your manifold kindnesse to me shewed, not for any merits that hitherto haue
been mine, but wholly proceeding, I must needs confesse, of your owne good
nature, which is so ready prest to benefit your countrey and all such poore
men as haue any sparke in them of good desires, that you do not onely
become their friend, but also humble your selfe as seruant in their
affaires: for which I would to God I were once in place where I might cause
your burning zeale to bee knowen to those that haue authoritie, power, and
abilitie to recompense your trauelling mind and pen, wherewith you cease
not day nor night to labour and trauell to bring your good and godly
desires to some passe, though not possibly to that happy ende that you most
thirst for: for such is the malice of wicked men the deuils instruments in
this our age, that they cannot suffer any thing (or at least few) to
proceed and prosper that tendeth to the setting forth of Gods glory, and
the amplifying of the Christian faith, wherein hitherto princes haue not
bene so diligent as their calling required. Alas, the labourers as yet are
few, the haruest great, I trust God hath made you an instrument to increase
the number, and to mooue men of power, to redeeme the people of
Newfoundland and those parts from out of the captiuitie of that spirituall
Pharao, the deuil.
Now to answer some part of your letter touching the sundrie nauies that
come to Newfoundland, or Terra noua, for fish: you shal vnderstand that
some fish not neere the other by 200. leagues, and therefore the certaintie
is not knowen; and some yeres come many more then other some, as I see the
like among vs: who since my first trauell being but 4. yeeres, are
increased from 30. sayle to 50 which commeth to passe chiefly by the
imagination of the Westerne men, who thinke their neighbours haue had
greater gaines then in very deed they haue, for that they see me to take
such paines yeerely to go in proper person: they also suppose that I find
some secret commoditie by reason that I doe search the harbors, creekes and
hauens, and also the land much more then euer any Englishman hath done.
Surely I am glad that it so increaseth, whereof soener it springeth. But to
let this passe, you shall vnderstand that I am informed that there are
aboue 100. saile of Spaniards that come to take Cod (who make all wet, and
do drie it when they come home) besides 20. or 30. more that come from
Biskaie to kill Whale for Traine. These be better appoynted for shipping
and furniture of munition then any nation sauing the Englishmen, who
commonly are lords of the harbors where they fish, and doe vse all
strangers helpe in fishing if need require, according to an old custome of
the countrey, which thing they do willingly, so that you take nothing from
them more then a boate or twaine of salte, in respect of your protection of
them from rouers or other violent intruders, who do often put them from
good harbor, &c. As touching their tunnage, I thinke it may be neere fiue
or sixe thousand tunne. But of Portugals there are not lightly aboue 50
saile, and they make all wet in like sorte, whose tunnage may amount to
three thousand tuns, and not vpwarde. Of the French nation and Britons, are
about one hundred and fiftie sailes, the most of their shipping is very
small, not past fortie tonnes, among which some are great and reasonably
well appointed, better then the Portugals, and not so well as the
Spaniards, and the burden of them may be some 7000. tunne. Their shipping
is from all parts of France and Britaine, and the Spaniards from most parts
of Spaine, the Portugals from Auiero[92] And Viana[93] and from 2. or 3.
ports more. The trade that our nation hath to Island maketh, that the
English are not there in such numbers as other nations. [Sidenote: The
fertility of Newfoundland.] Now to certifie you of the fertilitie and
goodnesse of the countrey, you shall vnderstand that I haue in sundry
places sowen Wheate, Barlie, Rie, Oates, Beanes, Pease and seedes of
herbes, kernels, Plumstones, nuts, all which haue prospered as in England.
The countrey yeeldeth many good trees of fruit, as Filberds in some places,
but in all places Cherie trees, and a kind of Pearetree meet to graffe on.
As for roses, they are as common as brambles here: Strawberies, Dewberies,
and Raspis, as common as grasse. The timber is most Firre, yet plentie of
Pineapple trees: fewe of these two kinds meete to maste a ship of
threescore and ten: But neere Cape Briton, and to the Southward, big and
sufficient for any ship. There be also Okes and thornes, there is in all
the countrey plentie of Birch and Alder, which be the meetest wood for
cold, and also willow, which will serue for many other purposes. [Sidenote:
Seueral sortes of fish.] As touching the kindes of Fish beside Cod, there
are Herrings, Salmons, Thornebacke, Plase, or rather wee should call them
Flounders, Dog fish, and another most excellent of taste called of vs a
Cat, Oisters, and Muskles, in which I haue found pearles aboue 40. in one
Muskle, and generally all haue some, great or small. I heard of a Portugall
that found one woorth 300. duckets: There are also [Sidenote: Called by
Spaniards Anchouas, and by the Portugals Capelinas.] other kinds of
Shel-fish, as limpets, cockles, wilkes, lobsters, and crabs: also a fish
like a Smelt which commeth on shore, and another that hath like propertie,
called a Squid: there be the fishes, which (when I please to bee merie with
my olde companions) I say doe come on shore when I commaund them in the
name of the 5 ports, and coniure them by such like words: These also bee
the fishes which I may sweepe with broomes on a heape, and neuer wet my
foote, onely two or three wordes whatsoeuer they be appointed by any man,
so they heare my voyce: the vertue of the wordes be small, but the nature
of the fish great and strange. For the Squid, whose nature is to come by
night as by day, I tell them, I set him a candle to see his way, with which
he is much delighted, or els commeth to wonder at it as doth our fresh
water fish, the other commeth also in the night, but chiefly in the day,
being forced by the Cod that would deuoure him, and therefore for feare
comming so neare the shore, is driuen drie by the surge of the sea on the
pibble and sands. Of these being as good as a Smelt you may take vp with a
shoue net as plentifully as you do Wheat in a shouell, sufficient in three
or four houres for a whole Citie. There be also other fishes which I tell
those that are desirous of stange newes, that I take as fast as one would
gather vp stones, and them I take with a long pole and hooke. Yea marrie
say they, wee beleeue so, and that you catch all the rest you bring home in
that sort, from Portugals and Frenchmen. No surely, but thus I doe: with
three hookes stretched foorth in the ende of a pole, I make as it were an
Eele speare, with which I pricke these Flounders as fast as you would take
vp fritters with a sharpe pointed sticke, and with that toole I may take vp
in lesse then halfe a day Lobsters sufficient to finde three hundred men
for a dayes meate. This pastime ended, I shewe them that for my pleasure I
take a great Mastiue I haue, and say no more then thus: Goe fetch me this
rebellious fish that obeyeth not this Gentleman that commeth from Kent and
Christendome, bringing them to the high water marke, and when hee doubteth
that any of those great Cods by reason of sheluing ground bee like to
tumble into the Sea againe, hee will warily take heede and carrie him vp
backe to the heape of his feilowes. This doeth cause my friendes to wonder,
and at the first hearing to iudge them notorious lies, but they laugh and
are merrie when they heare the meanes howe each tale is true.
I told you once I doe remember how in my trauaile into Africa and America,
I found trees that bare Oisters which was strange to you, till I tolde you
that their boughes hung in the water, on which both Oisters and Muskies did
sticke fast, as their propertie is, to stakes and timber.[94]
Nowe to let these merrie tales passe, and to come to earnest matters
againe, you shall vnderstand, that Newfoundland is in a temperate Climate,
and not so colde as foolish Mariners doe say, who finde it colde sometimes
when plentie of Isles of yce lie neere the shore: but vp in the land they
shall finde it hotter then in England in many parts of the countrey toward
the South. This colde commeth by an accidental meanes, as by the yce that
commeth fleeting from the North partes of the worlde, and not by the
situation of the countrey, or nature of the Climate. The countrey is full
of little small riuers all the yeere long proceeding from the mountains,
ingendred both of snow and raine: few springs that euer I could finde or
heare of, except it bee towards the South: in some places or rather in most
places great lakes with plentie of fish, the countrey most couered with
woods of firre, yet in many places indifferent good grasse, and plentie of
Beares euery where, so that you may kill of them as oft as you list: their
flesh is as good as yong beefe, and hardly you may know the one from the
other if it be poudred but two dayes. Of Otters we may take like store.
There are Sea Guls, Murres, Duckes, wild Geese, and many other kind of
birdes store, too long to write, especially at one Island named Penguin,
where wee may driue them on a planke into our ship as many as shall lade
her. These birdes are also called Penguins, and cannot flie, there is more
meate in one of these then in a goose: the Frenchmen that fish neere the
grand baie, doe bring small store of flesh with them, but victuall
themselues alwayes with these birdes. Nowe againe, for Venison plentie,
especially to the North about the grand baie, and in the South neere Cape
Race, and Pleasance: there are many other kinds of beasts, as Luzarnes and
other mighty beastes like to Camels in great likenesse, and their feete
were clouen, I did see them farre off not able to discerne them perfectly,
but their steps shewed that their feete were clouen, and bigger then the
feete of Camels, I suppose them to bee a kind off Buffes which I read to
bee in the countreyes adiacent, and very many in the firme land. There bee
also to the Northwards, Hares, and Foxes in all parts so plentifully, that
at noone dayes they take away our flesh before our faces within lesse then
halfe a paire of buts length, where foure and twentie persons were turning
of drie fish, and two dogs in sight, yet stoode they not in feare till wee
gaue shot and set the dogs vpon them: the Beares also be as bold, which
will not spare at midnight to take your fish before your face, and I
beleeue assuredly would not hurt any bodie vnlesse they be forced.
Nowe to showe you my fancie what places I suppose meetest to inhabite in
those parts discouered of late by our nation: There is neere about the
mouth of the grand Bay, an excellent harbour called of the Frenchmen
Chasteaux,[95] and one Island in the very entrie of the streight called
Bell Isle,[96] which places if they be peopled and well fortified (as there
are stones and things meete for it throughout all Newfoundland) wee shall
bee lordes of the whole fishing in small time, if it doe so please the
Queenes Maiestie, and from thence send wood and cole with all necessaries
to Labrador lately discouered: but I am of opinion, and doe most stedfastly
beleeue that we shall finde as rich Mines in more temperate places and
Climates, and more profitable for fishing then any yet we haue vsed, where
wee shall haue not farre from thence plentie of salt made vndoubtedly, and
very likely by the heate of the Sunne, by reason I find salt kerned on the
rockes in nine and fortie and better: these places may bee found for salte
in three and fortie. I know more touching these two commodities last
remembred then any man of our nation doeth; for that I haue some knowledge
in such matters, and haue most desired the finding of them by painefull
trauaile, and most diligent inquirie. Now to be short, for I haue bene ouer
long by Master Butlers means, who cryed on mee to write at large, and of as
many things as I call to minde woorthy of rembrance: wherefore this one
thing more. I could wish the Island in the mouth of the riuer of Canada[97]
should be inhabited, and the riuer searched, for that there are many things
which may rise thereof as I will shew you hereafter. I could find in my
heart to make proofe whether it be true or no that I haue read and heard of
Frenchmen and Portugals to bee in that riuer, and about Cape Briton. I had
almost forgot to speake of the plentie of wolues, and to shew you that
there be foxes, blacke, white and gray: other beasts I know none saue those
before remembered. I found also certain Mines of yron and copper in S.
Iohns, and in the Island of Yron, which might turne to our great benefite,
if our men had desire to plant thereabout, for proofe whereof I haue
brought home some of the oare of both sortes. And thus I ende, assuring you
on my faith, that if I had not beene deceiued by the vile Portugals
descending of the Iewes and Iudas kinde, I had not failed to haue searched
this riuer, and all the coast of Cape Briton, what might haue bene found to
haue benefited our countrey: but they breaking their bands, and falsifying
their faith and promise, disappointed me of the salte they should haue
brought me in part of recompence of my good seruice in defending them two
yeeres against French Rouers, that had spoyled them, if I had not defended
them.
By meanes whereof they made me lose not onely the searching of the
countrey, but also forced mee to come home with great losse aboue 600. li.
For recompence whereof I haue sent my man into Portugall to demand iustice
at the Kings hand, if not, I must put vp my supplication to the Queenes
Maiesty and her honourable councell, to grant me leaue to stay here so much
of their goods as they haue damnified mee, or else that I may take of them
in Newfound land, as much fish as shall be woorth 600. li. or as much as
the salte might haue made. I pray you aduertise mee what way I were best to
take, and what hope there will bee of a recompence if I follow the suite:
many there are that doe comfort me, and doe bid me proceede, for that her
Maiestie and the councell doe tender poore fisher men, who with me haue
susteined three hundred pound losse in that voyage. And to conclude, if you
and your friend shall thinke me a man sufficient and of credite, to seeke
the Isle of S. Iohn, or the riuer of Canada, with any part of the firme
land of Cape Briton, I shall giue my diligence for the true and perfect
discouerie, and leaue some part of mine owne businesse to further the same:
and thus I end, committing you to God. From Bristow the 13. of Nouember,
1578.
Yours to vse and command,
ANTHONY PARCKHVRST.
* * * * *
The Letters Patents graunted by her Maiestie to Sir Humfrey Gilbert,
knight, for the inhabiting and planting of our people in America.
Elizabeth by the grace of God Queene of England, &c. To all people to whom
these presents shall come, greeting. Know ye that of our especiall grace,
certaine science and meere motion, we haue giuen and granted, and by these
presents for vs, our heires and successours, doe giue and graunt to our
trustie and welbeloued seruant Sir Humfrey Gilbert of Compton, in our
Countie of Deuonshire knight, and to his heires and assignes for euer, free
libertie and licence from time to time and at all times for euer hereafter,
to discouer, finde, search out, and view such remote, heathen and barbarous
lands, countreys and territories not actually possessed of any Christian
prince or people, as to him, his heirs and assignes, and to euery or any of
them, shall seeme good: and the same to haue, hold, occupie and enioy to
him, his heires and assignes for euer, with all commodities, iurisdictions
and royalties both by sea and land: and the sayd sir Humfrey and all such
as from time to time by licence of vs, our heires and successours, shall
goe and trauell thither, to inhabite or remaine there, to build and
fortifie at the discretion of the sayde sir Humfrey, and of his heires and
assignes, the statutes or actes of Parliament made against Fugitiues, or
against such as shall depart, remaine, or continue out of our Realme of
England without licence, or any other acte, statute, lawe, or matter
whatsoeuer to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding. And wee doe
likewise by these presents, for vs, our heires and successours, giue full
authoritie and power to the saide Sir Humfrey, his heires and assignes, and
euery of them, that hoe and they, and euery, or any of them, shall and may
at all and euery time and times hereafter, haue, take, and lead in the same
voyages, to trauell thitherward, and to inhabite there with him, and euery
or any of them, such and so many of our subiects as shall willingly
accompany him and them, and euery or any of them, with sufficient shipping,
and furniture for their transportations, so that none of the same persons,
nor any of them be such as hereafter shall be specially restrained by vs,
our heires and successors. And further, that he, the said Humfrey, his
heires and assignes, and euery or any of them shall haue, hold, occupy and
enioy to him, his heires, or assignes, and euery of them for euer, all the
soyle of all such lands, countries, and territories so to be discouered or
possessed as aforesaid, and of all Cities, Townes and Villages, and places,
in the same, with the rites, royalties and iurisdictions, as well marine as
other, within the sayd lands or countreys of the seas thereunto adioining,
to be had or vsed with ful power to dispose thereof; and of euery part
thereof in fee simple or otherwise, according to the order of the laws of
England, as nere as the same conueniently may be, at his, and their will
and pleasure, to any person then being, or that shall remaine within the
allegiance of vs, our heires and successours, paying vuto vs, for all
seruices, dueties and demaunds, the fift part of all the oare of gold and
siluer, that from time to time, and at all times after such discouerie,
subduing and possessing shall be there gotten: all which lands, countreys,
and territories, shall for euer bee holden by the sayd Sir Humfrey, his
heires and assignes of vs, our heires and successours by homage, and by the
sayd payment of the sayd fift part before reserued onely for all seruices.
And moreouer, we doe by those presents for vs, our heires and successours,
giue and graunt licence to the sayde Sir Humfrey Gilbert, his heires or
assignes, and to euery of them, that hee and they, and euery or any of them
shall, and may from time to time and all times for euer hereafter, for his
and their defence, encounter, expulse, repell, and resist, as well by Sea,
as by land, and by all other wayes whatsoeuer, all, and euery such person
and persons whatsoever, as without the speciall licence and liking of the
sayd Sir Humfrey, and of his heires and assignes, shall attempt to inhabite
within the sayd countreys, or any of them, or within the space of two
hundreth leagues neere to the place or places within such countreys as
aforesayd, if they shall not be before planted or inhabited within the
limites aforesayd, with the subiects of any Christian prince, being in
amitie with her Maiesty, where the said sir Humfirey, his heires or
assignes, or any of them or his or their, or any of their associates or
companies, shall within sixe yeeres next ensuing, make their dwellings and
abidings, or that shall enterprise or attempt at any time hereafter
vnlawfully to annoy either by Sea or land, the said sir Humfrey, his heires
and assignes, or any of them, or his or their, or any of their companies:
giuing and graunting by these presents further power and authoritie to the
sayd sir Humfrey, his heires and assignes, and euery of them from time to
time, and at all times for euer hereafter to take and surprise by all maner
of meanes whatsoeuer, all and euery person and persons, with their shippes,
vessels, and other goods and furniture, which without the licence of the
said sir Humfrey, or his heires or assignes as aforesayd, shall bee found
traffiquing into any harborough or harboroughs, creeke or creekes within
the limites aforesayde, (the subiects of our Realmes and dominions, and all
other persons in amitie with vs, being driuen by force of tempest or
shipwracke onely excepted) and those persons and euery of them with their
ships, vessels, goods, and furniture, to detaine and possesse, as of good
and lawfull prize, according to the discretion of him, the sayd sir
Hnmfrey, his heires and assignes, and of euery or any of them. And for
vniting in more perfect league and amitie of such countreys, landes and
territories so to bee possessed and inhabited as aforesayde, with our
Realmes of England and Ireland, and for the better encouragement of men to
this enterprise: we doe by these presents graunt, and declare, that all
such countreys so hereafter to bee possessed and inhabited as aforesayd,
from thencefoorth shall bee of the allegiance of vs, our heires and
successours. And wee doe gaunt to the sayd sir Humfrey, his heirs and
assignes, and to all and euery of them, and to all and euery other person
and persons, being of our allegiance, whose names shall be noted or entred
in some of our courts of Record, within this our Realme of England, and
that with the assent of the said sir Humfrey, his heires or assignes, shall
nowe in this iourney for discouerie, or in the second iourney for conquest
hereafter, trauel to such lands, countries and territories as aforesaid,
and to their and euery of their heires: that they and euery or any of them
being either borne within our sayd Realmes of England or Ireland, or within
any other place within our allegiance, and which hereafter shall be
inhabiting within any the lands, countreys and territories, with such
licence as aforesayd, shall, and may haue, and enioy all priuileges of free
denizens and persons natine of England, and within our allegiance: any law,
custome, or vsage to the contrary notwithstanding.