Travels of Captaine John Smith Volume I - Pages 32-62



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The next morning we weighed Anchor for Croatan: having the Anchor a-pike, 
the Cable broke, by the meanes whereof we lost another: letting fall the 
third, the ship yet went so fast a drift, we fayled not much there to have 
split. But God bringing us into deeper water; considering we had but one 
Anchor, and our provision neare spent, we resolved to goe forthwith to S. 
Johns Ile, Hispaniola, or Trinidado, to refresh our selves and seeke for 
purchase that Winter, and the next Spring come againe to seeke our Country-
men. But our Vice Admirall would not, but went directly for England, and 
we our course for Trinidado. But within two dayes after, the wind 
changing, we were constrained for the Westerne Iles to refresh our selves, 
where we met with many of the Queenes ships our owne consort, and divers 
others, the 23. of September 1590. And thus we left seeking our Colony, 
that was never any of them found, nor seene to this day 1622. And this was 
the conclusion of this Plantation, after so much time, labour, and charge 
consumed. Whereby we see;

The end of this Plantation.

Not all at once, nor all alike, nor ever hath it beene,
That God doth offer and confer his blessings upon men.

Written by Master John White.

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A briefe Relation of the Description of Elizabeths 1602. Ile, and some 
others towards the North part of Virginia; and what els they discovered in 
the yeare 1602. by Captaine Bartholomew Gosnoll, and Captaine Bartholomew 
Gilbert; and divers other Gentlemen their Associates.

12. yeares it lay dead.

ALL hopes of Virginia thus abandoned, it 12. yeares it lay dead and 
obscured from 1590. till this yeare 1602. that Captaine Gosnoll, with 32. 
and himselfe in a small Barke, set sayle from Dartmouth upon the 26. of 
March. Though the wind favoured us not at the first, but force us as far 
Southward as the Asores, which was not much out of our way; we ran 
directly west from thence, whereby we made our journey shorter then 
heretofore by 500. leagues: the weaknesse of our ship, the badnes of our 
saylers, and our ignorance of the coast, caused us carry but a low sayle, 
that made our passage longer then we expected.

On fryday the II. of May we made land, it was somewhat low, where appeared 
certaine hummocks or hills in it: the shore white sand, but very rockie, 
yet overgrowne with fayre trees. Comming to an Anchor, 8 Indians in a 
Baske shallop, with mast and sayle came boldly aboord us. It seemed by 
their signes & such things as they had, some Biskiners had fished there: 
being about the latitude of 43. But the harbour being naught, & doubting 
the weather, we went not ashore, but waighed, and stood to the Southward 
into the Sea. The next morning we found our selves imbayed with a mightie 
headland: within a league of the shore we anchored, and Captaine Gosnoll, 
my selfe, & three others went to it in our boat, being a white sand & a 
bold coast. Though the weather was hot, we marched to the highest hils we 
could see, where we perceived this headland part of the mayn, neare 
invironed

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with Ilands. As we were returning to our ship, a good proper, lusty young 
man came to us, with whom we had but small conference, and so we left him. 
Here in 5. or 6. houres we tooke more Cod then we knew what to doe with, 
which made us perswade our selves, there might be found a good fishing in 
March, Aprill, and May.

At length we came among these fayre Iles, some a league, 2. 3. 5. or 6. 
from the Mayne, by one of them Vineyard. we anchored. We found it foure 
myles in compasse, without house or inhabitant. In it is a lake neare a 
myle in circuit; the rest overgrowne with trees, which so well as the 
bushes, were so overgrowne with Vines, we could scarce passe them. And by 
the blossomes we might perceive there would be plenty of Strawberries, 
Respises, Gousberries, and divers other fruits: besides, Deere and other 
Beasts we saw, and Cranes, Hernes, with divers other sorts of fowle; which 
made us call it Martha's Vineyard.

Elizabeths Island.

The rest of the Iles are replenished with such like; very rocky, and much 
tinctured stone like Minerall. Though we met many Indians, yet we could 
not see their habitations: they gave us fish, Tobacco, and such things as 
they had. But the next Isle we arrived at was but two leagues from the 
Maine, & 16. myle about, invironed so with creekes and coves, it seemed 
like many Isles linked together by small passages like bridges. In it is 
many places of plaine grasse, and such other fruits, and berries as before 
were mentioned. In mid-May we did sow Wheat, Barley, Oates, & Pease, which 
in 14. dayes sprung up 9. inches. The soyle is fat and lusty: the crust 
thereof gray, a foot or lesse in depth. It is full of high timbred Okes, 
their leaves thrise so broad as ours: Cedar straight and tall, Beech, 
Holly, Walnut, Hazell, Cherry trees like ours, but the stalke beareth the 
blossom or fruit thereof like a cluster of Grapes, forty or fiftie in a 
bunch. There is a tree of Orange colour, whose barke in the filing is as 
smooth as Velvet. There is a lake of fresh water three myles in compasse, 
in the

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midst an Isle containing an acre or thereabout, overgrowne with wood: here 
are many Tortoises, and abundance of all sorts of foules, whose young ones 
we tooke and eate at our pleasure. Grounds nuts as big as egges, as good 
as Potatoes, and 40. on a string, not two ynches under ground. All sorts 
of shell-fish, as Schalops, Mussels, Cockles, Crabs, Lobsters, Welks, 
Oysters, exceeding good and very great; but not to cloy you with 
particulars, what God and nature hath bestowed on those places, I refer 
you to the Authors owne writing at large. We called this Isle Elizabeths 
Isle, from whence we went right over to the mayne, where we stood a while 
as ravished at the beautie and dilicacy of the sweetnesse, besides divers 
cleare lakes, whereof we saw no end, & meadows very large and full of 
greene grasse, &c.

Here we espyed 7. Salvages, at first they expressed some feare, but by our 
courteous usage of them, they followed us to the necke of Land, which we 
thought had beene severed from the Mayne, but we found it otherwise. Here 
we imagined was a river, but because the day was farre spent, we left to 
discover it till better leasure. But of good Harbours, there is no doubt, 
considering the Land is all rocky and broken lands. The next day we 
determined to fortifie our selves in the Isle in the lake. Three weekes we 
spent in building us there a house. But the second day after our comming 
from the Mayne, II. Canows with neare 50. Salvages came towards us. Being 
unwilling they should see our building, we went to, & exchanged with them 
Knives, Hatchets, Beades, Bels, and such trifles, for some Bevers, 
Lyzards, Martins, Foxes, wilde Catte skinnes, and such like. We saw them 
have much red Copper, whereof they make chaines, collars, and drinking 
cups, which they so little esteemed they would give us for small toyes, & 
signified unto us they had it out of the earth in the Mayne: three dayes 
they stayed with us, but every night retyred two or three myle from us: 
after with many signes of love and friendship they departed, seaven of

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them staying behind, that did helpe us to dig and carry Saxafras, and doe 
any thing they could, being of a comely proportion and the best condition 
of any Salvages we had yet incountred. They have no Beards but 
counterfeits, as they did thinke ours also was: for which they would have 
changed with some of our men that had great beards. Some of the baser sort 
would steale; but the better sort, we found very civill and just. We saw 
but three of their women, and they were but of meane stature, attyred in 
skins like the men, but fat and well favoured. The wholesomenesse and 
temperature of this climate, doth not onely argue the people to be 
answerable to this Description, but also of a perfect constitution of 
body, active, strong, healthfull, and very witty, as the sundry toyes by 
them so cunningly wrought may well testifie. For our selves, we found our 
selves rather increase in health and strength then otherwise; for all our 
toyle, bad dyet and lodging; yet not one of us was touched with any 
sicknesse. Twelve intended here a while to have stayed, but upon better 
consideration, how meanely we were provided, we left this Island (with as 
many true sorrowfull eyes as were before desirous to see it) the 18. of 
June, and arrived at Exmouth, the 23 of July.

Their return.

But yet mans minde doth such it selfe explay,
As Gods great Will doth frame it every way.
And, Such thoughts men have, on earth that doe but live,
As men may crave, but God doth onely give.

Written by John Brierton one of the Voyage.

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A Voyage of Captaine Martin Pring, with two 1603. Barks from Bristow, for 
the North part of Virginia. 1603.

BY the inducements and perswasions of Mr. Richard Hackluite, Mr. John 
Whitson being Maior, with his brethren the Aldermen, & most of the 
Merchants of the Citie of Bristow, raised a stocke of 1000 l. to furnish 
out two Barkes, the one of 50. tuns, with 30. men and boyes, the other 26. 
tuns, with 13. men and boyes, having Martin Pring an understanding 
Gentleman, and a sufficient Mariner for Captaine, and Robert Salterne his 
Assistant, who had bin with Captaine Gosnoll there the yeare before for 
Pilot. Though they were much crossed by contrary windes upon the coast of 
England, and the death of that ever most memorable, miracle of the world, 
our most deare soveraigne Lady and Queene Elizabeth: yet at last they 
passed by the westerne Isles, and about the 7. of June,fell upon the north 
part of Virginia, about the degrees of fortie three. Where they found 
plentie of most sorts of fish, and saw a high country full of great woods 
of sundry sorts. As they ranged the coast at a place they named Whitson 
Bay, they were kindly used by the Natives, that came to them, in troupes, 
of tens, twenties, & thirties, and sometimes more. But because in this 
Voyage for most part they followed the course of Captaine Gosnoll, and 
have made no relation but to the same effect he writ before, we will thus 
conclude;

Lay hands unto this worke with all thy wit,
But pray that God would speed and perfit it.

Robert Salterne.

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1605.

A relation of a Discovery towards the Northward of Virginia, by Captaine 
George Waymouth 1605. imployed thether by the right Honorable Thomas 
Arundell, Baron of Warder, in the Raigne of our most royall King James.

Dangerous shoules.

UPON tuesday the fift of March we set sayle from Ratcliffe, but by 
contrary winds we were forced into Dartmouth till the last of this moneth, 
then with 29. as good sea men, & all necessary provisions as could 
possibly be gotten, we put to sea; and the 24 of Aprill fell with Flowres 
and Corvos. We intended as we were directed towards the Southward of 39. 
But the winds so crossed us wee fell more Northwards about 41. and 20. 
minuits, we sounded at 100. fathom, & by that we had run 6 leagues we had 
but 5. yet saw no land; from the mayne top we descryed a whitish sandy 
clift, West North-west some 6. leagues from us, but ere we had run two 
leagues further we found many shoules and breaches, sometimes in 4. fadom 
and the next throw 15. or 18. Being thus imbayed among those shoules, we 
were constrained to put back againe, which we did with no small danger 
though both the winde and weather were as fayre as we could desire. Thus 
we parted from the Land, which we had not before so much desired, and at 
the first sight rejoyced, as now we all joyfully praysed God that he had 
delivered us from so eminent danger. Here we found excellent Cod, and saw 
many Whales as we had done 2. or 3. daies before. Being thus constrained 
to put to sea, the want of wood & water caused us take the best advantage 
of the winde, to fall with the shore wheresoever: but we found our Sea-
cards most directly false. The 17. of May we made the Land againe, but it 
blew so hard, we durst not approach it. The next day it appeared to us a 
mayne high land, but we found it an Island of 6. myles in compasse: within 
a league of it we came to an anchor, and went on shore for wood &Cod and 
Whales. Their first landing

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water, of which we found sufficient. The water gushing forth downe the 
rocky cliffs, in many places, which are all overgrown with Firre, Birch, 
Beech, & Oke, as the Verge is with Gousberries, Strawberries, wild Pease, 
and Rose bushes, and much foule of divers sorts that breed among the 
rockes: here as in all places els where we came, we found Cod enough.

Pentecost harbour.

From hence we might discerne the mayne land and very high mountaines, the 
next day because we rode too open to the Sea, we waighed, and came to the 
Isles adjoyning to the mayn: among which we found an excellent rode, 
defended from all windes, for ships of any burthen, in 6. 7. 8. 9. or 10. 
fadom upon a clay oze. This was upon a Whitsonday, wherefore we called it 
Pentecost Harbour. Here I cannot omit for foolish feare of imputation of 
flattery, the painfull industry of our Captaine, who as at Sea he was 
alwayes most carefull & vigilant, so at land he refused no paines: but his 
labour was ever as much or rather more then any mans; which not onely 
incouraged others with better content, but also effected much with great 
expedition. We digged a Garden the 22. of May, where among our garden-
seeds we sowed Pease and Barley, which in 16. dayes grew up 8. ynches, 
although this was but the crust of the ground, and much inferiour to the 
mould we after found in the mayne.

The Captains diligence.

After we had taken order for all our necessary businesses, we marched 
through two of these Isles. The biggest was 4. or 5. myles in compasse; we 
found here all sorts of ordinary trees, besides, Vines, Currants, Spruce, 
Yew, Angelica, and divers gummes: in so much many of our company wished 
themselves setled here. Upon the 30. our Captaine with 13. went to 
discover the mayne: we in the ship espyed 3. Canowes that came towards the 
ship. Which after they had well viewed, one of them came aboord with 3. 
men, and by our good usage of them not long after the rest, two dayes we 
had their companies, in all respects they are but like them at Elizabeths 
Isles, therefore this may suffice for their

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description. In this time our Captain had discovered a fayre river, 
trending into the mayne 40 myles, and returned backe to bring in the ship. 
The Salvages also kept their words and brought us 40. Bever, Otter, and 
sable skins, for the value of 5. shillings in knives, glasses, combes, and 
such toyes, and thus we used them so kindly as we could, because we 
intended to inhabit in their Country, they lying aboord with us and we 
ashore with them; but it was but as changing man for man as hostages, and 
in this manner many times we had their companies.

Their trechery.

At last they desired our Captaine to goe with them to the mayne to trade 
with their Bashabes, which is their chiefe Lord, which we did, our boat 
well manned with 14. yet would they row faster with 3. Ores in their 
Canowes then we with 8. but when we saw our old acquaintance, would not 
stay aboord us as before for hostage, but did what they could to draw us 
into a narrow cirke, we exchanged one Owen Griffin with them for a yong 
fellow of theirs, that he might see if he could discover any trechery, as 
he did, for he found there assembled 283. Salvages with bowes & arrows, 
but not any thing at all to trade as they pretended. These things 
considered, we conceited them to be but as all Salvages ever had beene, 
kinde till they found opportunitie to do mischiefe. Wherefore we 
determined to take some of them, before they should suspect we had 
discovered their plot, lest they should absent themselves from us, so the 
first that ever after came into the ship were three which we kept, and two 
we tooke on shore with much adoe, with two Canowes, their bowes and 
arrowes.

Five Salvages surprised.

Some time we spent in sounding all the Isles, channels, and inlets 
thereabouts, and we found 4. severall waies a ship might be brought into 
this Bay. In the interim there came 2. Canowes more boldly aboord us, 
signifying we should bring our ship to the place where he dwelt to trade. 
We excused our selves why we could not, but used them kindly, yet got them 
away with all the speed we could, that they should not be perceived by 
them in

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the houle, then we went up the river 26. myles, of which I had rather not 
write, then by my relation detract from it, it is in breadth a myle, neare 
40. myles; and a channell of 6. 7. 8. 9. or 10. fadom, & on both sides 
every halfe myle gallant Coves, to containe in many of them 100 sayle, 
where they may lye on Oze without Cable or Anchor, onely mored with a 
Hauser, and it floweth 18. foot, that you may make, docke, or carine ships 
with much facilitie: besides the land is most rich, trending all along on 
both sides in an equall plaine, neither rocky nor mountainous, but verged 
with a greene border of grasse, doth make tender to the beholder her 
pleasant fertilitie, if by cleansing away the woods she were converted 
into meadow.

The woods are great, and tall, such as are spoken of in the Islands, and 
well watered with many fresh springs. Our men that had seene Oranoque so 
famous in the worlds eares, Reogrande, Loyer, & Slion, report, though they 
be great & goodly rivers, yet are not comparable to it. Leaving our ship 
we went higher, till we were 7. myles higher then the salt water flowed; 
we marched towards the mountains we had seene, but the weather was so hot, 
& our labour so great, as our Captaine was contented to returne: after we 
had erected a crosse we left this faire land and river, in which the 
higher we went the better we liked it, and returned to our ship. By the 
way we met a Canow that much desired one of our men to go up to their 
Basshabes, but we knew their intents, and so turned them off; and though 
we had both time and provision to have discovered much more, and might 
have found peradventure good trade, yet because our company was but small, 
we would not hazzard so hopefull a businesse as this was, either for our 
private, or particular ends, being more regardfull of a publicke good, and 
promulgating Gods holy Church by planting Christianity, which was the 
intent of our adventurers so well as ours; returning by the Isles in the 
entry of the Sound we called them St. Georges Isles, & because on sunday 
we set

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out of England, on sunday also the 16. of June we departed hence. When we 
had run 30. leagues we had 40. fadom, then 70. then 100. After 2. or 3. 
watches more we were in 24. fadoms, where we tooke so much Cod as we did 
know what to doe with, and the 18. of July came to Dartmouth, and all our 
men as well God be thanked as when they went forth.

Thus may you see;

God hath not all his gifts bestowed on all or any one,
Words sweetest, and wits sharpest, courage, strength of bone;
All rarities of minde and parts doe all concurre in none.

Written by James Rosier one of the Voyage.




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THE SECOND BOOKE.

The Sixt Voyage. 1606.

To another part of Virginia, where now are Planted our English Colonies, 
Whom God increase and preserve: Discovered and Described by Captaine John 
Smith, sometimes Governour of the Countrey.

1606. The latitude.

BY these former relations you may see what inconveniences still crossed 
those good intents, and how great a matter it was all this time to finde 
but a Harbour, although there be so many. But this Virginia is a Country 
in America betweene the degrees of 34. and 45. of the North latitude. The 
bounds thereof on the East side are the great Ocean: on the South lyeth 
Florida: on the North nova Francia: as for the West thereof, the limits 
are unknowne. Of all this Country we purpose not to speake, but onely of 
that part which was planted by the English men in the yeare of our Lord, 
1606. And this is under the degrees 37. 38. and 39. The temperature of 
this Country doth agree well with English constitutions, being once 
seasoned to the Country. Which appeared by this, that though by many 
occasions our people fell sicke; yet did they recover by very small 
meanes, and continued in health, though there were other

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great causes, not onely to have made them sicke, but even to end their 
dayes, &c.

The temperature.

The Sommer is hot as in Spaine; the Winter cold as in France or England. 
The heat of sommer is in June, July, and August, but commonly the coole 
Breeses asswage the vehemency of the heat. The chiefe of winter is halfe 
December, January, February, and halfe March. The colde is extreame 
sharpe, but here the Proverbe is true, that no extreame long continueth.

In the yeare 1607. was an extraordinary frost in most of Europe, and this 
frost was found as extreame in Virginia. But the next yeare for 8. or 10. 
dayes of ill weather, other 14. dayes would be as Sommer.

The windes.

The windes here are variable, but the like thunder and lightning to 
purifie the ayre, I have seldome either seene or heard in Europe. From the 
Southwest came the greatest gusts with thunder and heat. The North-west 
winde is commonly coole and bringeth faire weather with it. From the North 
is the greatest cold, and from the East and Southeast as from the 
Barmudas, fogs and raines.

Some times there are great droughts, other times much raine, yet great 
necessitie of neither, by reason we see not but that all the raritie of 
needfull fruits in Europe, may be there in great plentie, by the industry 
of men, as appeareth by those we there Planted.

The entrances. Cape Henry.

There is but one entrance by Sea into this Country, and that is at the 
mouth of a very goodly Bay, 18. or 20. myles broad. The cape on the South 
is called Cape Henry, in honour of our most noble Prince. The land white 
hilly sands like unto the Downes, and all along the shores great plentie 
of Pines and Firres.

Cape Charles.

The north Cape is called Cape Charles, in honour of the worthy Duke of 
Yorke. The Isles before it, Smith's Isles, by the name of the discoverer. 
Within is a country that may have the prerogative over the most pleasant 
places knowne, for large and pleasant navigable Rivers, heaven & earth 
never agreed better to frame a place for

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man's habitation; were it fully manured and inhabited by industrious 
people. Here are mountaines, hils, plaines, valleyes, rivers, and brookes, 
all running most pleasantly into a faire Bay, compassed but for the mouth, 
with fruitfull and delightsome land. In the Bay and rivers are many Isles 
both great & small, some woody, some plaine, most of them low and not 
inhabited. This Bay lyeth North and South, in which the water floweth 
neare 200. myles, and hath a channell for 140 myles, of depth betwixt 6 
and 15 fadome, holding in breadth for the most part 10 or 14 myles. From 
the head of the Bay to the Northwest, the land is mountanous, and so in a 
manner from thence by a Southwest line; so that the more Southward, the 
farther off from the Bay are those mountaines. From which fall certaine 
brookes which after come to five principall navigable rivers. These run 
from the Northwest into the South east, and so into the West side of the 
Bay, where the fall of every River is within 20 or 15 myles one of another.

The mountaines.

The mountaines are of divers natures: for at the head of the Bay the 
rockes are of a composition like Mill stones. Some of Marble, &c. And many 
peeces like Christall we found, as throwne downe by water from those 
mountaines. For in Winter they are covered with much snow, and when it 
dissolveth the waters fall with such violence, that it causeth great 
inundations in some narrow valleyes, which is scarce perceived being once 
in the rivers. These waters wash from the rocks such glistering tinctures, 
that the ground in some places seemeth as guilded, where both the rocks 
and the earth are so splendent to behold, that better judgements then ours 
might have beene perswaded, they contained more then probabilities. The 
vesture of the earth in most places doth manifestly prove the nature of 
the soyle to be lusty and very rich. The colour of the earth we found in 
diverse places, resembleth bole Armoniac, terra sigillata, and Lemnia, 
Fullers earth, Marle, and divers other such appearances. But generally for 
the most part

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it is a blacke sandy mould, in some places a fat slimy clay, in other 
places a very barren gravell. But the best ground is knowne by the vesture 
it beareth, as by the greatnesse of trees, or abundance of weeds, &c.

The valleyes. Plaines.

The Country is not mountanous, nor yet low, but such pleasant plaine hils, 
and fertile valleyes, one prettily crossing another, & watered so 
conveniently with fresh brookes and springs, no lesse commodious, then 
delight-some. By the rivers are many plaine marishes, containing some 20 
some 100. some 200 Acres, some more, some lesse. Other plaines there are 
few, but onely where the Salvages inhabit: but all overgrowne with trees & 
weeds, being a plaine wildernesse as God first made it.

The river Powhatan.

On the west side of the Bay, we sayd were 5. faire and delightfull 
navigable rivers. The first of those, and the next to the mouth of the Bay 
hath his course from the West Northwest. It is called Powhatan, according 
to the name of a principall country that lyeth upon it. The mouth of this 
river is neare three myles in breadth, yet doe the shoules force the 
Channell so neare the land, that a Sacre will overshoot it at point 
blanke. It is navigable 150 myles, the shouldes and soundings are here 
needlesse to be expressed. It falleth from Rockes farre west in a Country 
inhabited by a nation they call Monacans. But where it commeth into our 
discovery it is Powhatan. In the farthest place that was diligently 
observed, are falles, rockes, shoules, &c. which makes, it past navigation 
any higher. Thence in the running downeward, the river is enriched with 
many goodly brookes, which are maintained by an infinit number of small 
rundles and pleasant springs, that disperse themselves for best service, 
as do the veines of a mans body. From the South there fals into it: First, 
the pleasant river of Apamatuck. Next more to the East are two small 
rivers of Quiyoughcohanocke. A little farther is a Bay wherein falleth 3 
or 4 prettie brookes & creekes that halfe intrench the Inhabitants of 
Warraskoyac, then

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the river of Nandsamund, and lastly the brooke of Chisapeack. From the 
North side is the river of Chickahamania, the backe river of James Towne; 
another by the Cedar Isle, where we lived ten weekes upon Oysters, then a 
convenient harbour for Fisher boats at Kecoughtan, that so turneth it 
selfe into Bayes and Creekes, it makes that place very pleasant to 
inhabit; their cornefields being girded therein in a manner as 
Peninsulaes. The most of these rivers are inhabited by severall nations, 
or rather families, of the name of the rivers. They have also over those 
some Governour, as their King, which they call Werowances. In a Peninsula 
on the North side of this river are the English Planted in a place by them 
called James Towne, in honour of the Kings most excellent Majestie.

James Towne. The severall Inhabitants.

The first and next the rivers mouth are the Kecoughtans, who besides their 
women & children, have not past 20. fighting men. The Paspaheghes (on 
whose land is seated James Towne, some 40 myles from the Bay) have not 
past 40. The river called Chickahamania neare 250. The Weanocks 100. The 
Arrowhatocks 30. The place called Powhatan, some 40. On the South side 
this river the Appamatucks have sixtie fighting men. The Quiyougcohanocks 
25. The Nandsamunds 200. The Chesapeacks 100. Of this last place the Bay 
beareth the name. In all these places is a severall commander, which they 
call Werowance, except the Chickahamanians, who are governed by the 
Priests and their Assistants, or their Elders called Caw-cawwassoughes. In 
sommer no place affordeth more plentie of Sturgeon, nor in winter more 
abundance of foule, especially in the time of frost. I tooke once 52. 
Sturgeons at a draught, at another 68. From the later end of May till the 
end of June are taken few, but yong Sturgeons of two foot, or a yard long. 
From thence till the midst of September, them of two or three yards long 
and few others. And in 4 or 5, houres with one Net were ordinarily taken 7 
or 8: often more, seldome lesse. In the small rivers all the yeare

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there is good plentie of small fish, so that with hookes those that would 
take paines had sufficient.

R. Pamaunkee. The inhabitants.

Foureteene myles Northward from the river Powhatan, is the river 
Pamaunkee, which is navigable 60 or 70 myles, but with Catches and small 
Barkes 30 or 40 myles farther. At the ordinary flowing of the salt water, 
it divideth it selfe into two gallant branches. On the South side inhabit 
the people of Youghtanund, who have about 60 men for warres. On the North 
branch Mattapament, who have 30 men. Where this river is divided the 
Country is called Pamaunkee, and nourisheth neare 300 able men. About 25. 
myles lower on the North side of this river is Werawocomoco, where their 
great King inhabited when I was delivered him prisoner; yet there are not 
past 40 able men. Ten or twelve myles lower, on the South side of this 
river, is Chiskiack, which hath some 40 or 50 men. These, as also 
Apamatuck, Irrohatock, and Powhatan are their great Kings chiefe alliance, 
and inhabitants. The rest his Conquests.

Payankatank, R.

Before we come to the third river that falleth from the mountaines, there 
is another river (some 30 myles navigable) that commeth from the Inland, 
called Payankatanke, the Inhabitants are about 50 or 60 serviceable men.

Toppahanock, R. The inhabitants.

The third navigable river is called Toppahanock. (This is navigable some 
130 myles) At the top of it inhabit the people called Mannahoacks amongst 
the mountaines, but they are above the place we described. Upon this river 
on the North side are the people Cuttatawomen, with 30 fighting men. 
Higher are the Moraughtacunds, with 80. Beyond them Rapahanock with 100. 
Far above is another Cuttatawomen with 20. On the South is the pleasant 
seat of Nantaughtacund having 150 men. The river also as the two former, 
is replenished with fish and foule.

Patawormek, R.

The fourth river is called Patawomeke, 6 or 7 myles in breadth. It is 
navigable 140 myles, and fed as the rest with many sweet rivers and 
springs, which fall from

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the bordering hils. These hils many of them are planted, and yeeld no 
lesse plentie and varietie of fruit, then the river exceedeth with 
abundance of fish. It is inhabited on both sides. First on the South side 
at the very entrance is Wighcocomoco & hath some 130 men, beyond them 
Sekacawone with 30. The Onawmanient with 100. And the Patawomekes more 
then 200. Here doth the river divide it selfe into 3 or 4 convenient 
branches. The greatest of the least is called Quiyough, trending 
Northwest, but the river it selfe turneth Northeast, and is still a 
navigable streame. On the Westerne side of this bought is Tauxenent with 
40 men. On the North of this river is Secowocomoco with 40. Somewhat 
further Potapaco with 20. In the East part is Pamacaeack with 60. After 
Moyowance with 100. And lastly, Nacotchtanke with 80. The river above this 
place maketh his passage downe a low pleasant valley overshaddowed in many 
places with high rocky mountaines; from whence distill innumerable sweet 
and pleasant springs.

Pawtuxunt, R.

The fift river is called Pawtuxunt, of a lesse proportion then the rest; 
but the channell is 16 fadome deepe in some places. Here are infinit skuls 
of divers kindes of fish more then elswhere. Upon this river dwell the 
people called Acquintanacksuak, Pawtuxunt, and Mattapanient. Two hundred 
men was the greatest strength that could be there perceived. But they 
inhabit together, and not so dispersed as the rest. These of all other we 
found most civill to give intertainement.

Bolus, R. The head of the Bay.

Thirtie leagues Northward is a river not inhabited, yet navigable; for the 
red clay resembling bole Armoniack we called it Bolus. At the end of the 
Bay where it is 6 or 7 myles in breadth, it divides it selfe into 4. 
branches, the best commeth Northwest from among the mountaines, but though 
Canows may goe a dayes journey or two up it, we could not get two myles up 
it with our boat for rockes. Upon it is seated the Sasquesahanocks, neare 
it North and by West runneth a creeke a myle and a halfe: at the head 
whereof the Ebbe left us on shore,

Page 50

where we found many trees cut with hatchets. The next tyde keeping the 
shore to seeke for some Salvages; (for within thirtie leagues sayling, we 
saw not any, being a barren Country,) we went up another small river like 
a creeke 6 or 7 myle. From thence returning we met 7 Canowes of the 
Massowomeks, with whom we had conference by signes, for we understood one 
another scarce a word: the next day we discovered the small river & people 
of Tockwhogh trending Eastward.

Having lost our Grapnell among the rocks of Sasquesahanocks, we were then 
neare 200 myles from home, and our Barge about two tuns, and had in it but 
12 men to performe this Discovery, wherein we lay above 12 weekes upon 
those great waters in those unknowne Countries, having nothing but a 
little meale, oatemeale and water to feed us, and scarce halfe sufficient 
of that for halfe that time, but what provision we got among the Salvages, 
and such rootes and fish as we caught by accident, and Gods direction; nor 
had we a Mariner nor any had skill to trim the sayles but two saylers and 
my selfe, the rest being Gentlemen, or them were as ignorant in such toyle 
and labour. Yet necessitie in a short time by good words and examples made 
them doe that that caused them ever after to feare no colours. What I did 
with this small meanes I leave to the Reader to judge, and the Mappe I 
made of the Country, which is but a small matter in regard of the 
magnitude thereof. But to proceed, 60 of those Sasquesahanocks came to us 
with skins, Bowes, Arrows, Targets, Beads, Swords, and Tobacco pipes for 
presents. Such great and well proportioned men are seldome seene, for they 
seemed like Giants to the English, yea and to the neighbours, yet seemed 
of an honest and simple disposition, with much adoe restrained from 
adoring us as Gods. Those are the strangest people of all those Countries, 
both in language & attire; for their language it may well beseeme their 
proportions, sounding from them, as a voyce in a vault. Their attire is 
the skinnes of Beares, and Woolves, some

Page 51

have Cassacks made of Beares heads & skinnes, that a moans head goes 
through the skinnes neck, and the eares of the Beare fastned to his 
shoulders, the nose and teeth hanging downe his breast, another Beares 
face split behind him, and at the end of the nose hung a Pawe, the halfe 
sleeves comming to the elbowes were the neckes of Beares, and the armes 
through the mouth with pawes hanging at their noses. One had the head of a 
Woolfe hanging in a chaine for a Jewell, his Tobacco pipe three quarters 
of a yard long, prettily carved with a Bird, a Deere, or some such devise 
at the great end, sufficient to beat out ones braines: with Bowes, 
Arrowes, and clubs, sutable to their greatnesse. These are scarse knowne 
to Powhatan. They can make neare 600 able men, and are pallisadoed in 
their Townes to defend them from the Massawomekes their mortall enemies. 
Five of their chiefe Werowances came aboord us, and crossed the Bay in 
their Barge. The picture of the greatest of them is signified in the 
Mappe. The calfe of whose leg was three quarters of a yard about, and all 
the rest of his limbes so answerable to that proportion, that he seemed 
the goodliest man we ever beheld. His hayre, the one side was long, the 
other shore close with a ridge over his crowne like a cocks combe. His 
arrowes were five quarters long, headed with the splinters of a white 
christall-like stone, in forme of a heart, an inch broad, and an inch and 
a halfe or more long. These he wore in a Woolves skinne at his backe for 
his Quiver, his bow in the one hand and his clubbe in the other, as is 
described.

Tockwhogh, R. Rapahanock, R.

On the East side the Bay, is the river Tockwhogh, and upon it a people 
that can make 100 men, seated some seaven myles within the river: where 
they have a Fort very well pallisadoed and mantelled with barkes of trees. 
Next them is Ozinies with sixty men. More to the South of that East side 
of the Bay, the river Rapahanock, neere unto which is the river 
Kuskarawaock, Upon which is seated a people with 200 men. After that, is 
the river

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Wighcocomoco, R. Accomack, R. Tants Wighcocomoco, & on it a people with 
100 men. The people of those rivers are of little stature, of another 
language from the rest, & very rude. But they on the river Acohanock with 
40 men, & they of Accomack 80 men doth equalize any of the Territories of 
Powhatan, and speake his language, who over all those doth rule as King.

Chawoneck. The severall languages.

Southward we went to some parts of Chawonock and the Mangoags to search 
for them left by Mr White. Amongst those people are thus many severall 
Nations of sundry Languages, that environ Powhatans Territories. The 
Chawonockes, the Mangoags, the Monacans, the Mannahokes, the Masawomekes, 
the Powhatans, the Sasquesahanocks, the Atquanachukes, the Tockwoghes, and 
the Kuscarawaokes. All those not any one understandeth another but by 
Interpreters. Their severall habitations are more plainly described by 
this annexed Mappe, which will present to the eye, the way of the 
mountaines, and current of the rivers, with their severall turnings, 
bayes, shoules, Isles, Inlets, and creekes, the breadth of the waters, the 
distances of places, and such like. In which Mappe observe this, that as 
far as you see the little Crosses on rivers, mountaines, or other places 
have beene discovered; the rest was had by information of the Savages, and 
are set downe according to their instructions.

Thus have I walkt a wayless way, with uncouth pace,
Which yet no Christian man did ever trace:
But yet I know this not affects the minde,
Which eares doth heare, as that which eyes doe finde.

Of such things which are naturally in Virginia, and how they use them.

Why there is little grasse.

VIrginia doth afford many excellent vegetables, and living Creatures, yet 
grasse there is little or none, but what groweth in low Marishes: for all 
the Countrey is overgrowne with trees, whose droppings continually

Page 53

turneth their grasse to weeds, by reason of the rancknes of the ground, 
which would soone be amended by good husbandry. The wood that is most 
common is Oke and Walnut, many of their Okes are so tall & straight, that 
they will beare two foote and a halfe square of good timber for 20 yards 
long; Of this wood there is two or three severall kinds. The Acornes of 
one kinde, whose barke is more white then the other, & somewhat sweetish, 
which being boyled, at last affords a sweet oyle, that they keepe in 
gourds to annoint their heads and joynts. The fruit they eate made in 
bread or otherwise. There is also some Elme, some blacke Walnut tree, and 
some Ash: of Ash and Elme they make sope Ashes. If the trees be very 
great, the Ashes will be good, and melt to hard lumps, but if they be 
small, it will be but powder, and not so good as the other. Of walnuts 
there is 2 or 3 kindes; there is a kinde of wood we called Cypres, because 
both the wood, the fruit, and leafe did most resemble it, and of those 
trees there are some neare three fadome about at the foot, very straight, 
and 50, 60, or 80 foot without a branch. By the dwelling of the Salvages 
are some great Mulberry trees, and in some parts of the Countrey, they are 
found growing naturally in prettie groves. There was an assay made to make 
silke, and surely the wormes prospered excellent well, till the master 
workeman fell sicke. During which time they were eaten with Rats.

Walnuts. Supposed Cypres. Mulberries. Chesnuts.

In some parts were found some Chesnuts, whose wild fruit equalize the best 
in France, Spaine, Germany, or Italy. Plums there are of three sorts. The 
red and white are like our hedge plums, but the other which they call 
Putchamins, grow as high as a Palmeta: the fruit is like a Medler; it is 
first greene, then yellow, and red when it is ripe; if it be not ripe, it 
will draw a mans mouth awry, with much torment, but when it is ripe, it is 
as delicious as an Apricot.

Cherries.

They have Cherries, and those are much like a Damson, but for their tastes 
and colour we called them Cherries. We saw some few Crabs, but very small 
and bitter. Of

Page 54

vines great abundance in many parts that climbe the toppes of the highest 
trees in some places, but these beare but few grapes. Except by the rivers 
& savage habitations, where they are not overshadowed from the sunne, they 
are covered with fruit, though never pruined nor manured. Of those hedge 
grapes we made neere twentie gallons of wine, which was like our French 
Brittish wine, but certainely they would prove good were they well 
manured. There is another sort of grape neere as great as a Cherry, this 
they call Messamins, they be fatte, and the juyce thicke. Neither doth the 
taste so well please when they are made in wine. They have a small fruit 
growing on little trees, husked like a Chesnut, but the fruit most like a 
very small Acorne. This they call Chechinquamins, which they esteeme a 
great daintie. They have a berry much like our Gooseberry, in greatnesse, 
colour, and tast; those they call Rawcomens, and doe eat them raw or 
boyled. Of these naturall fruits they live a great part of the yeare, 
which they use in this manner; The Walnuts, Chesnuts, Acornes, and 
Chechinquamins are dryed to keepe. When they need walnuts they breake them 
betweene two stones, yet some part of the shels will cleave to the fruit. 
Then doe they dry them againe upon a Mat over a hurdle. After they put it 
into a morter of wood, and beat it very small: that done they mix it with 
water, that the shels may sinke to the bottome. This water will be 
coloured as milke, which they call Pawcohiccora, and keepe it for their 
use. The fruit like Medlers they call Putchamins, they cast upon hurdles 
on a Mat, and preserve them as Pruines. Of their Chesnuts and 
Chechinquamins boyled, they make both broath and bread for their chiefe 
men, or at their greatest feasts. Besides those fruit trees, there is a 
white Popular, and another tree like unto it, that yeeldeth a very cleare 
and an odoriferous Gumme like Turpentine, which some called Balsom. There 
are also Cedars and Saxafras trees. They also yeeld gummes in a small 
proportion of themselves. Wee tryed conclusions to

Page 55

extract it out of the wood, but nature afforded more then our arts.

Berries.

In the watry valleyes groweth a Berry which they call Ocoughtanamnis very 
much like unto Capers. These they dry in sommer. When they eat them they 
boile them neare halfe a day; for otherwise they differ not much from 
poyson. Mattoum groweth as our Bents.

Matoum.

The seed is not much unlike to Rie, though much smaller. This they use for 
a daintie bread buttered with deare suet.

Strawberries.

During Sommer there are either Strawberries, which ripen in Aprill, or 
Mulberries which ripen in May and June. Raspises, hurts; or a fruit that 
the inhabitants call Maracocks, which is a pleasant wholsome fruit much 
like a Lemond. Many herbes in the spring are commonly dispersed throughout 
the woods, good for brothes and sallets, as Violets, Purslain, Sorrell, 
&c. Besides many we used whose names we know not.

Hearbes. Rootes.

The chiefe root they have for food is called Tockawhoughe. It groweth like 
a flagge in Marishes. In one day a Salvage will gather sufficient for a 
weeke. These roots are much of the greatnesse and taste of Potatoes. They 
use to cover a great many of them with Oke leaves and Ferne, and then 
cover all with earth in the manner of a Colepit; over it, on each side, 
they continue a great fire 24 houres before they dare eat it. Raw it is no 
better then poyson, and being rosted, except it be tender and the heat 
abated, or sliced and dryed in the Sunne, mixed with sorrell and meale or 
such like, it will prickle and torment the throat extreamely, and yet in 
sommer they use this ordinarily for bread.

Wighsacan a roote. Pacones a small roote.

They have another roote which they call Wighsacan: as th'other feedeth the 
body, so this cureth their hurts and diseases. It is a small root which 
they bruise and apply to the wound. Pocones is a small root that groweth 
in the mountaines, which being dryed and beate in powder turneth red. And 
this they use for swellings, aches, annointing their joynts, painting 
their heads and garments.

Page 56

They account it very precious, and of much worth. Musquaspen is a roote of 
the bignesse of a finger, and as red as bloud. In drying, it will wither 
almost to nothing. This they use to paint their Mattes, Targets, and such 
like.

Pellitory. Sasafrage.

There is also Pellitory of Spaine, Sasafrage, and divers other simples, 
which the Apothecaries gathered, and commended to be good, and medicinable.

Onyons.

In the low Marishes grow plots of Onyons, containing an Acre of ground or 
more in many places; but they are small, not past the bignesse of the 
toppe of ones Thumbe.

Their chiefe beasts are Deere. Aroughcun. Squirrels.

Of beasts the chiefe are Deere, nothing differing from ours. In the 
deserts towards the heads of the rivers, there are many, but amongst the 
rivers few. There is a beast they call Aroughcun, much like a badger, but 
useth to live on trees as Squirrels doe. Their Squirrels some are neare as 
great as our smallest sort of wilde Rabbets, some blackish or blacke and 
white, but the most are gray.

Assapanick, a Squirrel flying. Opassom.

A small beast they have they call Assapanick, but we call them flying 
Squirrels, because spreading their legs, and so stretching the largenesse 
of their skins, that they have beene seene to fly 30 or 40 yards. An 
Opassom hath a head like a Swine, and a taile like a Rat, and is of the 
bignesse of a Cat. Under her belly shee hath a bagge, wherein she lodgeth, 
carrieth, and suckleth her young. A Mussascus is a beast of the forme and 
nature of our water Rats, but many of them smell exceeding strongly of 
Muske. Their Hares no bigger then our Conies, and few of them to be found.

Mussascus. Beares. The Beaver.

Their Beares are very little in comparison of those of Muscovia and 
Tartaria. The Beaver is as big as an ordinary water dog, but his legs 
exceeding short. His forefeete like a dogs, his hinder feet like a Swans. 
His taile somewhat like the forme of a Racket, bare without haire, which 
to eat the Salvages esteeme a great delicate. They have many Otters, which 
as the Beavers they take with snares, and esteeme the skins great 
ornaments, and

Page 57

of all those beasts they use to feed when they catch them. An Utchunquoyes 
is like a wilde Cat. Their Foxes are like our silver haired Conies, of a 
small proportion, and not smelling like those in England. Their Dogges of 
that Country are like their Woolves; and cannot barke but howle, and the 
Woolves not much bigger then our English Foxes. Martins, Powlecats, 
Weesels, and Minkes we know they have, because we have seene many of their 
skinnes, though very seldome any of them alive. But one thing is strange, 
that we could never perceive their Vermine destroy our Hennes, Egges, nor 
Chickens, nor doe any hurt, nor their flyes nor serpents any way 
pernicious, where in the South parts of America they are alwayes 
dangerous, and often deadly.

Martins. Polcats. Weesels, and Minkes. Birds.

Of Birds the Eagle is the greatest devourer. Hawkes there be of divers 
sorts, as our Falconers called them: Sparrow-hawkes, Lanarets, Goshawkes, 
Falcons and Osperayes, but they all prey most upon fish. Their Partridges 
are little bigger then our Quailes. Wilde Turkies are as bigge as our 
tame. There are Woosels or Blackbirds with red shoulders, Thrushes and 
divers sorts of small Birds, some red, some blew, scarce so bigge as a 
Wrenne, but few in Sommer. In Winter there are great plentie of Swans, 
Cranes, gray and white with blacke wings, Herons, Geese, Brants, Ducke, 
Wigeon, Dotterell, Oxeies, Parrats, and Pigeons. Of all those sorts great 
abundance, and some other strange kinds, to us unknowne by name. But in 
Sommer not any, or a very few to be seene.

Fish.

Of fish we were best acquainted with Sturgeon, Grampus, Porpus, Seales, 
Stingraies, whose tailes are very dangerous. Bretts, Mullets, white 
Salmonds, Trowts, Soles, Plaice, Herrings, Conyfish, Rockfish, Eeles, 
Lampreys, Catfish, Shades, Pearch of three sorts, Crabs, Shrimps, 
Crevises, Oysters, Cocles, and Muscles. But the most strange fish is a 
small one, so like the picture of St. George his Dragon, as possible can 
be, except his legs and wings, and the Toadefish, which will swell

Page 58

till it be like to burst, when it commeth into the ayre.

The rockes.

Concerning the entrailes of the earth, little can be said for certaintie. 
There wanted good Refiners; for those that tooke upon them to have skill 
this way, tooke up the washings from the mountaines, and some moskered 
shining stones and spangles which the waters brought downe, flattering 
themselves in their owne vaine conceits to have beene supposed what they 
were not, by the meanes of that ore, if it proved as their arts and 
judgements expected. Onely this is certaine, that many regions lying in 
the same latitude, afford Mines very rich of divers natures. The crust 
also of these rockes would easily perswade a man to beleeve there are 
other Mines then yron and steele, if there were but meanes and men of 
experience that knew the Mine from Spar.

Of their Planted fruits in Virginia, and how they use them.

How they divide the yeare.

They divide the yeare into five seasons. Their winter some call Popanow, 
the spring Cattapeuk, the sommer Cohattayough, the earing of their Corne 
Nepinough, the harvest and fall of leafe Taquitock. From September untill 
the midst of November are the chiefe feasts & sacrifice. Then have they 
plentie of fruits as well planted as naturall, as corne, greene and ripe, 
fish, fowle, and wilde beasts exceeding fat.

How they prepare the ground.

The greatest labour they take, is in planting their corne, for the Country 
naturally is overgrowne with wood. To prepare the ground they bruise the 
barke of the trees neare the root, then doe they scortch the roots with 
fire that they grow no more. The next yeare with a crooked peece of wood 
they beat up the weeds by the rootes, and in that mould they plant their 
Corne. Their manner is this. They make a hole in the earth with a sticke, 
and into it they put foure graines of wheate and two of beanes. These 
holes they make foure foote one from another; Their women and children do 
continually

Page 59

keepe it with weeding, and when it is growne middle high, they hill it 
about like a hop-yard.

How they plant.

In Aprill they begin to plant, but their chiefe plantation is in May, and 
so they continue till the midst of June. What they plant in Aprill they 
reape in August, for May in September, for June in October; Every stalke 
of their corne commonly beareth two eares, some three, seldome any foure, 
many but one, and some none. Every eare ordinarily hath betwixt 200 and 
500 graines. The stalke being greene hath a sweet juice in it, somewhat 
like a sugar Cane, which is the cause that when they gather their corne 
greene, they sucke the stalkes: for as we gather greene pease, so doe they 
their corne being greene, which excelleth their old. They plant also pease 
they call Assentamens, which are the same they call in Italy, Fagioli. 
Their Beanes are the same the Turkes call Garnanses, but these they much 
esteeme for dainties.

How they use their Corne.

Their corne they rost in the eare greene, and bruising it in a morter of 
wood with a Polt, lap it in rowles in the leaves of their corne, and so 
boyle it for a daintie. They also reserve that corne late planted that 
will not ripe, by roasting it in hot ashes, the heat thereof drying it. In 
winter they esteeme it being boyled with beanes for a rare dish, they call 
Pausarowmena. Their old wheat they first steepe a night in hot water, in 
the morning pounding it in a morter. They use a small basket for their 
Temmes, then pound againe the great, and so separating by dashing their 
hand in the basket, receive the flower in a platter made of wood, scraped 
to that forme with burning and shels. Tempering this flower with water, 
they make it either in cakes, covering them with ashes till they be baked, 
and then washing them in faire water, they drie presently with their owne 
heat: or else boyle them in water, eating the broth with the bread which 
they call Ponap. The groutes and peeces of the cornes remaining, by 
fanning in a Platter or in the wind away the branne, they boyle 3 or 4 
houres with water, which is an ordinary food they call Ustatahamen.

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But some more thriftie then cleanly, doe burne the core of the eare to 
powder, which they call Pungnough, mingling that in their meale, but it 
never tasted well in bread, nor broth. Their fish & flesh they boyle 
either very tenderly, or boyle it so long on hurdles over the fire, or 
else after the Spanish fashion, putting it on a spit, they turne first the 
one side, then the other, till it be as drie as their jerkin Beefe in the 
west Indies, that they may keepe it a moneth or more without putrifying. 
The broth of fish or flesh they eat as commonly as the meat.

Planted fruits.

In May also amongst their corne they plant Pumpeons, and a fruit like unto 
a muske mellon, but lesse and worse, which they call Macocks. These 
increase exceedingly, and ripen in the beginning of July, and continue 
untill September. They plant also Maracocks a wild fruit like a Lemmon, 
which also increase infinitely. They begin to ripe in September, and 
continue till the end of October. When all their fruits be gathered, 
little els they plant, and this is done by their women and children; 
neither doth this long suffice them, for neare three parts of the yeare, 
they onely observe times and seasons, and live of what the Country 
naturally affordeth from hand to mouth, &c.

The Commodities in Virginia, or that may be had by Industrie.

A proofe cattell will live well.

The mildnesse of the ayre, the fertilitie of the soyle, and situation of 
the rivers are so propitious to the nature and use of man, as no place is 
more convenient for pleasure, profit, and mans sustenance, under that 
latitude or climat. Here will live any beasts, as horses, goats, sheepe, 
asses, hens, &c. as appeared by them that were carried thether. The 
waters, Isles, and shoales, are full of safe harbours for ships of warre 
or marchandize, for boats of all sorts, for transportation or fishing, &c. 
The Bay and rivers have much marchantable fish, and places fit for Salt 
coats, building of ships, making of Iron, &c.

Page 61

The Commodities.

Muscovia and Polonia doe yearely receive many thousands, for pitch, tarre, 
sope-ashes, Rosen, Flax, Cordage, Sturgeon, Masts, Yards, Wainscot, 
Firres, Glasse, and such like; also Swethland for Iron and Copper. France 
in like manner, for Wine, Canvas, and Salt. Spaine asmuch for Iron, 
Steele, Figges, Reasons, and Sackes. Italy with Silkes and Velvets 
consumes our chiefe Commodities. Holland maintaines it selfe by fishing 
and trading at our owne doores. All these temporize with other for 
necessities, but all as uncertaine as peace or warres. Besides the charge, 
travell, and danger in transporting them, by seas, lands, stormes, and 
Pyrats. Then how much hath Virginia the prerogative of all those 
flourishing Kingdomes, for the benefit of our Land, when as within one 
hundred myles all those are to be had, either ready provided by nature, or 
else to be prepared, were there but industrious men to labour. Onely of 
Copper we may doubt is wanting, but there is good probabilitie that both 
Copper and better Minerals are there to be had for their labour. Other 
Countries have it. So then here is a place, a nurse for souldiers, a 
practise for mariners, a trade for marchants, a reward for the good, and 
that which is most of all, a businesse (most acceptable to God) to bring 
such poore Infidels to the knowledge of God and his holy Gospell.

Of the naturall Inhabitants of Virginia.

Seaven hundred men were the most were seene together when they thought to 
have surprised Captaine Smith.

The land is not populous, for the men be few; their far greater number is 
of women and children. Within 60 myles of James Towne, there are about 
some 5000 people, but of able men fit for their warres scarce 1500. To 
nourish so many together they have yet no meanes, because they make so 
small a benefit of their land, be it never so fertile. Six or seaven 
hundred have beene the most hath beene seene together, when they gathered 
themselves to have surprised mee at Pamaunkee, having but fifteene to 
withstand the worst of their fury. As small as the proportion of ground 
that hath yet beene

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discovered, is in comparison of that yet unknowne: the people differ very 
much in stature, especially in language, as before is expressed. Some 
being very great as the Sasquesahananocks; others very little, as the 
Wighcocomocoes: but generally tall and straight, of a comely proportion, 
and of a colour browne when they are of any age, but they are borne white. 
Their hayre is generally blacke, but few have any beards. The men weare 
halfe their beards shaven, the other halfe long; for Barbers they use 
their women, who with two shels will grate away the hayre, of any fashion 
they please. The women are cut in many fashions, agreeable to their 
yeares, but ever some part remaineth long. They are very strong, of an 
able body and full of agilitie, able to endure to lie in the woods under a 
tree by the fire, in the worst of winter, or in the weedes and grasse, in 
Ambuscado in the Sommer. They are inconstant in every thing, but what 
feare constraineth them to keepe. Craftie, timerous, quicke of 
apprehension, and very ingenuous. Some are of disposition fearefull, some 
bold, most cautelous, all Savage. Generally covetous of Copper, Beads, and 
such like trash. They are soone moved to anger, and so malicious, that 
they seldome forget an injury: they seldome steale one from another, least 
their conjurers should reveale it, and so they be pursued and punished. 
That they are thus feared is certaine, but that any can reveale their 
offences by conjuration I am doubtfull. Their women are carefull not to be 
suspected of dishonestie without the leave of their husbands. Each 
houshold knoweth their owne lands, and gardens, and most live of their 
owne labours. For their apparell, they are sometime covered with the 
skinnes of wilde beasts, which in Winter are dressed with the hayre, but 
in Sommer without. The better sort use large mantels of Deare skins, not 
much differing in fashion from the Irish mantels. Some imbrodered with 
white beads, some with Copper, other painted after their manner. But the 
common sort have scarce to cover their nakednesse, but with grasse, the 
leaves of trees, or such like.