University of Virginia Library

A DESCRIPTION OF
New-England,

by Captaine
John Smith.

IN the moneth of Aprill, 1614. with two
Ships from London, of a few Marchants,

I chanced to arrive in New-England, a
parte of Ameryca, at the Ile of Monahiggan,
in 43 ½ of Northerly latitude: our
plot was there to take Whales and make
tryalls of a Myne of Gold and Copper. If
those failed, Fish and Furres was then our
refuge, to make our selves savers howsoever:
we found this Whale-fishing a costly
conclusion: we saw many, and spent much time in chasing them; but
could not kill any: They beeing a kinde of Jubartes, and not the
Whale that yeeldes Finnes and Oyle as wee expected. For our Golde,
it was rather the Masters device to get a voyage that projected it,
then any knowledge hee had at all of any such matter. Fish and
Furres was now our guard: and by our late arrival, and long lingring
about the Whale, the prime of both those seasons were past ere wee
perceived it; we thinking that their seasons served at all times: || but
wee found it otherwise; for, by the midst of June, the fishing failed.
Yet in July and August some was taken, but not sufficient to defray
so great a charge as our stay required. Of dry fish we made about
40000. of Cor fish about 7000. Whilest the sailers fished, my selfe
with eight or nine others of them might best bee spared; Ranging the
coast in a small boat, wee got for trifles neer 1100 Bever skinnes, 100
Martins, and neer as many Otters; and the most of them within the
distance of twenty leagues. We ranged the Coast both East and
West much furder; but Eastwards our commodities were not esteemed,
they were so neare the French who affords them better: and
right against us in the Main was a Ship of Sir Frances Popphames,
that had there such acquaintance, having many yeares used onely
that porte, that the most parte there was had by him. And 40 leagues
westwards were two French Ships, that had made there a great
voyage by trade, during the time wee tryed those conclusions, not
knowing the Coast, nor Salvages habitation. With these Furres, the
Traine, and Cor-fish I returned for England in the Bark: where
within six monthes after our departure from the Downes, we safe
arrived back. The best of this fish was solde for five pound the
hundreth, the rest by ill usage betwixt three pound and fifty shillings.
The other Ship staied to fit herselfe for Spaine with the dry fish which
was sould, by the Sailers reporte that returned, at forty ryalls the
quintall, each hundred weighing two quintalls and a halfe.

New England is that part of America in the Ocean Sea opposite
to Nova Albyon

in the South Sea; discovered by the most memorable
Sir Francis Drake in his voyage about the worlde. In regarde
whereto this is stiled New England, beeing in the same latitude. New
France, off it, is Northward: Southwardes is Virginia, and all the
adjoyning Continent, with New Granado, New Spain, New Andolosia
and the West Indies. Now because I have beene so oft asked
such strange questions, of the goodnesse and greatnesse of those
spatious Tracts of land, how they can bee thus long unknown, or not
possessed by the Spaniard, 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.

Florida is the next adjoyning to the Indes, which unprosperously
was attempted to bee planted by the French. A Country farre
bigger then England, Scotland, France and Ireland,

yet little
knowne to any Christian, but by the wonderful endevours of Ferdinando
de Soto a valiant Spaniard: whose writings in this age is the
best guide knowne to search those parts.

Virginia is no Ile (as many doe imagine)

but part of the Continent
adjoyning to Florida; whose bounds may be stretched to the
magnitude thereof without offence to any Christian inhabitant. For
from the degrees of 30. to 45. his Majestie hath granted his Letters
patents, the Coast extending South-west and North-east aboute
1500 || miles; but to follow it aboard, the shore may well be 2000. at
the least: of which, 20. miles is the most gives entrance into the Bay
of Chisapeak, where is the London plantation: within which is a
Country (as you may perceive by the description in a Booke and Map
printed in my name of that little I there discovered) may well suffice
300000 people to inhabit. And Southward adjoyneth that part discovered
at the charge of Sir Walter Rawley, by Sir Ralph Lane, and
that learned Mathematician Master Thomas Heryot. Northward
six or seaven degrees is the River Sagadahock, where was planted
the Westerne Colony, by that Honourable Patrone of vertue Sir John
Poppham, Lord chief Justice of England. Ther is also a relation
printed by Captaine Bartholomew Gosnould, of Elizabeths Iles: and
an other by Captaine Waymoth, of Pemmaquid. From all these
diligent observers, posterity may be bettered by the fruits of their
labours. But for divers others that long before and since have ranged
those parts, within a kenning sometimes of the shore, some touching
in one place some in another, I must entreat them pardon me for
omitting them; or if I offend in saying that their true descriptions are
concealed, or never well observed, or died with the Authors: so that
the Coast is yet still but even as a Coast unknowne and undiscovered.
I have had six or seaven severall plots of those Northren parts, so unlike
each to other, and most so differing from any true proportion, or
resemblance of the Countrey, as they did || mee no more good, then
so much waste paper, though they cost me more. It may be it was not
my chance to see the best; but least others may be deceived as I was,
or throgh dangerous ignorance hazard themselves as I did, I have
drawen a Map from Point to Point, Ile to Ile, and Harbour to Harbour,
with the Soundings, Sands, Rocks, and Land-marks as I passed
close aboard the Shore in a little Boat; although there be many
things to bee observed which the haste of other affaires did cause me
omit: for, being sent more to get present commodities, then knowledge
by discoveries for any future good, I had not power to search as
I would: yet it will serve to direct any shall goe that waies, to safe
Harbours and the Salvages habitations: What marchandize and
commodities for their labour they may finde, this following discourse
shall plainely demonstrate.

Thus you may see, of this 2000. miles more then halfe is yet unknowne
to any purpose: no not so much as the borders of the Sea are
yet certainly discovered.

As for the goodnes and true substances of
the Land, wee are for most part yet altogether ignorant of them, unlesse
it bee those parts about the Bay of Chisapeack and Sagadahock:
but onely here and there wee touched or have seene a little the edges
of those large dominions, which doe stretch themselves into the
Maine, God doth know how many thousand miles; whereof we can
yet no more judge, then a stranger that saileth betwixt England and
France can describe the Harbors || and dangers by landing here or
there in some River or Bay, tell thereby the goodnesse and substances
of Spaine, Italy, Germany, Bohemia, Hungaria and the rest. By this
you may perceive how much they erre, that think every one which
hath bin at Virginia understandeth or knowes what Virginia is: Or
that the Spaniards know one halfe quarter of those Territories they
possesse; no, not so much as the true circumference of Terra Incognita,
whose large dominions may equalize the greatnesse and goodnes
of America, for any thing yet known. It is strange with what small
power hee hath raigned in the East Indes; and few will understand
the truth of his strength in America: where he having so much to
keepe with such a pampered force, they neede not greatly feare his
furie, in the Bermudas, Virginia, New France, or New England;
beyond whose bounds America doth stretch many thousand miles:
into the frozen partes whereof one Master Hutson an English Mariner
did make the greatest discoverie of any Christian I knowe of, where
he unfortunately died. For Affrica, had not the industrious Portugales
ranged her unknowne parts, who would have sought for wealth
among those fryed Regions of blacke brutish Negers, where notwithstanding
all the wealth and admirable adventures and endeavours
more then 140 yeares, they knowe not one third of those
blacke habitations. But it is not a worke for every one, to manage
such an affaire as makes a discoverie, and plants a Colony: It requires
all the best parts of || Art, Judgement, Courage, Honesty,
Constancy, Diligence and Industrie, to doe but neere well. Some are
more proper for one thing then another; and therein are to be imployed:
and nothing breedes more confusion then misplacing and
misimploying men in their undertakings. Columbus, Cortez, Pitzara,
Soto, Magellanes, and the rest served more then a prentiship to
learne how to begin their most memorable attempts in the West
Indes: which to the wonder of all ages succesfully they effected, when
many hundreds of others farre above them in the worlds opinion,
beeing 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 keep us back from imitating the worthinesse of
their brave spirits that advanced themselves from poore Souldiers to
great Captaines, their posterity to great Lords, their King to be one
of the greatest Potentates on earth, and the fruites of their labours,
his greatest glory, power and renowne.

That part wee call New England is betwixt the degrees of 41.
and 45: but that parte this discourse speaketh of, stretcheth but from
Pennobscot to Cape Cod, some 75 leagues by a right line distant each
from other:

within which bounds I have seene at least 40. severall
habitations upon the Sea Coast, and sounded about 25 excellent
good Harbours; || In many whereof there is ancorage for 500. sayle
of ships of any burthen; in some of them for 5000: And more then
200 Iles overgrowne with good timber, of divers sorts of wood, which
doe make so many harbours as requireth a longer time then I had,
to be well discovered.

The principall habitation Northward we were at, was Pennobscot:

Southward along the Coast and up the Rivers we found
Mecadacut, Segocket, Pemmaquid, Nusconcus, Kenebeck, Sagadahock,
and Aumoughcawgen; And to those Countries belong the
people of Segotago, Paghhuntanuck, Pocopassum, Taughtanakagnet,
Warbigganus, Nassaque, Masherosqueck, Wawrigweck, Moshoquen,
Wakcogo, Passharanack, etc. To these are allied the
Countries of Aucocisco, Accominticus, Passataquack, Aggawom,
and Naemkeck: all these, I could perceive, differ little in language,
fashion, or government: though most be Lords of themselves, yet
they hold the Bashabes of Pennobscot, the chiefe and greatest
amongst them.

The next I can remember by name are Mattahunts; two pleasant
Iles of groves, gardens and corne fields a league in the Sea from
the Mayne. Then Totant, Massachuset, Pocapawmet, Quonahassit,
Sagoquas, Nahapassumkeck, Topeent, Seccasaw, Totheet, Nasnocomacack,
Accomack, Chawum;

Then Cape Cod by which is
Pawmet and the Ile Nawset, of the language, and alliance of them
of Chawum: The others are called Massachusets; of another language,
humor and condition: For their trade and marchandize; to
each of their habitations they have || diverse Townes and people belonging;
and by their relations and descriptions, more then 20
severall Habitations and Rivers that stretch themselves farre up into
the Countrey, even to the borders of diverse great Lakes, where they
kill and take most of their Bevers and Otters. From Pennobscot to
Sagadahock this Coast is all Mountainous and Iles of huge Rocks,
but overgrowen with all sorts of excellent good woodes for building
houses, boats, barks or shippes; with an incredible abundance of
most sorts of fish, much fowle, and sundry sorts of good fruites for
mans use.

Betwixt Sagadahock and Sowocatuck there is but two or three
sandy Bayes, but betwixt that and Cape Cod very many: especialy
the Coast of the Massachusets is so indifferently mixed with high
clayie or sandy cliffes in one place, and then tracts of large long ledges
of divers sorts, and quarries of stones in other places so strangely
divided with tinctured veines of divers colours: as, Free stone for
building, Slate for tiling, smooth stone to make Fornaces and Forges
for glasse or iron, and iron ore sufficient,

conveniently to melt in
them: but the most part so resembleth the Coast of Devonshire, I
thinke most of the cliffes would make such lime-stone: If they be not
of these qualities, they are so like, they may deceive a better judgement
then mine; all which are so neere adjoyning to those other advantages
I observed in these parts, that if the Ore prove as good iron
and steele in those parts, as I know it is within the bounds of || the
Countrey, I dare engage my head (having but men skilfull to worke
the simples there growing) to have all things belonging to the building
and the rigging of shippes of any proportion, and good marchandize
for the fraught, within a square of 10 or 14 leagues: and
were it for a good rewarde, I would not feare to proove it in a lesse
limitation.

And surely by reason of those sandy cliffes and cliffes 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 ayre (for of twentie
five, not any was sicke, but two that were many yeares diseased before
they went, notwithstanding our bad lodging and accidentall diet)
who can but approove this a most excellent place, both for health and
fertility? And of all the foure parts of the world that I have yet seene
not inhabited, could I have but meanes to transport a Colonie, I
would rather live here then any where: and if it did not maintaine
it selfe, were wee but once indifferently well fitted, let us starve.

The maine Staple, from hence to bee extracted for the present
to produce the rest, is fish; which however it may seeme a mean and
a base commoditie: yet who will but truely take the pains and consider
the sequell, I thinke will allow it well worth the labour. It is
strange to see what great || adventures the hopes of setting forth men
of war to rob the industrious innocent, would procure; or such massie
promises in grosse: though more are choked then well fedde with
such hastie hopes. But who doth not know that the poore Hollanders,
chiefly 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 commodity to the Easterlings

for as meane, which
is Wood, Flax, Pitch, Tarre, Rosin, Cordage, and such like (which
they exchange againe, to the French, Spaniards, Portugales, and
English, etc. 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 aboundance of shipping and all sorts of marchandize,
as well of Golde, Silver, Pearles, Diamonds, Pretious stones,
Silkes, Velvets, and Cloth of golde; as Fish, Pitch, Wood, or such
grosse commodities? What Voyages and Discoveries, East and West,
North and South, yea about the world, make they? What an Army
by Sea and Land, have they long maintained in despite of one of the
greatest Princes of the world? And never could the Spaniard with all
his Mynes of golde and Silver, pay his debts, his friends, and army,
halfe so truly, as the Hollanders stil have done by this contemptible
trade of fish. Divers (I know) may alledge many other assistances:
But this is their Myne; and the Sea the || source of those silvered
streames of all their vertue; which hath made them now the very
miracle of industrie, the pattern of perfection for these affaires: and
the benefit of fishing is that Primum mobile that turnes all their
Spheres to this height of plentie, strength, honour and admiration.

Herring, Cod, and Ling, is that triplicitie that makes their
wealth and shippings multiplicities, such as it is, and from which (few
would thinke it) they yearly draw at least one million and a halfe of
pounds starling; yet it is most certaine (if records be true): and in
this faculty they are so naturalized, and of their vents so certainely
acquainted, as there is no likelihood they will ever bee paralleld,
having 2 or 3000 Busses, Flat bottomes, Sword pinks, Todes,

and
such like, that breedes them Saylers, Mariners, Souldiers and Marchants,
never 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 use it,
though not so certainely, nor so much in quantity; for want of experience.
And this Herring they take upon the Coast of Scotland and
England; their Cod and Ling, upon the Coast of Izeland and in the
North Seas.

Hamborough, and the East Countries, for Sturgion and Caviare,
gets many thousands of pounds from England, and the Straites:

Portugale, the Biskaines, and the Spaniards, make 40 or 50 Saile
yearely to Cape-blank, to hooke for Porgos, Mullet, and make
Puttargo: and New found Land, doth yearely fraught neere 800
sayle of Ships with a sillie leane || skinny Poore-John, and Corfish,
which at least yearely amounts to 3 or 400000 pound. If from all
those parts such paines is taken for this poore gaines of fish, and by
them hath neither meate, drinke, nor clothes, wood, iron, nor steele,
pitch, tarre, nets, leades, salt, hookes, nor lines, for shipping, fishing,
nor provision, but at the second, third, fourth, or fift hand, drawne
from so many severall parts of the world ere they come together to
be used in this voyage: If these I say can gaine, and the Saylers live
going for shares, lesse then the third part of their labours, and yet
spend as much time in going and comming, as in staying there, so
short is the season of fishing; why should wee more doubt, then Holland,
Portugale, Spaniard, French, or other, but to doe much better
then they, where there is victuall to feede us, wood of all sorts, to
build Boats, Ships, or Barks; the fish at our doores, pitch, tarre, masts,
yards, and most of other necessaries onely for making? And here are
no hard Landlords to racke us with high rents, or extorted fines to
consume us, no tedious pleas in law to consume us with their many
years disputations for Justice: no multitudes to occasion such impediments
to good orders, as in popular States. So freely hath God and
his Majesty bestowed those blessings on them that will attempt to
obtaine them, as here every man may be master and owner of his
owne labour and land; or the greatest part in a small time. If hee
have nothing but his hands, he may set up this trade; and by in- ||
dustrie quickly grow rich; spending but halfe that time wel, which
in England we abuse in idlenes, worse or as ill. Here is ground also
as good as any lyeth in the height of forty one, forty two, forty three,
etc. which is as temperate and as fruitfull as any other paralell in the
world. As for example, on this side the line West of it in the South
Sea, is Nova Albion, discovered as is said, by Sir Francis Drake. East
from it, is the most temperate part of Portugale, the ancient kingdomes
of Galazia, Biskey, Navarre, Arragon, Catalonia, Castilia
the olde, and the most moderatest of Castilia the new, and Valentia,
which is the greatest part of Spain: which if the Spanish Histories bee
true, in the Romanes time abounded no lesse with golde and silver
Mines, then now the West Indies; the Romanes then using the
Spaniards to work in those Mines, as now the Spaniard doth the
Indians.

In France, the Provinces of Gasconie, Langadock, Avignon,
Province, Dolphine, Pyamont, and Turyne,

are in the same paralel:
which are the best and richest parts of France. In Italy, the provinces
of Genua, Lumbardy, and Verona, with a great part of the most
famous State of Venice, the Dukedoms of Bononia, Mantua, Ferrara,
Ravenna, Bolognia, Florence, Pisa, Sienna, Urbine, Ancona,
and the ancient Citie and Countrey of Rome, with a great part of the
great Kingdome of Naples. In Slavonia, Istrya, and Dalmatia, with
the Kingdomes of Albania. In Grecia, that famous Kingdome of
Macedonia, Bulgaria, Thessalia, Thracia, or Romania, where is
seated || the most pleasant and plentifull Citie in Europe, Constantinople.
In Asia also, in the same latitude, are the temperatest parts
of Natolia, Armenia, Persia, and China, besides divers other large
Countries and Kingdomes in these most milde and temperate Regions
of Asia. Southward, in the same height, is the richest of golde
Mynes, Chily and Baldivia, and the mouth of the great River of
Plate, etc: for all the rest of the world in that height is yet unknown.
Besides these reasons, mine owne eyes that have seene a great part of
those Cities and their Kingdomes, as well as it, can finde no advantage
they have 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 he created the worlde. Therefore I conclude, if
the heart and intralls of those Regions were sought: if their Land
were cultured, planted and manured by men of industrie, judgement,
and experience; what hope is there, or what neede they doubt,
having those advantages of the Sea, but it might equalize any of those
famous Kingdomes, in all commodities, pleasures, and conditions?
seeing even the very edges doe naturally afford us such plenty, as no
ship need returne away empty: and onely use but the season of the
Sea, fish will returne an honest gaine, beside all other advantages;
her treasures having yet never beene opened, nor her originalls
wasted, consumed, nor abused.

And whereas it is said, the Hollanders serve the Easterlings
themselves, and other parts that want, || with Herring, Ling, and wet
Cod; the Easterlings, a great part of Europe, with Sturgion and
Caviare; Cape-blanke, Spaine, Portugale, and the Levant, with
Mullet, and Puttargo; New found Land, all Europe, with a thin
Poore John: yet all is so overlaide with fishers, as the fishing decayeth,
and many are constrained to returne with a small fraught. Norway,
and Polonia, Pitch, Tar, Masts, and Yardes; Sweathland, and

Russia, Iron, and Ropes; France, and Spaine, Canvas, Wine, Steele,
Iron, and Oyle; Italy and Greece, Silks, and Fruites. I dare boldly
say, because I have seen naturally growing, or breeding in those parts
the same materialls that all those are made of, they may as well be
had here, or the most part of them, within the distance of 70 leagues
for some few ages, as from all those parts; using but the same meanes
to have them that they doe, and with all those advantages.

First, the ground is so fertill, that questionless it is capable of
producing any Grain, Fruits, or Seeds you will sow or plant, growing
in the Regions afore named: But it may be, not every kinde to that
perfection of delicacy; or some tender plants may miscarie, because
the Summer is not so hot, and the winter is more colde in those parts
wee have yet tryed neere the Sea side, then we finde in the same
height in Europe or Asia; Yet I made a Garden upon the top of a
Rockie Ile in 43. ½, 4 leagues

from the Main, in May, that grew so
well, as it served us for sallets in June and July. All sorts || of cattell
may here be bred and fed in the Iles, or Peninsulaes, securely for
nothing. In the Interim till they encrease if need be (observing the
seasons) I durst undertake to have corne enough from the Salvages
for 300 men, for a few trifles; and if they should bee untoward (as it
is most certaine they are) thirty or forty good men will be sufficient
to bring them all in subjection, and make this provision; if they
understand what they doe: 200 whereof may nine monethes in the
yeare be imployed in making marchandable fish, till the rest provide
other necessaries, fit to furnish us with other commodities.

In March, Aprill, May, and halfe June, here is Cod in abundance;
in May, June, July, and August Mullet and Sturgion; whose
roes doe make Caviare and Puttargo. Herring, if any desire them, I
have taken many out of the bellies of Cods, some in nets; but the
Salvages compare their store in the Sea, to the haires of their heads:
and surely there are an incredible abundance upon this Coast. In the
end of August, September, October, and November, you have Cod
againe, to make Cor fish, or Poore John: and each hundred is as good
as two or three hundred in the New-found Land. So that halfe the
labour in hooking, splitting, and turning,

is saved: and you may
have your fish at what Market you will, before they can have any in
New-found Land; where their fishing is chiefly but in June and July:
whereas it is heere in March, Aprill, May, September, October, and
|| November, as is said. So that by reason of this plantation, the Marchants
may have fraught both out and home: which yeelds an advantage
worth consideration.

Your Cor-fish you may in like manner transport as you see
cause, to serve the Ports in Portugale (as Lisbon, Avera, Porta port,

and divers others, or what market you please) before your Ilanders
returne: They being tyed to the season in the open Sea; you having
a double season, and fishing before your doors, may every night
sleep quietly a shore with good cheare and what fires you will, or
when you please with your wives and familie: they onely, their ships
in the maine Ocean.

The Mullets heere are in that abundance, you may take them
with nets, sometimes by hundreds, where at Cape blank they hooke
them; yet those but one foot and a halfe in length; these two, three,
or foure, as oft I have measured: much Salmon some have found up
the Rivers, as they have passed: and heer the ayre is so temperate, as
all these at any time may well be preserved.

Now, young boyes and girles Salvages, or any other, be they
never such idlers, may turne, carry, and return fish, without either
shame, or any great paine: hee is very idle that is past twelve yeares
of age and cannot doe so much: and she is very olde, that cannot spin
a thred to make engines to catch them.

For their transportation, the ships that go there to fish may
transport the first: who for their pas- || sage will spare the charge of
double manning their ships, which they must doe in the New-found
Land, to get their fraught; but one third part of that companie are
onely but proper to serve a stage,

carry a barrow, and turne Poor
John: notwithstanding, they must have meate, drinke, clothes, and
passage, as well as the rest. Now all I desire, is but this; That those
that voluntarily will send shipping, should make here the best choise
they can, or accept such as are presented them, to serve them at that
rate: and their ships returning leave such with me, with the value of
that they should receive comming home, in such provisions and
necessarie tooles, armes, bedding and apparell, salt, hookes, nets,
lines, and such like as they spare of the remainings; who till the next
returne may keepe their boates and doe them many other profitable
offices: provided I have men of ability to teach them their functions,
and a company fit for Souldiers to be ready upon an occasion; because
of the abuses which have beene offered the poore Salvages, and
the liberty both French, or any that will, hath 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 every
port Towne or Citie, to observe but this order, With free power to
convert the benefits of their fraughts to what advantage they please,
and increase their numbers as they see occasion; who ever as they are
able to subsist of themselves, may beginne the new Townes in || New
England in memory of their olde: which freedome being confined
but to the necessity of the generall good, the event (with Gods helpe)
might produce an honest, a noble, and a profitable emulation.

Salt upon salt

may assuredly be made; if not at the first in ponds,
yet till they bee provided this may be used: then the Ships may transport
Kine, Horse, Goates, course Cloath, and such commodities as
we want; by whose arrivall may be made that provision 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 arrive in the Spring, or else provision
be made for them against the Winter.

Of certaine red berries called Alkermes

which is worth ten
shillings a pound, but of these hath been sould for thirty or forty
shillings the pound, may yearely be gathered a good quantitie.

Of the Musk Rat may bee well raised gaines, well worth their
labour, that will endevor to make tryall of their goodnesse.

Of Bevers, Otters, Martins, Blacke Foxes, and Furres of price,
may yearely be had 6 or 7000: and if the trade of the French were
prevented, many more: 25000 this yeare were brought from those
Northren parts into France; of which trade we may have as good
part as the French, if we take good courses.

Of Mynes of Golde and Silver, Copper, and || probabilities of
Lead, Christall and Allum, I could say much if relations were good
assurances. It is true indeed, I made many trials according to those
instructions I had, which doe perswade mee I need not despaire, but
there are metalls in the Countrey: but I am no Alchymist, nor will
promise more then I know: which is, Who will undertake the rectifying

of an Iron forge, if those that buy meate, drinke, coals, ore, and
all necessaries at a deer rate gaine; where all these things are to be
had for the taking up, in my opinion cannot lose.

Of woods seeing there is such plenty of all sorts, if those that
build ships and boates, buy wood at so great a price, as it is in England,
Spaine, France, Italy, and Holland, and all other provisions
for the nourishing of mans life; live well by their trade: when labour
is all required

to take those necessaries without any other tax; what
hazard will be here, but doe much better? And what commoditie in
Europe doth more decay then wood? For the goodnesse of the
ground, let us take it fertill, or barren, or as it is: seeing it is certaine
it beares fruites, to nourish and feed man and beast, as well as England,
and the Sea those severall sorts of fish I have related. Thus
seeing all good provisions for mans sustenance, may with this facility
be had, by a little extraordinarie labour, till that transported be
increased; and all necessaries for shipping, onely for labour: to which
may bee added the assistance of the Salvages, which may easily be
had, if they be discreetly handled in their || kindes; 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 serve all Europe better and farre cheaper,
then can the Izeland fishers, or the Hollanders, Cape blank, or New
found Land: who must be at as much more charge, then you) may
easily be conjectured by this example.

2000. pound will fit out a ship of 200. and 1 of a 100

tuns: If 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 giveth fifteen, or
twentie: especially when it commeth first, which amounts to 3 or
4000 pound: but say but tenne, which is the lowest, allowing the rest
for waste, it amounts at that rate, to 2000 pound, which is the whole
charge of your two ships, and their equipage: Then the returne of
the money, and the fraught of the ship for the vintage, or any other
voyage, is cleere gaine, with your shippe of a 100 tuns of Train oyle, besides the bevers, and other commodities; and that you may have
at home within six monethes, if God please but to send an ordinarie
passage. Then saving halfe this charge by the not staying of your
ships, your victual, overplus of men and wages; with her fraught
thither of things necessarie for the planters, the salt being there made:
as also may the nets and lines, within a short time: if nothing were to
bee expected but this, it might in time equalize your Hollanders
gaines, if not exceed them: they returning but || wood, pitch, tarre,
and such grosse commodities; you wines, oyles, fruits, silkes, and such
Straits commodities, as you please to provide by your Factors,
against such times as your shippes arrive with them. This would so
increase our shipping and sailers, and so employ and encourage a
great part of our idlers and others that want imployments fitting
their qualities at home, where they shame to doe that they would doe
abroad; that could they but once taste the sweet fruites of their owne
labours, doubtlesse many thousands would be advised by good discipline,
to take more pleasure in honest industrie, then in their humours
of dissolute idlenesse.

But, to returne a little more to the particulars of this Countrey,
which I intermingle thus with my projects and reasons, not being so
sufficiently yet acquainted in those parts, to write fully the estate of
the Sea, the Ayre, the Land, the Fruites, the Rocks, the People, the
Government, Religion, Territories, and Limitations, Friends, and
Foes: but, as I gathered from the niggardly

relations in a broken
language to my understanding, during the time I ranged those
Countries etc. The most Northren 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 River ranne farre up
into the Land, and was well inhabited with many people, but they
were from their habitations, either fish- || ing among the Iles, or hunting
the Lakes and Woods, for Deer and Bevers. The Bay is full of
great Ilands, of one, two, six, eight, or ten miles in length, which
divides it into many faire and excellent good harbours. On the East
of it, are the Tarrantines, their mortall enemies, where inhabit the
French, as they report that live 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 Tarrantines, adjoyning
to the high mountaines of Pennobscot, against whose feet
doth beat the Sea: But over all the Land, Iles, or other impediments,
you may well see them sixteene or eighteene leagues from their situation.
Segocket is the next; then Nusconcus, Pemmaquid, and Sagadahock.
Up this River where was the Westerne plantation are
Aumuckcawgen, Kinnebeck, and divers others, where there is
planted some corne fields. Along this River 40 or 50 miles, I saw
nothing but great high cliffes of barren Rocks, overgrowne with
wood: but where the Salvages dwelt there the ground is exceeding
fat and fertill. Westward of this River, is the Countrey of Aucocisco,
in the bottome of a large deepe Bay, full of many great Iles, which
divides it into many good harbours. Sowocotuck is the next, in the
edge of a large sandy Bay, which hath many Rocks and Iles, but few
good harbours, but for Barks, I yet know. But all this Coast to Pennobscot,
and as farre I could see Eastward of it is nothing but such
high craggy Cliffy Rocks and stony || Iles that I wondered such great
trees could growe upon so hard foundations. It is a Countrie rather
to affright, then delight one. And how to describe a more plaine
spectacle of desolation or more barren I knowe not. Yet the Sea there
is the strangest fishpond I ever saw; and those barren lies so furnished
with good woods, springs, fruits, fish, and foule, that it makes mee
thinke though the Coast be rockie, and thus affrightable; the Vallies,
Plaines, and interior parts, may well (notwithstanding) be verie
fertile. But there is no kingdome so fertile 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 convenient harbors
for small barks; and a good Countrie, within their craggie cliffs.
Angoam is the next; This place might content a right curious judgement:
but there are many sands at the entrance of the harbor: and
the worst is, it is inbayed too farre from the deepe Sea. Heere are
many rising hilles, and on their tops and descents many corne fields,
and delightfull groves. On the East, is an Ile of two or three leagues
in length; the one halfe, plaine morish grasse fit for pasture, with
many faire high groves of mulberrie trees and gardens: and there is
also Okes, Pines, and other woods to make this place an excellent
habitation, beeing a good and safe harbor.

Naimkeck though it be more rockie ground (for Angoam is
sandie) not much inferior; neither for the || harbor, nor any thing I
could perceive, but the multitude of people. From hence doth stretch
into the Sea the faire headland Tragabigzanda, fronted with three
Iles called the three Turks heads:

to the North of this, doth enter a
great Bay, where wee founde some habitations and corne fields: they
report a great River, and at least thirtie habitations, doo possesse
this Countrie. But because the French had got their Trade, I had no
leasure to discover it. The Iles of Mattahunts are on the West side of
this Bay, where are many lies, and questionlesse good harbors: and
then the Countrie of the Massachusets, which is the Paradise of all
those parts: for, heere are many Iles all planted with corne; groves,
mulberries, salvage gardens, and good harbors: the Coast is for the
most part, high clayie sandie cliffs. The Sea Coast as you passe,
shewes you all along large corne fields, and great troupes of well proportioned
people: but the French having remained heere neere sixe
weekes, left nothing, for us to take occasion to examine the inhabitants
relations, viz. if there be neer three thousand people upon these
Iles; and that the River doth pearce many daies journeies the intralles
of that Countrey. We found the people in those parts verie kinde; but
in their furie no lesse valiant. For, upon a quarrell wee had with one
of them, hee onely with three others crossed the harbor of Quonahassit
to certaine rocks whereby wee must passe; and there let flie
their arrowes for our shot, till we were out of danger.

Then come you to Accomack,

an excellent good || harbor, good
land; and no want of any thing, but industrious people. After much
kindnesse, upon a small occasion, wee fought also with fortie or fiftie
of those: though some were hurt, and some slaine; yet within an
houre after they became friendes. Cape Cod is the next presents it
selfe: which is onely a headland of high hils of sand, overgrowne with
shrubbie pines, hurts, and such trash; but an excellent harbor 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 sickle: on it doth inhabit
the people of Pawmet: and in the bottome of the Bay, the people of
Chawum. Towards the South and Southwest of this Cape, is found a
long and dangerous shoale of sands and rocks. But so farre as I incircled
it, I found thirtie fadom water aboard the shore, and a strong
current: which makes mee thinke there is a Channell about this
shoale; where is the best and greatest fish to be had, Winter and
Summer, in all that Countrie. But, the Salvages say there is no Channell,
but that the shoales beginne from the maine at Pawmet, to the
Ile of Nausit; and so extends beyond their knowledge into the Sea.
The next to this is Capawack, and those abounding Countries of
copper, corne, people, and mineralls; which I went to discover this
last yeare: but because I miscarried by the way, I will leave them,
till God please I have better acquaintance with them.

The Massachusets, they report, sometimes have warres with the
Bashabes of Pennobskot;

and are not || alwaies friends with them of
Chawun and their alliants: but now they are all friends, and have
each trade with other, so farre as they have societie, on each others
frontiers. For they make no such voiages as from Pennobskot to Cape
Cod; seldom to Massachewset. In the North (as I have said) they
begunne to plant corne, whereof the South part hath such plentie, as
they have what they will from them of the North; and in the Winter
much more plenty of fish and foule: but both Winter and Summer
hath it in the one part or other all the yeare; being the meane and
most indifferent temper, betwixt heat and colde, of all the regions
betwixt the Lyne and the Pole: but the furs Northward are much
better, and in much more plentie, then Southward.

The remarkeablest Iles and mountains for Landmarkes are
these; The highest Ile is Sorico,

in the Bay of Pennobskot: but the
three Iles and a rock of Matinnack are much furder in the Sea;
Metinicus is also three plaine Iles and a rock, betwixt it and Monahigan:
Monahigan is a rounde high Ile; and close by it Monanis,
betwixt which is a small harbor where we ride. In Damerils Iles is
such another: Sagadahock is knowne by Satquin, and foure or five
Iles in the mouth. Smyths Iles are a heape together, none neere them,
against Accominticus. The three Turks heads are three Iles seen far
to Sea-ward in regard of the headland.

The cheefe headlands are onely Cape Tragabigzanda and Cape
Cod.

The cheefe mountaines, them of Pennobscot; the twinkling

mountaine of Aucocisco; the greate mountaine of Sasanou; and the
high mountaine of Massachusit: each of which you shall finde in the
Mappe; their places, formes, and altitude. The waters are most pure,
proceeding from the intrals of rockie mountaines; the hearbes and
fruits are of many sorts and kindes: as alkermes, currans, or a fruit
like currans, mulberries, vines, respices, goos-berries, plummes,
walnuts, chesnuts, small nuts, etc. pumpions, gourds, strawberries,
beans, pease, and mayze; a kinde or two of flax, wherewith they
make nets, lines and ropes both small and great, verie strong for their
quantities.

Oke, is the chiefe wood; of which there is great difference in
regard of the soyle where it groweth. firre, pyne, walnut, chesnut,
birch, ash, elme, cypresse, ceder, mulberrie, plumtree, hazell, saxefrage,

and many other sorts.

Eagles, Gripes,

diverse sorts of Haukes, Cranes, Geese, Brants,
Cormorants, Ducks, Sheldrakes, Teale, Meawes, Guls, Turkies,
Dive-doppers, and many other sorts, whose names I knowe not.

Whales, Grampus, Porkpisces,

Turbut, Sturgion, Cod, Hake,
Haddock, Cole, Cusk, or small Ling, Shark, Mackerell, Herring,
Mullet, Base, Pinacks, Cunners, Pearch, Eels, Crabs, Lobsters,
Muskles, Wilkes, Oysters, and diverse others etc.

Moos, a beast bigger then a Stagge; deere, red, and Fallow;
Bevers, Wolves, Foxes, both blacke and other; Aroughconds,

Wild-cats,
Beares, Otters, || Martins, Fitches, Musquassus, and diverse
sorts of vermine, whose names I know not. All these and diverse
other good things do heere, for want of use, still increase, and decrease
with little diminution, whereby they growe to that abundance.
You shall scarce finde any Baye, shallow shore, or Cove of sand,
where you may not take many Clampes, or Lobsters, or both at your
pleasure, and in many places lode your boat if you please; Nor Iles
where you finde not fruits, birds, crabs, and muskles, or all of them,
for taking, at a lowe water. And in the harbors we frequented, a
little boye might take of Cunners, and Pinacks, and such delicate
fish, at the ships sterne, more then sixe or tenne can eate in a daie;
but with a casting-net, thousands when wee pleased: and scarce any
place, but Cod, Cuske, Holybut, Mackerell, Scate, or such like, a man
may take with a hooke or line what he will. And, in diverse sandy
Baies, a man may draw with a net great store of Mullets, Bases, and
diverse other sorts of such excellent fish, as many as his Net can drawe
on shore: no River where there is not plentie of Sturgion, or Salmon,
or both; all which are to be had in abundance observing but their
seasons. But if a man will goe at Christmasse to gather Cherries in
Kent, he may be deceived; though there be plentie in Summer: so,
heere these plenties have each their seasons, as I have expressed. We
for the most part had little but bread and vineger: and though the
most part of July when the fishing decaied they wrought all day, laie
abroade in the Iles || all night, and lived on what they found, yet
were not sicke: But I would wish none put himself long to such
plunges; except necessitie constraine it: yet worthy is that person to
starve that heere cannot live; if he have sense, strength and health:
for, there is no such penury of these blessings in any place, but that a
hundred men may, in one houre or two, make their provisions for a
day: and hee that hath experience to mannage well these affaires,
with fortie or thirtie honest industrious men, might well undertake
(if they dwell in these parts) to subject the Salvages, and feed daily
two or three hundred men, with as good corne, fish, and flesh, as the
earth hath of those kindes, and yet make that labor but their pleasure:
provided that they have engins, that be proper for their purposes.

Who can desire more content, that hath small meanes; or but
only his merit to advance his fortune, then to tread, and plant that
ground hee hath purchased by the hazard of his life? If he have but
the taste of virtue, and magnanimitie,

what to such a minde can bee
more pleasant, then planting and building a foundation for his Posteritie,
gotte from the rude earth, by Gods blessing and his owne
industrie, without prejudice to any? If hee have any graine of faith
or zeale in Religion, what can hee doe lesse hurtfull to any; or more
agreeable to God, then to seeke to convert those poore Salvages to
know Christ, and humanitie, whose labors with discretion will triple
requite thy charge and paines? What so truely sutes with honour and
ho- || nestie, as the discovering things unknowne? erecting Townes,
peopling Countries, informing the ignorant, reforming things unjust,
teaching virtue; and gaine to our Native mother-countrie a
kingdom to attend her; finde imployment for those that are idle,
because they know not what to doe: so farre from wronging any, as
to cause Posteritie to remember thee; and remembring thee, ever
honour that remembrance with praise? Consider: What were the
beginnings and endings of the Monarkies of the Chaldeans, the
Syrians, the Grecians, and Romanes, but this one rule; What was it
they would not doe, for the good of the commonwealth, or their
Mother-citie? For example: Rome, What made her such a Monarchesse,
but onely the adventures of her youth, not in riots at home;
but in dangers abroade? and the justice and judgement out of their
experience, when they grewe aged. What was their ruine and hurt,
but this; The excesse of idlenesse, the fondnesse of Parents, the want
of experience in Magistrates, the admiration of their undeserved
honours, the contempt of true merit, their unjust jealosies, their politicke
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 years, they lost in
few daies. Those by their pains and vertues became Lords of the
world; they by their ease and vices became slaves to their servants.
This is the difference betwixt the use of Armes in the field, and on the
monuments of stones; || the golden age and the leaden age, prosperity
and miserie, justice and corruption, substance and shadowes, words
and deeds, experience and imagination, making Commonwealths
and marring Commonwealths, the fruits of vertue and the conclusions
of vice.

Then, who would live at home idly (or thinke in himselfe any
worth to live) onely to eate, drink, and sleepe, and so die? Or by consuming
that carelesly, his friends got worthily? Or by using that
miserably, that maintained vertue honestly? Or, for being descended
nobly, pine with the vaine vaunt of great kindred, in penurie? Or
(to maintaine a silly shewe of bravery) toyle out thy heart, soule, and
time, basely, by shifts,

tricks, cards, and dice? Or by relating newes
of others actions, sharke here or there for a dinner, or supper; deceive
thy friends, by faire promises, and dissimulation, in borrowing
where thou never intendest to pay; offend the lawes, surfeit with
excesse, burden thy Country, abuse thy selfe, despaire in want, and
then couzen thy kindred, yea even thine owne brother, and wish thy
parents death (I will not say damnation) to have their estates?
though thou seest what honours, and rewards, the world yet hath for
them will seeke them and worthily deserve them.

I would be sory 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 do such take to make it their owne miserie,
and their Countries spoile, especially when there is most neede of

their imployment? drawing by all manner of inventions, from the
Prince and his honest subjects, even the vitall spirits of their powers
and estates: as if their Bagges, or Bragges, were so powerfull a defence,
the malicious could not assault them; when they are the onely
baite, to cause us not to be onely assaulted; but betrayed and murdered
in our owne security, ere we well perceive it.

May not the miserable ruine of Constantinople, their impregnable
walles, riches, and pleasures last taken by the Turke (which
are but a bit, in comparison of their now mightines) remember

us,
of the effects of private covetousness? at which time the good Emperour
held himselfe rich enough, to have such rich subjects, so
formall in all excesse of vanity, all kinde of delicacie, and prodigalitie.
His povertie when the Turke besieged, the citizens (whose marchandizing
thoughts were onely to get wealth, little conceiving the desperate
resolution of a valiant expert enemy) left the Emperour so
long to his conclusions, having spent all he had to pay his young,
raw, discontented Souldiers; that sodainly he, they, and their citie
were all a prey to the devouring Turke. And what they would not
spare for the maintenance of them who adventured their lives to
defend them, did serve onely their || enemies to torment them, their
friends, and countrey, and all Christendome to this present day. Let
this lamentable example remember you that are rich (seeing there
are such great theeves in the world to robbe you) not grudge to lend
some proportion, to breed them that have little, yet willing to learne
how to defend you: for, it is too late when the deede is a-doing. The
Romanes estate hath beene worse then this: for, the meere covetousnesse
and extortion of a few of them, so mooved the rest, that not
having any imployment, but contemplation; their great judgements
grew to so great malice, as themselves were sufficient to destroy themselves
by faction: Let this moove you to embrace imployment, for
those whose educations, spirits, and judgements, want but your
purses; not onely to prevent such accustomed dangers, but also to
gaine more thereby then you have. And you fathers that are either
so foolishly fond, or so miserably covetous, or so willfully ignorant,
or so negligently carelesse, as that you will rather maintaine your
children in idle wantonness, till they growe your masters; or become
so basely unkinde, as they wish nothing but your deaths; so that both
sorts growe 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 yeer; you would grudge to
give halfe so much in adventure with them, to obtaine an estate,
which in a small time but with a little assistance of your || providence,
might bee better then your owne. But if an Angell should tell you,
that any place yet unknowne can afford such fortunes; you would
not beleeve him, no more then Columbus was beleeved there was any
such Land as is now the well knowne abounding America; much
lesse such large Regions as are yet unknowne, as well in America, as
in Affrica, and Asia, and Terra incognita; where were courses for
gentlemen (and them that would be so reputed) more suiting their
qualities, then begging from their Princes generous disposition, the
labours of his subjects, and the very marrow of his maintenance.

I have not beene so ill bred, but I have tasted of Plenty and
Pleasure, as well as Want and Miserie: nor doth necessity yet, or
occasion of discontent, force me to these endeavors: nor am I ignorant
what small thanke I shall have for my paines; or that many
would have the Worlde imagine them to be of great judgement, that
can but blemish these my designes, by their witty objections and detractions:
yet (I hope) my reasons with my deeds, will so prevaile
with some, that I shall not want imployment 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 device
in me, To deceive my selfe; much more the King, and State, my
Friends, and Countrey, with these inducements: which, seeing his
Majestie hath given || permission, I wish all sorts of worthie, honest,
industrious spirits, would understand: and if they desire any further
satisfaction, I will doe my best to give it: Not to perswade them to
goe onely; but goe with them: Not leave them there; but live with
them there. I will not say, but by ill providing and undue managing,
such courses may be taken, may make us miserable enough: But if
I may have the execution of what I have projected; if they want to
eate, let them eate or never digest Me.

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 yeares end, defraying their charge,
by my consent they should freely returne. I feare not want of companie
sufficient, were it but knowne what I know of those Countries;
and by the proofe of that wealth I hope yearely to returne, if God
please to blesse me from such accidents, as are beyond my power in
reason to prevent: For, I am not so simple, to thinke, that ever any
other motive then wealth, will ever erect there a Commonweale; or
draw companie from their ease and humours at home, to stay in
New England to effect my purposes. And lest any should thinke the
toile might be insupportable, though these things may be had by
labour, and diligence: I assure my selfe there are who delight extreamly
in vaine pleasure, that take much more paines in England,
to enjoy it, then I should doe heere to gaine wealth suffici- || ent: and
yet I thinke they should not have halfe such sweet content: for, our
pleasure here is still gaines; in England charges and losse. Heer
nature and liberty affords us that freely, which in England we want,
or it costeth us dearely. What pleasure can be more, then (being
tired with any occasion a-shore) in planting Vines, Fruits, or Hearbs,
in contriving their owne Grounds, to the pleasure of their owne
mindes, their Fields, Gardens, Orchards, Buildings, Ships, and other
works, etc. to recreate themselves before their owne doores, in their
owne boates upon the Sea, where man woman and childe, with a
small hooke and line, by angling, may take diverse sorts of excellent
fish, at their pleasures? And is it not pretty sport, to pull up two
pence, six pence, and twelve pence, as fast as you can hale and veare
a line? He 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 be sould there for ten shillings the hundred, though in England
they will give more then twentie; may not both the servant, the
master, and marchant, be well content with this gaine? If a man
worke but three dayes in seaven, he may get more then hee can spend,
unlesse he will be excessive. Now that Carpenter, Mason, Gardiner,
Taylor, Smith, Sailer, Forgers, 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 eate in a weeke: or if they will not eate it, because
there is so much better || choise; yet sell it, or change it, with the fisher
men, or marchants, for any thing they want. And what sport doth
yeeld a more pleasing content, and lesse hurt or charge then angling
with a hooke, and crossing the sweete ayre from Ile to Ile, over the
silent streames of a calme Sea? wherein the most curious may finde
pleasure, profit, and content. Thus, though all men be not fishers:
yet all men, whatsoever, may in other matters doe as well. For necessity
doth in these cases so rule a Commonwealth, and each in their
severall functions, as their labours in their qualities may be as profitable,
because there is a necessary mutuall use of all.

For Gentlemen, what exercise should more delight them, then
ranging dayly those unknowne parts, using fowling and fishing, for
hunting and hauking? and yet you shall see the wilde haukes give
you some pleasure, in seeing them stoope

(six or seaven after one
another) an houre or two together, at the skuls of fish in the faire
harbours, as those a-shore at a foule; and never trouble nor torment
your selves, with watching, mewing, feeding, and attending them:
nor kill horse and man with running and crying, See you not a hauk?
For hunting also: the woods, lakes, and rivers, affoord not onely
chase sufficient, for any that delights in that kinde of toyle, or pleasure;
but such beasts to hunt, that besides the delicacy of their bodies
for food, their skins are so rich, as may well recompence thy dayly
labour, with a Captains pay.

For labourers, if those that sowe hemp, rape, turnups, parsnips,
carrats, cabidge, and such like; give 20, 30, 40, 50 shillings yearely
for an acre of ground, and meat drinke and wages to use it, and yet
grow rich: when better, or at least as good ground, may be had and
cost nothing but labour; it seemes strange to me, any such should
there grow poore.

My purpose is not to perswade children from their parents; men
from their wives; nor servants from their masters: onely, such as
with free consent may be spared: But that each parish, or village, in
Citie, or Countrey, that will but apparell their fatherlesse children,
of thirteene or fourteen years of age, or young maried people, that
have small wealth to live on; heere by their labour may live exceeding
well: provided alwaies that first there bee a sufficient power to
command them, houses to receive them, meanes to defend them, and
meet provisions for them; for, any place may bee overlain:

and it is
most necessarie to have a fortresse (ere this grow to practice) and
sufficient masters (as, Carpenters, Masons, Fishers, Fowlers, Gardiners,
Husbandmen, Sawyers, Smiths, Spinsters, Taylors, Weavers,
and such like) to take ten, twelve, or twentie, or as ther is occasion,
for Apprentises. The Masters by this may quicklie growe rich; these
may learne their trades themselves, to doe the like; to a generall and
an incredible benefit, for King, and Countrey, Master, and Servant.

It would bee an historie of a large volume,

to recite the adventures
of the Spanyards, and Portugals, their affronts, and defeats,
their dangers and miseries; which with such incomparable honour
and constant resolution, so farre beyond beleefe, they have attempted
and indured in their discoveries and plantations, as may well condemne
us, of too much imbecillitie, sloth, and negligence: yet the
Authors of those new inventions, were held as ridiculous, for a long
time, as now are others, that doe but seek to imitate their unparalleled
vertues. And though we see daily their mountaines of wealth (sprong
from the plants of their generous indevours) yet is our sensualitie and
untowardnesse such, and so great, that wee either ignorantly beleeve
nothing; or so curiously contest, to prevent wee knowe not what
future events; that wee either so neglect, or oppresse and discourage
the present, as wee spoile all in the making, crop all in the blooming;
and building upon faire sand, rather then rough rockes, judge that
wee knowe not, governe that wee have not, feare that which is not;
and for feare some should doe too well, force such against their willes
to be idle or as ill. And who is he hath judgement, courage, and any
industrie or qualitie with understanding, will leave his Countrie, his
hopes at home, his certaine estate, his friends, pleasures, libertie, and
the preferment sweete England doth afford to all degrees, were it not
to advance his fortunes by injoying his deserts? whose prosperitie
once appearing, will incourage others: but it must be cherish- || ed
as a childe, till it be able to goe, and understand it selfe; and not corrected,
nor oppressed above its strength, ere it knowe wherefore. A
child can neither performe the office, nor deedes of a man of strength,
nor indure that affliction He is able; nor can an Apprentice at the
first performe the part of a Maister. And if twentie yeeres bee required
to make a child a man, seven yeares limited an apprentice 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 bee
practice, as well as theorick: Let no man much condemne this paradox
opinion, to say, that halfe seaven yeeres is scarce sufficient, for a
good capacitie, to learne in these affaires, how to carrie himselfe:
and who ever shall trie in these remote places the erecting of a
Colony, shall finde at the ende of seaven yeares occasion enough to
use all his discretion: and, in the Interim all the content, rewards,
gaines, and hopes will be necessarily required, to be given to the
beginning, till it bee able to creepe, to stand, and goe, yet time enough
to keepe it from running, for there is no feare it wil grow too fast, or
ever to any thing; except libertie, profit, honor, and prosperitie there
found, more binde the planters of those affaires, in devotion to effect
it; then bondage, violence, tyranny, ingratitude, and such double
dealing, as bindes free men to become slaves, and honest men turne
knaves: which hath ever bin the ruine of the most popular || common-weales
and is verie unlikelie ever well to begin in a new.

Who seeth not what is the greatest good of the Spanyard, but
these new conclusions, in searching those unknowne parts of this unknowne
world? By which meanes hee dives even into the verie secrets
of all his Neighbours, and the most part of the world: and when the
Portugale and Spanyard had found the East and West Indies; how
many did condemn themselves, that did not accept of that honest
offer of Noble Columbus? who, upon our neglect, brought them to
it, perswading our selves the world had no such places as they had
found: and yet ever since wee finde, they still (from time to time)
have found new Lands, new Nations, and trades, and still daily dooe
finde both in Asia, Africa, Terra incognita, and America; so that
there is neither Soldier nor Mechanick, from the Lord to the begger,

but those parts afforde them all imploiment; and discharge their
Native soile, of so many thousands of all sorts, that else, by their sloth,
pride, and imperfections, would long ere this have troubled their
neighbours, or have eaten the pride of Spaine it selfe.

Now he 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 have, they
cease not still to search for that they have not, and know not; It is
strange we should be so dull, as not maintaine that which wee have,
and pursue that wee || knowe. Surely I am sure many would taste

it
ill, to bee abridged of the titles and honours of their predecessors:
when if but truely they would judge themselves; looke how inferior
they are to their noble vertues, so much they are unworthy of their
honours and livings: which never were ordained for showes and
shadowes, to maintaine idlenesse and vice; but to make them more
able to abound in honor, by heroycall deeds of action, judgement,
pietie, and vertue. What was it, They would not doe both in purse
and person, for the good of the Commonwealth? which might move
them presently to set out their spare kindred in these generous designes.
Religion, above all things, should move us (especially the
Clergie) if wee were religious, to shewe our faith by our workes; in
converting those poore salvages, to the knowledge of God, seeing
what paines the Spanyards take to bring them to their adulterated
faith. Honor might move the Gentrie, the valiant, and industrious;
and the hope and assurance of wealth, all; if wee were that we would
seeme, and be accounted. Or be we so far inferior to other nations, or
our spirits so far dejected, from our auncient predecessors, or our
mindes so upon spoile, piracie, and such villany, as to serve the
Portugall, Spanyard, Dutch, French, or Turke (as to the cost of
Europe, too many dooe) rather then our God, our King, our Country,
and our selves? excusing our idlenesse, and our base complaints, by
want of imploiment; when heere is such choise of all sorts, and for all
degrees, in the plan- || ting and discovering these North parts of
America.

Now to make my words more apparent by my deeds; I was, the
last yeare, 1615. to have staied in the Countrie, to make a more
ample triall of those conclusions with sixteene men; whose names
were

Gentlemen.

• Thomas Dirmir.
• Edward Stalings.
• Daniel Cage.
• Francis Abbot.
• John Gosling.

Souldiers.

• William Ingram.
• Robert Miter.
• David Cooper.
• John Partridge,
• and two boies.

Sailers.

• Thomas Digbie.
• Daniel Baker.
• Adam Smith.
• Thomas Watson
• Walter Chissick.
• John Hall.

I confesse, I could have wished them as many thousands, had
all other provisions bin in like proportion: nor would I have had so
fewe, could I have had meanes for more: yet (would God have
pleased wee had safely arrived) I never had the like authoritie, freedom,
and provision, to doe so well. The maine assistance next God,
I had to this small number, was my acquaintance among the Salvages;
especially, with Dohannida,

one of their greatest Lords; who
had lived long in England. By the meanes of this proud Salvage, I did
not doubt but quickly to have gotte that credit with the rest of his
friends, and alliants, to have had as many of them, as I desired in
any designe I intended, and that trade also they had, by such a kind
of exchange || of their Countrie commodities; which both with ease
and securitie in their seasons may be used. With him and diverse
others, I had concluded to inhabit, and defend them against the
Terentynes; with a better power then the French did them; whose
tyranny did inforce them to imbrace my offer, with no small devotion.
And though many may thinke me more bolde then wise, in
regard of their power, dexteritie, treacherie, and inconstancie, having
so desperately assaulted and betraied many others: I say but this
(because with so many, I have many times done much more in
Virginia, then I intended heere, when I wanted that experience Virginia
taught me) that to mee it seemes no daunger more then
ordinarie. And though I know my selfe the meanest of many thousands,
whose apprehensive inspection can pearce beyond the boundes
of my habilities, into the hidden things of Nature, Art, and Reason:
yet I intreate such give me leave to excuse my selfe of so much imbecillitie,
as to say, that in these eight yeares which I have been conversant
with these affairs, I have not learned there is a great
difference, betwixt the directions and judgement of experimentall
knowledge, and the superficiall conjecture of variable relation:
wherein rumor, humor, or misprision have such power, that oft times
one is enough to beguile twentie, but twentie not sufficient to keep
one from being deceived. Therefore I know no reason but to beleeve
my own eies, before any mans imagination, that is but wrested from
the conceits of my owne projects, and indea- || vours. But I honor,
with all affection, the counsell and instructions of judiciall directions,
or any other honest advertisement; so farre to observe, as they tie
mee not to the crueltie of unknowne events.

These are the inducements that thus drew me to neglect all
other imployments, and spend my time and best abilities in these
adventures. Wherein, though I have had many discouragements by
the ingratitude of some, the malicious slanders of others, the falsenesse
of friendes, the trechery of cowards, and slownesse of adventurers;
but chiefly by one Hunt,

who was Master of the ship, with
whom oft arguing these projects, for a plantation, however hee
seemed well in words to like it, yet he practiced to have robbed mee
of my plots, and observations, and so to leave me alone in a desolate
Ile, to the fury of famine, and all other extreamities (lest I should have
acquainted Sir Thomas Smith, my Honourable good friend, and the
Councell of Virginia) to the end, he and his associates, might secretly
ingrosse it, ere it were knowne to the State: Yet that God that alway
hath kept me from the worst of such practices, delivered me from the
worst of his dissimulations. Notwithstanding after my departure, hee
abused the Salvages where hee came, and betrayed twenty seaven
of these poore innocent soules, which he sould in Spaine for slaves, to
moove their hate against our Nation, as well as to cause my proceedings
to be so much the more difficult.

Now, returning in the Bark, in the fift

of Au- || gust, I arrived
at Plimouth: where imparting those my purposes to my honourable
friende Sir Ferdinando Gorge, and some others; I was so incouraged,
and assured to have the managing their authoritie in those parts,
during my life, that I ingaged my selfe to undertake it for them.
Arriving at London, I found also many promise me such assistance,
that I entertained Michaell Cooper the Master, who returned with
mee, and others of the company. How hee dealt with others, or
others with him I know not: But my publike proceeding gave such
incouragement, that it became so well apprehended by some fewe of
the Southren Company, as these projects were liked, and he furnished
from London with foure ships at Sea, before they at Plimouth
had made any provision at all, but onely a ship cheefely set out by
sir Ferdinando Gorge; which upon Hunts late trecherie among the
Salvages, returned as shee went, and did little or nothing, but lost
her time. I must confesse I was beholden to the setters forth of the
foure ships that went with Cooper; in that they offered mee that imploiment
if I would accept it: and I finde, my refusall hath incurred
some of their displeasures, whose favor and love I exceedingly desire,
if I may honestly injoy it. And though they doe censure me as opposite
to their proceedings; they shall yet still in all my words and deedes
finde, it is their error, not my fault, that occasions their dislike: for
having ingaged my selfe in this businesse to the West Countrie; I had
beene verie dishonest to have || broke my promise; nor will I spend
more time in discoverie, or fishing, till I may goe with a companie
for plantation: for, I know my grounds. Yet every one that reades
this booke can not put it in practice; though it may helpe any that
have seene those parts. And though they endeavour to worke me
even out of my owne designes, I will not much envy their fortunes:
but, I would bee sory, their intruding ignorance should, by their defailements,
bring those certainties to doubtfulnesse: So that the
businesse prosper, I have my desire; be it by Londoner, Scot, Welch,
or English, that are true subjects 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 bee content but to proceed.

At last it pleased Sir Ferdinando Gorge, and Master Doctor
Sutliffe,

Deane of Exceter, to conceive so well of these projects, and
my former imployments, as induced them to make a new adventure
with me in those parts, whither they have so often sent to their continuall
losse. By whose example, many inhabitants of the west
Country, made promises of much more then was looked for, but their
private emulations quickly qualified that heat in the greater number;
so that the burden lay principally on them, and some few
Gentlemen my friends, in London. In the end I was furnished with
a Ship of 200. and another of 50. But ere I had sayled 120 leagues,
shee broke all her masts; pumping each watch 5 or 6000 strokes:
onely her spret saile || remayned to spoon before the wind, till we had
re-accommodated a Jury mast, and the rest, to returne for Plimouth.
My Vice-admirall beeing lost, not knowing of this, proceeded her
voyage: Now with the remainder of those provisions, I got out again
in a small Barke of 60 tuns with 30 men (for this of 200 and provision
for 70) which were the 16 before named, and 14 other saylors for the
ship. With those I set saile againe the 24 of June: where what befell
me (because my actions and writings are so publicke to the world,
envy still seeking to scandalize my indeavours, and seeing no power
but death, can stop the chat of ill tongues, nor imagination of mens
mindes) lest my owne relations of those hard events, might by some
constructors, be made doubtfull, I have thought it best to insert the
examinations of those proceedings, taken by Sir Lewis Stukley a
worthie Knight, and Viceadmirall of Devonshire; which were as
followeth.

The examination of Daniel Baker,

late Steward
to Captaine John Smith in the returne of Plimouth;
taken before Sir Lewis Stukley, Knight,
the eight of December 1615.

Who saith, being chased two dayes by one Fry, an English
Pirate,

that could not board us, by reason of foule weather, Edmund
Chambers, the Master, John Minter, his mate, Thomas Digby the
Pilot, and others importuned his saide Captaine to yeeld; houlding
it unpossible hee should defend || himselfe: and that the saide Captaine
should send them his boate, in that they had none: which at
last he concluded upon these conditions, That Fry the Pyrate should
vow not to take any thing from Captaine Smith, that might overthrowe
his voyage, nor send more Pirats into his ship then hee liked
off; otherwaies, he would make sure of them he had, and defend
himselfe against the rest as hee could.

More: he confesseth that the quarter-masters and Chambers
received golde of those Pirats; but how much, he knoweth not: Nor
would his Captain come out of his Caben to entertaine them; although

a great many of them had beene his saylers, and for his love
would have wafted us to the Iles of Flowers.

At Fyall,

wee were chased by two French Pyrats, who commanded
us Amaine. Chambers, Minter, Digby, and others, importuned
againe the Captaine to yeeld; alledging they were Turks, and
would make them all slaves: or Frenchmen, and would throw them
all over board if they shot but a peece; and that they were entertained
to fish, and not to fight: untill the Captaine vowed to fire the
powder and split the ship, if they would not stand to their defence;
whereby at last wee went cleere of them, for all their shot.

At Flowers, wee were chased by foure French men of warre;

all with their close fights afore and after. And this examinants Captaine
having provided for our defence, Chambers, Minter, Dig- || by,
and some others, againe importuned him to yeeld to the favour of
those, against whom there was nothing but ruine by fighting: But
if he would goe aboard them, in that hee could speake French, by
curtesie hee might goe cleere; seeing they offered him such faire
quarter, and vowed they were Protestants, and all of Rochell, and
had the Kings commission onely to take Spaniards, Portugales, and
Pyrats; which at last hee did: but they kept this examinates Captaine
and some other of his company with him. The next day the
French men of warre went aboard us, and tooke what they listed, and
divided the company into their severall ships, and manned this
examinates ship with the Frenchmen; and chased with her all the
shippes they saw: untill about five or six dayes after upon better consideration,
they surrendered the ship, and victualls, with the most
part of our provision, but not our weapons.

More: he confesseth that his Captain exhorted them to performe
their voyage, or goe for New found Land to returne fraughted
with fish, where hee would finde meanes to proceed in his plantation:
but Chambers and Minter grew upon tearms they would not;

untill
those that were Souldiers concluded with their Captaines resolution,
they would; seeing they had clothes, victualls, salt, nets, and lines
sufficient, and expected their armes: and such other things as they
wanted, the French men promised to restore, which the Captaine the
next day went to seeke, and sent them about loading of || commodities,
as powder, match, hookes, instruments, his sword and dagger,
bedding, aqua vitæ, his commission, apparell, and many other
things; the particulars he remembreth not: But, as for the cloath,
canvas, and the Captaines cloathes, Chambers, and his associats
divided it amongst themselves, and to whom they best liked; his Captaine
not having any thing, to his knowledge, but his wastecoat and
breeches. And in this manner going from ship to ship, to regaine our
armes, and the rest; they seeing a sayle, gave chase untill night. The
next day being very foule weather, this examinate came so neere with
the ship unto the French men of warre, that they split the maine sayle
on the others spret sayle yard. Chambers willed the Captaine come
aboard, or hee would leave him: whereupon the Captaine commanded
Chambers to send his boate for him. Chambers replyed shee
was split (which was false) telling him hee might come if he would
in the Admiralls boat. The Captaines answer was, he could not command
her, nor come when hee would: so this examinate fell on
sterne; and that night left his said Captaine alone amongst the
French men, in this manner, by the command of Chambers, Minter,
and others.