Travels of Captaine John Smith Volume II - Pages 1-25



                            THE SECOND VOLUME
                                CONTAINING

               The Sixth Booke of the Generall Historie of
                  Virginia, New England, and The Summer
                  Isles; together with the True Travels,
                    Adventures and Observations, and
                              A Sea Grammar




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THE SIXTH BOOKE.

The Generall Historie of New-England.

COncerning this History you are to understand the Letters-Patents granted 
by his Majesty in 1606. for the limitation of Virginia, did extend from 
34. to 44. which was divided in two parts; namely, the first Colony and 
the second: the first was to the honourable City of London, and such as 
would adventure with them to discover and take their choice where they 
would, betwixt the degrees of 34. and 41. The second was appropriated to 
the Cities of Bristol, Exeter and Plimoth, &c. and the West parts of 
England, and all those that would adventure and joine with them, and they 
might make their choise any where betwixt the degrees of 38. and 44. 
provided there should bee at least 100. miles distance betwixt these 2 
Colonies, each of which had lawes, privileges and authoritie, for the 
government and advancing their severall Plantations alike. Now this part 
of America hath formerly beene called Norumbega, Virginia, Nuskoncus, 
Penaquida, Cannada, and such other names as those that ranged the Coast 
pleased. But because it was so mountainous, rocky and full of Iles, few 
have adventured much to trouble it, but as is formerly related; 
notwithstanding, that honourable Patron of vertue, Sir John Popham, Lord

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chiefe Justice of England, in the yeere 1606. procured meanes and men to 
possesse it, and sent Captaine George Popham for President, Captaine 
Rawley Gilbert for Admirall, Captaine Edward Harlow master of the 
Ordnance, Captaine Robert Davis Sargeant-Major, Captaine Elis Best 
Marshall, Master Seaman Secretary, Captaine James Davis to be Captaine of 
the Fort, Master Gome Carew chiefe Searcher: all those were of the 
Councell, who with some hundred more were to stay in the Country: they set 
saile from Plimoth the last of May, and fell with Monahigan the eleventh 
of August. At Sagadahock 9. or 10. leagues southward, they planted 
themselves at the mouth of a faire navigable River, but the coast all 
thereabouts most extreme stony and rocky: that extreme frozen Winter was 
so cold they could not range nor search the Country, and their provision 
so small, they were glad to send all but 45. of their company backe 
againe: their noble President Captaine Popham died, and not long after 
arrived two ships well provided of all necessaries to supply them, and 
some small time after another, by whom understanding of the death of the 
Lord chiefe Justice, and also of Sir John Gilbert, whose lands there the 
President Rawley Gilbert was to possesse according to the adventurers 
directions, finding nothing but extreme extremities, they all returned for 
England in the yeere 1608. and thus this Plantation was begunne and ended 
in one yeere, and the Country esteemed as a cold, barren, mountainous, 
rocky Desart.

Notwithstanding, the right Honourable Henry Earle of South-hampton and 
those of the Ile of Wight, imploied Captaine Edward Harlow to discover an 
Ile supposed about Cape Cod, but they found their plots had much abused 
them, for falling with Monahigan, they found onely Cape Cod no Ile but the 
maine, there they detained three Salvages aboord them; called Pechmo, 
Monopet and Pekenimne, but Pechmo leapt over board, and got away; and not 
long after with his consorts cut their Boat

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from their sterne, got her on shore, and so filled her with sand, and 
guarded her with Bowes and Arrowes the English lost her: not forte from 
thence they had three men sorely wounded with Arrowes. Anchoring at the 
Ile of Nohono, the Salvages in their Canowes assaulted the Ship till the 
English Guns made them retire, yet here they tooke Sakaweston, that after 
he had lived many yeeres in England went a Souldier to the warres of 
Bohemia. At Capawe they tooke Coneconam and Epenow, but the people at 
Agawom used them kindly, so with five Salvages they returned for England, 
yet Sir Francis Popham sent divers times one Captaine Williams to 
Monahigan onely to trade and make core fish, but for any Plantations there 
was no more speeches. For all this, as I liked Virginia well, though not 
their proceedings, so I desired also to see this country, and spend some 
time in trying what I could finde for all those ill rumors and disasters.

From the relations of Captaine Edward Harlow and divers others.

My first voyage to New England. 1614.

In the month of Aprill 1614. at the charge of Capt. Marmaduke Roydon, 
Capt. George Langam, Mr. John Buley and Mr. William Skelton, with two 
ships from London, I chanced to arrive at Monahigan an Ile of America, in 
434. of Northerly latitude; our plot was there to take Whales, for which 
we had one Samuel Cramton and divers others expert in that faculty, & also 
to make trialls of a Mine of gold & copper; if those failed, Fish and Furs 
were then our refuge to make our 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 being a kinde of Jubartes, and 
not the Whale that yeelds Fins and Oile as we expected; for our gold it 
was rather the Masters device to get a voyage that projected it, then any 
knowledge he had at all of any such matter; Fish and Furs were now our 
guard, & by our late arrivall and

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long lingring about the Whale, the prime of both those seasons were past 
ere wee perceived it, wee thinking that their seasons served at all times, 
but we found it otherwise, for by the middest of June the fishing failed, 
yet in July and August some were taken, but not sufficient to defray so 
great a charge as our stay required: of dry fish we made about forty 
thousand, of Cor-fish about seven thousand. Whilest the Sailers fished, my 
selfe with eight others of them might best bee spared, ranging the Coast 
in a small Boat, we got for trifles neere eleven thousand Bever skinnes, 
one hundred Martins, as many Otters, and the most of them within the 
distance of twenty leagues: we ranged the Coast both East and West much 
further, but Eastward our commodities were not esteemed, they were so 
neere the French who afforded them better, with whom the Salvages had such 
commerce that only by trade they made exceeding great voyages, though they 
were without the limits of our precincts; during the time we tried those 
conclusions, not knowing the coast, nor Salvages habitations: with these 
Furres, the traine Oile and Cor-fish, I returned for England in the Barke, 
where within six moneths after our departure from the Downes, wee safely 
arrived backe; the best of this fish was sold for 5. li. the hundred, the 
rest by ill usage betwixt three pounds and 50. shillings. The other ship 
stayed to fit her selfe for Spaine with the dry fish which was sold at 
Maligo at forty Rialls the Quintall, each hundred weighing two quintals 
and a halfe. But one Thomas Hunt the Master of this ship (when I was gone) 
thinking to prevent that intent I had to make there a Plantation, thereby 
to keepe this abounding Countrey still in obscuritie, that onely he and 
some few Merchants more might enjoy wholly the benefit of the Trade, and 
profit of this Countrey, betraied foure and twenty of those poore Salvages 
aboord his ship, and most dishonestly and inhumanely for their kinde usage 
of me and all our men, caried them with him to Maligo, and there for a 
little private gaine sold those silly Salvages

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for Rials of eight; but this vilde act kept him ever after from any more 
imploiment to those parts. Now because at this time I had taken a draught 
of the Coast, and called it New England, yet so long he and his Consorts 
drowned that name with the Eccho of Cannaday, and some other ships from 
other parts also, that upon this good returne the next yeere went thither, 
that at last I presented this Discourse with the Map, to our most gracious 
Prince Charles, humbly intreating his Highnesse hee would please to change 
their barbarous names for such English, as posteritie might say Prince 
Charles was their God-father, which for your better understanding both of 
this Discourse and the Map, peruse this Schedule, which will plainly shew 
you the correspondency of the old names to the new, as his Highnesse named 
them.

How Prince Charles called the most remarkable places in New England.

The old names.             The new names. 
Cape Cod.                  Cape James. 
The Harbor at Cape Cod.    Milforth Haven. 
Chawum.                    Barwick. 
Accomack.                  Plimoth. 
Sagoquas.                  Oxford. 
Massachusets Mount.        Chevit hills. 
Massachusits River.        Charles River. 
Totan.                     Famouth. 
A great bay by Cape Anne.  Bristow. 
Cape Tragabigsanda.        Cape Anne. 
Naembeck.                  Bastable. 
Aggawom.                   Southampton. 
Smiths Iles.               Smiths Iles. 
Passataquack.              Hull. 
Accominticus.              Boston. 
Sassanows Mount.           Snowdon hill. 
Sowocatuck.                Ipswich. 
Bahanna.                   Dartmouth. 
A good Harbor within
that Bay.                  Sandwich. 
Ancociscos Mount.          Shuters hill. 
Ancocisco.                 The Base.

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The old names.             The new names. 
Anmoughcawgen.             Cambridge. 
Kenebecka.                 Edenborow. 
Sagadahock.                Leth. 
Pemmayquid.                S. Johns towne. 
Segocket.                  Norwich. 
Mecadacut.                 Dunbarton. 
Pennobscot.                Aberden. 
Nusket.                    Low mounds.

Those being omitted I named my selfe.

Monahigan.                 Battles Iles. 
Matinack.                  Willowbies Iles. 
Metinacus.                 Haughtons Iles.

The rest of the names in the Map, are places that had no names we did know.

Aspersions against New England.

But to continue the History succeedingly as neere with the day and yeere 
as may bee. Returning in the Barke as is said; it was my ill chance to put 
in at Plimoth, where imparting those my purposes to divers I thought my 
friends, whom as I supposed were interested in the dead Patent of this 
unregarded Countrey, I was so encouraged and assured to have the managing 
their authoritie in those parts during my life, and such large promises, 
that I ingaged my selfe to undertake it for them. Arriving at London, 
though some malicious persons suggested there was no such matter to be had 
in that so bad abandoned Countrey, for if there had, other could have 
found it so well as I; therefore it was to be suspected I had robbed the 
French men in New France or Cannada, and the Merchants set me forth seemed 
not to regard it, yet I found so many promised me such assistance, that I 
entertained Michael Cooper the Master of the Barke, that returned with me 
and others of the Company: how he dealt with others, or others with him, I 
know not; but my publike proceeding gave such

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encouragement, that it became so well apprehended by some few of the 
Virginia Company, as those projects for fishing onely was so well liked, 
they furnished Couper with route good ships to Sea, before they at Plimoth 
had made any provision at all for me; but onely a small Barke set out by 
them of the Ile of Wight. Some of Plimoth, and divers Gentlemen of the 
West Countrey, a little before I returned from New England, in search for 
a Mine of Gold about an Ile called Capawuck, Southwards from the Shoules 
of Cape James, as they were informed by a Salvage called Epenew; that 
having deluded them as it seems thus to get home, seeing they kept him as 
a prisoner in his owne Countrey, and before his friends, being a man of so 
great a stature, he was shewed up and downe London for money as a wonder, 
and it seemes of no lesse courage and authoritie, then of wit, strength, 
and proportion: for so well he had contrived his businesse, as many 
reported he intended to have surprised the ship; but seeing it could not 
be effected to his liking, before them all he leaped over-boord. Many shot 
they made at him, thinking they had shine him, but so resolute they were 
to recover his body, the master of the ship was wounded, and many of his 
company; And thus they lost him, & not knowing more what to do, returned 
againe to England with nothing, which so had discouraged all your West 
Countrey men, they neither regarded much their promises, and as little 
either me or the Countrey, till they saw the London ships gone and me in 
Plimoth according to my promise, as hereafter shall be related.

The Londoners send foure good ships to New England.

I must confesse I was beholden to the setters forth of the route ships 
that went with Couper, in that they offered me that imploiment if I would 
accept it; and I finde still my refusall incurred some of their 
displeasures, whose love and favour I exceedingly desired; and though they 
doe censure me opposite to their proceedings, they shall yet still in all 
my words and deeds finde, it is their error, not my fault that occasions 
their dislike: for having ingaged my selfe in this businesse to the West 
Countrey,

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I had beene very dishonest to have broke my promise, nor will I spend more 
time in discovery or fishing, till I may goe with a Company for a 
Plantation; for I know my grounds, yet every one to whom I tell them, or 
that reads this Booke, cannot put it in practise, though it may helpe any 
that hath seene or not seene to know much of those parts: And though they 
endevour to worke me out of my owne designes, I will not much envy their 
fortunes: but I would be sorry their intruding ignorance should by their 
defailments bring those certainties to doubtfulnesse. So that the 
businesse prosper I have my desire, be it by whomsoever 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 be contented.

The situation of New England.

New England is that part of America in the Ocean Sea, opposite to Nova 
Albion in the South Sea, discovered by the most memorable Sir Francis 
Drake in his Voyage about the world, in regard whereof this is stiled New 
England, being in the same latitude New France of it is Northwards, 
Southwards is Virginia, and all the adjoyning continent with new Granado, 
new Spaine, 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 be thus long unknowne, or not 
possessed by the Spaniards, and many such like demands: I intreat your 
pardons if I chance to be too plaine or tedious in relating my knowledge 
for plaine mens satisfaction.

Notes of Florida.

Florida is the next adjoyning to the Indies, which unprosperously was 
attempted to be planted by the French, a Countrey farre bigger then 
England, Scotland, France and Ireland, yet little knowne to any Christian, 
but by the wonderfull endevours of Ferdinando de Soto, a valiant Spaniard, 
whose writings in this age is the best guide knowne to search those parts.

Notes of Virginia.

Virginia is no Ile as many doe imagine, but part of the Continent 
adjoyning to Florida, whose bounds may

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be stretched to the magnitude thereof, without offence to any Christian 
Inhabitant, for from the degrees of thirtie to forty eight, his Majesty 
hath now enlarged his Letters Patents. The Coast extending South-west and 
North-east about sixteene or seventeene hundred miles, but to follow it 
aboord the shore may well be three thousand miles at the least: of which 
twentie miles is the most gives entrance into the Bay of Chisapeacke, 
where is the London Plantation, within which is a Countrey, as you may 
perceive by the Map, of that little I discovered, may well suffice three 
hundred thousand people to inhabit: but of it, and the discoveries of Sir 
Ralph Laine and Master Heriot, Captaine Gosnold, and Captaine Waymouth, 
they have writ so largely, that posteritie may be bettered by the fruits 
of their labours. But for divers others that have ranged those parts 
since, especially this Countrey now called New England, within a kenning 
sometimes of the shore; some touching in one place, some in another; I 
must intreat them pardon me for omitting them, or if I offend in saying, 
that their true descriptions were concealed, or never were 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 seven severall plots of 
those Northerne parts, so unlike each to other, or resemblance of the 
Country, as they did me no more good then so much waste paper, though they 
cost me more, it may bee it was not my chance to see the best; but lest 
others may be deceived as I was, or through dangerous ignorance hazard 
themselves as I did, I have drawne a Map from point to point, Ile to Ile, 
and Harbour to Harbour, with the Soundings, Sands, Rocks, and Land-markes, 
as I passed close aboord the shore in a little Boat; although there bee 
many things to bee observed, which the haste of other affaires did cause 
me to omit: for being sent more to get present Commodities, then knowledge 
of any discoveries for any future good, I had not power to search as I 
would; yet it will serve to direct any shall

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goe that waies to safe Harbours and the Salvages habitations: what 
Merchandize and Commodities for their labours they may finde, this 
following discourse shall plainly demonstrate.

Observations for presumtuous ignorant directors.

Thus you may see of these three thousand 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 goodnesse and true substance of the Land, 
we are for most part yet altogether ignorant of them, unlesse it be those 
parts about the Bay of Chisapeack and Sagadahock, but onely here and there 
where we have touched or 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 harbours and 
dangers by landing here or there in some River or Bay, tell thereby the 
goodnesse and substance of Spaine, Italy, Germany, Bohemia, Hungaria, and 
the rest; nay, there are many have lived fortie yeeres in London, and yet 
have scarce beene ten miles out of the Citie: so are there many have beene 
in Virginia many yeeres, and in New England many times, that doe know 
little more then the place they doe inhabit, or the Port where they 
fished, and when they come home, they will undertake they know all 
Virginia and New England, as if they were but two Parishes or little 
Ilands. By this you may perceive how much they erre, that thinke every one 
that hath beene in Virginia or New England, understandeth or knoweth what 
either of them are; Or that the Spaniards know one halfe quarter of those 
large Territories they possesse, no not so much as the true circumference 
of Terra incognita, whose large Dominions may equalize the goodnesse and 
greatnesse of America for any thing yet knowne. It is strange with what 
small power he doth range in the East-Indies, and few will understand the 
truth of his strength in America: where having so much to keepe with such 
a pampered force, they need not greatly feare

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his fury in Sommer Iles, Virginia, or New England, beyond whose bounds 
America doth stretch many thousand miles. Into the frozen parts whereof, 
one Master Hutson an English Mariner, did make the greatest discoverie of 
any Christian I know, where hee unfortunately was left by his cowardly 
Company, for his exceeding deserts, to end and die a most miserable death.

For Affrica, had not the industrious Portugals ranged her unknowne parts, 
who would have sought for wealth amongst those fried Regions of blacke 
brutish Negars, where notwithstanding all their wealth and admirable 
adventures and endevours more then one hundred and fortie yeeres, they 
know not one third part of those blacke habitations. But it is not a worke 
for every one to manage such an affaire, as make a discovery and plant a 
Colony, it requires all the best parts of art, judgement, courage, 
honesty, constancy, diligence, and industry, to doe but neere well; some 
are more proper for one thing then another, and therein best to be 
imploied: and nothing breeds more confusion then misplacing and 
misimploying men in their undertakings. Columbus, Courtes, Pitzara, Zoto, 
Magilanus, and the rest served more then a Prentiship, to learne how to 
begin their most memorable attempts in the West-Indies, which to the 
wonder of all ages successefully they effected, when many hundreds of 
others farre above them in the worlds opinion, being instructed but by 
relation, came to shame and confusion in actions of small moment, who 
doubtlesse in other matters were both wise, discreet, generous and 
couragious. I say not this to detract any thing from their incomparable 
merits, but to answer those questionlesse questions, that keepe us backe 
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 fruits of their labours his greatest power, glory and renowne.

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The Description of New England.

THat part we call New England, is betwixt the degrees of fortie one and 
fortie five, the very meane betwixt the North pole and the line; but that 
part this Discourse speaketh of, stretcheth but from Penobscot to Cape 
Cod, some seventie five leagues by a right line distant each from other; 
within which bounds I have seene at least fortie severall habitations upon 
the Sea Coast, and sounded about five and twentie excellent good Harbours, 
in many whereof there is anchorage for five hundred saile of ships of any 
burden; in some of them for one thousand, and more then two hundred Iles 
over-growne with good Timber of divers sorts of wood, which doe make so 
many Harbours, as required a longer time then I had to be well observed.

The principall Countries or governments.

The principall habitation Northward we were at, was Pennobscot: Southward 
along the Coast and up the Rivers, we found Mecadacut, Segocket, Pemaquid, 
Nuscoucus, Sagadahock, Avmoughcowgen, and Kenebeke; and to those Countries 
belong the people of Segotago, Paghhuntanuck, Pecopassum, Taughtanakagnet, 
Warbigganus, Nassaque, Masherosqueck, Wawrigweck, Moshoquen, Wakcogo, 
Pasharanack, &c. To these are alied in confederacy, the Countries of 
Ancocisco, Accomynticus, Passataquack, Aggawom, and Naemkeck: All these 
for any think I could perceive, differ little in language, fashion, or 
government, though most of them be Lords of themselves, yet they hold the 
Bashabes of Penobscot, the chiefe and greatest amongst them.

The next I can remember by name, are Mattahunts, two pleasant Iles of 
Groves, Gardens, and Corne fields a league in the Sea from the maine: Then 
Totant, Massachuset, Topent, Secassaw, Totheet, Nasrocomacack, Accomack, 
Chawum, Patuxet, Massasoyts, Pakanokick: then Cape Cod, by which is Pawmet 
and the Ile Nawset, of the language and aliance of them of Chawum; the 
others are called Massachusets, and differ somewhat in

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language, custome, and condition: for their Trade and Merchandize, to each 
of their principall families or habitations, they have divers Townes and 
people belonging, and by their relations and descriptions, more then 
twentie severall habitations and rivers that stretch themselves farre into 
the Countrey, even to the Borders of divers great Lakes, where they kill 
and take most of their Otters, from Pennobscot to Sagadahoc. This Coast is 
mountainous, and Iles of huge Rockes, but over-growne for most part, with 
most sorts of excellent good woods, for building Houses, Boats, Barks or 
Ships, with an incredible abundance of most sorts of Fish, much Fowle, and 
sundry sorts of good Fruits for mans use.

Betwixt Sagadahock, & Sowocatuck, there is but two or three Sandy Bayes, 
but betwixt that and Cape James very many: especially the Coast of the 
Massachusets is so indifferently mixed with high Clay or Sandy clifts in 
one place, and the tracts of large long ledges of divers sorts, and 
Quaries of stones in other places, so strangely divided with tinctured 
veines of divers colours: as Freestone for building, Slate for tyling, 
smooth stone to make Furnasses and Forges for Glasse and 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 clifts would make 
such Lime-stone: if they bee 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 ingage my head (having but men skilfull to worke 
the Simples there growing) to have all things belonging to the building 
and rigging of ships of any proportion and good Merchandise for their 
fraught, within a square of ten or foureteene leagues, and it were no hard 
matter to prove it within a lesse limitation.

A proofe of an excellent clime.

And surely by reason of those sandy clifts, and clifts of rocks, both 
which we saw so planted with Gardens

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and Corne fields, and so well inhabited with a goodly, strong, and well 
proportioned people, besides the greatnesse of the Timber growing on them, 
the greatnesse of the Fish, and the moderate temper of the aire (for of 
five and forty not a man was sicke, but two that were many yeares diseased 
before they went, notwithstanding our bad lodging and accidentall diet) 
who can but approve this a most excellent place, both for health and 
fertilitie: and of all the foure parts of the world I have yet seene not 
inhabited, could I have but means to transport a Colony, I would rather 
live here then any where, and if it did not maintaine it selfe, were we 
but once indifferently well fitted, let us starve.

Staple Commodities present. Observations of the Hollanders.

The maine staple from hence to bee extracted for the present, to produce 
the rest, is Fish, which howbeit may seeme a meane and a base Commoditie; 
yet who will but truly take the paines and consider the sequell, I thinke 
will allow it well worth the labour. It is strange to see, what great 
adventures the hopes of setting forth men of warre to rob the industrious 
innocent would procure, or such massie promises in grosse, though more are 
choaked then well fed with such hastie hopes. But who doth not know that 
the poore Hollanders chiefely by fishing at a great charge and labour in 
all weathers in the open Sea, are made a people so hardy and industrious, 
and by the venting this poore Commoditie to the Easterlings for as meane, 
which is Wood, Flax, Pitch, Tarre, Rozen, Cordage, and such like; which 
they exchange againe to the French, Spaniards, Portugals, and English, &c. 
for what they want, are made so mighty, strong, and rich, as no state but 
Venice of twice their magnitude is so well furnished, with so many faire 
Cities, goodly Townes, strong Fortresses, and that abundance of shipping, 
and all sorts of Merchandize, as well of Gold, Silver, Pearles, Diamonds, 
pretious Stones, Silkes, Velvets, and Cloth of Gold; as Fish, Pitch, Wood, 
or such grosse Commodities? What voiages and discoveries, East and West, 
North and South, yea about the world, make they? What an Army

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by Sea and Land have they long maintained, in despight of one of the 
greatest Princes of the world, and never could the Spaniard with all his 
Mines of Gold and Silver, pay his debts, his friends, and Army, halfe so 
truly as the Hollanders still have done by this contemptible Trade of 
Fish. Divers (I know) may alleage many other assistances; but this is the 
chiefest Mine, and the Sea the source of those silver streames of all 
their vertue, which hath made them now the very miracle of industry, the 
onely paterne of perfection for these affaires: and the benefit of fishing 
is that Primum Mobile that turnes all their spheares to this height, of 
plentie, strength, honor, and exceeding great admiration.

Note.

Herring, Cod, and Ling, is that triplicitie, that makes their wealth and 
shippings multiplicitie such as it is: and from which (few would thinke 
it) they should draw so many millions yeerely as they doe, as more in 
particular in the trials of New England you may see; and such an 
incredible number of ships, that breeds them so many Sailers, Mariners, 
Souldiers, and Merchants, 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 certainly, nor so much in quantitie, for want 
of experience: and this Herring they take upon the Coast of England and 
Scotland, their Cod and Ling upon the Coast of Izeland, and in the North 
seas, if wee consider what gaines the Hamburgans, the Biskinners, and 
French make by fishing; nay, but how many thousands this fiftie or sixty 
yeeres have beene maintained by New found land, where they take nothing 
but small Cod, where of the greatest they make Cor-fish, and the rest is 
hard dried, which we call Poore-John, would amaze a man with wonder. If 
then from all those parts such paines is taken for this poore gaines of 
Fish, especially by the Hollanders, that hath but little of their owne, 
for building of ships and setting them to sea; but at the second, third, 
fourth, or fift hand, drawne from so many parts of the world ere they come 
together to be used in those voiages:

Page 16 

Note.

If these (I say) can gaine, why should we more doubt then they; but doe 
much better, that may have most of all those things at our doores for 
taking and making, and here are no hard Landlords to racke us with high 
rents, or extorting fines, nor tedious pleas in Law to consume us with 
their many yeeres disputation for Justice; no multitudes to occasion such 
impediments to good orders as in popular States: so freely hath God and 
his Majestie bestowed those blessings, on them will attempt to obtaine 
them, as here every man may be master of his owne labour and land, or the 
greatest part (if his Majesties royall meaning be not abused) and if he 
have nothing but his hands, he may set up his Trade; and by industry 
quickly grow rich, spending but halfe that time well, which in England we 
abuse in idlenesse, worse, or as ill. Here is ground as good as any lieth 
in the height of forty one, forty two, forty three, &c. which is as 
temperate, and as fruitfull as any other parallel in the world.

Examples of the Altitude comparatively. In Spaine. In France.

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 Portugall, the ancient Kingdomes of Galizia, 
Bisky, Navarre, Aragon, Cattilonia, Castillia the old, and the most 
moderatest of Castillia the new & Valentia, which is the greatest part of 
Spaine; which if the Histories be true, in the Romans time abounded no 
lesse with gold & silver Mines, then now the West-Indies, the Romans then 
using the Spaniards to worke in those Mines, as now the Spaniards doe the 
Indians. In France the Provinces of Gascony, Langadocke, Avignon, 
Province, Dolphine, Pyamont, and Turyne, are in the same parallel, 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 Dukedomes 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

Page 17 

Kingdome of Naples. In Slavonia, Istria, and Dalmatia, with the Kingdomes 
of Albania. In Grecia those famous Kingdomes of Macedonia, Bullulgaria, 
Thessalia, Thracia, or Romania, where is seated the most pleasant and 
plentifull Citie in Europe, Constantinople.

In Asia. Beyond the line.

In Asia in the same latitude, are the temperatest parts of Natolia, 
Armenia, Persia, and China; besides divers other large Countries and 
Kingdomes in those most milde and temperate Regions of Asia. Southward in 
the same height is the richest of Gold Mines, Chily, and Baldinia, and the 
mouth of the great River of Plate, &c. for all the rest of the world in 
that height is yet unknowne. Besides these reasons, mine owne eies 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 hee created the world: Therefore I 
conclude, if the heart and intrailes of those Regions were sought, if 
their Land were cultured, planted, and manured by men of industry, 
judgement, and experience; what hope is there, or what need they doubt, 
having the advantages of the Sea, but it might equalize any of these 
famous Kingdomes in all commodities, pleasures, and conditions, seeing 
even the very hedges doe naturally affoord us such plentie, as no ship 
need returne away emptie, and onely use but the season of the Sea. Fish 
will returne an honest gaine, besides all other advantages, her treasures 
having yet never beene opened, nor her originals wasted, consumed, nor 
abused.

The particular staple commodities that may be had by industry.

And whereas it is said the Hollanders 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, as the 
Blacke Sea doth Grecia, Podolia, Sagovia, Natolia, and the Hellespont. 
Cape Blanke, Spaine, Portugall, and the Levant, with Mulit and Puttargo. 
New found land, the most part of the chiefe Southerne Ports in Europe, with

Page 18 

a thin Poore-John, which hath beene so long, so much over-laied with 
Fishers, as the fishing decaieth, so that many oft times are constrained 
to returne with a small fraught. Norway and Poland affoords Pitch and 
Tarre, Masts and Yards. Sweathland and Russia, Iron and Ropes. France and 
Spaine, Canvase, Wine, Steele, Iron, and Oile. Italy and Greece, Silkes 
and Fruits. I dare boldly say, because I have seene naturally growing or 
breeding in those parts, the same materials that all these are made of, 
they may as well bee had here, or the most part of them within the 
distance of seventie leagues for some few ages, as from all those parts, 
using but the same meanes to have them that they doe; but surely in 
Virginia, their most tender and daintiest fruits or commodities, would be 
as perfit as theirs, by reason of the heat, if not in New England, and 
with all those advantages.

The nature of the ground approved.

First, the ground is so fertill, that questionlesse it is capable of 
producing any Graine, Fruits, or Seeds, you will sow or plant, growing in 
the Regions aforenamed: But it may be not to that perfection of delicacy, 
because the Summer is not so hot, and the Winter is more cold in those 
parts we have yet tried neere the Sea side, then wee finde in the same 
height in Europe or Asia: yet I made a Garden upon the top of a Rocky Ile 
in three and forty degrees and an halfe, foure leagues from the maine in 
May, that grew so well, as it served us for Sallets in June and July. All 
sorts of Cattle may here be bred and fed in the Iles or Peninsulaes 
securely for nothing. In the Interim, till they increase (if need be) 
observing the seasons, I durst undertake to have Corne enough from the 
Salvages for three hundred men, for a few trifles; and if they should be 
untowards, as it is most certaine they will, thirtie or fortie good men 
will be sufficient to bring them all in subjection, and make this 
provision, if they understand what to doe; two hundred whereof may eight 
or nine moneths in the yeere be imploied in helping the Fisher-men, till 
the rest provide other necessaries, fit to furnish us with other 
Commodities.

Page 19 

The seasons for fishing approved.

In March, Aprill, May, and halfe June, heere is Cod in abundance; In May, 
June, July, and August, Mullit 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 the store in the 
Sea with 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 may have Cod againe to make Corefish or Poore-John: Hake you 
may have when the Cod failes in Summer, if you will fish in the night, 
which is better then Cod. Now each hundred you take here, is as good as 
two or three hundred in New found Land; so that halfe the labour in 
hooking, splitting and touring, is saved: And you may have your fish at 
what market you will, before they have any in New found land, where their 
fishing is chiefely but in June and July, where it is here in March, 
Aprill, May, September, October and November, as is said; so that by 
reason of this Plantation, the Merchants may have their fraught both out 
and home, which yeelds an advantage worth consideration. Your Core-fish 
you may in like manner transport as you see cause, to serve the Ports in 
Portugall, as Lisbone, Avera, Porta Port, and divers others, (or what 
market you please) before your Ilanders returne. They being tied to the 
season in the open Sea, and you having a double season, and fishing before 
your doores, may every night sleep quietly ashore with good cheere, and 
what fires you will, or when you please, with your wives and family: they 
onely and their ships in the maine Ocean, that must carie and containe all 
they use, besides their fraught. The Mullits here are in that abundance, 
you may take them with nets sometimes by hundreds, where at Cape Blanke 
they hooke them; yet those are but a foot and a halfe in length; these 
two, three, or foure, as oft I have measured, which makes me suspect they 
are some other kinde of fish, though they seeme the same, both in fashion 
and goodnesse. Much Salmon some have found up the

Page 20 

Rivers as they have passed, and here the aire is so temperate, as all 
these at any time may be preserved. Now, young Boies and Girles Salvages, 
or any other bee they never such idlers, may turne, carie or returne a 
fish, without either shame or any great paine: He is very idle that is 
past twelve yeeres of age and cannot doe so much, and she is very old that 
cannot spin a threed to make Engins to catch a fish.

The facilitie of the Plantation.

For their transportation, the ships that goe there to fish may transport 
the first: who for their passage will spare the charge of double manning 
their ships, which they must do in New found land to get their fraught; 
but one third part of that company are onely proper to serve a stage, 
carie a Barrow, and turne Poore-John; notwithstanding, they must have 
meat, drinke, clothes, & passage so well as the rest. Now all I desire is 
but this, That those that voluntarily will send shipping, should make here 
the best choice they can, or accept such as shall bee presented them to 
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, apparell, salt, nets, 
hookes, lines, and such like, as they spare of the remainings; who till 
the next returne may keepe their Boats, and doe them many other profitable 
offices. Provided, I have men of abilitie to teach them their functions, 
and a company fit for Souldiers to be ready upon any occasion, because of 
the abuses that have beene offered the poore Salvages, and the libertie 
that both French and English, or any that will, have 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, with free power to convert the benefit 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 begin 
the new Townes in New England, in memory of their old: which freedome 
being confined but

Page 21 

to the necessitie of the generall good, the event (with Gods helpe) might 
produce an honest, a noble, and a profitable emulation.

Present Commodities. Kermes. Musquasses. Bevers. Mines.

Salt upon Salt may assuredly be made, if not at the first in ponds, yet 
till they be provided this may be used: then the ships may transport Kine, 
Horse, Goats, course Cloth, 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 that provision be made for them against winter. Of 
certaine red berries called Kermes, which is worth ten shillings the 
pound, but of these have beene sold for thirty or forty shillings the 
pound, may yeerely be gathered a good quantity. Of the Muskrat may be well 
raised gaines worth their labour, that will endevour to make triall of 
their goodnesse. Of Bevers, Otters and Martins, blacke Foxes, and Furres 
of price, may yeerely be had six or seven thousand, and if the trade of 
the French were prevented, many more: 25000. this yeere were brought from 
those northerne parts into France, of which trade we may have as good part 
as the French if we take good courses. Of Mines of Gold and Silver, 
Copper, and probabilities of Lead, Crystall and Allum, I could say much if 
relations were good assurances; it is true indeed, I made many trialls 
according to the instructions I had, which doth perswade me I need not 
despaire but that there are metals in the Country: but I am no Alcumist, 
nor will promise more then I know: which is, who will undertake the 
rectifying of an iron Forge, if those that buy meat and drinke, coles, 
ore, and all necessaries at a deare rate, gaine, where all these things 
are to be had for taking up, in my opinion cannot lose.

Woods.

Of woods, seeing there is such plenty of all sorts, if those that build 
ships and boats, buy wood at so great a price, as it is in England, 
Spaine, France and Holland, and all other provisions for the nourishment 
of mans life,

Page 22 

live well by their trade; when labour is all required to take these 
necessaries without any other tax, what hazard will be here but to doe 
much better, and what commodity in Europe doth more decay then wood? for 
the goodnesse of the ground, let us take it fertill or barren, or as it 
is, seeing it is certaine it beares fruits to nourish and feed man & beast 
as well as England, and the Sea those severall sorts of fishes I have 
related: thus seeing all good things for mans sustenance may with this 
facility be had by a little extraordinary labour, till that transported be 
increased, & all necessaries for shipping onely for labour, to which may 
be added the assistance of the Salvages which may easily be had, if they 
be discreetly handled in their kinds, towards fishing, planting, and 
destroying woods, what gaines might be raised if this were followed (when 
there is but once men to fill your store houses dwelling there, you may 
serve all Europe better and farre cheaper then can the Iland Fishers, or 
the Hollanders, Cape-blanke, or Newfound land, who must be at much more 
charge then you) may easily be conjectured by this example.

An example of the gaines upon every yeere or six moneths returne.

Two thousand will fit out a ship of 200. tunnes, & one of 100. tuns, if of 
the dry fish they both make fraught, that of 200. and goe for Spaine, sell 
it but at ten shillings a quintall, but commonly it gives fifteene or 
twenty, especially when it commeth first, which amounts to 3. or 4000. 
pound, but say but ten, which is the lowest, allowing the rest for waste, 
it amounts at that rate to 2000. which is the whole charge of your two 
ships and the equipage, then the returne of the mony and the fraught of 
the ship for the vintage or any other voyage is cleere gaine, with your 
ship of one hundred tunnes of traine Oile and Corfish, besides the Bevers 
and other commodities, and that you may have at home within six moneths if 
God please to send but an ordinary passage; then saving halfe this charge 
by the not staying of your ships, your victuall, overplus of men and 
wages, with her fraught thither with necessaries for the Planters, the 
Salt being there made, as also may the nets and lines within a short time; 
if nothing

Page 23 

may be expected but this, it might in time equalize your Hollanders 
gaines, if not exceede them, having their fraughts alwaies ready against 
the arrivall of the ships, this would so increase our shipping and 
sailers, and so incourage and imploy a great part of our Idlers and others 
that want imployment fitting their qualities at home, where they shame to 
doe that they would doe abroad, that could they but once taste the sweet 
fruits of their owne labours, doubtlesse many thousands would be advised 
by good discipline to take more pleasure in honest industry, then in their 
humors of dissolute idlenesse.

A description of the Countrey in particular, and their situations.

But to returne a little more to the particulars of this Countrey, which I 
intermingle thus with my projects and reasons, not being so sufficiently 
yet acquainted in those parts, to write fully the estate of the Sea, the 
Aire, the Land, the Fruits, their Rocks, the People, the Government, 
Religion, Territories, Limitations, Friends and Foes: But as I gathered 
from their niggardly relations in a broken language, during the time I 
ranged those Countries, &c. the most Northerne part I was at, was the Bay 
of Pennobscot, which is East and West, North and South, more then ten 
leagues: but such were my occasions, I was constrained to be satisfied of 
them I found in the Bay, that the River ranne farre up into the Land, and 
was well inhabited with many people, but they were from their habitations, 
either fishing amongst the Iles, or hunting the Lakes and Woods for Deere 
and Bevers: the Bay is full of great Iles of one, two, six or eight miles 
in length, which divides it into many faire and excellent good Harbours. 
On the East of it are the Tarrentines, their mortall enemies, where 
inhabit the French, as they report, that 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 Tarrentines, 
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 foureteene or eighteene leagues from their situation.

Page 24 

Segocket is the next, then Nuskoucus, Pemmaquid, and Sagadahock: up this 
River, where was the Westerne Plantation, are Aumoughcawgen, Kinnebeke, 
and divers others, where are planted some Corne fields. Along this River 
thirtie or fortie miles, I saw nothing but great high clifts of barren 
Rocks overgrowne with Wood, but where the Salvages dwell there the ground 
is excellent salt, and fertill. Westward of this River is the Country of 
Aucocisco, in the bottome of a large deepe Bay, full of many great Iles, 
which divides it into many good Harbours. Sawocotuck is the next, in the 
edge of a large Sandy Bay, which hath many Rockes and Iles, but few good 
Harbours, but for Barkes I yet know; but all this Coast to Pennobscot, and 
as farre as I could see Eastward of it is nothing, but such high craggy 
clifty Rockes and stony Iles, that I wonder such great Trees could grow 
upon so hard foundations. It is a Countrey rather to affright then delight 
one, and how to describe a more plaine spectacle of desolation, or more 
barren, I know not, yet are those rocky Iles so furnished with good Woods, 
Springs, Fruits, Fish and Fowle, and the Sea the strangest Fish-pond I 
ever saw, that it makes me thinke, though the coast be rocky and thus 
affrightable, the Vallies and Plaines and interior parts may well 
notwithstanding be very fertill. But there is no Country so fertill hath 
not some part barren, and New-England is great enough to make many 
Kingdomes and Countries, were it all inhabited. As you passe the coast 
still westward, Accominticus and Passataquack are two convenient Harbours 
for small Barkes; and a good Country within their craggy clifts. Augoan is 
the next: this place might content a right curious judgement, but there 
are many sands at the entrance of the Harbour, and the worst is, it is 
imbayed too farre from the deepe Sea; here are many rising hils, and on 
their tops and descents are many corne fields and delightfull groves: On 
the East is an Ile of two or three leagues in length, the one halfe plaine 
marish ground, fit for pasture or salt Ponds, with many faire high

Page 25 

groves of Mulbery trees and Gardens; there is also Okes, Pines, Walnuts, 
and other wood to make this place an excellent habitation, being a good 
and safe Harbour.

Naiemkeck, though it be more rocky ground, for Augoan is sandy, not much 
inferiour neither for the harbour, nor any thing I could perceive but the 
multitude of people: from hence doth stretch into the Sea the faire 
headland Tragabigzanda, now called Cape An, fronted with the three Iles 
wee called the three Turkes heads; to the north of this doth enter a great 
Bay, where we found some habitations and Corne fields, they report a faire 
River and at least 30 habitations doth possesse this Country. But because 
the French had got their trade, I had no leisure to discover it: the Iles 
of Mattahunts are on the west side of this Bay, where are many Iles and 
some Rocks that appeare a great height above the water like the Pyramides 
in Egypt, and amongst them many good Harbours, and then the country of the 
Massachusits, which is the Paradice of all those parts, for here are many 
Iles planted with Corne, Groves, Mulberies, salvage Gardens and good 
Harbours, the Coast is for the most part high clayie sandy clifts, the sea 
Coast as you passe shewes you all along large Corne fields, and great 
troupes of well proportioned people: but the French having remained here 
neere six weekes, left nothing for us to take occasion to examine the 
Inhabitants relations, viz. if there be three thousand people upon those 
Iles, and that the River doth pierce many daies journey the entrailes of 
that Country: we found the people in those parts very kinde, but in their 
fury no lesse valiant, for upon a quarrell we fought with forty or fifty 
of them, till they had spent all their Arrowes, and then we tooke six or 
seven of their Canowes, which towards the evening they ransomed for Bever 
skinnes, and at Quonahasit falling out there but with one of them, he with 
three others crossed the Harbour in a Canow to certaine rockes whereby wee 
must passe, and there let flie their Arrowes for our shot, till we were 
out of danger, yet one of them was slaine, and another shot through his 
thigh.