shall I say, my good Hakluyt, when I see nothing but a very wildernesse: Of
fish here is incredible abundance, whereby great gaine growes to them, that
trauell to these parts: the hooke is no sooner throwne out, but it is
eftsoones drawne vp with some goodly fish: the whole land is full of hilles
and woods. The trees for the most part are Pynes and of them some are very
olde, and some yong: a great part of them being fallen by reason of their
age, doth so hinder the sight of the land, and stoppe the ways of those
that seeke to trauell, that they can goe no whither: all the grasse here is
long, and tall, and little differeth from ours. It seemeth also that the
nature of this soyle is fit for corne: for I found certaine blades and
eares in a manner bearded, so that it appeareth that by manuring and
sowing, they may easily be framed for the vse of man: here are in the
woodes bush berries, or rather straw berries growing vp like trees, of
great sweetnesse. Beares also appeare about the fishers stages of the
Countrey, and are sometimes killed, but they seeme to bee white, as I
conjectured by their skinnes, and somewhat lesse then ours. Whether there
bee any people in the Countrey I knowe not, neither haue I seene any to
witnesse it. And to say trueth, who can, when as it is not possible to
passe any whither: In like sort it is vnknowne, whither any mettals lye
vnder the hilles: the cause is all one, although the very colour and hue of
the hilles seeme to haue some Mynes in them: we mooued the Admirall to set
the woods a fire, that so wee might haue space, and entrance to take view
of the Countrey, which motion did nothing displease him, were it not for
feare of great inconuenience that might thereof insue: for it was reported
and confirmed by very credible persons, that when the like happened by
chance in another Port, the fish neuer came to the place about it, for the
space of 7. whole yeeres after, by reason of the waters made bitter by the
Turpentine, and Rosen of the trees, which ranne into the riuers vpon the
firing of them. The weather is so hote this time of the yeere, that except
the very fish, which is layd out to be dryed by the sunne, be euery day
turned, it cannot possibly bee preserued from burning; but how cold it is
in the winter, the great heapes, and mountaines of yce, in the middest of
the Sea haue taught vs: some of our company report, that in May, they were
sometimes kept in, with such huge yce, for 16. whole dayes together, as
that the Islands thereof were threescore fathoms thicke, the sides whereof
which were toward the Sunne, when they were melted, the whole masse or
heape was so inuened and turned in maner of balancing, that that part which
was before downeward rose vpward, to the great perill of those that are
neere them, as by reason wee may gather. The ayre vpon land is indifferent
cleare, but at Sea towards the East there is nothing els but perpetuall
mists, and in the Sea it selfe, about the Banke (for so they call the place
where they find ground fourty leagues distant from the shore, and where
they beginne to fish) there is no day without raine. When we haue serued,
and supplied our necessitie in this place, we purpose by the helpe of God
to passe towards the South, with so much the more hope every day, by how
much the greater the things are, that are reported of those Countreys,
which we go to discouer. Thus much touching our estate.
Now I desire to know somewhat concerning you, but I feare in vaine, but
specially I desire out of measure to know how my Patrone master Henry
Vmptom doth take my absence: my obedience, and duetie shall alwayes bee
ready toward him as long as I liue: but in deede I hope, that this iourney
of ours shalbe profitable to his intentions. It remaineth that you thinke
me to be still yours, and so yours as no mans more. The sonne of God blesse
all our labors, so farre, as that you your selfe may be partaker of our
blessing. Adieu, my most friendly, most sweete, most vertuous Hakluyt: In
Newfound land, at Saint Iohns Port, the 6. of August, 1583.
STEVEN PARMENIVS of
Buda, yours.
* * * * *
A relation of Richard Clarke of Weymouth, master of the ship called the
Delight, going for the discouery of Norembega, with Sir Humfrey Gilbert
1583. Written in excuse of that fault of casting away the ship and men,
imputed to his ouersight.
Departing out of Saint Iohns Harborough in the Newfound land the 20. of
August vnto Cape Raz, from thence we directed our course vnto the Ile of
Sablon or the Isle of Sand, which the Generall Sir Humfrey Gilbert would
willingly haue seene. [Sidenote: 20 Leagues from the Isle of Sablon.] But
when we came within twentie leagues of the Isle of Sablon, we fell to
controuersie of our course. The Generall came vp in his Frigot and demanded
of mee Richard Clarke master of the Admirall what course was best to keepe:
I said that Westsoutwest was best: because the wind was at South and night
at hand and vnknowen sands lay off a great way from the land. The Generall
commanded me to go Westnorthwest. [Sidenote: 15 Leagues from the Isle of
Sablon.] I told him againe that the Isle of Salon was Westnorthwest and but
15. leagues off; and that he should be vpon the Island before day, if hee
went that course. The Generall sayd, my reckoning was vntrue, and charged
me in her Maiesties name, and as I would shewe myselfe in her Countrey to
follow him that night. [Sidenote: Herin Clarke vntruely chargeth sir
Humfrey Gilbert.] I fearing his threatenings, because he presented her
Maiesties person, did follow his commaundement, and about seuen of the
clocke in the morning the ship stroke on ground, where shee was cast away.
Then the Generall went off to Sea, the course that I would haue had them
gone before, and saw the ship cast away men and all, and was not able to
saue a man, for there was not water vpon the sand for either of them much
lesse the Admirall, that drew fourteene foote. [Sidenote: The ship cast
away on Thursday being the 29 of August 1583.] Now as God would the day
before it was very calme, and a Souldier of the ship had killed some foule
with his piece, and some of the company desired me that they might hoyse
out the boat to recouer the foule, which I granted them: and when they came
aboord they did not hoyse it in againe that night. And when the ship was
cast away the boate was a sterne being in burthen one tunne and an halfe:
there was left in the boate one oare and nothing els. Some of the company
could swimme, and recouered the boate and did hale in out of the water as
many men as they coulde: among the rest they had a care to watch for the
Captaine or the Master: They happened on my selfe being the master, but
could neuer see the Captaine: [Sidenote: Sixteene gate into the shipboate.]
Then they halled into the boate as many men as they could in number 16.
whose names hereafter I will rehearse. And when the 16. were in the boate,
some had small remembrance, and some had none: for they did not make
account to liue, but to prolong their liues as long as it pleased God, and
looked euery moment of an houre when the Sea would eate them vp, the boate
being so little and so many men in her, and so foule weather, that it was
not possible for a shippe to brooke halfe a course of sayle. Thus while wee
remayned two dayes and two nights, and that wee saw it pleased God our
boate liued in the Sea (although we had nothing to helpe vs withall but one
oare, which we kept vp the boate withall vpon the Sea, and so went euen as
the Sea would driue vs) there was in our company one Master Hedly that put
foorth this question to me the Master. [Sidenote: Master Hedlyes vngodly
proposition.] I doe see that it doth please God, that our boate lyueth in
the Sea, and it may please God that some of vs may come to the land if our
boate were not ouerladen. Let vs make sixteene lots, and those foure that
haue the foure shortest lots we will cast ouerboord preseruing the Master
among vs all. I replied vnto him, saying, no we will liue and die together.
Master Hedley asked me if my remembrance were good: I answered I gaue God
prayse it was good, and knewe how farre I was off the land, and was in hope
to come to the land within two or three dayes, and sayde they were but
threescore leagues from the lande, (when they were seuentie) all to put
them in comfort. Thus we continued the third and fourth day without any
sustenance, saue onely the weedes that swamme in the Sea, and salt water to
drinke. The fifth day Hedly dyed and another moreouer: then wee desired all
to die: for in all these fiue dayes and fiue nights we saw the Sunne but
once and the Starre but one night, it was so foule weather. Thus we did
remaine the sixt day: then we were very weake and wished all to die sauing
only my selfe which did comfort them and promised they should come soone to
lande by the helpe of God: but the company were very importunate, and were
in doubt they should neuer come to land, but that I promised them that the
seuenth day they should come to shore, or els they should cast me ouer
boord: [Sidenote: They came on land the 7 day after their shipwracke.]
which did happen true the seuenth day, for at eleuen of the clocke wee had
sight of the land, and at 3. of the clocke at afternoone we came on land.
All these seuen dayes and seuen nights, the wind kept continually South. If
the wind had in the meanetime shifted vpon any other point, wee had neuer
come to land: we were no sooner come to the land, but the wind came cleane
contrary at North within halfe an houre after our arriuall. But we were so
weake that one could scarcely helpe another of vs out of the boate, yet
with much adoe being come all on shore we kneeled downe ypon our knees and
gaue God praise that he had dealt so mercifully with vs. Afterwards those
which were strongest holpe their fellowes vnto a fresh brooke, where we
satisfied our selues with water and berries very well. [Sidenote: The
fruitfulnesse of the south part of Newfound land.] There were of al sorts
of berries plentie, and as goodly a Countrey as euer I saw: we found a very
faire plaine Champion ground that a man might see very farre euery way: by
the Sea side was here and there a little wood with goodly trees as good as
euer I saw any in Norway, able to mast any shippe, of pyne trees, spruse
trees, firre, and very great birch trees. Where we came on land we made a
little house with boughes, where we rested all that night. In the morning I
deuided the company three and three to goe euery way to see what foode they
could find to sustaine thenselues, and appointed them to meete there all
againe at noone with such foode as they could get. As we went aboord we
found great store of peason as good as any wee haue in England: a man would
thinke they had bene sowed there. We rested there three dayes and three
nights and liued very well with pease and berries, wee named the place
Saint Laurence, because it was a very goodly riuer like the riuer of S.
Laurence in Canada, and we found it very full of Salmons. When wee had
rested our selues wee rowed our boate along the shore, thinking to haue
gone to the Grande Bay to haue come home with some Spanyards which are
yeerely there to kill the Whale: And when we were hungry or a thirst we put
our boate on land and gathered pease and berries. Thus wee rowed our boate
along the shore fiue dayes: about which time we came to a very goodly riuer
that ranne farre vp into the Countrey and saw very goodly growen trees of
all sortes. [Sidenote: Foureteen of our men brought out of Newfound land in
a ship of S. Iohn de Luz.] There we happened vpon a ship of Saint Iohn de
Luz, which ship brought vs into Biskay to an Harborough called The Passage.
The Master of the shippe was our great friend, or else we had bene put to
death if he had not kept our counsayle. For when the visitors came aboord,
as it is the order in Spaine, they demanding what we were, he sayd we were
poore fishermen that had cast away our ship in Newfound land and so the
visitors inquired no more of the matter at that time. Assoone as night was
come he put vs on land and bad vs shift for our selues. Then had wee but
tenne or twelue miles into France, which we went that night, and then cared
not for the Spanyard. And so shortly after we came into England toward the
end of the yeere 1583.
* * * * *
A true report of the late discoueries, and possession taken in the right of
the Crowne of England of the Newfound lands, By that valiant and worthy
Gentlemen, Sir Humfrey Gilbert, Knight.
Wherein is also briefly set downe, her highnesse lawfull Title thereunto,
and the great and manifold commodities, that are likely to grow therby,
to the whole Realme in generall, and to the aduenturers in particular:
Together with the easinesse and shortness of the Voyage.
Written by Sir George Peckham Knight, the chiefe aduenturer and furtherer
of Sir Humfrey Gilberts voyage to Newfound Land.
The first Part, wherein the Argument of the Booke is contained.
[Sidenote: Master Edward Hays.] It was my fortune (good Reader) not many
dayes past, to meete with a right honest and discreete Gentleman, who
accompanied that valiant and worthy Knight Sir Humfrey Gilbert, in this
last iourney for the Westerne discoueries, and is owner and Captaine of the
onely vessell which is as yet returned from thence.
By him I vnderstand that Sir Humfrey departed the coast of England the
eleuenth of Iune last past, with fiue sayle of Shippes, from Caushen bay
neere Plimmouth, whereof one of the best forsooke his company, the
thirteenth day of the same moneth, and returned into England.
The other foure (through the assistance of Almighty God) did arriue at
Saint Iohns Hauen, in Newfoundland, the 3. of August last. [Sidenote: Sir
Humfrey Gilbert did arriue at Saint Iohn's Hauen in Newfound land, the 3.
of August, Anno 1583.] Vpon whose arriuall all the Masters and chiefe
Mariners of the English Fleet, which were in the said Hauen, before
endeuouring to fraight themselues with fish, repaired vnto Sir Humfrey,
whom he made acquainted with the effect of his Commission: which being
done, he promised to intreat them and their goods well and honourably as
did become her Maiesties Lieutenant. They did all welcome him in the best
sort that they could, and shewed him and his all such courtesies as the
place could affoord or yeelde.
Then he went to view the Countrey, being well accompanied with most of his
Captaines and souldiers. [Sidenote: Among these there was found the tract
of a beast of 7. ynches and 2 halfe ouer.]They found the same very
temperate, but somewhat warmer then England at that season of the yeere,
replenished with Beasts and great store of Foule of diuers kinds: And Fish
of sundry sortes, both in the salt water, and in the fresh, in so great
plentie as might suffice to victuall an Armie, and they are very easily
taken. What sundry other commodities for this Realme right neccssarie, the
same doeth yeelde, you shall vnderstand in this treatise hereafter, in
place more conuenient.
On Munday being the fifth of August, the Generall caused his tent to be set
vpon the side of an hill, in the vieweof all the Fleete of English men and
strangers, which were in number betweene thirtie and fourtie sayle: then
being accompanied with all his Captaines, Masters, Gentlemen and other
souldiers, he caused all the Masters, and principall Officers of the ships,
aswell Englishmen as Spanyards, Portugales, and of other nations, to
repayre vnto his tent: [Sidenote: Sir Humfrey tooke possession of the
Newfound land in right of the Crowne of England.] And then and there, in
the presence of them all, he did cause his Commission vnder the great scale
of England to bee openly and solemnely read vnto them, whereby were granted
vnto him, his heires, and assignes, by the Queenes most excellent Maiestie,
many great and large royalties, liberties, and priueledges. The effect
whereof being signified vnto the strangers by an Interpreter, hee tooke
possession of the sayde land in the right of the Crowne of England by
digging of a Turffe and receiuing the same with an Hassell wand, deliuered
vnto him, after the maner of the law and custome of England.
Then he signified vnto the company both strangers and others, that from
thencefoorth, they were to liue in that land, as the Territories
appertayning to the Crowne of England, and to be gouerned by such lawes as
by good aduise should be set downe, which in all points (so neere as might
be) should be agreeable to the Lawes of England: And for to put the same in
execution, presently be ordained and established three Lawes.
[Sidenote: Three lawes established there by Sir Humfrey.] First, that
Religion publiquely exercised, should be such, and none other, then is vsed
in the Church of England. The second, that if any person should bee
lawfully conuicted of any practise against her Maiestie, her Crowne and
dignitie, to be adiudged as traitors according to the lawes of England.
The third, if any should speake dishonourably of her Maiestie, the partie
so offending, to loose his eares, his ship and goods, to be confiscate to
the vse of the Generall.
All men did very willingly submit themselues to these lawes. Then he caused
the Queenes Majesties Armes to be ingraued, set vp, and erected with great
solemnitie. [Sidenote: Sundry persons became Tenants to Sir Humfrey and doe
mainteine possession for him in diuers places there.] After this, diuers
Englishmen made sute vnto Sir Humfrey to haue of him by inheritance, their
accustomed stages, standings, and drying places, in sundry places of that
land for their fish, as a thing they doe make great accompt of, which he
granted vnto them in fee farme. And by this meanes he hath possession
maintained for him, in many parts of that Countrey. To be briefe, he did
let, set, giue and dispose of many things, as absolute Gouernour there, by
vertue of her Maiesties letters patents.
And after their ships were repaired, whereof one he was driuen to leaue
behind, both for want of men sufficient to furnish her, as also to carrie
home such sicke persons as were not able to proceede any further: He
departed from thence the 20 of August, with the other three, namely, the
Delight, wherein was appointed Captaine in M. William Winters place, (that
thence returned immediatly for England) M. Maurice Browne: the Golden
Hinde, in which was Captaine and owner, M. Edward Hays: and the little
Frigat where the Generall himselfe did goe seeming to him most fit to
discouer and approch the shore.
The 21 day they came to Cape Race, toward the South partes whereof, lying a
while becalmed, they tooke Cod in largness and quantitie, exceeding the
other parts of Newfound land, where any of them had bene. And from thence,
trending the coast West toward the Bay of Placentia, the Generall sent
certaine men a shore, to view the Countrey, which to them as they sayled
along, seemed pleasant. Whereof his men at their returne gaue great
commendation, liking so well of the place, as they would willingly haue
stayed and wintred there. But hauing the wind faire and good, they
proceeded on their course towards the firme of America, which by reason of
continuall fogs, at that time of the yeere especially, they could neuer
see, till Cox Master of the Golden Hinde did discerne land, and presently
lost sight thereof againe, at what time they were all vpon a breach in a
great and outragious storme, hauing vnder 3. fathome water. But God
deliuered the Frigat and the Golden Hind, from this great danger. And the
Delight in the presence of them all was lost, to their vnspeakable griefe,
with all their chiefe victuall, munition, and other necessary prouisions,
and other things of value not fit here to be named. Whereupon, by reason
also that Winter was come vpon them, and foule weather increased with fogs
and mists that so couered the land, as without danger of perishing they
could not approch it: Sir Humfrey Gilbert and M. Hays were compelled much
against their willes to retyre homewards: And being 300. leagues on their
way, were after by tempestuous weather separated the one from the other,
the ninth of September last, since which time M. Hays with his Barke is
safely arriued, but of Sir Humfrey as yet they heare no certaine newes.
[Sidenote: Plutarch.] Vpon this report (together with my former intent to
write some briefe discourse in the commendation of this so noble and worthy
an enterprise) I did call to my remembrance, the Historie of Themystocles
the Grecian, who (being a right noble and valiant Captaine) signified vnto
his Countreymen the Citizens of Athens, that he had inuented a deuise for
their common wealth very profitable: but it was of such importance and
secrecie, that it ought not to be reuealed, before priuate conference had
with some particular prudent person of their choyse.
The Athenians knowing Aristides the Philosopher, to be a man indued with
singular wisedome and vertue, made choyse of him to haue conference with
Themystocles, and thereupon to yeelde his opinion to the Citizens
concerning the said deuise: which was, that they might set on fire the
Nauie of their enemies, with great facilitie, as he had layde the plot:
Aristides made relation to the Citizens, that the stratageme deuised by
Themystocles was a profitable practise for the common wealth but it was
dishonest. The Athenians (without further demaund what the same was) did by
common consent reiect and condemne it, preferring honest and vpright
dealing before profite.
By occasion of this Historie, I drewe my selfe into a more deepe
consideration of this late vndertaken Voyage, whether it were as well
pleasing to almightie God, as profitable to men; as lawfull, as it seemed
honourable: as well gratefull to the Sauages as gainefull to the
Christians. And vpon mature deliberation I found the action to be honest
and profitable, and therefore allowable by the opinion of Aristides if he
were now aliue: which being by me herein sufficiently prooued, (as by Gods
grace I purpose to doe) I doubt not but that all good mindes will endeauour
themselues to be assistants to this so commendable an enterprise, by the
valiant and worthy Gentlemen our Countrey men already attempted and
vndertaken.
Now whereas I doe vnderstand that Sir Himfrey Gilbert his adherents,
associates and friends doe meane with a conuenient supply (with as much
speede as may be) to maintaine, pursue and follow this intended voyage
already in part perfourmed, and (by the assistance of almightie God) to
plant themselues and their people in the continent of the hither part of
America, betweene the degrees of 30. and 60. of septentrionall latitude:
Within which degrees by computation Astronomicall and Cosmographicall are
doubtlesse to bee found all things that be necessarie, profitable, or
delectable for mans life: The clymate milde and temperate, neyther too hote
nor too colde, so that vnder the cope of heauen there is not any where to
be found a more conuenient place to plant and inhabite in: which many
notable Gentlemen, both [Marginal note: Englishmen, Msster Iohn Hawkins;
Sir Francis Drake; M. Willliam Winter; M. Iohn Chester; M. Martin
Frobisher; Anhony Parkhurst; William Battes; Iohn Louel; Dauid Ingram.
Strangers, French, Iohn Ribault; Iaques Cartier; Andrew Theuet; Monsieur
Gourgues: Monsieur Laudonniere. Italians, Christopher Columbus; Ioha
Verazanus.] of our owne nation and strangers, (who haue bene trauailers)
can testifie: and that those Countries are at this day inhabited with
Sauages (who haue no knowledge of God:) Is it not therefore (I say) to be
lamented, that these poore Pagans, so long liuing in ignorance and
idolatry, and in sort thirsting after Christianitie, (as may appeare by the
relation of such as haue trauailed in those partes) that our heartes are so
hardened, that fewe or none can be found which will put to their helping
hands, and apply themselues to the relieuing of the miserable and wretched
estate of these sillie soules?
Whose Countrey doeth (as it were with armes aduanced) aboue the climates
both of Spaine and France, stretch out it selfe towards England only: In
maner praying our ayde and helpe, as it is not not onely set forth in
Mercators generall Mappe, but it is also found to be true by the discouerie
of our nation, and other strangers, who haue oftentimes trauailed vpon the
same coasts.
[Sidenote: God doth not alwayes begin his greatest workes by the greatest
persons.] Christopher Columbus of famous memorie, the first instrument to
manifest the great glory and mercy of Almightie God in planting the
Christian faith, in those so long vnknowen regions, hauing in purpose to
acquaint (as he did) that renoumed Prince, the Queenes Majesties
grandfather King Henry the seuenth, with his intended voyage for the
Westerne discoueries, was not onely derided and mocked generally even here
in England, but afterward became a laughing stocke to the Spaniards
themselues, who at this day (of all other people) are most bounden to laude
and prayse God, who first stirred vp the man to that enterprise.