THE GENERALL HISTORIE OF NEW-ENGLAND.
Sir Francis Popham Treasurer.
COncerning this
History you are to vnderstand the Letters-Patents granted by his
Maiesty in 1606. for the limitation of Virginia,
did extend from 34. to 44. which was diuided in two parts; namely, the
first Colony and the second: the first was to the honourable City of
London, and such as would aduenture with them to discouer and take
their choice where they would, betwixt the degrees of 34. and 41. The
second was appropriated to the Cities of Bristol, Exeter and Plimoth, &c. and the West parts of England,
and all those that would aduenture and ioine with them, and they might
make their choise any where betwixt the degrees of 38. and 44. prouided
there should bee at least 100. miles distance betwixt these 2.
Colonies, each of which had lawes, priuileges and authoritie, for the
gouernment and aduancing their seuerall Plantations alike. Now this
part of America hath formerly beene called Norumbega, Virginia, Nuskoncus, Penaquida, Cannada,
and such other names as those that ranged the Coast pleased. But
because it was so mountainous, rocky and full of Iles, few haue
aduentured much to trouble it, but as is formerly related;
notwithstanding, that honourable Patron of vertue, Sir Iohn Popham, Lord chiefe Iustice of England, in the yeere 1606, procured meanes and men to possesse it, and sent Captaine George Popham for President, Captaine Rawley Gilbert for Admirall, Captaine Edward Harlow master of the Ordnance, Captaine Robert Dauis Sargeant-Maior, Captaine Elis Best Marshall, Master Seaman Secretary, Captaine Iames Dauis to be Captaine of the Fort, Master Gome Carew chiefe Searcher: all those were of the Councell, who with some hundred more were to stay in the Country: they set saile from Plimoth the last of May, and fell with Monahigan the eleuenth of August. At Sagadahock
9. or 10. leagues southward, they planted themselues at the mouth of a
faire nauigable Riuer, but the coast all thereabouts most extreme stony
and rocky: that extreme frozen Winter was so cold they could not range
nor search the Country, and their prouision so small, they were glad to
send all but 45. of their company backe againe: their noble President
Captaine Popham died, and not long after
arriued two ships well prouided of all necessaries to supply them, and
some small time after another, by whom vnderstanding of the
death of the Lord chiefe Iustice, and also of Sir Iohn Gilbert, whose lands there the President Rawley Gilbert was to possesse according to the aduenturers directions, finding nothing but extreme extremities, they all returned for England
in the yeere 1608. and thus this Plantation was begunne and ended in
one yeere, and the Country esteemed as a cold, barren, mountainous,
rocky Desart.
Notwithstanding, the right Honourable Henry Earle of South-hampton and those of the Ile of Wight, imploied Captaine Edward Harlow to discouer an Ile supposed about Cape Cod, but they found their plots had much abused them, for falling with Monahigan, they found onely Cape Cod no Ile but the maine, there they detained three Saluages aboord them, called Pechmo, Monopet and Pekenimne, but Pechmo
leapt ouer board, and got away; and not long after with his consorts
cut their Boat from their sterne, got her on shore, and so filled her
with sand, and guarded her with Bowes and Arrowes the English lost her:
not farre from thence they had three men sorely wounded with Arrowes.
Anchoring at the Ile of Nohono, the Saluages in their Canowes assaulted the Ship till the English Guns made them retire, yet here they tooke Sakaweston, that after he had liued many yeeres in England went a Souldier to the warres of Bohemia. At Capawe they tooke Coneconam and Epenow, but the people at Agawom vsed them kindly, so with fiue Saluages they returned for England, yet Sir Francis Popham sent diuers times one Captaine Williams to Monahigan onely to trade and make core fish, but for any Plantations there was no more speeches. For all this, as I liked Virginia
well, though not their proceedings, so I desired also to see this
country, and spend some time in trying what I could finde for all those
ill rumors and disasters. From the relations of Captaine Edward Harlow and diuers others.
My first voyage to New-England. 1614.
The comõdities I got amounted to 1500. pounds.
The trechery of Master Hunt.
In the month of April 1614. at the charge of Capt. Marmaduke Roydon, Capt. George Langam, Mr. Iohn Buley and Mr. William Skelton, with two ships from London, I chanced to arriue at Monahigan an Ile of America, in 434. of Northerly latitude: out plot was there to take Whales, for which we had one Samuel Cramton
and diuers others expert in that faculty, & also to make trialls of
a Mine of gold & copper; if those failed, Fish and Furs were then
our refuge to make our selues sauers howsoeuer: we found this
Whale-fishing a costly conclusion, we saw many and spent much time in
chasing them, but could not kill any. They being a kinde of Iubartes,
and not the Whale that yeelds Fins and Oile as we expected; for our
gold it was rather the Masters deuice to get a voyage that proiected
it, then any knowledge he had at all of any such matter; Fish and Furs
were now our guard, & by our late arriuall and long lingring about
the Whale, the prime of both those seasons were past ere wee perceiued
it, wee thinking that their seasons serued at all times, but we found
it otherwise, for by the middest of Iune the fishing failed, yet in Iuly and August
some were taken, but not sufficient to defray so great a charge as our
stay required: of dry fish we made about forty thousand, of Cor-fish
about seuen thousand. Whilest the Sailers fished, my selfe with eight
others of them might best bee spared, ranging the Coast in a small
Boat, we got for trifles neere eleuen thousand Beuer skinnes, one
hundred Martins, as many Otters, and the most of them within the
distance of twenty leagues: we ranged the Coast both East and West much
further, but Eastward our commodities were not esteemed, they were so
neere the French who afforded them better, with whom the Saluages had
such commerce that only by trade they made exceeding great voyages,
though they were without the limits of our precincts; during the time
we tried those conclusions, not knowing the coast, nor Saluages
habitations: with these Furres, the traine Oile and Cor-fish, I
returned for England in the Barke, where
within six moneths after our departure from the Downes, wee safely
arriued backe; the best of this fish was sold for 5. li. the hundred,
the rest by ill vsage betwixt three pounds and 50. shillings. The other
ship stayed to fit her selfe for Spaine with the dry fish which was
sold at Maligo at forty Rialls the Quintall, each hundred weighing two quintals and a halfe. But one Thomas Hunt
the Master of this ship (when I was gone) thinking to preuent that
intent I had to make there a Plantation, thereby to keepe this
abounding Countrey still in obscuritie, that onely he and some few
Merchants more might enioy wholly the benefit of the Trade, and profit
of this Countrey, betraied foure and twenty of those poore Saluages
aboord his ship, and most dishonestly and inhumanely for their kinde
vsage of me and all our men, caried them with him to Maligo,
and there for a little priuate gaine sold those silly Saluages for
Rials of eight; but this vilde act kept him euer after from any more
imploiment to those parts. Now because at this time I had taken a
draught of the Coast, and called it New England, yet so long he and his Consorts drowned that name with the Eccho of Cannaday,
and some other ships from other parts also, that vpon this good returne
the next, yeere went thither, that at last I presented this Discourse
with the Map, to our most gracious Prince Charles,
humbly intreating his Highnesse hee would please to change their
barbarous names for such English, as posteritie might say Prince Charles
was their God-father, which for your better vnderstanding both of this
Discourse and the Map, peruse this Schedule, which will plainly shew
you the correspondency of the old names to the new, as his Highnesse
named them.
How Prince Charles called the most remarkable places in New England.
| The old names. |
The new names. |
| Cape Cod. |
Cape Iames. |
| The Harbor at Cape Cod. |
Milforth hauen. |
| Chawum. |
Barwick. |
| Accomack. |
Plimoth. |
| Sagoquas. |
Oxford. |
| Massachusets Mount. |
Cheuit hills. |
| Massachusits Riuer. |
Charles Riuer. |
| Totan. |
Famouth. |
| A great Bay by Cape Anne. |
Bristow. |
| Cape Tragabigsanda. |
Cape Anne. |
| Naembeck. |
Bastable. |
| Aggawom. |
Southampton. |
| Smiths Iles. |
Smiths Iles. |
| Passataquack. |
Hull. |
| Accominticus. |
Boston. |
| Sassanows Mount. |
Snowdon hill. |
| Sowocatuck. |
Ipswich |
| Bahanna. |
Dartmouth. |
| A good Harbor within that Bay. |
Sandwich. |
| Ancociscos Mount. |
Shuters hill. |
| Ancocisco. |
The Base. |
| Anmonghcawgen. |
Cambridge. |
| Kenebecka. |
Edenboraw. |
| Sagadahack. |
Leth. |
| Pemmayquid. |
S. Iohns towne. |
| Segocket. |
Norwich. |
| Mecadacut. |
Dunbarton. |
| Pennobscot. |
Aberden. |
| Nusket. |
Low mounds. |
| Those being omitted I named my selfe. |
| Monahigan. |
Barties Iles. |
| Matinack. |
Willowbies Iles. |
| Metinacus. |
Haughtons Iles. |
The rest of the names in the Map, are places that had no names we did know.
Aspersions against New England.
Captaine Hobson his voiage to Capawuk.
But to continue the
History succeedingly as neere with the day and yeere as may bee.
Returning in the Barke as is said; it was my ill chance to put in at Plimoth,
where imparting those my purposes to diuers I thought my friends, whom
as I supposed were interested in the dead Patent of this vnregarded
Countrey, I was so encouraged and assured to haue the managing their
authoritie in those parts during my life, and such large promises, that
I ingaged my selfe to vndertake it for them. Arriuing at London,
though some malicious persons suggested there was no such matter to be
had in that so bad abandoned Countrey, for if there had, other could
haue found it so well as I; therefore it was to be suspected I had
robbed the French men in New France or Cannada, and the Merchants set me forth seemed not to regard it, yet I found so many promised me such assistance, that I entertained Michael Cooper
the Master of the Barke, that returned with me and others of the
Company: how he dealt with others, or others with him, I know not; but
my publike proceeding gaue such encouragement, that it became so well
apprehended by some few of the Virginia Company, as those proiects
for fishing onely was so well liked, they furnished Couper with foure good ships to Sea, before they at Plimoth had made any prouision at all for me; but onely a small Barke set out by them of the lle of Wight. Some of Plimoth, and diuers Gentlemen of the West Countrey, a little before I returned from New England, in search for a Mine of Gold about an Ile called Capawuck, South-wards from the Shoules of Cape Iames, as they were informed by a Saluage called Epenew;
that hauing deluded thẽ as it seems thus to get home, seeing they kept
him as a prisoner in his owne Countrey, and before his friends, being a
man of so great a stature, he was shewed vp and downe London
for money as a wonder, and it seems of no lesse courage and authoritie,
then of wit, strength, and proportion: for so well he had contriued his
businesse, as many reported he intended to haue surprised the ship; but
seeing it could not be effected to his liking, before them all he
leaped ouer boord. Many shot they made at him, thinking they had slaine
him, but so resolute they were to recouer his body, the master of the
ship was wounded, and many of his company; And thus they lost him,
& not knowing more what to do, returned againe to England
with nothing, which so had discouraged all your West Countrey men, they
neither regarded much their promises, and as little either me or the
Countrey, till they saw the London ships gone and me in Plimoth according to my promise, as hereafter shall be related.
The Londoners send foure good ships to New England.
I must confesse I
was beholden to the setters forth of the foure ships that went with Couper,
in that they offered me that imploiment if I would accept it; and I
finde still my refusall incurred some of their displeasures, whose loue
and fauour I exceedingly desired; and though they doe censure me
opposite to their proceedings, they shall yet still in all my words and
deeds finde, it is their error, not my fault that occasions their
dislike: for hauing ingaged my selfe in this businesse to the West
Countrey, I had beene very dishonest to haue broke my promise, nor will
I spend more time in discouery or fishing, till I may goe with a
Company for a Plantation; for I know my grounds, yet euery one to whom
I tell them, or that reads this Booke, cannot put it in practise,
though it may helpe any that hath seene or not seene to know much of
those parts: And though they endeuour to worke me out of my owne
designes, I will not much enuy their fortunes: but I would be sorry
their intruding ignorance should by their defailments bring those
certainties to doubtfulnesse. So that the businesse prosper I haue my
desire, be it by whomsoeuer that are true subiects to our King and
Countrey: the good of my Countrey is that I seeke, and there is more
then enough for all, if they could be contented.
The situation of New England.
New England is that part of America in the Ocean Sea, opposite to Noua Albion in the South Sea, discouered by the most memorable Sir Francis Drake in his Voyage about the world, in regard whereof this is stiled New England, being in the same latitude New France of it is Northwards, Southwards is Virginia, and all the adioyning continent with new Granado, new Spaine, new Andolosia, and the West-Indies.
Now because I haue beene so oft asked such strange questions of the
goodnesse and greatnesse of those spatious Tracts of Land, how they can
be thus long vnknowne, or not possessed by the Spaniards,
and many such like demands; I intreat your pardons if I chance to be
too plaine or tedious in relating my knowledge for plaine mens
satisfaction.
Notes of Florida.
Florida is the next adioyning to the Indies, which vnprosperously was attempted to be planted by the French, a Countrey farre bigger then England, Scotland, France and Ireland, yet little knowne to any Christian, but by the wonderfull endeuours of Ferdinando de Soto, a valiant Spaniard, whose writings in this age is the best guide knowne to search those parts.
Notes of Virginia.
Virginia is no lle as many doe imagine, but part of the Continent adioyning to Florida,
whose bounds may be stretched to the magnitude thereof, without offence
to any Christian Inhabitant, for from the degrees of thirtie to forty
eight, his Maiesty hath now enlarged his Letters Patents. The Coast
extending Southwest
and North-east about sixteene
or seuenteene hundred miles, but to follow it aboord the shore may well
be three thousand miles at the least: of which twentie miles is the
most giues entrance into the Bay of Chisapeacke,
where is the London Plantation, within which is a Countrey, as you may
perceiue by the Map, of that little I discouered, may well suffice
three hundred thousand people to inhabit: but of it, and the
discoueries of Sir Ralph Laine and Master Heriot, Captaine Gosnold, and Captaine Waymouth,
they haue writ so largely, that posteritie may be bettered by the
fruits of their labours. But for diuers others that haue ranged those
parts since, especially this Countrey now called New England,
within a kenning sometimes of the shore; some touching in one place,
some in another; I must intreat them pardon me for omitting them, or if
I offend in saying, that their true descriptions were concealed, or
neuer were well obserued, or died with the Authors, so that the Coast
is yet still but euen as a Coast vnknowne and vndiscouered. I haue had
six or souen seuerall plots of those Northerne parts, so vnlike each to
other, or resemblance of the Country, as they did me no more good then
so much waste paper, though they cost me more, it may bee it was not my
chance to see the best; but lest others may be deceiued as I was, or
through dangerous ignorance hazard themselues as I did, I haue drawne a
Map from point to point, Ile to Ile, and Harbour to Harbour, with the
Soundings, Sands, Rocks, and Land-markes, as I passed close aboord the
shore in a little Boat; although there bee many things to bee obserued,
which the haste of other affaires did cause me to omit: for being sent
more to get present Commodities, then knowledge of any discoueries for
any future good, I had not power to search as I would; yet it will
serue to direct any shall goe that waies to safe Harbours and the
Saluages habitations: what Merchandize and Commodities for their
labours they may finde, this following discourse shall plainly
demonstrate.
Obseruations for presumptuous ignorant directors.
Thus you may see of
these three thousand miles, more then halfe is yet vnknowne to any
purpose, no not so much as the borders of the Sea are yet certainly
discouered: as for the goodnesse and true substance of the Land, we are
for most part yet altogether ignorant of them, vnlesse it be those
parts about the Bay of Chisapeack and Sagadahock,
but onely here and there where we haue touched or seene a little, the
edges of those large Dominions which doe stretch themselues into the
maine, God doth know how many thousand miles, whereof we can yet no
more iudge, then a stranger that saileth betwixt England and France,
can describe the harbours and dangers by landing here or there in some
Riuer or Bay, tell thereby the goodnesse and substance of Spaine, Italy, Germany, Bohemia, Hungaria,
and the rest; nay, there are many haue liued fortie yeeres in London,
and yet haue scarce beene ten miles out of the Citie: so are there many
haue beene in Virginia many yeeres, and in New England
many times, that doe know little more then the place they doe inhabit,
or the Port where they fished, and when they come home, they will
vndertake they know all Virginia and New England,
as if they were but two Parishes or little Ilands. By this you may
perceiue how much they erre, that thinke euery one that hath beene in Virginia or New England,
vnderstandeth or knoweth what either of them are; Or that the Spaniards
know one halfe quarter of those large Territories they possesse, no not
so much as the true circumference of Terra incognita, whose large Dominions may equalize the goodnesse and greatnesse of America for any thing yet knowne. It is strange with what small power he doth range in the East-Indies, and few will vnderstand the truth of his strength in America: where hauing so much to keepe with such a pampered force, they need not greatly feare his fury in Sommer Iles, Virginia, or New England, beyond whose bounds America doth stretch many thousand miles. Into the frozen parts whereof, one Master Hutson
an English Mariner, did make the greatest discouerie of any Christian I
know, where hee vnfortunately was left by his cowardly Company, for his
exceeding deserts, to end and die a most miserable death.
For Affrica, had not the industrious Portugals ranged her vnknowne parts, who would haue sought for wealth amongst those fried Regions of blacke brutish Negars,
where notwithstanding all their wealth and admirable aduentures and
endeuours more then one hundred and fortie yeeres, they know not one
third part of those blacke habitations. But it is not a worke for euery
one to manage such an affaire, as make a discouery and plant a Colony,
it requires all the best parts of art, iudgement, courage, honesty,
constancy, diligence, and industry, to doe but neere well; some are
more proper for one thing then another, and therein best to be
imploied: and nothing breeds more confusion then misplacing and
misimploying men in their vndertakings. Columbus, Courtes, Pizara, Zoto, Magilanus, and the rest serued more then a Prentiship, to learne how to begin their most memorable attempts in the West-Indies,
which to the wonder of all ages successefully they effected, when many
hundreds of others farre aboue them in the worlds opinion, being
instructed but by relation, came to shame and confusion in actions of
small moment, who doubtlesse in other matters were both wise, discreet,
generous and couragious. I say not this to detract any thing from their
incomparable merits, but to answer those questionlesse questions, that
keepe vs backe from imitating the worthinesse of their braue spirits,
that aduanced themselues from poore Souldiers to great Captaines, their
posterity to great Lords, their King to be one of the greatest
Potentates on earth, and the fruits of their labours his greatest
power, glory, and renowne.
The Description of New England.
THat part we call New England,
is betwixt the degrees of fortie one and fortie fiue, the very meane
betwixt the North pole and the line; but that part this Discourse
speaketh of, stretcheth but from Penobscot to Cape Cod,
some seuentie fiue leagues by a right line distant each from other;
within which bounds I haue seene at least fortie seuerall habitations
vpon the Sea Coast, and sounded about fiue and twentie excellent good
Harbours, in many whereof there is anchorage for fiue hundred saile of
ships of any burden; in some of them for one thousand, and more then
two hundred Iles ouer-growne with good Timber of diuers sorts of wood,
which doe make so many Harbours, as required a longer time then I had
to be well obserued.
The principall Countries or gouernments.
The principall habitation Northward we were at, was Pennobscot: Southward along the Coast and vp the Riuers, we found Mecadacut, Segocket, Pemaquid, Nuscoucus, Sagadahock, Aumoughcowgen, and Kenebeke; and to those Countries belong the people of Segotago,
Paghhuntanuck, Pocopassum, Taughtanakagnet, Warbigganus, Nassaque,
Masherosqueck, Wawrigweck, Moshoquen, Wakcogo, Pasharanack, &c. To these are alied in confederacy, the Countries of Ancocisco, Accomynticus, Passataquack, Aggawom, and Naemkeck:
All these for any thing I could perceiue, differ little in language,
fashion, or gouernment, though most of them be Lords of themselues, yet
they hold the Bashabes of Penobscot, the chiefe and greatest amongst them.
The next I can remember by name, are Mattahunts, two pleasant Iles of Groues, Gardens, and Corne fields a league in the Sea from the maine: Then Totant, Massachuset, Topent, Secassaw, Totheet, Nasnocomacack, Accomack, Chawum, Patuxet, Massasoyts, Pakanokick: then Cape Cod, by which is Pawmet and the Ile Nawset, of the language and aliance of them of Chawum; the others are called Massachusets,
and differ somewhat in language, custome, and condition: for their
Trade and Merchandize, to each of their principall families or
habitations, they haue diuers Townes and people belonging, and by their
relations and descriptions, more then twentie seuerall habitations and
riuers that stretch themselues farre into the Countrey, euen to the
Borders of diuers great Lakes, where they kill and take most of their
Otters, from Pennobscot to Sagadahoc. This Coast
is mountainous, and Iles of huge Rockes, but ouer-growne for most part,
with most sorts of excellent good woods, for building Houses, Boats,
Barks or Ships, with an incredible abundance of most sorts of Fish,
much Fowle, and sundry sorts of good Fruits for mans vse.
Betwixt Sagadahock, & Sawocatuck, there is but two or three Sandy Bayes, but betwixt that and Cape Iames very many: especially the Coast of the Massachusets
is so indifferently mixed with high Clay or Sandy clifts in one place,
and the tracts of large long ledges of diuers sorts, and Quaries of
stones in other places, so strangely diuided with tinctured veines of
diuers colours: as Free-stone for building, Slate for tyling, smooth
stone to make Furnasses and Forges for Glasse and Iron, and Iron Ore
sufficient conueniently to melt in them; but the most part so
resembleth the Coast of Deuonshire, I
thinke most of the clifts would make such Lime-stone: if they bee not
of these qualities, they are so like they may deceiue a better
iudgement then mine: all which are so neere adioyning to those other
aduantages I obserued in these parts, that if the Ore proue as good
Iron and Steele in those parts as I know it is within the bounds of the
Countrey, I dare ingage my head (hauing but men skilfull to worke the
Simples there growing) to haue all things belonging to the building and
rigging of ships of any proportion and good Merchandise for their
fraught, within a square of ten or foureteene leagues, and it were no
hard matter to proue it within a lesse limitation.
A proofe of an excellent clime.
And surely by reason
of those sandy clifts, and clifts of rocks, both which we saw so
planted with Gardens and Corne fields, and so well inhabited with a
goodly, strong, and well proportioned people, besides the greatnesse of
the Timber growing on them, the greatnesse of the Fish, and the
moderate temper of the aire (for of fiue and forty not a man was sicke,
but two that were many yeares diseased before they went,
notwithstanding our bad lodging and accidentall diet) who can but
approue this a most excellent place, both for health and fertilitie:
and of all the foure parts of the world I haue yet seene not inhabited,
could I haue but means to transport a Colony, I would rather liue here
then any where, and if it did not maintaine it selfe, were we but once
indifferently well fitted, let vs starue.
Staple Commodities present.
Obseruations of the Hollanders.
The maine staple
from hence to bee extracted for the present, to produce the rest, is
Fish, which howbeit may seeme a meane and a base Commoditie; yet who
will but truly take the paines and consider the sequell, I thinke will
allow it well worth the labour. It is strange to see, what great
aduentures the hopes of setting forth men of warre to rob the
industrious innocent would procure, or such massie promises in grosse,
though more are choaked then well fed with such hastie hopes. But who
doth not know that the poore Hollanders
chiefely by fishing at a great charge and labour in all weathers in the
open Sea, are made a people so hardy and industrious, and by the
venting this poore Commoditie to the Easterlings for as meane, which is
Wood, Flax, Pitch, Tarre, Rozen, Cordage, and such like; which they
exchange againe to the French, Spaniards, Portugals, and English, &c. for what they want, are made so mighty, strong, and rich, as no state but Venice
of twice their magnitude is so well furnished, with so many faire
Cities, goodly Townes, strong Fortresses, and that abundance of
shipping, and all sorts of Merchandize, as well of Gold, Siluer,
Pearles, Diamonds, pretious Stones, Silkes, Veluets, and Cloth of Gold;
as Fish, Pitch, Wood, or such grosse Commodities? What voiages and
discoueries, East and West, North and South, yea about the world, make
they? What an Army by Sea and Land haue they long maintained, in
despight of one of the greatest Princes of the world, and neuer could
the Spaniard with all his Mines of Gold and Siluer, pay his debts, his friends, and Army, halfe so truly as the Hollanders
still haue done by this contemptible Trade of Fish. Diuers (I know) may
alleage many other assistances; but this is the chiefest Mine, and
the Sea the source of those
siluer streames of all their vertue, which hath made them now the very
miracle of industry, the onely paterne of perfection for these
affaires: and the benefit of fishing is that Primum Mobile that turnes all their spheares to this height, of plentie, strength, honor, and exceeding great admiration.
Note.
Note.
Herring, Cod, and
Ling, is that triplicitie, that makes their wealth and shippings
multiplicitie such as it is: and from which (few would thinke it) they
should draw so many millions yeerely as they doe, as more in particular
in the trials of New England you may see;
and such an incredible number of ships, that breeds them so many
Sailers, Mariners, Souldiers, and Merchants, neuer to be wrought out of
that Trade, and fit for any other. I will not deny but others may gaine
as well as they that will vse it, though not so certainly, nor so much
in quantitie, for want of experience: and this Herring they take vpon
the Coast of England and Scotland, their Cod and Ling vpon the Coast of Izeland, and in the North seas, if wee consider what gaines the Hamburgans, the Biskinners, and French make by fishing; nay, but how many thousands this fiftie or sixty yeeres haue beene maintained by New found land,
where they take nothing but small Cod, whereof the greatest they make
Cor-fish, and the rest is hard dried, which we call Poore-Iohn, would
amaze a man with wonder. If then from all those parts such paines is
taken for this poore gaines of Fish, especially by the Hollanders,
that hath but little of their owne, for building of ships and setting
them to sea; but at the second, third, fourth, or fift hand, drawne
from so many parts of the world ere they come together to be vsed in
those voiages: If these (I say) can gaine, why should we more doubt
then they; but doe much better, that may haue most of all those things
at our doores for taking and making, and here are no hard Landlords to
racke vs with high rents, or extorting fines, nor tedious pleas in Law
to consume vs with their many yeeres disputation for Iustice; no
multitudes to occasion such impediments to good orders as in popular
States: so freely hath God and his Maiestie bestowed those blessings,
on them will attempt to obtaine them, as here euery man may be master
of his owne labour and land, or the greatest part (if his Maiesties
royall meaning be not abused) and if he haue nothing but his hands, he
may set vp his Trade; and by industry quickly grow rich, spending but
halfe that time well, which in England we
abuse in idlenesse, worse, or as ill. Here is ground as good as any
lieth in the height of forty one, forty two, forty three, &c. which
is as temperate, and as fruitfull as any other parallel in the world.
Examples of the Altitude comparatiuely.
In Spaine.
In France.
In Greece.
As for example, on this side the line, West of it in the South Sea, is Noua Albion, discouered as is said by Sir Francis Drake: East from it is the most temperate part of Portugall, the ancient Kingdomes of Galizia, Bisky, Nauarre, Aragon, Cattilonia, Castillia the old, and the most moderatest of Castillia the new, & Valentia, which is the greatest part of Spaine; which if the Histories be true, in the Romans time abounded no lesse with gold & siluer Mines, then now the West-Indies, the Romans then vsing the Spaniards to worke in those Mines, as now the Spaniards doe the Indians. In France the Prouinces of Gascony, Langadocke, Auignon, Prouince, Dolphine, Pyamont, and Turyne, are in the same parallel, which are the best and richest parts of France. In Italy the Prouinces of Genua, Lumbardy, and Verona, with a great part of the most famous state of Venice, the Dukedomes of Bononia, Mantua, Ferrara, Rauenna, Bolognia, Florence, Pisa, Sienna, Vrbine, Ancona, and the ancient Citie and Countrey of Rome, with a great part of the Kingdome of Naples. In Slauonia, Istria, and Dalmatia, with the Kingdomes of Albania. In Grecia those famous Kingdomes of Macedonia, Bullulgaria, Thessalia, Thracia, or Romania, where is seated the most pleasant and plentifull Citie in Europe, Constantinople.
In Asia.
Beyond the line.
In Asia in the same latitude, are the temperatest parts of Natolia, Armenia,
Persia, and China; besides diuers other large Countries and Kingdomes in those most milde and temperate Regions of Asia. Southward in the same height is the richest of Gold Mines, Chily, and Baldinia, and the mouth of the great Riuer of Plate,
&c. for all the rest of the world in that height is yet vnknowne.
Besides these reasons, mine owne eies that haue seene a great part of
those Cities and their Kingdomes (as well as it) can finde no aduantage
they haue in Nature but this, they are beautified by the long labour
and diligence of industrious people and art; This is onely as God made
it when hee created the world: Therefore I conclude, if the heart and
intrailes of those Regions were sought, if their Land were cultured,
planted, and manured by men of industry, iudgement, and experience;
what hope is there, or what need they doubt, hauing the aduantages of
the Sea, but it might equalize any of these famous Kingdomes in all
commodities, pleasures, and conditions, seeing euen the very hedges doe
naturally affoord vs such plentie, as no ship need returne away emptie,
and onely vse but the season of the Sea. Fish will returne an honest
gaine, besides all other aduantages, her treasures hauing yet neuer
beene opened, nor her originals wasted, consumed, nor abused.
The particular staple commodities that may be had by industry.
And whereas it is said the Hollanders serue the Easterlings themselues, and other parts that want with Herring, Ling, and wet Cod: The Easterlings, a great part of Europe, with Sturgion and Cauiare, as the Blacke Sea doth Grecia, Podolia, Sagouia, Natolia, and the Hellespont. Cape Blanke, Spaine, Portugall, and the Leuant, with Mulit and Puttargo. New found land, the most part of the chiefe Southerne Ports in Europe,
with a thin Poore-Iohn, which hath beene so long, so much ouer-laied
with Fishers, as the fishing decaieth, so that many oft times are
constrained to returne with a small fraught. Norway and Poland affoords Pitch and Tarre, Masts and Yards. Sweathland and Russia, Iron and Ropes. France and Spaine, Canuase, Wine, Steele, Iron, and Oile. Italy and Greece,
Silkes and Fruits. I dare boldly say, because I haue seene naturally
growing or breeding in those parts, the same materials that all these
are made of, they may as well bee had here, or the most part of them
within the distance of seuentie leagues for some few ages, as from all
those parts, vsing but the same meanes to haue them that they doe; but
surely in Virginia, their most tender and daintiest fruits or commodities, would be as perfit as theirs, by reason of the heat, if not in New England, and with all those aduantages.
The nature of the ground approued.
First, the ground is
so sertill, that questionlesse it is capable of producing any Graine,
Fruits, or Seeds, you will sow or plant, growing in the Regions
aforenamed: But it may be not to that perfection of delicacy, because
the Summer is not so hot, and the Winter is more cold in those parts we
haue yet tried neere the Sea side, then wee finde in the same height in
Europe or Asia:
yet I made a Garden vpon the top of a Rocky Ile in three and forty
degrees and an halfe, foure league from the maine in May, that grew so
well, as it serued vs for Sallers in Iune and Iuly. All sorts of Cattle
may here be bred and fed in the Iles or Peninsulaes securely for
nothing. In the Interim, till they
increase (if need be) obseruing the seasons, I durst vndertake to haue
Corne enough from the Saluages for three hundred men, for a few
trifles; and if they should be vntowards, as it is most certaine they
will, thirtie or fortie good men will be sufficient to bring them all
in subiection, and make this prouision, if they vnderstand what to doe;
two hundred whereof may eight or nine moneths in the yeere be imploied
in helping the Fisher-men, till the rest prouide other necessaries, fit
to furnish vs with other Commodities.
The seasons for fishing approued.
Imploiment for poore people and fatherlesse children.
In March, Aprill,
May, and halfe Iune, heere is Cod in abundance; In May, Iune, Iuly, and
August, Mullit and Sturgion, whose Roes doe make Cauiare and Puttargo;
Herring, if any desire them: I haue taken many out of the bellies of
Cods, some in nets; but the Saluages compare the store in the Sea with
the haires of their heads: and surely there are an incredible abundance
vpon this Coast.
In the end of August,
September, October, and Nouember, you may haue Cod againe to make
Core-fish or Poore-Iohn: Hake you may haue when the Cod failes in
Summer, if you will fish in the night, which is better then Cod. Now
each hundred you take here, is as good as two or three hundred in New found Land;
so that halfe the labour in hooking, splitting and touring, is saued:
And you may haue your fish at what market you will, before they haue
any in New found land, where their fishing
is chiefely but in Iune and Iuly, where it is here in March, Aprill,
May, September, October and Nouember, as is said; so that by reason of
this Plantation, the Merchants may haue their fraught both out and
home, which yeelds an aduantage worth consideration. Your Core-fish you
may in like manner transport as you see cause, to serue the Ports in Portugall, as Lisbone, Auera, Porta
Port, and diuers others, (or what market you please) before your
Ilanders returne. They being tied to the season in the open Sea, and
you hauing a double season, and fishing before your doores, may euery
night sleep quietly ashore with good cheere, and what fires you will,
or when you please with your wiues and family: they onely and their
ships in the maine Ocean, that must carie and containe all they vse,
besides their fraught. The Mullits here are in that abundance, you may
take them with nets sometimes by hundreds, where at Cape Blanke
they hooke them; yet those are but a foot and a halfe in length; these
two, three, or foure, as oft I haue measured, which makes me suspect
they are some other kinde of fish, though they seeme the same, both in
fashion and goodnesse. Much Salmon some haue found vp the Riuers as
they haue passed, and here the aire is so temperate, as all these at
any time may be preserued. Now, young Boies and Girles Saluages, or any
other bee they neuer such idlers, may turne, carie or returne a fish,
without either shame or any great paine: He is very idle that is past
twelue yeeres of age and cannot doe so much, and she is very old that
cannot spin a threed to make Engins to catch a fish.
The facilitie of the Plantation.
For their
transportation, the ships that goe there to fish may transport the
first: who for their passage will spare the charge of double manning
their ships, which they must do in New found land
to get their fraught; but one third part of that company are onely
proper to serue a stage, carie a Barrow, and turne Poore-Iohn;
notwithstanding, they must haue meat, drinke, clothes, & passage so
well as the rest. Now all I desire is but this, That those that
voluntarily will send shipping, should make here the best choice they
can, or accept such as shall bee presented them to serue them at that
rate: and their ships returning leaue such with me, with the value of
that they should receiue comming home, in such prouisions and
necessarie tooles, armes, bedding, apparell, salt, nets, hookes, lines,
and such like, as they spare of the remainings; who till the next
returne may keepe their Boats, and doe them many other profitable
offices. Prouided, I haue men of abilitie to teach them their
functions, and a company fit for Souldiers to be ready vpon any
occasion, because of the abuses that haue beene offered the poore
Saluages, and the libertie that both French and English, or any that
will, haue to deale with them as they please; whose disorders will be
hard to reforme, and the longer the worse: Now such order with
facilitie might be taken, with euery Port, Towne, or Citie, with free
power to conuert the benefit of their fraughts to what aduantage they
please, and increase their numbers as they see occasion, who euer as
they are able to subsist of themselues, may begin the new Townes in New England,
in memory of their old: which freedome being confined but to the
necessitie of the generall good, the euent (with Gods helpe) might
produce an honest, a noble, and a profitable emulation.
Present Commodities.
Kermes.
Musquasses.
Beuers.
Mines.
Salt vpon Salt may
assuredly be made, if not at the first in ponds, yet till they be
prouided this may be vsed: then the ships may transport Kine, Horse,
Goats, course Cloth, and such Commodities as we want; by whose arriuall
may be made that prouision of fish to fraught the ships that they stay
not; and then if the Sailers goe for wages it matters not, it is hard
if this returne defray not the charge:
but care must be had they
arriue in the Spring, or else that prouision be made for them against
winter. Of certaine red berries called Kermes, which is worth ten
shillings the pound, but of these haue beene sold for thirty or forty
shillings the pound, may yeerely be gathered a good quantity. Of the
Muskrat may be well raised gaines worth their labour, that will
endeuour to make triall of their goodnesse. Of Beuers, Otters and
Martins, blacke Foxes, and Furres of price, may yeerely be had six or
seuen thousand, and if the trade of the French were preuented, many
more: 25000. this yeere were brought from those northerne parts into France, of which trade we may haue as good part as the French
if we take good courses. Of Mines of Gold and Siluer, Copper, and
probabilities of Lead, Crystall and Allum, I could say much if
relations were good assurances; it is true indeed, I made many trialls
according to the instructions I had, which doth perswade me I need not
despaire but that there are metals in the Country: but I am no
Alcumist, nor will promise more then I know: which is, who will
vndertake the rectifying of an iron Forge, if those that buy meat and
drinke, coles, ore, and all necessaries at a deare rate, gaine, where
all these things are to be had for taking vp, in my opinion cannot lose.
Woods.
Of woods, seeing
there is such plenty of all sorts, if those that build ships and boats,
buy wood at so great a price, as it is in England, Spaine, France and Holland,
and all other prouisions for the nourishment of mans life, liue well by
their trade; when labour is all required to take these necessaries
without any other tax, what hazard will be here but to doe much better,
and what commodity in Europe doth more decay then wood? for the
goodnesse of the ground, let vs take it fertill or barren, or as it is,
seeing it is certaine it beares fruits to nourish and feed man &
beast as well as England, and the Sea
those seuerall sorts of fishes I haue related: thus seeing all good
things for mans sustenance may with this facility be had by a little
extraordinary labour, till that transported be increased, & all
necessaries for shipping onely for labour, to which may added the
assistance of the Saluages which may easily be had, if they be
discreetly handled in their kinds, towards fishing, planting, and
destroying woods, what gaines might be raised if this were followed
(when there is but once men to fill your store houses dwelling there,
you may serue all Europe better and farre cheaper then can the Iland
Fishers, or the Hollanders, Cape-blanke, or Newfoundland, who must be at much more charge then you) may easily be coniectured by this example.
An example of the gaines vpon euery yeere or six moneths returne.
Two thousand will
fit out a ship of 200. tunnes, & one of 100. tuns, if of the dry
fish they both make fraught, that of 200. and goe for Spaine,
sell it but at ten shillings a quintall, but commonly it giues fifteene
or twenty, especially when it commeth first, which amounts to 3. or
4000. pound, but say but ten, which is the lowest, allowing the rest
for waste, it amounts at that rate to 2000. which is the whole charge
of your two ships and the equipage, then the returne of the mony and
the fraught of the ship for the vintage or any other voyage is cleere
gaine, with your ship of one hundred tunnes of traine Oile and
Cor-fish, besides the Beuers and other commodities, and that you may
haue at home within six moneths if God please to send but an ordinary
passage; then sauing halfe this charge by the not staying of your
ships, your victuall, ouerplus of men and wages, with her fraught
thither with necessaries for the Planters, the Salt being there made,
as also may the nets and lines within a short time; if nothing may be
expected but this, it might in time equalize your Hollanders gaines, if
not exceede them, hauing their fraughts alwaies ready against the
arriuall of the ships, this would so increase our shipping and sailers,
and so incourage and imploy a great part of our Idlers and others that
want imployment fitting their qualities at home, where they shame to
doe that they would doe abroad, that could they but once taste the
sweet fruits of their owne labours, doubtlesse many thousands would be
aduised by good discipline to take more pleasure in honest industry,
then in their humors of dissolute idlenesse.
A description of the Countrey in particular, and their situations.
But to returne a
little more to the particulars of this Countrey, which I intermingle
thus with my proiects and reasons, not being so sufficiently yet
acquainted in those parts, to write fully the estate of the Sea, the
Aire, the Land, the Fruits, their Rocks, the People, the Gouernment,
Religion, Territories, Limitations, Friends and Foes: But as I gathered
from their niggardly relations in a broken language, during the time I
ranged those Countries, &c. the most Northerne part I was at, was
the Bay of Pennobscot, which is East and
West, North and South, more then ten leagues: but such were my
occasions, I was constrained to be satisfied of them I found in the
Bay, that the Riuer ranne farre vp into the Land, and was well
inhabited with many people, but they were from their habirations,
either fishing amongst the Iles, or hunting the Lakes and Woods for
Deere and Beuers: the Bay is full of great Iles of one, two, six or
eight miles in length, which diuides it into many faire and excellent
good Harbours. On the East of it are the Tarrentines,
their mortall enemies, where inhabit the French, as they report, that
liue with those people as one Nation or Family: And Northwest of Pennobscot is Mecaddacut, at the foot of a high Mountaine, a kinde of fortresse against the Terrentines, adioyning to the high Mountaines of Pennobscot,
against whose feet doth beat the Sea; but ouer all the Land, Iles, or
other impediments, you may well see them foureteene or eighteene
leagues from their situation. Segocket is the next, then Nuskoucus, Pemmaquid, and Sagadahock: vp this Riuer, where was the Westerne Plantation, are Aumoughcawgen, Kinnebeke,
and diuers others, where are planted some Corne fields. Along this
Riuer thirtie or fortie miles, I saw nothing but great high clifts of
barren Rocks ouer-growne with Wood, but where the Saluages dwell there
the ground is excellent salt, and fertill. Westward of this Riuer is
the Country of Aucocisco, in the bottome of a large deepe Bay, full of many great Iles, which diuides it into many good Harbours. Sawocotuck
is the next, in the edge of a large Sandy Bay, which hath many Rockes
and Iles, but few good Harbours, but for Barkes I yet know; but all
this Coast to Pennobscot, and as farre as
I could see Eastward of it is nothing, but such high craggy clifty
Rockes and stony Iles, that I wonder such great Trees could grow vpon
so hard foundations. It is a Countrey rather to affright then delight
one, and how to describe a more plaine spectacle of desolation, or more
barren, I know not, yet are those rocky Iles so furnished with good
Woods, Springs, Fruits, Fish and Fowle, and the Sea the strangest
Fish-pond I euer saw, that it makes me thinke, though the coast be
rocky and thus affrightable, the Vallies and Plaines and interior parts
may well notwithstanding be very fertill. But there is no Country so
fertill hath not some part barren, and New-England is great enough to make many Kingdomes and Countries, were it all inhabited. As you passe the coast still westward, Accominticus and Passataquack are two conuenient Harbours for small Barkes; and a good Country within their craggy clifts. Augoan
is the next: this place might content a right curious iudgement, but
there are many sands at the entrance of the Harbour, and the worst is,
it is imbayed too farre from the deepe Sea; here are many rising hils,
and on their tops and descents are many corne fields and delightful
groues: On the East is an Ile of two or three leagues in length, the
one halfe plaine marish ground, fit for pasture or salt Ponds, with
many faire high groues of Mulbery trees and Gardens; there is also
Okes, Pines, Walnuts, and other wood to make this place an excellent
habitation, being a good and safe Harbour.
An Indian slaine, another shot.
Naiemkeck, though it be more rocky ground, for Augoan
is sandy, not much inferiour neither for the harbour, nor any thing I
could perceiue but the multitude of people: from hence doth stretch
into the Sea the faire headland Tragabigzanda, now called Cape An,
fronted with the three Iles wee called the three Turkes heads; to the
north of this doth enter a great Bay, where we found some habitations
and Corne fields, they report a faire Riuer and at least 30.
habitations
doth possesse this Country. But because the French had got their trade, I had no leisure to discouer it: the Iles of Mattahunts
are on the west side of this Bay, where are many Iles and some Rocks
that appeare a great height aboue the water like the Pyramides in
Ægypt, and amongst them many good Harbours, and then the country of the
Massachusits, which is the Paradice of all
those parts, for here are many Iles planted with Corne, Groues,
Mulberies, saluage Gardens and good Harbours, the Coast is for the most
part high clayie sandy clifts, the sea Coast as you passe shewes you
all along large Corne fields, and great troupes of well proportioned
people: but the French hauing remained here neere six weekes, left
nothing for vs to take occasion to examine the Inhabitants relations, viz.
if there be three thousand people vpon those Iles, and that the Riuer
doth pierce many daies iourney the entrailes of that Country: we found
the people in those parts very kinde, but in their fury no lesse
valiant, for vpon a quarrell we fought with forty or fifty of them,
till they had spent all their Arrowes, and then we tooke six or seuen
of their Canowes, which towards the euening they ransomed for Beuer
skinnes, and at Quonahasit falling out
there but with one of them, he with three others crossed the Harbour in
a Canow to certaine rockes whereby wee must passe, and there let flie
their Arrowes for our shot, till we were out of danger, yet one of them
was slaine, and another shot through his thigh.
Then come you to Accomacke
an excellent good Harbour, good land, and no want of any thing but
industrious people: after much kindnesse, wee fought also with them,
though some were hurt, some slaine, yet within an houre after they
became friends. Cape Cod is the next
presents it selfe, which is onely a headland of high hils, ouer-growne
with shrubby Pines, hurts and such trash, but an excellent harbour for
all weathers. This Cape is made by the maine Sea on the one side, and a
great Bay on the other in forme of a Sickell, on it doth inhabit the
people of Pawmet, and in the bottome of the Bay them of Chawum:
towards the South and South-west of this Cape, is found a long and
dangerous shoule of rocks and sand, but so farre as I incercled it, I
found thirty fathome water and a strong currant, which makes mee thinke
there is a chanell about this Shoule, where is the best and greatest
fish to be had winter and summer in all the Country; but the Saluages
say there is no Chanell, but that the Shoales beginne from the maine at
Pawmet to the Ile of Nawset, and so extends beyond their knowledge into the Sea. The next to this is Capawucke,
and those abounding Countries of Copper, Corne, People and Mineralls,
which I went to discouer this last yeere, but because I miscarried by
the way I will leaue them till God please I haue better acquaintance
with them.
The Massachusets they report sometimes haue warres with the Bashabes of Pennobscot, & are not alwaies friends with them of Chawum
and their alliance; but now they are all friends, and haue each trade
with other so farre as they haue society on each others frontiers, for
they make no such voyages as from Pennobscot to Cape Cod, seldome to Massachset.
In the North as I haue said they haue begun to plant Corne, whereof the
south part hath such plenty as they haue what they will from them of
the North, and in the Winter much more plenty of fish and fowle, but
both Winter & Summer hath it in one part or other all the yeere,
being the meane and most indifferent temper betwixt heat and cold, of
all the Regions betwixt the Line and the Pole, but the Furs Northward
are much better, and in much more plenty then Southward.
The land Markes.
The remarkablest
Iles and Mountaines for land Markes are these: the highest Ile is Sorico in the Bay of Pennobscot, but the three Iles, and the Iles of Matinack are much further in the Sea: Metynacus is also three plaine Iles, but many great Rocks: Monahigan is a round high Ile, and close by it Monanis, betwixt which is a small Harbour where we rid; in Damerils Iles is such another, Sagadahocke is knowne by Satquin, and foure or fiue Iles in their mouth. Smiths Iles are a heape
gether, none neere them against Accomintycus: the three Turkes heads, are three Iles, seene farre to Sea-ward in regard of the Head-land. The chiefe Head-lands, are onely Cape Tragabigzanda, and Cape Cod, now called Cape Iames, and Cape Anne.
Herbs and Fruits
The chiefe Mountaines, them of Pennobscot, the twinkling Mountaine of Acocisco, the great Mountaine of Sassanow, and the high Mountaine of Massachuset.
Each of which you shall finde in the Map, their places, forme, and
altitudes. The waters are most pure, proceeding from the intrailes of
rocky Mountaines: the Herbs and Fruits are of many sorts and kinds, as
Alkermes, Currans, Mulberies, Vines, Respises, Gooseberies, Plums,
Wall-nuts, Chesse-nuts, Small-nuts, Pumpions, Gourds, Strawberies,
Beanes, Pease, and Maize; a kinde or two of Flax, wherewith they make
Nets, Lines, and Ropes, both small and great, very strong for their
quantities.
Woods.
Oake is the chiefe
wood, of which there is great difference, in regard of the soyle where
it groweth, Firre, Pine, Wall-nut, Chesse-nut, Birtch, Ash, Elme,
Cipris, Cedar, Mulbery, Plum tree, Hazell, Saxefras, and many other
sorts.
Birds.
Eagles, Grips,
diuers sorts of Hawkes, Craines, Geese, Brants, Cormorants, Ducks,
Cranes, Swannes, Sheldrakes, Teale, Meawes, Gulls, Turkies,
Diue-doppers, and many other sorts whose names I know not.
Fishes.
Whales, Grompus,
Porkpisces, Turbut, Sturgion, Cod, Hake, Haddocke, Cole, Cuske or small
Ling, Sharke, Mackarell, Herring, Mullit, Base, Pinnacks, Cunners,
Pearch, Eeles, Crabs, Lobsters, Mustels, Wilks, Oisters, Clamps,
Periwinkels, and diuers others, &c.
Beasts.
A note for men that haue great spirits and small meanes.
Moos, a beast bigger
than a Stag, Deare red and fallow, Beuers, Wolues, Foxes both blacke
and other, Aroughcunds, wilde Cats, Beares, Otters, Martins, Fitches,
Musquassus, and diuers other sorts of Vermin whose names I know not:
all these and diuers other good things doe here for want of vse still
increase and decrease with little diminution, whereby they grow to that
abundance, you shall scarce finde any bay, shallow shore or Coue of
sand, where you may not take many clamps or Lobsters, or both at your
pleasure, and in many places load your Boat if you please, nor Iles
where you finde not Fruits, Birds, Crabs, and Mustels, or all of them;
for taking at a low water Cod, Cuske, Hollibut, Scate, Turbut,
Mackarell, or such like are taken plentifully in diuers sandy Bayes,
store of Mullit, Bases, and diuers other sorts of such excellent fish
as many as their Net can hold: no Riuer where there is not plenty of
Sturgion, or Salmon, or both, all which are to be had in abundance
obseruing but their seasons: but if a man will goe at Christmas to
gather Cherries in Kent, though there be plenty in Summer, he may be
deceiued; so here these plenties haue each their seasons, as I haue
expressed; we for the most part had little but bread and Vinegar, and
though the most part of Iuly when the fishing decayed, they wrought all
day, lay abroad in the Iles all night, and liued on what they found,
yet were not sicke: But I would wish none long put himselfe to such
plunges, except necessity constraine it: yet worthy is that person to
starue that here cannot liue if he haue sense, strength and health, for
there is no such penury of these blessings in any place but that one
hundred men may in two or three houres make their prouisions for a day,
and he that hath experience to manage these affaires, with forty or
thirty honest industrious men, might well vndertake (if they dwell in
these parts) to subiect the Saluages, and feed daily two or three
hundred men, with as good Corne, Fish, and Flesh as the earth hath of
those kinds, and yet make that labour but their pleasure: prouided that
they haue Engines that be proper for their purposes. Who can desire
more content that hath small meanes, or but onely his merit to aduance
his fortunes, then to tread and plant that ground he hath purchased by
the hazard of his life; if hee haue but the taste of vertue and
magnanimity, what to such a minde can bee more pleasant then planting
and building a foundation for his posterity, got from the rude earth by
Gods blessing and his
owne industry without preiudice
to any, if hee haue any graine of faith or zeale in Religion, what can
he doe lesse hurtfull to any, or more agreeable to God, then to seeke
to conuert those poore Saluages to know Christ and humanity, whose
labours with discretion will triple require thy charge and paine; what
so truly sutes with honour and honesty as the discouering things
vnknowne, erecting Townes, peopling Countries, informing the ignorant,
reforming things vniust, reaching vertue and gaine to our natiue mother
Country a Kingdome to attend her, finde imploiment for those that are
idle, because they know not what to doe, so farre from wronging any, as
to cause posterity to remember thee, and remembring thee, euer honour
that remembrance with praise; consider what were the beginnings and
endings of the Monarchies of the Chaldeans, the Syrians, the Grecians
and Romans, but this one rule; what was it they would not doe for the
good of their common weale, or their mother City? For example: Rome,
what made her such a Monarchesse, but onely the aduentures of her
youth, not in riots at home, but in dangers abroad, and the iustice and
iudgement out of their experiences when they grew aged; what was their
ruine and hurt but this, the excesse of idlenesse, the fondnesse of
parents, the want of experience in Maiestrates, the admiration of their
vndeserued honours, the contempt of true merit, their vniust
iealousies, their politike incredulities, their hypocriticall seeming
goodnesse and their deeds of secret lewdnesse; finally in fine, growing
onely formall temporists, all that their Predecessors got in many
yeeres they lost in a few daies: those by their paines and vertues
became Lords of the world, they by their case and vices became slaues
to their seruants; this is the difference betwixt the vse of armes in
the field, and on the monuments of stones, the golden age and the
leaden age, prosperity and misery, iustice and corruption, substance
and shadowes, words and deeds, experience and imagination, making
common weales, and marring common weales, the fruits of vertue, and the
conclusions of vice.
Then who would liue
at home idly, or thinke in himselfe any worth to liue, onely to eat,
drinke and sleepe, and so die; or by consuming that carelesly, his
friends got worthily, or by vsing that miserably that maintained vertue
honestly, or for being descended nobly, and pine with the vaine vaunt
of great kindred in penury, or to maintaine a silly shew of brauery,
toile out thy heart, soule and time basely, by shifts, tricks, Cards
and Dice, or by relating newes of other mens actions, sharke here and
there for a dinner or supper, deceiue thy friends by faire promises and
dissimulation, in borrowing where thou neuer meanest to pay, offend the
Lawes, surfet with excesse, burthen thy Countrie, abuse thy selfe,
despaire in want, and then cousen thy Kindred, yea euen thy owne
brother, and wish thy Parents death (I will not say damnation) to haue
their estates, though thou seest what honours and rewards the world yet
hath for them, will seeke them and worthily deserue them.
I would bee sorry to
offend, or that any should mistake my honest meaning; for I wish good
to all, hurt to none: but rich men for the most part are growne to that
dotage through their pride in their wealth, as though there were no
accident could end it or their life.
And what hellish
care doe such take to make it their owne misery and their Countries
spoile, especially when there is most need of their imploiment, drawing
by all manner of inuentions from the Prince and his honest Subiects,
euen the vitall spirits of their powers and estates: as if their baggs
or brags were so powerfull a defence, the malicious could not affault
them, when they are the onely bait to cause vs not onely to bee
assaulted, but betrayed and murthered in our owne security ere wee will
perceiue it.
An example of secure couetousnesse.
May not the miserable ruine of Constantinople,
their impregnable walls, riches and pleasures last taken by the Turke,
which were then but a bit in comparison of their mightinesse now,
remember vs of the effects of priuate couetousnesse, at which time the
good Emperour held himselfe rich enough, to haue such rich subiects, so
formall in all excesse of vanity, all kinde of delicacy and
prodigality: his pouerty when the Turke besieged the Citizens (whose
merchandizing thoughts were onely to get wealth) little conceiuing the
desperat resolution of a valiant expert enemy, left the Emperour so
long to his conclusions, hauing spent all he had to pay his young raw
discontented Souldiers, that suddenly he, they, and their City were all
a prey to the deuouring Turke, and what they would not spare for the
maintenance of them who aduentured their liues to defend them, did
serue onely their enemies to torment them, their friends and Country,
and all Christendome to this present day. Let this lamentable example
remember you that are rich (seeing there are such great theeues in the
world to rob you) not grudge to lend some proportion to breed them that
haue little, yet willing to learne how to defend you, for it is too
late when the deed is doing.
The Romans estate
hath beene worse then this, for the meere couetousnesse and extortion
of a few of them so moued the rest, that not hauing any imploiment but
contemplation, their great iudgements grew to so great malice, as
themselues were sufficient to destroy themselues by faction; let this
moue you to imbrace imployment, for those whose educations, spirits and
iudgements want but your purses, not only to preuent such accustomed
dangers, but also to gaine more thereby then you haue; and you fathers
that are either so foolishly fond, or so miserably couetous, or so
wilfully ignorant, or so negligently carelesse, as that you will rather
maintaine your children in idle wantonnesse till they grow your
masters, or become so basely vnkinde that they wish nothing but your
deaths, so that both sorts grow dissolute, and although you would wish
them any where to escape the Gallowes and ease your cares, though they
spend you here one, two or three hundred pound a yeere, you would
grudge to giue halfe so much in aduenture with them to obtaine an
estate, which in a small time, but with a little assistance of your
prouidence, might bee better then your owne; but if an Angell should
tell you any place yet vnknowne can affoord such fortunes, you would
not beleeue it, no more then Columbus was beleeued there was any such land, as is now the well knowne abounding America, much lesse such large Regions as are yet vnknowne, as well in America, as in Africa and Asia, and Terra incognita.
The Authors conditions.
I haue not beene so
ill bred but I haue tasted of plenty and pleasure, as well as want and
misery; nor doth necessity yet, or occasion of discontent force me to
these endeuours, nor am I ignorant what small thankes I shall haue for
my paines, or that many would haue the world imagine them to bee of
great iudgement, that can but blemish these my designes, by their witty
obiections and detractions, yet (I hope) my reasons with my deeds will
so preuaile with some, that I shall not want imploiment in these
affaires, to make the most blinde see his owne senselesnesse and
incredulity, hoping that gaine will make them affect that which
Religion, Charity and the common good cannot. It were but a poore
deuice in mee to deceiue my selfe, much more the King and State, my
Friends and Country with these inducements, which seeing his Maiesty
hath giuen permission, I wish all sorts of worthy honest industrious
spirits would vnderstand, and if they desire any further satisfaction,
I will doe my best to giue it, not to perswade them to goe onely, but
goe with them; not leaue them there, but liue with them there: I will
not say but by ill prouiding and vndue managing, such courses may bee
taken may make vs miserable enough: but if I may haue the execution of
what I haue proiected, if they
want to eat, let them eat or
neuer disgest mee; If I performe what I say, I desire but that reward
out of the gaines may sute my paines, quality and condition, and if I
abuse you with my tongue, take my head for satisfaction. If any dislike
at the yeeres end, defraying their charge, by my consent they should
freely returne; I feare not want of company sufficient, were it but
knowne what I know of these Countries, and by the proofe of that wealth
I hope yeerely to returne, if God please to blesse me from such
accidents as are beyond my power in reason to preuent; for I am not so
simple to thinke that euer any other motiue then wealth will euer erect
there a common wealth, or draw company from their ease and humors at
home, to stay in New-England to effect my purposes.
The Planters pleasures and profit.
And lest any should
thinke the toile might be insupportable, though these things may bee
had by labour and diligence; I assure my selfe there are who delight
extremely in vaine pleasure, that take much more paines in England
to enioy it, then I should doe here to gaine wealth sufficient, and yet
I thinke they should not haue halfe such sweet content: for our
pleasure here is still gaines, in England charges and losse; here nature and liberty affoords vs that freely which in England
we want, or it costeth vs deerely. What pleasure can bee more then
being tired with any occasion a shore, in planting Vines, Fruits, or
Herbes, in contriuing their owne grounds to the pleasure of their owne
minds, their Fields, Gardens, Orchards, Buildings, Ships, and other
workes, &c. to recreate themselues before their owne doores in
their owne Boats vpon the Sea, where man, woman and childe, with a
small hooke and line, by angling may take diuers sorts of excellent
Fish at their pleasures; and is it not pretty sport to pull vp two
pence, six pence, and twelue pence, as fast as you can hale and vere a
line; hee is a very bad Fisher cannot kill in one day with his hooke
and line one, two, or three hundred Cods, which dressed and dryed, if
they bee sold there for ten shillings a hundred, though in England
they will giue more then twenty, may not both seruant, master and
Merchant be well content with this gaine? if a man worke but three
daies in seuen, hee may get more then hee can spend vnlesse hee will
bee exceedingly excessiue. Now that Carpenter, Mason, Gardiner, Tailer,
Smith, Sailer, Forger, or what other, may they not make this a pretty
recreation, though they fish but an houre in a day, to take more then
they can eat in a weeke, or if they will not eat it, because there is
so much better choise, yet sell it or change it with the Fisher-men or
Merchants for any thing you want, and what sport doth yeeld a more
pleasing content, and lesse hurt and charge then angling with a hooke,
and crossing the sweet aire from Ile to Ile, ouer the silent streames
of a calme Sea, wherein the most curious may finde profit, pleasure and
content.
Thus though all men
be not fishers, yet all men whatsoeuer may in other matters doe as
well, for necessity doth in these cases so rule a common wealth, and
each in their seuerall functions, as their labours in their qualities
may be as profitable because there is a necessary mutuall vse of all.
Imploiments for Gentlemen.
For Gentlemen, what
exercise should more delight them then ranging daily these vnknowne
parts, vsing fowling and fishing for hunting and hawking, and yet you
shall see the wilde Hawkes giue you some pleasure in seeing them stoupe
six or seuen times after one another an houre or two together, at the
skults of Fish in the faire Harbours, as those a shore at a fowle, and
neuer trouble nor torment your selues with watching, mewing, feeding,
and attending them, nor kill horse and man with running and crying, See
you not a Hawke; for hunting also, the Woods, Lakes and Riuers affoord
not onely chase sufficient for any that delights in that kinde of toile
or pleasure, but such beasts to hunt, that besides the delicacie of
their bodies for food, their skinnes are so rich, as they will
recompeuce thy daily labour with a Captaines pay.
Imploiments for Labourers.
For Labourers,
if those that sow Hempe, Rape, Turnups, Parsnips, Carrats, Cabidge, and
such like; giue twentie, thirtie, fortie, fiftie shillings yeerely for
an Acre of Land, and meat, drinke, and wages to vse it, and yet grow
rich: when better, or at least as good ground may bee had and cost
nothing but labour; it seemes strange to me any such should grow poore.
My purpose is not to
perswade children from their parents, men from their wiues, nor
seruants from their masters; onely such as with free consent may bee
spared: but that each Parish, or Village, in Citie, or Countrey, that
will but apparell their fatherlesse children of thirteene or foureteene
yeeres of age, or young maried people that haue small wealth to liue
on, here by their labour may liue exceeding well. Prouided alwaies,
that first there be a sufficient power to command them, houses to
receiue them, meanes to defend them, and meet prouisions for thẽ, for
any place may be ouer-laine: and it is most necessary to haue a
fortresse (ere this grow to practise) and sufficient masters, of all
necessarie, mechanicall qualities, to take ten or twelue of them for
Apprentises; the Master by this may quickly grow rich, these may learne
their trades themselues to doe the like, to a generall and an
incredible benefit for King and Countrey, Master and Seruant.
Examples of the Spaniards.
The causes of our defailments.
It would be a History of a large volume, to recite the aduentures of the Spaniards and Portugals,
their affronts and defeats, their dangers and miseries; which with such
incomparable honor, and constant resolution, so farre beyond beleefe,
they haue attempted and indured in their discoueries and plantations,
as may well condemne vs of too much imbecillitie, sloth, and
negligence; yet the Authors of these new inuentions were held as
ridiculous for a long time, as now are others that doe but seeke to
imitate their vnparalleld vertues, and though we see daily their
mountaines of wealth (sprung from the Plants of their generous
indeuours) yet is our sensualitie and vntowardnesse such, & so
great, that we either ignorantly beleeue nothing, or so curiously
contest, to preuent we know not what future euents; that we either so
neglect, or oppresse and discourage the present, as wee spoile all in
the making, crop all in the blooming; and building vpon faire Sand
rather then vpon rough Rocks, iudge that we know not, gouerne that wee
haue not, feare that which is not; and for feare some should doe too
well, force such against their wils to be idle, or as ill. And who is
hee hath iudgement, courage, and any industry or quality with
vnderstanding, will leaue his Country, his hopes at home, his certaine
estate, his friends, pleasures, libertie, and the preferment sweet England
doth affoord to all degrees, were it not to aduance his fortunes by
enioying his deserts, whose prosperitie once appearing, will encourage
others: but it must be cherished as a childe, till it be able to goe
and vnderstand it selfe, and not corrected nor oppressed aboue it
strength, ere it know wherefore. A childe can neither performe the
office nor deeds of a man of strength, nor endure that affliction he is
able: nor can an Apprentise at the first performe the part of a Master,
and if twentie yeeres be required to make a childe a man, seuen yeeres
limited an Apprentise for his trade: if scarce an age be sufficient to
make a wise man a States-man, and commonly a man dies ere he hath
learned to be discreet; if perfection be so hard to be obtained, as of
necessitie there must be Practice as well as Theoricke: Let no man then
condemne this paradox opinion, to say that halfe seuen yeres is scarce
sufficient for a good capacitie to learne in these affaires how to
carrie himselfe. And who euer shall try in these remote places the
erecting of a Colony, shall finde at the end of seuen yeeres occasion
enough to vse all his discretion: and in the Interim,
all the content, rewards, gaines, and hopes, will be necessarily
required, to be giuen to the beginning, till it be able to creepe, to
stand, and goe, and to encourage desert by all possible meanes; yet
time enough to keepe it from running, for there is no feare it will
grow too fast, or euer to any thing, except libertie, profit, honor,
and prosperitie there found, more binde the Planters of those affaires
in deuotion to effect it; then bondage, violence, tyrannie,
ingratitude, and such double dealing, as bindes free men to become
slaues,
and honest men turne knaues;
which hath euer beene the ruine of the most popular Common-weales, and
is very vnlikely euer well to begin anew.
The blisse of Spaine.
Who seeth not what is the greatest good of the Spaniard,
but these new conclusions in searching those vnknowne parts of this
vnknowne world; by which meanes he diues euen into the very secrets of
all his neighbours, and the most part of the world; and when the Portugals and Spaniards had found the East and West-Indies, how many did condemne themselues, that did not accept of that honest offer of Noble Columbus,
who vpon our neglect brought them to it, perswading our selues the
world had no such places as they had found: and yet euer since we
finde, they still (from time to time) haue found new Lands, new
Nations, and Trades, and still daily doe finde, both in Asia, Affrica, Terra incognita, and America,
so that there is neither Souldier nor Mechanicke, from the Lord to the
Begger, but those parts affoords them all imploiment, & discharges
their natiue soile of so many thousands of all sorts, that else by
their sloth, pride, and imperfections, would long ere this haue
troubled their neighbours, or haue eaten the pride of Spaine it selfe.
Now hee knowes little that knowes not England may well spare many more people then Spaine,
and is as well able to furnish them with all manner of necessaries; and
seeing for all they haue, they cease not still to search for that they
haue not, and know not; it is strange we should be so dull, as not
maintaine that which we haue, and pursue that we know: Surely, I am
sure many would take it ill, to be abridged of the titles and honors of
their predecessors; when if but truly they would iudge themselues,
looke how inferior they are to their Noble Vertues, so much they are
vnworthy of their honors and liuings, which neuer were ordained for
shewes and shadowes, to maintaine idlenesse and vice, but to make them
more able to abound in honor, by Heroicall deeds of action, iudgement,
pietie, and vertue. What was it both in their purse and person they
would not doe, for the good of their Common-wealth, which might moue
them presently to set out their spare children in these generous
designes; Religion aboue all things should moue vs, especially the
Clergie, if we are religious, to shew our faith by our works, in
conuerting those poore Saluages to the knowledge of God, seeing what
paines the Spaniards takes to bring them
to their adultered faith. Honor might moue the Gentry, the valiant, and
industrious, and the hope and assurance of wealth, all, if we were that
we would seeme, and be accounted; or be we so farre inferior to other
Nations, or our spirits so farre deiected from our ancient
predecessors, or our mindes so vpon spoile, piracy, and such villany,
as to ferue the Portugall, Spaniard, Dutch, French, or Turke, (as to the cost of Europe
too many doe) rather then our God, our King, our Country, and our
selues; excusing our idlenesse and our base complaints by want of
imploiment, when here is such choice of all sorts, and for all degrees,
in the planting and discouering these North parts of America.
My second voyage to New England.
My second Voiage to New England. 1615.
IN the yeere of our Lord 1615. I was imploied by many my friends of London, and Sir Ferdinando Gorges, a noble Knight, and a great fauourer of those actions, who perswaded the reuerend Deane of Exeter Doctor Sutliffe, and diuers Merchants of the West, to entertaine this Plantation. Much labour I had taken to bring the Londoners and them to ioyne together, because the Londoners
haue most Money, and the Westerne men are most proper for fishing; and
it is neere as much trouble, but much more danger, to saile from London to Plimoth, then from Plimoth to New England,
so that halfe the voiage would thus be saued, yet by no meanes I could
preuaile, so desirous they were both to be Lords of this fishing. Now
to make my words more apparant by my deeds, to begin a Plantation
for a more ample triall of those conclusions, I was to haue staied there but with sixteene men, whose names were;
Gent.
- Tho. Dirmer.
- Edw. Stallings.
- Daniel Cage.
- Francis Abbot.
Sould.
- Iohn Gosling.
- William Ingram.
- Dauid Cooper.
- Iohn Partridge.
- Thomas Digby.
- Daniel Baker.
- Adam Smith.
- Tho. Watson.
were to learne to be Sailers.- Walter Chisell.
- Robert Miller.
- And two Boyes
The ground and plot for our plantation.
The meanes vsed to preuent it and me.
I confesse I could
haue wished them as many thousands, had all other prouisions beene in
like proportion; nor would I haue had so few, could I haue had means
for more: yet would God haue pleased we had safely arriued, I doubted
not but to haue performed more then I promised, and that many thousands
ere this would haue bin there ere now. The maine assistance next God I
had to this small number, was my acquaintance amongst the Saluages,
especially with Dohoday, one of their greatest Lords, who had liued long in England, and another called Tantum, I caried with mee from England, and set on shore at Cape Cod;
by the meanes of this proud Saluage, I did not doubt but quickly to
haue got that credit amongst the rest of the Saluages and their
alliance, to haue had as many of them as I desired in any designe I
intended, and that trade also they had by such a kinde of exchange of
their Countrey Commodities, which both with ease and securitie might
then haue beene vsed with him and diuers others: I had concluded to
inhabit and defend them against the Tarentines, with a better power then the French
did them; whose tyrannie did inforce them to embrace my offer with no
small deuotion: and though many may think me more bold then wise, in
regard of their power, dexteritie, treachery, and inconstancy, hauing
so desperately assaulted, and betraied many others; I say but this
(because with so many, I haue many times done much more in Virginia then I intended here, when I wanted that experience Virginia
taught mee) that to me it seemes no more danger then ordinary: and
though I know my selfe the meanest of many thousands, whose
apprehensiue inspection can pierce beyond the bounds of my abilities,
into the hidden things of Nature, Art, and Reason: yet I intreat such,
giue mee leaue to excuse my selfe of so much imbecillitie, as to say,
that in these eighteene yeeres which I haue beene conuersant with these
affaires, I haue not learned, there is a great difference betwixt the
directions and iudgement of experimentall knowledge, and the
superficiall coniecture of variable relation: wherein rumour, humour,
or misprision haue such power, that oft times one is enough to beguile
twentie, but twentie not sufficient to keepe one from being deceiued.
Therefore I know no reason but to beleeue my owne eies before any mans
imagination, that is but wrested from the conceits of my owne proiects
and endeuours, but I honor with all affection, the counsell and
instructions of iudiciall directions, or any other honest
aduertisement, so farre to obserue, as they tie me, not to the crueltie
of vnknowne euents. These are the inducements that thus drew me to
neglect all other imploiments, and spend my time and best abilities in
these aduentures, wherein though I haue had many discouragements, by
the ingratitude of some, the malicious slanders of others, the
falsenesse of friends, the treachery of cowards, and slownesse of
Aduenturers.
How I set saile and returned.
Now you are to remember, as I returned first from New England at Plimoth,
I was promised foure good ships ready prepared to my hand the next
Christmas, and what conditions and content I would desire, to put this
businesse in practise, and arriuing at London, foure more were offered me with the like courtesie. But to ioyne the Londoners
& them in one, was most impossible; so that in Ianuary with two
hundred pound in Chash for aduenture, and six Gentlemen well furnished,
I went from London to the foure ships were promised me at Plimoth,
but I found no such matter: and the most of those that had made such
great promises, by the bad returne of the ship went for Gold, and their
priuate emulations, were extinct and qualified. Notwithstanding at
last, with a labyrinth of trouble, though the
greatest of the burden lay on
me, and a few of my particular friends, I was furnished with a ship of
two hundred tunnes, and another of fiftie: But ere I had sailed one
hundred and twentie leagues, she brake all her Masts, pumping each
watch fiue or six thousand strokes; onely her spret-saile remained to
spoone before the winde, till we had re-accommodated a Iury-mast to
returne for Plimoth, or founder in the Seas.
My reimbarkement, encounter with Pirats, and imprisonment by the French.
My Vice-Admirall
being lost, not knowing of this, proceeded her voyage; now with the
remainder of those prouisions, I got out againe in a small Barke of
sixtie tuns with thirty men: for this of two hundred, and prouision for
seuentie, which were the sixteene before named, and foureteene other
Sailers for the ship; with those I set saile againe the foure and
twentieth of Iune, where what befell me (because my actions and
writings are so publike to the world) enuy still seeking to scandalize
my endeuours, and seeing no power but death can stop the chat of ill
tongues, nor imagination of mens minds, lest my owne relations of those
hard euents might by some constructors bee made doubtfull, I haue
thought it best to insert the examinations of those proceedings, taken
by Sir Lewis Stukeley, a worthy Knight, and Vice-Admirall of Deuonshire, which was as followeth.
The Examination of Daniel Baker, late Steward to Captaine Iohn Smith, in the returne of Plimoth, taken before Sir Lewis Stukeley Knight, the eighth of December, 1615.
THE effect in briefe was this: being chased by one Fry an English Pirat, Edward Chambers the Master, Iohn Miller his Mare, Thomas Digby
the Pylot, and diuers others importuned him to yeeld; much swaggering
wee had with them, more then the Pirats, who agreed vpon such faire
conditions as we desired, which if they broke, he vowed to sinke rather
then be abused. Strange they thought it, that a Barke of threescore
tuns with foure guns should stand vpon such termes, they being eightie
expert Sea-men, in an excellent ship of one hundred and fortie tuns,
and thirty six cast Peeces and Murderers: But when they knew our
Captaine, so many of them had beene his Souldiers, and they but lately
runne from Tunis, where they had ftolne
this ship, wanted victuall, and in combustion amongst themselues, would
haue yeelded all to his protection, or wafted vs any whither: but those
mutinies occasioned vs to reiect their offer, which afterward we all
repented. For at Fiall we met two French
Pirats, the one of two hundred tuns, the other thirty: no disgrace
would cause our mutiners fight, till the Captaine offered to blow vp
the ship rather then yeeld, till hee had spent all his powder: so that
together by the eares we went, and at last got cleere of them for all
their shot. At Flowers we were againe chased with foure French men of warre, the Admirall
one hundred and fortie tuns, and ninety men well armed; the rest good
ships, and as well prouided: much parly we had, but vowing they were Rochilers, and had a Commission from the King onely to secure true men, and take Portugals, Spaniards,
and Pirats, and as they requested, our Captaine went to shew his
Commission, which was vnder the broad Seale, but neither it nor their
vowes they so much respected, but they kept him, rifled our ship,
manned her with French men, and dispersed vs amongst their Fleet:
within fiue or six daies they were increased to eight or nine saile. At
last they surrendred vs our ship, and most of our prouisions, the
defects they promised the next day to supply, and did. Notwithstanding,
there was no way but our mutiners would for England, though we were as neere New England, till the major part resolued with our Captaine to proceed. But the Admirall
sending his Boat for our Captaine, they espying a Saile, presently gaue
chase, whereby our mutiners finding an opportunitie in the night ran
away, and thus left our Captaine in his Cap, Bretches, and Wast-coat,
alone among the French men: his clothes, armes, and what he had, our
mutiners shared among them, and with a false excuse, faining
for feare lest he should turne man of warre, they returned for Plimoth: fifteene of vs being Land-men, not knowing what they did. Daniel Cage, Edward Stalings, Walter Chisell, Dauid Cooper, Robert Miller, and Iohn Partridge, vpon oath affirmes this for truth before the Vice-Admirall.
A double treachery.
A fleet of nine French men of war, and fights with the Spaniard.
Now the cause why the French detained mee againe, was the suspition this Chambers and Minter gaue them, that I would reuenge my selfe vpon the Banke, or in Newfoundland,
of all the French I could there encounter, and how I would haue fired
the ship, had they not ouer-perswaded me: and that if I had but againe
my Armes, I would rather sinke by them, then they should haue from me
but the value of a Bisket; and many other such like tales to catch but
opportunitie in this manner to leaue me, and thus they returned to Plimoth, and perforce with the French men I thus proceeded. Being a fleet of eight or nine saile, we watched for the West-Indies fleet, till ill weather separated vs from the other eight: still wee spent our time about the Iles of the Assores,
where to keepe my perplexed thoughts from too much meditation of my
miserable estate, I writ this Discourse, thinking to haue sent it to
you of his Maiesties Councell by some ship or other, for I saw their
purpose was to take all they could. At last we were chased by one
Captaine Barra, an English Pirat in a
small ship, with some twelue Peece of Ordnance, about thirty men, and
neere all starued. They sought by courtesie releefe of vs, who gaue
them such faire promises, as at last they betraied Captaine Wollistone
his Lieutenant, and foure or fiue of his men aboord vs, and then
prouided to take the rest perforce. Now my part was to be prisoner in
the Gun-roome, and not to speake to any of them vpon my life, yet had Barra knowledge what I was. Then Barra perceiuing well those French intents, made ready to fight, and Wollistone
as resolutely regarded not their threats, which caused vs demurre vpon
the matter longer some sixteene houres, and then returned them againe
Captaine Wollistone and all their
Prisoners, and some victuall also vpon a small composition: But whilest
we were bartering thus with them; a Caruill before our faces got vnder
the Castle of Gratiosa, from whence they beat vs with their Ordnance.
A prise of Fish.
The next wee tooke was a small English man of Poole from Newfoundland:
the great Cabben at this present was my prison, from whence I could see
them pillage these poore men of all that they had, and halfe their
fish: when hee was gone, they sold his poore clothes at the maine Mast
by an out-cry, which scarce gaue each man seuen pence a peece.
A Scotch prise.
Not long after we tooke a Scot fraught from Saint Michaels to Bristow,
he had better fortune then the other; for hauing but taken a Boats
loading of Sugar, Marmelade, Suckers, and such like, we descried foure
saile, after whom we stood, who forling their maine Sailes attended vs
to fight, but our French spirits were content onely to perceiue they
were English red Crosses. Within a very small time after wee chased
foure Spanish ships came from the Indies,
we fought with them foure or fiue houres, tore their sailes and sides
with many a shot betwixt wind and weather, yet not daring to boord
them, lost them, for which all the Sailers euer after hated the
Captaine as a professed coward.
A prise worth 36000 crownes.
A poore Caruill of Brasile
was the next wee chased; and after a small fight, thirteene or
foureteene of her men being wounded, which was the better halfe, we
tooke her with three hundred and seuenty chests of Sugar, one hundred
hides, and thirty thousand Rialls of eight.
The next was a ship of Holland, which had lost her Consorts in the Streights of Magilans,
going for the South sea, she was put roomy, she also these French men
with faire promises, cunningly betraied to come aboord them to shew
their Commission, and so made prise of all: the most of the Dutch-men we tooke aboord the Admirall, and manned her with French-men, that within two or three nights after ran away with her for France, the wounded Spaniards we set on shore on the Ile of Tereera, the rest we kept to saile the Caruill.
A prise worth 200000 crownes.
Within a day or two after, we met a West-Indies man of warre, of one hundred
and sixtie tuns, a fore noone wee fought with her, and then tooke her
with one thousand one hundred Hides, fiftie Chests of Cutchanele,
foureteene Coffers of wedges of Siluer, eight thousand Rialls of eight,
and six Coffers of the King of Spaines Treasure, besides the good pillage and rich Coffers of many rich Passengers.
Two moneths they kept me in this manner to manage their fights against the Spaniards,
and bee a Prisoner when they tooke any English. Now though the Captaine
had oft broke his promise, which was to put me on shore the Iles, or
the next ship he tooke; yet at the last he was contented I should goe
in the Caruill of Sugar for France, himselfe seeming as resolued to keepe the Seas, but the next morning we all set saile for France, and that night we were separated from the Admirall and the rich prise by a storme. Within two daies after wee were hailed by two West-Indies men: but when they saw vs waife them for the King of France,
they gaue vs their broad sides, shot thorow our maine Mast, and so left
vs. Hauing liued now this Summer amongst those French men of warre,
with much adoe we arriued at the Gulion, not farre from Rotchell:
where in stead of the great promises they alwaies fed me with, of
double satisfaction and full content, and tenne thousand Crownes was
generally concluded I should haue; they kept me fiue or six daies
Prisoner in the Caruill, accusing me to be he that burnt their Colony
in New France, to force me to giue them a
discharge before the Iudge of the Admiraltie, and stand to their
courtesies for satisfaction, or lie in prison, or a worse mischiefe:
Indeed this was in the time of combustion, that the Prince of Candy
was with his Army in the field, and euery poore Lord, or men in
authoritie, as little Kings of themselues: For this iniury was done me
by them that set out this voyage (not by the Sailers) for they were
cheated of all as well as I, by a few Officers aboord, and the owners
on shore.
My escape from the French men.
What law I had.
But to preuent this
choise, in the end of such a storme that beat them all vnder hatches, I
watched my opportunitie to get a shore in their Boat, whereinto in the
darke night I secretly got, and with a halfe Pike that lay by me, put a
drift for Rat Ile: but the currant was so
strong, and the Sea so great, I went a drift to Sea, till it pleased
God the wind so turned with the tide, that although I was all this
fearefull night of gusts and raine in the Sea the space of twelue
houres, when many ships were driuen ashore, and diuers split: (and
being with skulling and bayling the water tired, I expected each minute
would sinke me) at last I arriued in an Oazy Ile by Charowne,
where certaine Fowlers found me neere drowned, and halfe dead, with
water, cold, and hunger. My Boat I pawned to finde meanes to get to Rotchell; where I vnderstood our man of war & the rich prize, wherein was the Cap. called Mounsieur Poyrune,
and the thirtie thousand Rialls of eight we tooke in the Caruill, was
split, the Captaine drowned and halfe his Company the same night,
within six or seuen leagues of that place; from whence I escaped in the
little Boat by the mercy of God, far beyond all mens reason or my
expectation, arriuing at Rotchell: vpon my
complaint to the Iudge of the Admiraltie, I found many good words and
faire promises, and ere long many of them that escaped drowning, told
me the newes they heard of my owne death: These I arresting, their
seuerall examinations did so confirme my complaint, it was held proofe
sufficient. All which being performed according to their order of
justice, from vnder the Iudges hand, I presented it to Sir Thomas Edmonds; then Ambassadour at Burdeaux, where it was my chance to see the arriuall of the Kings great mariage brought from Spaine.
Here it was my good fortune to meet my old friend Master Crampton,
that no lesse grieued at my losse, then willingly to his power did
supply my wants, and I must confesse, I was more beholden to the French
men that escaped drowning in the man of warre, Madam Chanoyes at Rotchell, and the Lawyers of Burdeaux, then all the rest of my Country-men I met in France. Of the wracke of the
rich prise, some three thousand six hundred crownes worth of goods came
ashore, and was saued with the Caruill, which I did my best to arrest:
the Iudge promised I should haue Iustice, what will be the conclusion
as yet I know not. But vnder the couler to take Pirats and the West-Indie men (because the Spaniards will not suffer the French to trade in the West-Indies) any goods from thence, though they take them vpon the Coast of Spaine are lawfull prize, or from any of his Teritories out of the limits of Europe:
and as they betraied me, though I had the broad-seale, so did they rob
and pillage twentie saile of English men more, besides them I knew not
of the same yeere.
My returne for England.
The successe of my Vice-Admirall.
Leauing thus my businesse in France I returned to Plimoth,
to finde them had thus buried me amongst the French; and not onely
buried me, but with so much infamy as such treacherous cowards could
suggest to excuse their villanies. The Chiefetaines of this mutiny that
I could finde, I laid by the heeles, the rest like themselues confessed
the truth, as you haue heard. Now how I haue or could preuent these
accidents, hauing no more meanes, I rest at your censures; but to
proceed to the matter; yet must I sigh and say, How oft hath Fortune in
the world (thinke I) brought slauery, freedome, and turned all
diuersly. Newfoundland I haue heard at the first, was held as desperate a fishing as this I proiect for New England, Placentia, and the Banke
neare also as doubtfull to the French: But for all the disasters hapned
me, the businesse is the same it was, and the fiue ships went from London, whereof one was reported more then three hundred tunnes, found fish so much, that neither Izeland man, nor Newfoundland
man I could heare of hath bin there, will go any more to either place,
if they may go thither. So that vpon the good returne of my Vice-Admirall, this yeere are gone 4 or 5 saile from Plimoth, and from London
as many, only to make voyages of profit: whereas if all the English had
bin there till my returne, put all their returnes together, they would
scarce make one a sauour of neere a dozen I could nominate, except one
sent by Sir Francis Popam; though there be
fish sufficient, as I am perswaded, to fraugh yeerely foure or fiue
hundred Saile, or as many as will goe. For this fishing stretcheth
along the Sea Coast from Cape Iames to Newfoundland,
which is seuen or eight hundred miles at the least, and hath his course
in the deepes, and by the shore, all the yere long, keeping their hants
and feedings, as the beasts of the field, and the birds of the aire.
But all men are not such as they should be, that haue vndertaken those
voyages: All the Romans were not Scipioes, nor Carthagenians Hanibals, nor all the Genweses Columbusses, nor all the Spaniards Courteses:
had they diued no deeper in the secrets of their discoueries then we,
or stopped at such doubts and poore accidentall chances, they had neuer
beene remembred as they are, yet had they no such certainties to begin
as we.
But to conclude, Adam and Eue did first begin this innocent worke to plant the earth to remaine to posterity, but not without labour, trouble, and industry. Noe
and his family began againe the second Plantation; and their seed as it
still increased, hath still planted new Countries, and one Countrey
another, and so the world to that estate it is: but not without much
hazard, trauell, mortalities, discontents, and many disasters. Had
those worthy Fathers, and their memorable off-spring, not beene more
diligent for vs now in these ages, then we are to plant that yet is
vnplanted for the after liuers. Had the seed of Abraham,
our Sauiour Christ, and his Apostles, exposed themselues to no more
dangers to teach the Gospell then we, euen wee our selues had at this
present beene as saluage, and as miserable as the most barbarous
Saluage, yet vnciuilized. The Hebrewes and Lacedemonians, the Gothes, the Grecians, the Romanes,
and the rest, what was it they would not vndertake to inlarge their
Teritories, enrich their subiects, resist their enemies. Those that
were the founders of those great Monarchies and their vertues, were no
siluered idle golden Pharises, but industrious Iron steeled Publicans:
They regarded more prouisions and necessaries
for their people, then Iewels,
riches, ease, or delight for themselues; Riches were their Seruants,
not their Masters. They ruled (as Fathers, not as Tirants) their people
as Children, not as Slaues; there was no disaster could discourage
them; and let none thinke they incountred not with all manner of
incumbrances. And what hath euer beene the worke of the greatest
Princes of the Earth, but planting of Countries, and ciuilizing
barbarous and inhumane Nations to ciuilitie and humanitie, whose
eternall actions fills our Histories.
Lastly, the Portugals and Spaniards,
whose euer-liuing actions before our eies will testifie with them our
idlenesse, and ingratitude to all posterities, and the neglect of our
duties, in our pietie and religion. We owe our God, our King and
Countrey, and want of Charitie to those poore Saluages, whose Countrey
wee challenge, vse and possesse; except wee be but made to vse, and
marre what our fore-fathers made, or but onely tell what they did, or
esteeme ourselues too good to take the like paines. Was it vertue in
them to prouide that doth maintaine vs, and basenesse in vs to doe the
like for others? Surely no. Then seeing we are not borne for our
selues, but each to help other, and our abilities are much alike at the
houre of our birth, and the minute of our death: seeing our good deeds
or our bad by faith in Christs merits, is all we haue, to carie our
soules to heauen or hell. Seeing honor is our liues ambition, and our
ambition after death to haue an honorable memory of our life: and
seeing by no meanes we would be abated of the dignities and glories of
our predecessors, let vs imitate their vertues to be worthily their
successors: to conclude with Lucretius,
Its want of reason, or its reasons want
Which doubts the minde and iudgement, so doth dant,
That those beginnings makes men not to grant.
Iohn Smith writ this with his owne hand.
Here followeth a briefe Discourse of the trials of New England, with certaine Obseruations of the Hollanders vse and gaine by fishing, and the present estate of that happy Plantation, begun but by sixtie weake men, in the yeere of our Lord 1620. and how to build a fleet of good ships to make a little Nauy Royall, by the former Author.
M. Dee his report.
HE saith, that it is
more then foure and forty yeeres agoe, and it is more then fortie
yeeres agoe since he writ it; that the Herring Buffes out of the Low
Countries vnder the King of Spaine, were fiue hundred, besides one hundred French men, and three or foure hundred saile of Flemings. The Coast of Wales and Lancashire was vsed by 300 Saile of Strangers. Ireland at Beltamore, fraughted yeerely three hundred saile of Spaniards, where King Edward the sixt intended to haue made a strong Castle, because of the straight to haue tribute for fishing. Black Rocke was yerely fished by three or foure hundred saile of Spaniards, Portugals, and Biskiners.
The benefit of fishing, as Mr Gentleman and others report.
The Hollanders
raise yeerely by Herring, Cod, and Ling, thirty thousand pounds:
English and French, by Salt-fish, Poore-Iohn, Salmons, and Pilchards,
three hundred thousand pounds: Hambrough and the Sound, for Sturgion, Lobsters and Eeles, one hundred thousand pounds: Cape Blanke for Tunny and Mullit, by the Biskiners and Spaniards, thirty thousand pounds.
The Records of Holland and other learned obseruers
That the Duke of Medina receiueth yeerely tribute of the Fishers, for Tunny, Mullit, and Porgos, more then ten thousand pounds. Lubecke hath seuen hundred
ships; Hambrough six hundred; Emden lately a Fisher towne, one thousand foure hundred, whose customes by fishing hath made them so powerfull as they be. Holland and Zeland not much greater then Yorkeshire,
hath thirty walled Townes, foure hundred Villages, and twenty thousand
saile of Ships and Hoies; three thousand six hundred are Fisher-men,
whereof one hundred are Doggers, seuen hundred Pinkes and Well-Boats,
seuen hundred Fraud-boats, Britters, and Tode-boats, with thirteene
hundred Busses, besides three hundred that yeerely fish about Yarmouth,
where they sell their fish for Gold: and fifteene yeeres agoe they had
more then an hundred and sixteene thousand Sea-faring men.
These fishing ships
doe take yeerely two hundred thousand last of fish, twelue barrels to a
last, which amounts to 300000. pounds by the fisher mens price, that
14. yeeres agoe did pay for their tenths three hundred thousand pound,
which venting in Pumerland, Sprustia, Denmarke, Lefeland, Russia, Swethland, Germany, Netherlands, England,
or else where, &c makes their returnes in a yeere about threescore
and ten hundred thousand pounds, which is seuen millions; and yet in Holland
there is neither matter to build ships nor merchandize to set them
forth, yet by their industry they as much increase as other nations
decay; but leauing these vncertainties as they are, of this I am
certaine.
That the coast of England, Scotland and Ireland, the North Sea with Island and the Sound, Newfound-land and Cape Blanke,
doe serue all Europe, as well the land townes as ports, and all the
Christian shipping, with these sorts of staple fish, which is
transported from whence it is taken many a thousand mile, viz. Herring, salt Fish, Poore-Iohn, Sturgion, Mullit, Tunny, Porgos, Cauiare, Buttargo.
Now seeing all these
sorts of fish, or the most part of them may be had in a land more
fertill, temperate and plentifull of all necessaries, for the building
of ships, boats and houses, and the nourishment of man, the seasons are
so proper, and the fishings so neere the habitations we may there make,
that New-England hath much aduantage of
the most of those parts, to serue all Europe farre cheaper then they
can, who at home haue neither wood, salt, nor food, but at great rates,
at Sea nothing but what they carry in their ships, an hundred or two
hundred leagues from the habitation. But New-Englands fishings is neere land, where is helpe of Wood, Water, Fruits, Fowles, Corne or other refreshings needfull, and the Terceras, Mederas, Canaries, Spaine, Portugall, Prouaues, Sauoy, Sicillia, and all Italy, as conuenient markets for our dry fish, greene fish, Sturgion, Mullit, Cauiare and Buttargo, as Norway, Swethland, Littuania or Germany
for their Herring, which is heare also in abundance for taking; they
returning but Wood, Pitch, Tar, Sope-ashes, Cordage, Flax, Wax, and
such like commodities; wee Wines, Oiles, Sugars, Silkes, and such
merchandize as the Straits offoord, whereby our profit may equalize
theirs, besides the increase of shipping and Marriners: and for proofe
hereof.
1614.
1615.
1616.
1617.
My sute to the Country.
In the yeere of our Lord 1614. you haue read how I went from Loudon: also the next yeere 1615. how foure good ships went from London, and I with two more from Plimoth, with all our accidents, successes and returnes: in the yeere 1616. ere I returned from France, the Londoners for all their losse by the Turkes, sent foure ships more; foure more also went from Plimoth; after I returned from France, I was perswaded againe to goe to Plimoth
with diuers of my friends with one hundred pound for our aduentures
besides our charges, but wee found all things as vntoward as before,
and all their great promises nothing but aire: yet to prepare the
voyage against the next yeere, hauing acquainted a great part of the
Nobility with it, and ashamed to see the Prince his Highnesse till I
had done some what worthy his Princely view; I spent that Summer in
visiting the Cities and Townes of Bristoll, Exeter, Bastable, Bodnam, Perin, Foy, Milborow, Saltash, Dartmouth, Absom, Tattnesse, and the most of the Gentry in Cornewall and Deuonshire, giuing them Bookes and Maps, shewing how in six moneths the most of
those ships had made their voyages, and some in lesse, and with what
good successe; by which incitation they seemed so well contented, as
they promised twenty saile of ships should goe with mee next yeere, and
in regard of my paines, charge, and former losses, the westerne
Commissioners in behalfe of themselues and the rest of the Company, and
them hereafter that should be ioyned to them, contracted with me by
articles indented vnder our hands, to be Admirall of that Country
during my life, and in the renewing of their Letters-Patents so to be
nominated. Halfe the fruits of our endeuours to be theirs, the rest our
owne; being thus ingaged, now the businesse is made plaine and likely
to prosper, some of them would not onely forget me and their promises,
but also obscure me, as if I had neuer beene acquainted in the
businesse, but I am not the first they haue deceiued.
1618.
There was foure good ships prepared at Plimoth,
but by reason of their disagreement, the season so wasted, as onely two
went forward, the one being of two hundred tunnes, returned well
fraught to Plimoth, and her men in health,
within fiue moneths; the other of fourescore tunnes went for bilbow
with drie fish and made a good returne. In this voyage Edward Rowcroft, alias Stallings, a valiant Souldier, that had beene with me in Virginia,
and was with me also when I was betrayed by the French, was sent againe
in those ships, and hauing some wrong offered him there by a French
man, he tooke him, and as he writ to me, went with him to Virginia
with fish, to trade with them for such commodities as they might spare:
he had not past ten or twelue men, and knew both those countries well,
yet he promised me the next spring to meet me in New-England, but the ship and he both perished in Virginia.
1619.
This yeere againe, diuers ships intending to goe from Plimoth,
so disagreed, there went but one of two hundred tunnes, who stayed in
the Country about six weeks, which with eight and thirty men and boies
had her fraught, which she sold at the first penny for 2100. besides
the Furres: so that euery poore Sailer that had but a single share had
his charges and sixteene pound ten shillings for his seuen moneths
worke. Master Thomas Dirmire an vnderstanding and industrious Gentleman, that was also with me amongst the French men, hauing liued about a yeere in Newfoundland, returning to Plimoth, went for New-England
in this ship, so much approued of this Country, that he staied there
with fiue or six men in a little Boat, finding two or three French men
amongst the Saluages who had lost their ship, augmented his company,
with whom he ranged the Coast to Virginia, where he was kindly welcommed and well refreshed, thence returned to New-England againe, where hauing beene a yeere, in his backe returne to Virginia
he was so wounded by the Saluages, he died vpon it; let not men
attribute these their great aduentures, and vntimely deaths to
vnfortunatenesse, but rather wonder how God did so long preserue them
with so small meanes to doe so much, leauing the fruits of their
labours to be an incouragement to those our poore vndertakings, and as
warnings for vs not to vndertake such great workes with such small
meanes, and this for aduantage as they writ vnto me, that God had laid
this Country open for vs, and slaine the most part of the inhabitants
by ciuill warres and a mortall disease, for where I had seene one
hundred or two hundred Saluages, there is scarce ten to be found, and
yet not any one of them touched with any sicknesse but one poore French
man that died;
They say this plague vpon them thus sore fell,
It was because they pleas'd not Tantum well.
1620.
From the West
Country to make triall this yeere onely to fish, is gone six or seuen
saile, three of which I am certainly informed made so good a voyage,
that euery Sailer that had a single share had twenty pound for his
seuen moneths work, which is more then in twenty moneths he should haue
gotten, had he gone
for wages any where. Now
although these former ships haue not made such good voiages as they
expected, by sending opinionated vnskilfull men, that had not
experienced diligence to saue that they tooke, nor take that there was,
which now patience and practice hath brought to a reasonable kinde of
perfection; in despight of all detractors and calumniations the Country
yet hath satisfied all, the defect hath beene in their vsing or abusing
it, not in it selfe nor me: But,
Adue desert, for fortune makes prouision
For Knaues and Fooles, and men of base condition.
My sute to the Citie.
Now all these proofes and this relation I now called New-Englands triall. I caused two or three thousand of them to be printed, one thousand with a great many Maps both of Virginia and New-England, I presented to thirty of the chiefe Companies in London
at their Halls, desiring either generally or particularly (them that
would) to imbrace it, and by the vse of a stocke of fiue thousand
pound, to ease them of the superfluity of the most of their companies
that had but strength and health to labour; neere a yeere I spent to
vnderstand their resolutions, which was to me a greater toile and
torment, then to haue beene in New-England
about my businesse but with bread and water, and what I could get there
by my labour; but inconclusion, seeing nothing would be effected, I was
contented as well with this losse of time and charge as all the rest.
A Plantation in New-England.
1620.
VPon these inducements some few well disposed Gentlemen, and Merchants of London
and other places, prouided two ships, the one of a hundred and
threescore tunnes, the other of threescore and ten, they left the Coast
of England the two and thirtieth of
August, with about a hunred and twenty persons, but the next day the
lesser ship sprung a leake, that forced their returne to Plimoth,
where discharging her and twenty passengers; with the greater ship and
one hundred passengers besides Sailers, they set saile againe the sixt
of September, and the ninth of Nouember fell with Cape Iames,
but being pestred nine weekes in this leaking vnwholsome ship, lying
wet in their Cabins, most of them grew very weake and weary of the Sea;
then for want of experience, ranging two and againe six weekes before
they found a place they liked to dwell on, forced to lie on the bare
ground without couerture, forty of them died, and threescore were left
in very weake estate at the ships comming away, about the fifth of
Aprill following, and arriued in England
the sixth of May. Though the Harbour be good, the shore is so shallow,
they were forced to wade a great way vp to the knees in water, &
vsed that that did them much hurt; & little fish they found but
Whailes, and a great kinde of Mustell so fat, that few did eat of them
that were not sicke: these miseries occasioned some discord, and gaue
some appearance of faction, but all was so reconciled, that they vnited
themselues by common consent vnder their hands, to a kinde of
combination of a body politike, by vertue whereof to inact and
constitute lawes and ordinances, and Officers from time to time, as
should bee thought most conuenient for their generall good.
Their first iourny by land.
Sixteene or
seuenteene daies they could doe little for want of their Shallop which
was amending, yet Captaine Miles Standish, vnto whom was ioyned in Councell, William Bradfor, Stephen Hopkins and Edward Tilly,
went well armed a shore, and by that time they had gone a mile, met
fiue or six Indians that fled into the Woods: we traced them by the
footing eight or ten miles, then the night approaching we made a fire,
by which we lay that night, and the next morning followed the Saluages
by their tract, thinking to finde their habitations, but by
the way we found a Deere
amongst many faire springs of water, where we refreshed our selues;
then we went a shore and made a fire, that they at the ship might
perceiue where we were, and so marched to a place where we supposed was
a Riuer; by the way we saw many Vines, Saxefras, haunts of Deere &
Fowle, and some fifty Acres of plaine ground had beene planted by the
Indians, where were some of their graues; from thence we followed a
path that brought vs through three or foure fields that had bin planted
that yeere; in one graue we digged, we found a basket or two of Indian
Corne, so much as we could carry we tooke with vs, the rest we buried
as we found it, and so proceeded to the place we intended, but we found
it not such a Harbour as we expected; and so we returned, till the
night caused vs take vp our lodging vnder a tree, where it rained six
or seuen houres: the next morning as we wandred, we passed by a tree,
where a young sprig was bowed downe ouer a bough, and some Acornes
strewed vnder it, which was one of their Gins to a catch a Deere, and
as we were looking at it, Bradford
was suddenly caught by the leg in a noosed Rope, made as artificially
as ours; as we passed we see a lease of Bucks, sprung some Partriges,
and great flocks of wilde Geese and Ducks, and so we returned well
wearied to our ship.
Their first iourny by Shallop.
Master Iones
our Master with foure and thirty men, also went vp and downe in the
frost and snow, two or three daies in the extremity of the cold, but
could finde no harbour; only among the old graues we got some ten
bushels of Corne, some Beanes, and a bottle of Oile; and had we not
thus haply found it, we had had no Corne for seede, so that place we
euer called Corne-hill; the next day Master Iones
with the Corne and our weakest men returned to the Ship, but eighteene
of vs quartered there that night, and in the morning following the
paths, wee found in the Snow in a field a greater hill or graue then
the rest, diging it wee found first a Mat, vnder that a boord three
quarters long, painted and carued with three Tyns at the top like a
Cronet, betweene the Mats also were Bowles, Traies and Dishes and such
trash, at length we found a faire new Mat, and vnder that two bundles,
the one biggar the other lesse; in the greater wee found a great
quantity of fine red powder like a kinde of imbalmement, and yeelded a
strong but no offensiue smell, with the bones and skull of a man that
had fine yellow haire still on it, and some of the flesh vnconsumed, a
Knife, a Packneedle, and two or three old Iron things was bound vp in a
Sailers canuase Cassocke, also a paire of cloth Breeches; in the lesse
bundle we found likewise of the same powder, and the bones and head of
a little childe; about the legs and other parts of it was bound strings
and braslets of white beades, there was also a little Bow, and some
other odde knacks, the prettiest we tooke, and couered againe the corps
as they were: not farre from thence were two of their houses, where
were a great deale of their miserable houshold stuffe, which we left as
wee found, and so returned to our Boat, and lay aboord that night.
Accidents.
Many arguments we had to make here our Plantation or not; in the Intrim, Mistris White was brought to bed of a young sonne, which was called Perigrine:
and a Sailer shooting at a Whale, his peece flew in peeces stocke and
all, yet he had no hurt. A foolish boy discharging his fathers peece
hard by halfe a barrell of Powder, and many people by it, it pleased
God it escaped firing, so that no hurt was done.
Their second iourney by water to finde a place to plant in.
Their first fight with the Saluages.
But to make a more certaine discouery where to seat our selues, Captaine Standish, Master Caruer, William Branford, Edward Winsloe, Iohn Tilly, Edward Tilly,
with diuers others to the number of seuenteene, vpon the sixt of
December set saile, and hauing sailed six or seuen leagues, we espied
eight or ten Saluages about a dead Grampus: still following the shore
we found two or three more cast vp by the ill weather, many we see in
the water, therefore we called it Grampus Bay:
Ships may ride well in it, but all the shore is very shallow slats of
sand; at last seuen or eight of vs went a shore, many fields we saw
where the Saluages had inhabited, and a buriall place incompassed with
a Palizado, so we returned to our Shallop,
in the night we heard a hideous
cry and howling of Wolues and Foxes; in the morning as we were ready to
goe into our Shallop, one of our men being in the woods, came running
crying, Indians, Indians, and with all their Arrowes flying amongst vs,
some of our men being in the boat, and their Armes a shore, so well it
chanced, Captaine Standish
with two or three more discharged their peeces till the rest were
ready, one Saluage more stout then the rest kept vnder a tree, till he
had shot three or foure Arrowes, and endured three or foure Musket
shot, but at last they all fled, this was about breake of day in the
morning when they saw vs, and we not them.
The description of their place to plant in.
Another Boy borne in New-England. Their first Plantation.
Hauing the wind
faire, we sailed along the coast 8. or 10. leagues, thinking to haue
got to a Harbour where one of our company had beene, within 8. leagues
of Cape Cod, for neither cricke nor
Harbour in this bay we could finde; and the wind so increased, our
Rudder broke, and our Mast flew ouer-boord, that we were in danger to
be cast away, but at last it pleased God we were in a harbor we knew
not, thinking it one we were acquainted with, this we found to be an
Ile where we rid that night, and hauing well viewed the land about it,
and founded the Bay to be a good Harbour for our ship, compassed with
good land, and in it two faire Iles, where there is in their seasons
innumerable store of all sorts of fish and fowle, good water, much
plaine land, which hath beene planted; with this newes we returned to
our ship, and with the next faire wind brought her thither, being but
within the fight of Cape Cod; in the meane time Goodwife Alderton
was deliuered of a sonne, but dead borne. Vpon the 28. of December, so
many as could went to worke vpon the hill, where we purposed to build
our Platforme for our ordnance, which doth command all the Plaine and
the Bay, and from whence wee may see far into the Sea, and be easily
impailed, so in the afternoone we went to measure out the grounds, and
diuided our company into 19. families, alotting to euery person halfe a
poule in bredth and three in length, and so we cast lots where euery
man should lie, which we staked out, thinking this proportion enough at
the first to impale for lodgings and gardens.
Two faire Lakes.
Two men lost themselues in the woods.
Francis Billington
from the top of a tree seeing a great water some three miles from vs in
the land, went with the Masters Mate, and found it two great Lakes of
fresh water, the bigger fiue or six miles in circuit, and an Ile in it
of a Cables length square; the other three miles in compasse, full of
fish and fowle, and two brooks issuing from it, which will be an
excellent helpe in time for vs, where they saw seuen or eight Indian
houses, but no people. Foure being sent a mile or two from our
plantation, two of them stragling into the woods was lost, for comming
to a Lake of water they found a great Deere, hauing a mastiue Bitch and
a Spanell with them, they followed so farre they could not finde the
way backe, that afternoone it rained, and did freeze and snow at night;
their apparell was very thin, and had no weapons but two sickles, nor
any victuals, nor could they finde any of the Saluages habitations;
when the night came they were much perplexed that they had no other bed
then the earth, nor couerture then the skies, but that they heard, as
they thought, two Lions roaring a long time together very nigh them, so
not knowing what to doe, they resolued to climbe vp into a tree, though
that would be an intollerable cold lodging, expecting their coming they
stood at the trees root, and the bitch they held fast by the necke, for
shee would haue beene gone to the Lions or what they were, that as it
chanced came not nigh them, so they watched the tree that extreme cold
night, and in the morning trauelling againe, passing by many lakes,
brooks and woods, and in one place where the Saluages had burnt 4. or
5. miles in length, which is a fine champion Country, in the afternoone
they discouered the two Iles in their Bay, and so that night neere
famished they got to their Plantation, from whence they had sent out
men euery way to seeke them; that night the house they had built and
that ched, where lay their armes, bedding, powder, &c. tooke fire
and was burnt, the Coast is so shoule, the ship rides more then a mile
from the Fort, but God be thanked no man was hurt though much was burnt.
Their first conference with a Saluage.
The second conference.
All this time we
could not haue conference with a Saluage, though we had many times
seene them and had many alarums, so that we drew a Councell, and
appointed Captaine Standish to haue the
command of all martiall actions, but euen in the time of consultation
the Saluages gaue an alarum: the next day also as wee were agreeing
vpon his orders, came a tall Saluage boldly amongst vs, not fearing any
thing, and kindly bad vs welcome in English; he was a Sagamo,
towards the North, where the ships vse to fish, and did know the names
of most of the Masters that vsed thither: such victuall as we had we
gaue him, being the first Saluage we yet could speake with, he told vs
this place where we were was called Patuxet,
and that all the people three or foure yeeres agoe there died on the
plague: in a day or two we could not be rid of him, then he returned to
the Massasoyts from whence he came, where is some sixty people, but the Nawsits are 100. strong, which were they encountred our people at the first. Two daies after this Samoset, for so was his name, came againe, and brought fiue or six of the Massasoyts
with him, with certaine skinnes, and certaine tooles they had got that
we had left in the woods at their alarums: much friendship they
promised, and so departed, but Samoset
would not leaue vs, but fained himselfe sicke, yet at last he went to
entreat the Saluages come againe to confirme a peace: now the third
time, as we were consulting of our Marshall orders, two Saluages
appeared, but when we went to them they vanished: not long after came Samoset, & Squanto, a natiue of Patuxet where we dwell, and one of them carried into Spaine by Hunt, thence brought into England, where a good time he liued; and now here signified vnto vs, their great Sachem of Massasoyt, with Quadaquina his brother, and all their men, was there by to see vs: not willing to send our Gouernour, we sent Edward Wollislo with presents to them both, to know their minds, making him to vnderstand by his Interpreters how King Iames
did salute him and was his friend; after a little conference with
twenty of his men, he came ouer the brooke to our Plantation, where we
set him vpon a rug, and then brought our Gouernour to him with Drums
and Trumpets; where after some circumstances, for they vse few
complements, we treated of peace with them to this effect.
Their conditions of peace.
That neither he nor
any of his should iniury or doe hurt to any of vs; if they did, he
should send vs the offender, that we might punish him, and wee would
doe the like to him: if any did vniustly warre against him, we would
aid him, as he should vs against our enemies, and to send to his
neighbour confederats to certifie them of this, that they might
likewise be comprised in these conditions, that when any of them came
to vs, they should leaue their Bow and Arrowes behinde them, as we
would our peeces when we came to them, all which the King seemed to
like well of, and was applauded of his followers, in his person hee is
a very lusty man, in his best yeeres, an able body, graue of
countenance, and spare of speech: in his attire little differing from
the rest; after all was done, the Gouernour conducted him to the
brooke, but kept our hostage till our messengers returned: in like
manner we vsed Quaddaquina, so all departed good friends.
Two of his people
would haue staied with vs, But wee would not permit them, onely Samoset and Squanto
wee entertained kindly; as yet wee haue found they intend to keepe
promise, for they haue not hurt our men they haue found stragling in
the Woods, and are afraid of their powerfull Aduersaries the Narrohiggansets, against whom hee hopes to make vse of our helpe. The next day Squanto
went a fishing for Eeles, and in an houre he did tread as many out of
the Ose with his feet as he could lift with his hand, not hauing any
other instrument.
A iourney to Pakanoki.
But that we might know their habitations so well as they ours, Stephen Hopkins and Edward Winslo had Squantum for their guide and Interpreter; to Packanoki, the habitation of the King of Massasoyt, with a red horsemans coat for a present, to entreat him by reason we had not victuall to entertaine them
as we would, he would defend his people so much from visiting vs; and
if hee did send, he should alwaies send with the Messenger a copper
Chaine they gaue him, that they might know he came from him, and also
giue them some of his Corne for seede: that night they lodged at Namascet,
some fifteene miles off: by the way we found ten or twelue women and
children that still would pester vs till we were weary of them,
perceiuing it is the manner of them, where victuall is to bee gotten
with most ease, there they will liue; but on that Riuer of Namaschet
haue beene many habitations of the Saluages that are dead, and the land
lies waste, and the Riuer abounding with great plenty of fish, and hath
beene much frequented by the French.
A great courage of two old Saluages.
How the King vsed them.
A voyage to Nawsit.
The next day
trauelling with six or seuen Indians, where we were to wade ouer the
Riuer, did dwell onely two old men of that Nation then liuing, that
thinking vs enemies, sought the best aduantage they could to fight with
vs, with a wonderfull shew of courage, but when they knew vs their
friends they kindly welcommed vs; after we came to a towne of the Massasoits, but at Pakanoki
the King was not: towards night he arriued and was very proud, both of
our message and presents, making a great oration to all his people, Was
not he Massasoit, Commander of the country
about him, was not such a towne his, and the people of it, and 20.
townes more he named was his? and should they not bring their skins to
vs? to which they answered, they were his and they would; victual they
had none, nor any lodging, but a poore planke or two, a foot high from
the ground, wheron his wife and he lay at the one end, we at the other,
but a thin Mat vpon them, two more of his chiefe men pressed by and
vpon vs, so that we were worse weary of our lodging then of our
iourney. Although there is such plenty of fish and fowle and wild
beasts, yet are they so lasie they will not take paines to catch it
till meere hunger constraine them, for in two or three daies we had
scarce a meales meat, whereby we were so faint, we were glad to be at
home: besides what for the fleas, and their howling and singing in the
night in their houses, and the Musketas
without doores, our heads were as light for want of sleepe, as our
bellies empty for want of meat. The next voiage we made was in a
Shallop with ten men to Nawsit, sixteene miles from vs, to fetch a Boy was lost in the Woods we heard was there, whom Aspinet their King had bedecked like a saluage, but very kindly he brought him to vs, and so returned well to Patuyet.
1621.
Immediatly after the
arriuall of the last ship, they sent another of fiue and fifty tuns to
supply them; with seuen and thirty persons they set saile in the
beginning of Iuly, but being crossed by westernly winds, it was the end
of August ere they could passe Plimoth, and arriued in New-England at New-Plimoth, now so called the 11. of Nouember,
where they found all the people they left so ill, lusty and well for
all their pouerties, except six that died: a moneth they stayed ere
they returned to England, loaded with
Clap-boord, Wainscot and Wallnut, with about three hogs-heads of Beuer
skinnes the 13. of December: and drawing neere our coast was set on by
a French man set out by the Marquesse of Cera, Gouernour of Ile Deu,
where they kept the ship, imprisoned the Master and company, tooke from
them to the value of 500 pound, and after 14. daies sent them home with
a poore supply of victuall, their owne being deuoured by the Marquesse
and his hungry seruants.
Now you are to
vnderstand this 37. brought nothing, but relied wholly on vs to make vs
more miserable then before, which the Sachem Couanacus no sooner vnderstood, but sent to Tusquantum our Interpreter, a bundle of new arrowes in a Snakes skinne; Tusquantum
being absent, the Messenger departed, but when we vnderstood it was a
direct challenge, we returned the skin full of powder and shot, with an
absolute defiance, which caused vs finish our fortification with all
expedition. Now betwixt our two Saluages, Tusquantum and Hobbamock,
grew such great emulation, we had much adoe to know which best to
trust. In a iourney we vndertooke, in our way we met a Saluage of Tusquantums, that had cut his face
fresh bleeding, to assure vs Massasoyt our supposed friend, had drawne his forces to Packanokick to assault vs. Hobomak
as confidently assured vs it was false, and sent his wife as an espy to
see; but when she perceiued all was well, shee told the King Massasoyt how Tusquantum
had abused him, diuers Saluages also hee had caused to beleeue we would
destroy them, but he would doe his best to appease vs; this he did
onely to make his Country-men beleeue what great power hee had with vs
to get bribes on both sides, to make peace or warre when he would, and
the more to possesse them with feare, he perswaded many we had buried
the plague in our store house, which wee could send when we listed
whither wee would, but at last all his knauery being discouered, Massasowat
sent his knife with Messengers for his head or him, being his subiect;
with much adoe we appeased the angry King and the rest of the Saluages,
and freely forgaue Tusquantum, because he speaking our language we could not well be without him.
A iourney to the Towne of Namaschet, in defence of the King of Massasoyt, against the Narrohigganses, and the supposed death of Squantum.
A Great difference there was betwixt the Narrohigganses and the Massasoytes, that had alwaies a iealousie; Coubatant one of their petty Sachems was too conuersant with the Narrohigganses, this Coubatant liued much at Namaschet and much stormed at our peace with his King and others; also at Squantum, and Tokamahamon, and Hobomak our friends, and chiefe occasioners of our peace, for which he sought to muther Hobomak; yet Tokamahamon went to him vpon a rumour he had taken Masasoyt
prisoner, or forced him from his Country, but the other two would not,
but in priuat to see if they could heare what was become of their King;
lodging at Namaschet they were discouered to Coubatant, who surprized the house and tooke Squantum, saying, if hee were dead the English had lost their tongue; Hobomak seeing that, and Coubatant held a knife at his brest, being a strong lusty fellow, brake from them and came to New-Plimoth, full of sorrow for Squantum, whom he thought was slaine.
They surprise the Saluages.
The next day we sent ten men with him armed to be reuenged of Coubatant, who conducted vs neere Namaschet,
where we rested and refreshed our selues til midnight, and then we
beset the house as we had resolued; those that entred the house
demanded for Coubatant, but the Saluages were halfe dead with feare, we charged them not to stirre, for we came to hurt none but Coubatant for killing Squantum, some of them seeking to escape was wounded, but at last perceiuing our ends, they told vs Coubatant was gone and all his men, and Squantum
was yet liuing, & in the towne; in this hurly burly we discharged
two peeces at randome, which much terrified all the inhabitants except Squantum and Tokamahamon,
who though they knew not the end of our coming, yet assured themselues
of our honesties, that we would not hurt them; the women and children
hung about Hobomak, calling him friend,
and when they saw we would hurt no women the young youths cryed we are
women; to be short, we kept them all, and whilest we were searching the
house for Coubatant, Hobomak had got to the top, and called Squantum & Tokamahamon,
which came vnto vs accompanied with others, some armed, others naked,
those that had bowes we tooke them from them, promising them againe
when it was day: the house wee tooke for our quarter that night and
discharged the prisoners, and the next morning went to breakfast to Squantums house; thither came all them that loued vs to welcome vs, but all Coubatants faction was fled, then we made them plainly know the cause of our comming, & if their King Massasoyt were not well, we would be reuenged vpon the Narrohiggansets, or any that should doe iniury to Hobomak, Squantum
or any of their friends; as for those were wounded we were sorry for
it, and offered our Surgion should heale them, of this offer a man and
a woman accepted, that went
home with vs, accompanied with Squantum, and many other knowne friends, that offered vs all the kindnesse they could.
From the West of England
there is gone ten or twelue ships to fish, which were all well
fraughted: those that came first at Bilbow, made seuenteene pound a
single share, besides Beuers, Otters, and Martins skinnes; but some of
the rest that came to the same ports, that were all ready furnished, so
glutted the market, that the price was abated, yet all returned so well
contented, that they are a preparing to goe againe.
1622.
There is gone from
the West Countrey onely to fish, fiue and thirtie ships, and about the
last of Aprill two more from London; the one of one hundred tunnes, the other of thirtie, with some sixtie Passengers to supply the Plantation. Now though the Turke and French
hath beene somewhat too busie in taking our ships, would all the
Christian Princes be truly at vnitie, as his Royall Maiestie our
Soueraigne King Iames desireth, seuentie
Saile of good ships were sufficient to fire the most of his Coasts in
the Leuant, and make such a guard in the Straights of Hellespont, as would make the great Turke himselfe more affraid in Constantinople, then the smallest Red-Crosse that crosses the Seas would be, either of any French Pickaroun, or the Pirats of Algere.
An abstract of diuers Relations sent from the Colony in New England, Iuly 16. 1622.
Notes and obseruations.
SInce the massacre in Virginia, though the Indians
continue their wonted friendship, yet wee are more wary of them then
before; for their hands hath beene imbrued in much English bloud, onely
by too much confidence, but not by force, and we haue had small
supplies of any thing but men. Here I must intreat a little your
fauours to digresse, they did not kill the English in Virginia,
because they were Christians: but for their weapons and Copper, which
were rare nouelties; but now they feare we may beat them out of their
dens, which Lions and Tigers will not admit but by force. But must this
be an argument for an English man, and discourage any in Virginia or New England: No, for I haue tried them both, as you may reade at large in the Historie of Virginia;
notwithstanding since I came from thence, the Honourable Company hath
beene humble suiters to his Maiestie, to get vagabonds and condemned
men to goe thither; nay, so the businesse hath beene so abused, that so
much scorned was the name of Virginia,
some did chuse to be hanged ere they would goe thither, and were: Yet
for all the worst of spight, detraction, and discouragement, and this
lamentable massacre, there is more honest men now suiters to goe, then
euer hath beene constrained knaues. And it is not vnknowne to most men
of vnderstanding, how happy many of those Collumners hath thought
themselues that they might be admitted; and yet pay for their passage
to goe now to Virginia, and I feare mee
there goeth too many of those, that hath shifted heere till they could
no longer; and they will vse that qualitie there till they hazard all.
To range this Countrey of New England
in like manner, I had but eight, as is said, and amongst their bruit
conditions, I met many of their silly encounters, and I giue God
thankes, without any hurt at all to me, or any with mee. When your
West-Countrey men were so wounded and tormented with the Saluages,
though they had all the Politicke directions that had beene gathered
from all the secret informations could be heard of, yet they found
little, and returned with nothing. I speak not this out of vaine-glory,
as it may be some gleaners, or some who were neuer there may censure
me; but to let all men be assured by those examples, what those
Saluages are, that thus strangely doe murder and betray our Countrymen:
but to the purpose;
They liued two yeeres without supply.
Westons Plantation.
The death of Tusquantum.
The Paragon with thirtie seuen men sent to releeue them, miscaried twice vpon
our English Coast, whereby they failed of their supplies. It is true,
there hath beene taken one thousand Bases at a draught; and in one
night twelue Hogsheads of Herrings: but when they wanted all
necessaries both for fishing and sustinance, but what they could get
with their naked industry, they indured most extreme wants, hauing
beene now neere two yeeres without any supply to any purpose, it is a
wonder how they should subsist, much lesse so to resist the Saluages,
fortifie themselues, plant sixtie acres of Corne, besides their Gardens
that were well replenished with many vsuall fruits. But in the
beginning of Iuly came in two ships of Master Westons,
though we much wanted our selues, yet we releeued them what we could:
and to requite vs, they destroied our Corne and Fruits then planted,
and did what they could to haue done the like to vs. At last they were
transported to Wichaguscusset at the Massachusets, where they abused the Saluages worse then vs. We hauing neither Trade, nor scarce any thing remaining, God sent in one Master Iones, and a ship of Westons had beene at Monahigan amongst the Fisher-men, that for Beuer skinnes and such Merchandize as wee had, very well refreshed vs, though at deere rates. Weston left also his men a small Barke, and much good prouision, and so set saile for England. Then wee ioyned with them to trade to the Southward of Cape Cod, twice or thrice wee were forced to returne; first by the death of their Gouernor; then the sicknesse of Captaine Standish. At last our Gouernor Master Bradford vndertooke it himselfe to haue found the passage betwixt the Shoules and the Maine, then Tusquantum our Pilot died, so that we returned to the Massachusets, where we found the trade spoiled, and nothing but complaints betwixt the Saluages and the English. At Nawset
we were kindly vsed and had good trade, though we lost our Barge, the
Saluages carefully kept both her wracke, and some ten Hosheads of Corne
three moneths, and so we returned some by land, some in the ship.
Tusquantum at his death desired the English to pray he might go dwell with the English mens God, for theirs was a good God.
They contriue to murder all the English.
Captaine Standish being recouered, went to fetch them both, and traded at Namasket and Monomete, where the people had the plague, a place much frequented with Dutch and French. Here the Sachem
put a man to death for killing his fellow at play, wherein they are so
violent, they will play their coats from their backs, and also their
wiues, though many miles from them. But our prouision decaying, Standish is sent to Mattachist, where they pretended their wonted loue; yet it plainly appeared they intended to kill him. Escaping thence, wee went to Monomete, where we found nothing but bad countenances. Heare one Wittuwamat a notable villaine, would boast how many French and English hee had slaine: This Champion presenting a Dagger to the Sachem Canacum
he had got from the English, occasioned vs to vnderstand how they had
contriued to murder all the English in the Land, but hauing such a
faire opportunitie, they would begin heere with vs. Their scornfull
vsage made the Captaine so passionate to appease his anger and choler,
their intent made many faire excuses for satisfaction: Scar
a lusty Saluage, alwaies seeming the most to effect vs, bestowed on vs
the best presents he had without any recompence, saying; Hee was rich
enough to bestow such fauours on his friends, yet had vndertaken to
kill the Captaine himselfe, but our vigilencies so preuented the
aduantage they expected, we safely returned, little suspecting in him
any such treachery.
The sicknesse of King Massasowat.
His cure by the English.
During this time a Dutch ship was driuen a shore at Massasowat, whose King lay very sicke, now because it is a generall custome then for all their friends to visit them: Master Winslow, and Master Hamden, with Habamok for their guide, were sent with such Cordialls as they had to salute him; by the way they so oft heard the King was dead, Habamok would breake forth in those words, My louing Sachem, my louing Sachem,
many haue I knowne, but neuer any like thee, nor shall euer see the
like amongst the Saluages; for he was no lier, nor bloudy and cruell
like other Indians, in anger soone
reclaimed, he would be ruled by reason, not scorning the aduice of
meane men, and gouerned his men better with a few strokes, then others
with many: truly louing where he loued, yea he feared wee
had not a faithfull friend left
amongst all his Countrey-men, shewing how oft he had restrained their
malice, much more with much passion he spoke to this purpose, till at
last we arriued where we found the Dutchmen
but newly gone, and the house so full we could hardly get in. By their
charmes they distempered vs that were well, much more him that was
sicke, women rubbing him to keepe heat in him; but their charmes ended,
vnderstanding of vs, though he had lost his sight, his vnderstanding
failed not; but taking Winslow by the hand, said, Art thou Winslow, Oh Winslow, I shall neuer see thee againe! Hobamock
telling him what restauratiues they had brought, he desired to taste
them, with much adoe they got a little Confexion of many comfortable
Conserues into his mouth, as it desolued he swallowed it, then
desoluing more of it in water, they scraped his tongue, which was al
furred & swolne, and washed his mouth, and then gaue him more of it
to eat, and in his drinke, that wrought such an alteration in him in
two or three houres, his eies opened to our great contents; with this
and such brothes as they there prouided for him, it pleased God he
recouered and thus the manner of his sicknesse and cure caused no small
admiration amongst them.
The Kings thankfulnesse.
A bad example.
During the time of their stay to see his recouery, they had sent to New Plimoth
for diuers good things for him, which he tooke so kindly, that he fully
reuealed all the former conspiracies against vs, to which he had oft
beene moued; and how that all the people of Powmet, Nawset, Succonet, Mattachist, Manamet, Augawam, and Capawac, were ioyned to murder vs; therefore as we respected our liues, kill them of Massachuset
that were the authors; for take away the principals and the plot wil
cease, thus taking our leaues, & arriuing at our fort, we found our
braue liberall friend of Pamet drawing Standish to their Ambuscados, which being thus discouered, we sent him away, as though he knew nor suspected any thing. Them at the Massachusets,
some were so vilde they serued the Saluages for victuall, the rest sent
vs word the Saluages were so insolent, they would assault them though
against their Commission, so fearefull they were to breake their
Commission, so much time was spent in consultations, they all were
famished, till Wassapinewat againe came and told them the day of their execution was at hand.
Captaine Standish sent to suppresse the Saluages.
Two desperate Saluages slaine.
Then they appointed Standish with eight chosen men, vnder colour of Trade to catch them in their owne trap at Massachuset,
& acquaint it with the English in the Towne, where arriuing he
found none in the Barke, and most of the rest without Armes, or scarce
clothes, wandering abroad, all so sencelesly secure, he more then
wondered they were not all slaine, with much adoe he got the most of
them to their Towne. The Saluages suspecting their plots discouered, Pecksnot a great man, and of as great a spirit, came to Habamak, who was then amongst them, saying; Tell Standish
we know he is come to kill vs, but let him begin when he dare. Not long
after many would come to the Fort and wher their Kniues before him,
with many brauing speeches. One amongst the rest was by Wittawamat
bragging he had a Knife, that on the handle had the picture of a womans
face, but at home I haue one hath killed both French & English, and
that hath a mans face on it, and by and by these two must marrie: but
this here, by and by shall see, and by and by eat, but not speake; Also
Pecksnot being of a greater stature then
the Captaine, told him, though he were a great Captaine he was but a
little man, and I though no Sachem, yet I am of great strength and courage. These things Standish
bare patiently for the present; but the next day seeing he could not
get many of them together, but these two Roarers, and two more being in
a conuenient roome, and his company about him, Standish seased on Pecksnots Knife then hanging about his necke, wherewith he slew him, and the rest slew Wittuwamat and the other Saluage, but the youth they tooke, who being Brother to Wittuwamat,
and as villanous as himselfe, was hanged. It is incredible how many
wounds they indured, catching at their weapons without any feare or
bruit, till the last gasp. Habamack stood by all this time very silent, but all ended, he said, Yesterday Pecksnot bragged of his strength and stature, but I see you are big enough to lay him on the ground.
The Saluages ouercommed.
The Towne he left to the guard of Westons
people: three Saluages more were slaine; vpon which rumour they all
fled from their houses. The next day they met with a file of Saluages
that let fly their Arrowes, shot for shot till Hobamack
shewed himselfe, and then they fled. For all this, a Saluage Boy to
shew his innocency, came boldly vnto vs and told vs: Had the English
Fugitiues but finished the three Canowes they were a making, to haue
taken the ship, they would haue done as much to all the English, which
was onely the cause they had for borne so long. But now consulting and
considering their estates, those that went in the Pinnace to Barty Iles to get passage for England, the rest to New Plimoth, where they were kindly entertained. The Sachem Obtakeest, & Powas,
and diuers other were guilty, the three fugitiues in their fury there
slew; but not long after so distracted were those poore scattered
people, they left their habitations, liuing in swamps, where with cold
and infinite diseases they endured much mortalitie, suing for peace,
and crying the God of England is angry with them. Thus you see where God pleases, as some flourish, others perish.
1623.
An extreme drought.
A wonderfull blessing & signe of Gods loue.
Now on all hands
they prepare their ground, and about the middest of Aprill, in a faire
season they begin to plant till the latter end of May; but so God
pleased, that in six weekes after the latter setting there scarce fell
any raine; so that the stalke was first set, began to eare ere it came
to halfe growth, and the last not like to yeeld any thing at all. Our
Beanes also seemed so withered, we iudged all vtterly dead, that now
all our hopes were ouerthrowne, and our ioy turned into mourning. And
more to our sorrow, we heard of the twice returne of the Paragon
that now the third time was sent vs three moneths agoe, but no newes of
her: onely the signes of a wracke we saw on the Coast which wee iudged
her. This caused not euery of vs to enter into a priuate consideration
betwixt God and our consciences, but most solemnly to humble our selues
before the Lord by fasting and praying, to releeue our deiected spirits
by the comforts of his mercy. In the morning when wee assembled all
together, the skies were as cleere, and the drought as like to continue
as euer; yet our exercise continued eight or nine houres. Before our
departure, the skies were all ouer-cast, and on the next morning
distilled such soft, sweet, moderate showers, continuing foureteene
daies, mixed with such seasonable weather, as it was hard to say,
whether our withered Corne, or drooping affections were most quickned
and reuiued, such was the bounty and mercy of God. Of this the Indians by the meanes of Hobamock
tooke notice, who seeing vs vse this exercise in the midst of the
weeke, said, It was but three daies since Sunday, and desired to know
the reason; which when hee vnderstood, he and all of them admired the
goodnesse of God toward vs, shewing the difference betwixt their
coniurations and our praiers, and what stormes and dangers they oft
receiue thereby. To expresse our thankfulnesse, wee assembled together
another day, as before, and either the next morning, or not long after,
came in two ships to supply vs, and all their Passengers well except
one, and he presently recouered. For vs, notwithstanding all these
wants, there was not a sicke person amongst vs. The greater ship we
returned fraught; the other wee sent to the Southward, to trade vnder
the command of Captaine Altom. So that God be thanked, we desire nothing, but what we will returne Commodities to the value.
Thus all men finde our great God he,
That neuer wanted nature,
To teach his truth, that onely be
Of euery thing is Author.
Forty saile sent to fish.
For this yeere from England is gone about fortie saile of ships, only to fish, and as I am informed, haue made a farre better voyage then euer.
Their Religion.
Now some new great obseruers will haue this an Iland, because I haue writ it is
the Continent: others report, that the people are so bruit, they haue
no religion, wherein surely they are deceiued; for my part, I neuer
heard of any Nation in the world which had not a Religion, deare, bowes
and arrowes. They beleeue as doe the Virginians, of many diuine powers, yet of one aboue all the rest, as the Southerne Virginians call their chiefe God Kewassa, and that wee now inhabit Oke, but both their Kings Werowance. The Masachusets call their great God Kiehtan, and their Kings there abouts Sachemse: The Penobscotes their greatest power Tantum, and their Kings Sagomos. Those where is this Plantation, say Kiehtan
made all the other Gods: also one man and one woman, and of them all
mankinde, but how they became so dispersed they know not. They say, at
first there was no King but Kiehtan that
dwelleth farre westerly aboue the heauens, whither all good men goe
when they die, and haue plentie of all things. The bad men goe thither
also and knocke at the doore, but he bids them goe wander in endlesse
want and miserie, for they shall not stay there. They neuer saw Kiehtan,
but they hold it a great charge and dutie, that one age teach another;
and to him they make feasts, and cry and sing for plentie and victorie,
or any thing is good. They haue another Power they call Hobamock,
which wee conceiue the Deuill, and vpon him they call to cure their
wounds and diseases: when they are curable he perswades them he sent
them, because they haue displeased him; but if they be mortall, then he
saith, Kiehtan sent them, which makes them neuer call on him in their sicknesse. They say this Hobamock appeares to them somtimes like a Man, a Deere, or an Eagle, but most commonly like a Snake; not to all, but only to their Powahs to cure diseases, and Vndeses,
which is one of the chiefe next the King, and so bold in the warres,
that they thinke no weapon can kill them: and those are such as coniure
in Virginia, and cause the people to doe what they list.
Their Gouernment.
For their Gouernment: euery Sachem is not a King, but their great Sachems haue diuers Sachems vnder their protection, paying them tribute, and dare make no warres without his knowledge; but euery Sachem
taketh care for the Widowes, Orphans, the aged and maimed, nor will
they take any to first wife, but them in birth equall to themselues,
although they haue many inferior Wiues and Concubins that attend on the
principall; from whom he neuer parteth, but any of the rest when they
list, they inherit by succession, and euery one knowes their owne
bounds. To his men, hee giueth them land, also bounded, and what Deere
they kill in that circuit, he hath the fore-part; but if in the water,
onely the skin: But they account none a man, till hee hath done some
notable exploit: the men are most imploied in hunting, the women in
slauery; the younger obey the elders: their names are variable; they
haue harlots and honest women: the harlots neuer marrie, or else are
widowes. They vse diuorcement, and the King commonly punisheth all
offenders himselfe: when a maid is maried, she cutteth her haire, and
keepes her head couered till it be growne againe. Their arts, games,
musicke, attire, burials, and such like, differ very little from the Virginians, onely for their Chronicles they make holes in the ground, as the others set vp great stones. Out of the Relations of Master Edward Winslow.
An answer to Obiections.
Now I know the
common question is, For all those miseries, where is the wealth they
haue got, or the Gold or Siluer Mines? To such greedy vnworthy minds I
say once againe: The Sea is better then the richest Mine knowne, and of
all the fishing ships that went well prouided, there is no complaint of
losse nor misery, but rather an admiration of wealth, profit, and
health. As for the land were it neuer so good, in two yeeres so few of
such small experience liuing without supplies so well, and in health,
it was an extraordinary blessing from God. But that with such small
meanes they should subsist, and doe so much, to any vnderstanding
judgement is a wonder. Notwithstanding, the vaine expectation of
present gaine in some, ambition in others, that to be great would haue
all else slaues, and the carelesnesse in prouiding supplies, hath
caused those detailements in all those Plantations, and how euer some
bad conditions will extoll the
actions of any Nation but their owne: yet if we may giue credit to the Spaniards, Portugals, and French writings, they indured as many miseries, and yet not in twenty yeeres effected so much, nay scarce in fortie.
The ordinary voyage to goe to Virginia or New-England.
Thus you may see plainly the yeerely successe from New England by Virginia,
which hath beene so costly to this Kingdome, and so deare to me, which
either to see perish, or but bleed; Pardon me though it passionate me
beyond the bounds of modesty, to haue beene sufficiently able to
fore-fee their miseries, and had neither power nor meanes to preuent
it. By that acquaintance I haue with them, I call them my children, for
they haue beene my Wife, my Hawks, Hounds, my Cards, my Dice, and in
totall, my best content, as indifferent to my heart, as my left hand to
my right. And notwithstanding, all those miracles of disasters haue
crossed both them and me, yet were there not an Englishman remaining,
as God be thanked notwithstanding the massacre there are some
thousands; I would yet begin againe with as small meanes as I did at
first, not that I haue any secret encouragement (I protest) more then
lamentable experience; for all their discoueries I haue yet heard of,
are but Pigs of my owne Sow, nor more strange to me, then to heare one
tell me hee hath gone from Billingsgate and discouered Grauesend, Tilbury, Quinborow, Lee, and Margit, which to those did neuer heare of them, though they dwell in England, might bee made some rare secrets and great Countries vnknowne, except some few Relations of Master Dirmer. In England, some are held great trauellers that haue seene Venice, and Rome, Madrill, Toledo, Siuill, Algere, Prague, or Ragonsa, Constantinople, or Ierusalem, and the Piramides of Egypt; that thinke it nothing to goe to Summer Iles, or Virginia,
which is as far as any of them; and I hope in time will proue a more
profitable and a more laudable iourney: as for the danger, you see our
Ladies and Gentlewomen account it nothing now to goe thither; and
therefore I hope all good men will better apprehend it, and not suffer
them to languish in despaire, whom God so wonderfully and oft hath
preserued.
What here I haue
writ by Relation, if it be not right I humbly intreat your pardons, but
I haue not spared any diligence to learne the truth of them that haue
beene actors, or sharers in those voyages; In some particulars they
might deceiue mee, but in the substance they could not: for few could
tell me any thing, except where they fished. But seeing all those haue
liued there, doe confirme more then I haue writ, I doubt not but all
those testimonies with these new begun examples of Plantation, will
moue both Citie and Country, freely to aduenture with me more then
promises.
The obiections against me.
But because some
Fortune-tellers say, I am vnfortunate; had they spent their time as I
haue done, they would rather beleeue in God then their calculations,
and peraduenture haue giuen as bad an account of their actions, and
therefore I intreat leaue to answer those obiecters, that thinke it
strange, if this be true, I haue made no more vse of it, rest so long
without imploiment, nor haue no more reward nor preferment: To which I
say;
My answer.
I thinke it more
strange they should tax me, before they haue tried as much as I haue,
both by land and sea, as well in Asia and Affrica, as Europe and America,
where my Commanders were actors or spectators, they alwaies so freely
rewarded me, I neuer needed bee importunate, or could I euer learne to
beg: What there I got, I haue spent; yet in Virginia
I staied, till I left fiue hundred behinde me better prouided then euer
I was, from which blessed Virgin (ere I returned) sprung the fortunate
habitation of Summer Iles.
This Virgins Sister, now called New England, at my humble sute, by our most gracious Prince Charles,
hath beene neere as chargeable to me and my friends: for all which,
although I neuer got shilling but it cost mee a pound, yet I would
thinke my selfe happy could I see their prosperities.
Considerations.
But if it yet
trouble a multitude to proceed vpon these certainties, what thinke you
I vndertooke when nothing was knowne but that there was a vast land? I
neuer had power and meanes to
doe any thing, though more hath beene spent in formall delaies then
would haue done the businesse, but in such a penurious and miserable
manner, as if I had gone a begging to build an Vniuersitie: where had
men beene as forward to aduenture their purses, and performe the
conditions they promised mee, as to crop the fruits of my labours,
thousands ere this had beene bettered by these designes. Thus betwixt
the spur of desire and the bridle of reason, I am neere ridden to death
in a ring of despaire; the reines are in your hands, therefore I
intreat you ease me, and those that thinke I am either idle or
vnfortunate, may see the cause and know: vnlesse I did see better
dealing, I haue had warning enough not to be so forward againe at euery
motion vpon their promises, vnlesse I intended nothing but to carie
newes; for now they dare aduenture a ship, that when I went first would
not aduenture a groat, so they may be at home againe by Michaelmas,
which makes me remember and say with Master Hackluit;
Oh incredulitie the wit of fooles, that slouingly doe spit at all
things faire, a sluggards Cradle, a Cowards Castle, how easie it is to
be an Infidell. But to the matter: By this all men may perceiue, the
ordinary performance of this voyage in fiue or six moneths, the plentie
of fish is most certainly approued; and it is certaine, from Canada and New England,
within these six yeeres hath come neere twenty thousand Beuer skinnes:
Now had each of these ships transported but some small quantitie of the
most increasing Beasts, Fowles, Fruits, Plants, and Seeds, as I
proiected; by this time their increase might haue beene sufficient for
more then one thousand men: But the desire of present gaine (in many)
is so violent, and the endeuours of many vndertakers so negligent,
euery one so regarding their priuate gaine, that it is hard to effect
any publike good, and impossible to bring them into a body, rule, or
order, vnlesse both honesty, as well as authoritie and money, assist
experience. But your home-bred ingrossing Proiecters will at last
finde, there is a great difference betwixt saying and doing, or those
that thinks their directions can be as soone and easily performed, as
they can conceit them; or that their conceits are the fitest things to
bee put in practise, or their countenances maintaine Plantations. But
to conclude, the fishing will goe forward whether you plant it or no;
whereby a Colony may be then transported with no great charge, that in
short time might prouide such fraughts, to buy on vs there dwelling, as
I would hope no ship should goe or come emptie from New England.
The charge.
The charge of this
is onely Salt, Nets, Hookes, Lines, Kniues, Irish-rugges, course cloth,
Beads, Glasse, and such trash, onely for fishing and trade with the
Saluages, besides our owne necessarie prouisions, whose endeuours would
quickly defray all this charge, and the Saluages did intreat me to
inhabit where I would. Now all those ships till these last two yeeres,
haue beene fishing within a square of two or three leagues, and scarce
any one yet will goe any further in the Port they fish in, where
questionlesse fiue hundred may haue their fraught as well as elsewhere,
and be in the market ere others can haue the fish in their ships,
because New Englands fishing begins in February, in Newfoundland not till the midst of May; the progression hereof tends much to the aduancement of Virginia and Summer Iles, whose empty ships may take in their fraughts there, and would be also in time of need a good friend to the Inhabitants of Newfoundland.
The order of the westerne men.
The gaines.
The returnes made by
the Westerne men, are commonly diuided in three parts; one for the
owner of the ship; another for the Master and his Company; the third
for the victualers, which course being still permitted, will be no
hinderance to the Plantation as yet goe there neuer so many, but a
meanes of transporting that yeerely for little or nothing, which
otherwise wil cost many hundreds of pounds. If a ship can gaine twenty,
thirty, fifty in the hundred; nay three hundred for one hundred in
seuen or ten moneths, as you see they haue done, spending twice so much
time in comming and going as in staying there: were I there planted,
seeing the variety of the fishings serue the most part of the yeere,
and with a little labour we might make all the Salt we need vse, as is
formerly said, and can
conceiue no reason to distrust
of good successe by Gods assistance; besides for the building of ships,
no place hath more conuenient Harbours, ebbe, nor floud, nor better
timber; and no Commoditie in Europe doth more decay then wood.
Master Dee his opinion for the building of ships.
The effects of shipping.
MAster Dee recordeth in his Brittish Monarchy, that King Edgar had a Nauy of foure thousand saile, with which he yeerely made his progresse, about this famous Monarchy of Great Britaine, largely declaring the benefit thereof; whereupon hee proiected to our most memorable Queene Elizabeth, the erecting of a Fleet of sixty Saile, he called a little Nauy Royall: imitating that admired Pericles Prince of Athens,
that could neuer secure that tormented estate, vntill he was Lord and
Captaine of the Sea. At this none need wonder, for who knowes not her
Royall Maiestie during her life, by the incredible aduentures of her
Royall Nauy, and valiant Souldiers and Sea-men, notwithstanding all
treacheries at home, the protecting and defending France and Holland, and reconquering Ireland; yet all the world by Sea and Land both feared or loued, and admired good Queene Elizabeth.
Both to maintaine and increase that incomparable honour (God be
thanked) to her incomparable Successor, our most Royall Lord and
Soueraigne King Iames, this great
Philosopher hath left this to his Maiestie and his Kingdomes
consideration: that if the tenths of the earth be proper to God, it is
also due by Sea. The Kings high waies are common to passe, but not to
dig for Mines or any thing: So Englands Coasts are free to passe but not to fish, but by his Maiesties Prerogatiue.
The Popes order for the East and West Indies.
His Maiesty of Spaine
permits none to passe the Popes order, for the East and West Indies but
by his permission, or at their perils; if all that world be so iustly
theirs, it is no iniustice for England to
make as much vse of her owne shores as strangers doe, that pay to their
owne Lords the tenth, and not to the owner of those liberties any thing
to speake of, whose subiects may neither take nor sell any in their
Teritories: which small tribute would maintaine this little Nauy
Royall, and not cost his Maiesty a peny, and yet maintaine peace with
all Forrainers, and allow them more courtesie then any Nation in the
world affords to England. It were a shame to alleage, that Holland
is more worthy to enjoy our fishing as Lords thereof, because they haue
more skill to handle it then we, as they can our wooll and vndressed
Cloth, notwithstanding all their warres and troublesome disorders.
How to get money to build this little Nauy.
To get money to
build this Nauy, he saith, who would not spare the one hundreth penny
of his rents, and the fiue hundreth penny of his goods; each seruant
that taketh forty shillings wages, foure pence; and euery forrainer of
seuen yeeres of age foure pence, for seuen yeeres; not any of these but
they will spend three times so much in pride, wantonnesse, or some
superfluitie: And doe any men loue the securitie of their estates, that
of themselues would not bee humble suters to his Maiesty to doe this of
free will as a voluntary beneuolence, or but the one halfe of this (or
some such other course as I haue prounded to diuers of the Companies)
free from any constraint, tax, lottery, or imposition; so it may be as
honestly and truly imploied, as it is proiected, the poorest Mechanicke
in this King-would gaine by it. Then you might build ships of any
proportion and numbers you please, fiue times cheaper then you can doe
here, and haue good merchandize for their fraught in this vnknowne
Land, to the aduancement of Gods glory, his Church and Gospel, and the
strengthning and releese of a great part of Christendome without hurt
to any, to the terror of Pirats, the amazement of enemies, the
assistance of friends, the securing Merchants, and so much increase of
Nauigation, to make Englands trade and
shipping as much as any Nations in the world, besides a hundred other
benefits, to the generall good of all true subiects, & would cause
thousands yet vnborne to blesse the time, and all them that first put
it in practise.
Contention for New-Englands goods, not her good.
The necessity of martiall power.
Now lest it
should be obscured as it hath beene to priuat ends, or so weakely
vndertaken by our ouerweening incredulity, that strangers may possesse
it whilest we contend for New-Englands goods, but not Englands
good; I haue presented it as I haue said, to the Prince and Nobility,
the Gentry and Commonalty, hoping at last it will moue the whole land
to know it and consider of it; since I can finde them wood and halfe
victuall, with the foresaid aduantages: were this Country planted, with
what facility they may build and maintaine this little Nauy Royall,
both with honour, profit and content, and inhabit as good a Country as
any in the world within that paralell, which with my life and what I
haue, I will endeuour to effect, if God please and you permit. But no
man will goe from hence to haue lesse freedome there then here, nor
aduenture all they haue to prepare the way for them will scarce thanke
them for it; and it is too well knowne there haue beene so many
vndertakers of Patents, and such sharing of them, as hath bred no lesse
discouragement then wonder, to heare such great promises and so little
performance; in the Interim, you see the French and Dutch already frequent it, and God forbid they in Virginia, or any of his Maiesties subiects, should not haue as free liberty as they. To conclude, were it not for Master Cherley
and a few priuate aduenturers with them, what haue we there for all
these inducements? As for them whom pride or couetousnesse lulleth
asleepe in a Cradle of slothfull carelesnesse, would they but consider
how all the great Monarchies of the earth haue beene brought to
confusion, or but remember the late lamentable experiences of Constantinople, and how many Cities, Townes and Prouinces, in the faire rich Kingdoms of Hungaria, Transiluania, Wallachia & Moldauia,
and how many thousands of Princes, Earles, Barons, Knights, Merchants,
and others, haue in one day lost goods, liues and honours, or sold for
slaues like beasts in a marketplace, their wiues, children and seruants
slaine, or wandring they knew not whither, dying or liuing in all
extremities of extreme miseries and calamities, surely they would not
onely doe this, but giue all they haue to enioy peace and liberty at
home, or but aduenture their persons abroad; to preuent the conclusions
of a conquering Foe, who commonly assaulteth and best preuaileth where
he findeth wealth and plenty, most armed with ignorance and security.
Though the true
condition of warre is onely to suppresse the proud and defend the
innocent, as did that most generous Prince Sigismundus,
Prince of those Countries, against them whom vnder the colour of
iustice and piety, to maintaine their superfluity of ambitious pride,
thought all the world too little to maintaine their vice, and vndoe
them, or keepe them from ability to doe any thing, that would not
admire and adore their honours, fortunes, couetousnesse, falshood,
bribery, cruelty, extortion, and ingratitude, which is worse then
cowardize or ignorance, and all manner of vildnesse, cleane contrary to
all honour, vertue, and noblenesse.
Iohn Smith writ this with his owne hand.
Here follow certaine notes and obseruations of Captaine Charles Whitbourne concerning New-foundland,
which although euery master trained vp in fishing, can make their
proportions of necessaries according to their custome, yet it is not
much amisse here to insert them, that euery one which desires the good
of those actions know them also. Besides in his Booke intituled, A discouery of New-foundland, and the commodities thereof,
you shall finde many excellent good aduertisements for a Plantation;
and how that most yeeres this Coast hath beene frequented with 250.
saile of his Maiesties subiects, which supposing but 60. tunnes a
peece, one with another, they amount to 15000. tunnes, and allowing 25.
men and boies to euery Barke, they will make 5000. persons, whose
labours returne yeerely to about 135000. pound sterling, besides the
great numbers of Brewers, Bakers, Coupers, Ship-Carpenters, Net-makers,
Rope-makers, Hooke-makers, and the most of all other mecanicall trades
in England.
The charge of setting forth a ship of 100. tuns with 40. persons, both to make a fishing voyage, and increase the Plantation.
|
L. | S. | D. |
| INprimis, 10000. weight of Bisket at 15. s. a 100. weight. |
82. | 10. | |
| 26 Tun of Beere and Sider at 53. s. 4. d. a Tun. |
69. | 7. | |
| 2 Hogsheads of English Beefe. |
10. | | |
| 2 Hogsheads of Irish Beefe. |
5. | | |
| 10 Fat Hogs salted with Salt and Caske. |
10. | 10. | |
| 30 Bushels of Pease. |
6. | | |
| 2 Ferkins of Butter. |
3. | | |
| 200 Waight of Cheese. |
2. | 10. | |
| 1 Bushell of Mustard-seed. |
| 6. | |
| 1 Hogshead of Vinegar. |
1. | 5. | |
| Wood to dresse meat withall. |
1. | | |
| 1 Great Copper Kettle. |
2. | | |
| 2 Small Kettles. |
2. | | |
| 2 Frying-Pans. |
| 3. | 4. |
| Platters, Ladles and Cans. |
1. | | |
| a paire of Bellowes for the Cooke. |
| 2. | 6. |
| Taps, Boriers and Funnels. |
| 2. | |
| Locks for the Bread roomes. |
| 2. | 6. |
| 100 weight of Candles. |
2. | 10. | |
| 130 quarters of Salt at 2. s. the Bushell. |
10. | 4. | |
| Mats & dinnage to lie vnder it. |
2. | 10. | |
| Salt Shouels. |
| 10 | |
| Particulars for the 40. persons to keepe 8. fishing boats at Sea, with 3. men in euery boat, imploses 24. and 500. foot of Elme boords of an inch thicke, 8. s. each one. |
2. | | |
| 2000 Nailes for the 8. Boats, at 13. s. 4. d. a 1000. |
1. | 6 | 8. |
| 4000 Nailes at 6. s 8 d. 1000. |
1. | 6. | 8. |
| 2000 Nailes at 5. d. 100. |
| 8. | |
| 500 weight of pitch at 8. s. 100. |
2. | | |
| 2000 of good orlop nailes. |
2. | 5. | |
| More for other small necessaries. |
3. | | |
| A barrell of Tar. |
| 10. | |
| 200 weight of black Ocome. |
1. | | |
| Thrums for pitch Maps. |
| 1. | 6. |
| Bolls, Buckets and Pumps. |
1. | | |
| 2 brazen Crocks. |
2. | | |
| Canuas to make Boat sailes & small ropes, at 25. s. for each saile, |
12. | 10. | |
| 10 rode Ropes which containe 600. weight at 30 s. the 100. |
10. | | |
| 12 dozen of fishing lines. |
6. | | |
| 24 dozen of fishing hookes. |
2. | | |
| for Squid line. |
| 3. | |
| For Pots and liuer maunds. |
| 18. | |
| Iron works for the boats ruthers. |
2. | | |
| 10 Kipnet Irons. |
| 10. | |
| Twine to make kipnets and gagging hooks. |
| 6. | |
| 10 good Nets at 26. s. a net. |
13. | | |
| 2 Saynes, a great and a lesse. |
12. | | |
| 200 weight of Sow-lead. |
1. | | |
| 2 couple of ropes for the Saynes. |
1. | | |
| Dry-fats to keepe them in. |
| 6. | |
| Twine for store. |
| 5. | |
| Flaskets and bread Baskets. |
| 15. | |
| For haire cloth. |
10. | | |
| 3. Tuns of vinegar caske for water. |
1. | 6. | 8. |
| 1 douzen of Deale Bourds. |
| 10. | |
| 2 Barrels of Oatmeale. |
1. | 6. | |
| 100 weight of Spikes. |
2. | 5. | |
| 2 good Axes, 4. hand Hatchets, 4. Drawers, 2. drawing Irons. |
| 16. | |
| 3 yards of wollen cloth for cuffs. |
| 10. | |
| 8 yards of good Canuasse. |
| 10. | |
| A Grind-stone or two. |
| 6. | |
| 2000 of poore Iohn to spend in going. |
6. | 10. | |
| 1 Hogshead of Aquauitæ. |
4. | | |
| 4 arme Sawes, 4. Handsawes, 4. thwart Sawes, 3. Augers, 2. Crowes of Iron, 3. Sledges. 4. shod Shouels, 2. Picaxes, 4. Matocks, and 4. Hammers. |
5. | | |
| The totall summe is |
420. | 11. | 0. |
All these prouisions
the Master or Purser is to be accountable what is spent and what is
left, with those which shall continue there to plant, and of the 40,
thus prouided for the voyage, ten may well be spared to leaue behind
them, with 500. weight of Bisket, 5. hogsheads of Sider or beere, halfe
a hogshead of Beefe, 4. sides of dry Bakon, 4. bushell of Pease, halfe
a ferkin of Butter, halfe 100. weight of Cheese, a pecke of
Mustard-seed, a barrell of Vinegar, 12. pound of Candles, 2. pecks of
Oatmeale, halfe a hogshead of Aquauitæ, 2. copper Kettles, 1. brasse
Crock, 1. Frying-pan, a Grindstone, and all the Hatchers, Woodhooks,
Sawes, Augers, &c. and all other iron tooles, with the 8. Boats and
their implements,
and spare salt, and what else
they vse not in a readinesse from yeere to yeere, and in the meane time
serued them to helpe to build their houses, cleanse land, and further
their fishing whilst the ships are wanting.
By his estimation
and calculation these 8 Boats with 22. men in a Summer doe vsually kill
25000. fish for euery Boat, which may amount to 200000. allowing 120.
fishes to the 100. sometimes they haue taken aboue 35000 for a Boat, so
that they load not onely their owne ship, but prouide great quantities
for sacks, or other spare ships which come thither onely to buy the
ouerplus: if such ships come not, they giue ouer taking any more, when
sometimes there hath beene great abundance, because there is no fit
houses to lay them in till another yeere, now most of those sacks goeth
empty thither, which might as well transport mens prouision and cattle
at an easie rate as nothing, either to New-England or New-found land,
but either to transport them for nothing or pay any great matter for
their liberty to fish, will hardly effect so much as freedome as yet;
nor can this be put in practice as before I said, till there be a power
there well planted and setled to entertaine and defend them, assist and
releeue them as occasion shall require, otherwaies those small
diuisions will effect little, but such miserable conclusions as both
the French and we too long haue tried to our costs. Now commonly
200000. fish will load a ship of 100. tunnes in New-found land, but halfe so many will neere doe it in New-England, which carried to Toloune or Merselus,
where the custome is small, and the Kintall lesse then 90. English
pounds weight, and the prise when least, 12 shillings the Kintall,
which at that rate amounts to 1320.£. starling; and the ship may either
there be discharged or imployed as hath beene said to refraught for England, so that the next yeere she may be ready to goe her fishing voyage againe, at a farre cheaper rate then before.
The facility of the fishing lately obserued.
To this adde but 12. tuns of traine oile, which deliuered in New-found land,
is 10.£.the tun, makes 120.£.then it is hard if there be not 10000. of
Cor fish, which also sold there at 5.£. the 1000. makes 50.£. which
brought to England, in somes places yeelds neere halfe so much more; but if at Merselus
it be sold for 16.S. the Kentall, as commonly it is, and much dearer,
it amounts to 1760.£. and if the Boats follow the fishing till the 15.
of October, they may take 80000. more, which with their traine in New-found land
at 4.£. the 1000. will amount to 320.£. which added to 1320.£. with
120.£.for Oile, and 10000. of Cor-fish 50.£. and the ouerplus at Merselus,
which will be 440.£. make the totall 2250.£. which diuided in three
parts according to their custome, the Victualer hath for the former
particulars, amounting to 420.£. 751.£. so all the charge defraied, hee
gaines 331.£.11.S. then for the fraught of the ship there is 751.£. and
so much for the Master and his company, which comparing with the
voiages hath beene made to New-England, you may easily finde which is the better though both bee good. But now experience hath taught them at New-Plimoth,
that in April there is a fish much like a Herring that comes vp into
the small Brookes to spawne, and where the water is not knee deepe,
they will presse vp through your hands, yea though you beat at them
with Cudgels, and in such abundance as is incredible, which they take
with that facility they manure their land with them when they haue
occasion; after those the Cod also presseth in such plenty, euen into
the very Harbours, they haue caught some in their armes, and hooke them
so fast, three men oft loadeth a Boat of two tuns in two houres, where
before they vsed most to fish in deepe water.
The present estate of New-Plimoth.
The present estate of the plantation at New-Plimoth. 1624.
AT New-Plimoth
there is about 180 persons, some cattell and goats, but many swine and
poultry, 32 dwelling houses, whereof 7 were burnt the last winter, and
the value of fiue hundred pounds in other goods; the Towne is impailed
about halfe a mile compasse. In the towne vpon a high Mount they haue a
Fort well built with wood, lome, and stone, where is planted their
Ordnance: Also a faire Watch-tower, partly framed for the Sentinell,
the place it seemes is healthfull, for in these last three yeeres,
notwithstanding their great want of most necessaries, there hath not
one died of the first planters, they haue made a saltworke, and with
that salt preserue the fish they take, and this yeare hath fraughted a
ship of 180. tunnes. The Gouernour is one Mr. William Bradford, their Captaine Miles Standish, a bred Souldier in Holland; the chiefe men for their assistance is Master Isaak Alderton, and diuers others as occasion serueth; their Preachers are Master William Bruster and Master Iohn Layford.
Their order of gouernment.
The most of them
liue together as one family or houshold, yet euery man followeth his
trade and profession both by sea and land, and all for a generall
stocke, out of which they haue all their maintenance, vntill there be a
diuident betwixt the Planters and the Aduenturers. Those Planters are
not seruants to the Aduenturers here, but haue onely councells of
directions from them, but no iniunctions or command, and all the
masters of families are partners in land or whatsoeuer, setting their
labours against the stocke, till certaine yeeres be expired for the
diuision: they haue young men and boies for their Apprentises and
seruants, and some of them speciall families, as Ship-carpenters,
Salt-makers, Fish masters, yet as seruants vpon great wages. The
Aduenturers which raised the stocke to begin and supply this Plantation
were about 70. some Gentlemen, some Merchants, some handy-crafts men,
some aduenturing great summes, some small, as their estates and
affection serued. The generall stocke already imploied is about 7000.£.
by reason of which charge and many crosses, many of them would
aduenture no more, but others that knowes, so great a designe cannot
bee effected without both charge, losse and crosses, are resolued to
goe forward with it to their powers; which deserue no small
commendations and encouragement. These dwell most about London,
they are not a corporation, but knit together by a voluntary
combination in a society without constraint or penalty, aiming to doe
good & to plant Religion; they haue a President & Treasurer,
euery yeere newly chosen by the most voices, who ordereth the affaires
of their Courts and meetings, and with the assent of the most of them,
vndertaketh all ordinary businesses, but in more weighty affaires, the
assent of the whole Company is required. There hath beene a fishing
this yeere vpon the Coast about 50. English ships: and by Cape Anne, there is a Plantation a beginning by the Dorchester men, which they hold of those of New-Plimoth,
who also by them haue set vp a fishing worke; some talke there is some
other pretended Plantations, all whose good proceedings the eternal God
protect and preserue. And these haue beene the true proceedings and
accidents in those Plantations.
Now to make a
particular relation of all the acts and orders in the Courts belonging
vnto them, of the anihilating old Patents and procuring new; with the
charge, paines and arguments, the reasons of such changes, all the
treaties, consultations, orations, and dissentions about the sharing
and diuiding those large territories, confirming of Counsailers,
electing all sorts of Officers, directions, Letters of aduice, and
their answers, disputations about the Magazines and Impositions, suters
for Patents, positions for Freedomes, and confirmations with complaints
of iniuries here, and also the mutinies, examinations, arraignements,
executions, and the cause of the so oft reuolt of the Saluages at
large, as many
would haue had, and it may be
some doe expect it would make more quarrels then any of them would
willingly answer, & such a volume as would tire any wise man but to
read the contents; for my owne part I rather feare the vnpartiall
Reader wil thinke this rather more tedious then necessary: but he that
would be a practitioner in those affaires, I hope will allow them not
only needfull but expedient: but how euer, if you please to beare with
those errors I haue committed, if God please I liue, my care and paines
shall endeuour to be thankfull: if I die, accept my good will: If any
desire to be further satisfied, what defect is found in this, they
shall finde supplied in me, that thus freely haue throwne my selfe with
my mite into the Treasury of my Countries good, not doubting but God
will stirre vp some noble spirits to consider and examine if worthy Columbus could giue the Spaniards any such certainties for his designe, when Queene Isabel of Spaine
set him forth with 15. saile, and though I promise no Mines of gold,
yet the warlike Hollanders let vs imitate but not hate, whose wealth
and strength are good testimonies of their treasury gotten by fishing;
and New-England hath yeelded already by
generall computation one hundred thousand pounds at the least.
Therefore honourable and worthy Country men, let not the meannesse of
the word fish distaste you, for it will afford as good gold as the
Mines of Guiana or Potassic, with lesse hazard and charge, and more certainty and facility.
I. S.
FINIS.
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