THE GENERALL HISTORIE OF THE BERMVDAS, now called the Summer Iles,
from their beginning in the yeere of our Lord 1593. to this present
1624. with their proceedings, accidents and present estate.
The Description of the Iles.
BEfore we present
you the matters of fact, it is fit to offer to your view the Stage
whereon they were acted, for as Geography without History seemeth a
carkasse without motion, so History without Geography, wandreth as a
Vagrant without a certaine habitation. Those Ilands lie in the huge
maine Ocean, and two hundred leagues from any continent, situated in
32. degrees and 25. minutes, of Northerly latitude, and distant from England
West South-West, about 3300. miles, some twenty miles in length, and
not past two miles and a halfe in breadth, enuironed with Rocks, which
to the North-ward, West-ward, and South-East, extend further then they
haue bin yet well discouered: by reason of those Rocks the Country is
naturally very strong, for there is but two places, & scare two,
vnlesse to them who know them well, where shipping may safely come in,
and those now are exceeding well fortified, but within is roome to
entertaine a royall Fleet: the Rocks in most places appeare at a low
water, neither are they much couered at a high, for it ebbs and flowes
not past fiue foot; the shore for most part is a Rocke, so hardened
with the sunne, wind and sea, that it is not apt to be worne away with
the waues, whose violence is also broke by the Rocks before they can
come to the shore: it is very vneuen, distributed into hills and dales;
the mold is of diuers colours, neither clay nor sand, but a meane
betweene; the red which resembleth clay is the worst, the whitest
resembling sand and the blackest is good, but the browne betwixt them
both which they call white, because there is mingled with it a white
meale is the best: vnder the mould two or three foot deep, and
sometimes lesse, is a kinde of white hard substance which they call the
Rocke: the trees vsually fasten their roots in it; neither is it indeed
rocke or stone, or so hard, though for most part more harder then
Chalke; nor so white, but pumish-like and spungy, easily receiuing and
containing much water. In some places Clay is found vnder it, it seemes
to be ingendred with raine water, draining through the earth, and
drawing with it of his substance vnto a certaine depth where it
congeales; the hardest kinde of it lies vnder the red ground like
quarries, as it were thicke slates one vpon another, through which the
water hath his passage, so that in such places there is scarce found
any fresh water, for all or the most part of the fresh water commeth
out of the Sea draining through the sand, or that substance called the
Rocke, leauing the salt behinde, it becomes fresh: sometimes we digged
wells of fresh water which we finde in most places, and but three or
foure paces from the Sea side, some further, the most part of them
would ebbe and flow as the Sea did, and be leuell or little higher then
the superficies of the sea, and in some places very strange, darke and
cumbersome Caues.
The clime, temper and fertility.
The aire is most
commonly cleere, very temperate, moist, with a moderate heat, very
healthfull and apt for the generation and nourishing of all things, so
as many things transported from hence yeeld a farre greater increase,
and if it be any liuing thing it becomes fatter and better; by this
meanes the country is so replenished with Hens and Turkies, within the
space of three or foure yeeres, that many of them being neglected,
forsake the houses and become wilde, and so liue in great abundance;
the like increase there is in Hogs, tame Conies, and other Cattle
according to their kindes. There seemes to be a continuall Spring,
which is the cause some things come not to that maturity and perfection
as were requisite; and though the trees shed their leaues, yet they are
alwaies full of greene, the Corne is the same they haue in Virginia, and the West-Indies:
of this and many other things without plowing or much labour, they haue
two Haruests euery yeere, for they set about March, which they gather
in Iuly; and againe in August, which they reape in December; and little
slips of Fig-trees and Vines doe vsually beare fruit within the yeere,
and sometimes in lesse; but we finde not the Grapes as yet come to any
perfection; the like fertility it hath in Oranges and Limons,
Pomgranates, and other things. Concerning the serenity and beauty of
the skie, it may as truly be said of those Ilands as euer it was said
of the Rhodes, that there is no one day throughout the 12. moneths, but
that in some houre thereof, the sun lookes singularly & cleere vpon
them: for the temperature it is beyond all others most admirable; no
cold there is beyond an English Aprill, nor heat much greater then an
ordinary Iuly in France, so that frost and
snow is neuer seene here, nor stinking and infectious mists very
seldome, by reason of the maine Ocean, there is some wind stirring that
cooles the aire:the winter they haue obserues the time with ours, but
the longest daies and nights are shorter then ours almost by two houres.
Trees and Fruits.
The Prickell Peare.
The poison weed.
The red weed.
We found it at first
all ouergrowne with weeds, and plants of seuerall kinds, as many tall
and goodly Cedars, infinite store of Palmetoes, numbers of Mulberies,
wild Oliue-trees store, with diuers others vnknowne both by name and
nature, so that as yet they become lost to many vsefull imployments,
which time and industry no doubt will one day discouer, and euen
already certaine of the most notorious of them haue gotten them
appellations from their apparent effects, as the Prickell-peare which
growes like a shrub by the ground, with broad thick leaues, all
ouer-armed with long and sharpe dangerous thornes, the fruit being in
forme not much vnlike a small greene Peare, and on the outside of the
same colour, but within bloud red, and exceeding full of iuice; with
graines not much vnlike the Pomgranat, and colouring after its nature.
The poysoned weed is much in shape like our English Iuy, but being but
touched, causeth rednesse, itching, and lastly blisters, the which
howsoeuer after a while passe away of themselues without further harme,
yet because for the time they are somewhat painfull, it hath got it
selfe an ill name, although questionlesse of no ill nature. Here is
also frequently growing a certaine tall Plant, whose stalke being all
ouer couered with a red rinde, is thereupon termed the red weed, the
root whereof being soked in any liquor, or but a small quantity of the
luice drunke alone, procures a very forcible vomit, and yet is
generally vsed by the people, and found very effectuall against the
paines and distempers of the stomacke.
The purging Beane.
The costiue tree.
Red Pepper.
The Sea feather. Fruits Transported.
A kinde of Wood-bind
there is likewise by the Sea very commonly to bee found, which runnes
vpon trees twining it selfe like a Vine: the fruit somewhat resembles a
Beane, but somewhat flatter, the which any way eaten worketh
excellently in the nature of a purge, and though very vehemently, yet
without all perill. Contrary to this, another small tree there is,
which causeth costiuenesse; there is also a certaine Plant like a
bramble bush, which beares a long yellow fruit, hauing the shell very
hard, and within it a hard berry, that beaten and taken inwardly
purgeth gently. There is another fruit much like our Barberies, which
being beaten or brused betweene the teeth, sets all the mouth on an
extreme heat very terrible for the time, to auoid which they are
swallowed downe whole,
and found of the same or better
operation then the red Pepper, and thence borroweth the name. In the
bottome of the Sea there is growing vpon the Rocks a large kinde of
Plant in the forme of a Vine leafe, but far more spread with veines in
colour of a pale red, very strangely interlaced & wouen one into
another, which we call the Feather, but the vertue thereof is
altogether vnknowne, but only regarded for the rarity. Now besides
these naturall productions, prouidences & paines since the
Plantation, haue offered diuers other seeds & plants, which the
soile hath greedlily imbraced & cherished, so that at this present
1623. there are great abundance of white, red and yellow coloured
Potatoes, Tobacco, Sugarcanes, Indicos, Parsnips, exceeding large
Radishes, the American bread, the Cassado root, the Indian Pumpian, the
Water-million, Musk-million, & the most delicate Pine-apples,
Plantans, and Papawes, also the English Artichoke, Pease, &c.
briefly whatsoeuer else may be expected for the satisfaction either of
curiosity, necessity or delight.
Birds.
Egge-Birds.
Neither hath the
aire for her part been wanting with due supplies of many sorts of
Fowles, as the gray and white Hearne, the gray and greene Plouer, some
wilde Ducks and Malards, Coots and Red-shankes, Sea-wigions,
Gray-bitterns, Cormorants, numbers of small Birds like Sparrowes and
Robins, which haue lately beene destroyed by the wilde Cats,
Wood-pickars, very many Crowes, which since this Plantation are kild,
the rest fled or seldome seene except in the most vninhabited places,
from whence they are obserued to take their flight about sun set,
directing their course towards the North-west, which makes many
coniecture there are some more Ilands not far off that way. Sometimes
are also seene Falcons & Iar-falcons, Ospraies, a Bird like a
Hobby, but because they come seldome, they are held but as passengers;
but aboue all these, most deseruing obseruation and respect are those
two sorts of Birds, the one for the tune of his voice, the other for
the effect, called the Cahow, and Egge bird, which on the first of May,
a day constantly obserued, fall a laying infinite store of Eggs neere
as big as Hens, vpon certaine small sandie baies especially in Coupers
Ile; and although men sit downe amongst them when hundreds haue bin
gathered in a morning, yet there is hath stayed amongst them till they
haue gathered as many more: they continue this course till Midsummer,
and so tame & feareles, you must thrust them off from their Eggs
with your hand; then they grow so faint with laying, they suffer them
to breed & take infinite numbers of their young to eat, which are
very excellent meat.
Cahowes.
The Tropicke Bird and the Pemblicos presagements.
The Cahow is a Bird
of the night, for all the day she lies hid in holes in the Rocks, where
they and their young are also taken with as much ease as may be, but in
the night if you but whoop and hollow, they will light vpon you, that
with your hands you may chuse the fat and leaue the leane; those they
haue only in winter:their Eggs are as big as hens, but they are
speckled, the other white. Mr. Norwood
hath taken twenty dozen of them in three or foure houres, and since
there hath beene such hauocke made of them, they were neere all
destroyed, till there was a strict inhibition for their preseruation.
The Tropicke bird is white, as large as a Pullet, with one onely long
Feather in her taile, and is seldome seene far distant from other of
the Tropicks: another small Bird there is, because she cries Pemblyco
they call her so, she is seldome seene in the day but when she sings,
as too oft she doth very clamorously; too true a Prophet she proues of
huge winds and boysterous weather: there were a kinde of small Owles in
great abundance, but they are now all slaine or fled: some tame Ducks,
Geese and Pigeons there are, but the two latter prosper not.
Of Vermine.
Note.
Concerning vermine
and noisome creatures, there are not many, but onely Rats and Cats,
there increased since the Plantation, but how they agree together you
shall heare hereafter. The Musketas and Flies are also too busie, with
a certaine India Bug, called by the Spaniards a Cacarootch, the which
creeping into Chests they eat and defile with their ill-sented dung:
also the little Ants in summer time are so troublesome, they are forced
to dry their figs vpon high frames, and anoint their feet with tar,
wherein they sticke, else they would spoile them all
ere they could be dryed: Wormes
in the earth also there are, but too many, so that to keepe them from
destroying their Corne and Tobacco, they are forced to worme them euery
morning, which is a great labour, else all would be destroyed. Lizards
there were many and very large, but now none, and it is said they were
destoyed by the Cat. Certaine Spiders also of very large size are found
hanging vpon trees, but instead of being any way dangerous as in other
places, they are here of a most pleasing aspect, all ouer drest, as it
were with Siluer, Gold, and Pearle, and their Webs in the Summer wouen
from tree to tree, are generally a perfect raw silke, and that as well
in regard of substance as colour, and so strong withall, that diuers
Birds bigger than Black-birds, being like Snipes, are often taken and
snared in them as a Net: then what would the Silke-worme doe were shee
there to feede vpon the continuall greene Mulbery?
Fishes.
The most hurtfull things in those Iles.
But aboue all the
rest of the Elements, the Sea is found most abundantly liberall: hence
haue they as much excellent Fish, and as much variety as need be
desired. The most of which being vnknowne to our Northerne parts, got
there new names, either for their shapes or conditions; as the large
Rocke-fish from his like hew, and haunting amongst the Rocks, the fat
Hog-fish from his swine-like shape and snout: for this is not the old
knowne Hog-fish with brussels on his backe; the delicate Amber-fish
from his taste and smell, Angell-fish, Cony-fish, the small yellow
taile from that naturall painting; the great Growper from his odde and
strange grunting, some of them yet knowne to the Americans,
as the Purgoose, the Cauallo, the Gar-fish, Flying-fish and Morerayes:
the rest are common to other Continents; as the Whale in great numbers,
the Sharke, the Pilot-fish, the Sea-Breame, the Oyster and Lobster,
with diuers others; twenty Tortoises haue beene taken in a day, and
some of them will affoord halfe a bushell of Egges, and suffice to seed
forty men at a meale. And thus haue you briefely epitomized Mother
Natures benefits to this little, yet dainty spot of earth, neither were
it ingenuity to conceale where in shee inclineth to the Stepdame,
especially since the particulars are so few, as rather requisite
Antidotes against idlenesse to rouse vp industry, then any great cause
of much distaste, much lesse despaire: and of those to speake troth,
there are onely two: viz. the Winds, and
the Wormes, especially in the Spring and Autumne; and thus conditioned
as yet we will let rest these small Ilands, in the midst of this
mightie and maine Ocean, so inuironed on euery side, by infinite
numbers of vncertaine scattered Rocks, lying shallowly hid vnder the
surface of the water, a league, two, three, foure, or fiue, to Sea, to
the which aduantagers added by art, as hereafter you shall heare at
large, and finde described in the Map. It may well be concluded to be
the most impregnable place in the world, and although the Amber Greece,
Pearles, nor Tobacco, are of that quantity and certainty to be relied
vpon to gaine wealth; yet by practise and experience they finde, by
Silke, Saffron, Indico, Madar, Sugar-canes, Wine, Oile, and such like
great profit may be expected: yet were those hopelesse in regard of
their conueniency to nourish and maintaine themselues, and releeue them
shall visit them with wood, water, and other necessaries, besides what
an eye-sore they are already becommed to them that haue them not, and
how deare and pretious to them that haue them, I thinke none will deny
but they are well worth the keeping: and so we will proceed to the
accidents that befell the first finders; also the proceedings of the
first Planters and their successors, Master Norrod, Thomas Sparkes, and diuers others.
A briefe relation of the sbipwracke of Henry May.
1593.
How it is supposed they were called the Bermudas.
HOw these Iles came by the name of Bermudas, or the infinite number of blacke Hogs, or so fearfull to the world, that many called them the Ile of Deuils,
that all men did shun as Hell and perdition; I will not expostulate,
nor trouble your patiences with those vncertaine antiquities
further then thus; our men
found diuers crosses, peeces of Spanish monies here and there. Two or
three wracks also they found, by certaine inscriptions to bee some
Spanish, some Dutch, some French; but the greatest rumour is, that a
Spanish ship called Bermudas was there cast away, carrying Hogges to the West-Indies that swam a shore, and there increased: how the Spaniards escaped is vncertaine: but they say, from that ship those Iles were first called Bermudas, which till then for six thousand yeares had beene namelesse.
But the first English-man that was euer in them, was one Henry May, a worthy Mariner that went with Captaine Lancaster to the East-Indies 1591. and in their returne by the West-Indies, being in some distresse, sent this Henry May for England by one Mounsier de la Barbotier, to acquaint the Merchants with their estate. The last of Nouember, saith May, we departed from Laguna in Hispaniola, and the seuenteenth of December following, we were cast away vpon the North-west of the Bermudas;
the Pilots about noone made themselues Southwards of the Iles twelue
leagues, and demanded of the Captaine their Wine of hight as out of all
danger, which they had: but it seemes they were either drunke, or
carelesse of their charge; for through their negligences a number of
good men were cast away. I being but a stranger amongst fiftie and odde
French-men, it pleased God to appoint me to be one of them should be
saued. In this extremity we made a raft, which we towed with our Boat,
there were but six and twentie of vs saued; and I seeing scarce roome
for the one halfe, durst not passe in amongst them till the Captaine
called me along with him, leauing the better halfe to the seas mercy:
that day we rowed till within two houres of night ere we could land,
being neere dead with thirst, euery man tooke his way to seeke fresh
water, at length, by searching amongst many weeds, we found some raine
water, but in the maine are many faire Baies, where we had enough for
digging.
The building and calking their Barke.
Now it pleased God
before our ship split we saued our Carpenters tooles, some Nailes,
Sailes, and Tacklings, wherewith we went roundly to worke, and built a
Barke of eighty tunnes: In stead of Pitch, we made Lime, mixed with
Tortoise oyle, and as the Carpenters calked her, I and another paied
the seames with this plaster, which being in Aprill, became quickly
dry, and as hard as a stone.
His returne for England.
In Aprill it was so
hot, we feared our water would faile, two great Chests wee made, which
we calked as our ship; those we stowed on each side our maine Mast,
filled them with water and thirtie liue Tortoises: wee found many
Hogges, but so leane wee could not eat them; the tops of the
Palmetaberries was our bread, and the iuyce we got out of the trees we
cut downe our drinke, and of the leaues, which are more then an Ell
long, we couered our Cabens, & made our beds, and found many of
those prouisions as is related, but little foule weather. The eleuenth
of May it pleased God to set vs cleere of the Ile, after wee had liued
there fiue moneths: and the twentieth wee fell with Cape Britton, neere New found Land,
where refreshing our selues with wood and water, and such things as we
could get of the Saluages, it seemed a good Countrey, but we staied not
past foure houres before we set saile for the banke of New found land, where wee met many ships, but not any would take in a man of vs, vntill it pleased God we met a Barke of Fawmothe, which receiued vs for a little time, and with her we tooke a French ship, wherein I left Captaine de la Barbotier, my deare friend, and all his Company: and in August arriued at Falmouth in this honest English Barke, 1594.
Written by me Henry May.
The first English ship knowne to haue beene cast away vpon the Bermudas 1609. From the relation of Mr. Iordan, Master Iohn Euens, Master Henry Shelly, and diuers others.
A most desperate estate by a storm.
YOu haue heard, that when Captaine Smith was Gouernor of Virginia, there were nine ships sent with Sir Thomas Gates, and Sir George Somers, and Captaine Nuport
with fiue hundred people, to take in the old Commission, and rectifie a
new gouernment: they set saile in May, and in the height of thirty
degrees of Northerly latitude, they were taken with an extreme storme,
or rather a part of Hericano, vpon the
fiue and twentieth of Iuly, which as they write, did not onely separate
them from the Fleet, but with the violent working of the Seas, their
ship became so shaken, torne, and leake, she receiued so much water as
couered two tire of Hogsheads aboue the ballace, that they stood vp to
the middles, with Buckets, Baricos, and Kettles, to baile out the
water. Thus bailing and pumping three daies and three nights without
intermission, and yet the water seemed rather to increase then
diminish, in so much that being all vtterly spent with labour, were
euen resolued without any hope to shut vp the hatches, and commit
themselues to the mercy of the Sea, which is said to be mercilesse, or
rather to the mercy of Almighty God, whose mercy farre exceeds all his
workes; seeing no sense or hope in mans apprehension, but presently to
sinke: some hauing some good and comfortable waters, fetched them and
dranke one to another, as taking their last leaues vntill a more happy,
and a more ioyfull meeting in a more blessed world, when it pleased God
out of his most gracious and mercifull prouidence, so to direct and
guide their ship for her most aduantage;
The care and iudgement of Sir George Somers.
An euident token of Gods mercy.
That Sir George Somers
all this time sitting vpon the poupe, scarce taking leisure to eat nor
sleepe, couing the ship to keepe her as vpright as he could, otherwaies
she must long ere that needs haue foundered, most wishedly and happily
descried land; whereupon he most comfortably incouraged them to follow
their worke, many of them being fast a sleepe: this vnlooked for
welcome newes, as if it had bin a voice from heauen, hurrieth them all
aboue hatches, to looke for that they durst scarce beleeue, so that
improuidently forsaking that taske which imported no lesse then their
liues, they gaue so dangerous aduantage to their greedy enemy the salt
water, which still entred at the large breaches of their poore wooden
castle, as that in gaping after life, they had well-nigh swallowed
their death. Surely it is impossible any should now be vrged to doe his
best, and although they knew it, that place all men did so shun, yet
they spread all the saile they could to attaine them: for not long it
was before they strucke vpon a rocke, till a surge of the sea cast her
from thence, and so from one to another, till most luckily at last so
vpright betwixt two, as if she had beene in the stocks, till this they
expected but euery blow a death: But now behold, suddenly the wind
giues place to a calme, and the billowes, which each by ouertaking her,
would in an instant haue shiuered her in peeces, become peaceable and
still, so that with all conueniency and ease, they vnshipped all their
goods, victuall, and persons into their Boats, and with extreme ioy,
euen almost to amazednesse, arriued in safetie, though more then a
league from the shore, without the losse of a man; yet were they in all
one hundred and fiftie: yet their deliuerance was not more strange in
falling so happily vpon the land, as their feeding and preseruation was
beyond their hopes; for you haue heard, it hath beene to the Spaniards
more fearefull then an Vtopian Purgatory, and to all Sea-men no lesse
terrible then an inchanted den of Furies and Deuils, the most
dangerous, vnfortunate, and forlorne place in the world, and they found
it the richest, healthfullest and pleasantest they euer saw, as is
formerly said.
Sir George Somers his first ranging the land.
Being thus safe on shore, they disposed themselues to search the Iles for food
and water; others to get a shore what they could from the ship; not long Sir George
wandred but found such a fishing, that in halfe an houre with a hooke
and line, he tooke so many as sufficed the whole company, in some
places they were so thicke in the Coues, and so great, they durst not
goe in lest they should bite them, and these rocke fish are so great
two will load a man, and fatter nor better fish cannot be. M. Shelly
found a Bay neere a quarter of a mile ouer, so full of Mullets, as none
of them before had euer seene or heard of the like: the next day
seeking to kill them with fis-gigs, they strucke so many the water in
many places was red with bloud, yet caught not one, but with a net they
caught so many as they could draw a shore, with infinite number of
Pilchards and diuers other sorts; great craw-fishes in a night by
making a fire they haue taken in great quantity, Sir George
had twice his hooke and line broke out of his hand, but the third time
he made it so strong he caught the same fish, which had pulled him into
the Sea had not his men got hold of him, whereby he had his three
hookes againe were found in her belly. At their first hunting for hogs
they found such abundance, they killed 32 and this hunting &
fishing was appointed to Captaine Robert Walsingham, and Mr. Henry Shelly
for the company in general: they report they killed at least 500
besides Pigs, and many that were killed by diuers others; for the birds
in their seasons, the facility to make their cabens of Palmeta leaues,
caused many of them vtterly forget or desire euer to returne from
thence, they liued in such plenty, peace and ease.
What meanes they made to send to Virginia.
But let vs remember
how the Knights began to resolue in those desperat affaires: many
proiects they had, but at last it was concluded, to decke their long
boat with their ship hatches; which done, with all expedition they sent
Master Rauen, a very sufficient Mariner, with eight more in her to Virginia,
to haue shipping from thence to fetch them away; three weekes or a
moneth they expected her returne, but to this day she was neuer more
heard of; all this time was spent in searching the Iles: now although
God still fed them with this abundance of plenty, yet such was the
malice of enuy or ambition, for all this good seruice done by Sommers,
such a great difference fell amongst their Commanders, that they liued
asunder in this distresse, rather as meere strangers then distressed
friends: but necessity so commanded, patience had the victory.
A mariage, and two children borne.
Two ships at this
time by those seuerall parties were a building; in the meane time two
children were borne, the Boy was called Bermudas, the Girle Bermuda,
and amongst all those sorrowes they had a merry English mariage; the
forme of those Iles you may see at large in the Map of Mr. Norwood,
where you may plainly see no place knowne hath better walls, nor a
broader ditch. But hauing finished and rigged their two new Cedar ships
with such prouisions they saued from the Sea-aduenturer they left
amongst the Rocks, they called the one the Patience, the other the Deliucrance; they vsed Lime and Oile, as May did for Pitch and Tar. Sir George Summers
had in his Barke no Iron at all but one bolt in her Keele; now hauing
made their prouisions of victuall and all things ready, they set saile
the tenth of May 1610. onely leauing two men behinde them, called Christopher Carter and Edward Waters,
that for their offences, or the suspition they had of their iudgements,
fled into the woods, and there rather desired to end their daies then
stand to their trials and the euent of Iustice; for one of their
consorts was shot to death, and Waters
being tied to a tree also to be executed, had by chance a Knife about
him, and so secretly cut the Rope, he ran into the woods where they
could not finde him. There were two Saluages also sent from Virginia by Captain Smith, the one called Namuntack, the other Matchumps, but some such differences fell betweene them, that Matchumps slew Namuntack,
and hauing made a hole to bury him, because it was too short, he cut of
his legs and laid them by him, which murder he concealed till he was in
Virginia.
Their arriuall in Virginia.
The foure and twentieth of the same moneth they arriued in Virginia at Iames towne, where they found but threescore persons, as you may reade at large in the History of Virginia, of the fiue hundred left by Captaine Smith, also of the arriuall
of the Lord Laware, that met them thus bound for England, returned them backe, and vnderstanding what plenty there was of hogs and other good things in the Bermudas, was desirous to send thither to supply his necessary occasions; whereupon Sir George Summers,
the best acquainted with the place, whose noble minde euer regarded a
generall good more then his owne ends, though aboue three score yeeres
of age, and had meanes in England sutable to his ranke, offered himselfe by Gods helpe to performe this dangerous voyage againe for the Bermudas,
which was kindly accepted, so vpon the 19. of Iune, he imbarked in his
Cedar ship, about the burthen of thirty tunnes, and so set saile.
Sir George Summers his returne to the Bermudas.
Much foule and crosse weather he had, and was forced to the North parts of Virginia, where refreshing himselfe vpon this vnknowne coast, he could not bee diuerted from the search of the Bermudas,
where at last with his company he safely arriued: but such was his
diligence with his extraordinary care, paines and industry to dispatch
his businesse, and the strength of his body not answering the euer
memorable courage of his minde, hauing liued so long in such honourable
seruices, the most part of his well beloued and vertuous life, God and
nature here determined, should euer remaine a perpetuall memory of his
much bewailed sorrow for his death: finding his time but short, after
he had taken the best course he could to settle his estate, like a
valiant Captaine he exhorted them with all diligence to be constant to
those Plantations, and with all expedition to returne to Virginia. In that very place which we now call Saint Georges
towne, this noble Knight died, whereof the place taketh the name. But
his men, as men amazed, seeing the death of him who was euen as the
life of them all, embalmed his body and set saile for England, being the first that euer went to seeke those Ilands, which haue beene euer since called Summers Iles, in honour of his worthy memory, leauing three men behind them, that voluntarily stayed, whose names were Christopher Carter, Edward Waters, there formerly left as is said, and Edward Chard. This Cedar ship at last with his dead body arriued at Whit-Church in Dorsetshire,
where by his friends he was honourably buried, with many vollies of
shot, and the rites of a Souldier, and vpon his tombe was bestowed this
Epitaph.
His Epitaph.
Hei mibi Virginia quod tam cito præterit Æstas,
Autumnus sequitur, sæuiet inde & hiems;
At ver perpetuum nascetur, & Anglia læta,
Decerpit flores florida terra tuas.
In English thus:
Alas Virginia's Summer so soone past,
Autumne succeeds and stormy Winters blast,
Yet Englands ioyfull Spring with ioyfull showers,
O Florida, shall bring thy sweetest flowers.
The proceedings of the three men.
A peece of Amber-greece of 80. pound weight.
THe honour of this resulution. belongs principally to Carter, for through his importunity, not to leaue such a place abandoned, Chard & Waters
were moued to stay with him, and the rest promised with all the speed
they could againe to reuisit them. But the ship once out of sight,
those three Lords, the sole inhabitants of all those Ilands, began to
erect their little common wealth for a while with brotherly regency,
repairing the ground, planting Corne, and such seeds and fruits as they
had, building a house, &c. Then making priuy search amongst the
creuises and corners of those craggy Rocks, what this maine Ocean since
the worlds creation had throwne amongst them, at last they chanced vpon
the greatest peece of Amber-greece was euer seene or heard of in one
lumpe, being in weight foure-score pound, besides diuers other small
peeces.
But now being rich, they grew so proud and abitious, contempt tooke such
place, they fell out for superiority, though but three forlorne men,
more then three thousand miles from their natiue Country, and but small
hope euer to see it againe. Notwithstanding, they sometimes fell from
words to blowes about meere trifles: in one of which fights, one of
them was bitten with his owne dog, as if the dumbe beast would reproue
them of their folly; at last Chard and Waters, the two greater spirits, must try it out in the field, but Carter
wilely stole away their weapons, affecting rather to liue amongst his
chemies, then by being rid of them liue alone; and thus those miserable
men liued full two yeeres, so that all their clothes were neere worne
cleane from their backs, and their hopes of any forraine releese as
naked as their bodies. At last they began to recouer their wits, yet in
a fashion perhaps would haue cost them dearer then when they were mad;
for concluding a tripartite peace of their Matachin warre, they
resolued to frame as good a Boat as they could, and therein to make a
desperate attempt for Virginia, or New found Land;
but no sooner were they entred into that resolution, but they descried
a saile standing in for the shore, though they neither knew what she
was, nor what she would, they were so ouer-ioyed, with all possible
speed they went to meet her, and according to their hearts desire she
proued an English-man, whom they safely conducted into their harbour.
How they were supplied. 1611.
Now you are to vnderstand, that Captaine Matthew Somers, Nephew and heire to Sir George,
that returned with his dead body, though both he and his Company did
their vtmost in relating all those passages to their Countrey-men and
aduenturers, their relations were beleeued but as trauellers tales,
till it came to be apprehended by some of the Virginia Company, how beneficiall it might be, and helpfull to the Plantation in Virginia,
so that some one hundred and twentie of them bought the pretended right
of all the Company, and had sent this ship to make a triall; but first
they had obtained Letters Patents of the Kings most excellent Maiestie.
Sir Thomas Smith was elected Treasurer and Gouernor heere, and Master Richard More to be Gouernor of the Iles and Colony there.
The first beginning of a Colonie in the Somer Iles, vnder the command of Master Richard More, extracted out of a plot of Master Richard Norwood Surueior, and the relations of diuers others.
The arriuall of Master More. 1612. Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer.
MAster More
thus finding those three men not onely well and lusty, but well stored
with diuers sorts of prouisions, as an Acre of Corne ready to be
gathered, numbers of Pumpions and Indian Beanes, many Tortoises ready
taken, good store of hogs flesh salted, and made in flitches of Bacon,
were very good, and so presently landed his goods and sixty persons
towards the beginning of Iuly 1612. vpon the South side of Smiths Ile.
Their differences about the Amber-greece.
Not long after his arriuall, More hauing some priuate intelligence of this Amber-greece, tooke first Chard
in examination, he being one of the three the most masterfull spirit,
what Amber-greece, Pearle, Treasure, or other Commodities they had
found. Chard no lesse witty then resolute,
directly answered; Not any thing at all but the fruits of the Ile, what
his fellowes had done he knew not, but if they had, he doubted not but
to finde it out, and then hee should know it certainly. This he spake
onely to win time to sweare his Consorts to secrecy, and he would finde
the meanes how they should all returne in that ship with it all for England,
otherwise they should be deceiued of all. Till this was effected they
thought euery houre an age; now for the better conueiance of it aboord,
they acquainted it to Captaine Dauis, master of the ship, and one Master Edwin Kendall,
that for their secrecy and transportation should participate with them:
Without further ceremony the match was accepted, and absolutely
concluded, the plot laid, time and place set downe to haue it aboord.
But Carter, were it for feare the Gouernor at last should know of it, to whom so oft they had denied it; or that the
rest should deceiue him, is vncertaine; but most certaine it is, he reuealed all the plot to Master More: To get so much wealth he knew would please them in England,
though it did displease all his Company, and to lose such a prize he
would not for hazarding a mutiny. So first hee reuealed himselfe to Kendall in faire tearmes, reprouing his dishonesty, but not being answered according to his expectation, he committed both Chard and him to person. The next Sabboath day Dauis comming on shore, More also taxed with very hard language and many threats, to lay him fast also if he mended not his manners; Dauis
for the present replied little, but went with him to the place of
praier: but in the midst of diuine seruice he goeth away, commanding
all his Sea-men to follow him presently a boord, where he encourageth
them to stand to him like men, and hee would free the Prisoners, haue
all the Amber-greece for themselues, and so be gone.
Chard in danger of hanging.
The Gouernor hearing
of this resolution, prepares with his company to repulse force with
force, so that a generall expectance of a ciuill vnciuill warre
possessed euery man; but this threatning gust passed ouer more calmlier
then was expected; for Dauis hauing better
aduised with himselfe, repented his rashnesse, and desired a
reconcilement with the Gouernor. Peace thus concluded, Kendall was set at libertie, but Chard was condemned, and vpon the ladder to be hanged for his obstinacy; yet vpon better consideration More
repriued him, but kept him a prisoner all the time he staied in the
Country, which was generally thought a very bad reward for his great
desert, and that there was more of this Amber-greece imbeziled, then
would haue contented all the finders, that neuer had any consideration
at all. The greatest part though More thus recouered, yet Dauis and Kendall had so much, either by the ignorance or conniuency of the Gouernors, that arriuing in England,
they prepared themselues for a new voiage; at last they two falling
out, the Company hauing notice thereof, so tormented them both, they
gaue ouer their voiage, and durst not be seene a long time after.
Master Mores industry in fortifying and planting.
The Gouernor thus rid of the ship and those discontents, remoued his seat from Smiths Ile to Saint Georges,
after he had fitted vp some small Cabbens of Palmata leaues for his
wife and family, in that valley where now stands their prime towne
called S. Georges, hee began to apply
himselfe to fortifie the Countrey, and training his men in the exercise
of armes. For although he was but a Carpenter, he was an excellent
Artist, a good Gunner, very witty and industrious: he built and laid
the foundation of eight or nine Forts, called the Kings Castle, Charles Fort, Pembrookes Fort, Smiths Fort, Pagits Fort, Gates Fort, Warwicks Castle, Saint Katharines
Fort, &c. mounting in them all the Ordnance he had, preparing the
ground to build Houses, plant Corne, and such Fruits as they had.
A contention of the Minister against the Gouernor.
Being
thus busied, and as the necessitie of the time required, keeping his
men somewhat hard at worke, Master Keath
his Minister, were it by the secret prouocation of some drones, that
grew weary of their taskes, or his affection to popularity is not
certaine: But he begins to tax the Gouernor in the Pulpit, hee did
grinde the faces of the poore, oppressing his Christian brethren with Pharoahs taxes. More
finding this in short time, might breed ill bloud, called the Company
together and also the Minister, vrging them plainly, to tell him
wherein he had deserued those hard accusations: whereupon, with an
vniuersall cry they affirmed the contrary, so that Keath downe of his knees to aske him forgiuenesse. But Master More
kindly tooke him vp, willing him to kneele to God, and hereafter be
more modest and charitable in his speeches; notwithstanding two other
discontents so vpbraided More with that
doctrine, and stood to maintaine it, he impaneled a Iury, with a great
deale of seeming much adoe he would hang them being condemned, one of
them with the very feare, fell into a dead Palsie; so that the other
was set at libertie, and proued after a very good labourer.
Two peeces weighed out of the Sea Adventure.
Many conclusions he tried about the Sea-venture, the wracke of Sir George Somers,
but he got onely for his paines but two peece of Ordnance. Hauing
framed a Church of timber, it was blowne downe by a tempest, so that he
built another in a more closer place with Palmera leaues.
The first supply.
Before this yeere was expired, the aduenterers sent them an aduiso with thirtie Passengers and good prouisions, to prepare with all expedition for their defence against the Spaniard,
whom they vnderstood ere long would visit them: This occasioned him to
keepe all his men together in that Ile so hard at worke, that wanting
libertie to goe abroad for food, liuing onely on that they had, and
expected daily to receiue from England, they were so ouer-toiled, many fell sicke, but none died. Very earnest this ship was to haue all the Amber-greece, which M. More perceiuing, was the chiefest cause of their comming, and that it was the onely loadstone to draw from England
still more supplies; for all the expresse command sent from the
Company, he returned this ship but with the one third part; so from
thence she went to Virginia, and not long after arriued safely in England.
1613. The second supply.
Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer.
A strange increase of Potatoes.
The attempt of two Spanish ships.
But before her returne the Company sent the Martha with sixtie Passengers more, they arriued in Iune with one Master Bartlet to suruey the land, and the estate of the Colonie, with expresse command for all the Amber-greece: but More
perceiuing him not as he would haue him, and that the Company began to
mistrust him, would send no more but another third part, wherewith they
returned, leauing a French-man to make triall of the Mulberies for
Silke, but he did not bring any thing to perfection; excusing himselfe,
they were not the right Mulberies he expected. About this time they
were in hope of a small crop of Tobacco, but it was most spoiled for
want of knowledge to vse it. Now in England Master More
became amongst the Merchants maruelous distastfull, for the detaining
so long the Amber-greece; which delaies they so much abhorred, they
forthwith dispatched the Elizabeth the second time and forty Passengers, much rebuking More
for so long detaining the Amber-greece: for the which, hauing now no
more colourable excuses, he deliuered it, wherewith the ship went to Virginia,
& thence home. In this ship was brought the first Potato roots,
which flourished exceedingly for a time, till by negligence they were
almost lost (all but two cast-away roots) that so wonderfully haue
increased, they are a maine releefe to all the Inhabitants. This ship
was not long gone but there came two Spanish ships, sounding with their
Boat, which attempted to come in: but from the Kings Castle Master More
made but two shot, which caused them presently depart. Marke here the
handy-worke of the diuine prouidence, for they had but three quarters
of a barrell of powder, and but one shot more, and the powder by
carelesnesse was tumbled downe vnder the mussels of the two peeces,
were discharged, yet not touched with fire when they were discharged.
This feare thus
past, appeares another much worse, which was the extremity of famine;
in this extemity God sent Captaine Daniel Elfrid
with a caruell of meale which a little relieued them, but brought
withall so many Rats, that within two yeeres after neere ruined all;
now though Elfrid had deceiued his friend Fisher of this Caruell in the West. Indies, they reuenged Fishers injury, for Elfrid had his passage for England, and they made vse of all he had. Some two moneths after, came in the Blessing with an hundred Passengers; and two daies after the Starre with a hundred and fourescore more, amongst which were many Gentlemen, as Master Lower for Marshall, Master Barret, Master Felgate, and diuers others; but very vnproper for what they vndertooke. Within foureteene daies after came in the Margaret and two Frygates, and in them one hundred and threescore Passengers; also Master Bartlet came now expresly to diuide the Country into Tribes, and the Tribes into shares. But Master More finding no mention made of any part for himselfe nor all them with him, as he was promised in England,
by no meanes would admit of any diuision, nor suffer his men from
finishing their fortifications, which was so necessary, it was his
maine ambition to see that accomplished; but such vnkindnesse grew
betwixt this Master Bartlet and
the Gouernour, that the rude multitude with all the disdaine they could deuise caused Bartlet returne for England as he came. About this time William Millington was drawne into the Sea by a fish, but neuer after euer seene.
1614. A great famine and mortalitie. Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer.
The neglect of this diuision was very hardly conceited in England, so that Master More
grew more and more in dislike with the company; notwithstanding he
followed the building of these Forts so earnestly, neglecting planting
of Corne, till their store was neere all consumed, whereby they became
so feeble and weake, some would not, others could not goe abroad to
seeke releefe, but starued in their houses, and many that went abroad,
through weaknesse were subject to be suddenly surprized with a disease
called the Feauges, which was neither paine nor sicknesse, but as it
were the highest degree of weaknesse, depriuing them of power and
ability from the execution of any bodily exercises, whether it were
working, walking, or what else: being thus taken, if any presently gaue
them food, many times they straight recouered, yet some after a little
rest would bee able to walke, but if they found not present succour,
died.
A strange being of Rauens.
About this time or
immediatly before, came in a company of Rauens, which continued amongst
them all the time of this mortality and then departed, which for any
thing knowne, neither before nor since were euer seene or heard of:
this with diuers other reasons caused Master More
to goe out to Sea, to see if he could discouer any other Ilands, but he
went not farre ere ill weather forced him backe; and it were a noble
aduenture of him would vndertake to make more perfect all the dangers
are about the Summer Iles.
All workes abandoned to get onely victuals.
Thus famine and misery caused Gouernour More
leaue all his workes, and send them abroad to get what they could; one
hundred and fifty of the most weake and sicke he sent to Coupers
Ile, where were such infinite numbers of the Birds called Cahowes,
which were so fearelesse they might take so many as they would, and
that admired abundance of fish, that the extremity of their hunger, and
their gluttony was such, those heauenly blessings they so consumed and
wasted by carelesnesse and surfetting, many of them died vpon those
silly Birds that offered themselues to the slaughter, which the
Gouernour vnderstanding, caused them for change of aire to be remoued
to Port-royall, and a Company of Fishers
with a Boat to releeue them with fish, but the Gange grew so lazie the
poore weaklings still died; they that remained killed the Cattle they
found in the Ile, faining the heat caused them to runne into the Sea
and so were drowned; so that the Gouernour sent againe for them home,
but some obtained leaue still to liue abroad; one amongst the rest hid
himselfe in the Woods, and liued onely on Wilkes and land Crabs, fat
and lusty many moneths, but most of them being at Saint Georges,
ordinarily was taken one hundred and fifty or two hundred great fishes
daily for their food; for want of hookes and lines, the Smith made
hookes of old swords, and lines of old ropes, but finding all those
poore Engines also decay, they sent one of the two Frigats last left
with them for England, to tell them of this misery. All which was now attributed to Master Mores
peruersnesse, who at first when he got the Amber-Greece had not such a
generall applause, but now all the worst could possibly be suggested
was too good for him; yet not knowing for the present how to send a
better, they let him continue still, though his time was neere expired,
and with all speed sent the Welcome
fraught with prouision, where shee well arriued, and proued her selfe
as welcome in deed as in name; for all those extremities, Master Lowes Hues
writeth, not one of all those threescore that first beganne this
Plantation was dead, which shewes it was not impossible, but industry
might haue preuented a great part of the others sluggish carelesnesse.
A supply, and M. Mores returne.
This ship much refreshed this miserable Colony, but Master More seeing they sent not for him, his time being now expired, vnderstanding how badly they reputed him in England,
and that his imploiment now was more for their owne ends then any good
for himselfe, resolued directly to returne with this ship. Hauing
setled all things in the best order he could, left the gouernment to
the charge
of the counsell of six to succeed each other monethly, till they had further directions from England; whose names were Captaine Miles Kendall, Captaine Iohn Mansfield, Thomas Knight, Charles Caldycot, Edward Waters, and Christopher Carter, with twelue others for their assistances. More thus taking leaue of those Ilands, arriued in England,
much wrangling they had, but at last they confirmed him according to
promise eight shares of Land, and so he was dismissed of his charge,
with shew of fauour and much friendship.
The rule of the six Gouernors.
1615. Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer.
THE first thing they
did was casting of lots, who should rule first, which lot lighted vpon
Master Caldicot. This last supply somewhat
abated the extremitie of their miseries, and the better in that their
fortifications being finished, they had the more leasure to goe abroad
with that meanes was brought to that purpose to fish. Chard as you haue heard, whom all this while More
had kept Prisoner, they set at libertie: now by reason of their former
miseries, little or nothing could be done; yet this Gouernor hauing
thus concluded his moneth, and prepared a Frigot and two and thirtie
men, hee imbarked himselfe with two other of his fellow counsellers;
namely, Knight and Waters
for the West-Indies, to get Fruits and Plants, Goats, young Cattle, and
such like. But this poore vessell, whether through ill weather, or want
of Mariners, or both, in stead of the Indies fell with the Canaries, where taking a poore Portugall,
the which they manned with ten of their owne people, as soone after
separated from her in a storme, & the next day was taken by a
French Pickaroune, so that the Frigot out of hope of her prize, makes a
second time for the West-Indies, where she no sooner arriued, but
foundred in the sea; but the men in their Boat recouered a desolate
Ile, where after some few moneths stay, an English Pyrat tooke them in,
and some of them at last got for England, and some few yeares after returned to the Somer Iles.
Captaine Iohn Mansfield his moneth.
THE Frigot thus gone, Captaine Mansfield
succeeded. Then was contriued a petition, as from the generalitie, vnto
the triumuirat Gouernors; wherein they supplicated, that by no meanes
they should resigne the gouernment to any should come from England,
vpon what tearmes soeuer, vntill six moneths after the returne of their
ship sent to the West-Indies: about this vnwarrantable action, Master Lewes Hues
their Preacher was so violent in suppressing it, that such discontents
grew betwixt the Gouernors and him, and diuisions among the Company, he
was arraigned, condemned, and imprisoned, but not long detained before
released. Then the matter fell so hotly againe to be disputed betwixt
him and one Master Keath a Scotch-man,
that professed schollership, that made all the people in a great
combustion: much adoe there was, till at last as they sate in the
Church and ready to proceed to a iudiciary course against Master Hues,
suddenly such an extreme gust of wind and weather so ruffled in the
trees and Church; some cried out, A miracle; others, it was but an
accident common in those Iles, but the noise was so terrible it
dissolued the assembly: notwithstanding, Master Hues
was againe imprisoned, and as suddenly discharged; but those factions
were so confused, and their relations so variable, that such
vnnecessary circumstances were better omitted then any more disputed.
Master Carter. Captaine Kendall. Capt. Mansfield.
This mans moneth thus ended, begins Master Carter, which was altogether spent in quietnesse, and then Captaine Miles Kendall had the rule, whose moneth was also as quietly spent as his Predecessors. Then Captaine Mansfield begins his second moneth, when the ship called the Edwin arriued with good supplies. About this time diuers Boats going to sea were lost, and some men drowned; and
many of the Company repaired to Master Hues, that there might bee a Councell according to Master Mores
order of six Gouernours, and twelue Assistants, whereupon grew as many
more such silly brawles as before, which at last concluded with as
simple a reconciliation. In the interim
happened to a certaine number of priuate persons as miserable and
lamentable an accident, as euer was read or heard of, and thus it was:
A wonderfull. accident.
In the month of
March, a time most subiect of all others to such tempests; on a Friday
there went seuen men in a boat of two or three tunnes to fish. The
morning being faire, so eager they were of their iourney, some went
fasting: neither carried they either meat or drinke with them, but a
few Palmeta berries, but being at their fishing place some foure
leagues from the shoare, such a tempest arose, they were quickly driuen
from the sight of land in an ouergrown Sea, despairing of all hope,
onely committing themselues to Gods mercy, let the boat driue which way
shee would. On Sunday the storme being somewhat abated, they hoysed
saile as they thought towards the Island. In the euening it grew starke
calme; so that being too weake to vse their oares, they lay a drift
that night. The next morning Andrew Hilliard,
for now all his companions were past strength either to helpe him or
themselues: before a small gale of wind spred his saile againe. On
Tuesday one died, whom they threw ouer board. On Wednesday three. And
on Thursday at night the sixt. All these but the last were buried by Hilliard
in the Sea, for so weake hee was growne hee could not turne him ouer as
the raft, whereupon hee stripped him, ripping his belly with his knife,
throwing his bowels into the water, hee spread his body abroad tilted
open with a sticke, and so lets it lie as a cisterne to receiue some
lucky raine water, and this God sent him presently after, so that in
one small shoure hee recouered about foure spoonefuls of raine water to
his vnspeakeable refreshment; he also preserued neere halfe a pint of
blood in a shooe, which he did sparingly drinke of to moist his mouth:
two seuerall daies he fed on his flesh, to the quantity of a pound, on
the eleuenth day from his losing the sight of land, two flying fishes
fals in his boat, whose warme iucie blood hee sucked to his great
comfort. But within an houre after to his greater comfort you will not
doubt, he once againe descried the land, and within foure houres after
was cast vpon a rocke neere to Porr royall, where his boat was
presently split in pieces, but himselfe, though exreamely weake, made
shift to clamber vp so steepe and high a rocke, as would haue troubled
the ablest man in the Ile to haue done that by day hee did by night.
Being thus astride
on a rocke, the tumbling Sea had gotten such possession in his braines,
that a good while it was before his giddy head would suffer him to
venture vpon the forsaking it: towards the morning he craules a shore,
and then to his accomplished ioy descernes where hee is, and trauels
halfe a day without any refreshment then water, where of wisely and
temperarely he stinted himselfe, otherwise certainely hee had drunke
his last. In which case hee attaines a friends house: where at the
first they tooke him for a ghost, but at last acknowledged and receiued
him with ioy, his story after some houres of recouery of strength to
tell it, heard out with admiration: he was not long after conueyed to
the towne, where he receiued his former health, and was liuing in the
yeere 1622.
Treasure found in the Summer Iles.
The next newes that
happened in this time of ease, was, that a merry fellow hauing found
some few Dollars against the Flemish wracke, the bruit went currant the
treasure was found, and they all made men. Much adoe there was to
preuent the purloining of it, before they had it: vvhere after they had
tyred themselues vvith searching, that they found, amounted not to
aboue twenty pounds starling, vvhich is not vnlike but to be the
remainder of some greater store, washed from some wracke not farre from
the shore.
A new Gouernor chosne.
The company by the Edwin receiuing newes of the reuels vvere kept in Sommer Iles, resolued to make choice of a new Gouernour, called Master Daniel Tuckar, that a long time had bin a planter in Virginia in the gouernment of Captaine
Smith. All things being furnished for his voyage; hee set saile in the George, consorted vvith the Edwin,
with many passengers, which being discouered by them in those Iles,
they supposed them the Frigot sent to the West Indies; but when they
vnderstood vvhat they vvere, much preparation they made to resist the
new Gouernour. Many great ostentations appeared on both sides, but
vvhen the quondam Gouernour did see his
men for most part forsake him; all was very well and quietly
compounded, and with much kindnesse receiued and welcomed a shore,
where his Commission was no sooner read, then they accepted and
acknowledged him for their Gouernour.
The Gouernment of Captaine Daniel Tuckar.
1616. Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer.
ABout the mistd of
May arriued this Gouernor, where finding the Inhabitants both abhorring
all exacted labour, as also in a manner disdaining and grudging much to
be commanded by him; it could not but passionate any man liuing. But at
last according to the Virginia order, hee set euery one was with him at Saint Georges, to his taske, to cleere grounds, fell trees, set corne, square timber, plant vines and other fruits brought out of England.
These by their taske Masters by breake a day repaired to the wharfe,
from thence to be imployed to the place of their imployment, till nine
of the clocke, and then in the after-noone from three till Sunne-set.
Beside meat, drinke and cloaths, they had for a time a certaine kinde
of brasse money with a hogge on the one side, in memory of the
abundance of hogges was found at their first landing.
Captaine Tuckars proceedings.
This course thus squared, imitating diuers orders vsed in Virginia, by Sir Tho. Dale: he began by them to looke into his instructions giuen by the Company. Whereupon by one Mr. Richard Norwood a Suruayor, sent ouer for that purpose, in the time of Master Moore,
hee began to lay out the eight tribes in the maine, which were to
consist of fifty shares to a tribe; and twenty fiue acers to cuery
share. He also began to plant some Colony men, on some of the especiall
shares. He swore also certaine of the chiefe men of euery tribe to bee
Bailiffes thereof; and appointed as many men as hee was able for all
supplied shares. The goods landed in the store houses hee sent from
thence, and dispersed it to his workemen in generall: some Boats also
began to be builded; but the pinace called the Thomas suspected might make an escape, was laid vp in a docke, were shee yet remaineth.
A Barke sent to the West Indies.
In the beginning of
the second moneth of his gouernment, he directed warrants to all the
Bailiffes, for the holding of a generall Assise at Saint Georges, and appointed Master Stokes Lieutenant of the Kings Castle at the Gurnets head. The Edwin came with him he sent to the West Indies by directions from England,
to trade with the natiues, for cattall, corne, plants, and other
commodities. A course of great importance, which had it been pursued,
would certainly haue produced more hopefull effects for the good of the
Colony, then all the supplies and Magazines from England hath or will in a long time.
The Assises.
Presently after her
departure began the Assises, executed by his Deputy. The chiefe matter
handled was the hanging one Iohn Wood a
French man, for speaking many distastefull and mutinous speeches
against the Gouernour, to shew the rest by that example, the power of
his authority, which after with his owne hands he so oft executed with
a bastinado amongst the poorer sort; many tearmed it a cruelty, not
much lesse then tyranny: but the sequell is more then strange.
The strange aduenture of fiue men in a boat.
So it was that fiue of them, seeing by no meanes they could get passage for England,
resolued to vndergoe all hazards but they would make an escape from
such seruitude. The chiefe mariner and plotter of this businesse, was Richard Sanders and his confederates, William Goodwin a ship Carpenter, Thomas Harison a Ioyner, Iames Barker a Gentleman, and Henry Puet. These repairing to the Gouernour, and with pleasing insinuations told him, if hee would allow them but
things necessary; they would build him a boat of two or three tunnes,
with a close decke, should goe a fishing all weathers. The Gouernour
halfe proud that hee had brought his men to so good a passe, as he
conceiued, to offer themselues to so necessary a worke; instantly with
all willingnesse furnished them with all things they could desire, and
many faire promises to incourage them to performe it with all
expedition. Hauing made choise of a place most fit from molestation,
they went forward with that expedition, that in a short time shee was
brought to perfection. By this time, the ship that brought the
Gouernour, being ready to depart, hee sends a lusty gange to goe fetch
his new boat to carry him aboard, but arriuing at the place where she
was built, they could heare no more of her, but she was gone the last
euening to Sea, to try how shee would saile. Much search and dispute
was where this boat should be: but at last they found diuers letters in
the cabbins, to this effect, directed to the Gouernour, and other their
friends: that their hard and bad vsage was so intolerable, and their
hope so small euer againe to see their Countrey, or be deliuered from
such seruitude, they did rather chuse to put themselues to that
desperate hazard to goe for England,
in which if they miscaried, as it was much to be mistrusted, their
liues and bloods should be required at their hands was the cause. A
compasse Diall Barker had borrowed of Master Hues,
to whom he writ that as hee had oft perswaded them to patience, and
that God would pay them though none did: hee must now bee contented
with the losse of his Diall, with his owne doctrine. Such leasure they
found to bee merry when in the eye of reason they were marching into a
most certaine ruine. The Gouernour being thus satisfied of their
escape, extreamly threatned them no lesse then a hanging, but the
stormes of the Ocean they now more feared then him; good prouision by
bartering they had got from the ship, where Goodwin in a brauado told the Mariners, though he could not be permitted to goe with them, yet peraduenture hee might be in England
before them, whereat the Master and his Mate laughed merrily. But
hauing beene now vnder saile three weekes, the winds so fauoured them,
they felt nothing of what they had cause to feare: then a blustering
gale blowing in their teeth, put them to much extremity for diuers
dayes, then becomming more gentle away they past prosperously some
eight or ten dayes more, till meeting a French Piccaroune of whom they
desired succour, hee like himselfe tooke from them what hee liked,
leauing them not so much as a crosse-staffe to obserue withall, and so
cast them off: their course still they continued till their victuall
began to fall to the lowest ebbe; and the very knees of their small
vessell were halfe hewed away for fire wood. At last to their infinit
ioy they arriued in Ireland, where the Earle of Tomund
honorably entertained them, and caused the boat to be hung vp for a
Monument, and well she might, for shee had sailed more then 3300. miles
by a right line thorow the maine Sea, without any sight of land, and I
thinke since God made the world, the like nauigation was neuer done,
nor heard of. This fortunate Sanders going to the East Indies,
in the rifling some ships there tooke, it was his chance to buy an old
chest, for three or foure shillings, but because it wanted a key hee
repented his bargaine, and would gladly haue sold it againe for lesse.
A certaine time it lay tossed to and fro as a thing hee little
regarded, but at last hauing little to doe, hee broke it open, where he
found a thousand pounds starling, or so much gold as bought him in England a good estate, which leauing with his wife he returned againe to the East Indies.
Plants from the West Indies.
The exploits of Captain Powell.
The George
setting saile three dayes after this escape, the Gouernour seazed and
confiscated all that those fugitiues left behinde them. Within a weeke
after returned the Edwin from the West Indies,
furnished with figges, pynes, sugarcanes, plantaines, papanes and
diuers other plants, which were presently replanted, and since
increased into greater numbers, also an Indian and a Negar, and so much ligna vitæ
as defrayed all the charge. The Gouernor thus busied amongst his
plants, making hedges of Figtrees, and Pomgranets, and seuerall
diuisions by
Palizadoes for the defence of
their guarding and keeping their cattell, for in such husbandry
qualities he well deserued great commendations. The Aduenturers to
supply him sent with all speed they could the Hopewell, a small Barke, but an excellent sailer, and in her one Captaine Powell
an excellent Mariner, and well acquainted in the Indies where he was to
goe trade, after he had landed his passengers in the Summer Iles: but
in his iourney at the Westerne Iles meeting a Brasile
man, hee liked the suger and passengers so well, hee mand the Caruill
with his owne men, and continued his course, but bethinking himself how
this would be entertained at the Summer Iles, hee found such doubts,
hee went directly for the West Indies to take time to resolue what to
doe: arriuing there hee met a French rouer, one euery way as cunning as
himselfe, but much more trecherous. A great league of kindnesse is
soone made betweene them, vpon confidence whereof, Powell
and some of the chiefe with him being inuited aboord him, is easily
entised, and in the midst of their cups both hee and his company
treacherously made prisoners; and thus was forced to giue him their
prise, or hang at the yards arme with all his company. Hauing set them
a shore, away goes the French man; Powels
ship being but hard by, presently fetcht them all a boord, but finding
his victuall neere spent, and no hope at all to recouer his prize, set
his Portugales on shore, and set saile for the Summer Iles; where
safely arriuing, hee declared the whole passage to the Gouernour, lest
some other in telling might make it worse, of which the Gouernour
seemed well enough to approue.
The second Assise.
This Gouernour still
spent his time in good husbandry, although some of the snarling sort
here in England, whom nothing will please,
writ to him hee was fitter to be a Gardiner then a Gouernour: some time
he spent in digging of a great pond, but that worke proued altogether
vnprofitable: about that time was held the second Assise. The greatest
matter passed, was a Proclamatiõ against the spoile of Cahowes, but it
came too late, for they were most destroyed before: a platforme hee
caused to be erected by Pagits Fort, where a good Fort were very necessary. Captaine Powell
not hauing performed his seruice in the West Indies, he conditioned
with the Company, is sent thither againe by this Gouernour, and
thirteene or fourteene of his best men, furnished with all things
necessary. In the meane time the Company vnderstanding, that in
Ianuary, February and March, there are many Whales, for which fishing
they sent the Neptune, a tall ship well prouided with euerything
fitting for that purpose. But before she arriued, Captaine Tuckar,
who had brought also with him most prouisions for that imploiment, sent
three good Shalops to try what could be done, but whether it was the
swiftnes of the Whale in swimming, or the condition of the place,
certaine it is for all their labour and hazard, they could kill none,
though they strucke many.
1617. The third Assise, Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer.
To begin his second
yeere, he called the third Assise, where diuers were punished as their
faults deserued: three were condemned to die; two were repriued, but
the third was hanged: the next day there was also a leuy for the
repairing two Forts; but that labour tooke not such effect as was
intended, for want of good directions.
The countrey neere deuoured with rats.
But the great God of
heauen being angry at somewhat happened in those proceedings, caused
such an increase of silly rats, in the space of two yeeres so to
abound, before they regarded them, that they filled not onely those
places where they were first landed, but swimming from place to place,
spread themselues into all parts of the Countrey, insomuch that there
was no Iland but it was pestered with them; and some fishes haue beene
taken with rats in their bellies, which they caught in swimming from
Ile to Ile: their nests they had almost in euery tree, and in most
places their burrowes in the ground like conies: they spared not the
fruits of the plants, or trees, nor the very plants themselues, but ate
them vp. When they had set their corne, the rats would come by troupes
in the night and scratch it out of the ground. If by diligent watch any
escaped till it came to eating, it should then very hardly escape them:
and they became noysome euen to the very persons of men. They vsed all
the diligence they could for the destroying of
them, nourishing cats both
wilde and tame, for that purpose; they vsed ratsbane, and many times
set fire on the woods, that oft ran halfe a mile before it was extinct;
euery man was enioyned to set twelue traps, and some of their owne
accord haue set neere an hundred, which they euer visited twice or
thrice in a night; they also trained vp their dogges to hunt them,
wherein they became so expert, that a good dog in two or three houres
would kil forty or fity. Many other deuices they vsed to destroy them,
but could not preuaile, finding them still increasing against them: nay
they so deuoured the fruits of the earth, that they were destitute of
bread for a yeere or two, so that when they had it afterwards, they
were so wained from it, they easily neglected to eat it with their
meat. Besides they endeuoured so much for the planting Tobacco for
present gaine, that they neglected many things might more haue
preuailed for their good, which caused amongst them much weaknesse and
mortality, since the beginning of this vermine.
A strange confusion of rats.
At last it pleased
God, but by what meanes it is not well knowne, to take them away; in so
much that the wilde cats and many dogs which liued on them, were
famished, and many of them leauing the woods, came downe to their
houses, and to such places where they vse to garbish their fish, and
became tame. Some haue attributed the destruction of them the to
encrease of wild cats, but that is not likely they should be so
suddenly encreased rather at that time, then foure yeeres before; and
the chiefe occasion of this supposition was, because they saw some
companies of them leaue the woods, and slew themselues for want of
food. Others by the coldnesse of winter, which notwithstanding is neuer
so great there, as with vs in March, except it be in the wind: besides
the rats wanted not the fethers of young birds and chickins, which they
daily killed, and Palmeta mosse to build themselues warme nests out of
the wind, as vsually they did; neither doth it appeare that the cold
was so mortall to them, seeing they would ordinarily swimme from place
to place, and bee very fat euen in the midst of winter. It remaineth
then, that as God doth sometimes effect his will without subordinate
and secondary causes, so wee need not doubt, but that in the speedy
encrease of this vermine; as also by the preseruation of so many of
them by such weake meanes as they then enioyed, and especially in the
so sudden remouall of this great annoyance, there was ioyned with and
besides the ordinary and manifest meanes, a more mediate and secret
worke of God.
The returne of M. Powell from the Indies.
About this time Henry Long,
with seuen others in an extreame storme were cast away, but three of
them escaped. One of them being asked what hee thought in the worst of
that extremity, answered, he thought nothing but gallowes claime thy
right, and it seemes God well heard his prayer, and rewarded his
ingratitude; for he was hanged within halfe a yeere after. In that
March also fiue men went to Sea, but as yet was neuer heard of, and
three more drowned in a boat. By Hilliards house grew a very faire Cedar, which by a thunder clap was rent almost to small shiuers, and a man stood by him, and Samuel Tanton
most fearfully blasted, yet neither they, the house, nor a little
childe, yet a paire of racks in the house was all torne to fitters. The
Neptune not long after arriuing to fish for
whale, her fortune proued no better then the Gouernours, yet some are
of opinion, profit might be made by them.
In May they discried
foure saile, so that manning all their Forts, they stood two daies in
Armes, expecting what they were; at last they found it Master Powell returned from the West-Indies in the Hopewell,
where missing such trade as he expected, these three Frigots comming in
his way, he could not chuse but take them; Meale, Hides and Munition
was their lading: Faire weather the Gouernor made with Powell, till he had got all the goods into his owne possession, and then called Powell to a strict account for doing such an vnwarrantable act; much a doe then was betwixt the taker and receiuer; but Powell was glad to be excused to answer it in England, leauing all hee had taken behind him in the Iles: The Neptune also returned with him, but noble Powell lost all his pay and pillage for
this yeeres worke. For which the Company sent for to Tuckar, so that he also lost his part as well as Powell:
Notwithstanding, the Gouernour by this meanes being strong in shipping,
fitted the Caruill with twelue men, vnder the command of Edward Waters formerly spoken of, and sent them to Virginia
about such businesse as hee had conceiued. Arriuing there, they
obtained some goates, and and hogs, & what they could spare, and so
returned for the Summer Iles; but whether
they could not finde the Iles for want of skill, or beaten off by ill
weather, or the ill will they bare the Gouernor, it matters not much:
but they bare vp again for Virginia, where they all remained, and would returne no more to Summer Iles.
A supposed mutiny by M. Pollard, and M. Rich.
The Gouernour
thinking to make some vse of the hides, set some that professed
themselues Tanners, to make tryall of their skill; but they lost their
labours and spoiled the hides. Also he called another Assise cõerning a
poore fellow called Gabriel, for concealing some speeches M. Pollard and M. Rich
should vse, tending to the dis-reputation of the Gouernour, and his
iniustice and cruelties; which being brought within the compasse of
sedition and mutiny, though a yeere agoe; many were called in question
about it, although euery one ordinarily had spoke as much. Yet Gabriel for example sake was condemned to bee hanged, and was vpon the ladder, but repriued. The other two M. Pollard, and M. Rich
were imprisoned, but vpon better consideration, the fact appeared so
small and ridiculous, vpon their submission they were pardoned, and
restored to their places.
The diuision of the Summer Iles into Tribes, by Master Richard Norwood, Surueyor.
1618. The diuision of the Iles into Tribes. Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer.
ACcording to the
directions of the Councell and Company, as they had determined by lot,
M. Norwood tooke a plot of the Ile, and
diuided it with as much faithfulnes as he could, assigning to euery
Aduenturer his share or proportion, as namely, to lay out a large
proportion, to bee called the generall land, and imployed for publike
vses, as for the maintenance of the Gouernour, Ministers, Commanders of
Forts, souldiers, and such like: and to this end was assigned S. Georges Iland, S. Dauids Iland, Longbridge Iland, Smiths Iland, Coopers Iland, Cony Iland, Nonesuch
Iland, part of the maine, and sundry other small Iles. The rest was to
be diuided into eight parts, each part to be called a tribe, and to
haue his denomination of some principall person that was Aduenturer
therein: and accordingly the first Tribe to bee Eastward, was then
called Bedfords Tribe, now Hamiltons: the second, Smiths: Tribe the third, Cavendish, now Deuonshires: the fourth, Pembrooks: the fift, Pagits: the sixt, Mansils. now Warwicks: the seuenth, Southhampton: the eighth, Sands: in the honours of the Right honorable the Marquis Hamilton, Sir Thomas Smith, the Earle of Devonshire, the Earle of Pembrooke, the Lord Pagit, the Earle of Warwicke, the Earle of Southhampton, and Sir Edwin Sands.
Againe each of those Tribes were to bee diuided into fifty parts,
called shares; and euery Aduenturer to haue his shares in these tribes
as was determined, by casting lots in England, the manner of it appeares by the Map,
and more largely by his Booke of the Suruay of the Countrey, which is
in the Records of the Colony. And then began this which was before as
you haue heard, but as an vnsetled and confused Chaos, to receiue a
disposition, forme, and order, and become indeed a Plantation.
The names of the Aduenturers, and their shares in euery Tribe, according to the suruey, and the best information yet ascertained, of any of their alterations.
Hamiltons Tribe.
|
Share. |
| Iames L. Marquis Hamil. |
6 |
| Sir Edward Harwood. |
4 |
| M. Iohn Delbridge. |
3 |
| M. Iohn Dike. |
3 |
| M. Ellis Roberts. |
2 |
| M. Robert Phips. |
1 |
| M. Ralph King. |
1 |
| M. Quicks assignes. |
2 |
| M. William Cannig. |
4 |
| M. William Cannig. |
1 |
| M. William Web. |
1 |
| M. Iohn Bernards assignes. |
2 |
| M. Elias Roberts Iun. |
1 |
| M. Iohn Gearing. |
2 |
| M. Cleophas Smith. |
2 |
| Robert Earle of Warwick. |
4 |
| M. Thomas Couell. |
3 |
| M. Greenwels assignes. |
1 |
| M. Cley. |
1 |
| M. Powlson. |
2 |
| M. Iohn Dike. |
1.1/2 |
| Cõmon land for conveniency. |
25 |
| M. Iohn Dike. |
1.1/2 |
| M. George Thorps assignes. |
1 |
2. Smiths Tribe.
|
Share. |
| Sir Dudley Digs assignes. |
2 |
| M. Richard Edwards. |
2 |
| M. William Pane. |
4 |
| M. Robert Smith. |
2 |
| M. George Barkley assignes. |
5 |
| Sir Samuel Sands. |
1 |
| M. Anthony Pennistone. |
4 |
| Sir Edwin Sands. |
5 |
| Sir Thomas Smith. |
5 |
| M. Richard More. |
4 |
| M. Ad. Brumfield |
2 |
| M Rob. Iohnson Alderman. |
5 |
| M. Iohn Wroth. |
3 |
| M. George Smith. |
4 |
3. Deuonshire Tribe.
|
Share. |
| M. Anth. Penistone. |
2 |
| M. Iohn Dike. |
1 |
| M. Iohn Dike. |
1 |
| M. Iohn Bernards heires. |
2 |
| Robert Earle of Warwick. |
2 |
| M. Francis West. |
2 |
| Will. Lord Cavendish. |
5 |
| Will. Earle of Deuonshire. |
5 |
| M. Edw. Luckin. |
5 |
| M. Edw. Ditchfield. |
1 |
| M. Edw. Ditchfield. |
4 |
| M. Will. Nicols. |
2 |
| M. Edw. Ditchfield. |
1 |
| M. Iohn Fletcher. |
2 |
| M. Gedion Delawne. |
2 |
| M. Anth. Pennistone. |
3 |
| M. Best. |
2 |
| M. Edw. Luckin. |
2 |
| M. Richard Rogers. |
2 |
| M. Will. Palmer. |
4 |
4. Pembrookes Tribe.
|
Shares. |
| M. George Smith. |
4 |
| Gleab land. |
2 |
| M. Nicholas Hide. |
1 |
| Sir Lawrence Hide. |
1 |
| M. Thomas Iudwyn. |
2 |
| Will. Earle of Pemb. |
10 |
| M. Richard Edwards. |
1 |
| M. Harding. |
1 |
| M. Rich. Edwards. |
1 |
| M. Elias Roberts. |
1 |
| M. Rich. Edwards. |
1 |
| M. Iacobsons assignes. |
1 |
| M. Iohn Farrar. |
1 |
| M. Nicholas Farrar. |
1 |
| M. Nicholas. Farrar. |
1 |
| M. Will. Canning. |
2 |
| M. Richard Martin. |
2 |
| M. Moris Abbot. |
2 |
| M. Rich. Caswell. |
1 |
| M. Rich. Caswell. |
2 |
| M. VVill. Caswell. |
1 |
| M. Rich. Edwards. |
2 |
| M. Rich. Caswell. |
1 |
| M. Rich. Edwards. |
1 |
| M. George Sands assignes. |
2 |
| M. Will. Paine. |
2 |
5. Pagits Tribe.
|
Shares. |
| M. Iohn Chamberlaine. |
5 |
| M. Tho. Ayres, and |
4 |
| M. Rich. Wiseman. |
| M. Rich. Wiseman |
1 |
| Will. Lord Pagit. |
10 |
| M. Will. Palmer. |
4 |
| M. Bagnell. |
5 |
| M. Iohn Bale. |
1 |
| M. Wheatley. |
4 |
| M. Christop. Barron. |
4 |
| M. Iohn Wodall. |
1 |
| M. Iohn Wodall. |
1 |
| M. Lewis. |
2 |
| M. Owen Arthors assignes. |
2 |
| M. George Etheridge. |
4 |
|
2 |
| Sir VVill. VVade. |
1 |
| M. Iohn Bernards heires. |
1 |
6. Warwicks Tribe.
|
Shares. |
| M. VVheatley. |
2 |
| Cap. Daniel Tuckar. |
2 |
| M. Will. Felgate. |
1 |
| Rob. Earle of Warwicke. |
5 |
| M. George Smith. |
5 |
| M. Sam. Tickner. |
2 |
| M. Francis Mevell. |
1 |
| M. Sephen Sparrow. |
1 |
| M. Ioseph Man. |
5 |
| Cap. Daniel Tuckar. |
2 |
| M. Elias More. |
1 |
| Doctor. Anth. Hunton |
2 |
| M. Francis Moverill. |
1 |
| M. Rich. Poulson |
1 |
| M. Math. Shephard. |
1 |
| M. George Tuckar. |
10 |
| M. Ch. Clitheroe. |
1 |
| M. George Swinow. |
2 |
| M. Rich. Tomlings. |
1 |
| M. Francis Meverill. |
1 |
| M. Iohn Waters. |
2 |
| M. Martin Bond. |
2 |
7. Southamptons Tribe.
|
Shares. |
| Cap. Dan. Tuckar. |
4 |
| M. Iohn Britton. |
1 |
| M. Rich. Chamberland. |
3 |
| M. Leon. Harwods assignes. |
1 |
| M. Iohn Banks. |
1 |
| Sir Nathanael Rich. |
12 |
| Rob. Earle of VVarwicke. |
3 |
[7. Southamptons Tribe (cont.)]
| M. Richard More. |
6 |
| M. George Scot. |
6 |
| M. Edward Scot. |
6 |
| M. Antho. Abdy | 6 |
| Hen. Earle of Southampton. |
4 |
| M. And. Broumfield. |
2 |
| M. Henry Timbed. |
2 |
| Sir Tho. Hewet. |
2 |
| M. Perce. |
1 |
| Sir Ralph Winwood. |
2 |
8. Sandys Tribe.
|
Shares. |
| M. George Barcklies heires. |
5 |
| Sir Edwin Sands. |
5 |
| M. Ierom Hidon. |
10 |
| M. Tho. Millin and |
2 |
| M. Iohn Cuffe. |
2 |
| M. Robert Chamberlaine. |
2 |
| M. Abr. Chamberlaine. |
1 |
| M. George Smith. |
2 |
| M. Robert Gore. |
3 |
| Sir Edw. Sackvile. |
1 |
| Sir Iohn Dauers. |
1 |
| M. Robert Gore. |
2 |
| M. Iohn Delbridge. |
1 |
| M. Iohn VVroth. |
1 |
| M. Iohn VVests heires. |
4 |
| M. Richard Chamberlaine. |
10 |
Touching
the common ground in each Tribe, as also the ouer-plus, you may finde
that at large in the Booke of Surueyes amongst their Records.
The first Magazin. 1618.
Now though the
Countrey was small, yet they could not conueniently haue beene disposed
and well setled, without a true description and a suruey of it; and
againe, euery man being setled where he might constantly abide, they
knew their businesse, and fitted their household accordingly: then they
built no more Cabbens, but substantiall houses, they cleered their
grounds, and planted not onely such things as would yeeld them their
fruits in a few moneths, but also such as would affoord them profit
within a few yeares, so that in a short time the Countrey began to
aspire, and neerely approach vnto that happinesse and prosperitie,
wherein now it flourisheth, &c.
Two exploits of desperate Fugitiues.
But to follow the
History; vpon the best plot of ground could be found, the Gouernor
preuailed so much with the generalitie, they built a faire house of
Cedar, which being done, he appropriated it to himselfe, which
occasioned exceeding much distaste. About this time arriued the Diana
with a good supply of men and prouision, and the first Magazin euer
seene in those Iles; which course is not so much commended here, as
cursed and abhorred by reason of enhansements of all the lnhabitants
there; six or seuen weeks this ship staied, then hauing towards her
fraught thirtie thousand weight of Tobacco; which prouing good, and
comming to a lucky Market, gaue great encouragement to the Aduenturers
to goe lustily forward in their Plantation, and without such successe,
there is nothing but grudging and repining. But about the appropriation
of this new built house, many bad discontents grew betwixt the
oppressed Colony and the Gouernor, especially betwixt him and the
Minister, and Lewes, who would neither be feared with threats nor imprisonment, that their malice continued till they met in England, of which the Minister made the cause so plaine, hee very well and honestly it seemes, discharged himselfe.
The arriuall of the Blessing.
Now in those times
of these endlesse vnciuill broiles, two desperate men and a proper
Gentlewoman got into a Boat, and thinking to make an escape to Virginia,
as appeared by some Letters they left behinde them were neuer more
heard on. The very next moneth after the like was attempted by six
others, so desirous they were to be rid of their seruitude; but their
plot being discouered by one of their societie, they were apprehended,
arraigned, and condemned to be hanged: the next day being led with
halters about their neckes to the place of execution, one was hanged,
and the rest repriued.
The Diana arriuing well in England,
for all the infinite numbers of complaints, the Tobacco did helpe to
sweeten all manner of grieuances, yet it bred a distaste in the
opinions of so many, they began to thinke of another Gouernor; but for
that time it was so qualified by diuers of his friends, they dispatched
away the Blessing, which arriued in the Somer Iles.
Though their generall Letter was faire and courteous to the Gouernor,
yet by the report of the Passengers and diuers particular letters from
his friends, it was assured him his cruelty and couetousnesse, for all
his paines and industry was much disliked, nor was he like to enjoy his
house, and that land he had
planted for himselfe, by the extreme oppression of the Comminalty. This
caused so many ielousies to arise in his conceit, that at last he fully
resolued to returne by this ship, that no sooner set saile from England,
then they proceeded to the nomination of a new Gouernor. Many were
presented according to the affections of those that were to giue in
their voices, but it chiefely rested betwixt one Captaine Southwell, and one Mr Nathaniel Butler, where wee will leaue them a while to the consideration of the Court and Company. Now Captaine Tuckar hauing instituted Captaine Kendall one of the six Gouernors before spoken of for his substitute, returned with this ship directly for England,
as well to excuse himselfe of those obiections he suspected, as to get
assured him the house and land he had alotted for himselfe, lest it
might otherwise be disposed of in his absence.
Collected out of their Records by N. B. and the relations of M. Pollard, and diuers others.
The Gouernment of Captaine Miles Kendall, Deputy for Captaine Tuckar.
The arriuall of two ships.
THE vnexpected returne of Captaine Tuckar,
caused a demurre in the election of the new Gouernor; some perswading
these oft changes were so troublesome, dangerous, and chargeable, it
were best to continue Captaine Kendall; others againe stood for Captaine Tuckar, but during the time of these opinions, the Gilliflower was dispatched with a supply. Now I should haue remembred, Tuckar was no sooner out of the harbour, but he met Master Elfred in a ship called the Treasurer, sent from Virginia to trade: by her he writ to his Deputy Master Kendall,
to haue a care of all things, and beware of too much acquaintance with
this ship, which hee suspected was bound for the West Indies.
Notwithstanding, Elfred receiued what
kindnesse the Ile could afford; he promised to reuisit them at his
returne; this done, because they would not be gouernlesse when his
Deputiship was expired, there was a generall assembly, and by that
Election Kendall was confirmed to succeed still Gouernor. Now they began to apply themselues to the finishing some plat-forme about Smiths Fort, and laying the foundation of a Church to be built of Cedar, till the Gillyflower arriued with some priuate letters to Kendall,
how he was elected Gouernor of those Iles for three yeeres. During her
stay they held their Assises, where for some few suspected facts three
were condemned, and the better to terrifie the rest, led to the place
of execution, but reprieued; diuers of the rest had their faults
pardoned, and the Gilliflower set saile for New found land.
Captaine Butler chosen Gouernor.
The loue and kindnesse, honesty and industry of this Captaine Kendall,
hath beene very much commended; by others, somewhat disliked: but an
Angell in those imploiments cannot please all men, yet this
consideration bred much ill bloud as well here as there, so that the
Company directly concluded, Captaine Butler should with what expedition they could, goe to be their Gouernor: In the Interim they tooke the opportunitie of a ship, called the Sea-flower, bound for Virginia,
and by her sent a Preacher and his Family, with diuers Passengers, and
newes of a new Gouernor. This bred a great distaste amongst many, that
still they should haue new officers and strangers for their Gouernors
they neuer heard of, and themselues still kept there whether they would
or no, without any preferment, no nor scarce any of them their
inhabiting, to haue any land at all of their owne, but liue all as
tenants, or as other mens poore seruants.
About this time came in Captaine Kerby with a small Barke from the West-Indies, who hauing refreshed himselfe, was very kindly vsed by the Gouernor
and so departed. Not long after a Dutch Frigot was cast away vpon the
Westerne shore, yet by the helpe of the English they saued the men,
though the ship perished amongst the Rocks. A little after one Ensigne Wood
being about the loading of a peece, by thrusting a pike into the
concauitie, grating vpon the shor, or somewhat about the powder,
strucke fire within her and so discharged, but wounded him cruelly and
blew him into the Sea, though hee was got out by some that stood by
him, yet hee died of those wounds. Within two or three daies after,
Captaine Elfred now comes in a second time: but of that we shall say more in the gouernment of Captaine Butler, who presently after arriued with a good supply, and was kindly entertained by Captaine Kendall and all the Colony.
From a relation of Tho. Sparks, and diuers others.
The Gouernment of Captaine Nathaniel Butler.
A plat-forme burnt, and much hurt by a Hericano. 1619.
CAptaine Butler being arriued the twentieth of October, 1619. some mutterings there was how to maintaine their election of Captaine Kendall, but better remembring themselues, that conceit quickly dissolued. The next day, Kendall,
the Ministers, and the Counsell went aboord to salute the new Gouernor,
where after they had dined with the best entertainment he could giue
them; they saw the Redout belonging to the Kings Castle by a mischance
on fire, whither he repaired with all the meanes he could to quench it;
but all the platforme and cariages were consumed before their faces,
and they could not helpe it. Two daies after he went vp to the Towne,
had his Commission publikely read, made a short speech to the Company,
and so tooke vpon him the gouernment. Then presently he began to
repaire the most necessary defects: The next moneth came in the Garland, sent from England
six or seuen weekes before him; so that being seuenteene weeks in her
voyage, it was so tedious and grieuous to diuers of the Fresh-water
Passengers, that such a sicknesse bred amongst them, many died as well
Sailers as Passengers. Hauing taken the best order he could for their
releefe, passed through all the Tribes, and held his first Assise in
Captaine Tuckars house at the ouer-plus. Towards the last of this moneth of Nouemb. there arose a most terrible storme or Hericano, that blew vp many great trees by the roots: the Warwick that brought the Gouernor was cast away, but the Garland
rid by her, saued her selfe by cutting downe her Masts; and not long
after a second storme, no lesse violent then the first, wherein the
Mount which was a frame of wood built by Master More
for a Watch-tower to looke out to Sea, was blowne vp by the roots, and
all that Winter crop of corne blasted: And thus was the new Gouernor
welcomed.
The refortifying the Kings Castle.
Amber-greece found.
With the beginning
of the new yeere he began his first peece of fortification, vpon a
Rocke which flankers the Kings Castle, and finding the ship called the Treasurer starke rotten and vnseruiceable, hee tooke nine peeces of Ordinance from her to serue other vses. The Garland for want of meanes, could not make her voiage to Virginia as she was appointed; wherefore he entertained her to returne to England,
with all the Tabacco they had in the Ile. It was Ianuary before she
departed, in which time shee failed not much to haue beene twice cast
away. But those strange and vnauoidable mischances, rather seemed to
quicken the Gouernors industry then to dull it. Hauing finished the
Church begun by Captaine Kendall, with an infinite toile and labour he got three peeces out of the wracke VVarwicke.
Hauing an excellent Dutch Carpinter he entertained of them that were
cast away in the Dutch Frigot; he imploied him in building of Boats,
whereof they were in exceeding great want. In February they discouered
a tall ship beating too and againe, as it seemed by her working, being
ignorant of the Coast; some thought her a Spaniard to view their Forts, which stand most to
that part she so neerely approached; some, English; but the most, some
Dutch man of Warre: The wind blew so high, they durst not send out a
Boat, though they much doubted she would be foule of their Rocks, but
at last she bore vp rommy for the Sea, and we heard of her no more.
That euening, a lucky fellow it should seeme he was, that found a peece
of Amber-greece of eight ounces, as he had twice before, which bringing
to the Gouernor, he had ready money for the one halfe, after three
pound an ounce, according to their order of Court, to encourage others
to looke out for more, and preuent the mischiefe insueth by concealing
of it.
The arriuall of two Dutch Frigots.
Within a few daies
after, they descried two Frigots that came close to the shore, and sent
a Letter to the Gouernor, writ in Italian, that they were Hollanders
had beene in the West-Indies, and desired but to arriue, refresh
themselues with wood and water, and so be gone. The Gouernor forthwith
sent them to vnderstand, that being there vnder his Maiestie of England
to command those Iles, he was to carrie himselfe a friend to his
friends, and an enemy to his enemies; if therefore he could shew a
lawfull Commission for his being honestly and nobly emploied, he and
his should be kindly welcome, otherwise they were to aduenture at their
perills. But his Commission was so good, he staied there two moneths,
and was so well fitted with Oile & Bacon, they were all glad and
happy of this Dutch Captaine Scoutans arriuall, with many thanks to their old friend Captaine Powell
that had conducted him thither: the Colony being exceedingly in great
want and distresse, bought the most part of it at reasonable rates, so
Captaine Scoutan returned to the West-Indies, and Captaine Powell for his part in the Low-Countries. Whilest these things were in action, the Aduenturers in England made many a long looke for their ships; at last the Garland
brought them all the newes, but the Tobacco was so spoiled either in
the leaking ship, or the making vp, it caused a great suspicion there
could none was good come from those Iles; where (were they but perfit
in the cure) questionlesse it would be much better then a great
quantitie of that they sell for Verinas, and many a thousand of it in London hath beene bought and sold by that title.
The differences betwixt the Ministers.
The Gouernor being
cleere of those distractions, falls vpon the restoring of the burnt
Redoubt, where he cuts out a large new plat-forme, and mounts seuen
great peece of Ordnance vpon new cariages of Cedar. Now amongst all
those troubles, it was not the least to bring the two Ministers to
subscribe to the Booke of Common Praier, which all the Bishops in England could not doe. Finding it high time to attempt some conformitie, bethought himselfe of the Liturgie of Garnsey and Iarse,
wherein all those particulars they so much stumbled at, were omitted.
No sooner was this propounded, but it was gladly imbraced by them both,
whereupon the Gouernor translated it verbatim out of French into English, and caused the eldest Minister vpon Easter day to begin the vse thereof at S. Georges
towne, where himselfe, most of the Councell, Officers and Auditorie
receiued the Sacrament: the which forme they continued during the time
of his gouernment.
The rebuilding the Mount.
Much about this
time, in such a faire morning, that had inuited many Boats farre out to
the Sea to fish, did rise such a Hericano
that much indangered them all, so that one of them with two Boies were
driuen to Sea and neuer more heard of. The Ministers thus agreed, a
Proclamation was published for keeping of the Sabbath, and all the
defectiue cariages he endeuoured to haue renewed, builded a small Boat
of Cedar onely to goe with Ores, to be ready vpon any occasion to
discouer any shipping, and tooke order euery Fort should haue the like:
Also caused numbers of Cedars to be brought from diuers places in
flotes, to rebuild the Mount, which with an vnspeakable toile, was
raised seuen foot higher then before, and a Falcon mounted at the foot,
to be alwaies discharged for a warning to all the Forts vpon the
discouery of any shipping, and this he called Rich Mount. This
exceeding toile and labour, hauing no Cattle but onely mens
strengths, caused many
petitions to the Gouernour, that all those generall works might cease
till they had reaped their haruests, in that they were in great
distresse for victuall; which hee so well answered, their owne shames
did cause them desist from that importunity, and voluntarily performe
as much as hee required.
The Tombe of Sir George Summers.
Finding accidentally
a little crosse erected in a by place, amongst a many of bushes,
vnderstanding there was buried the heart and intrailes of Sir George Summers, hee resolued to haue a better memory for so worthy a Souldier, then that. So finding also a great Marble stone brought out of England,
hee caused it by Masons to bee wrought handsomely and laid ouer the
place, which hee inuironed with a square wall of hewen stone, Tombe
like; wherein hee caused to bee grauen this Epitaph he had composed, and fixed it vpon the Marble stone; and thus it was,
In the yeere 1 6 1 1,
Noble Sir George Summers went hence to heauen;
Whese well tri'd worth that held him still imploid,
Gaue him the knowledge of the world so wide.
Hence 't was by heauens decree, that to this place
He brought new guests, and name to mutuall grace.
At last his soule and body being to part,
He here bequeath'd his entrails and his heart.
Their manner of lawes reformed.
Vpon the sixt of
Iune began the second Assise, that reduced them to the direct forme
vsed in England. For besides the Gouernour
and Councell, they haue the Bailiffes of the Tribes, in nature of the
Deputy Lieutenants of the shires in England,
for to them are all precepts and warrants directed, and accordingly
answered and respected; they performe also the duties of Iustices of
Peace, within their limits. The subordinate Officers to these in euery
tribe, are the Constables, Head-borowes, and Church-wardens; these are
the triers of the Tobacco, which if they allow not to be marchantable,
is burnt: and these are the executioners of their ciuill and politicke
causes.
Martiall Officers.
For points of warre
and martiall affaires, they haue the Gouernour for Lieutenant generall,
the Sergeant maior, Master of Ordinance, Captaines of Companies,
Captaines of Forts, with their seuerall officers, to traine and
exercise those numbers vnder their charge, in martiall discipline.
Ciuill Officers and Courts.
Concerning their
Courts for decision of right and iustice, the first, though last in
constitution, is their generall assembly; allowed by the state in England, in the nature of a Parliament, consisting of about forty persons; viz.
the Gouernour, the Counsell, the Bailiffes of the tribes, and two
Burgesses of each tribe chosen by voyces in the tribe, besides such of
the Clergie as the Gouernour thinkes most fit, to be held once a yeere,
as you shal heare more thereof hereafter. The next Court is the Assise
or Iayles of deliuerie, held twice euery yeere, in Christmas, and
Whitson weeke, for all criminall offenders, and ciuill causes betwixt
party and party; as actions of debt, trespasse, battery, slander, and
the like: and these are determined by a Iury of twelue men, and aboue
them is also a grand Iury to examine matters of greater consequence.
The last day of the Assise might also well be held a Court, for hearing
the trangressions in matters of contempt, mis-behauiour towards any
Magistrate, riots, seditious speakers, contemners of warrants, and such
like: there are also as occasion shall require, many matters heard by
the Gouernor, or his Officers, and oft iustice done in seuerall places,
but those are but as daies of hearing, and as preparatiues against
their Courts, &c.
The second Assise.
At this last Assize
eighteene were arrained for criminall causes, a number very
extraordinary considering the place; but now occasioned by reason of
the hard yeere, and the store of ill chosen new commers; of these, some
were censured to the whipping post, some burned in the hand, but two
were condemned to die, yet the one was reprieued, the other hanged;
this done, euery man returned to his home: many trials they made againe
about the Warwicke, but to small purpose,
her Ordnance being lashed so
fast they could not be vnloosed, till the ropes and decks were rotten,
yet some few buttes of beare being flotie they got, which though it had
lien six moneths vnder water was verygood, notwithstanding the next
yeere they recouered fiue peeces of Ordnance.
A generall assemblie in manner a Parliament.
Vpon the first of August, according to the Companies instructions from England, began the generall assembly at the towne of Saint George,
which was the first these Iles euer had; consisting as is said, of the
Gouernour, Councell, Bailiffes, and Burgesses, and a Secretarie to whom
all bils were presented, and by him openly read in the house, also a
Clerke to record the Acts, being thirty two in all; fifteene of which
being sent into England, were by a
generall consent receiued and enacted, the titles where of are these
following: as for all the reasons for them, they would be too tedious
to recite.
Their Acts.
The first was
against the vniust sale and letting of apprentises and other seruants,
and this was especially for the righting the vndertakers in England.
The second, concerning the disposing of aged, diseased, and impotent
persons, for it being considered how carelesse many are in preferring
their friends, or sending sometimes any they can procure to goe, such
vnseruiceable people should be returned back at their charge that sent
them, rather then be burden some to the poore Inhabitants in the Iles.
The third, the necessary manning the Kings Castle, being the key of the
Ile, that a garison of twelue able men should bee there alwaies
resident: and 3000. eares of corne, and 1000. pounds of Tobacco payed
them by the generality yeerely, as a pension. The fourth, against the
making vnmarchantable Tobacco, and Officers sworne to make true trials,
& burne that was naught. The fift, inioyned the erection of
certaine publike bridges, and the maintenance of them. The sixt, for a
continuall supply of victuall for all the Forts, to bee preserued, till
some great occasion to vse it. The seuenth was, for two fixed dayes
euery yeere for the Assises. The eight, commands the making of
high-waies, and prohibiting the passage ouer mens grounds and planted
fields, as well to preuent the spoyling of gardens, as conueniencie to
answer any alarum. The ninth, for the preseruing young tortoises and
birds, that were carelesly destroyed. The tenth, prouided against
vagabonds, & prohibited the entertainement of other mens seruants.
The eleuenth, compelled the setting of a due quantity of corne for
euery family. The twelfth, the care corne being set, enioyned the
keeping vp of their poultry till it was past their reaches. The
thirteenth, for the preseruation of sufficient fences, & against
the felling of marked trees appointed for bounds. The fourteenth,
granted to a leuy for a thousand pound weight of Tobacco, towards the
payment of publike workes, as the bridges and the mount. The fifteenth,
for the enioyning an acknowledgement and acception of all resident
Gouernours, and the warranting him to continue, though his time be
expired, till the arriuall of a legitimate successor from England, to preuent all vnmeet and presumptuous elections, besides it was desired by petition in England,
the new Gouernous should liue two months as a priuate man after his
arriuall, if his predecessor did stay so long, the better to learne and
obserue his course. And these are the contents of those fifteene Acts,
applied as you may perceiue: which the lawes of England
could not take notice of, because euery climate hath somewhat to it
selfe in that kinde in particular; for otherwise as it is conceiued, it
had beene a high impudency and presumption to haue medled with them, or
indeed with any such as these lawes, that had with such great iudgement
and iustice alwaies prouided for.
The arriuall of the Magazin ship.
70000. weight of Tobacco.
No sooner was this businesse ouer, but the Magazin
ship is discouered, and that night came into the Harbour, but in a very
weake and sickly case, hauing cast ouer board twenty or thirty of her
people, and so violent was the infection, that the most part of the
sailers, as well as passengers, were so sicke, or dismaid, or both,
that the Master confessed, had they stayed at the Sea but a weeke
longer, they had all perished. There arriued with this ship diuers
Gentlemen of good fashion, with their wiues and families; but many of
them crasie by the tediousnesse of the voyage:
howsoeuer most of them, by the
excellent salubrity of the aire, then which the world hath not a
better, soone after recouered; yet some there were that died presently
after they got ashore, it being certainly the quality of the place,
either to kill, or cure quickly, as the bodies are more or lesse
corrupted. By this ship the Company sent a supply of ten persons for
the generality, but of such bad condition that it seemed they had
picked the Males out of Newgate, the Females from Bridewell:
As the Gouernour found it his best course, to grant out the women to
such as were so greedy of wiues, and would needs haue them for better
for worse; and the men hee placed in the Kings Castle for souldiers.
But this bad, weake, sickly supply being dispersed for their best
reliefe, by the much imployment of his boats in remoouing them, many of
his owne men became infected, so that for some weekes, they were not
able to doe him any seruice at all. Strict instructions also they
brought for the planting of Sugar canes, for which the Iland being
rockie and dry, is so vnproper, that few as yet haue beene seene to
prosper: yet there are others hold the contrary opinion, that there is
raine so ordinarily, the Iles are so moist, as produceth all their
plants in such infinit abundance: there is no great reason to suspect
this, were it rightly vsed, more then the rest. Seuenty thousand weight
of Tobacco being prepared towards her fraught, she returned for England.
No sooner was shee gone then came in another, sent by the Company and
generalty, well conditioned, but shee failed not much to haue beene
cast away amongst those dangerous & terrible rocks; by her came
also expresse command, they should entertaine no other ships, then were
directly sent from the Company: this caused much grudging, and indeed a
generall distraction and exclamation among the Inhabitants, to be thus
constrained to buy what they wanted, and sell what they had at what
price the Magazin pleased, and to debarre true men from comming to them for trade or reliefe, that were daily receiued in all the harbours in England.
So long this ship stayed going for fraught and wages, the Master not
caring how long he lay at that rate in a good harbour, the Gouernour
was ready to send her away by Proclamation. Thus ended the first yeere
of the gouernment of C. Butler.
1620. The building of three bridges and other works.
With the first of
the second yeere were held the Assises, where all the Bailiffes were
fined for not giuing a beginning to the building of the bridges; there
was also an order to restraine the excessiue wages all hadicrafts men
would haue: and that the Church-wardens should meet twice a yeere, to
haue all their presentments made perfect against the Assises. The
Assises done, all the ablest men were trained in their armes, and then
departed to their owne homes. The towne thus cleered, he made certaine
new carriages for some demy Culuerings, and a large new storehouse of
Cedar for the yeerely Magazines goods; finished Warwicks Fort begun by Master More, and made a new platforme at Pagits
Fort, also a faire house of lime and stone for the Townes-house. The
three bridges appointed by the generall assembly, was followed with
such diligence, though they were more then an hundred, or an hundred
and twenty foot in length, hauing the foundation and arches in the Sea,
were raised and accomplished, so that man or beast with facility might
passe them.
The generall Assises, and the proceedings.
At Whitsonday was held the fourth generall Assise at Saint Georges,
where were tryed twenty seuerall causes; foure or fiue were whipped or
burnt in the hand, for breaking of houses: also an order was made, that
the party cast in the triall of any cause, should pay to euery of the
Iurours foure pence: moreouer, that not past ten leaues at the most
should grow vpon a plant of Tobacco, and that also in the making it vp,
a distinction should diligently be obserued of two kinds, a better and
a worse: then they built a stronge stone house for the Captaine of the
Kings Castle and corps du guard; and repaired what defects they could finde in the platformes and carriages.
Captaine Powell so oft mentioned, hauing beene in the West-Indies for the States of Holland,
came to an anchor within shot of their Ordnance, desiring admittance
for wood and water, of which hee had great need, but the Gouernor
would not permit him, so he
weighed and departed, whereat the company were so madded, it was not
possible to constraine them to cease their exclaimations against the
Companies inhibition, till they were weary with exclaming: But still
for their better defence, not thinking themselues sufficiently secure,
hauing finished two new plat-formes more, arriued the Magazin ship, but
her Master was dead, and many of the Passengers, the rest for most part
very sicke; and withall, a strange and wonderfull report of much
complaint made against the Gouernor to the Company in England,
by some of them returned in the last yeeres shipping: but it was eight
daies before she could get in by reason of ill weather, being forced
againe to Sea; so that time, they kept euery night continually great
fires, she might see the Ile as well by night as day; but at last she
arriued, and he plainly vnderstood, he had more cause a great deale to
looke for misconstruction of all his seruice then an acknowledgment,
much lesse a recompence any better then his predecessors; but it is no
new thing to requite the best desert with the most vildest of
ingratitude.
A strange deliuerance of a Spanish wracke.
The
very next daies night after the arriuall of the Magazins ship, newes
was brought the Gouernor by a dismaied Messenger from Sands his Tribe, that one hundred Spaniards
were landed in that part, and diuers ships discouered at Sea, whereupon
he presently manned the Forts, and instantly made thitherward in person
with twentie men, determining as he found cause to draw together more
strength by the way. Being got thither by the breake of the next day,
in stead of an enemy which he expected, he met onely with a company of
poore distressed Portugals and Spaniards, who in their passage from Carthagena in the West-Indies,
in consort with the Spanish fleet of Plait; by the same storme that had
indangered the Magazin ship, lost theirs vpon those terrible Rocks,
being to the number of seuenty persons, were strangely preserued; and
the manner was thus.
About Sunne-set
their ship beating amongst the Rocks, some twenty of the Sailers got
into the Boat with what treasure they could, leauing the Captaine, the
Master, and all the rest to the mercy of the Sea. But a Boy not past
foureteene yeares of age that leaped after to haue got into the Boat,
missing that hope, it pleased God he got vpon a Chest a drift by him,
whereon they report he continued two daies, and was driuen neere to the
cleane contrary part of the Ile, where he was taken vp neere dead, yet
well recouered. All this night the ship sticking fast, the poore
distressed in her the next day spying land, made a raft, and were those
gaue the alarum first a shore about three of the clocke in the after
noone. The morning after, about seuen of the clocke came in the Boat to
a place called Mangroue Bay; and the same day their Carpenter was driuen a shore vpon a Planke neere Hog-Bay.
There was a Gentlewoman that had stood wet vp to the middle vpon the
raft from the ship to the shore, being big with childe; and although
this was vpon the thirteenth of September, she tooke no hurt, and was
safely deliuered of a Boy within three daies after. The best comfort
could be giuen them in those extremities they had, although some of the
baser sort had beene rifling some of them before the Gouernors
arriuall: Also the Spanish Captaine and the chiefe with him, much
complained of the treachery of his men to leaue him in that manner, yet
had conueyed with them the most of the money they could come by, which
he easily missed; whereupon hee suddenly caused all them he accused, to
be searched, and recouered to the value of one hundred and fortie
pounds starling, which he deliuered into the Captaines hands, to be
imploied in a generall purse towards their generall charge: during
their stay in the Iles, some of the better sort, nine or ten weeks
dieted at his owne table, the rest were billited amongst the
Inhabitants at foure shillings the weeke, till they found shipping for
their passage, for which they paied no more then the English paied
themselues; and for the passage of diuers of them, the Gouernor was
glad to stand bound to the Master; some others that were not able to
procure such friendship, were so constrained to stay in the Iles, till
by their labours they had got
so much as would transport them; and thus they were preserued, releeued, and deliuered.
How they solemnized the powder treason, and the arriuall of two ships.
In the moneth
insuing arriued the second ship, and she also had lost her Master, and
diuers of her Passengers; in her came two Virginian
Women to be married to some would haue them, that after they were
conuerted and had children, they might be sent to their Countrey and
kindred to ciuilize them. Towards the end of this moneth came in the
third ship with a small Magazin, hauing sold what she could, caried the
rest to Virginia, and neuer did any of
those Passengers complaine either of their good diet, or too good vsage
at sea; but the cleane contrary still occasioned many of those
extremities. The fift of Nouember the damnable plot of the powder
treason was solemnized, with Praiers, Sermons, and a great Feast,
whereto the Gouernor inuited the chiefe of the Spaniards,
where drinking the Kings health, it was honored with a quicke volly of
small shot, which was answered from the Forts with the great Ordnance,
and then againe concluded with a second volley of small shot; neither
was the afternoone without musicke and dancing, and at night many huge
bone-fires of sweet wood.
The Spaniards returne, and in danger againe, 1621.
Three English Murderers found in the Spanish wracke.
The Spaniards
to expresse their thankfulnesse at their departure, made a deed of gift
to the Gouernor of whatsoeuer he could recouer of the wracked ship; but
the ships as they went out came so dangerously vpon a Rock, that the
poore Spaniards were so dismaied, swearing
this place was ominous vnto them, especially the women, that desired
rather to goe a shore and die howsoeuer, than aduenture any further in
such a labyrinth of dangers, but at last she got cleere without danger,
and well to England; the other went to Virginia,
wherein the Gouernor sent two great Chests filled with all such kinds
and sorts of Fruits and Plants as their Ilands had; as Figs,
Pomgranats, Oranges, Lemons, Sugar-canes, Plantanes, Potatoes, Papawes,
Cassado roots, red Pepper, the Prickell Peare, and the like. The ships
thus dispatched, hee goeth into the maine, and so out to sea to the
Spanish wracke. He had beene there before presently after her ruine,
for neuer had ship a more sudden death, being now split in peeces all
vnder water. He found small hope to recouer anything, saue a Cable and
an Anchor, and two good Sacars; but the wind was so high hee was forced
to returne, being ten miles from the shore, onely with three Murderers,
which were knowne to be the same Captaine Kendall had sold to Captaine Kerby, whose ship was taken by two men of warre of Carthagena,
the most of his men slaine or hanged, and he being wounded, died in the
woods. Now their Pilot being at this seruice, got thus those three
Murderers to their ship, and their ship thus to the Bermudas, as the Spaniards remaining related to the Gouernor and others.
Their Assises, and other passages.
Hauing raised three small Bulwarkes at Southhamptons
Fort, with two Curtaines, and two Rauilings, which indeed is onely the
true absolute peece of fortification in the Iles; Christmas being come,
and the prefixed day of the Assise; diuers were whipped and burnt in
the hand, onely three young boyes for stealing were condemned, and at
the very point of hanging repriued. The Gouernour then sent his
Lieutenant all ouer the maine to distribute Armes to those were found
most fit to vse them, & to giue order for their randezuous, which
were hanged vp in the Church. About this time it chanced a pretty
secret to be discouered to preserue their corne from the fly, or
weauell, which did in a manner as much hurt as the rats. For the yeere
before hauing made a Proclamation that all Corne should be gathered by
a certaine day, because many lazy persons ranne so after the ships to
get Beere and Aquavitæ, for which they
will giue anything they haue, much had beene lost for want of
gathering. This yeare hauing a very faire crop, some of the
Inhabitants, none of the best husbands, hastily gathered it for feare
of the penaltie, threw it in great heaps into their houses vnhusked,
and so let it lie foure or fiue moneths, which was thought would haue
spoiled it: where the good husbands husked it, and with much labour
hung it vp, where the Flies did so blow on it, they increased to so
many Weauels, they generally
complained of great losse; but
those good fellowes that neuer cared but from hand to mouth, made their
boasts, that not a graine of theirs had beene touched nor hurt, there
being no better way to preserue it then by letting it lie in its huske,
and spare an infinite labour formerly had beene vsed. There were also
very luckily about this time found out diuers places of fresh water, of
which many of the Forts were very destitute, and the Church-wardens and
Side-men were very busie in correcting the prophaners of the Sabbath,
Drunkards, Gamesters, and such like. There came also from Virginia
a small Barke with many thanks for the presents sent them; much
Aquauitæ, Oile, Sacke and Bricks they brought in exchange of more
Fruits and Plants, Ducks, Turkies and Limestone, of which she had
plenty, and so returned during the aboad of the stay of this ship. The
mariage of one of the Virginia maides was
consummated with a husband fit for her, attended with more then one
hundred guests, and all the dainties for their dinner could be
prouided; they made also another triall to fish for Whales, but it
tooke no more effect then the former: this was done by the Master of
the Virginia ship that professed much
skill that way, but hauing fraughted his ship with Limestone, with
20000. weight of Potatoes, and such things as he desired, returned for Virginia.
A strange Sodomy.
More trialls about the wracks.
Aprill and May were
spent in building a strong new Prison, and perfecting some of the
Fortifications, and by the labour of twenty men in fourteene daies was
got from the Spanish wracke foure excellent good Sacres, and mounted
them at the Forts. Then began the generall Assize, where not fewer then
fifty ciuill, or rather vnciuill actions were handled, and twenty
criminall prisoners brought to the bar; such a multitude of such vild
people were sent to this Plantation, that he thought himselfe happy his
time was so neere expired: three of the fowlest acts were these: the
first for the rape of a married woman, which was acquitted by a
senselesse Iury; the second for buggering a Sow, and the third for
Sodomy with a boy, for which they were hanged; during the time of the
imprisonment of this Buggerer of the Sow, a Dung-hill Cocke belonging
to the same man did continually haunt a Pigge of his also, and to the
wonder of all them that saw it who were many, did so frequently tread
the Pigge as if it had beene one of his Hens, that the Pigge languished
and died within a while after, and then the Cocke resorted to the very
same Sow (that this fellow was accused for) in the very same manner,
and as an addition to all this, about the same time two Chickens were
hatched, the one whereof had two heads, the other crowed very loud and
lustily within twelve houres after it was out of the shell. A desperate
fellow being to bee arraigned for stealing a Turky, rather then he
would endure his triall, secretly conueighed himselfe to Sea in a
little Boat, and neuer since was euer heard of, nor is he euer like to
be, without an exceeding wonder, little lesse then a miracle. In Iune
they made another triall about the Spanish wracke, and recouered
another Sacre and a Murderer, also he caused to be hewed out of the
maine Rocke a paire of large staires for the conuenient landing of
goods and passengers, a worke much to the beauty and benefit of the
towne. With twenty chosen men, and two excellent Divers, the Gouernour
went himselfe to the wracke Warwick, but they could recouer but one Murderer, from thence he went to the Sea-aduenture, the wracke of Sir George Summers,
the hull though two or three fathomes in the water, they found
vnperished and with much a doe weighed a Sacre, her sheat Anchor,
diuers barres of Iron and pigs of Lead, which stood the Plantation in
very great stead. Towards the end of Iuly he went to seeke for a wracke
they reported lay vnder water with her hatches spiked vp, but they
could not finde her, but from the Spanish wracke lay there by they
weighed three faire Sacres more, and so returned through the Tribes to
Saint Georges: some were also imployed to
seeke out beds of Oisters for Pearle, some they found, some seed Pearle
they got, but out of one little shell aboue all the rest they got about
120, small Pearle, but somewhat defectiue in their colour.
The Planters complaints.
The time of Captain Butlers
gouernment drawing neere an end, the Colony presented vnto him diuers
grieuances, to intreat him to remember to the Lords and Company in England
at his returne: also they appointed two to be ioyned with him, with
letters of credence to solicit in their behalfe those grieuances
following: First, they were defrauded of the food of their soules: for
being not fewer then one thousand and fiue hundred people, dispersed in
length twenty miles, they had at that present but one Minister, nor
neuer had but two, and they so shortned of their promises, that but
onely for meere pity they would haue forsaken them. Secondly, neglected
in the safety of their lines by wants of all sorts of munition.
Thirdly, they had beene censured contrary to his Maiesties Lawes, and
not allowed them the benefit of their booke as they are in England, but by Captaine Butler.
Fourthly, they were frustrated of many of their couenants, and most
extremely pinched and vndone by the extortion of the Magazine, for
although their Tobacco was stinted but at two shillings sixpence the
pound, yet they pitched their commodities at what rate they pleased.
Fifthly, their fatherlesse children are left in little better condition
then slaues, for if their Parents die in debt, their children are made
as bondmen till the debt be discharged: these things being perfected,
there grew a great question of one Heriot
for plotting of factions and abusing the Gouernour, for which he was
condemned to lose his cares, yet he was vsed so fauourably he lost but
the part of one in all.
The returne of Captaine Butler.
By this time it
being growne past the wonted season of the comming in of ships from England,
after a generall longing and expectation, especially of the Gouernour,
whose Commission being neere vpon expiration, gaue him cause to wish
for a meane of deliuerance from so troublesome and thanklesse an
imploiment as he had hitherto found it; a saile is discouered, and long
it was not before shee arriued in the Kings Castle-Harbour: this Barke
was set out by two or three priuate men of the Company, and hauing
landed her supplies, was to goe for Virginia;
by her the Gouernour receiued certaine aduertisements of the carriage
and behauiour of the Spaniards, which he had relieued as you haue heard
the yeere before; that quite contrary both to his merit, their vow, and
his owne expectation, they made clamours against him, the which being
seconded by the Spanish Ambassadour, caused the State to fall in
examination about it; whereupon hauing fully cleared their
ingratefulnesse and impudency, and being assured of the choice of a
successor that was to be expected within fiue or six weekes; hee was
desirous to take the opportunity of this Barke, and to visit the Colony
in Virginia in his returne for England: leauing the gouernment to Captaine Felgat, Captaine Stokes, Master Lewis Hewes, Master Nedom and Master Ginner, but now his time being fully expired, and the fortifications finished, viz. The Kings Castle wherein were mounted vpon sufficient Platformes sixteene peece of Ordnances: In Charles Fort two; In Southampton
Fort fiue, betwixt which and the Castle passeth the Chanell into the
Harbour, secured by three and twenty peeces of good artillery to play
vpon it. In Cowpers Ile is Pembrocks Fort, where is two Peeces. The Chanell of Saint George is guarded by Smiths Fort, and Pagits Fort, in which is eleuen peece of Ordnance. Saint George towne is halfe a league within the Harbour, commanded by Warwicks
Fort, where are three great Peeces, and on the Wharfe before the
Gouernours house eight more, besides the warning Peece by the mount,
and three in Saint Katharines; so that in
all there are ten Fortresses and two and fifty peeces of Ordnance
sufficient and seruiceable: their formes and situations you may see
more plainlier described in the Map; and to defend those, he left one
thousand fiue hundred persons with neere a hundred boats, and the Ile
well replenished with store of such fruits, prouisions and Poultry, as
is formerly related; yet for so departing and other occasions, much
difference hath beene betwixt him and some of the Company, as any of
his Predecessors, which I rather wish were reconciled, then to be a
reporter of such vnprofitable dissentions.
For
Till trechery and faction, and auarice be gone,
Till envy and ambition, and backbiting be none,
Till perjury and idlenesse, and iniury be out,
And truly till that villany the worst of all that rout;
Unlesse those vises banisht be, what euer Forts you haue,
A hundred walls together put will not haue power to saue.
Master Iohn Barnard sent to be Gouernour.
1622. The Lord Cauendish Treasurer. Master Nicholas Farrar Deputy.
TO supply this place was sent by the noble aduenturers Iohn Bernard, a Gentleman both of good meanes and quality, who arriued within eight daies after Butlers
departure with two ships, and about one hundred and forty passengers
with armes and all sorts of munition and other prouisions sufficient.
During the time of his life which was but six weekes in reforming all
things he found defectiue, he shewed himselfe so iudiciall and
industrious as gaue great satisfaction, and did generally promise vice
was in great danger to be suppressed, and vertue and the Plantation
much aduanced; but so it hapned that both he and his wife died in such
short time they were both buried in one day and one graue, and Master Iohn Harrison chosen Gouernour till further order came from England.
What hapned in the gouernment of Master Iohn Harrison.
1623. Sir Edward Sackuil Treasurer. Master Gabriel Barber Deputy.
THey are still much
troubled with a great short worme that deuours their Plants in the
night, but all the day they lie hid in the ground, and though early in
the morning they kill so many, they would thinke there were no more,
yet the next morning you shall finde as many. The Caterpillers to their
fruits are also as pernicious, and the land Crabs in some places are as
thicke in their Borowes as Conies in a Warren, and doe much hurt;
besides all this, there hapned this yeere a very heauy disaster, for a
ship wherein there had beene much swearing and blaspheming vsed all the
voyage, and landed what she had to leaue in those Iles, iouially
froliking in their Cups and Tobacco, by accident fired the Powder, that
at the very instant blew vp the great Cabin, and some one way and some
another, it is a wonder to thinke how they could bee so blowne out of
the gun-roome into the Sea, where some were taken vp liuing, so
pitifully burned, their liues were worse then so many deaths, some
died, some liued, but eighteene were lost at this fatall blast, the
ship also immediatly sunke with threescore barrels of meale sent for Virginia, and all the other prouision in her was thus lost.
Note.
Sir Thomas Smith Treasurer, and Master Edwards Deputy.
Now to consider how
the Spaniards, French, and Dutch, haue beene lost and preserued in
those inuincible Iles, yet neuer regarded them but as monuments of
miseries, though at this present they all desire them; How Sir Thomas Gates, and Sir George Summers
being ready to sinke in the sea were saued, what an incredible
abundance of victuall they found, how it was first planted by the
English, the strange increase of Rats, and their sudden departure, the
fiue men came from England in a boat, the escape of Hilliard,
and the rest of those accidents there hapned, a man would thinke it a
tabernacle of miracles, and the worlds wonder, that from such a
Paradise of admiration who would thinke should spring such wonders of
afflictions as are onely fit to be sacrificed vpon the highest altars
of sorrow, thus to be set vpon the highest Pinacles of content, and
presently throwne downe to the lowest degree of extremity, as you see
haue beene the yeerely succeedings of those Plantations; the which to
ouercome, as it is an incomparable honour, so it can be no dishonour if
a man doe miscarry by vnfortunate accidents in such honourable actions,
the which renowne and vertue to attaine hath
caused so many attempts by
diuers Nations besides ours, euen to passe through the very amazement
of aduentures. Vpon the relation of this newes the Company hath sent
one Captaine Woodhouse,
a Gentleman of good repute and great experience in the warres, and no
lesse prouident then industrious and valiant: then returned report, all
goeth well there. It is too true, in the absence of the noble
Treasurer, Sir Edward Sackvill, now Earle of Dorset, there haue beene such complaints betwixt the Planters and the Company, that by command the Lords appointed Sir Thomas Smith
againe Treasurer, that since then according to their order of Court he
is also elected, where now we must leaue them all to their good fortune
and successe, till we heare further of their fortunate proceedings.
FINIS.
To his friend Captaine Smith, vpon his description of New-England.
SIr; your Relations I haue read: which shew,
Ther's reason I should honour them and you:
And if their meaning I haue vnderstood,
I dare to censure thus: Your Proiect's good;
And may (if follow'd) doubtlesse quit the paine,
With honour, pleasure and a trebble gaine;
Beside the benefit that shall arise
To make more happy our Posterities.
For would we daigne to spare, though't were no more
Then what ore-fils, and surfets vs in store,
To order Nature's fruit fulnesse a while
In that rude Garden, you New-England stile;
With present good, ther's hope in after-daies
Thence to repaire what Time and Pride decaies
In this rich Kingdome. And the spacious West
Being still more with English bloud possest,
The proud Iberians shall not rule those Seas,
To checke our ships from sailing where they please;
Nor future times make any forraine power
Become so great to force a bound to Our.
Much good my minde foretels would follow hence
With little labour, and with lesse expence.
Thriue therefore thy Designe, who ere enuy:
England may ioy in England's Colony,
Virginia seeke her Virgin sisters good,
Be blessed in such happy neighbourhood:
Or, what soere Fate pleaseth to permit,
Be thou still honour'd for first mouing it.
George Wither, è societate Lincol.
To that worthy and generous Gentleman, my very good friend, Captaine Smith.
MAy Fate thy Proiect prosper, that thy name
May be eternized with liuing fame:
Though soule Detraction Honour would peruert,
And Enuie euer waits vpon desert:
In spight of Pelias, when his hate lies cold,
Returne as Iason with a fleece of gold.
Then after-ages shall record thy praise,
That a New-England to this Ile didst raise:
And when thou di'st (as all that line must die)
Thy fame liue here; thou, with Eternity.
R. Gunnell.
To his worthy Captaine, the Author.
OFt thou hast led, when I brought vp the Rere
In bloudy wars, where thousands haue beene slaine.
Then giue me leane in this some part to beare;
And as thy seruant, here to reade my name.
Tis true, long time thou hast my Captaine beene
In the fierce warres of Transiluania:
Long ere that thou America hadst seene,
Or led wast captin'd in Virginia;
Thou that to passe the worlds foure parts dost deeme
No more, then t'were to goe to bed, or drinke,
And all thou yet hast done, thou dost esteeme
As nothing. This doth cause me thinke
That thou I'aue seene so oft approu'd in dangers,
(And thrice captin'd, thy valour still hath freed)
Art yet preserued, to conuert those strangers:
By God thy guide I trust it is decreed.
For me: I not commend but much admire
Thy England yet vnknowne to passers by-her.
For it will praise it selfe in spight of me;
Thou it, it thou, to all posterity.
Your true friend and souldier, Ed. Robinson.
To my honest Captaine, the Author.
Malignant Times! What can be said or done,
But shall be censur'd and traduc't by some!
This worthy Worke, which thou hast bought so deare,
Ne thou, nor it, Detractors need to feare.
Thy words by deeds so long thou hast approu'd,
Of thousands know thee not thou art belou'd.
And this great Plot will make thee ten times more
Knowne and belou'd, than ere thou wert before.
I neuer knew a Warrier yet, but thee,
From wine, Tobacco, debts, dice, oaths, so free.
I call thee Warrier: and I make the bolder;
For, many a Captaine now, was neuer Souldier,
Some such may swell at this: but (to their praise)
When they haue done like thee, my Muse shall raise
Their due deserts to Werthies yet to come,
To liue like thine (admir'd) till day of Doome.
Your true friend,
sometimes your souldier, Tho. Carlton.
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