location for a settlement. His employers, the Earl of Southampton
and Thomas Arundell, had some definite purpose in mind, but their
plans were never fulfilled, and nothing is now known regarding
their intentions. Hon. James Phinney Baxter, in his life of Sir
Ferdinando Gorges, published at Portland in 1890, suggested that
Arundell, who was a papal count, may have had some scheme for
establishing a colony in which Roman Catholic Englishmen might find
a refuge in case of a renewal of persecution in England. A document
in the Roman archives shows that a Catholic priest accompanied
Waymouth’s ship. He may have been the James Rosier who wrote an
account of the voyage, which was printed at London shortly after
the return._
[Illustration: _Second English Book relating to New England_
A
TRVE RELATION
of the most prosperous voyage
_made this present yeere 1605_,
by Captaine _George Waymouth_,
in the Discouery of the land
of _Virginia_.
Where he discouered 60 miles vp
a most excellent Riuer; together
with a most
fertile land.
_Written by_ IAMES ROSIER,
_a Gentleman employed
in the voyage._
LONDINI
_Impensis_ GEOR. BISHOP.
1605.]
[Illustration: (Decorative banner)]
A TRUE RELATION of Captaine GEORGE WAYMOUTH his Voyage, made
this present yeere 1605; in the Discouerie of the North part of
_Virginia_.
VPON Tuesday the 5 day of March, ♦_1605 March_♦ about ten a clocke
afore noone, we set saile from Ratcliffe, and came to an anker that
tide about two a clocke before Grauesend.
From thence the 10 of March being Sunday at night we ankered in the
Downes: and there rode til the next day about three a clocke after
noone, when with a scant winde we set saile; and by reason the winde
continued Southwardly, we were beaten vp and doune: but on Saturday
the 16 day about foure a clocke after noon we put into Dartmouth
Hauen, where the continuance of the winde at South & Southwest
constrained vs to ride till the last of this moneth. There we shipped
some of our men and supplied necessaries for our Ship and Voyage.
Upon Easter day, being the last of March, the winde comming at
North-North-East, about fiue a clocke after noone we wayed anker, and
put to sea. In the name of God, being well victualled and furnished
with munition and all necessaries: Our whole Company being but 29
persons; of whom I may boldly say, few voyages have beene manned
forth with better Sea-men generally in respect of our small number.
Munday the next day, being the first of Aprill, ♦_April_♦ by sixe a
clocke in the morning we were sixe leagues South-South-East from the
Lizarde.
At two a clocke in the afternoone this day, the weather being very
faire, our Captaine for his owne experience and others with him
sounded, and had sixe and fiftie fathoms and a halfe. The sounding
was some small blacke perrie sand, some reddish sand, a match or two,
with small shels called Saint James his Shels.
The foureteenth of Aprill being Sunday, betweene nine and ten of the
clocke in the morning our Captaine descried the Iland Cueruo: which
bare South-West and by West, about seuen leagues from vs: by eleuen
of the clocke we descried Flores to the Southward of Cueruo, as it
lieth: by foure a clocke in the afternoone we brought Cueruo due
South from vs within two leagues of the shore, but we touched not,
because the winde was faire, and we thought our selues sufficiently
watered and wooded.
Heere our Captaine obserued the Sunne, and found himselfe in the
latitude of 40 degrees and 7 minutes: so he judged the North part
of Cueruo to be in 40 degrees. After we had kept our course about a
hundred leagues from the Ilands, by continuall Southerly windes we
were forced and driuen from the Southward, whither we first intended.
And when our Captaine by long beating saw it was but in vaine to
striue with windes, not knowing Gods purposes heerein to our further
blessing, (which after by his especiall direction wee found) he
thought best to stand as nigh as he could by the winde to recouer
what land we might first discouer.
Munday, the 6 of May, ♦_May_♦ being in the latitude of 39 and a
halfe about ten a clocke afore noone, we came to a riplin, which we
discerned a head our ship, which is a breach of water caused either
by a fall, or by some meeting of currents, which we judged this to
be; for the weather being very faire, and a small gale of winde, we
sounded and found no ground in a hundred fathoms.
Munday, the 13 of May, about eleuen a clocke afore noone, our
Captaine, judging we were not farre from land, sounded, and had a
soft oaze in a hundred and sixty fathomes. At fowre a clocke after
noone we sounded againe, and had the same oaze in a hundred fathoms.
From ten a clocke that night till three a clocke in the morning,
our Captaine tooke in all sailes and lay at hull, being desirous to
fall with the land in the day time, because it was an unknowen coast,
which it pleased God in his mercy to grant vs, otherwise we had run
our ship vpon the hidden rockes and perished all. For when we set
saile we sounded in 100 fathoms: and by eight a clock, hauing not
made aboue fiue or six leagues, our Captaine vpon a sudden change of
water (supposing verily he saw the sand) presently sounded, and had
but fiue fathoms. Much maruelling because we saw no land, he sent one
to the top, who thence descried a whitish sandy cliffe, ♦_Sankaty
Head_♦ which bare West-North-West about six leagues off from vs: but
comming neerer within three or fowre leagues, we saw many breaches
still neerer the land: at last we espied a great breach a head vs
al along the shore, into which before we should enter, our Captaine
thought best to hoise out his ship boate and sound it. Which if he
had not done, we had beene in great danger: for he bare vp the ship,
as neere as he durst after the boate: vntill Thomas Cam, his mate,
being in the boat, called to him to tacke about & stand off, for in
this breach he had very showld water, two fathoms and lesse vpon
rockes, and sometime they supposed they saw the rocke within three
or fowre foote, whereon the sea made a very strong breach: which we
might discerne (from the top) to run along as we sailed by it 6 or
7 leagues to the Southward. This was in the latitude of 41 degrees,
20 minuts: wherefore we were constrained to put backe againe from the
land: and sounding, (the weather being very faire and a small winde)
we found our selues embaied with continuall showldes and rockes in
a most uncertaine ground, from five or sixe fathoms, at the next
cast of the lead we should haue 15 & 18 fathoms. Ouer many which we
passed, and God so blessed vs, that we had wind and weather as faire
as poore men in this distresse could wish: whereby we both perfectly
discerned euery breach, and with the winde were able to turne, where
we saw most hope of safest passage. Thus we parted from the land,
which we had not so much before desired, and at the first sight
rejoiced, as now we all joifully praised God, that it had pleased him
to deliuer vs from so imminent danger.
Heere we found great store of excellent Cod fish, and saw many
Whales, as we had done two or three daies before.
We stood off all that night, and the next day being Wednesday; but
the wind still continuing between the points of South-South-West, and
West-South-West: so as we could not make any way to the Southward, in
regard of our great want of water and wood (which was now spent) we
much desired land and therefore sought for it, where the wind would
best suffer vs to refresh our selues.
Thursday, the 16 of May, we stood in directly with the land, and much
maruelled we descried it not, wherein we found our sea charts very
false, putting land where none is.
Friday, the 17 of May, about sixe a clocke at night we descried the
land, which bare from vs North-North-East; but because it blew a
great gale of winde, the sea very high and neere night, not fit to
come vpon an vnknowen coast, we stood off till two a clocke in the
morning, being Saturday: then standing in with it againe, we descried
it by eight a clocke in the morning, bearing North-East from vs. It
appeared a meane high land, as we after found it, ♦_Monhegan_♦ being
but an Iland of some six miles in compasse, but I hope the most
fortunate euer yet discouered. About twelve a clocke that day, we
came to an anker on the North side of this Iland, about a league from
the shore. About two a clocke our Captaine with twelue men rowed in
his ship boat to the shore, where we made no long stay, but laded our
boat with dry wood of olde trees vpon the shore side, and returned to
our ship, where we rode that night.
This Iland is woody, growen with Firre, Birch, Oke and Beech, as
farre as we saw along the shore; and so likely to be within. On the
verge grow Gooseberries, Strawberries, Wild pease, and Wild rose
bushes. The water issued foorth downe the Rocky cliffes in many
places: and much fowle of diuers kinds breed vpon the shore and rocks.
While we were at shore, our men aboord with a few hooks got aboue
thirty great Cods and Hadocks, which gaue vs a taste of the great
plenty of fish which we found afterward wheresoeuer we went vpon the
coast.
From hence we might discerne the maine land from the West-South-West
to the East-North-East, and a great way (as it then seemed, and
as we after found it) vp into the maine we might discerne very
high mountaines, ♦_Camden Hills_♦ though the maine seemed but low
land; which gaue vs a hope it would please God to direct vs to the
discouerie of some good; although wee were driuen by winds farre
from that place, whither (both by our direction and desire) we euer
intended to shape the course of our voyage.
The next day being Whit-Sunday; because we rode too much open to
the sea and windes, we weyed anker about twelue a clocke, and came
along to the other Ilands more adjoyning to the maine, and in the
rode directly with the mountaines, about three leagues from the first
Iland where we had ankered.
When we came neere vnto them (sounding all along in a good depth) our
Captaine manned his ship-boat and sent her before with Thomas Cam
one of his Mates, whom he knew to be of good experience, to sound &
search betweene the Ilands for a place safe for our shippe to ride
in; ♦_St. George’s Islands_♦ in the meane while we kept aloofe at
sea, hauing giuen them in the boat a token to weffe in the ship,
if he found a conuenient Harbour; which it pleased God to send vs,
farre beyond our expectation, in a most safe birth defended from all
windes, in an excellent depth of water for ships of any burthen, in
six, seuen, eight, nine and ten fathoms vpon a clay oaze very tough.
We all with great joy praised God for his vnspeakable goodnesse, who
had from so apparent danger deliuered vs, & directed vs vpon this
day into so secure an Harbour: in remembrance whereof we named it
Pentecost harbor, we arriuing there that day out of our last Harbor
in England, from whence we set saile vpon Easterday.
About foure a clocke, after we were ankered and well mored, our
Captaine with halfe a dozen of our Company went on shore to seeke
fresh watering, and a conuenient place to set together a pinnesse,
which we brought in pieces out of England; both which we found very
fitting.
Vpon this Iland, as also vpon the former, we found (at our first
comming to shore) where fire had beene made: and about the place
were very great egge shelles bigger than goose egges, fish bones, and
as we judged, the bones of some beast.
Here we espied Cranes stalking on the shore of a little Iland
adjoyning; where we after saw they vsed to breed.
Whitsun-munday, the 20 day of May, very early in the morning, our
Captaine caused the pieces of the pinnesse to be carried a shore,
where while some were busied about her, others digged welles to
receiue the fresh water, which we found issuing downe out of the land
in many places. Heere I cannot omit (for foolish feare of imputation
of flattery) the painfull industry of our Captaine, who as at sea
he is alwayes most carefull and vigilant, so at land he refuseth
no paines; but his labour was euer as much or rather more than any
mans: which not only encourageth others with better content, but also
effecteth much with great expedition.
In digging we found excellent clay for bricke or tile.
The next day we finished a well of good and holesome cleere water in
a great empty caske, which we left there. We cut yards, waste trees,
and many necessaries for our ship, while our Carpenter and Cooper
laboured to fit and furnish forth the shallop.
This day our boat went out about a mile from our ship, and in small
time with two or three hooks was fished sufficiently for our whole
Company three dayes, with great Cod, Haddocke, and Thornebacke.
And towards night we drew with a small net of twenty fathoms very
nigh the shore: we got about thirty very good and great Lobsters,
many Rockfish, some Plaise, and other small fishes, and fishes called
Lumpes, verie pleasant to the taste: and we generally obserued, that
all the fish, of what kinde soeuer we tooke, were well fed, fat, and
sweet in taste.
Wednesday, the 22 of May, we felled and cut wood for our ships
vse, cleansed and scoured our wels, and digged a plot of ground,
wherein, amongst some garden seeds, we sowed peaze and barley, which
in sixteen dayes grew eight inches aboue ground; and so continued
growing euery day halfe an inch, although this was but the crust of
the ground, and much inferior to the mould we after found in the
maine.
Friday, the 24 of May, after we had made an end of cutting wood, and
carying water aboord our shippe, with fourteene Shot and Pikes we
marched about and thorow part of two of the Ilands; the bigger of
which we judged to be foure or fiue miles in compasse, and a mile
broad.
The profits and fruits which are naturally on these Ilands are these:
{Rasberries.
All along the shore and {Gooseberries.
some space within, where {Strawberries.
the wood hindereth not, {Roses.
grow plentifully {Currants.
{Wild-Vines.
{Angelica.
{Birch.
{Beech.
{Ash.
Within the Ilands growe {Maple.
wood of sundry sorts, some {Spruce.
very great, and all tall: {Cherry-tree.
{Yew.
{Oke very great and good.
{Firre-tree,
out of which issueth Turpentine in so maruellous plenty, and so
sweet, as our Chirurgeon and others affirmed they neuer saw so good
in England. We pulled off much Gumme congealed on the outside of the
barke, which smelled like Frankincense. This would be a great benefit
for making Tarre and Pitch.
We stayed the longer in this place, not only because of our good
Harbour (which is an excellent comfort) but because euery day we did
more and more discouer the pleasant fruitfulnesse; insomuch as many
of our Companie wished themselues setled heere, not expecting any
further hopes, or better discouery to be made.
Heere our men found abundance of great muscels among the rocks; and
in some of them many small Pearls: and in one muscell (which we drew
vp in our net) was found foureteene Pearles, whereof one of prety
bignesse and orient; in another aboue fiftie small Pearles; and if
we had had a Drag, no doubt we had found some of great valew, seeing
these did certainly shew, that heere they were bred: the shels all
glistering with mother of Pearle.
Wednesday, the 29 day, our shallop being now finished, and our
Captaine and men furnished to depart with hir from the ship: we set
vp a crosse on the shore side vpon the rockes.
Thursday, the 30 of May, about ten a clock afore noon, our Captaine
with 13 men more, in the name of God, and with all our praiers
for their prosperous discouerie, and safe returne, departed in
the shallop: leauing the ship in a good harbour, which before I
mentioned, well mored, and manned with 14 men.
This day, about fiue a clocke in the afternoone, we in the shippe
espied three Canoas comming towards vs, which went to the iland
adjoining, where they went a shore, and very quickly had made a fire,
about which they stood beholding our ship: to whom we made signes
with our hands and hats, weffing vnto them to come vnto vs, because
we had not seene any of the people yet. They sent one Canoa with
three men, one of which, when they came neere vnto vs, spake in his
language very lowd and very boldly: seeming as though he would know
why we were there, and by pointing with his oare towards the sea, we
conjectured he ment we should be gone. But when we shewed them kniues
and their vse, by cutting of stickes and other trifles, as combs and
glasses, they came close aboard our ship, as desirous to entertaine
our friendship. To these we gaue such things as we perceiued they
liked, when wee shewed them the vse: bracelets, rings, peacocke
feathers, which they stucke in their haire, and Tabacco pipes. After
their departure to their company on the shore, presently came foure
other in another Canoa: to whom we gaue as to the former, vsing them
with as much kindnes as we could.
The shape of their body is very proportionable, they are wel
countenanced, not very tal nor big, but in stature like to vs: they
paint their bodies with blacke, their faces, some with red, some with
blacke, and some with blew.
Their clothing is Beauers skins, or Deares skins, cast ouer them like
a mantle, and hanging downe to their knees, made fast together vpon
the shoulder with leather; some of them had sleeues, most had none;
some had buskins of such leather tewed: they haue besides a peece
of Beauers skin betweene their legs, made fast about their waste, to
couer their priuities.
They suffer no haire to grow on their faces, but on their head very
long and very blacke, which those that haue wiues, binde vp behinde
with a leather string, in a long round knot.
They seemed all very ciuill and merrie: shewing tokens of much
thankefulnesse, for those things we gaue them. We found them then (as
after) a people of exceeding good inuention, quicke vnderstanding and
readie capacitie.
Their Canoas are made without any iron, of the bark of a birch tree,
strengthened within with ribs and hoops of wood, in so good fashion,
with such excellent ingenious art, as they are able to beare seuen or
eight persons, far exceeding any in the Indies.
One of their Canoas came not to vs, wherein we imagined their women
were: of whom they are (as all Saluages) very jealous.
When I signed unto them they should goe sleepe, because it was night,
they vnderstood presently, and pointed that at the shore, right
against our ship, they would stay all night: as they did.
The next morning very early, came one Canoa abord vs againe with
three Saluages, whom we easily then enticed into our ship, and vnder
the decke: where we gaue them porke, fish, bread and pease, all
which they did eat; and this I noted, they would eat nothing raw,
either fish or flesh. They maruelled much and much looked vpon the
making of our canne and kettle, so they did at a head-peece and at
our guns, of which they are most fearefull, and would fall flat downe
at the report of them. At their departure I signed vnto them, that if
they would bring me such skins as they ware I would giue them kniues,
and such things as I saw they most liked, which the chiefe of them
promised to do by that time the Sunne should be beyond the middest
of the firmament; this I did to bring them to an vnderstanding of
exchange, and that they might conceiue the intent of our comming to
them to be for no other end.
About 10 a clocke this day we descried our Shallop returning
toward vs, which so soone as we espied, we certainly conjectured
our Captaine had found some vnexpected harbour, further vp towards
the maine to bring the ship into, or some riuer; knowing his
determination and resolution, not so suddenly else to make return:
which when they came neerer they expressed by shooting volleies of
shot; and when they were come within Musket shot, they gaue vs a
volley and haled vs, then we in the shippe gaue them a great peece
and haled them.
Thus we welcomed them; who gladded vs exceedingly with their joifull
relation of their happie discouerie, which shall appeare in the
sequele. And we likewise gaue them cause of mutuall joy with vs, in
discoursing of the kinde ciuility we found in a people, where we
little expected any sparke of humanity.
Our Captaine had in this small time discouered vp a great riuer,
♦_St. George’s River_♦ trending alongst into the maine about forty
miles. The pleasantnesse whereof, with the safety of harbour for
shipping, together with the fertility of ground and other fruits,
which were generally by his whole company related, I omit, till I
report of the whole discouery therein after performed. For by the
breadth, depth and strong flood, imagining it to run far vp into the
land, he with speed returned, intending to flanke his light horsman
for arrowes, least it might happen that the further part of the
riuer should be narrow, and by that meanes subject to the volley of
Saluages on either side out of the woods.
Vntill his returne, our Captaine left on shore where he landed in a
path (which seemed to be frequented) a pipe, a brooch and a knife,
thereby to know if the Saluages had recourse that way, because they
could at that time see none of them, but they were taken away before
our returne thither.
I returne now to our Saluages, who according to their appointment
about one a clocke, came with 4 Canoas to the shoare of the iland
right ouer against vs, where they had lodged the last night, and sent
one Canoa to vs with two of those Saluages, who had beene a bord,
and another, who then seemed to haue command of them; for though we
perceiued their willingnesse, yet he would not permit them to come
abord; but he hauing viewed vs and our ship, signed that he would go
to the rest of the company and returne againe. Presently after their
departure it began to raine, and continued all that afternoone, so
as they could not come to vs with their skins and furs, nor we go to
them. But after an howre or there about, the three which had beene
with vs before came againe, whom we had to our fire and couered
them with our gownes. Our Captaine bestowed a shirt vpon him, whom
we thought to be their chiefe, who seemed neuer to haue seene any
before; we gaue him a brooch to hang about his necke, a great knife,
and lesser kniues to the two other, and to euery one of them a combe
and glasse, the vse whereof we shewed them: whereat they laughed
and tooke gladly; we victualled them, and gaue them aqua vitae,
which they tasted, but would by no meanes drinke; our beueridge they
liked well, we gaue them Sugar Candy, which after they had tasted
they liked and desired more, and raisons which were giuen them; and
some of euery thing they would reserue to carry to their company.
Wherefore we pittying their being in the raine, and therefore not
able to get themselues victuall (as we thought) we gaue them bread
and fish.
Thus because we found the land a place answereable to the intent of
our discouery, viz. fit for any nation to inhabit, we vsed the people
with as great kindnes as we could deuise, or found them capable of.
The next day, being Saturday and the first of June, ♦_June_♦ I traded
with the Saluages all the fore noone vpon the shore, where were eight
and twenty of them: and because our ship rode nigh, we were but fiue
or sixe: where for kniues, glasses, combes and other trifles to the
valew of foure or fiue shillings, we had 40 good Beauers skins,
Otters skins, Sables, and other small skins, which we knewe not how
to call. Our trade being ended, many of them came abord vs, and did
eat by our fire, and would be verie merrie and bold, in regard of our
kinde vsage of them. Towards night our Captaine went on shore, to
haue a draught with the Sein or Net. And we carried two of them with
vs, who maruelled to see vs catch fish with a net. Most of that we
caught we gaue them and their company. Then on the shore I learned
the names of diuers things of them: and when they perceiued me to
note them downe, they would of themselues, fetch fishes, and fruit
bushes, and stand by me to see me write their names.
Our Captaine shewed them a strange thing which they woondred at. His
sword and mine hauing beene touched with the Loadstone, tooke vp a
knife, and held it fast when they plucked it away, made the knife
turne, being laid on a blocke, and touching it with his sword, made
that take vp a needle, whereat they much maruelled. This we did to
cause them to imagine some great power in vs: and for that to loue
and feare vs.