USA > Virginia > The generall historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer isles: with the names of the adventurers, planters, and governours, from their first beginning, an. 1584. To this present 1626. With the proceedings of those severall colonies > Part 22
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[1623] Now on all hands they prepare their ground, and about the middest of Aprill. iu a faire season they began 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 judged all virerly dead, that now all our hopes were overthrowne. and our iov 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 months agoe, but no newes of her: onels the signes of a wracke we saw on the Coast which wer judged her. This caused not query of vs to enter into a
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The wonderfull blessing, und signe of Gods loue. 237
priuate consideration betwixt God and our consciences, but most solemnly to humble ourselves before the Lord by fost- ing and praying, to releeue our deiected spirits by the com- forts of his merey. 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 oder-cast, and on the next morning distilled such soft, sweet, moderate showers, continuing fourteene daies, mixed with sach sen- sonable weather, as it was hard to say, whether our wither- ed Corne, or drooping affections were most quickned and re- uiued; 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 hut three dates since sunday, and desired to know the reason: which when hee understood, he and all of them ad- mired the goodnesse of God towards vs, shewing the differ- ence betsixt their coniurations and our praiers, and what stormes and dangers they oft receive 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 ex- cept one, and he presently recovered, For vs, notwith stand- ing 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 vader the command of Cap- taine Altom. So that God be thanked, we desire nothing, hut what we will returne Commodities to the value.
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Thus all men find : our great God he, That neuer wanted nature, To teach his truth, that onely he Of every thing is Author.
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.
Now some new great obseruers will hane this an Hand, because I have writ it is the Continent: others report, that the people are so bruit, they haue no religion, wherein surely they are deceived; for ray part, I neuer heard of any Nation inthe world which had not a Religion. deare, bowes and arrowes. They believe as doe the Virginians, of many
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258
The Indians Government and Religion.
diuine powers, yet of one aboue all the rest, as the South- crno Virginians call their chiefe God Kemassu, and that wee now inhabit Oke, but both their Kings Werowance. The Massachusets call their great God Kiehtan, and their Kings there abouts Sachems. The Penobscotes their greatest pow- er Tantum, and their Kings Sugomos. Those where is this Plantation, say Kichten 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 Klehtan that dwelleth farre westerly aboue the heavens, wither all good men goe when they die, and haue plentie of all things. The bad men goe thi- ther also and knocke at the doore, but he bids them goe wan- der in endlesse want and miseric, for they shall not stay there. They never saw Kichtan, 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 have another Power they call Hobamock, which wee conceiue the Deuill, and vpon him they call to care their wounds and diseases: when they are curable he perswadesthem, 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 Jobamock appeares to them somtimes like a Man. a Decre, or an Eagle, but most commonly like a Snake; not to all. but only to their Powahs to cure diseases, and Todeses, which is one of the chicte 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.
For their Gouernment: euery Sachem is not a King, but their great Sochems have diners Sachems under their pro- tection, paying them tribute, and dare make no warres with- out his knowledge: but enery Suchen 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 have 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 succes- sion, and every one knowes their owne bounds. To his men, hee giucth them land, also bounded, and what Deerc they kill in that circuit, he bath the fore-part; but if in the
Obiections, Answers and Considerations. . . 295
water, onely the skin: But they account none a man, till hee hath done notable exploit: the men are most imploied in hunting, the women in slauery; the younger obey the elders: their names are variable; they hauc harlots and honest wo- men: the harlots neuer marrie, or else are widowes. They vse diuorcement, and the King commonly punishoth all of- fenders himselfe: when a maid is maried, she cugeth 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 Chroni- cles they make holes in the ground, as the others set vp great stone. Out of the Relations of Master Edward IFins- low.
Now I know the common question is, For all those mise- ries where is the wealth they haue got, or the Gold or Sil der 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 provided, 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 liu- ing without supplies so well, and in health, it was an extra- ordinary blessing from God. But that with such small meanes they should subsist, and doo so much, to any ender- standing judgement is a wonder. Notwithstanding, the vaine expectation of present gaine in some, ambition in others. that to be great would baue all else sloues, and the careles. nesse in prouiding supplies, bath caused those defailennar in all those Plantations, and how cuer some bad conditions will extoll the actions of any Nation but their owne: yet if we may gine credit to the Spaniards, Portugals, and Ficart. writings, they endured as many miseries, and yet not in twenty yeeres effected so much, nay scarce in fortie.
Thus you may see plainly the yearely successe from Ville England by Virginia, which hath beene so costly to tii hing- dome, 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 have beene sufficiently able to fore-see their miseries, and had neither power nor meanes to prevent it. By that acquaintance I haue with them, Icall them my children, for they have beene iny Wife, my Hawks. Hounds, . my Cards, my Dice, and in totall, my best content, as
210
Obiections, Answers and Considerations.
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 re- maiaing, 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 have any secret cu- couragement (1 protest) more then lamentable experience: for all their discoveries I haue yet heard of, are but Pigs of my owne Sow, nor more strange to me, then to heare one tell me hee bath gone from Billingsgate and discovered Gravesend, Tilbury, Quinborow, Lee, and Margit, which to those did neuer heare of them, though they dwell in Eng- land, might bee made some rare secrets and great Countries vnknowne, except some few relations of Master Dirmer .-- In England, some are held gront travellers that have seene Venice, and Rome, Madrill, Toledo, Simill, Algere, Prague, or Ragonsa, Constantinople, or Ierusalem; and the Pira- mides of Egypt; that thiuke it nothing to goe to Summer Iles, or Virginia, which is as far as any of them; and I hope in time will prone a more profitable and a more laudable journey: as for the danger, you see our Ladies and Gentle- women 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 bath preserued.
What here I haue writ by Relation, if it be not right I humbly intreat your pardons, but I haue not spared any di- ligence to learne the truth of them that have beene actors, or sharers in those voyages; In some particulars they might deceuie mee, but in the substance they could not: for few could tell me any thing, except where they tished. But see- ing all those haue lived there, doe confirme more then I hane writ, I doubt not but all those testimonies with these new begun examples of Plantation, will mone both Citie and Country, freely to aduentare with me more then promises.
But because some Fortune-teilers sav, I am vnfortunate: bad they spent their time as I have done, they would rather beleque in God then their calculations, and peraduenture hauc 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 have made no mere se of it. rest so long
241
Considerations:
without imploiment, nor have no more reward nor prefer- mont: To which I say;
I thinke it more strange they should tax ine, before they have tried as much as I hane, both by land and sea, as well in dad and Affrica, as Europe and America, where my Com- manders were actors or spectators, they alwaies so freely rewarded me, I neuer needed bee importunate, or could 1 euer learne to beg: What there I got, I hauc spent; yet in Virginia I staied, till I left fine hundred behinde me better provided then euer I was, from which blessed Virgin (ere } returned) sprung the fortunate habitation of Summer Iles.
This Virgins Sister, now called New England, at my hum- ble sute, by our most gracious Prince Charles, hath beene neere as chargeable to me and my friends: for all which, al- though I neher got shilling but it cost inre a pound, yet 1 would thinke my seife happy could I see their prosperities.
But if it yet trouble a multitude to procced vpon these certainties, what thinke you I vodertooke when nothing was knowne but that there was a vast land? I neuer had power and meanes to doc any thing, though more hath beene spent in formall delaies then would have done the businesse, but in such a ponurious and miserable manner. as if I had gone a begging to build an Vniversitie: where had men beene as for- ward to adventure their puises, and performe the conditions they promised mee, as to crop the fruits of my labours, thou- sands 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, mav 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 pro- mises, valesse I intended nothing but to carie newes: for now they dare adventure a ship, that when I went first would not aduenture a groat, so they may be at home againe by Michaelinas, which makes me remember and say with Mas- ter Hucklui; Oh incredulitie the wit of fooles, that slouing- ly 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 mea may perceiue, the ordinary performance of this voyage in fine or six months. the plentie of tish is most certainly approved: and it is certame, from Cunnada and Vol. 2-G G
242
The order, charge and gaines to be expected.
New England, within these six yeeres hath come neere twen- t: thousand Beuer skinnes: Now had each of these ships transported but some small quantitir 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 any) is so violent, and the endeuours of many vnder- takers so negligent, cucry one so regarding their priuate gaine, that it is hard to effect any publike good, and impossible to bri : them into a body, rule, or order, valesse both honesty, as well as an toritie and money, assist experience. But your home-Und 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 fittest things to bee put in practice, 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 proaide such fraughts, to buy on vs there dwelling, as I would hope no ship should goe or come emptie from New England.
The charge of this is onely Salt, Nets, Hookes, Lines, Knives, Irish-rogges, course cloth, Beads, Glasse, and such trash, onely for fishing and trade with the Saluages, besides our owne necessarie provisions, 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 tivo 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 have their fraught as well as elsewhere; and be in the market ere others can hane the fish in their ships, because New En- glar 's Gshing begins in February, in Newfoundland not till the midst of May; the progression bereof tends much to the admin ment of Virginia and Summer Hes whose empty ships may take in their fraughts there, and would be also in time of need a good friend to the Inhabitants of Newfound- land
The returnes made by the Westerne men, are commonly din led 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 penatried, will be no hinderance to
How to build a fleet, to make a little Nauy royall. 243
the Plantation as vet goe there neuer so many, but a meanes of transporting that yeerely for little or nothing, which other- wise wil cost many hundreds of pounds. If a ship van 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 laborr we might make all the Salt we need vse. as is formerly said, and can conceiue no reason to distrust of goed successe by Gods assistance; besides for the building of ships, no place hath more convenient Harbours, ebbe, nor ilend, nor better timber: and no Commoditie in Europe doth more decay then wood.
Master Dee his opinion for the building of ships.
MASTER Dee recordeth in his Brittish Monarchy, that King Edgar had a Nauy of foure thousand saile, with i hich he yeerely made his progresse, about this famous Monarchy of Great Britaine, largely declaring the benefit thereof; whereupon hee proiccted to our most memorable Queene Elizabeth, the erecting 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. vorill he was Lord and Captaine of the Sea. At this none need wonder, for who knowes not her Rovall Maiestie during her life, by the incredible adventures of her Rovall Nauy, and valiant Souldiers and Sea-men, notwithstanding all treiche- ries at home, the protecting and defending France and Hlol. land, and reconquering Ireland; yet all the world by Sca and Land both feared or loued, and admired good Queene Elizabeth. Both to maintaine and increase that incompara- ble honour (God be thanked) to her incomparable Succes- sor, our most Royall Lord and Souereigne King Hommes, this great Philosopher hath left this to his Maiestie and his King- domes consideration: that if the tenths of the earth be proper to God, it is also due by Sea. The Kings high waies are
244 How to build a fleet, to make a httle Nauy royall.
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.
His Majesty 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 justly theis, it is no iniustico 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 speakc of, whose subiects may neither take nor sell any in their ter- ritories: which small tribute would maintaine this little Nauy Royall, and nor cost his Maiesty a penny, and vet maintaine peace with all Forrainers, and allow them more courtesic 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 dis- orders.
"To get money to build this Nauy, he saith, who would not spare the one hundreth penny of hi, rents, and the fue hun- dreth penny of his goods; each scruant 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, wanton- nesse, or some superfluitie: And doe any men loue the secu- ritie of their estates, that of themselues would not bee hum- ble suters to his Maiesty to doe this of free will as a volun- tary benevolence, or but the one halle of this (or some such other course as I haue propounded 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 projected, the poor- est Mechanicke in this Kingdome would gaine by it. Then you might build ships of any proportion and numbers You please, five times cheaper then you can doc here. and hago good merchandize for their fraught in this vnknowne Land, to the aduancement of Gods glory, his Church and Gospel. and the strengthning and releefe of a great part of Chris- tendome withont hart to any, to the terror of Pirats. the amazement of enemies, the assistance of friends, the securing Merchants, and so much increase of Navigation. to make England's trade and - hipping as much as any Nations in the
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How to build a fleet, to make a little Nauy royall. 215
world, besides a hundred other benefits, to the generall good of All true subiects, and would cause thousands yet vnborne to blesse the time, and all them that first put it in practice.
Now lest it should be obscured as it hath beene to priuat ends, or so weakely vndertaken by our ouer-weening inere- dulity, that strangers may possesse it whilest we contend for Neu-Englands goods, but not for Englands goal: I hane presented it as I haue said, to the Prince and Nobility, the Gentry and Commonalty, hoping at last it will move 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 ho- nour, profit and content, and inhabit as good a Country ps any in the world within that paralell, which with my life and what I have, I will endeuour to effect, if God please and you permit. But no man will goe fron hence to haue lesse free- dome 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 have beene so many undertakers of Parents, and such sharing of thein, as hath bred no lese discouragement then wonder, to heare such great premises and so little performance; in the Interim, you see the French and Dutch already frequent it, and God forbid they ja Fir- ginia, or any of his Maiesties subiects should not hane as free liberty as they. To conclude, were it not for Master Cherley, and a few private aduenturers with them, what baue we there for all these inducements? As for them whom pride or conetousnesse lulleth asleone in a Cradle of slotwall carelesnesse, would they bit consider how all the great Mo- narchies of the earth have beene brought to confusion, or but remember the late lamentable experiences of Coastoui. nople, and how many Cities, Townes and Provinces, in the faire rich Kingdomes of Hungarie, Transilvania, WoMachia. and Motduria, and how many thousands of Prince. Falls. Barons, Knights, Merchants, and others, haue in one day lost goods, lines and honours, or sold for slaues like beasts in a market place, their wiues, children and servants slaine, or wandring they knew not whether, dying or lining in all ex- tremities of extreme miseries and calamities, surely they would not rely doe this, but give all they have to chos pence and liberty at home, or but aduenture their persons
216 Captaine Whitborns observations for New-found land.
abroad; to prevent the conclusions of a conquering Foe, who commonly assaulteth and best prouaileth where he findeth wealth and plenty, most armed with ignorance and security.
Though the true condition of warre is onely to suppresso the proud and defend the innocent, as did that most generous Prince Sigisamadas, Prince of those Countries, against them whom vnder the colour of inotice and piety, to maintaine their superfluity of ambitious pride, thought all the world too lule 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, cru- elty, extortion, and ingratitude, which is worse then cowar- dize or ignorance, and all manner of vildnesse, cleane con- trary to all honour, vertue, and noblenesss.
John Smith writ this with his owne hand.
Here follow certaine notes and observations of Captaine Charles Whitbourne concerning New-found land, which al- though 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 query one which desires the good of those actions know them also. Besides in his Booke intituled, A discovery of New-fouad land. and the commodities thereof, you shall finde many excellent good aduertisements for a Plantation; and how that most yeeres this Coast bath beche frequented with 250. saile of his Ma- iesties subiects, which supposing but 60. tunnes a peece, Que with another, they amout to 15000. tunnes, and allowing 25. men and boies to query Barke. they will make 5000. persons, .whose labours returne veerely to about 135000. pound ster- ling, besides the great numbers of Brewers. Bakers, Coupers. SLip-Carpenters, Net- makers, Rope-makers, Ilooke-makers. and the most of all other mecanicall trades in England.
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The charge of setting forth a ship.
The charge of selling forth a ship of 100. tuns with 40. persons, both to make a fishing voyage, and in- crease the Plantation.
£ s. d.
INPRIMIS, 10000. weight of Bisket at 15. s. a 100. weight. 82 10
26 Tua of Beere and Sider at 53s. 4d. 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
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