_Okindgier_, called by vs _Beanes_, because in greatnesse &

A BRIEFE AND TRUE REPORT OF THE NEW FOUND LAND OF VIRGINIA

1590

by Thomas Hariot

The 1590 edition of de Brys in the Library of Congress

A briefe and true report

of the new found land of Virginia,

_of the commodities and of the nature and man

ners of the naturall inhabitants: Discouered by

the English Colony there seated by_ Sir Richard

Greinuile Knight _In the yeere 1585. Which remained

vnder the gouernment of twelue monethes,

At the speciall charge and direction of the Honourable_

SIR WALTER RALEIGH _Knight, lord Warden

of the stanneries Who therein hath beene fauoured

and authorised by her_ MAIESTIE

_and her letters patents:

This fore booke Is made in English

By Thomas Hariot; seruant to the abouenamed

Sir_ WALTER, _a member of the Colony, and there

imployed in discouering._

CVM GRATIA ET PRIVILEGIO CÆS. MATIS SPECIALD

FRANCOFORTI AD MOENVM

TYPIS IOANNIS WECHELI, SVMTIBVS VERO THEODORI

DE BRY ANNO CD D XC.

VENALES REPERIVNTVR IN OFFICINA SIGISMVNDI FEIRABENDII

TO THE RIGHT

WORTHIE AND HONOVRABLE,

SIR VVALTER RALEGH,

KNIGHT, SENESCHAL OF THE DVCHIES OF

Cornewall and Exeter, and L. Warden of the stannaries in Deuon

and Cornewall, T.B. wisheth true felicitie.

_SIR, seeing that the parte of the Worlde, which is betwene the FLORIDA

and the Cap BRETON nowe nammed VIRGINIA, to the honneur of yours most

souueraine Layde and Queene ELIZABETH, hath ben descouuerd by yours

meanes and great chardges. And that your Collonye hath been theer

established to your great honnor and prayse, and noe lesser proffit

vnto the common welth: Yt ys good raison that euery man euertwe him

selfe for to showe the benefit which they haue receue of yt. Theerfore,

for my parte I haue been allwayes Desirous for to make yow knowe the

good will that I haue to remayne still your most humble seruant. I haue

thincke that I cold faynde noe better occasion to declare yt, then

takinge the paines to cott in copper (the most diligentlye and well

that wear in my possible to doe) the Figures which doe leuelye

represent the forme and maner of the Inhabitants of the same countrye

with theirs ceremonies, sollemne feastes, and the manner and situation

of their Townes or Villages. Addinge vnto euery figure a brief

declaration of the same, to that ende that euerye man cold the better

vnderstand that which is in liuely represented. Moreouer I haue thincke

that the aforesaid figures wear of greater commendation, If somme

Histoire which traitinge of the commodites and fertillitye of the said

countreye weare Ioyned with the same, therfore haue I serue miselfe of

the rapport which Thomas Hariot hath lattely sett foorth, and haue

causse them booth togither to be printed for to dedicate vnto you, as a

thinge which by reigtte dooth allreadye apparteyne vnto you. Therfore

doe I creaue that you will accept this little Booke, and take yt In

goode partte. And desiringe that fauor that you will receue me in the

nomber of one of your most humble seruantz, besechinge the lord to

blese and further you in all yours good doinges and actions, and allso

to preserue, and keepe you allwayes in good helthe. And soe I comitt

you unto the almyhttie, from Franckfort the first of Apprill 1590._

_Your most humble seruant_,

THEODORVS de BRY.

TO THE ADVENTVRERS,

FAVORERS, AND

VVELVVILLERS OF THE ENTERPRISE

FOR THE INHABITTING

and planting in VIRGINIA.

Since the first vndertaking by Sir Walter Ralegh to deale in the action

of discouering of that Countrey which is now called and known by the

name of VIRGINIA; many voyages hauing bin thiter made at sundrie times

to his great charge, as first in the yeere 1584, and afterwardes in the

yeeres 1585 1586, and now of late this last yeare of 1587. There haue

bin diuers and variable reportes with some slaunderous and shamefull

speeches bruited abroade by many that returned from thence. Especially

of that discouery which was made by the Colony transported by Sir

Richard Greinuile in the yeare 1585, being of all the others the most

principal and as yet of most effect, the time of their abode in the

countrey beeing a whole yeare, when as in the other voyage before they

staied but sixe weekes; and the others after were onelie for supply and

transportation, nothing more being discouered then had been before.

Which reports haue not done a litle wrong to many that otherwise would

have also fauoured & aduentured in the action, to the honour and

benefite of our nation, besides the particular profite and credite

which would redound to them selues the dealers therein; as I hope by

the sequele of euents to the shame of those that haue auouched the

contrary shalbe manifest: if you the aduenturers, fauourers, and

welwillers do but either encrease in number, or in opinion continue, or

hauing bin doubtfull renewe your good liking and furtherance to deale

therein according to the worthinesse thereof alreadye found and as you

shall vnderstand hereafter to be requisite. Touching which woorthines

through cause of the diuersitie of relations and reportes, manye of

your opinions coulde not bee firme, nor the mindes of some that are

well disposed, bee setled in any certaintie.

I haue therefore thought it good beeing one that haue beene in the

discouerie and in dealing with the natuall inhabitantes specially

imploied; and hauing therefore seene and knowne more then the

ordinaire: to imparte so much vnto you of the fruites of our labours,

as that you may knowe howe iniuriously the enterprise is slaundered.

And that in publike manner at this present chiefelie for two respectes.

First that some of you which are yet ignorant or doubtfull of the state

thereof, may see that there is sufficient cause why the cheefe

enterpriser with the fauour of her Maiestie, notwithstanding suche

reportes; hath not onelie since continued the action by sending into

the countrey againe, and replanting this last yeere a new Colony; but

is also readie, according as the times and meanes will affoorde, to

follow and prosecute the same.

Secondly, that you seeing and knowing the continuance of the action by

the view hereof you may generally know & learne what the countrey is; &

therevpon consider how your dealing therein if it proceede, may returne

you profit and gaine; bee it either by inhabitting & planting or

otherwise in furthering thereof.

And least that the substance of my relation should be doubtful vnto you

as of others by reason of their diuersitie: I will first open the cause

in a few wordes wherefore they are so different; referring my selue to

your fauourable constructions, and to be adiudged of as by good

consideration you shall finde cause.

Of our companie that returned some for their misdemenour and ill

dealing in the countrey, haue beene there worthily punished; who by

reason of their badde natures, haue maliciously not onelie spoken ill

of their Gouernours; but for their sakes slaundered the countrie it

selfe. The like also haue those done which were of their consort.

Some beeing ignorant of the state thereof, nothwithstanding since their

returne amongest their friendes and acquaintance and also others,

especially if they were in companie where they might not be gainesaide;

woulde seeme to know so much as no men more; and make no men so great

trauailers as themselues. They stood so much as it maie seeme vppon

their credite and reputation that hauing been a twelue moneth in the

countrey, it woulde haue beene a great disgrace vnto them as they

thought, if they coulde not haue saide much whether it were true or

false. Of which some haue spoken of more then euer they saw or

otherwise knew to bee there; othersome haue not bin ashamed to make

absolute deniall of that which although not by them, yet by others is

most certainely and there plentifully knowne. And othersome make

difficulties of those things they haue no skill of.

The cause of their ignorance was, in that they were of that many that

were neuer out of the Iland where wee were seated, or not farre, or at

the leastwise in few places els, during the time of our aboade in the

countrey; or of that many that after golde and siluer was not so soone

found, as it was by them looked for, had little or no care of any other

thing but to pamper their bellies; or of that many which had little

vnderstanding, lesse discretion, and more tongue then was needfull or

requisite.

Some also were of a nice bringing vp, only in cities or townes, or such

as neuer (as I may say) had seene the world before. Because there were

not to bee found any English cities, nor such faire houses, nor at

their owne wish any of their olde accustomed daintie food, nor any soft

beds of downe or fethers: the countrey was to them miserable, & their

reports thereof according.

Because my purpose was but in briefe to open the cause of the varietie

of such speeches; the particularities of them, and of many enuious,

malicious, and slaunderous reports and deuises els, by our owne

countrey men besides; as trifles that are not worthy of wise men to bee

thought vpon, I meane not to trouble you withall: but will passe to the

commodities, the substance of that which I haue to make relation of

vnto you.

The treatise whereof for your more readie view & easier vnderstanding I

will diuide into three speciall parts. In the first I will make

declaration of such commodities there alreadie found or to be raised,

which will not onely serue the ordinary turnes of you which are and

shall bee the planters and inhabitants, but such an ouerplus

sufficiently to bee yelded, or by men of skill to bee prouided, as by

way of trafficke and exchaunge with our owne nation of England, will

enrich your selues the prouiders; those that shal deal with you; the

enterprisers in general; and greatly profit our owne countrey men, to

supply them with most things which heretofore they haue bene faine to

prouide either of strangers or of our enemies: which commodities for

distinction sake, I call _Merchantable_.

In the second, I will set downe all the comodities which wee know the

countrey by our experience doeth yeld of its selfe for victuall, and

sustenance of mans life; such as is vsually fed vpon by the inhabitants

of the countrey, as also by vs during the time we were there.

In the last part I will make mention generally of such other

commodities besides, as I am able to remember, and as I shall thinke

behoofull for those that shall inhabite, and plant there to knowe of;

which specially concerne building, as also some other necessary vses:

with a briefe description of the nature and maners of the people of the

countrey.

THE FIRST PART,

OF MARCHANTABLE COMMODITIES.

_Silke of grasse or grasse Silke._

There is a kind of grasse in the countrey vppon the blades where of

there groweth very good silke in forme of a thin glittering skin to bee

stript of. It groweth two foote and a halfe high or better: the blades

are about two foot in length, and half inch broad. The like groweth in

Persia, which is in the selfe same climate as Virginia, of which very

many of the silke workes that come from thence into Europe are made.

Here of if it be planted and ordered as in Persia, it cannot in reason

be otherwise, but that there will rise in shorte time great profite to

the dealers therein; seeing there is so great vse and vent thereof as

well in our countrey as els where. And by the meanes of sowing &

planting in good ground, it will be farre greater, better, and more

plentifull then it is. Although notwithstanding there is great store

thereof in many places of the countrey growing naturally and wilde.

Which also by proof here in England, in making a piece of silke

Grogran, we found to be excellent good.

_Worme Silke._

In manie of our iourneyes we found silke wormes fayre and great; as

bigge as our ordinary walnuttes. Although it hath not beene our happe

to haue found such plentie as elsewhere to be in the coutrey we haue

heard of; yet seeing that the countrey doth naturally breede and

nourish them, there is no doubt but if art be added in planting of

mulbery trees and others fitte for them in commodious places, for their

feeding and nourishing; and some of them carefully gathered and

husbanded in that sort as by men of skill is knowne to be necessarie:

there will rise as great profite in time to the Virginians, as thereof

doth now to the Persians, Turkes, Italians and Spaniards.

_Flaxe and Hempe._

The trueth is that of Hempe and Flaxe there is no greate store in any

one place together, by reason it is not planted but as the soile doth

yeeld it of it selfe; and howsoeuer the leafe, and stemme or stalke doe

differ from ours; the stuffe by the iudgement of men of skill is

altogether as good as ours. And if not, as further proofe should finde

otherwise; we haue that experience of the soile, as thas there canno

bee shewed anie reason to the contrary, but that it will grow there

excellent well; and by planting will be yeelded plentifully: seeing

there is so much ground whereof some may well be applyed to such

purposes. What benefite heereof may growe in cordage and linnens who

can not easily understand?

_Allum._

There is a veine of earth along the sea coast for the space of fourtie

or fiftie miles, whereof by the iudgement of some that have made triall

heere in England, is made good Allum, of that kinde which is called

Roche Allum. The richnesse of such a commoditie is so well knowne that

I neede not to saye any thing thereof. The same earth doth also yeelde

White Copresse, Nitrum, and Alumen Plumeum, but nothing so plentifully

as the common Allum; which be also of price and profitable.

_Wapeih._

Wapeih, a kinde of earth so called by the naturall inhabitants; very

like to terra sigillata: and hauing beene refined, it hath beene found

by some of our Phisitions and Chirurgeons to bee of the same kinde of

vertue and more effectuall. The inhabitants vse it very much for the

cure of sores and woundes: there is in diuers places great plentie, and

in some places of a blewe sort.

_Pitch, Tarre, Rozen, and Turpentine._

There are those kindes of trees which yeelde them abundantly and great

store. In the very same Iland where wee were seated, being fifteene

miles of length, and fiue or sixe miles in breadth, there are fewe

trees els but of the same kind; the whole Iland being full.

_Sassafras._

Sassafras, called by the inhabitantes _Winauk_, a kinde of wood of most

pleasand and sweete smel, and of most rare vertues in phisick for the

cure of many diseases. It is found by experience to bee farre better

and of more vses then the wood which is called _Guaiacum_, or _Lignum

vitæ_. For the description, the manner of vsing and the manifolde

vertues thereof, I referre you to the booke of _Monardus_, translated

and entituled in English, _The ioyfull newes from the West Indies_.

_Cedar._

_Cedar_, a very sweet wood and fine timber; whereof if nests of chests

be there made, or timber therof fitted for sweet & fine bedsteads,

tables, deskes, lutes, virginalles & many things else, (of which there

hath beene proofe made already) to make vp fraite with other principal

commodities will yeeld profite.

_Wine._

There are two kinds of grapes that the soile doth yeeld naturally: the

one is small and sowre of the ordinarie bignesse as ours in England:

the other farre greater & of himselfe lushious sweet. When they are

planted and husbanded as they ought, a principall commoditie of wines

by them may be raised.

_Oyle._

There are two sortes of _Walnuttes_ both holding oyle, but the one

farre more plentifull then the other. When there are milles & other

deuises for the purpose, a commodity of them may be raised because

there are infinite store. There are also three seuerall kindes of

_Berries_ in the forme of Oke akornes, which also by the experience and

vse of the inhabitantes, wee finde to yeelde very good and sweete oyle.

Furthermore the _Beares_ of the countrey are commonly very fatte, and

in some places there are many: their fatnesse because it is so liquid,

may well be termed oyle, and hath many speciall vses.

_Furres._

All along the Sea coast there are great store of _Otters_, which

beeying taken by weares and other engines made for the purpose, will

yeelde good profite. Wee hope also of _Marterne furres_, and make no

doubt by the relation of the people but that in some places of the

countrey there are store: although there were but two skinnes that came

to our handes. _Luzarnes_ also we haue vnderstanding of, although for

the time we saw none.

_Deare skinnes._

_Deare skinnes_ dressed after the manner of _Chamoes_ or vndressed are

to be had of the naturall inhabitants thousands yeerely by way of

trifficke for trifles: and no more wast or spoile of Deare then is and

hath beene ordinarily in time before.

_Ciuet cattes._

In our trauailes, there was founde one to haue beene killed by a

saluage or inhabitant: and in an other place the smell where one or

more had lately beene before: whereby we gather besides then by the

relation of the people that there are some in the countrey: good

profite will rise by them.

_Iron._

In two places of the countrey specially, one about fourescore and the

other sixe score miles from the Fort or place where wee dwelt: wee

founde neere the water side the ground to be rockie, which by the

triall of a minerall man, was founde to holde Iron richly. It is founde

in manie places of the countrey else. I knowe nothing to the contrarie,

but that it maie bee allowed for a good marchantable commoditie,

considering there the small charge for the labour and feeding of men:

the infinite store of wood: the want of wood and deerenesse thereof in

England: & the necessity of ballasting of shippes.

_Copper._

A hundred and fiftie miles into the maine in two townes wee founde with

the inhabitaunts diuerse small plates of copper, that had beene made as

wee vnderstood, by the inhabitantes that dwell farther into the

countrey: where as they say are mountaines and Riuers that yeelde also

whyte graynes of Mettall, which is to bee deemed _Siluer_. For

confirmation whereof at the time of our first arriuall in the Countrey,

I sawe with some others with mee, two small peeces of siluer grosly

beaten about the weight of a Testrone, hangyng in the eares of a

_Wiroans_ or _chiefe Lorde_ that dwelt about fourescore myles from vs;

of whom thorowe enquiry, by the number of dayes and the way, I learned

that it had come to his handes from the same place or neere, where I

after vnderstood the copper was made and the white graynes of mettall

founde. The aforesaide copper wee also founde by triall to holde

siluer.

_Pearle._

Sometimes in feeding on muscles wee founde some pearle; but it was our

hap to meete with ragges, or of a pide colour; not hauing yet

discouered those places where wee hearde of better and more plentie.

One of our companie; a man of skill in such matters, had gathered

together from among the sauage people aboute fiue thousande: of which

number he chose so many as made a fayre chaine, which for their

likenesse and vniformitie in roundnesse, orientnesse, and pidenesse of

many excellent colours, with equalitie in greatnesse, were verie fayer

and rare; and had therefore beene presented to her Maiestie, had wee

not by casualtie and through extremity of a storme, lost them with many

things els in comming away from the countrey.

_Sweete Gummes._

Sweete Gummes of diuers kindes and many other Apothecary drugges of

which wee will make speciall mention, when wee shall receiue it from

such men of skill in that kynd, that in taking reasonable paines shall

discouer them more particularly then wee haue done; and than now I can

make relation of, for want of the examples I had prouited and gathered,

and are nowe lost, with other thinges by causualtie before mentioned.

_Dyes of diuers kindes._

There is Shoemake well knowen, and vsed in England for blacke; the

seede of an hearbe called Wasewówr; little small rootes called

Cháppacor; and the barke of the tree called by the inhabitaunts

Tangomóckonomindge: which Dies are for diuers sortes of red: their

goodnesse for our English clothes remayne yet to be proued. The

inhabitants vse them onely for the dying of hayre; and colouring of

their faces, aud Mantles made of Deare skinnes; and also for the dying

of Rushes to make artificiall workes withall in their Mattes and

Baskettes; hauing no other thing besides that they account of, apt to

vse them for. If they will not proue merchantable there is no doubt but

the Planters there shall finde apte vses for them, as also for other

colours which wee knowe to be there.

_Oade._

A thing of so great vent and vse amongst English Diers, which cannot

bee yeelded sufficiently in our owne countrey for spare of ground; may

bee planted in Virginia, there being ground enough. The grouth therof

need not to be doubted when as in the Ilandes of the Asores it groweth

plentifully, which is in the same climate. So likewise of Madder.

_Suger canes._

Whe carried thither Suger canes to plant which beeing not so well

preserued as was requisit, & besides the time of the yere being past

for their setting when we arriued, wee could not make that proofe of

them as wee desired. Notwithstanding, seeing that they grow in the same

climate, in the South part of Spaine and in Barbary, our hope in reason

may yet continue. So likewise for _Orenges_, and _Lemmons_, there may

be planted also _Quinses_. Wherebi may grow in reasonable time if the

action be diligently prosecuted, no small commodities in _Sugers_,

_Suckets_, and _Marmalades_.

Many other commodities by planting may there also bee raised, which I

leaue to your discret and gentle considerations: and many also may bee

there which yet we haue not discouered. Two more commodities of great

value one of certaintie, and the other in hope, not to be planted, but

there to be raised & in short time to be prouided and prepared, I might

have specified. So likewise of those commodities already set downe I

might haue said more; as of the particular places where they are founde

and best to be planted and prepared: by what meanes and in what

reasonable space of time they might be raised to profit and in what

proportion; but because others then welwillers might bee therewithall

acquainted, not to the good of the action, I haue wittingly omitted

them: knowing that to those that are well disposed I haue vttered,

according to my promise and purpose, for this part sufficient.

THE SECOND PART,

OF SVCHE COMMODITIES AS VIRGINIA IS knowne to yeelde for victuall and

sustenance of mans life, vsually fed vpon by the naturall inhabitants:

as also by vs during the time of our aboad. And first of such as are

sowed and husbanded.

PAGATOWR, a kinde of graine so called by the inhabitants; the same in

the West Indies is called MAYZE: English men call it Guinney wheate or

Turkie wheate, according to the names of the countreys from whence the

like hath beene brought. The graine is about the bignesse of our

ordinary English peaze and not much different in forme and shape: but

of diuers colours: some white, some red, some yellow, and some blew.

All of them yeelde a very white and sweete flowre: beeing vsed

according to his kinde it maketh a very good bread. Wee made of the

same in the countrey some mault, whereof was brued as good ale as was

to bee desired. So likewise by the help of hops therof may bee made as

good Beere. It is a graine of marueilous great increase; of a thousand,

fifteene hundred and some two thousand fold. There are three sortes, of

which two are ripe in an eleuen and twelue weekes at the most:

sometimes in ten, after the time they are set, and are then of height

in stalke about sixe or seuen foote. The other sort is ripe in

fourteene, and is about ten foote high, of the stalkes some beare foure

heads, some three, some one, and two: euery head containing fiue, sixe,

or seuen hundred graines within a fewe more or lesse. Of these graines

besides bread, the inhabitants make victuall eyther by parching them;

or seething them whole vntill they be broken; or boyling the floure

with water into a pappe.

_Okindgier_, called by vs _Beanes_, because in greatnesse & partly in

shape they are like to the Beanes in England; sauing that they are

flatter, of more diuers colours, and some pide. The leafe also of the

stemme is much different. In taste they are altogether as good as our

English peaze.

_Wickonzówr_, called by vs _Peaze_, in respect of the beanes for

distinction sake, because they are much lesse; although in forme they

little differ; but in goodnesse of tast much, & are far better then our

English peaze. Both the beanes and peaze are ripe in tenne weekes after

they are set. They make them victuall either by boyling them all to

pieces into a broth; or boiling them whole vntill they bee soft and

beginne to breake as is vsed in England, eyther by themselues or mixtly

together: Sometime they mingle of the wheate with them. Sometime also

beeing whole sodden, they bruse or pound them in a morter, & thereof

make loaues or lumps of dowishe bread, which they vse to eat for

varietie.

_Macócqwer_, according to their seuerall formes called by vs,

_Pompions_, _Mellions_, and _Gourdes_, because they are of the like

formes as those kindes in England. In _Virginia_ such of seuerall

formes are of one taste and very good, and do also spring from one

seed. There are of two sorts; one is ripe in the space of a moneth, and

the other in two moneths.

There is an hearbe which in Dutch is called _Melden_. Some of those

that I describe it vnto, take it to be a kinde of Orage; it groweth

about foure or fiue foote high: of the seede thereof they make a thicke

broth, and pottage of a very good taste: of the stalke by burning into

ashes they make a kinde of salt earth, wherewithall many vse sometimes

to season their brothes; other salte they knowe not. Wee our selues,

vsed the leaues also for pothearbes.

There is also another great hearbe in forme of a Marigolde, about sixe

foote in height; the head with the floure is a spanne in breadth. Some

take it to bee _Planta Solis:_ of the seedes heereof they make both a

kinde of bread and broth.

All the aforesaid commodities for victuall are set or sowed, sometimes

in groundes apart and seuerally by themselues; but for the most part

together in one ground mixtly: the manner thereof with the dressing and

preparing of the ground, because I will note vnto you the fertilitie of

the soile; I thinke good briefly to describe.

The ground they neuer fatten with mucke, dounge or any other thing;

neither plow nor digge it as we in England, but onely prepare it in

sort as followeth. A fewe daies before they sowe or set, the men with

wooden instruments, made almost in forme of mattockes or hoes with long

handles; the women with short peckers or parers, because they vse them

sitting, of a foote long and about fiue inches in breadth: doe onely

breake the vpper part of the ground to rayse vp the weedes, grasse, &

old stubbes of corne stalkes with their rootes. The which after a day

or twoes drying in the Sunne, being scrapte vp into many small heapes,

to saue them labour for carrying them away; they burne into ashes. (And

whereas some may thinke that they vse the ashes for to better the

grounde; I say that then they woulde eyther disperse the ashes abroade;

which wee obserued they doe not, except the heapes bee too great: or

els would take speciall care to set their corne where the ashes lie,

which also wee finde they are carelesse of.) And this is all the

husbanding of their ground that they vse.

Then their setting or sowing is after this maner. First for their

corne, beginning in one corner of the plot, with a pecker they make a

hole, wherein they put foure graines with that care they touch not one

another, (about an inch asunder) and couer them with the moulde againe:

and so through out the whole plot, making such holes and vsing them

after such maner: but with this regard that they bee made in rankes,

euery ranke differing from other halfe a fadome or a yarde, and the

holes also in euery ranke, as much. By this meanes there is a yarde

spare ground betwene euery hole: where according to discretion here and

there, they set as many Beanes and Peaze: in diuers places also among

the seedes of _Macócqwer_, _Melden_ and _Planta Solis_.

The ground being thus set according to the rate by vs experimented, an

English Acre conteining fourtie pearches in length, and foure in

breadth, doeth there yeeld in croppe or ofcome of corne, beanes, and

peaze, at the least two hundred London bushelles: besides the

_Macócqwer_, _Melden_, and _Planta Solis_: When as in England fourtie

bushelles of our wheate yeelded out of such an acre is thought to be

much.

I thought also good to note this vnto you, if you which shall inhabite

and plant there, maie know how specially that countrey corne is there

to be preferred before ours: Besides the manifold waies in applying it

to victuall, the increase is so much that small labour and paines is

needful in respect that must be vsed for ours. For this I can assure

you that according to the rate we haue made proofe of, one man may

prepare and husbande so much grounde (hauing once borne corne before)

with lesse then foure and twentie houres labour, as shall yeelde him

victuall in a large proportion for a twelue moneth, if hee haue nothing

else, but that which the same ground will yeelde, and of that kinde

onelie which I haue before spoken of: the saide ground being also but

of fiue and twentie yards square. And if neede require, but that there

is ground enough, there might be raised out of one and the selfsame

ground two haruestes or of-comes; for they sowe or set and may at anie

time when they thinke good from the middest of March vntill the ende of

Iune: so that they also set when they haue eaten of their first croppe.

In some places of the countrey notwithstanding they haue two haruests,

as we haue heard, out of one and the same ground.

For English corne neuertheles whether to vse or not to vse it, you that

inhabite maie do as you shall haue farther cause to thinke best. Of the

grouth you need not to doubt; for barlie, oates and peaze, we haue

seene proof of, not beeing purposely sowen but fallen casually in the

worst sort of ground, and yet to be as faire as any we haue euer seene

here in England. But of wheat because it was musty and hat taken salt

water wee could make no triall: and of rye we had none. Thus much haue

I digressed and I hope not vnnecessarily: nowe will I returne againe to

my course and intreate of that which yet remaineth appertaining to this

Chapter.

There is an herbe which is sowed a part by it selfe & is called by the

inhabitants Vppówoc: In the West Indies it hath diuers names, according

to the seuerall places & countries where it groweth and is vsed: The

Spaniardes generally call it Tobacco. The leaues thereof being dried

and brought into powder: they vse to take the fume or smoke thereof by

sucking it through pipes made of claie into their stomacke and heade;

from whence it purgeth superfluous fleame & other grosse humors,

openeth all the pores & passages of the body: by which meanes the vse

thereof, not only preserueth the body from obstructions; but also if

any be, so that they haue not beene of too long continuance, in short

time breaketh them: wherby their bodies are notably preserued in

health, & know not many greeuous diseases wherewithall wee in England

are oftentimes afflicted.

The Vppówoc is of so precious estimation amongest then, that they

thinke their gods are maruelously delighted therwith: Wherupon sometime

they make hallowed fires & cast some of the pouder therein for a

sacrifice: being in a storme vppon the waters, to pacifie their gods,

they cast some vp into the aire and into the water: so a weare for fish

being newly set vp, they cast some therein and into the aire: also

after an escape of danger, they cast some into the aire likewise: but

all done with strange gestures, stamping, somtime dauncing, clapping of

hands, holding vp of hands, & staring vp into rhe heauens, vttering

therewithal and chattering strange words & noises.

We ourselues during the time we were there vsed to suck it after their

maner, as also since our returne, & haue found manie rare and wonderful

experiments of the vertues thereof; of which the relation woulde

require a volume by it selfe: the vse of it by so manie of late, men &

women of great calling as else, and some learned Phisitions also, is

sufficient witnes.

And these are all the commodities for sustenance of life that I know

and can remember they vse to husband: all else that followe are founde

growing naturally or wilde.

_Of Rootes._

OPENAVK are a kind of roots of round forme, some of the bignes of

walnuts, some far greater, which are found in moist & marish grounds

growing many together one by another in ropes, or as thogh they were

fastnened with a string. Being boiled or sodden they are very good

meate.

OKEEPENAVK are also of round shape, found in dry grounds: some are of

the bignes of a mans head. They are to be eaten as they are taken out

of the ground, for by reason of their drinesse they will neither roste

nor seeth. Their tast is not so good as of the former rootes,

notwithstanding for want of bread & somtimes for varietie the

inhabitants vse to eate them with fish or flesh, and in my iudgement

they doe as well as the houshold bread made of rie heere in England.

_Kaishúcpenauk_ a white kind of roots about the bignes of hen egs &

nere of that forme: their tast was not so good to our seeming as of the

other, and therfore their place and manner of growing not so much cared

for by vs: the inhabitants notwithstanding vsed to boile & eate many.

_Tsinaw_ a kind of roote much like vnto the which in England is called

the _China root_ brought from the East Indies. And we know not anie

thing to the contrary but that it maie be of the same kind. These roots

grow manie together in great clusters and doe bring foorth a brier

stalke, but the leafe in shape far vnlike; which beeing supported by

the trees it groweth neerest vnto, wil reach or climbe to the top of

the highest. From these roots while they be new or fresh beeing chopt

into small pieces & stampt, is strained with water a iuice that maketh

bread, & also being boiled, a very good spoonemeate in maner of a

gelly, and is much better in tast if it bee tempered with oyle. This

_Tsinaw_ is not of that sort which by some was caused to be brought

into England for the _China roote_, for it was discouered since, and is

in vse as is afore saide: but that which was brought hither is not yet

knowne neither by vs nor by the inhabitants to serue for any vse or

purpose; although the rootes in shape are very like.

_Coscúshaw_, some of our company tooke to bee that kinde of roote which

the Spaniards in the West Indies call _Cassauy_, whereupon also many

called it by that name: it groweth in very muddie pooles and moist

groundes. Being dressed according to the countrey maner, it maketh a

good bread, and also a good sponemeate, and is vsed very much by the

inhabitants: The iuice of this root is poison, and therefore heede must

be taken before any thing be made therewithal: Either the rootes must

bee first sliced and dried in the Sunne, or by the fire, and then being

pounded into floure wil make good bread: or els while they are greene

they are to bee pared, cut into pieces and stampt; loues of the same to

be laid neere or ouer the fire vntill it be floure, and then being well

pounded againe, bread, or sponemeate very good in taste, and holsome

may be made thereof.

_Habascon_ is a roote of hoat taste almost of the forme and bignesse of

a Parseneepe, of it selfe it is no victuall, but onely a helpe beeing

boiled together with other meates.

There are also _Leekes_ differeing little from ours in England that

grow in many places of the countrey, of which, when we came in places

where, wee gathered and eate many, but the naturall inhabitants neuer.

_Of Fruites._

CHESTNVTS, there are in diuers places great store: some they vse to

eate rawe, some they stampe and boile to make spoonemeate, and with

some being sodden they make such a manner of dowebread as they vse of

their beanes before mentioned.

WALNVTS: There are two kindes of Walnuts, and of then infinit store: In

many places where very great woods for many miles together the third

part of trees are walnuttrees. The one kind is of the same taste and

forme or litle differing from ours of England, but that they are harder

and thicker shelled: the other is greater and hath a verie ragged and

harde shell: but the kernell great, verie oylie and sweete. Besides

their eating of them after our ordinarie maner, they breake them with

stones and pound them in morters with water to make a milk which they

vse to put into some sorts of their spoonmeate; also among their sodde

wheat, peaze, beanes and pompions which maketh them haue a farre more

pleasant taste.

MEDLARS a kind of verie good fruit, so called by vs chieflie for these

respectes: first in that they are not good vntill they be rotten: then

in that they open at the head as our medlars, and are about the same

bignesse: otherwise in taste and colour they are farre different: for

they are as red as cheries and very sweet: but whereas the cherie is

sharpe sweet, they are lushious sweet.

METAQVESVNNAVK, a kinde of pleasaunt fruite almost of the shape &

bignes of English peares, but that they are of a perfect red colour as

well within as without. They grow on a plant whose leaues are verie

thicke and full of prickles as sharpe as needles. Some that haue bin in

the Indies, where they haue seen that kind of red die of great price

which is called Cochinile to grow, doe describe his plant right like

vnto this of Metaquesunnauk but whether it be the true Cochinile or a

bastard or wilde kind, it cannot yet be certified; seeing that also as

I heard, Cochinile is not of the fruite but founde on the leaues of the

plant; which leaues for such matter we haue not so specially obserued.

GRAPES there are of two sorts which I mentioned in the marchantable

commodities.

STRABERIES there are as good & as great as those which we haue in our

English gardens.

MVLBERIES, Applecrabs, Hurts or Hurtleberies, such as wee haue in

England.

SACQVENVMMENER a kinde of berries almost like vnto capres but somewhat

greater which grow together in clusters vpon a plant or herb that is

found in shalow waters: being boiled eight or nine hours according to

their kind are very good meate and holesome, otherwise if they be eaten

they will make a man for the time franticke or extremely sicke.

There is a kind of reed which beareth a seed almost like vnto our rie

or wheat, & being boiled is good meate.

In our trauailes in some places wee founde _wilde peaze_ like vnto ours

in England but that they were lesse, which are also good meate.

_Of a kinde of fruite or berrie in the forme of Acornes._

There is a kind of berrie or acorne, of which there are fiue sorts that

grow on seuerall kinds of trees; the one is called _Sagatémener_, the

second _Osámener_, the third _Pummuckóner_. These kind of acorns they

vse to drie vpon hurdles made of reeds with fire vnderneath almost

after the maner as we dry malt in England. When they are to be vsed

they first water them vntil they be soft & then being sod they make a

good victuall, either to eate so simply, or els being also pounded, to

make loaues or lumpes of bread. These be also the three kinds of which,

I said before, the inhabitants vsed to make sweet oyle.

An other sort is called _Sapúmmener_ which being boiled or parched doth

eate and taste like vnto chestnuts. They sometime also make bread of

this sort.

The fifth sort is called _Mangúmmenauk_, and is the acorne of their

kind of oake, the which beeing dried after the maner of the first

sortes, and afterward watered they boile them, & their seruants or

sometime the chiefe themselues, either for variety or for want of

bread, doe eate them with their fish or flesh.

_Of Beastes._

_Deare_, in some places there are great store: neere vnto the sea coast

they are of the ordinarie bignes as ours in England, & some lesse: but

further vp into the countrey where there is better seed they are

greater: they differ from ours onely in this, their tailes are longer

and the snags of their hornes looke backward.

_Conies_, Those that we haue seen & al that we can heare of are of a

grey colour like vnto hares: in some places there are such plentie that

all the people of some townes make them mantles of the furre or flue of

the skinnes of those they vsually take.

_Saquenúckot_ & _Maquówoc_; two kindes of small beastes greater then

conies which are very good meat. We neuer tooke any of them our selves,

but sometime eate of such as the inhabitants had taken & brought vnto

vs.

_Squirels_ which are of a grey colour, we haue taken & eaten.

_Beares_ which are all of black colour. The beares of this countrey are

good meat; the inhabitants in time of winter do use to take & eate

manie; so also somtime did wee. They are taken commonlie in this sort.

In some Ilands or places where they are, being hunted for, as soone as

they haue spiall of a man they presently run awaie, & then being chased

they clime and get vp the next tree they can, from whence with arrowes

they are shot downe starke dead, or with those wounds that they may

after easily be killed; we sometime shotte them downe with our

caleeuers.

I haue the names of eight & twenty seuerall sortes of beasts which I

haue heard of to be here and there dispersed in the countrie,

especially in the maine: of which there are only twelue kinds that we

haue yet discouered, & of those that be good meat we know only them

before mentioned. The inhabitants somtime kil the _Lyon_ & eat him: &

we somtime as they came to our hands of their _Wolues_ or _woluish

Dogges_, which I haue not set downe for good meat, least that some

woulde vnderstand my iudgement therin to be more simple than needeth,

although I could alleage the difference in taste of those kindes from

ours, which by some of our company haue been experimented in both.

_Of Foule._

_Turkie cockes_ and _Turkie hennes_: _Stockdoues: Partridges: Cranes:

Hernes:_ & in winter great store of _Swannes_ & _Geese_. Of al sortes

of foule I haue the names in the countrie language of fourescore and

sixe of which number besides those that be named, we haue taken, eaten,

& haue the pictures as they were there drawne with the names of the

inhabitaunts of seuerall strange sortes of water foule eight, and

seuenteene kindes more of land foul, although wee haue seen and eaten

of many more, which for want of leasure there for the purpose coulde

not bee pictured: and after wee are better furnished and stored vpon

further discouery, with their strange beastes, fishe, trees, plants,

and hearbes, they shall bee also published.

There are also _Parats_, _Faulcons_, & _Marlin haukes_, which although

with vs they bee not vsed for meate, yet for other causes I thought

good to mention.

_Of Fishe._

For foure monethes of the yeere, February, March, Aprill and May, there

are plentie of _Sturgeons:_ And also in the same monethes of

_Herrings_, some of the ordinary bignesse as ours in England, but the

most part farre greater, of eighteene, twentie inches, and some two

foote in length and better; both these kindes of fishe in those

monethes are most plentifull, and in best season, which wee founde to

bee most delicate and pleasaunt meate.

There are also _Troutes, Porpoises, Rayes, Oldwiues, Mullets, Plaice_,

and very many other sortes of excellent good fish, which we haue taken

& eaten, whose names I know not but in the countrey language; wee haue

of twelue sorts more the pictures as they were drawn in the countrey

with their names.

The inhabitants vse to take then two maner of wayes, the one is by a

kind of wear made of reedes which in that countrey are very strong. The

other way which is more strange, is with poles make sharpe at one end,

by shooting them into the fish after the maner as Irishmen cast dartes;

either as they are rowing in their boates or els as they are wading in

the shallowes for the purpose.

There are also in many places plentie of these kindes which follow.

_Sea crabbes_, such as we haue in England.

_Oystres_, some very great, and some small; some rounde and some of a

long shape: They are founde both in salt water and brackish, and those

that we had out of salt water are far better than the other as in our

owne countrey.

Also _Muscles, Scalopes, Periwinkles_, and _Creuises_.

_Seekanauk_, a kind of crustie shell fishe which is good meate, about a

foote in breadth, hauing a crustie tayle, many legges like a crab; and

her eyes in her backe. They are founde in shallowes of salt waters; and

sometime on the shoare.

There are many _Tortoyses_ both of lande and sea kinde, their backes &

bellies are shelled very thicke; their head, feete, and taile, which

are in appearance, seeme ougly as though they were members of a serpent

or venemous: but notwithstanding they are very good meate, as also

their egges. Some haue bene founde of a yard in bredth and better.

And thus haue I made relation of all sortes of victuall that we fed

vpon for the time we were in _Virginia_, as also the inhabitants

themselues, as farre foorth as I knowe and can remember or that are

specially worthy to bee remembred.

THE THIRD AND LAST PART,

OF SVCH OTHER THINGES AS IS BEHOOFULL for those which shall plant and

inhabit to know of; with a description of the nature and manners of the

people of the countrey.

_Of commodities for building and other necessary uses._

Those other things which I am more to make rehearsall of, are such as

concerne building, and other mechanicall necessarie vses; as diuers

sortes of trees for house & ship timber, and other vses els: Also lime,

stone, and brick, least that being not mentioned some might haue bene

doubted of, or by some that are malicious reported the contrary.

_Okes_, there are as faire, straight, tall, and as good timber as any

can be, and also great store, and in some places very great.

_Walnut trees_, as I haue saide before very many, some haue bene seen

excellent faire timber of foure & fiue fadome, & aboue fourescore foot

streight without bough.

_Firre trees_ fit for masts of ships, some very tall & great.

_Rakíock_, a kind of trees so called that are sweet wood of which the

inhabitans that were neere vnto vs doe commonly make their boats or

Canoes of the form of trowes; only with the helpe of fire, harchets of

stones, and shels; we haue known some so great being made in that sort

of one tree that they haue carried well xx. men at once, besides much

baggage: the timber being great, tal, streight, soft, light, & yet

tough enough I thinke (besides other vses) to be fit also for masts of

ships.

_Cedar_, a sweet wood good for seelings, Chests, Boxes, Bedsteedes,

Lutes, Virginals, and many things els, as I haue also said before. Some

of our company which haue wandered in some places where I haue not

bene, haue made certaine affirmation of _Cyprus_ which for such and

other excellent vses, is also a wood of price and no small estimation.

_Maple_, and also _Wich-hazle_; wherof the inhabitants vse to make

their bowes.

_Holly_ a necessary thing for the making of birdlime.

_Willowes_ good for the making of weares and weeles to take fish after

the English manner, although the inhabitants vse only reedes, which

because they are so strong as also flexible, do serue for that turne

very well and sufficiently.

_Beech_ and _Ashe_, good for caske, hoopes: and if neede require, plow

worke, as also for many things els.

_Elme._

_Sassafras_ trees.

_Ascopo_ a kinde of tree very like vnto Lawrell, the barke is hoat in

tast and spicie, it is very like to that tree which Monardus describeth

to bee _Cassia Lignea_ of the West Indies.

There are many other strange trees whose names I knowe not but in the

_Virginian_ language, of which I am not nowe able, neither is it so

conuenient for the present to trouble you with particular relation:

seeing that for timber and other necessary vses I haue named

sufficient: And of many of the rest but that they may be applied to

good vse, I know no cause to doubt.