not to be good, being very rockey and full of trees and brush-wood.
There is great store of fowle of diverse sorts, wherof I fed very
plentifully.
About two English miles further to the East, I found a great River
and a good harbour called _Pascattaway_. But for the ground I can say
nothing, but by the relation of the _Sagamore_ or King of that place,
who told me there was much good ground up in the river about seven or
eight leagues.
About two leagues further to the East, is another great river called
_Aquamenticus_. ♦_York River_♦ There I think a good plantation may
be settled, for there is a good harbour for ships, good ground, and
much already cleared, fit for planting of corne and other fruits,
having heretofore ben planted by the Salvages who are all dead. There
is good timber, and likely to be good fishing, but as yet there hath
beene no tryall made that I can heare of.
About 6 leagues further to the East is a harbour called _Cape
Porpas_, the which is indifferent good for 6 shippes, and it is
generally thought to be an excellent place for fish, but as yet there
hath been no tryall made, but there may be a good plantation seated,
for there is good Timber and good ground, but will require some
labour and charge.
About foure leagues further East, there is another harbour called
_Sawco_ (betweene this place and _Cape Porpas_ I lost one of my men)
before we could recover the harbour a great fog or mist tooke us
that we could not see a hundred yards from us. I perceiving the fog
to come upon the Sea, called for a Compasse and set the Cape land,
by which wee knew how to steare our course, which was no sooner done
but wee lost sight of land, and my other boate, and the winde blew
fresh against us, so that we were enforced to strike saile and betake
us to our Oares which wee used with all the wit and strength we had,
but by no meanes could we recover the shore that night, being imbayed
and compassed round with breaches, which roared in a most fearfull
manner on every side us; wee took counsell in this extremity one of
another what to doe to save our lives, at length we resolved that to
put to sea againe in the night was no fit course, the storme being
great, and the winde blowing right of the shore, and to runne our
boate on the shore amongst the breaches, (which roared in a most
fearefull manner) and cast her away and indanger ourselves we were
loath to do, seeing no land nor knowing where we were. At length I
caused our Killick (which was all the Anker we had) to be cast forth,
and one continually to hold his hand upon the roode or cable, by
which we knew whether our ancker held or no: which being done wee
commended our selues to God by prayer, & put on a resolution to be as
comfortable as we could, and so fell to our victuals. Thus we spent
that night, and the next morning, with much adoe we got into Sawco,
where I found my other boate.
There I stayed fiue nights, the winde beinge contrary, and the
weather very unseasonable, hauing much raine and snow, and continuall
foggse.
We built us our Wigwam, or house, in one houres space, it had no
frame, but was without forme or fashion, onely a few poles set up
together, and couered with our boates sailes which kept forth but a
little winde, and lesse raigne and snow.
Our greatest comfort we had, next unto that which was spirituall, was
this we had foule enough for killing, wood enough for felling, and
good fresh water enough for drinking.
But our beds was the wet ground, and our bedding our wet cloaths. Wee
had plenty of Craine, Goose, Duckes and Mallard, with other fowle,
both boyled and rosted, but our spits and racks were many times in
danger of burning before the meate was ready (being but wooden ones.)
After I had stayed there three daies, and no likelyhood of a good
winde to carrie vs further, I tooke with me six of my men, and our
Armes, and walked along the shore, to discouer as much by land as I
could: after I had travelled about two English miles I met with a
riuer which stayed me that I could goe no further by land that day,
but returned to our place of habitation where we rested that night
(hauing our lodging amended) for the day being dry I caused all my
company to accompany mee to a marsh ground, where wee gathered euery
man his burthen of long dry grasse, which being spread in our Wigwam
or House, I praise God I rested as contentedly as euer I did in all
my life. And then came into my minde an old merry saying, which I
haue heard of a beggar boy, who said if euer he should attaine to
be a King, he would haue a breast of mutton with a pudding in it,
and lodge euery night vp to the eares in drye straw; and thus I made
myselfe and my company as merry as I could, with this and some other
conceits, making this vse of all, that it was much better then wee
deserued at Gods hands, if he should deale with vs according to our
sinnes.
The next morning I caused 4 of my men to rowe my lesser boate to this
riuer, who with much adoe got in myselfe, and 3 more going by land:
but by reason of the extremitie of the wether we were enforced to
stay there that night, and were constrained to sleepe vpon the riuer
banke, being the best place wee could finde, the snowe being very
deepe.
The next morning wee were enforced to rise betime, for the tyde came
vp so high that it washed away our fire, and would haue serued vs
so too if we had not kept watch: So wee went over the riuer in our
boate, where I caused some to stay with her, myselfe being desirous
to discouer further by land, I tooke with me foure men and walked
along the shore about sixe English miles further to the East, where I
found another riuer, which staied mee. So we returned backe to Sawco,
where the rest of my company and my other boate lay. That night I was
exceeding sicke, by reason of the wet and cold and much toyling of my
body: but thankes be to God I was indifferent well the next morning,
and the winde being faire we put to sea, and that day came to _Quack_.
But before I speak of this place I must say something of _Sawco_,
♦_Saco_♦ and the too riuers which I discouered in that bay, which I
thinke neuer Englishman saw before.
_Sawco_ is about one league to the North-east of a cape land. And
about one English mile from the maine lieth sixe Ilands, which make
an indifferent good harbour. And in the maine there is a Coue or
gutt, which is about a cables length in bredth, and too cables length
long, there two good Ships may ride, being well mored a head and
starne; and within the Coue there is a great Marsh, where at a high
water a hundredth sayle of Ships may floate, and be free from all
winds, but at low water must ly a ground, but being soft oase they
can take no hurte.
In this place there is a world of fowle, much good timber, and a
great quantetie of cleare ground and good, if it be not a little too
sandy. There hath beene more fish taken within too leagues of this
place this yeare then in any other in the land.
The riuer next to _Sawco_ eastwards, which I discovered by land,
and after brought my boat into, is the strangest river that ever my
eyes beheld. It flowes at the least ten foot water upright, and yet
the ebbe runs so strong that the tyde doth not stem it. At three
quarters floud my men were scarce able with foure Oares to rowe
ahead. And more then that, at full Sea I dipped my hand in the water,
quite without the mouth of the River, in the very main Ocean, and it
was as fresh as though it had been taken from the head of a Spring.
This River, as I am told by the _Salvages_, commeth from a great
mountaine called the Christall hill, being as they say 100 miles in
the Country, yet is it to be seene at the sea side, and there is no
ship ariues in _New England_, either to the West so farre as _Cape
Cod_, or to the East so farre as _Monhiggen_, but they see this
Mountaine the first land, if the weather be cleere.
The next river Eastward which I discovered by land, is about sixe
miles from the other. About these two riuers I saw much good
timber and sandy ground, there is also much fowle, fish and other
commodities: but these places are not fit for plantation for the
present, because there is no good comming in, either for ship, or
boate, by reason of a sandy breach which lyeth alongst the shore, and
makes all one breach.
And now in its place I come to _Quack_, which I haue named _Yorke_.
At this place there fished divers ships of _Waymouth_ this yeare.
It lyeth about two leagues to the East of _Cape Elizabeth_. It is
a Bay or Sound ♦_Portland Harbour_♦ betwixt the Maine and certaine
Ilands which lyeth in the sea about one English mile and halfe.
There are foure Ilands which makes one good harbour, there is very
good fishing, much fowle and the mayne as good ground as any can
desire. There I found one River wherein the Savages say there is much
_Salmon_ and other good fish. In this Bay, there hath ben taken this
yeare 4. _Sturgions_, by fishermen who driue only for _Herrings_, so
that it is likely there may be good store taken if there were men
fit for that purpose. This River I made bold to call by my owne name
_Levetts_ river, ♦_Fore River_♦ being the first that discovered it.
How farre this river is Navigable I cannot tell, I haue ben but 6.
miles up it, but on both sides is goodly ground.
In the same Bay I found another River, ♦_Presumpscot River_♦ up which
I went about three miles, and found a great fall, of water much
bigger than the fall at _London_ bridge, at low water; further a
boate cannot goe, but above the fall the River runnes smooth againe.
Iust at this fall of water the _Sagamore_ or King of that place hath
a house, where I was one day when there were two _Sagamors_ more,
their wiues and children, in all about 50. and we were but 7. They
bid me welcome and gaue me such victualls as they had, and I gaue
them Tobacco and Aqua vitæ.
After I had spent a little time with them I departed & gaue them a
small shot, and they gaue me another. And the great _Sagamore_ of
the East country, whom the rest doe acknowledge to be chiefe amongst
them, hee gaue unto me a Bevers skin, which I thankfully received,
and so in great loue we parted. On both sides this river there is
goodly ground.
From this harbour to _Sagadahock_, which is about 8. or 9. leagues,
is all broken Ilands in the Sea, which makes many excellent good
Harbours, where a thousand saile of Shipps may ride in safety; the
sound going up within the Ilands to the Cape of _Sagadahock_.
In the way betwixt _Yorke_ and _Sagadahock_ lyeth _Cascoe_, ♦_Casco
Bay_♦ a good harbour, good fishing, good ground, and much fowle. And
I am perswaded that from _Cape Elizabeth_ to _Sagadahock_, which is
aboue 30 leagues to follow the Maine, is all exceeding commodious for
Plantations: and that there may be 20 good Townes well seated, to
take the benefit both of the sea, and fresh Rivers.
For _Sagadahock_ I need say nothing of it, there hath been
heeretofore enough said by others, and I feare me too much. But the
place is good, there fished this yeare two ships.
The next place I came to was _Capemanwagan_, ♦_Boothbay_♦ a place
where nine ships fished this yeare. But I like it not for a
plantation, for I could see little good timber & lesse good ground,
there I stayed foure nights, in which time, there came many Savages
with their wiues and children, and some of good accompt amongst them,
as _Menarwormet_ a Sagamore, _Cogawesco_ the Sagamore of _Casco_ and
_Quack_, now called _Yorke_, _Somerset_, a Sagamore, one that hath
ben found very faithfull to the English, and hath saved the liues of
many of our Nation, some from starving, others from killing.
They entended to haue ben gone presently, but hearing of my being
there, they desired to see me, which I understood by one of the
Masters of the Ships, who likewise told me that they had some store
of Beauer coats and skinnes, and was going to _Pemaquid_ to truck
with one Mr. _Witheridge_, a Master of a ship of _Bastable_, and
desired me to use meanes that they should not carry them out of the
harbour, I wisht them to bring all their truck to one Mr. _Cokes_
stage, & I would do the best I could to put it away: some of them
did accordingly, and I then sent for the _Sagamores_, who came, and
after some complements they told me I must be their cozen, and that
Captaine _Gorges_ was so, (which you may imagine I was not a little
proud of, to be adopted cozen to so many great Kings at one instant,
but did willingly accept of it) and so passing away a little time
very pleasantly, they desired to be gone, whereupon I told them
that I understood they had some coates and Beauers skins which I
desired to truck for but they were unwilling, and I seemed carelesse
of it (as men must doe if they desire any thing of them.) But at
last _Somerset_ swore that there should be none carryed out of the
harbour, but his cozen _Levett_ should haue all, and then they began
to offer me some by way of gift, but I would take none but one paire
of sleeues from _Cogawesco_, but told them it was not the fashion of
English Captaines alwaies to be taking, but sometimes to take and
giue, and continually to truck was very good. But in fine, we had all
except one coate and two skinnes, which they reserved to pay an old
debt with, but they staying all that night, had them stole from them.
In the morning the _Sagamores_ came to mee with a grieuous complaint,
I vsed the best language I could to giue them content, and went with
them to some Stages which they most suspected, and seached both
Cabins and Chests, but found none. They seeing my willingnesse to
finde the theefe out, gaue mee thankes, and wished me to forbeare
saying the Rogues had carried them into the woods where I could not
find them.
When they were ready to depart they asked mee where I meant to settle
my plantation. I told them I had seene many places to the west, and
intended to goe farther to the east before I could resolue, they
sayed there was no good place, and I had heard, that _Pemoquid_ and
_Capmanwagan_, and _Monhiggon_ were granted to others, & the best
time for fishing was then at hand, which made me the more willing
to retire, and the rather because _Cogawesco_, the _Sagamore_ of
_Casco_ and _Quacke_, told me if that I would sit downe at either of
those two places, I should be very welcome, and that he and his wife
would goe along with me in my boate to see them, which curtesy I had
no reason to refuse, because, I had set vp my resolution before to
settle my plantation at _Quacke_, which I named _Yorke_, and was glad
of this oppertunity, that I had obtained the consent of them who as I
conceiue hath a naturall right of inheritance, as they are the sonnes
of Noah, and therefore doe thinke it fit to carry things very fairely
without compulsion, (if it be posible) for avoyding of treacherie.
The next day the winde came faire, and I sayled to _Quacke_ or
_Yorke_, with the King, Queene, and Prince, bowe and arrowes, dogge
and kettell in my boate, his noble attendance rowing by vs in their
Cannow.
When we came to _Yorke_ the Masters of the Shippes came to bid me
welcome, and asked what Sauages those were, I told them, and I
thanked them, they vsed them kindly, & gaue them meate, drinke and
tobacco. The woman or reputed Queene, asked me if those men were
my friends, I told her they were; then she dranke to them, and told
them, they were welcome to her Countrey, and so should all my friends
be at any time, she dranke also to her husband, and bid him welcome
to her Countrey too, for you must vnderstand that her father was the
_Sagamore_ of this place, and left it to her at his death hauing no
more Children.
And thus after many dangers, much labour and great charge, I haue
obtained a place of habitation in _New-England_, where I haue built a
house, and fortified it in a reasonable good fashion, strong enough
against such enemies as are those Sauage people.
[Illustration: (Decorative separator)]
How the Sauages carried themselues vnto me continually, and of my
going to their Kings Houses: and their comming to mine.
WHILEST I staied in this place I had some little trucke, but not
much, by reason of an euill member in the Harbour, who being couetous
of trucke vsed the matter so, that he got the Sauages away from me.
And it is no wonder that he should abuse me in this sort, for
he hath not spared your Lordshipps and all the Counsell for
_New-England_.
He said vnto the Gouernour that the Lords had sent men ouer into that
Countrey with Commissions, to make a prey of others. And yet for my
owne part I neuer demanded or tooke from any man in that Countrey,
the value of a denier neither had I so much helpe, from any Shippe or
Shippes companie as one mans labour the space of an houre, nor, had
I any prouision or victuall vpon any tearmes whatsoeuer, saue onely
1000. of bread, and 22. bushells of pease, which was offered vnto
mee and not by me requested, for which I gaue present satisfaction
in _Beuer_ skines: and also one Rownlet of _Aqua vitæ_, which was
brought to me 16 Leagues vnexpected, which good manners bid me buy.
Much more provision was offered to me by many Masters of Ships, but I
had no need thereof, so I gaue them thanks for their kindnesse, and
refused all.
Nay, it is well knowne, that I was so farre from doing wrong to
any: that I suffered the Land which was granted to me by Pattent
and made choyce of before any other man came there, to be used, and
my timber to be cut downe & spoyled, without taking or asking any
satisfaction for the same. And I doubt not but all others to whom you
gaue authoritie, will sufficiently cleare themselues of all such
imputations.
He said also he cared not for any authoritie in that place and though
he was forbid to trucke yet would he haue all he could get: in
despite of who should say to the contrary, having a great Ship with
17. peeces of Ordinance and 50. men.
And indeed his practise was according to his words, for every Sunday
or once in the weeke, he went himselfe or sent a boate up the river
and got all the trucke before they could come downe to the Harbour.
And so many Savages as he could get to his stage, hee would enforce
them to leaue their goods behind them. One instance a mongst many I
will giue you.
On a certaine day there came two Savages to his place, who were under
the command of _Somerset_ or _Conway_, I know not whether, at which
time they were both with me at my house, but the other two who went
to him, knew not so much, but afterwards they understanding of it,
came presently over, but left their Cotts and _Beauer_ skins behind
them, whereat _Somerset_ and _Conway_ were exceeding angrie and
were ready to beate the poore fellows, but I would not suffer them
so to doe. They presently went over the Harbor themselues in their
_Cannow_ to fetch their goods, but this man would let them haue
none, but wished them to truck with him, they told him they would
not, but would carry them to Captaine _Levett_, he said _Levett_
was no captaine, but a _Iacknape_, a poore fellow, &c. They told him
againe that he was a _Roague_, with some other speeches, whereupon
he and his company fell upon them & beate them both, in so much that
they came to me in a great rage against him, and said they would be
revenged on his Fishermen at sea, and much adoe I had to diswade
one of them for going into _England_ to tell King _James_ of it, as
he said; when they came to me in this rage, there was two or three
Masters of Shippes by, and heard every word.
But all this did me no hurt, (saue the losse of the trucke, which by
divers was thought to be worth above 50. li.) for the two _Sagamores_
whom he inticed from me, and incensed against me, at length used
meanes to be freinds with me, sending one who asked me, if I were
angrie with them, I told them no, I was not angrie with them for any
such matter as lowsie Cotts and skinnes, but if they were _Matchett_,
that is, naughtie men, and rebellious, then I would be _Mouchick
Hoggery_, that is very angry, and would _Cram_, that is, kill them
all.
When they came them selues to me to seeke peace, they brought me a
_Beauer_ Coate, and two _Otter_ skines, which they would have let me
had for nothing, but I would not take them so, but gaue them more
then vsually I did by way of Trucke, I then told them likewise that
if at any time they did Trucke with mee, they should haue many good
things in leiu of their Beauer: and if they did not Trucke it was
no matter, I would be good friends with them, at which they smiled
and talked one to the other, saying the other man was a Iacknape,
and that I had the right fashion of the _Aberieney Sagamores_, then
they began to applaude or rather flatter me, saying I was so bigge a
_Sagamore_, yea foure fathom, which were the best words they could
vse to expresse their minds: I replied that I was a poore man as he
had reported of mee. They said againe it was no matter what I said,
or that Iacknape (which is the most disgracefull word that may be in
their conceite,) for all the _Sagamores_ in the Country loued poore
_Levett_ and was Muchicke sorrie that he would be gon, and indeed I
cannot tell what I should thinke of them, for euer after they would
bring mee any thing they thought would giue mee content, as Egges
and the whole bodyes of _Beauer_, which in my concite eate like
_Lambe_, and is not inferiour to it: yea the very coats of Beauer
& _Otter-skinnes_ from off their backes, which though I many time
refused, yet not allwaies, but I neuer tooke any such courtesie from
them, but I requited them answerably, chusing rather to neglect the
present profit, then the hopes I haue to bring them to better things,
which I hope will be for a publicke good, and which I am perswaded
were a greeuous sinne, to neglect for any sinister end.
And a little before my departure there came these _Sagamores_ to
see mee, _Sadamoyt_, the great _Sagamore_ of the East Countrey,
_Manawormet_, _Opparunwit_, _Skedraguscett_, _Cogawesco_,
_Somersett_, _Conway_ and others.
They asked me why I would be gone out of their Countrey, I was glad
to tell them my wife would not come thither except I did fetch her,
they bid a pox on her hounds, (a phrase they have learned and doe
vse when they doe curse) and wished me to beate her. I told them no,
for then our God would bee angrie. Then they runne out vpon her in
euil tearmes, and wished me to let her alone and take another, I told
them our God would be more angrie for that. Againe they bid me beate
her, beate her, repeating it often, and very angerly, but I answered
no, that was not the English fashion, and besides, she was a good
wife and I had children by her, and I loued her well, so I satisfied
them. Then they told me that I and my wife and Children, with all my
friends, should bee hartily welcome into that Countrey at any time,
yea a hundreth thousand times, yea _Mouchicke_, _Mouchicke_, which is
a word of waight.
And _Somersett_ tould that his Sonne (who was borne, whilst I was in
the Countrey, and whom hee would needs haue to Name) and mine should
be Brothers and that there should be muchicke legamatch, (that is
friendship) betwixt them, untill _Tanto_ carried them to his wigwam,
(that is vntill that they died.)
Then they must know of mee how long I would be wanting, I told them
so many Months, at which they seemed to be well pleased, but wisht
me to take heede I proued not _Chechaske_ in that (that is, a lier.)
They asked me what I would doe with my house, I told them I would
leaue 10. of my men there vntill I came againe, and that they should
kill all the _Tarrantens_ they should see (being enimies to them)
and with whom the English haue no commarsse. At which they reioyced
exceedingly, and then agreed amongst themselues that when the time
should be expired, which I spoke of for my returne, euery one at the
place where he liued would looke to the Sea, and when they did see a
Ship they wold send to all the _Sagamores_ in the Countrey, and tell
them that poore _Levett_ was come againe. And thus insteed of doing
me hurt, I thinke that either he or I haue done good to all Planters,
by winning their affections, (which may bee made vse of without
trusting of them.)
But if your Lordship should put up this wrong done unto you, and the
Authority which you gaue them, never expect to be obeyed in those
parts, either by Planters or Fishermen; for some haue not stucke to
say, that if such a man, contemning authority, and abusing one of the
counsell, and drawing his knife upon him at his own house, which he
did, should goe unpunished, then would not they care what they did
heereafter.