Printed by _Iohn Wreittoun_. Anno Dom. 1625.
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TO THE RIGHT
VVORSHIPFVLL
SIR WILLIAM
ALEXANDER
of Menstrie Knight,
Master of Requestes for _Scotland_,
and Lievetenant Generall to his
Majestie in the Kingdome
of _NEW SCOTLAND_.
AND
TO THE REMNANT THE NOBLE-
MEN, AND KNIGHTS BARO-
nets in _Scotland_, Vnder-takers
in the plantations of New Scot-
land in AMERICA.
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TO THE ADVEN-
TVRERS, FAVOV-
rers, and well-willers of
the enterprise for the inhabiting,
and planting in _Cape Briton_, now
_New Galloway_ in America.
* * *
* *
*
Gentle Reader,
It hath beene the policie vniversall, from the creation of the World
vnto this time, of all civile States, the replenishing of the World with
Colonies of their owne subjects. _Adam_ and _Eva_ did first beginne this
pleasant worke to plant the Earth to succeeding posteritie. _Noah_, and
his familie began againe the second plantation. And the confusion of
tongues at _Babel_, made division of States, scattering as manie
Colonies over the face of the Earth after the Flood, as there was
diversitie of Languages: and their seede as it still increased, hath
still planted new Countries, one after another; and so the Worlde to
that estate whereinto it is.
That the planting of Countries, and civilizing barbarous and inhumane
Nations, hath ever beene the worke of the greatest Princes of the Earth,
their ever-living actions hath testified; wherewith are filled both the
records of divine Trueth, and the monuments of humane state; and whose
heroicke actions (wee must not thinke) hath beene vndertaken vpon
triviall motives, when as by that, they did aswell inlarge the limites
of their Dominions, and enriche the revenues of their estates; as bridle
sedition at home, and settle securitie against their enemies abroad.
These preceeding praise-worthie Fathers, and their memorable of-spring
were diligent to plant, that yet vnplanted to their after-livers;
wherein shined those worthie Founders of the great Monarchies and their
virtues: the _Hebrues_, the _Lacedemonians_, _Gothes_, _Græcians_,
_Romanes_, and the rest from time to time in their severall ages.
But to leaue these remote times, let vs take a view within these 60.
yeeres of the discoveries, and plantations in _America_, by the
_English_, the _French_, the _Spainard_, the _Portugale_; by whose
industrious paines are made knowne vnto vs alreadie their, so hudge
tracts, kingdomes, and territories, peopled and vnpeopled, as vpon the
hither side for the space of 5000. leagues at the least, and for 3000.
more on the backe side in the South Sea.
Manie discourses of the discoueries which hath beene there effected
within these few yeeres are made of worthie Personages: such as
_Columbus_, _Cortez_, _Pitzora_, _Soto_, _Magellanes_, and manie others,
who to the wonder of all ages hath successivelie seconded one another in
those partes.
Whole Decads are filled with discoveries there, and volumes with their
actions of plantation: There wee see the renowned _Drake_, and memorable
_Candisch_ twise about the round circumference of the whole Earth.
_Virginia_ to perpetrat the memorie of her honourable Knight _Sr Walter
Ralegh_, _Amadas_, _Arthur_, _Whyte_, _Grenuile_, and _Lane_ her first
discoverers, and worthie Governours in her plantations. _Sr Iohn
Haukins_ in his _Guinea_. _Iohn de Verrazano_ a Florentine, _Iohn
Rinault_, _Rene Landoniere_, _Dominique Gorgues_ in their Florida. The
noble _Cortez_, and the other Spainards, and Portugalls in their golden
Mynes of the 15. Provinces of new _Mexico_, _Nueua Gallicia_, _Nueua
Hispanna_, _Nueua Biscaia_, _Cibola_, _Quivivra_, and to the Gulfe of
_California_ on the back side of _America_. The famous _Cabot_,
_Frobisher_, _Davis_, whose memories shall never die in the North-west
parts: and many innumerable moe Worthies, whom all after-ages shall
eternize for their vertues, whose actions I leave to bee searched as
they are registred in the monuments of their praise-worthie proceedings.
The shining brightnesse of these (_Gentle Reader_) and such others, hath
so beamed a path way to all posteritie for imitation; as that the basest
minde that is, may bee induced to follow their foot-steppes. And for my
selfe, hauing from the source of that ever and over-flowing fountaine,
that was still a running to all, from our late Soveraigne of never-dying
memorie _King IAMES_ obtained a Patent of _Cape Briton_, which now, by
his Royall direction is intituled _New Galloway_ in _America_: I haue
resolved to follow the troden way of these others, whose happie successe
are so plainlie seene in such honorable designes.
And since I doe propone to my selfe the same ends, which are first for
the glorie of my great and mightie _GOD_; next the service of his M. my
dread Soveraigne, and my native Countrie; and last the particular weale,
and vtilitie of my selfe, and such as shall be generouslie disposed
adventurers with mee: Why shall it bee lawfull for others, and not for
mee: and not as possible and as commodious for mee, as vnto others of my
qualitie?
The chiefe (then) and the farthest poynt that my intention shall seeke
to arrive at; shall bee to remove that vnbeliefe, which is so grounded
in the mindes of men, to discredite most noble and profitable endevoures
with distrust: and, first, to shake off their colourable pretences of
ignorance, and then, if they will not be perswaded to make their
selfe-willes inexcusable; I shall make manifest the worthinesse of the
cause to the mindes of such as are desirous to bee settled in a
certaintie. As for my selfe, I doe giue trust to the relations of such,
whose wisdomes (I know) are not so shallow, as easilie bee deceiued of
others; nor consciences so wretched, as by pretences to deceive others;
and having the personall tryall of so honourable and sufficient
reporters, our owne Countrie-men, this naked contemplation, and idle
knowledge can not content mee: but knowing that the chiefe commendation
of vertue consisteth in action, I haue resolved a practise, and to trace
the footsteppes of those heroicke fore-runners, whose honourable actions
shall ever live vpon Earth; whiles their Soules live in glorie in the
Heavens, and shall increase heere, and multiplie; as their bodies in the
grave shall putrifie.
The inducements which hath incouraged mee to this enterprise, and to
spend my time, and best abilities in these adventures, I shall heere
sette brieflie downe without any inlargment of made wordes, but in
single speach, as best beseeming a simple meaning; Intreating thee
_(Courteous Reader)_ that thou would with an affectioned mind consider
these my subsequent motives, wherewith I haue beene induced my selfe:
ponder aright my endes: and then but weigh my willing and free Offers,
which I doe make for the weale and furtherance of so worthie a Worke.
Wee are not borne to our selves: but to help each others, and our
abilities and meanes are not much vnlike at the first houre of our
birth, and the last minute of our death: and it is our deedes good or
bad that all of vs haue to carrie vs to Heaven or Hell after this life.
While wee are therefore heere, let vs imitate the vertues, and glories
of our Predecessours, that heereafter worthilie wee may bee remembred as
their Successours,