangoags, the Monacans, the Mannahokes, the Masawomekes, the Powhatans, the Sasquesahanocks, the Atquanachukes, the Tockwoghes, and the Kuscarawaokes.
All those not any one vnderstandeth another but by Interpreters. Their
severall habitations are more plainly described by this annexed Mappe,
which will present to the eye, the way of the mountaines, and current
of the rivers, with their severall turnings, bayes, shoules, Isles,
Inlets, and creekes, the breadth of the waters, the distances of
places, and such like. In which Mappe obserue this, that as far as you
see the little Crosses on rivers, mountaines, or other places haue
beene discovered; the rest was had by information of the Savages, and
are set downe according to their instructions.
Thus haue I walkt a wayless way, with vncouth pace,
Which yet no Christian man did ever trace:
But yet I know this not affects the minde,
Which eares doth heare, as that which eyes doe finde.
Of such things which are naturally in Virginia, and how they vse them.
Why there is little grasse.
Woods with their fruits.
Elme.
Walnuts. Supposed Cypres.
Mulberries.
VIRGINIA doth afford
many excellent vegetables, and liuing Creatures, yet grasse there is
little or none, but what groweth in low Marishes: for all the Countrey
is overgrowne with trees, whose droppings continually turneth their
grasse to weeds, by reason of the rancknes of the ground, which would
soone be amended by good husbandry. The wood that is most common is Oke
and Walnut, many of their Okes are so tall & straight, that they
will beare two foote and a halfe square of good timber for 20 yards
long; Of this wood there is two or three severall kinds. The Acornes of
one kinde, whose barke is more white then the other, & somewhat
sweetish, which being boyled, at last affords a sweet oyle, that they
keepe in gourds to annoint their heads and ioynts. The fruit they eate
made in bread or otherwise. There is also some Elme, some blacke Walnut
tree, and some Ash: of Ash and Elme they make sope Ashes. If the trees
be very great, the Ashes will be good, and melt to hard lumps, but if
they be small, it will be but powder, and not so good as the other. Of
walnuts there is 2 or 3 kindes; there is a kinde of wood we called
Cypres, because both the wood, the fruit, and leafe did most resemble
it, and of those trees there are some neare three fadome about at the
foot, very
straight, and 50, 60, or 80 foot
without a branch. By the dwelling of the Salvages are some great
Mulbery trees, and in some parts of the Countrey, they are found
growing naturally in prettie groues. There was an assay made to make
silke, and surely the wormes prospered excellent well, till the master
workeman fell sicke. During which time they were eaten with Rats.
Chesnuts.
In some parts were found some Chesnuts, whose wild fruit equalize the best in France, Spaine, Germany, or Italy. Plums there are of three sorts. The red and white are like our hedge plums, but the other which they call Putchamins, grow as high as a Palmeta:
the fruit is like a Medler; it is first greene, then yellow, and red
when it is ripe; if it be not ripe, it will draw a mans mouth awry,
with much torment, but when it is ripe, it is as delicious as an
Apricot.
Cherries.
Vines.
Chechinquamins.
Rawcomens.
How they vse their fruits.
Walnut milke.
Gummes.
Cedars.
Saxafras trees.
They haue Cherries,
and those are much like a Damson, but for their tastes and colour we
called them Cherries. We saw some few Crabs, but very small and bitter.
Of vines great abundance in many parts that climbe the toppes of the
highest trees in some places, but these beare but few grapes. Except by
the rivers & savage habitations, where they are not overshadowed
from the sunne, they are covered with fruit, though never pruined nor
manured. Of those hedge grapes we made neere twentie gallons of wine,
which was like our French Brittish wine, but certainely they would
proue good were they well manured. There is another sort of grape neere
as great as a Cherry, this they call Messamins,
they be fatte, and the iuyce thicke. Neither doth the taste so well
please when they are made in wine. They haue a small fruit growing on
little trees, husked like a Chesnut, but the fruit most like a very
small Acorne. This they call Chechinquamins,
which they esteeme a great daintie. They haue a berry much like our
Gooseberry, in greatnesse, colour, and tast; those they call Rawcomens,
and doe eat them raw or boyled. Of these naturall fruits they liue a
great part of the yeare, which they vse in this manner; The Walnuts,
Chesnuts, Acornes, and Chechinquamins are
dryed to keepe. When they need walnuts they breake them betweene two
stones, yet some part of the shels will cleaue to the fruit. Then doe
they dry them againe vpon a Mat over a hurdle. After they put it into a
morter of wood, and beat it very small: that done they mix it with
water, that the shels may sinke to the bottome. This water will be
coloured as milke, which they call Pawcohiccora, and keepe it for their vse. The fruit like Medlers they call Putchamins, they cast vpon hurdles on a Mat, and preserue them as Pruines. Of their Chesnuts and Chechinquamins
boyled, they make both broath and bread for their chiefe men, or at
their greatest feasts. Besides those fruit trees, there is a white
Popular, and another tree like vnto it, that yeeldeth a very cleare and
an odoriferous Gumme like Turpentine, which some called Balsom. There are also Cedars and Saxafras
trees. They also yeeld gummes in a small proportion of themselues. Wee
tryed conclusions to extract it out of the wood, but nature afforded
more then our arts.
Berries.
Matoum.
In the watry valleyes groweth a Berry which they call Ocoughtanamnis
very much like vnto Capers. These they dry in sommer. When they eat
them they boile them neare halfe a day; for otherwise they differ not
much from poyson. Mattoum groweth as our
Bents. The seed is not much vnlike to Rie, though much smaller. This
they vse for a daintie bread buttered with deare suet.
Strawberries.
Hearbes.
During Sommer there
are either Strawberries, which ripen in Aprill, or Mulberries which
ripen in May and Iune. Raspises, hurts; or a fruit that the inhabitants
call Maracocks, which is a pleasant
wholsome fruit much like a Lemond. Many herbes in the spring are
comonly dispersed throughout the woods, good for brothes and sallets,
as Violets, Purslain, Sorrell, &c. Besides many we vsed whose names
we know not.
Rootes.
The chiefe root they haue for food is called Tockawhoughe.
It groweth like a flagge in Marishes. In one day a Salvage will gather
sufficient for a weeke. These roots are much of the greatnesse and
taste of Potatoes. They vse to cover a
great many of them with Oke leaues and Ferne, and then cover all with
earth in the manner of a Colepit; over it, on each side, they continue
a great fire 24 houres before they dare eat it.
Raw it is no better then poyson,
and being rosted, except it be tender and the heat abated, or sheed and
dryed in the Sunne, mixed with sorrell and meale or such like, it will
prickle and torment the throat extreamely, and yet in sommer they vse
this ordinarily for bread.
Wighsacan a roote.
Pocones a small roote.
Musquaspen a roote.
They haue another roote which they call Wighsacan:
as th'other feedeth the body, so this cureth their hurts and diseases.
It is a small root which they bruise and apply to the wound. Pocones
is a finall root that groweth in the mountaines, which being dryed and
beate in powder turneth red. And this they vse for swellings, aches,
annointing their ioynts, painting their heads and garments. They
account it very precious, and of much worth. Musquaspen
is a roote of the bignesse of a finger, and as red as bloud. In drying,
it will wither almost to nothing. This they vse to paint their Mattes,
Targets, and such like.
Pellitory.
Sasafrage.
There is also Pellitory of Spaine, Sasafrage, and divers other simples, which the Apothecaries gathered, and commended to be good, and medicinable.
Onyons.
In the low Marishes
grow plots of Onyons, containing an Acre of ground or more in many
places; but they are small, not past the bignesse of the toppe of ones
Thumbe.
Their chiefe beasts are Deere.
Aroughcun.
Squirrels.
Of beasts the chiefe
are Deere, nothing differing from ours. In the deserts towards the
heads of the rivers, there are many, but amongst the rivers few. There
is a beast they call Aroughcun, much like
a badger, but vseth to liue on trees as Squirrels doe. Their Squirrels
some are neare as great as our smallest sort of wilde Rabbets, some
blackish or blacke and white, but the most are gray.
Assapanick, a
Squirrel flying.
Opassom.
Mussascus.
A small beast they haue they call Assapanick,
but we call them flying Squirrels, because spreading their legs, and so
stretching the largenesse of their skins, that they haue beene seene to
fly 30 or 40 yards. An Opassom hath a head
like a Swine, and a taile like a Rat, and is of the bignesse of a Cat.
Vnder her belly shee hath a bagge, wherein she lodgeth, carrieth, and
suckleth her young. A Mussascus is a beast
of the forme and nature of our water Rats, but many of them smell
exceeding strongly of Muske. Their Hares no bigger then our Conics, and
few of them to be found.
Beares.
The Beaver.
Otters.
Vtchũquoyes.
Foxes.
Dogges.
Martins.
Polcats.
Weesels, and Minkes.
Their Beares are very little in comparison of those of Muscovia and Tartaria.
The Beaver is as big as an ordinary water dog, but his legs exceeding
short. His forefeete like a dogs, his hinder feet like a Swans. His
taile somewhat like the forme of a Racket, bare without haire, which to
eat the Salvages esteeme a great delicate. They haue many Otters, which as the Beavers
they take with snares, and esteeme the skins great ornaments, and of
all those beasts they vse to feed when they catch them. An Vtchunquoyes is like a wilde Cat. Their Foxes are like our silver haired Conies, of a small proportion, and not smelling like those in England.
Their Dogges of that Country are like their Woolues, and cannot barke
but howle, and the Woolues not much bigger then our English Foxes.
Martins, Powlecats, Weesels, and Minkes we know they haue, because we
haue seene many of their skinnes, though very seldome any of them
aliue. But one thing is strange, that we could never perceive their
Vermine destroy our Hennes, Egges, nor Chickens, nor doe any hurt nor
their flyes nor serpents any way pernicious, where in the South parts
of America they are alwayes dangerous, and often deadly.
Birds.
Of Birds the Eagle
is the greatest devourer. Hawkes there be of divers sorts, as our
Falconers called them: Sparrow-hawkes, Lanarets, Goshawkes, Falcons and Osperayes,
but they all prey most vpon fish. Their Partridges are little bigger
then our Quailes. Wilde Turkies are as bigge as our tame. There are
Woosels or Blackbirds with red shoulders, Thrushes and divers sorts of
small Birds, some red, some blew, scarce so bigge as a Wrenne, but few
in Sommer. In Winter there are great plentie of Swans, Cranes, gray and
white with blacke wings, Herons, Geese, Brants, Ducke, Wigeon,
Dotterell Oxeies, Parrats, and Pigeons. Of all those sorts great
abundance, and some other strange kinds, to vs vnknowne by name. But in
Sommer not any, or a very few to be seene.
Fish.
Of fish we were best acquainted with Sturgeon, Grampus, Porpus, Seales, Stingraies,
whose tailes are very dangerous. Bretts, Mullets, white Salmonds,
Trowts, Soles, Plaice, Herrings, Conyfish, Rockfish, Eeles, Lampreys.
Catfish, Shades Pearch of three sorts, Crabs, Shrimps, Crevises,
Oysters, Cocles, and Muscles. But the most strange fish is a small one,
so like the picture of St George
his Dragon, as possible can be, except his legs and wings, and the
Toadefish, which will swell till it be like to burst, when it commeth
into the ayre.
The rockes.
Concerning the
entrailes of the earth, little can be said for certaintie. There wanted
good Refiners; for those that tooke vpon them to haue skill this way,
tooke vp the washings from the mountaines, and some moskered shining
stones and spangles which the waters brought downe, flattering
themselues in their owne vaine conceits to haue beene supposed what
they were not, by the meanes of that ore, if it proued as their arts
and iudgements expected. Onely this is certaine, that many regions
lying in the same latitude, afford Mines very rich of divers natures.
The crust also of these rockes would easily perswade a man to beleeue
there are other Mines then yron and steele, if there were but meanes
and men of experience that knew the Mine from Spar.
Of their Planted fruits in Virginia, and how they vse them.
How they divide the yeare.
THey divide the yeare into fiue seasons. Their winter some call Popanow, the spring Cattapeuk, the sommer Cohattayough, the earing of their Corne Nepinough, the harvest and fall of leafe Taquitock.
From September vntill the midst of November are the chiefe feasts &
sacrifice. Then haue they plentie of fruits as well planted as
naturall, as corne, greene and ripe, fish, fowle, and wilde beasts
exceeding fat.
How they prepare the ground.
The greatest labour
they take, is in planting their corne, for the Country naturally is
overgrowne with wood. To prepare the ground they bruise the barke of
the trees neare the root, then doe they scortch the roots with fire
that they grow no more. The next yeare with a crooked peece of wood
they beat vp the weeds by the rootes, and in that mould they plant
their Corne. Their manner is this. They make a hole in the earth with a
sticke, and into it they put foure graines of wheate and two of beanes
These holes they make foure foote one from another; Their women and
children do continually keepe it with weeding, and when it is growne
middle high, they hill it about like a hop-yard.
How they plant.
In Aprill they begin
to plant, but their chiefe plantation is in May, and so they continue
till the midst of Iune. What they plant in Aprill they reape in August,
for May in September, for Iune in October; Every stalke of their corne
commonly beareth two eares, some three, seldome any foure, many but
one, and some none. Every eare ordinarily hath betwixt 200 and 500
graines. The stalke being greene hath a sweet iuice in it, somewhat
like a sugar Cane, which is the cause that when they gather their corne
greene, they sucke the stalkes: for as we gather greene pease, so doe
they their corne being greene, which excelleth their old. They plant
also pease they call Assentamens, which are the same they call in Italy, Fagioli. Their Beanes are the same the Turkes call Garnanses, but these they much esteeme for dainties.
How they vse their Corne.
How they vse their fish and flesh.
Their corne they
rost in the eare greene, and bruising it in a morter of wood with a
Polt, lap it in rowles in the leaues of their corne, and so boyle it
for a daintie. They also reserue that corne late planted that will not
ripe, by roasting it in hot ashes, the heat thereof drying it. In
winter they esteeme it being boyled with beanes for a rare dish, they
call Pansarowmena. Their old wheat they
first steepe a night in hot water, in the morning pounding it in a
morter. They vse a small basket for their Temmes, then pound againe the
great, and so separating by dashing their hand in the basket, receiue
the flower in a platter made of wood, scraped to that forme with
burning
and shels. Tempering this flower
with water, they make it either in cakes, covering them with ashes till
they be baked, and then washing them in faire water, they drie
presently with their owne heat: or else boyle them in water, eating the
broth with the bread which they call Ponap.
The groutes and peeces of the cornes remaining, by fanning in a Platter
or in the wind, away, the branne they boyle 3 or 4 houres with water,
which is an ordinary food they call Vstatahamen. But some more thriftie then cleanly, doe burne the core of the eare to powder, which they call Pungnough,
mingling that in their meale, but it never tasted well in bread, nor
broth. Their fish & flesh they boyle either very tenderly, or boyle
it so long on hurdles over the fire, or else after the Spanish
fashion, putting it on a spit, they turne first the one side, then the
other, till it be as drie as their ierkin Beefe in the west Indies, that they may keepe it a moneth or more without putrifying. The broth of fish or flesh they eat as commonly as the meat.
Planted fruits
In May also amongst their corne they plant Pumpeons, and a fruit like vnto a muske mellon, but lesse and worse, which they call Macocks. These increase exceedingly, and ripen in the beginning of Iuly, and continue vntill September. They plant also Maracocks
a wild fruit like a Lemmon, which also increase infinitely. They begin
to ripe in September, and continue till the end of October. When all
their fruits be gathered, little els they plant, and this is done by
their women and children; neither doth this long suffice them, for
neare three parts of the yeare, they onely obserue times and seasons,
and liue of what the Country naturally affordeth from hand to mouth,
&c.
The Commodities in Virginia, or that may be had by Industrie.
A proofe cattell will liue well.
THe mildnesse of the
ayre, the fertilitie of the soyle, and situation of the rivers are so
propitious to the nature and vse of man, as no place is more convenient
for pleasure, profit, and mans sustenance, vnder that latitude or
climat. Here will liue any beast, as horses, goats, sheepe, asses,
hens, &c. as appeared by them that were carried thether. The
waters, Isles, and shoales, are full of safe harbours for ships of
warre or marchandize, for boats of all forts, for transportation or
fishing, &c. The Bay and rivers haue much marchantable fish, and
places fit for Salt coats, building of ships, making of Iron, &c.
The Commodities.
Muscovia and Polonia
doe yearely receiue many thousands, for pitch, tarre, sopeashes, Rosen,
Flax, Cordage, Sturgeon, Masts, Yards, Wainscot, Firres, Glasse, and
such like; also Swethland for Iron and Copper. France in like manner, for Wine, Canvas, and Salt. Spaine as much for Iron, Steele, Figges, Reasons and Sackes. Italy with Silkes and Velvets consumes our chiefe Commodities, Holland
maintaines it selfe by fishing and trading at our owne doores. All
these temporize with other for necessities, but all as vncertaine as
peace or warres. Besides the charge, travell, and danger in
transporting them, by seas, lands, stormes, and Pyrats. Then how much
hath Virginia the prerogatiue of all those
flourishing Kingdomes, for the benefit of our Land, when as within one
hundred myles all those are to be had, either ready provided by nature,
or else to be prepared, were there but industrious men to labour. Onely
of Copper we may doubt is wanting, but there is good probabilitie that
both Copper and better Minerals are there to be had for their labour.
Other Countries haue it. So then here is a place, a nurse for
souldiers, a practise for mariners, a trade for marchants, a reward for
the good, and that which is most of all, a businesse (most acceptable
to God) to bring such poore Infidels to the knowledge of God and his
holy Gospell.
Of the naturall Inhabitants of VIRGINIA.
The numbers
Seaven
hundred men were the most were seene together when they thought to haue
surprised Captaine Smith. A description of the people. The Barbers.
The constitution.
The disposition.
The possessions.
Their attire.
Their ornaments.
THe land is not
populous, for the men be few; their far greater number is of women and
children. Within 60 myles of Iames Towne, there are about some 5000 people, but of able men fit for their warres scarce 1500. To nourish so many
together they haue yet no meanes, because they make so small a benefit
of their land, be it never so fertile. Six or seauen hundred haue beene
the most hath beene seene together, when they gathered themselues to haue surprised mee at Pamavnkee,
having but fifteene to withstand the worst of their fury. As small as
the proportion of ground that hath yet beene discovered is in
comparison of that yet vnknowne: the people differ very much in
stature, especially in language, as before is expressed. Some being
very great as the Sasquesahanicks; others very little, as the Wighcocomocaes:
but generally tall and straight, of a comely proportion, and of a
colour browne when they are of any age, but they are borne white. Their
hayre is generally blacke, but few haue any beards. The men weare halfe
their beards shaven, the other halfe long; for Barbers they vse their
women, who with two shels will grate away the hayre, of any fashion
they please. The women are cut in many fashions, agreeable to their
yeares, but ever some part remaineth long. They are very strong, of an
able body and full of agilitie, able to endure to lie in the woods
vnder a tree by the fire, in the worst of winter, or in the weedes and
grasse, in Ambuscado in the Sommer. They are inconstant in every thing,
but what feare constraineth them to keepe. Craftie, timerous, quicke of
apprehension, and very ingenuous. Some are of disposition fearefull,
some bold, most cautelous, all Savage. Generally covetous of Copper,
Beads, and such like trash. They are soone moued to anger, and so
malicious, that they seldome forget an iniury: they seldome steale one
from another, least their coniurers should reveale it, and so they be
pursued and punished. That they are thus feared is certaine, but that
any can reueale their offences by coniuration I am doubtfull. Their
women are carefull not to be suspected of dishonestie without the leaue
of their husoands. Each houshold knoweth their owne lands, and gardens,
and most liue of their owne labours. For their apparell, they are
sometime covered with the skinnes of wilde beasts, which in Winter are
dressed with the hayre, but in Sommer without. The better sort vse
large mantels of Deare skins, not much differing in fashion from the
Irish mantels. Some imbrodered with white beads, some with Copper,
other painted after their manner. But the common sort haue scarce to
cover their nakednesse, but with grasse, the leaues of trees, or such
like. We haue seene some vse mantels made of Turky feathers, so
prettily wrought & woven with threads that nothing could be
discerned but the feathers. That was exceeding warme and very handsome.
But the women are alwayes covered about their middles with a skin, and
very shamefast to be seene bare. They adorne themselues most with
copper beads and paintings. Their women, some haue their legs, hands,
breasts and face cunningly imbrodered with divers workes, as beasts,
serpents, artificially wrought into their flesh with blacke spots. In
each eare commonly they haue 3 great holes, where at they hang chaines,
bracelets, or copper. Some of their men weare in those holes, a small
greene and yellow coloured snake, neare halfe a yard in length, which
crawling and lapping her selfe about his necke oftentimes familiarly
would kisse his lips. Others weare a dead Rat tyed by the taile. Some
on their heads weare the wing of a bird, or some large feather with a
Rattell. Those Rattels are somewhat like the chape of a Rapier, but
lesse, which they take from the taile of a snake. Many haue the whole
skinne of a Hawke or some strange foule, stuffed with the wings abroad.
Others a broad peece of Copper, and some the hand of their enemy dryed.
Their heads and shoulders are painted red with the roote Pocone
brayed to powder, mixed with oyle, this they hold in sommer to preserue
them from the heate, and in winter from the cold. Many other formes of
paintings they vse, but he is the most gallant that is the most
monstrous to behold.
Their buildings.
Their buildings and
habitations are for the most part by the rivers, or not farre distant
from some fresh spring. Their houses are built like our Arbors, of
small young springs bowed and tyed, and so close covered with Mats, or
the barkes of trees very handsomely, that notwithstanding either winde,
raine, or weather, they are as warme as stooues, but very smoaky, yet
at the toppe of the house there is a hole made for the smoake to goe
into right over the fire.
Their lodgings.
Their gardens
Against the fire
they lie on little hurdles of Reeds covered with a Mat, borne from the
ground a foote and more by a hurdle of wood. On these round about the
house they lie heads and points one by th'other against the fire, some
covered with Mats, some with skins, and some starke naked lie on the
ground, from 6 to 20 in a house. Their houses are in the midst of their
fields or gardens, which are small plots of ground. Some 20 acres, some
40. some 100. some 200. some more, some lesse. In some places from 2 to
50 of those houses together, or but a little separated by groues of
trees. Neare their habitations is little small wood or old trees on the
ground by reason of their burning of them for fire. So that a man may
gallop a horse amongst these woods any way, but where the creekes or
Rivers shall hinder.
How they vse their children.
Men, women, and
children haue their severall names according to the severall humor of
their Parents. Their women (they say) are easily delivered of childe,
yet doe they loue children very dearely. To make them hardie, in the
coldest mornings they them wash in the rivers, and by painting and
oyntments so tanne their skinnes, that after a yeare or two, no weather
will hurt them.
The industrie of their women.
The men bestow their
times in fishing, hunting, warres, and such man-like exercises,
scorning to be seene in any woman-like exercise, which is the cause
that the women be very painefull, and the men often idle. The women and
children doe the rest of the worke. They make mats, baskets, pots,
morters, pound their corne, make their bread, prepare their victuals,
plant their corne, gather their corne, beare all kind of burdens, and
such like.
How they strike fire.
The order of dyet.
Their fire they
kindle presently by chafing a dry pointed sticke in a hole of a little
square peece of wood, that firing it selfe, will so fire mosse, leaues,
or any such like dry thing, that will quickly burne. In March and
Aprill they liue much vpon their fishing wires; and feed on fish,
Turkies, and Squirrels. In May and Iune they plant their fields, and
liue most of Acornes, Walnuts, and fish. But to amend their dyet, some
disperse themselues in small companies, and liue vpon fish, beasts,
crabs, oysters, land Tortoises, strawberries, mulberries, and such
like. In Iune, Iuly, and August, they feed vpon the rootes of Tocknough
berries, fish, and greene wheat. It is strange to see how their bodies
alter with their dyet, even as the deere & wilde beasts they seeme
fat and leane, strong and weake. Powhatan
their great King, and some others that are provident, rost their fish
and flesh vpon hurdles as before is expressed, and keepe it till scarce
times.
How they make their bowes and arrowes.
Their kniues.
For fishing,
hunting, and warres they vse much their bow and arrowes. They bring
their bowes to the forme of ours by the scraping of a shell. Their
arrowes are made some of straight young sprigs, which they head with
bone, some 2 or 3 ynches long. These they vse to shoot at Squirrels on
trees Another sort of arrowes they vse made of Reeds. These are peeced
with wood, headed with splinters of christall, or some sharpe stone,
the spurres of a Turkey, or the bill of some bird. For his knife he
hath the splinter of a Reed to cut his feathers in forme. With this
knife also, he will ioynt a Deere, or any beast, shape his shooes,
buskins, mantels, &c. To make the noch of his arrow he hath the
tooth of a Beaver, set in a sticke, wherewith he grateth it by degrees.
His arrow head he quickly maketh with a little bone, which he ever
weareth at his bracert, of any splint of a stone, or glasse in the
forme of a heart, and these they glew to the end of their arrowes. With
the sinewes of Deere, and the tops of Deeres hornes boyled to a ielly,
they make a glew that will not dissolue in cold water.
Their Targets and Swords.
For their warres
also they vse Targets that are round and made of the barkes of trees,
and a sword of wood at their backes, but oftentimes they vse for swords
the horne of a Deere put through a peece of wood in forme of a Pickaxe.
Some a long stone sharpned at both ends, vsed in the same manner. This
they were wont to vse also for hatchets, but now by trucking they haue
plentie of the same forme of yron. And those are their chiefe
instruments and armes.
Their Boats.
How they spin.
Their fish-hookes.
Their fishing is
much in Boats. These they make of one tree by burning and scratching
away the coales with stones and shels, till they haue made it in forme
of a
Trough. Some of them are an elne
deepe, and fortie or fiftie foote in length, and some will beare 40
men, but the most ordinary are smaller, and will beare 10, 20, or 30.
according to their bignesse. In stead of Oares, they vse Paddles and
stickes, with which they will row faster then our Barges. Betwixt their
hands and thighes, their women vse to spin, the barkes of trees, Deere
sinewes, or a kind of grasse they call Pemmenaw,
of these they make a thread very even and readily. This thread serveth
for many vses. As about their housing, apparell, as also they make nets
for fishing, for the quantitie as formally braded as ours. They make
also with it lines for angles. Their hookes are either a bone grated as
they noch their arrowes in the forme of a crooked pinne or fish-hooke,
or of the splinter of a bone tyed to the clift of a little sticke, and
with the end of the line, they tie on the bait. They vse also long
arrowes tyed in a line, where with they shoote at fish in the rivers.
But they of Accewmack vse staues like vnto
Iauelins headed with bone. With these they dart fish swimming in the
water. They haue also many artificiall wires, in which they get
abundance of fish.
How they hunt.
In their hunting and
fishing they take extreame paines; yet it being their ordinary exercise
from their infancy, they esteeme it a pleasure and are very proud to be
expert therein. And by their continuall ranging, and travell, they know
all the advantages and places most frequented with Deere, Beasts, Fish,
Foule, Roots, and Berries. At their huntings they leaue their
habitations, and reduce themselues into companies, as the Tartars
doe, and goe to the most desert places with their families, where they
spend their time in hunting and fowling vp towards the mountaines, by
the heads of their rivers, where there is plentie of game. For betwixt
the rivers the grounds are so narrowe, that little commeth here which
they devoure not. It is a marvell they can so directly passe these
deserts, some 3 or 4 dayes iourney without habitation. Their hunting
houses are like vnto Arbours covered with Mats. These their women beare
after them, with Corne, Acornes, Morters, and all bag and baggage they
vse. When they come to the place of exercise, every man doth his best
to shew his dexteritie, for by their excelling in those qualities, they
get their wiues. Fortie yards will they shoot levell, or very neare the
marke, and 120 is their best at Random. At their huntings in the
deserts they are commonly two or three hundred together. Having found
the Deere, they environ them with many fires, & betwixt the fires
they place themselues. And some take their stands in the midsts. The
Deere being thus feared by the fires, and their voyces, they chase them
so long within that circle, that many times they kill 6, 8, 10, or 15
at a hunting. They vse also to driue them into some narrow poynt of
land, when they find that advantage; and so force them into the river,
where with their boats they haue Ambuscadoes
to kill them. When they haue shot a Deere by land, they follow him like
bloud-hounds by the bloud, and straine, and oftentimes so take them.
Hares, Partridges, Turkies, or Egges, fat or leane, young or old, they
devoure all they can catch in their power. In one of these huntings
they found me in the discovery of the head of the river of Chickahamania, where they slew my men, and tooke me prisoner in a Bogmire, where I saw those exercises, and gathered these Observations.
One Salvage hunting alone.
One Salvage hunting
alone, vseth the skinne of a Deere slit on the one side, and so put on
his arme, through the neck, so that his hand comes to the head which is
stuffed, and the hornes, head, eyes, eares, and every part as
artificially counterfeited as they can devise. Thus shrowding his body
in the skinne by stalking, he approacheth the Deere, creeping on the
ground from one tree to another. If the Deere chance to find fault, or
stand at gaze, he turneth the head with his hand to his best advantage
to seeme like a Deere, also gazing and licking himselfe. So watching
his best advantage to approach, having shot him, he chaseth him by his
bloud and straine till he get him.
Their Consultations.
Their enemies.
Massawomekes.
Their offer of subiection.
When they intend any warres, the Werowances
vsually haue the advice of their their Priests and Coniurers, and their
allies, and ancient friends, but chiefely the Priests determine their
resolution. Every Werowance, or some lustie fellow, they appoint
Captaine over every nation. They seldome make warre for lands or goods,
but for women and children, and principally for revenge. They haue many
enemies, namely, all their westernly Countries beyond the mountaines,
and the heads of the rivers. Vpon the head of the Powhatans are the Monacans, whose chiefe habitation is at Rasauweak, vnto whom the Mowhemenchughes, the Massinnacacks, the Monahassanughs, the Monasickapanoughs, and other nations pay tributes. Vpon the head of the river of Toppahanock is a people called Mannahoacks. To these are contributers the Tauxanias, the Shackacomas, the Ontponeas, the Tegninateos, the Whonkenteaes, the Stegarakes, the Hassinnungaes, and divers others, all confederates with the Monacans,
though many different in language, and be very barbarous, liuing for
the most part of wild beasts and fruits. Beyond the mountaines from
whence is the head of the river Patawomeke, the Salvages report inhabit their most mortall enemies, the Massawomckes, vpon a great salt water, which by all likelihood is either some part of Cannada, some great lake, or some inlet of some sea that falleth into the South sea. These Massawomekes are a great nation and very populous. For the heads of all those rivers, especially the Pattawomekes, the Pautuxuntes, the Sasquesahanocks, the Tockwoughes
are continually tormented by them: of whose crueltie, they generally
complained, and very importunate they were with me, and my company to
free them from these tormentors. To this purpose they offered food,
conduct, assistance, and continuall subiection. Which I concluded to
effect. But the councell then present emulating my successe, would not
thinke it fit to spare me fortie men to be hazzarded in those vnknowne
regions, having passed (as before was spoken of) but with 12, and so
was lost that opportunitie. Seaven boats full of these Massawomekes wee encountred at the head of the Bay;
whose Targets, Baskets, Swords, Tobaccopipes, Platters, Bowes, and
Arrowes, and every thing shewed, they much exceeded them of our parts,
and their dexteritie in their small boats, made of the barkes of trees,
sowed with barke and well luted with gumme, argueth that they are
seated vpon some great water.
Against all these enemies the Powhatans are constrained sometimes to fight. Their chiefe attempts are by Stratagems, trecheries, or surprisals. Yet the Werowances
women and children they put not to death, but keepe them Captiues. They
haue a method in warre, and for our pleasures they shewed it vs, and it
was in this manner performed at Mattapanient.
Their manner of Battell.
Having painted and
disguised themselues in the fiercest manner they could devise. They
divided themselues into two Companies, neare a hundred in a company.
The one company called Monacans, the other Powhatans.
Either army had their Captaine. These as enemies tooke their stands a
musket shot one from another; ranked themselues 15 a breast, and each
ranke from another 4 or 5 yards, not in fyle, but in the opening
betwixt their fyles. So the Reare could shoot as conveniently as the
Front. Having thus pitched the fields: from either part went a
messenger with these conditions, that whosoever were vanquished, such
as escape vpon their submission in two dayes after should liue, but
their wiues and children should be prize for the Conquerours. The
messengers were no sooner returned, but they approached in their
orders; On each flanke a Serieant, and in the Reare an Officer for
Lieutenant, all duly keeping their orders, yet leaping and singing
after their accustomed tune, which they onely vse in Warres. Vpon the
first flight of arrowes they gaue such horrible shouts and screeches,
as so many infernall hell hounds could not haue made them more
terrible. When they had spent their arrowes, they ioyned together
prettily, charging and retyring, every ranke seconding other. As they
got advantage they catched their enemies by the hayre of the head, and
downe he came that was taken. His enemy with his wooden sword seemed to
beat out his braines, and still they crept to the Reare, to maintaine
the skirmish. The Monacans decreasing, the Powhatans charged them in the forme of a halfe Moone; they vnwilling to be inclosed, fled all in a troope to their Ambuscadoes, on whom they led them very cunningly. The Monacans disperse themselues among the fresh men, wherevpon the
Powhatans retired, with all speed to their seconds; which the Monacans
seeing, tooke that advantage to retire againe to their owne battell,
and so each returned to their owne quarter. All their actions, voyces,
and gestures, both in charging and retiring were so strained to the
height of their qualitie and nature, that the strangenesse thereof made
it seeme very delightfull.
Their Musicke.
Their entertainement.
For their Musicke
they vse a thicke Cane, on which they pipe as on a Recorder. For their
warres they haue a great deepe platter of wood. They cover the mouth
thereof with a skin, at each corner they tie a walnut, which meeting on
the backside neere the bottome, with a small rope they twitch them
together till it be so tought and stiffe, that they may beat vpon it as
vpon a drumme. But their chiefe instruments are Rattles made of small
gourds, or Pumpeons shels. Of these they haue Base, Tenor,
Countertenor, Meane, and Treble. These mingled with their voyces
sometimes twenty or thirtie together, make such a terrible noise as
would rather affright, then delight any man. If any great commander
arriue at the habitation of a Werowance,
they spread a Mat as the Turkes doe a Carpet for him to sit vpon. Vpon
another right opposite they sit themselues. Then doe all with a tunable
voice of shouting bid him welcome. After this doe two or more of their
chiefest men make an Oration, testifying their loue. Which they doe
with such vehemency, and so great passions, that they sweat till they
drop, and are so out of breath they can scarce speake. So that a man
would take them to be exceeding angry, or stark mad. Such victuall as
they haue, they spend freely, and at night where his lodging is
appointed, they set a woman fresh painted red with Pocones and oyle, to be his bed-fellow.
Their trade.
Their manner of
trading is for copper, beads, and such like, for which they giue such
commodities as they haue, as skins, foule, fish, flesh, and their
Country Corne. But their victualls are their chiefest riches.
Their Phisicke.
Their Chirurgery.
Their charms to cure.
Every spring they
make themselues sicke with drinking the iuyce of a roote they call Wighsacan,
and water; whereof they powre so great a quantitie, that it purgeth
them in a very violent manner; so that in three or foure dayes after,
they scarce recover their former health. Sometimes they are troubled
with dropsies, swellings, aches, and such like diseases; for cure
whereof they build a Stoue in the forme of a Doue-house with mats, so
close that a few coales therein covered with a pot, will make the
patient sweat extreamely. For swellings also they vse small peeces of
touchwood, in the forme of cloues, which pricking on the griefe they
burne close to the flesh, and from thence draw the corruption with
their mouth. With this roote Wighsacan
they ordinarily heale greene wounds. But to scarrifie a swelling, or
make incision, their best instruments are some splinted stone. Old
vlcers, or putrified hurts are seldome seene cured amongst them. They
haue many professed Phisicians, who with their charmes and Rattles,
with an infernall rout of words and actions, will seeme to sucke their
inward griefe from their navels, or their grieued places; but of our
Chirurgians they were so conceited, that they beleeued any Plaister
would heale any hurt.
But'tis not alwayes in Phisicians skill,
To heale the Patient that is sicke and ill:
For sometimes sicknesse on the Patients part,
Proues stronger farre then all Phisicians art.
Of their Religion.
Their God.
How they bury their Kings
THere is yet in Virginia
no place discovered to be so Savage, in which they haue not a Religion,
Deere, and Bow, and Arrowes. All things that are able to doe them hurt
beyond their prevention, they adore with their kinde of divine worship;
as the fire, water, lightning, thunder, our Ordnance, peeces, horses,
&c. But their chiefe God they worship is the Devill. Him they call Okee,
and serue him more of feare then loue. They say they haue conference
with him, and fashion themselues as neare to his shape as they can
imagine. In their Temples they haue his image euill favouredly carved,
and then painted and adorned with chaines of copper, and beads, and
covered with a skin, in such manner as the deformitie may well suit
with such a God. By him is commonly the sepulcher of their Kings. Their
bodies are first bowelled, then dried vpon hurdles till they be very
dry, and so about the most of their ioynts and necke they hang
bracelets, or chaines of copper, pearle, and such like, as they vse to
weare, their inwards they stuffe with copper beads, hatchets, and such
trash. Then lappe they them very carefully in white skins, and so rowle
them in mats for their winding sheets. And in the Tombe which is an
arch made of mats, they lay them orderly. What remaineth of this kinde
of wealth their Kings haue, they set at their feet in baskets. These
Temples and bodies are kept by their Priests.
Their ordinary burials.
For their ordinary
burials, they dig a deepe hole in the earth with sharpe stakes, and the
corpse being lapped in skins and mats with their iewels, they lay them
vpon stickes in the ground, and so cover them with earth. The buriall
ended, the women being painted all their faces with blacke cole and
oyle, doe sit twenty-foure houres in the houses mourning and lamenting
by turnes, with such yelling and howling, as may expresse their great
passions.
Their Temples.
In every Territory of a Werowance is a Temple and a Priest, two or three or more. Their principall Temple or place of superstition is at Vttamussack, at Pamavnkee, neare vnto which is a house, Temple, or place of Powhatans.
Vpon the top of
certaine red sandy hils in the woods, there are three great houses
filled with images of their Kings, and Devils, and Tombes of their
Predecessors. Those houses are neare sixtie foot in length built
arbour-wise, after their building. This place they count so holy as
that but the Priests & Kings dare come into them; nor the Salvages
dare not goe vp the river in boats by it, but they solemnly cast some
peece of copper, white beads, or Pocones into the river, for feare their Okee should be offended and revenged of them.
Thus, Feare was the first their Gods begot;
Till feare began, their Gods were not.
Their ornaments for their Priests.
In this place
commonly are resident seauen Priests. The chiefe differed from the rest
in his ornaments, but inferior Priests could hardly be knowne from the
common people, but that they had not so many holes in their eares to
hang their iewels at. The ornaments of the chiefe Priest were certaine
attires for his head made thus. They tooke a dosen, or 16, or more
snakes skins and stuffed them with mosse, and of Weesels and other
Vermines skins a good many. All these they tie by their tailes, so as
all their tailes meete in the toppe of their head like a great Tassell.
Round about this Tassell is as it were a crowne of feathers, the skins
hang round about his head, necke, and shoulders, and in a manner cover
his face. The faces of all their Priests are painted as vgly as they
can devise, in their hands they had every one his Rattle, some base,
some smaller. Their devotion was most in songs, which the chiefe Priest
beginneth and the rest followed him, sometimes he maketh invocations
with broken sentences by starts and strange passions, and at every
pause, the rest giue a short groane.
Thus seeke they in deepe foolishnesse,
To climbe the height of happinesse.
The times of solemnities.
It could not be
perceiued that they keepe any day as more holy then other; But onely in
some great distresse of want, feare of enemies, times of triumph and
gathering together their fruits, the whole Country of men, women, and
children come together to solemnities. The manner of their devotion is,
sometimes to make a great fire, in the house or fields, and all to sing
and dance about it with Rattles and shouts
together, foure or fiue houres.
Sometimes they set a man in the midst, and about him they dance and
sing, he all the while clapping his hands, as if he would keepe time,
and after their songs and dauncings ended they goe to heir Feasts.
Through God begetting feare,
Mans blinded minde did reare
A hell-god to the ghosts;
A heaven-god to the hoasts;
Yea God vnto the Seas:
Feare did create all these.
Their coniurations. Their Altars.
They haue also
divers coniurations, one they made when I was their prisoner; of which
hereafter you shall reade at large.
Sacrifices to the water.
They haue also certaine Altar stones they call Parocorances,
but these stand from their Temples, some by their houses, others in the
woods and wildernesses, where they haue had any extraordinary accident,
or incounter. And as you travell, at those stones they will tell you
the cause why they were there erected, which from age to age they
instruct their children, as their best records of antiquities. Vpon
these they offer bloud, Deere suet, and Tobacco. This they doe when
they returne from the Warres, from hunting, and vpon many other
occasions. They haue also another superstition that they vse in
stormes, when the waters are rough in the Rivers and Sea coasts. Their
Coniurers runne to the water sides, or passing in their boats, after
many hellish outcryes and invocations, they cast Tobacco, Copper, Pocones,
or such trash into the water, to pacifie that God whom they thinke to
be very angry in those stormes. Before their dinners and suppers the
better sort will take the first bit, and cast it in the fire, which is
all the grace they are knowne to vse.
Their solemn Sacrifices of children, which they call Black-boyes.
Those
Black-boyes are made so mad with a kind of drinke, that they will doe
any mischiefe, at the command of their Keepers.
In some part of the
Country they haue yearely a sacrifice of children. Such a one was at Quiyoughcohanock some ten myles from Iames
Towne, and thus performed. Fifteene of the properest young boyes,
betweene ten and fifteene yeares of age they painted white. Having
brought them forth, the people spent the forenoone in dancing and
singing about them with Rattles. In the afternoone they put those
children to the roote of a tree. By them all the men stood in a guard,
every one having a Bastinado in his hand, made of reeds bound together.
This made a lane betweene them all along, through which there were
appointed fiue young men to fetch these children: so every one of the
fiue went through the guard to fetch a childe each after other by
turnes, the guard fiercely beating them with their Bastinadoes, and
they patiently enduring and receiuing all defending the children with
their naked bodies from the vnmercifull blowes, that pay them soundly,
though the children escape. All this while the women weepe and cry out
very passionately, prouiding mats, skins, mosse, and dry wood, as
things fitting their childrens funerals. After the children were thus
passed the guard, the guard tore down the trees, branches & boughs,
with such violence that they rent the body, and made wreaths for their
heads, or bedecked their hayre with the leaues. What els was done with
the children, was not seene, but they were all cast on a heape, in a
valley as dead, where they made a great feast for all the company. The Werowance being demanded the meaning of this sacrifice, answered that the children were not all dead, but that the Okee or Divell
did sucke the bloud from their left breast, who chanced to be his by
lot, till they were dead, but the rest were kept in the wildernesse by
the young men till nine moneths were expired, during which time they
must not converse with any, and of these were made their Priests and
Coniurers. This sacrifice they held to be so necessary, that if they
should omit it, their Okee or Devill, and all their other Quiyoughcosughes,
which are their other Gods, would let them haue no Deere, Turkies,
Corne, nor fish, and yet besides, he would make a great slaughter
amongst them.
Their resurrection.
They thinke that their Werowances and Priests which they also esteeme Quiyoughcosughes, when they are dead, doe goe beyond the mountaines towards the setting of the sunne, and ever remaine there in forme of their Okee, with their heads painted
with oyle and Pocones,
finely trimmed with feathers, and shall haue beads, hatchets, copper,
and Tobacco, doing nothing but dance and sing, with all their
Predecessors. But the common people they suppose shall not liue after
death, but rot in their graues like dead dogs.
To divert them from
this blind Idolatry, we did our best endevours, chiefly with the Werowance of Quiyoughcohanock,
whose devotion, apprehension, and good disposition, much exceeded any
in those Countries, with whom although we could not as yet prevaile, to
forsake his false Gods, yet this he did beleeue that our God as much
exceeded theirs, as our Gunnes did their Bowes & Arrowes, and many
times did send to me to Iames Towne,
intreating me to pray to my God for raine, for their Gods would not
send them any. And in this lamentable ignorance doe these poore soules
sacrifice themselues to the Devill, not knowing their Creator; and we
had not language sufficient, so plainly to expresse it as make them
vnderstand it; which God grant they may.
For, Religion 'tis that doth distinguish vs,
From their bruit humor, well we may it know;
That can with vnderstanding argue thus,
Our God is truth, but they cannot doe so.
Of the manner of the Virginians Government.
A description of Powhatan.
His attendăce and watch.
ALthough the Country
people be very barbarous, yet haue they amongst them such government,
as that their Magistrates for good commanding, and their people for due
subiection, and obeying, excell many places that would be counted very
civill. The forme of their Common-wealth is a Monarchicall government,
one as Emperour ruleth ouer many Kings or Governours. Their chiefe
ruler is called Powhatan, and taketh his name of his principall place of dwelling called Powhatan. But his proper name is Wahunsonacock. Some Countries he hath which haue beene his ancestors, and came vnto him by inheritance, as the Country called Powhatan, Arrohateck, Appamatuck, Pamavnkee, Youghtanund, and Mattapanient.
All the rest of his Territories expressed in the Mappe, they report
haue beene his severall Conquests. In all his ancient inheritances, he
hath houses built after their manner like arbours, some 30. some 40.
yards long, and at every house provision for his entertainement
according to the time. At Werowcomeco on the Northside of the river Pamavnkee, was his residence, when I was delivered him prisoner, some 14 myles from Iames
Towne, where for the most part, he was resident, but at last he tooke
so little pleasure in our neare neighbourhood, that he retired himselfe
to Orapakes, in the desert betwixt Chickahamania and Youghtanund.
He is of personage a tall well proportioned man, with a sower looke,
his head somwhat gray, his beard so thinne, that it seemeth none at
all, his age neare sixtie; of a very able and hardy body to endure any
labour. About his person ordinarily attendeth a guard of 40 or 50 of
the tallest men his Country doth afford. Every night vpon the foure
quarters of his house are foure Sentinels, each from other a flight
shoot, and at every halfe houre one from the Corps du guard
doth hollow, shaking his lips with his finger betweene them; vnto whom
every Sentinell doth answer round from his stand: if any faile, they
presently send forth an officer that beateth him extreamely.
His treasury.
A myle from Orapakes
in a thicket of wood, he hath a house in which he keepeth his kinde of
Treasure, as skinnes, copper, pearle, and beads, whith he storeth vp
against the time of his death and buriall. Here also is his store of
red paint for oyntment, bowes and arrowes, Targets and clubs. This
house is fiftie or sixtie yards in length, frequented onely by Priests.
At the foure corners of this house stand foure
Images as Sentinels, one of a
Dragon, another a Beare, the third like a Leopard, and the fourth like
a giantlike man, all made evill favouredly, according to their best
workemanship.
His wiues.
His successors
He hath as many
women as he will, whereof when he lieth on his bed, one sitteth at his
head, and another at his feet, but when he sitteth, one sitteth on his
right hand and another on his left. As he is weary of his women, he
bestoweth them on those that best deserue them at his bands. When he
dineth or suppeth, one of his women before and after meat, bringeth him
water in a wooden platter to wash his hands. Another waiteth with a
bunch of feathers to wipe them in stead of a Towell, and the feathers
when he hath wiped are dryed againe. His kingdomes descend not to his
sonnes nor children, but first to his brethren, whereof he hath 3.
namely, Opitchapan, Opechancanough, and Catataugh,
and after their decease to his sisters. First to the eldest sister,
then to the rest, and after them to the heires male or female of the
eldest sister, but never to the heires of the males.
Their authoritie.
The tenor of their lands.
His manner of punishments.
He nor any of his
people vnderstand any letters, whereby to write or reade, onely the
lawes whereby he ruleth is custome. Yet when he listeth his will is a
law and must be obeyed: not onely as a King, but as halfe a God they
esteeme him. His inferiour Kings whom they call Werowances, are tyed to rule by customes, and haue power of life and death at their command in that nature. But this word Werowance,
which we call and construe for a King, is a common word, whereby they
call all commanders: for they haue but few words in their language, and
but few occasions to vse any officers more then one commander, which
commonly they call Werowance, or Caucorouse,
which is Captaine. They all know their severall lands, and habitations,
and limits, to fish, foule, or hunt in, but they hold all of their
great Werowance Powhatan, vnto whom they
pay tribute of skinnes, beads, copper, pearle, deere, turkies, wild
beasts, and corne. What he commandeth they dare not disobey in the
least thing. It is strange to see with what great feare and adoration,
all these people doe obey this Powhatan.
For at his feet they present whatsoever he commandeth, and at the least
frowne of his brow, their greatest spirits will tremble with feare: and
no marvell, for he is very terrible & tyrannous in punishing such
as offend him. For example, he caused certaine malefactors to be bound
hand and foot, then having of many fires gathered great store of
burning coales, they rake these coales round in the forme of a cockpit,
and in the midst they cast the offenders to broyle to death. Sometimes
he causeth the heads of them that offend him, to be laid vpon the altar
or sacrificing stone, and one with clubbes beats out their braines.
When he would punish any notorious enemy or malefactor, he causeth him
to be tyed to a tree, and with Mussell shels or reeds, the executioner
cutteth off his ioynts one after another, ever casting what they cut of
into the fire; then doth he proceed with shels and reeds to case the
skinne from his head and face; then doe they rip his belly and so burne
him with the tree and all. Thus themselues reported they executed George Cassen. Their ordinary correction is to beate them with cudgels. We haue seene a man kneeling on his knees, and at Powhatans
command, two men haue beate him on the bare skin, till he hath fallen
senselesse in a sound, and yet never cry nor complained. And he made a
woman for playing the whore, sit vpon a great stone, on her bare breech
twenty foure houres, onely with corne and water, every three dayes,
till nine dayes were past, yet he loued her exceedingly:
notwithstanding there are common whores by profession.
In the yeare 1608, he surprised the people of Payankatank
his neare neighbours and subiects. The occasion was to vs vnknowne, but
the manner was thus. First he sent divers of his men as to lodge
amongst them that night, then the Ambuscadoes
environed all their houses, and at the houre appointed, they all fell
to the spoyle, twenty-foure men they slew, the long haire of the one
side of their heads, with the skinne cased off with shels or reeds,
they brought away. They surprised also the women, and the children, and
the Werowance. All these they presented to Powhatan. The Werowance, women and children became his prisoners, and doe him service.
The lockes of haire with their skinnes he hanged on a line betwixt two trees. And thus he made ostentation of his triumph at Werowocomoco, where he intended to haue done as much to mee and my company.
And this is as much
as my memory can call to minde worthy of note; which I haue purposely
collected, to satisfie my friends of the true worth and qualitie of Virginia.
Yet some bad natures will not sticke to slander the Countrey, that will
slovenly spit at all things, especially in company where they can finde
none to contradict them. Who though they were scarce euer ten myles
from Iames Towne, or at the most but at
the falles; yet holding it a great disgrace that amongst so much
action, their actions were nothing, exclaime of all things, though they
never adventured to know any thing; nor euer did any thing but devoure
the fruits of other mens labours. Being for most part of such tender
educations, and small experience in Martiall accidents, because they
found not English Cities, nor such faire houses, nor at their owne
wishes any of their accustomed dainties, with feather beds and downe
pillowes, Tavernes and Alehouses in every breathing place, neither such
plentie of gold and silver and dissolute libertie, as they expected,
had little or no care of any thing, but to pamper their bellies, to fly
away with our Pinnaces, or procure their meanes to returne for England. For the Country was to them a misery, a ruine, a death, a hell, and their reports here, and their actions there according.
Some other there
were that had yearely stipends to passe to and againe for
transportation: who to keepe the mysterie of the businesse in
themselues, though they had neither time nor meanes to know much of
themselues; yet all mens actions or relations they so formally tuned to
the temporizing times simplicitie, as they could make their ignorances
seeme much more, then all the true actors could by their experience.
And those with their great words deluded the world with such strange
promises, as abused the businesse much worse then the rest. For the
businesse being builded vpon the foundation of their fained experience,
the planters, the money and meanes haue still miscarried: yet they ever
returning, and the planters so farre absent, who could contradict their
excuses? which, still to maintaine their vaine glory and estimation,
from time to time haue vsed such diligence as made them passe for
truths, though nothing more false. And that the adventurers might be
thus abused, let no man wonder; for the wisest liuing is soonest abused
by him that hath a faire tongue and a dissembling heart.
There were many in Virginia
meerely proiecting, verball, and idle contemplators, and those so
devoted to pure idlenesse, that though they had liued two or three
yeares in Virginia, lordly, necessitie it selfe could not compell them to passe the Peninsula, or Pallisadoes of Iames
Towne, and those witty spirits, what would they not affirme in the
behalfe of our transporters, to get victuall from their ships, or
obtaine their good words in England, to get their passes. Thus from the clamors, and the ignorance of false informers, are sprung those disasters that sprung in Virginia: and our ingenious verbalists were no lesse plague to vs in Virginia,
then the Locusts to the Egyptians. For the labour of twentie or thirtie
of the best onely preserved in Christianitie by their industry, the
idle livers of neare two hundred of the rest: who liuing neere ten
moneths of such naturall meanes, as the Country naturally of it selfe
afforded, notwithstanding all this, and the worst fury of the Salvages,
the extremitie of sicknesse, mutinies, faction, ignorances, and want of
victuall; in all that time I lost but seaven or eight men, yet
subiected the salvages to our desired obedience, and receiued
contribution from thirtie fiue of their Kings, to protect and assist
them against any that should assault them, in which order they
continued true and faithfull, and as subiects to his Maiestie, so long
after as I did governe there, vntill I left the Countrey: since, how
they haue revolted, the Countrie lost, and againe replanted, and the
businesses hath succeded from time to time, I referre you to the
relations of them returned from Virginia, that haue beene more diligent in such Observations.
Iohn Smith writ this with his owne hand.
Because many doe desire to know the manner of their Language, I haue inserted these few words.
- KA katorawines yowo. What call you this.
- Nemarough, a man.
- Crenepo, a woman.
- Marowanchesso, a boy.
- Yehawkans, Houses.
- Matchcores, Skins, or garments.
- Mockasins, Shooes.
- Tussan, Beds. Pokatawer, Fire.
- Attawp, Abow. Attonce, Arrowes.
- Monacookes, Swords.
- Aumouhhowgh, A Target.
- Pawcussacks, Gunnes.
- Tomahacks, Axes.
- Tockahacks, Pickaxes.
- Pamesacks, Kniues.
- Accowprets, Sheares.
- Pawpecones, Pipes. Mattassin, Copper
- Vssawassin, Iron, Brasse, Silver, or any white mettall. Musses, Woods.
- Attasskuss, Leaues, weeds, or grasse.
- Chepsin, Land. Shacquohocan. A stone.
- Wepenter, A cookold.
- Suckahanna, Water. Noughmass, Fish.
- Copotone, Sturgeon.
- Weghshaughes, Flesh.
- Sawwehone, Bloud.
- Netoppew, Friends.
- Marrapough, Enemies.
- Maskapow, the worst of the enemies.
- Mawchick chammay, The best of friends
- Casacunnakack, peya quagh acquintan vttasantasough, In how many daies will there come hither any more English Ships.
- Their Numbers.
- Necut, 1. Ningh, 2. Nuss, 3. Yowgh, 4. Paranske, 5. Comotinch, 6. Toppawoss, 7 Nusswash, 8. Kekatawgh, 9. Kaskeke 10 They count no more but by tennes as followeth.
- Case, how many.
- Ninghsapooeksku, 20.
- Nussapooeksku, 30.
- Yowghapooeksku, 40.
- Parankestassapooeksku, 50.
- Comatinchtassapoocksku, 60.
- Nussswashtassapooeksku, 70.
- Kekataughtassapoocksku, 90.
- Necuttoughtysinough, 100.
- Necuttwevnquaough, 1000.
- Rawcosowghs, Dayes.
- Keskowghes, Sunnes.
- Toppquough. Nights.
- Nepawweshowghs, Moones.
- Pawpaxsoughes, Yeares.
- Pummahumps, Starres.
- Osies, Heavens.
- Okees, Gods.
- Quiyoughcosoughs, Pettie Gods, and their affinities.
- Righcomoughes, Deaths.
- Kekughes, Liues.
- Mowchick woyawgh tawgh noeragh kaquere mecher, I am very hungry? what shall I eate?
- Tawnor nehiegh Powhatan, Where dwels Powhatan.
- Mache, nehiegh yourowgh, Orapaks. Now he dwels a great way hence at Orapaks.
- Vittapitchewayne anpechitchs nehawper Werowacomoco, You lie, he staid ever at Werowacomoco.
- Kator nehiegh mattagh neer vttapitchewayne, Truely he is there I doe not lie.
- Spanghtynere keraghwerowance mawmarinough kekate wawgh peyaquaugh. Run you then to the King Mawmarynough and bid him come hither.
- Vtteke, epeya weyack wighwhip, Get you gone, & come againe quickly.
- Kekaten Pokahont as patiaquagh niugh tanks manotyens neer mowchick rawrenock audowgh, Bid Pokahontas bring hither two little Baskets, and I will giue her white Beads to make her a Chaine.
FINIS. |
