Travels of Captaine John Smith Volume II - Pages 71-98



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Tusquantum at his death desired the English to pray he might go dwell with 
the English mens God, for theirs was a good God.

Captaine Standish being recovered, went to fetch them both, and traded at 
Namasket and Monomete, where the people had the plague, a place much 
frequented with Dutch and French. Here the Sachem put a man to death for 
killing his fellow at play, wherein they are so violent, they will play 
their coats from their backs, and also their wives, though many miles from 
them. But our provision decaying, Standish is sent to Mattachist, where 
they pretended their wonted love; yet it plainly appeared they intended to 
kill him. Escaping thence, wee went to Monomete, where we found nothing 
but bad countenances. Heare one Wittuwamat a notable villaine, would boast 
how many French and English hee had slaine: This Champion presenting a 
Dagger to the Sachem Canacum he had got from the English, occasioned us to 
understand how they had contrived to murder all the English in the Land, 
but having such a faire opportunitie, they would begin heere with us. 
Their scornfull usage made the Captaine so passionate to appease his anger 
and choler, their intent made many faire excuses for satisfaction: Scar a 
lusty Salvage, alwaies seeming the most to effect us, bestowed on us the 
best presents he had without any recompence, saying; Hee was rich enough 
to bestow such favours on his friends, yet had undertaken to kill the 
Captaine himselfe, but our vigilencies so prevented the advantage they 
expected, we safely returned, little suspecting in him any such treachery.

They contrive to murder all the English.The sicknesse of King Massasowat.
During this time a Dutch ship was driven a shore at Massasowat, whose King 
lay very sicke, now because it is a generall custome then for all their 
friends to visit them: Master Winslow, and Master Hamden, with Habamok for 
their guide, were sent with such Cordialls as they had to salute him; by 
the way they so oft heard the King was dead, Habamok would breake forth in 
those words, My loving Sachem, my loving Sachem, many have I knowne, but 
never any like thee, nor shall ever see the like amongst the Salvages; for 
he was no lier, nor bloudy and cruell like other Indians, in anger soone 
reclaimed, he would be ruled

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by reason, not scorning the advice of meane men, and governed his men 
better with a few strokes, then others with many: truly loving where he 
loved, yea he feared wee had not a faithfull friend left amongst all his 
Country-men, shewing how oft he had restrained their malice, much more 
with much passion he spoke to this purpose, till at last we arrived where 
we found the Dutchmen but newly gone, and the house so full we could 
hardly get in. By their charmes they distempered us that were well, much 
more him that was sicke, women rubbing him to keepe heat in him; but their 
charmes ended, understanding of us, though he had lost his sight, his 
understanding failed not; but taking Winslow by the hand, said, Art thou 
Window, Oh Winslow, I shall never see thee againe! Hobamock telling him 
what restauratives they had brought, he desired to taste them, with much 
adoe they got a little Confexion of many comfortable Conserves into his 
mouth, as it desolved he swallowed it, then desolving more of it in water, 
they scraped his tongue, which was al furred & swolne, and washed his 
mouth, and then gave him more of it to eat, and in his drinke, that 
wrought such an alteration in him in two or three houres, his eies opened 
to our great contents; with this and such brothes as they there provided 
for him, it pleased God he recovered: and thus the manner of his sicknesse 
and cure caused no small admiration amongst them.

The Kings thankfulnesse.

During the time of their stay to see his recovery, they had sent to New 
Plimoth for divers good things for him, which he tooke so kindly, that he 
fully revealed all the former conspiracies against us, to which he had oft 
beene moved; and how that all the people of Powmet, Nawset, Succonet, 
Mattachist, Manamet, Augawam, and Capawac, were joyned to murder us; 
therefore as we respected our lives, kill them of Massachuset that were 
the authors; for take away the principals and the plot wil cease, thus 
taking our leaves, & arriving at our fort, we found our brave liberall 
friend of Pamet drawing Standish to their Ambuscados, which being thus 
discovered, we sent him

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away, as though we knew nor suspected any thing. Them at the Massachusets, 
some were so vilde they served the Salvages for victuall, the rest sent us 
word the Salvages were so insolent, they would assault them though against 
their Commission, so fearefull they were to breake their Commission, so 
much time was spent in consultations, they all were famished, till 
Wassapinewat againe came and told them the day of their execution was at 
hand.

Captaine Standish sent to suppresse the Salvages.

Then they appointed Standish with eight chosen men, under colour of Trade 
to catch them in their owne trap at Massachuset, & acquaint it with the 
English in the Towne, where arriving he found none in the Barke, and most 
of the rest without Armes, or scarce clothes, wandering abroad, all so 
sencelesly secure, he more then wondered they were not all slaine, with 
much adoe he got the most of them to their Towne. The Salvages suspecting 
their plots discovered, Pecksnot a great man, and of as great a spirit, 
came to Habamak, who was then amongst them, saying; Tell Standish we know 
he is come to kill us, but let him begin when he dare. Not long after many 
would come to the Fort and whet their Knives before him, with many braving 
speeches. One amongst the rest was by Wittawamat bragging he had a Knife, 
that on the handle had the picture of a womans face, but at home I have 
one hath killed both French & English, and that hath a mans face on it, 
and by and by these two must marrie: but this here, by and by shall see, 
and by and by eat, but not speake; Also Pecksnot being of a greater 
stature then the Captaine, told him, though he were a great Captaine he 
was but a little man, and I though no Sachem, yet I am of great strength 
and courage. These things Standish bare patiently for the present; but the 
next day seeing he could not get many of them together, but these two 
Roarers, and two more being in a convenient roome, and his company about 
him, Standish seased on Pecksnots Knife then hanging about his necke, 
wherewith he slew him, and the rest slew Wittuwamat and the other Salvage, 
but the youth they tooke, who

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being Brother to Wittuwamat, and as villanous as himselfe, was hanged. It 
is incredible how many wounds they indured, catching at their weapons 
without any feare or bruit, till the last gasp. Habamack stood by all this 
time very silent, but all ended, he said, Yesterday Pecksnot bragged of 
his strength and stature, but I see you are big enough to lay him on the 
ground.

The Salvages overcommed.

The Towne he left to the guard of Westons people: three Salvages more were 
slaine; upon which rumour they all fled from their houses. The next day 
they met with a the of Salvages that let fly their Arrowes, shot for shot 
till Hobamack shewed himselfe, and then they fled. For all this, a Salvage 
Boy to shew his innocency, came boldly unto us and told us: Had the 
English Fugitives but finished the three Canowes they were a making, to 
have taken the ship, they would have done as much to all the English, 
which was onely the cause they had forborne so long. But now consulting 
and considering their estates, those that went in the Pinnace to Barty 
Iles to get passage for England, the rest to New Plimoth, where they were 
kindly entertained. The Sachem Obtakeest, & Powas, and divers other were 
guilty, the three fugitives in their fury there slew; but not long after 
so distracted were those poore scattered people, they left their 
habitations, living in swamps, where with cold and infinite diseases they 
endured much mortalitie, suing for peace, and crying the God of England is 
angry with them. Thus you see where God pleases, as some flourish, others 
perish.

1623. An extreme drought.

Now on all hands they prepare their ground, and about the middest of 
Aprill, in a faire season they begin to plant till the latter end of May; 
but so God pleased, that in six weekes after the latter setting there 
scarce fell any raine; so that the stalke was first set, began to eare ere 
it came to halfe growth, and the last not like to yeeld any thing at all. 
Our Beanes also seemed so withered, we judged all utterly dead, that now 
all our hopes were overthrowne, and our joy turned into mourning. And more 
to our sorrow, we heard of the twice returne of the

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Paragon, that now the third time was sent us three moneths agoe, but no 
newes of her: onely the signes of a wracke we saw on the Coast which wee 
judged her. This caused not every of us to enter into a private 
consideration betwixt God and our consciences, but most solemnly to humble 
our selves before the Lord by fasting and praying, to releeve our dejected 
spirits by the comforts of his mercy. In the morning when wee assembled 
all together, the skies were as cleere, and the drought as like to 
continue as ever; yet our exercise continued eight or nine houres. Before 
our departure, the skies were all over-cast, and on the next morning 
distilled such soft, sweet, moderate showers, continuing foureteene daies, 
mixed with such seasonable weather, as it was hard to say, whether our 
withered Corne, or drooping affections were most quickned and revived; 
such was the bounty and mercy of God. Of this the Indians by the meanes of 
Hobamock tooke notice, who seeing us use this exercise in the midst of the 
weeke, said; It was but three daies since Sunday, and desired to know the 
reason; which when hee understood, he and all of them admired the 
goodnesse of God towards us, shewing the difference betwixt their 
conjurations and our praiers, and what stormes and dangers they oft 
receive thereby. To expresse our thankfulnesse, wee assembled together 
another day, as before, and either the next morning, or not long after, 
came in two ships to supply us, and all their Passengers well except one, 
and he presently recovered. For us, notwithstanding all these wants, there 
was not a sicke person amongst us. The greater ship we returned fraught; 
the other wee sent to the Southward, to trade under the command of 
Captaine Altom. So that God be thanked, we desire nothing, but what we 
will returne Commodities to the value.

Thus all men finde our great God he,
That never wanted nature,
To teach his truth, that onely he
Of every thing is Author.

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Forty saile sent to fish.

For this yeere from England is gone about fortie saile of ships, only to 
fish, and as I am informed, have made a farre better voyage then ever.

Their Religion.

Now some new great observers will have this an Iland, because I have writ 
it is the Continent: others report, that the people are so bruit, they 
have no religion, wherein surely they are deceived; for my part, I never 
heard of any Nation in the world which had not a Religion, deare, bowes 
and arrowes. They beleeve as doe the Virginians, of many divine powers, 
yet of one above all the rest, as the Southerne Virginians call their 
chiefe God Kewassa, and that wee now inhabit Oke, but both their Kings 
Werowance. The Masachusets call their great God Kiehtan, and their Kings 
there abouts Sachems: The Penobscotes their greatest power Tantum, and 
their Kings Sagomos. Those where is this Plantation, say Kiehtan made all 
the other Gods: also one man and one woman, and of them all mankinde, but 
how they became so dispersed they know not. They say, at first there was 
no King but Kiehtan that dwelleth farre westerly above the heavens, 
whither all good men goe when they die, and have plentie of all things. 
The bad men goe thither also and knocke at the doore, but he bids them goe 
wander in endlesse want and miserie, for they shall not stay there. They 
never saw Kiehtan, but they hold it a great charge and dutie, that one age 
teach another; and to him they make feasts, and cry and sing for plentie 
and victorie, or any thing is good. They have another Power they call 
Hobamock, which wee conceive the Devill, and upon him they call to cure 
their wounds and diseases: when they are curable he perswades them he sent 
them, because they have displeased him; but if they be mortall, then he 
saith, Kiehtan sent them, which makes them never call on him in their 
sicknesse. They say this Hobamock appeares to them somtimes like a Man, a 
Deere, or an Eagle, but most commonly like a Snake; not to all, but only 
to their Powahs to cure diseases, and Undeses, which is one of the chiefe 
next the King, and so bold in the warres, that

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they thinke no weapon can kill them: and those are such as conjure in 
Virginia, and cause the people to doe what they list.

Their Government.

For their Government: every Sachem is not a King, but their great Sachems 
have divers Sachems under their protection, paying them tribute, and dare 
make no warres without his knowledge; but every Sachem taketh care for the 
Widowes, Orphans, the aged and maimed, nor will they take any to first 
wife, but them in birth equall to themselves, although they have many 
inferior Wives and Concubins that attend on the principall; from whom he 
never parteth, but any of the rest when they list, they inherit by 
succession, and every one knowes their owne bounds. To his men, hee giveth 
them land, also bounded, and what Deere they kill in that circuit, he hath 
the fore-part; but if in the water, onely the skin: But they account none 
a man, till hee hath done some notable exploit: the men are most imploied 
in hunting, the women in slavery; the younger obey the elders: their names 
are variable; they have harlots and honest women: the harlots never 
marrie, or else are widowes. They use divorcement, and the King commonly 
punisheth all offenders himselfe: when a maid is maried, she cutteth her 
haire, and keepes her head covered till it be growne againe. Their arts, 
games, musicke, attire, burials, and such like, differ very little from 
the Virginians, onely for their Chronicles they make holes in the ground, 
as the others set up great stones. Out of the Relations of Master Edward 
Winslow.

An answer to Objections.

Now I know the common question is, For all those miseries, where is the 
wealth they have got, or the Gold or Silver Mines? To such greedy unworthy 
minds I say once againe: The Sea is better then the richest Mine knowne, 
and of all the fishing ships that went well provided, there is no 
complaint of losse nor misery, but rather an admiration of wealth, profit, 
and health. As for the land were it never so good, in two yeeres so few of 
such small experience living without supplies so well, and in health, it 
was an extraordinary blessing from God. But

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that with such small meanes they should subsist, and doe so much, to any 
understanding judgement is a wonder. Notwithstanding, the vaine 
expectation of present gaine in some, ambition in others, that to be great 
would have all else slaves, and the carelesnesse in providing supplies, 
hath caused those defailements in all those Plantations, and how ever some 
bad conditions will extoll the actions of any Nation but their owne: yet 
if we may give credit to the Spaniards, Portugals, and French writings, 
they indured as many miseries, and yet not in twenty yeeres effected so 
much, nay scarce in fortie.

The ordinary voyage to goe to Virginia or New-England.

Thus you may see plainly the yeerely successe from New England by 
Virginia, which hath beene so costly to this Kingdome, and so deare to me, 
which either to see perish, or but bleed; Pardon me though it passionate 
me beyond the bounds of modesty, to have beene sufficiently able to fore-
see their miseries, and had neither power nor meanes to prevent it. By 
that acquaintance I have with them, I call them my children, for they have 
beene my Wife, my Hawks, Hounds, my Cards, my Dice, and in totall, my best 
content, as indifferent to my heart, as my left hand to my right. And 
notwithstanding, all those miracles of disasters have crossed both them 
and me, yet were there not an Englishman remaining, as God be thanked 
notwithstanding the massacre there are some thousands; I would yet begin 
againe with as small meanes as I did at first, not that I have any secret 
encouragement (I protest) more then lamentable experience; for all their 
discoveries I have yet heard of, are but Pigs of my owne Sow, nor more 
strange to me, then to heare one tell me hee hath gone from Billingsgate 
and discovered Gravesend, Tilbury, Quinborow, Lee, and Margit, which to 
those did never heare of them, though they dwell in England, might bee 
made some rare secrets and great Countries unknowne, except some few 
Relations of Master Dirmer. In England, some are held great travellers 
that have seene Venice, and Rome, Madrill, Toledo, Sivill, Algere, Prague, 
or Ragonsa, Constantinople, or Jerusalem, and the

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Piramides of Egypt; that thinke it nothing to goe to Summer Iles, or 
Virginia, which is as far as any of them; and I hope in time will prove a 
more profitable and a more laudable journey: as for the danger, you see 
our Ladies and Gentlewomen account it nothing now to goe thither; and 
therefore I hope all good men will better apprehend it, and not suffer 
them to languish in despaire, whom God so wonderfully and oft hath 
preserved.

What here I have writ by Relation, if it be not right I humbly intreat 
your pardons, but I have not spared any diligence to learne the truth of 
them that have beene actors, or sharers in those voyages; In some 
particulars they might deceive mee, but in the substance they could not: 
for few could tell me any thing, except where they fished. But seeing all 
those have lived there, doe confirme more then I have writ, I doubt not 
but all those testimonies with these new begun examples of Plantation, 
will move both Citie and Country, freely to adventure with me more then 
promises.

The objections against me.

But because some Fortune-tellers say, I am unfortunate; had they spent 
their time as I have done, they would rather beleeve in God then their 
calculations, and peradventure have given as bad an account of their 
actions, and therefore I intreat leave to answer those objecters, that 
thinke it strange, if this be true, I have made no more use of it, rest so 
long without imploiment, nor have no more reward nor preferment: To which 
I say;

My answer.

I thinke it more strange they should tax me, before they have tried as 
much as I have, both by land and sea, as well in Asia and Affrica, as 
Europe and America, where my Commanders were actors or spectators, they 
alwaies so freely rewarded me, I never needed bee importunate, or could I 
ever learne to beg: What there I got, I have spent; yet in Virginia I 
staied, till I left five hundred behinde me better provided then ever I 
was, from which blessed Virgin (ere I returned) sprung the fortunate 
habitation of Summer Iles.

This Virgins Sister, now called New England, at my

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humble sute, by our most gracious Prince Charles, hath beene neere as 
chargeable to me and my friends: for all which, although I never got 
shilling but it cost mee a pound, yet I would thinke my selfe happy could 
I see their prosperities.

Considerations.

But if it yet trouble a multitude to proceed upon these certainties, what 
thinke you I undertooke when nothing was knowne but that there was a vast 
land? I never had power and meanes to doe any thing, though more hath 
beene spent in formall delaies then would have done the businesse, but in 
such a penurious and miserable manner, as if I had gone a begging to build 
an Universitie: where had men beene as forward to adventure their purses, 
and performe the conditions they promised mee, as to crop the fruits of my 
labours, thousands ere this had beene bettered by these designes. Thus 
betwixt the spur of desire and the bridle of reason, I am neere ridden to 
death in a ring of despaire; the reines are in your hands, therefore I 
intreat you case me, and those that thinke I am either idle or 
unfortunate, may see the cause and know: unlesse I did see better dealing, 
I have had warning enough not to be so forward againe at every motion upon 
their promises, unlesse I intended nothing but to carie newes; for now 
they dare adventure a ship, that when I went first would not adventure a 
groat, so they may be at home againe by Michaelmas, which makes me 
remember and say with Master Hackluit; Oh incredulitie the wit of fooles, 
that slovingly doe spit at all things faire, a sluggards Cradle, a Cowards 
Castle, how easie it is to be an Infidell. But to the matter: By this all 
men may perceive, the ordinary performance of this voyage in five or six 
moneths, the plentie of fish is most certainly approved; and it is 
certaine, from Cannada and New England, within these six yeeres hath come 
neere twenty thousand Beret skinnes: Now had each of these ships 
transported but some small quantitie of the most increasing Beasts, 
Fowles, Fruits, Plants, and Seeds, as I projected; by this time their 
increase might have beene

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sufficient for more then one thousand men: But the desire of present gaine 
(in many) is so violent, and the endevours of many undertakers so 
negligent, every one so regarding their private gaine, that it is hard to 
effect any publike good, and impossible to bring them into a body, rule, 
or order, unlesse both honesty, as well as authoritie and money, assist 
experience. But your home-bred ingrossing Projecters will at last finde, 
there is a great difference betwixt saying and doing, or those that thinks 
their directions can be as soone and easily performed, as they can conceit 
them; or that their conceits are the fittest things to bee put in 
practise, or their countenances maintaine Plantations. But to conclude, 
the fishing will goe forward whether you plant it or no; whereby a Colony 
may be then transported with no great charge, that in short time might 
provide such fraughts, to buy on us there dwelling, as I would hope no 
ship should goe or come emptie from New England.

The charge.

The charge of this is onely Salt, Nets, Hookes, Lines, Knives, Irish-
rugges, course cloth, Beads, Glasse, and such trash, onely for fishing and 
trade with the Salvages, besides our owne necessarie provisions, whose 
endevours would quickly defray all this charge, and the Salvages did 
intreat me to inhabit where I would. Now all those ships till these last 
two yeeres, have beene fishing within a square of two or three leagues, 
and scarce any one yet will goe any further in the Port they fish in, 
where questionlesse five hundred may have their fraught as well as 
elsewhere, and be in the market ere others can have the fish in their 
ships, because New Englands fishing begins in February, in Newfoundland 
not till the midst of May; the progression hereof tends much to the 
advancement of Virginia and Summer Iles, whose empty ships may take in 
their fraughts there, and would be also in time of need a good friend to 
the Inhabitants of Newfoundland.

The order of the westerne men.

The returnes made by the Westerne men, are commonly divided in three 
parts; one for the owner of the ship; another for the Master and his 
Company; the

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third for the victualers, which course being still permitted, will be no 
hinderance to the Plantation as yet goe there never so many, but a meanes 
of transporting that yeerely for little or nothing, which otherwise wil 
cost many hundreds of pounds. If a ship can gaine twenty, thirty, fifty in 
the hundred; nay three hundred for one hundred in seven or ten moneths, as 
you see they have done, spending twice so much time in comming and going 
as in staying there: were I there planted, seeing the variety of the 
fishings serve the most part of the yeere, and with a little labour we 
might make all the Salt we need use, as is formerly said, and can conceive 
no reason to distrust of good successe by Gods assistance; besides for the 
building of ships, no place hath more convenient Harbours, ebbe, nor 
floud, nor better timber; and no Commoditie in Europe doth more decay then 
wood.

The effects of shipping.
Master Dee his opinion for the building of ships.

MAster Dee recordeth in his Brittish Monarchy, that King Edgar had a Navy 
of foure thousand saile, with which he yeerely made his progresse about 
this famous Monarchy of Great Britaine, largely declaring the benefit 
thereof; whereupon hee projected to our most memorable Queene Elizabeth, 
the erecting of a Fleet of sixty Saile, he called a little Navy Royall: 
imitating that admired Pericles Prince of Athens, that could never secure 
that tormented estate, untill he was Lord and Captaine of the Sea. At this 
none need wonder, for who knowes not her Royall Majestie during her life, 
by the incredible adventures of her Royall Navy, and valiant Souldiers and 
Sea-men, notwithstanding all treacheries at home, the protecting and 
defending France and Holland, and reconquering Ireland; yet all the world 
by Sea and Land both feared or loved, and admired good Queene Elizabeth. 
Both to maintaine and increase that incomparable honour (God be thanked) 
to her incomparable Successor, our most Royall Lord and Soveraigne King 
James, this great

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Philosopher hath left this to his Majestic and his Kingdomes 
consideration: that if the tenths of the earth be proper to God, it is 
also due by Sea. The Kings high waies are common to passe, but not to dig 
for Mines or any thing: So Englands Coasts are free to passe, but not to 
fish, but by his Majesties Prerogative.

The Popes order for the East and West Indies.

His Majesty of Spaine permits none to passe the Popes order, for the East 
and West Indies but by his permission, or at their perils; if all that 
world be so justly theirs, it is no injustice for England to make as much 
use of her owne shores as strangers doe, that pay to their owne Lords the 
tenth, and not to the owner of those liberties any thing to speake of, 
whose subjects may neither take nor sell any in their Teritories: which 
small tribute would maintaine this little Navy Royall, and not cost his 
Majesty a peny, and yet maintaine peace with all Forrainers, and allow 
them more courtesie then any Nation in the world affords to England. It 
were a shame to alleage, that Holland is more worthy to enjoy our fishing 
as Lords thereof, because they have more skill to handle it then we, as 
they can our wooll and undressed Cloth, notwithstanding all their warres 
and troublesome disorders.

How to get money to build this little Navy.

To get money to build this Navy, he saith, who would not spare the one 
hundreth penny of his rents, and the five hundreth penny of his goods; 
each servant that taketh forty shillings wages, foure pence; and every 
forrainer of seven yeeres of age foure pence, for seven yeeres; not any of 
these but they will spend three times so much in pride, wantonnesse, or 
some superfluitie: And doe any men love the securitie of their estates, 
that of themselves would not bee humble suters to his Majesty to doe this 
of free will as a voluntary benevolence, or but the one halfe of this (or 
some such other course as I have propounded to divers of the Companies) 
free from any constraint, tax, lottery, or imposition; so it may be as 
honestly and truly imploied, as it is projected, the poorest Mechanicke in 
this Kingdome would gaine by it. Then you might build ships of any 
proportion and numbers you

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please, five times cheaper then you can doe here, and have good 
merchandize for their fraught in this unknowne Land, to the advancement of 
Gods glory, his Church and Gospel, and the strengthning and releefe of a 
great part of Christendome without hurt to any, to the terror of Pirats, 
the amazement of enemies, the assistance of friends, the securing 
Merchants, and so much increase of Navigation, to make Englands trade and 
shipping as much as any Nations in the world, besides a hundred other 
benefits, to the generall good of all true subjects, & would cause 
thousands yet unborne to blesse the time, and all them that first put it 
in practise.

Contention for New-Englands goods, not her good.

Now lest it should be obscured as it hath beene to privat ends, or so 
weakely undertaken by our overweening incredulity, that strangers may 
possesse it whilest we contend for New-Englands goods, but not Englands 
good; I have presented it as I have said, to the Prince and Nobility, the 
Gentry and Commonalty, hoping at last it will move the whole land to know 
it and consider of it; since I can finde them wood and halfe victuall, 
with the foresaid advantages: were this Country planted, with what 
facility they may build and maintaine this little Navy Royall, both with 
honour, profit and content, and inhabit as good a Country as any in the 
world within that paralell, which with my life and what I have, I will 
endevour to effect, if God please and you permit. But no man will goe from 
hence to have lesse freedome there then here, nor adventure all they have 
to prepare the way for them will scarce thanke them for it; and it is too 
well knowne there have beene so many undertakers of Patents, and such 
sharing of them, as hath bred no lesse discouragement then wonder, to 
heare such great promises and so little performance; in the Interim, you 
see the French and Dutch already frequent it, and God forbid they in 
Virginia, or any of his Majesties subjects, should not have as free 
liberty as they. To conclude, were it not for Master Cherley and a few 
private adventurers with them, what have we there for all these 
inducements? As

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for them whom pride or covetousnesse lulleth asleepe in a Cradle of 
slothfull carelesnesse, would they but consider how all the great 
Monarchies of the earth have beene brought to confusion, or but remember 
the late lamentable experiences of Constantinople, and how many Cities, 
Townes and Provinces, in the faire rich Kingdoms of Hungaria, 
Transilvania, Wallachia & Moldavia, and how many thousands of Princes, 
Earles, Barons, Knights, Merchants, and others, have in one day lost 
goods, lives and honours, or sold for slaves like beasts in a market 
place, their wives, children and servants slaine, or wandring they knew 
not whither, dying or living in all extremities of extreme miseries and 
calamities, surely they would not onely doe this, but give all they have 
to enjoy peace and liberty at home, or but adventure their persons abroad; 
to prevent the conclusions of a conquering Foe, who commonly assaulteth 
and best prevaileth where he findeth wealth and plenty, most armed with 
ignorance and security.

Though the true condition of warre is onely to suppresse the proud and 
defend the innocent, as did that most generous Prince Sigismundus, Prince 
of those Countries, against them whom under the colour of justice and 
piety, to maintaine their superfluity of ambitious pride, thought all the 
world too little to maintaine their vice, and undoe them, or keepe them 
from ability to doe any thing, that would not admire and adore their 
honours, fortunes, covetousnesse, falshood, bribery, cruelty, extortion, 
and ingratitude, which is worse then cowardize or ignorance, and all 
manner of vildnesse, cleane contrary to all honour, vertue, and 
noblenesse. John Smith writ this with his owne hand.

Here follow certaine notes and observations of Captaine Charles Whitbourne 
concerning New-found land, which although every master trained up in 
fishing, can make their proportions of necessaries according to their 
custome, yet it is not much amisse here to insert them, that every

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one which desires the good of those actions know them also. Besides in his 
Booke intituled, A discovery of Newfound land, and the commodities 
thereof, you shall finde many excellent good advertisements for a 
Plantation; and how that most yeeres this Coast hath beene frequented with 
250. saile of his Majesties subjects, which supposing but 60. tunnes a 
peece, one with another, they amount to 15000. tunnes, and allowing 25. 
men and boies to every Barke, they will make 5000. persons, whose labours 
returne yeerely to about 135000. pound sterling, besides the great numbers 
of Brewers, Bakers, Coupers, Ship-Carpenters, Net-makers, Rope-makers, 
Hooke-makers, and the most of all other mecanicall trades in England.

The charge of setting forth a ship of 100. tuns with 40. persons, both to 
make a fishing voyage, and increase the Plantation.

[image caption: table]

All these provisions the Master or Purser is to be accountable what is 
spent and what is left, with those which shall continue there to plant, 
and of the 40. thus provided for the voyage, ten may well be spared to 
leave behind them, with 500. weight of Bisket, 5. hogsheads of Sider or 
beere, halfe a hogshead of Beefe, 4. sides of dry Bakon, 4. bushell of 
Pease, halfe a ferkin of Butter, halfe 100. weight of Cheese, a pecke of 
Mustard-seed, a barrell of Vinegar, 12. pound of Candles, 2. pecks of 
Oatmeale, halfe a hogshead of Aquavitæ, 2. copper Kettles, 1. brasse 
Crock, 1. Frying-pan, a Grindstone, and all the Hatchets, Woodhooks, 
Sawes, Augers, &c. and all other iron tooles, with the 8. Boats and their 
implements, and spare salt, and what else they use not

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in a readinesse from yeere to yeere, and in the meane time served them to 
helpe to build their houses, cleanse land, and further their fishing 
whilst the ships are wanting.

By his estimation and calculation these 8. Boats with 22. men in a Summer 
doe usually kill 25000. fish for every Boat, which may amount to 200000. 
allowing 120. fishes to the 100. sometimes they have taken above 35000. 
for a Boat, so that they load not onely their owne ship, but provide great 
quantities for sacks, or other spare ships which come thither onely to buy 
the overplus: if such ships come not, they give over taking any more, when 
sometimes there hath beene great abundance, because there is no fit houses 
to lay them in till another yeere, now most of those sacks goeth empty 
thither, which might as well transport mens provision and cattle at an 
easie rate as nothing, either to New-England or New-found land, but either 
to transport them for nothing or pay any great matter for their liberty to 
fish, will hardly effect so much as freedome as yet; nor can this be put 
in practice as before I said, till there be a power there well planted and 
setled to entertaine and defend them, assist and releeve them as occasion 
shall require, otherwaies those small divisions will effect little, but 
such miserable conclusions as both the French and we too long have tried 
to our costs. Now commonly 200000. fish will load a ship of 100. tunnes in 
New-found land, but halfe so many will neere doe it in New-England, which 
carried to Toloune or Merselus, where the custome is small, and the 
Kintall lesse then 90. English pounds weight, and the prise when least, 
12. shillings the Kintall, which at that rate amounts to 1320. l. 
starling; and the ship may either there be discharged or imployed as hath 
beene said to refraught for England, so that the next yeere she may be 
ready to goe her fishing voyage againe, at a farre cheaper rate then 
before.

To this adde but 12. tuns of traine oile, which delivered in New-found 
land, is 10. l. the tun, makes 120. l. then

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it is hard if there be not 10000. of Cor-fish, which also sold there at 5. 
l. the 1000. makes 50. l. which brought to England, in somes places yeelds 
neere halfe so much more; but if at Merselus it be sold for 16. s. the 
Kentall, as commonly it is, and much dearer, it amounts to 1760. l. and if 
the Boats follow the fishing till the 15. of October, they may take 80000. 
more, which with their traine in New-found land at 4. l. the 1000. will 
amount to 320. l. which added to 1320. l. with 120. l. for Oile, and 
10000. of Cor-fish 50. l. and the overplus at Merselus, which will be 440. 
l. make the totall 2250. l. which divided in three parts according to 
their custome, the Victualer hath for the former particulars, amounting, 
to 420. l. 751. l. so all the charge defraied, hee gaines 331. l. 11. s. 
then for the fraught of the ship there is 751. l. and so much for the 
Master and his company, which comparing with the voiages hath beene made 
to New-England, you may easily finde which is the better though both bee 
good. But now experience hath taught them at New-Plimoth, that in Aprill 
there is a fish much like a Herring that comes up into the small Brookes 
to spawne, and where the water is not knee deepe, they will presse up 
through your hands, yea though you beat at them with Cudgels, and in such 
abundance as is incredible, which they take with that facility they manure 
their land with them when they have occasion; after those the Cod also 
presseth in such plenty, even into the very Harbours, they have caught 
some in their armes, and hooke them so fast, three men oft loadeth a Boat 
of two tuns in two houres, where before they used most to fish in deepe 
water.

The facility of the fishing lately observed.
The present estate of New-Plimoth.

The present estate of the plantation at New-Plimoth.

AT New-Plimoth there is about 180 persons, some cattell and goats, but 
many swine and poultry, 32 dwelling houses, whereof 7 were burnt the last 
winter, and the value of five hundred pounds in other goods; the Towne is 
impailed about halfe a mile compasse. In

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the towne upon a high Mount they have a Fort well built with wood, lome, 
and stone, where is planted their Ordnance: Also a faire Watch-tower, 
partly framed for the Sentinell, the place it seemes is healthfull, for in 
these last three yeeres, notwithstanding their great want of most 
necessaries, there hath not one died of the first planters, they have made 
a saltworke, and with that salt preserve the fish they take, and this 
yeare hath fraughted a ship of 180. tunnes. The Governour is one Mr. 
William Bradford, their Captaine Miles Standish, a bred Souldier in 
Holland; the chiefe men for their assistance is Master Isaak Alderton, and 
divers others as occasion serveth; their Preachers are Master William 
Bruster and Master John Layford.

Their order of government.

The most of them live together as one family or houshold, yet every man 
followeth his trade and profession both by sea and land, and all for a 
generall stocke, out of which they have all their maintenance, untill 
there be a divident betwixt the Planters and the Adventurers. Those 
Planters are not servants to the Adventurers here, but have onely 
councells of directions from them, but no injunctions or command, and all 
the masters of families are partners in land or whatsoever, setting their 
labours against the stocke, till certaine yeeres be expired for the 
division: they have young men and boies for their Apprentises and 
servants, and some of them speciall families, as Ship-carpenters, Salt-
makers, Fish-masters, yet as servants upon great wages. The Adventurers 
which raised the stocke to begin and supply this Plantation were about 70. 
some Gentlemen, some Merchants, some handy-crafts men, some adventuring 
great summes, some small, as their estates and affection served. The 
generall stocke already imploied is about 7000. l. by reason of which 
charge and many crosses, many of them would adventure no more, but others 
that knowes so great a designe cannot bee effected without both charge, 
losse and crosses, are resolved to goe forward with it to their powers; 
which deserve no small commendations and

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encouragement. These dwell most about London, they are not a corporation, 
but knit together by a voluntary combination in a society without 
constraint or penalty, aiming to doe good & to plant Religion; they have a 
President & Treasurer, every yeere newly chosen by the most voices, who 
ordereth the affaires of their Courts and meetings, and with the assent of 
the most of them, undertaketh all ordinary businesses, but in more weighty 
affaires, the assent of the whole Company is required. There hath beene a 
fishing this yeere upon the Coast about 50. English ships: and by Cape 
Anne, there is a Plantation a beginning by the Dorchester men, which they 
hold of those of New-Plimoth, who also by them have set up a fishing 
worke; some talke there is some other pretended Plantations, all whose 
good proceedings the eternal God protect and preserve. And these have 
beene the true proceedings and accidents in those Plantations.

Now to make a particular relation of all the acts and orders in the Courts 
belonging unto them, of the anihilating old Patents and procuring new; 
with the charge, paines and arguments, the reasons of such changes, all 
the treaties, consultations, orations, and dissentions about the sharing 
and dividing those large territories, confirming of Counsailers, electing 
all sorts of Officers, directions, Letters of advice, and their answers, 
disputations about the Magazines and Impositions, suters for Patents, 
positions for Freedomes, and confirmations with complaints of injuries 
here, and also the mutinies, examinations, arraignements, executions, and 
the cause of the so oft revolt of the Salvages at large, as many would 
have had, and it may be some doe expect it would make more quarrels then 
any of them would willingly answer, & such a volume as would the any wise 
man but to read the contents; for my owne part I rather feare the 
unpartiall Reader wil thinke this rather more tedious then necessary: but 
he that would be a practitioner in those affaires, I hope will allow them 
not only needfull but expedient: but how ever, if you please to beare with

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those errors I have committed, if God please I live, my care and paines 
shall endevour to be thankfull: if I die, accept my good will: If any 
desire to be further satisfied, what defect is found in this, they shall 
finde supplied in me, that thus freely have throwne my selfe with my mite 
into the Treasury of my Countries good, not doubting but God will stirre 
up some noble spirits to consider and examine if worthy Columbus could 
give the Spaniards any such certainties for his designe, when Queene 
Isabel of Spaine set him forth with 15. saile, and though I promise no 
Mines of gold, yet the warlike Hollanders let us imitate but not hate, 
whose wealth and strength are good testimonies of their treasury gotten by 
fishing; and New-England hath yeelded already by generall computation one 
hundred thousand pounds at the least. Therefore honourable and worthy 
Country men, let not the meannesse of the word fish distaste you, for it 
will afford as good gold as the Mines of Guiana or Potassie, with lesse 
hazard and charge, and more certainty and facility.

J. S.
FINIS.