PART II.

XXVIII. The third voyage made by a ship sent in the yeere 1586, to the

reliefe of the Colony planted in Virginia at the sole charges of Sir

Walter Ralegh.

In the yeere of our Lord 1586 Sir Walter Ralegh at his owne charge

prepared a ship of an hundred tunne, fraighted with all maner of things in

most plentifull maner, for the supply and reliefe of his Colony then

remaining in Virginia: but before they set saile from England it was after

Easter, so that our Colony halfe despaired of the comming of any supply:

wherefore euery man prepared for himselfe, determining resolutely to spend

the residue of their life time in that countrey. And for the better

performance of this their determination, they sowed, planted, and set such

things as were necessary for their reliefe in so plentifull a maner as

might haue sufficed them two yeeres without any further labour. Thus

trusting to their owne haruest, they passed the Summer till the tenth of

Iune: at which time their corne which they had sowed was within one

fortnight of reaping: but then it happened that Sir Francis Drake in his

prosperous returne from the sacking of Sant Domingo, Cartagena, and Saint

Augustine, determined in his way homeward to visit his countreymen the

English Colony then remaining in Virginia. So passing along the coasts of

Florida, he fell with the parts where our English Colony inhabited: and

hauing espied some of that company, there be ankered and went aland, where

he conferred with them of their state and welfare, and how things had

passed with them. They answered him that they liued all; but hitherto in

some scarsity: and as yet could heare of no supply out of England:

therefore they requested him that hee would leaue with them some two or

three ships, that if in some reasonable time they heard not out of

England, they might then returne themselues. Which hee agreed to. Whilest

some were then writing their letters to send into England, and some others

making reports of the accidents of their trauels to ech other, some on

land, some on boord, a great storme arose, and droue the most of their

fleet from their ankers to Sea, in which ships at that instant were the

chiefest of the English Colony: the rest on land perceiuing this, hasted

to those three sailes which were appointed to be left there; and for feare

they should be left behinde they left all things confusedly, as if they

had bene chased from thence by a mighty army: and no doubt so they were;

for the hand of God came vpon them for the cruelty and outrages committed

by some of them against the natiue inhabitants of that countrey.

(M301) Immediatly after the departing of our English Colony out of this

paradise of the world, the ship abouementioned sent and set forth at the

charges of Sir Walter Ralegh and his direction, arriued at Hatorask; who

after some time spent in seeking our Colony vp in the countrey, and not

finding them, returned with all the aforesayd prouision into England.

(M302) About foureteene or fifteene dayes after the departure of the

aforesayd shippe, Sir Richard Grinuile Generall of Virginia, accompanied

with three shippes well appointed for the same voyage, arriued there; who

not finding the aforesaid shippe according to his expectation, nor hearing

any newes of our English Colony there seated, and left by him anno 1585,

himselfe travelling vp into diuers places of the countrey, aswell to see

if he could heare any newes of the Colony left there by him the yeere

before, vnder the charge of Master Lane his deputy, as also to discouer

some places of the countrey; but after some time spent therein, not

hearing any of them, and finding the places which they inhabited(96)

(M303) desolate, yet vnwilling to loose the possesion of the countrey

which Englishmen had so long held: after good deliberation, hee determined

to leaue some men behinde to reteine possession of the Countrey: whereupon

he landed fifteene men in the Isle of Roanoak, furnished plentifully with

all maner of prouisions for two yeeres, and so departed for England.

Not long after he fell with the Isles of Açores, on some of which Islands

he landed, and spoiled the townes of all such thinges as were woorth

cariage, where also he tooke diuers Spanyards. With these and many other

exploits done him in this voyadge, aswell outward as homeward, he returned

into England.

XXIX. A briefe and true report of the new found land of Virginia: of the

commodities there found, and to be raised, aswell merchantable as others:

Written by Thomas Heriot, seruant to Sir Walter Ralegh, a member of the

Colony, and there imployed in discouering a full tweluemonth.

Ralfe Lane one of her Majesties Esquiers, and Gouernour of the Colony in

Virginia, aboue mentioned, for the time there resident, to the gentle

Reader wisheth all happinesse in the Lord.

Albeit (gentle Reader) the credit of the reports in this Treatise

contained can little be furthered by the testimony of one as my selfe,

through affection iudged partiall, though without desert; neuerthelesse,

forasmuch as I haue bene requested by some my particular friends, who

conceiue more rightly of me, to deliuer freely my knowledge of the same,

not onely for the satisfying of them, but also for the true information of

any other whosoeuer, that comes not with a preiudicate minde to the

reading thereof: thus much vpon my credit I am to affirme, that things

vniuersally are so truely set downe in this Treatise by the authour

thereof, an actor in the Colony, and a man no lesse for his honesty then

learning commendable, as that I dare boldly auouch, it may very well passe

with the credit of trueth euen amongst the most true relations of this

age. Which as for mine owne part I am ready any way with my word to

acknowledge, so also (of the certaintie thereof assured by mine owne

experience) with this publique assertion I doe affirme the same. Farewell

in the Lord.

To the Aduenturers, Fauourers, and Welwillers of the enterprise for the

inhabiting and planting in Virginia.

Since the first vndertaking by Sir Walter Ralegh to deale in the action of

discouering of that countrey which is now called and knowen by the name of

Virginia, many voyages hauing beene thither made at sundry times to his

great charge; as first in the yere 1584, and afterwards in the yeres 1585,

1586, and now of late this yeere 1587: there haue bene diuers and variable

reports with some slanderous and shameful speeches bruted abroad by many

that returned from thence: especially of that discouery which was made by

the Colony transported by Sir Richard Grinuile in the yere 1585, being of

all others the most principall, and as yet of most effect, the time of

their abode in the countrey being a whole yere, when as in the other

voyage before they stayed but sixe weeks, and the others after were onely

for supply and transportation, nothing more being discouered than had bene

before. Which reports haue not done a little wrong to many that otherwise

would haue also fauoured and aduentured in the action, to the honour and

benefit of our nation, besides the particular profit and credit which

would redound to themselues the dealers therein, as I hope by the sequel

of euents, to the shame of those that haue auouched the contrary, shall be

manifest, if you the aduenturers, fauourers, and welwillers doe but either

increase in number, or in opinion continue, or hauing beene doubtfull,

renew your good liking and furtherance to deale therein according to the

woorthinesse thereof already found, and as you shall vnderstand hereafter

to be requisite. Touching which woorthinesse through cause of the

diuersity of relations and reports, many of your opinions could not be

firme, nor the minds of some that are well disposed be setled in any

certainty.

I haue therefore thought it good, being one that haue beene in the

discouerie, and in dealing with the naturall inhabitants specially

imployed: and hauing therefore seene and knowen more then the ordinary, to

impart so much vnto you of the fruits of our labours, as that you may know

how iniuriously the enterprise is slandered, and that in publique maner at

this present, chiefly for two respects.

First, that some of you which are ignorant or doubtfull of the state

thereof, may see that there is sufficient cause why the chiefe enterpriser

with the fauour of her Maiesty, notwithstanding such reports, hath not

onely since continued the action by sending into the countrey againe, and

replanting this last yeere a new Colony, but is also ready, according as

the times and meanes will affoord, to follow and prosecute the same.

Secondly, that you seeing and knowing the continuance of the action, by

the view hereof you may generally know and learne what the countrey is,

and thereupon consider how your dealing therein, if it proceed, may

returne you profit and gaine, be it either by inhabiting and planting, or

otherwise in furthering thereof.

And least that the substance of my relation should be doubtfull vnto you,

as of others by reason of their diuersitie, I will first open the cause in

a few words, wherefore they are so different, referring my selfe to your

fauourable constructions, and to be adiudged of, as by good consideration

you shall finde cause.

Of our company that returned, some for their misdemeanour and ill dealing

in the countrey haue bene there worthily punished, who by reason of their

bad natures, haue maliciously not onely spoken ill of their Gouernours,

but for their sakes slandered the countrey it selfe. The like also haue

those done which were of their consort.

Some being ignorant of the state thereof, notwithstanding since their

returne amongst their friends and acquaintance, and also others,

especially if they were in company where they might not be gainsayd, would

seeme to know so much as no men more, and make no men so great trauellers

as themselues. They stood so much as it may seeme, vpon their credit and

reputation, that hauing bene a tweluemoneth in the countrey, it would haue

bene a great disgrace vnto them, as they thought, if they could not haue

sayd much, whether it were true or false. Of which some haue spoken of

more then euer they saw, or otherwise knew to be there. Other some haue

not bene ashamed to make absolute deniall of that, which although not by

them, yet by others is most certainly and there plentifully knowen, and

other some make difficulties of those things they haue no skill of.

The cause of their ignorance was, in that they were of that many that were

neuer out of the Island where we were seated, or not farre, or at the

least wise in few places els, during the time of our abode in the country:

or of that many, that after gold and siluer was not so soone found, as it

was by them looked for, had litle or no care of any other thing but to

pamper their bellies: or of that many which had litle vnderstanding, lesse

discretion, and more tongue then was needfull or requisite.

Some also were of a nice bringing vp, only in cities or townes, or such as

neuer (as I may say) had seene the world before. Because there were not to

be found any English cities, nor such faire houses, nor at their owne wish

any of their old accustomed dainty food, nor any soft beds of downe or

feathers, the country was to them miserable, and their reports thereof

according.

Because my purpose was but in briefe to open the cause of the variety of

such speeches, the particularities of them, and of many enuious,

malicious, and slanderous reports and deuices els, by our owne countreymen

besides, as trifles that are not worthy of wise men to be thought vpon, I

meane not to trouble you withall, but will passe to the commodities, the

substance of that which I haue to make relation of vnto you.

The Treatise whereof, for your more ready view and easier vnderstanding, I

will diuide into three speciall parts. In the first I will make

declaration of such commodities there already found or to be raised, which

will not onely serue the ordinary turnes of you which are and shall be the

planters and inhabitants, but such an ouerplus sufficiently to be yeelded,

or by men of skill to be prouided, as by way of traffique and exchange

with our owne nation of England, will enrich yourselues the prouiders:

those that shall deale with you, the enterprisers in generall, and greatly

profit our owne countrey men, to supply them with most things which

heretofore they haue beene faine to prouide either of strangers or of our

enemies, which commodities, for distinction sake, I call Merchantable.

In the second I will set downe all the commodities which we know the

countrey by our experience doth yeeld of it selfe for victuall and

sustenance of mans life, such as are vsually fed vpon by the inhabitants

of the countrey, as also by vs during the time we were there.

In the last part I will make mention generally of such other commodities

besides, as I am able to remember, and as I shall thinke behoouefull for

those that shall inhabit, and plant there to know of, which specially

concerne building, as also some other necessary vses: with a briefe

description of the nature and manners of the people of the countrey.

The first part of Merchantable commodities.

Silke of grasse, or Grasse silke. There is a kind of grasse in the

country, vpon the blades whereof there groweth very good silke in forme of

a thin glittering skin to be stript off. It groweth two foot and an halfe

highe or better: the blades are about two foot in length, and halfe an

inch broad. The like groweth in Persia, which is in the selfe same climate

as Virginia, of which very many of the Silke works that come from thence

into Europe are made. Hereof if it be planted and ordered as in Persia, it

cannot in reason be otherwise, but that there will rise in short time

great profit to the dealers therein, seeing there is so great vse and vent

thereof aswel in our countrey as elswhere. And by the meanes of sowing and

planting it in good ground, it will be farre greater, better, and more

plentifull then it is. Although notwithstanding there is great store

thereof in many places of the countrey growing naturally and wild, which

also by proofe here in England, in making a piece of Silke grogran, we

found to be excellent good.

Worme silke. In many of our iourneys we founde Silkewormes faire and

great, as big as our ordinary Walnuts. Although it hath not bene our hap

to haue found such plenty, as elswhere to be in the countrey we haue heard

of, yet seeing that the countrey doth naturally breed and nourish them,

there is no doubt but if arte be added in planting of Mulberie trees, and

others fit for them in commodious places, for their feeding and

nourishing, and some of them carefull gathered and husbanded in that sort,

as by men of skil is knowen to be necessary: there wil rise as great

profit in time to the Virginians, as thereof doth now to the Persians,

Turks, Italians and Spaniards.

Flaxe and Hempe. The trueth is, that of Hempe and Flaxe there is no greate

store in any one place together, by reason it is not planted but as the

soile doth yeeld of it selfe: and howsoeuer the leafe and stemme or stalke

do differ from ours, the stuffe by iudgement of men of skill is altogether

as good as ours: and if not, as farther proofe should finde otherwise, we

haue that experience of the soile, as that there cannot be shewed any

reason to the contrary, but that it will grow there excellent well, and by

planting will be yeelded plentifully, seeing there is so much ground

whereof some may well be applied to such purposes. What benefit heereof

may grow in cordage and linnens who cannot easily vnderstand?

Allum. There is a veine of earth along the sea coast for the space of

fortie or fiftie miles, whereof by the iudgement of some that haue made

triall here in England, is made good Allum, of that kind which is called

Roch allum. The richnesse of such a commodity is so well knowen, that I

need not to say any thing thereof. The same earth doth also yeeld White

coprasse, Nitrum, and Alumen plumeum, but nothing so plentifully as the

common Allum, which be also of price and profitable.

Wapeih. A kind of earth so called by the naturall inhabitants, very like

to Terra sigillata, and hauing bene refined, it hath bene found by some of

our Physicians and Chyrurgians, to be of the same kinde of vertue, and

more effectuall. The inhabitants vse it very much for the cure of sores

and wounds: there is in diuers places great plenty, and in some places of

a blew sort.

Pitch, Tarre, Rozen and Turpentine. There are those kinds of trees which

yeeld them abundantly and great store. In the very same Island where we

were seated, being fifteene miles of length, and fiue or sixe miles in

breadth, there are few trees els but of the same kinde, the whole Island

being full.

Sassafras, called by the inhabitants Winauk, a kind of wood of most

pleasant and sweet smell, and of most rare vertues in physicke for the

cure of many diseases. It is found by experience to be far better and of

more vses then the wood which is called Guaiacum, or Lignum vitæ. For the

description, the maner of vsing, and the manifold vertues thereof, I refer

you to the booke of Monardes, translated and entituled in English, The

joyfull newes from the West Indies.

Cedar. A very sweet wood, and fine timber, whereof if nests of chests be

there made, or timber thereof fitted for sweet and fine bedsteds, tables,

desks, lutes, virginals, and many things els, (of which there hath bene

proofe made already) to make vp fraight with other principall commodities,

will yeeld profit.

Wine. There are two kindes of grapes that the soile doth yeeld naturally,

the one is small and sowre, of the ordinary bignesse as ours in England,

the other farre greater and of himselfe lushious sweet. When they are

planted and husbanded as they ought, a principall commodity of wines by

them may be raised.

Oile. There are two sorts of Walnuts, both holding oile; but the one farre

more plentifull then the other. When there are mils and other deuices for

the purpose, a commodity of them may be raised, because there are infinite

store. There are also three seuerall kindes of berries in the forme of

Oke-akornes, which also by the experience and vse of the inhabitants, we

find to yeeld very good and sweet oile. Furthermore, the beares of the

countrey are commonly very fat, and in some places there are many. Their

fatnesse, because it is so liquid, may well be termed oile, and hath many

speciall vses.

Furres. All along the Sea coast there are great store of Otters, which

being taken by weares and other engines made for the purpose, wil yeeld

good profit. We hope also of Marterne furres, and make no doubt by the

relation of the people, but that in some places of the countrey there are

store, although there were but two skinnes that came to our hands.

Luzernes also we haue vnderstanding of, although for the time we saw none.

Deere skinnes dressed after the manner of Chamoes, or vndressed, are to be

had of the naturall inhabitants thousands yerely by way of traffike for

trifles, and no more waste or spoile of Deere then is and hath bene

ordinarily in time before.

Ciuet-cats. In our trauels there was found one to haue bin killed by a

Sauage or inhabitant, and in another place the smel where one or more had

lately bene before, whereby we gather, besides then by the relation of the

people, that there are some in the country: good profit will rise by them.

Iron. In two places of the countrey specially, one about fourescore, and

the other six score miles from the fort or place where we dwelt, we found

nere the water side the ground to be rocky, which by the triall of a

Minerall man was found to holde iron richly. It is found in many places of

the countrey els: I know nothing to the contrary, but that it may be

allowed for a good merchantable commodity, considering there the small

charge for the labour and feeding of men, the infinite store of wood, the

want of wood and deereness thereof in England, and the necessity of

ballasting of ships.

Copper. An hundred and fifty miles into the maine in two townes we found

with the inhabitants diuers small plates of Copper, that had bene made as

we vnderstood by the inhabitants that dwell further into the countrey,

where as they say are mountaines and riuers that yeeld also white graines

of mettal, which is to be deemed Siluer. For confirmation whereof, at the

time of our first arriuall in the countrey, I saw, with some others with

me, two small pieces of Siluer grosly beaten, about the weight of a

testron, hanging in the eares of a Wiroans or chiefe lord that dwelt about

fourescore miles from vs: of whom through inquiry, by the number of dayes

and the way, I learned that it had come to his hands from the same place

or neere, where I after vnderstood the Copper was made, and the white

graines of metal found. The aforesayd Copper we also found by tryall to

holde Siluer.

Pearle. Sometimes in feeding on Muscles we found some Pearle: but it was

our happe to meet with ragges, or of a pide colour: not hauing yet

discouered those places where we heard of better and more plenty. (M304)

One of our company, a man of skill in such matters had gathered together

from among the Sauage people about fiue thousand: of which number he be

chose as many as made a faire chaine, which for their likenesse and

vniformity in roundnesse, orientnesse, and pidenesse of many excellent

colours, with equality in greatnesse, were very faire and rare: and had

therefore beene presented to her Maiesty, had we not by casualty, and

through extremity of a storme lost them, with many things els in comming

away from the countrey.

Sweet gummes of diuers kinds, and many other Apothecary drugges, of which

we will make speciall mention, when we shall receiue it from such men of

skill in that kinde, that in taking reasonable paines shal discouer them

more particularly then we haue done, and then now I can make relation of,

for want of the examples I had prouided and gathered, and are now lost,

with other things by casualty before mentioned.

Dies of diuers kinds: There is Shoemake well knowen, and vsed in England

for blacke: the seede of an herbe called Wasebur, little small roots

called Chappacor, and the barke of the tree called by the inhabitants

Tangomockonomindge: which dies are for diuers sorts of red: their

goodnesse for our English clothes remains yet to be prooued. The

inhabitants vse them only for the dying of haire, and colouring of their

faces, and mantles made of Deere skinnes: and also for the dying of rushes

to make artificiall works withall in their mats and baskets, hauing no

other thing besides that they account of, apt to vse them for if they will

not prooue merchantable, there is no doubt but the planters there shall

finde apt vses for them, as also for other colours which we know to be

there.

Woad: a thing of so great vent and vses amongst English Diers, which can

not be yeelded sufficiently in our owne countrey for spare of ground, may

be planted in Virginia, there being ground enough. The growth thereof need

not to be doubted, when as in the Islands of the Açores it groweth

plentifully, which are in the same climate. So likewise of Madder.

We carried thither Suger-canes to plant, which being not so well preserued

as was requisite, and besides the time of the yeere being past for their

setting when we arriued, we could not make that proofe of them as we

desired. Notwithstanding, seeing that they grow in the same climate, in

the South part of Spaine, and in Barbary, our hope in reason may yet

continue. So likewise for Orenges and Limmons. There may be planted also

Quinses. Whereby may grow in reasonable time, if the action be deligently

prosecuted, no small commodities in Sugers, Suckets, and Marmelades.

Many other commodities by planting may there also be raised, which I leaue

to your discreet and gentle considerations: and many also may be there,

which yet we haue not discouered. Two more commoditie of great value, one

of certeinty, and the other in hope, not to be planted, but there to be

raised and in short time to be prouided, and prepared, I might haue

specified. So likewise of those commodities already set downe I might haue

sayd more: as of the particular places where they are found, and best to

be planted and prepared: by what meanes, and in what reasonable space of

time they might be raised to profit, and in what proportion: but because

others then welwillers might be there withall acquainted, not to the good

of the action, I haue wittingly omitted them: knowing that to those that

are well disposed, I haue vttered, according to my promise and purpose,

for this part sufficient.

The second part of such commodities as Virginia is knowen to yeeld for

victuall and sustenance of mans life, vsually fed vpon by the naturall

inhabitants; as also by vs, during the time of our abode: and first of

such as are sowed and husbanded.

Pagatowr, a kinde of graine so called by the inhabitants: the same in the

West Indies is called Mayz: English men call it Guinywheat or

Turkey-wheat, according to the names of the countreys from whence the like

hath beene brought. The graine is about the bignesse of our ordinary

English peaze, and not much different in forme and shape: but of diuers

colours: some white, some red, some yellow, and some blew. All of them

yeeld a very white and sweet flowre: being vsed according to its kinde, it

maketh a very good bread. We made of the same in the countrey some Mault,

whereof was brewed as good Ale as was to be desired. So likewise by the

helpe of Hops, therof may be made as good Beere. It is a graine of

maruellous great increase: of a thousand, fifteene hundred, and some two

thousand folde. There are three sorts, of which two are ripe in eleuen and

twelue weeks at the most, sometimes in tenne, after the time they are set,

and are then of height in stalke about sixe or seuen foot. The other sort

is ripe in fourteene, and is about tenne foot high, of the stalks some

beare foure heads, some three, some one, and some two: euery head

containing fiue, sixe, or seuen hundred graines, within a few more or

lesse. Of these graines, besides bread, the inhabitants make victuall,

either by parching them, or seething them whole vntill they be broken: or

boiling the flowre with water into a pap.

Okingier, called by vs Beanes, because in greatnesse and partly in shape

they are like to the beanes in England, sauing that they are flatter, of

more diuers colours, and some pide. The leafe also of the stemme is much

different. In taste they are altogether as good as our English peaze.

Wickonzowr, called by vs Peaze, in respect of the Beanes, for distinction

sake, because they are much lesse, although in forme they little differ:

but in goodnesse of taste much like, and are far better then our English

Peaze. Both the beanes and peaze are ripe in ten weeks after they are set.

They make them victuall either by boiling them all to pieces into a broth,

or boiling them whole vntill they be soft, and beginne to breake, as is

vsed in England, either by themselues, or mixtly together: sometime they

mingle of the Wheat with them: sometime also, being whole sodden, they

bruse or punne them in a morter, and thereof make loaues or lumps of

doughish bread, which they vse to eat for variety.

Macocquer, according to their seueral formes, called by vs Pompious,

Melons, and Gourds, because they are of the like formes as those in

England. In Virginia such of seuerall formes are of one taste, and very

good, and do also spring from one seed. There are of two sorts: one is

ripe in the space of a moneth, and the other in two moneths.

There is an herbe which in Dutch is called Melden. Some of those that I

describe it vnto take it to be a kinde of Orage: it groweth about foure or

fiue foot high: of the seede thereof they make a thicke broth, and pottage

of a very good taste: of the stalke by burning into ashes they make a

kinde of salt earth, wherewithall many vse sometimes to season their

broths: other salt they know not. We ourselues vsed the leaues for

pot-herbs.

There is also another great herbe, in forme of a Marigolde, about sixe

foot in height, the head with a floure is a spanne in bredth. Some take it

to be Planta Solis: of the seeds hereof they make both a kinde of bread

and broth.

All the aforesayde commodities for victuall are set or sowed, sometimes in

grounds apart and seuerally by themselues, but for the most part together

in one ground mixtly: the maner thereof, with the dressing and preparing

of the ground, because I will note vnto you the fertility of the soile, I

thinke good briefly to describe.

The ground they neuer fatten with mucke, dung, or any other thing, neither

plow nor digge it as we in England, but onely prepare it in sort as

followeth. A few days before they sowe or set, the men with woodden

instruments made almost in forme of mattocks or hoes with long handles:

the women with short peckers or parers, because they vse them sitting, of

a foot long, and about fiue inches in bredth, doe onely break the vpper

part of the ground to raise vp the weeds, grasse, and old stubbes of corne

stalks with their roots. The which after a day or two dayes drying in the

Sunne, being scrapt vp into small heaps, to saue them labour for carrying

them away, they burne into ashes. And whereas some may thinke that they

vse the ashes for to better the ground, I say that then they would either

disperse the ashes abroad, which wee observed they do not, except the

heaps be too great, or els would take speciall care to set their corne

where the ashes lie, which also wee finde they are carelesse of. And this

is all the husbanding of their ground that they vse.

Then their setting or sowing is after this maner. First for their corne,

beginning in one corner of the plot, with a pecker they make a hole,

wherein they put foure graines, with care that they touch not one another

(about an inch asunder) and couer them with the molde againe: and so

thorowout the whole plot making such holes, and vsing them after such

maner, but with this regard, that they make them in ranks, euery rank

differing from other halfe a fadome or a yard, and the holes also in euery

ranke as much. By this meanes there is a yard spare ground betweene euery

hole: where according to discretion here and there, they set as many

Beanes and Peaze: in diuers places also among the seeds of Macocquer,

Melden, and Planta solis.

The ground being thus set according to the rate by vs experimented, an

English acre conteining forty pearches in length, and foure in breadth,

doth there yeeld in croppe or ofcome of corne Beanes and Peaze, at the

least two hundred London bushels, besides the Macocquer, Melden, and

Planta solis; when as in England forty bushels of our Wheat yeelded out of

such an acre is thought to be much.

I thought also good to note this vnto you, that you which shall inhabit,

and plant there, may know how specially that countrey corne is there to be

preferred before ours: besides, the manifold wayes in applying it to

victuall, the increase is so much, that small labor and paines is needful

in respect of that which must be vsed for ours. For this I can assure you

that according to the rate we haue made proofe of, one man may prepare and

husband so much ground (hauing once borne corne before) with lesse then

foure and twenty houres labour, as shall yeeld him victual in a large

proportion for a tweluemoneth, if he haue nothing els but that which the

same ground will yeeld, and of that kinde onely which I haue before spoken

of: the sayd ground being also but fiue and twenty yards square. And if

need require but that there is ground enough, there might be raised out of

one and the selfsame ground two haruests or ofcomes: for they sow or set,

and may at any time when they thinke good, from the midst of March vntill

the end of Iune: so that they also set when they haue eaten of their first

croppe. In some places of the countrey notwithstanding they haue two

haruests, as we haue heard, out of one and the same ground.

For English corne neuerthelesse, whether to use or not to use it, you that

inhabit may doe as you shall haue further cause to thinke best. Of the

growth you need not to doubt: for Barley, Oates, and Peaze, we haue seene

proofe of, not being purposely sowen, but fallen casually in the woorst

sort of ground, and yet to be as faire as any we haue euer seene heere in

England. But of Wheat, because it was musty, and had taken salt water, we

could make no triall: and of Rie we had none. This much haue I digressed,

and I hope not vnnecessarily: now will I returne againe to my course, and

intreat of that which yet remaineth, appertaining to this chapter.

(M305) There is an herbe which is sowed apart by it selfe, and is called

by the inhabitants Vppowoc: in the West Indies it hath diuers names,

according to the seuerall places and countreys where it groweth and is

vsed: the Spanyards generally call it Tabacco. The leaues thereof being

dried and brought into pouder, they vsed to take the fume or smoake

thereof, by sucking it thorow pipes made of clay, into their stomacke and

heade; from whence it purgeth superflous fleame and other grosse humours,

and openeth all the pores and passages of the body; by which meanes the

vse thereof not onely preserveth the body from obstructions, but also (if

any be, so that they haue not bene of two long continuance) in short time

breaketh them: whereby their bodies are notably preserued in health, and

know not many grieuous diseases, wherewithall we in England are often

times afflicted.

This Vppowoc is of so precious estimation amongst them, that they thinke

their gods are maruellously delighted therewith: whereupon sometime they

make hallowed fires, and cast some of the pouder therein for a sacrifice:

being in a storm vpon the waters, to pacifie their gods, they cast some vp

into the aire and into the water: so a weare for fish being newly set vp,

they cast some therein and into the aire; also after an escape of danger,

they cast some into the aire likewise: but all done with strange gestures,

stamping, sometime dancing, clapping of hands, holding vp of hands, and

staring vp into the heauens, vttering therewithall and chattering strange

words and noises.

We our selues, during the time we were there, vsed to sucke it after their

maner, as also since our returne, and haue found many rare and wonderfull

experiments of the vertues thereof: of which the relation would require a

volume by it selfe: the vse of it by so many of late men and women of

great calling, as els, and some learned Physicians also, is sufficient

witnesse.

And these are all the commodities for sustenance of life, that I know and

can remember, they vse to husband: all els that follow, are found growing

naturally or wilde.

Of Roots.

Openauk are a kinde of roots of round forme, some of the bignesse of

Walnuts, some farre greater, which are found in moist and marish grounds

growing many together one by another in ropes, as though they were

fastened with a string. Being boiled or sodden, they are very good meat.

(M306) Monardes calleth these roots, Beads or Pater nostri of Santa

Helena.(97)

Okeepenauk are also of round shape, found in dry grounds: some are of the

bignesse of a mans head. They are to be eaten as they are taken out of the

ground: for by reason of their drinesse they will neither rost nor seethe.

Their taste is not so good as of the former roots: notwithstanding for

want of bread, and sometimes for variety the inhabitants vse to eat them

with fish or flesh, and in my iudgement they do as well as the housholde

bread made of Rie here in England.

Kaishucpenauk, a white kinde of roots about the bignesse of hennes egges,

and neere of that forme: their taste was not so good to our seeming as of

the other, and therefore their place and maner of growing not so much

cared for by vs: the inhabitants notwithstanding vsed to boile and eat

many.

Tsinaw, a kind of root much like vnto that which in England is called the

China root brought from the East Indies. And we know not any thing to the

contrary but that it may be of the same kinde. These roots grow many

together in great clusters, and do bring foorth a brier stalke, but the

leafe in shape farre vnlike: which being supported by the trees it groweth

neerest vnto, will reach or climbe to the top of the highest. From these

roots while they be new or fresh, being chapt into small pieces, and

stampt, is strained with water a iuice that maketh bread, and also being

boiled, a very good spoonmeat in maner of a gelly, and is much better in

taste, if it be tempered with oile. This Tsinaw is not of that sort, which

by some was caused to be brought into England for the China root; for it

was discouered since, and is in vse as is aforesayd: but that which was

brought hither is not yet knowen, neither by vs nor by the inhabitants to

serue for any vse or purpose, although the roots in shape are very like.

Coscushaw some of our company tooke to be that kinde of root which the

Spanyards in the West Indies call Cassauy, whereupon also many called it

by that name: it groweth in very muddy pooles, and moist grounds. Being

dressed according to the countrey maner, it maketh a good bread, and also

a good spoonmeat, and is vsed very much by the inhabitants. (M307) The

iuice of this root is poison, and therefore heed must be taken before any

thing be made therewithall: either the roots must be first sliced and

dried in the Sunne, or by the fire, and then being punned into floure,

will make good bread: or els while they are greene they are to be pared,

cut in pieces, and stampt: loaues of the same to be layd nere or ouer the

fire vntill it be sowre; and then being well punned againe, bread or

spoonmeat very good in taste and holesome may be made thereof.

Habascon is a root of hote taste, almost of the forme and bignesse of a

Parsnip: of it selfe it is no victuall, but onely a helpe, being boiled

together with other meats.

There are also Leeks, differing little from ours in England, that grow in

many places of the countrey; of which, when we came in places where they

were, we gathered and eat many, but the naturall inhabitants neuer.

Of fruits.

Chesnuts there are in diuers places great store: some they vse to eat raw,

some they stampe and boile to make spoonmeat, and with some being sodden,

they make such a maner of dough bread as they vse of their beanes before

mentioned.

Walnuts. There are two kinds of Walnuts, and of them infinite store: in

many places where are very great woods for many miles together, the third

part of trees are Walnut trees. The one kind is of the same taste and

forme, or little differing from ours of England, but that they are harder

and thicker shelled: the other is greater, and hath a very ragged and hard

shell: but the kernel great, very oily and sweet. Besides their eating of

them after our ordinary maner, they breake them with stones, and punne

them in morters with water, to make a milke which they vse to put into

some sorts of their spoonemeat: also among their sodde wheat, peaze,

beanes and pompions, which maketh them haue a farre more pleasant taste.

Medlars, a kinde of very good fruit: so called by vs chiefly for these

respects: first in that they are not good vntill they be rotten, then in

that they open at the head as our Medlars, and are about the same

bignesse: otherwise in taste and colour they are farre different; for they

are as red as cheries, and very sweet: but whereas the chery is sharpe

sweet, they are lushious sweet.

(M308) Mutaquesunnauk, a kinde of pleasant fruit almost of the shape and

bignesse of English peares, but they are of a perfect red colour as well

within as without. They grow on a plant whose leaues are very thicke, and

full of prickles as sharpe as needles. Some that haue bene in the Indies,

where they haue seene that kind of red die of great price, which is called

Cochinile, to grow, doe describe this plant right like vnto this of

Metaquesunnauk; but whether it be the true Cochinile, or a bastard or

wilde kinde, it cannot yet be certified, seeing that also, as I heard,

Cochinile is not of the fruit, but found on the leaues of the plant: which

leaues for such matter we haue not so specially obserued.

Grapes there are of two sorts, which I mentioned in the merchantable

commodities.

Strawberries there are as good and as great as those which we haue in our

English gardens.

Mulberies, Applecrabs, Hurts or Hurtleberies, such as we haue in England.

Sacquenummener, a kinde of berries almost like vnto Capers, but somewhat

greater, which grow together in clusters vpon a plant or hearbe that is

found in shallow waters; being boiled eight or nine houres according to

their kinde, are very good meat and holesome; otherwise if they be eaten

they will make a man for the time frantike or extremely sicke.

There is a kind of Reed which beareth a seed almost like vnto our Rie or

Wheat; and being boiled is good meat.

In our trauels in some places we found Wilde peaze like vnto ours in

England, but that they were lesse, which are also good meat.

Of a kinde of fruit or berry in forme of Acornes.

There is a kinde of berry or acorne, of which there are fiue sorts that

grow on seuerall kindes of trees: the one is called Sagatemener, the

second Osamener, the third Pummuckoner. These kinde of acornes they vse to

drie vpon hurdles made of reeds, with fire vnderneath, almost after the

maner as we dry Malt in England. When they are to be vsed, they first

water them vntill they be soft, and then being sod, they make a good

victuall, either to eat so simply, or els being also punned to make loaues

or lumps of bread. These be also the three kinds, of which I sayd before

the inhabitants vsed to make sweet oile.

Another sort is called Sapummener, which being boiled or parched, doth eat

and taste like vnto Chesnuts. They sometime also make bread of this sort.

The fift sort is called Mangummenauk, and is the acorne of their kinde of

Oake, the which being dried after the maner of the first sorts, and

afterward watered, they boile them, and their seruants, or sometime the

chiefe themselues, either for variety or for want of bread, do eat them

with their fish or flesh.

Of Beasts.

Deere, in some places there are great store: neere vnto the Sea coast they

are of the ordinary bignesse of ours in England, and some lesse: but

further vp into the countrey, where there is better food, they are

greater: they differ from ours onely in this, their tailes are longer, and

the snags of their hornes looke backwards.

Conies. Those that we haue seene, and all that we can heare of are of a

gray colour like vnto Hares: in some places there are such plenty that all

the people of some townes make them mantles of the furre or flue of the

skinnes of those which they vsually take.

Saquenuckot and Maquowoc, two kinds of small beasts greater then Conies,

which are very good meat. We neuer tooke any of them our selues, but

sometime eat of such as the inhabitants had taken and brought vnto vs.

Squirels, which are a grey colour, we haue taken and eaten.

Beares, which are of blacke colour. The beares of this countrey are good

meat. The inhabitants in time of Winter do vse to take and eat many: so

also sometime did we. They are taken commonly in this sort: In some

Islands or places where they are, being hunted for assoone as they haue

spiall of a man, they presently run away, and then being chased, they

clime and get vp the next tree they can: from whence with arrowes they are

shot downe starke dead, or with those wounds that they may after easily be

killed. We sometime shot them downe with our calieuers.

I haue the name of eight and twenty seuerall sorts of beasts, which I haue

heard of to be here and there dispersed in the countrey, especially in the

maine; of which there are onely twelue kinds that we haue yet discouered;

and of those that be good meat we know only them before mentioned. The

inhabitants sometime kill the Lion, and eat him:(98) and we sometime as

they came to our hands of their Woolues or Wooluish dogs, which I haue not

set downe for good meat, least that some would vnderstand my iudgement

therein to be more simple then needeth, although I could alleage the

difference in taste of those kinds from ours, which by some of our company

haue bene experimented in both.

Of Fowle.

Tvrkie cocks and Turkie hennes, Stockdoues, Partridges, Cranes, Hernes,

and in Winter great store of Swannes and Geese. Of all sorts of fowle I

haue the names in the countrey language of fourescoure and sixe, of which

number, besides those that be named, we haue taken, eaten, and haue the

pictures as they were drawen, with the names of the inhabitants, of

seuerall strange sorts of water fowle eight, and seuenteene kinds more of

land fowle, although we haue seene and eaten of many more, which for want

of leasure there for the purpose could not be pictured: and after we are

better furnished and stored vpon further discouery with their strange

beasts, fish, trees, plants, and herbs, they shalbe also published.

There are also Parrots, Faulcons, and Marlin hauks, which although with vs

they be not vsed for meat, yet for other causes I thought good to mention.

Of Fish.

For foure moneths of the yeere, February, March, Aprill and May, there are

plenty of Sturgeons. And also in the same moneths of Herrings, some of the

ordinary bignesse of ours in England, but the most part farre greater, of

eighteene, twenty inches, and some two foot in length and better: both

these kinds of fish in those moneths are most plentifull, and in best

season, which we found to be most delicate and pleasant meat.

There are also Trouts, Porpoises, Rayes, Oldwiues, Mullets, Plaice, and

very many other sorts of excellent good fish, which we haue taken and

eaten, whose names I know not but in the countrey language: we haue the

pictures of twelue sorts more, as they were drawen in the countrey, with

their names.

(M309) The inhabitants vse to take them two maner of wayes: the one is by

a kinde of weare made of reeds, which in that country are very strong: the

other way, which is more strange, is with poles made sharpe at one end, by

shooting them into the fish after the maner as Irish men cast darts,

either as they are rowing in their boats or els as they are wading in the

shallowes for the purpose.

There are also in many places plenty of these kinds which follow:

Sea crabs, such as we haue in England.

Oisters, some very great, and some small, some round, and some of a long

shape: they are found both in salt water and brackish, and those that we

had out of salt water are farre better then the other, as in our countrey.

Also Muscles, Scalops, Periwinkles, and Creuises.

Seekanauk, a kinde of crusty shel-fish, which is good meat, about a foot

in bredth, hauing a crusty taile, many legges like a crab, and her eyes in

her backe. They are found in shallowes of waters, and sometime on the

shore.

There are many Tortoises both of land and sea kinde, their backs and

bellies are shelled very thicke; their head, feet, and taile, which are in

appearance, seeme ougly, as though they were members of a serpent or

venimous beasts; but notwithstanding they are very good meat, as also

their egges. Some haue bene found of a yard in bredth and better.

And thus haue I made relation of all sorts of victuall that we fed vpon

for the time we were in Virginia, as also the inhabitants themselues, as

farre forth as I know and can remember, or that are specially woorthy to

be remembred.

The third and last part of such other things as are behouefull for those

which shall plant and inhabite to know of, with a description of the

nature and maners of the people of the Countrey.

Of commodities for building and other necessary vses.

Those other things which I am more to make rehearsal of, are such as

concerne building, and other mechanicall necessary vses, as diuers sorts

of trees for house and ship-timber, and other vses else: Also lime, stone,

and bricke, least that being not mentioned some might haue bene doubted

of, or by some that are malitious the contrary reported.

Okes there are as faire, straight, tall, and as good timber as any can be,

and also great store, and in some places very great.

Walnut trees, as I haue said before very many, some haue bene seene

excellent timber of foure and fiue fadome, and aboue fourescore foote

streight without bough.

Firre trees fit for masts of ships, some very tall and great.

Rakiock, a kinde of trees so called that are sweete wood, of which the

inhabitants that were neere vnto vs doe commonly make their boates or

Canoas of the forme of trowes, onely with the helpe of fire, hatchets of

stones, and shels: we haue knowen some so great being made in that sort of

one tree, that they haue caried well 20. men at once, besides much

baggage: the timber being great, tall, streight, soft, light, and yet

tough ynough I thinke (besides other vses) to be fit also for masts of

ships.

Cedar, a sweete wood good for seelings, chests, boxes, bedsteads, lutes,

virginals, and many things els, as I haue also said before. Some of our

companie which haue wandered in some places where I haue not bene, haue

made certeine affirmation of Cyprus, which for such and other excellent

vses is also a wood of price and no small estimation.

Maple, and also Wich-hazle, whereof the inhabitants vse to make their

bowes.

Holly, a necessary thing for the making of birdlime.

Willowes good for the making of weares and weeles to take fish after the

English maner, although the inhabitants vse onely reedes, which because

they are so strong as also flexible, doe serue for that turne very well

and sufficiently.

Beech and Ashe, good for caske-hoopes, and if neede require, plowe worke,

as also for many things els.

Elme. Sassafras trees.

Ascopo a kinde of tree very like vnto Lawrell, the barke is hot in taste

and spicie, it is very like to that tree which Monardes describeth to be

Cassia Lignea of the West Indies.

There are many other strange trees whose names I know not but in the

Virginian language, of which I am not now able, neither is it so

conuenient for the present to trouble you with particular relation: seeing

that for timber and other necessary vses, I haue named sufficient. And of

many of the rest, but that they may be applied to good vse, I know no

cause to doubt.

Nowe for stone, bricke and lime, thus it is. Neere vnto the Sea coast

where wee dwelt, there are no kinde of stones to be found (except a few

small pebbles about foure miles off) but such as haue bene brought from

further out of the maine. In some of our voyages we haue seene diuers hard

raggie stones, great pebbles, and a kinde of gray stone like vnto marble

of which the inhabitants make their hatchets to cleaue wood. Vpon inquirie

wee heard that a little further vp into the Countrey were of all sorts

very many, although of quarries they are ignorant, neither haue they vse

of any store whereupon they should haue occasion to seeke any. For if

euery housholde haue one or two to cracke nuts, grinde shels, whet copper,

and sometimes other stones for hatchets, they haue ynough: neither vse

they any digging, but onely for graues about three foote deepe: and

therefore no marueile that they know neither quarries, nor lime-stones,

which both may be in places neerer then they wot of.

In the meane time vntill there be discouery of sufficient store in some

place or other conuenient, the want of you which are and shalbe the

planters therein may be as well supplied by bricke: for the making whereof

in diuers places of the Countrey there is clay both excellent good and

plentie, and also by lime made of oyster shels, and of others burnt, after

the maner as they vse in the Isles of Tenet(99) and Shepy, and also in

diuers other places of England: Which kinde of lime is well knowen to be

as good as any other. And of oyster shels there is plentie ynough: for

besides diuers other particular places where are abundance, there is one

shallow Sound along the coast, where for the space of many miles together

in length, and two or three miles in breadth, the ground is nothing els,

being but halfe a foote or a foote vnder water for the most part.

Thus much can I say furthermore of stones, that about 120. miles from our

fort neere the water in the side of a hill, was found by a Gentleman of

our company, a great veine of hard ragge stonnes, which I thought good to

remember vnto you.

Of the nature and maners of the people.

It resteth I speake a word or two of the naturall inhabitants, their

natures and maners leauing large discourse thereof vntil time more

conuenient hereafter: nowe onely so farre foorth, as that you may know,

how that they in respect of troubling our inhabiting and planting, are not

to be feared, but that they shall haue cause both to feare and loue vs,

that shall inhabite with them.

(M310) They are a people clothed with loose mantles made of deere skinnes,

and aprons of the same round about their middle, all els naked, of such a

difference of statures onely as wee in England, hauing no edge tooles or

weapons of yron or steele to offend vs withall, neither knowe they how to

make any: those weapons that they haue, are onely bowes made of

Witch-hazle, and arrowes of reedes, flat edged truncheons also of wood

about a yard long, neither haue they any thing to defend themselues but

targets made of barkes, and some armours made of sticks wickered together

with thread.

Their townes are but small, and neere the Sea coast but fewe, some

contayning but tenne or twelue houses: some 20. the greatest that we haue

seene hath bene but of 30. houses: if they bee walled, it is onely done

with barkes of trees made fast to stakes, or els with poles onely fixed

vpright, and close one by another.

Their houses are made of small poles, made fast at the tops in round forme

after the maner as is vsed in many arbories in our gardens of England, in

most townes couered with barkes, and in some with artificiall mats made of

long rushes, from the tops of the houses downe to the ground. The length

of them is commonly double to the breadth, in some places they are but 12.

and 16. yards long, and in other some we haue seene of foure and twentie.

In some places of the Countrey, one onely towne belongeth to the

gouernment of a Wiroans or chiefe Lord, in other some two or three, in

some sixe, eight, and more: the greatest Wiroans that yet wee had dealing

with, had but eighteene townes in his gouernment, and able to make not

aboue seuen or eight hundred fighting men at the most. The language of

euery gouernment is different from any other, and the further they are

distant, the greater is the difference.

Their maner of warres among themselues is either by sudden surprising one

an other most commonly about the dawning of the day, or moone light,(100)

or els by ambushes, or some subtile deuises. Set battles are very rare,

except it fall out where there are many trees, where either part may haue

some hope of defence, after the deliuery of euery arrow, in leaping behind

some or other.

If there fall out any warres betweene vs and them, what their fight is

likely to bee, wee hauing aduantages against them so many maner of wayes,

as by our discipline, our strange weapons and deuises else, especially

Ordinance great and small, it may easily bee imagined: by the experience

wee haue had in some places, the turning vp of their heeles against vs in

running away was their best defence.

In respect of vs they are a people poore, and for want of skill and

iudgement in the knowledge and vse of our things, doe esteeme our trifles

before things of greater value: Notwithstanding in their proper maner

(considering the want of such means as we haue,) they seeme very

ingenious. For although they haue no such tooles, nor any such crafts,

Sciences and Artes as wee, yet in those things they doe, they shew

excellence of wit. And by how much they vpon due consideration shall finde

our maner of knowledges and crafts to exceede theirs in perfection, and

speed for doing and execution, by so much the more is it probable that

they should desire our friendship and loue, and haue the greater respect

for pleasing and obeying vs. Whereby may bee hoped, if meanes of good

gouernment be vsed, that they may in short time bee brought to ciuilitie,

and the imbracing of true Religion.

Some religion they haue already, which although it be farre from the

trueth, yet being as it is, there is hope it may be the easier and sooner

reformed.

They beleeue that there are many gods, which they call Mantoac, but of

different sorts and degrees, one onely chiefe and great God, which hath

beene from all eternitie. Who as they affirme, when hee purposed to make

the world, made first other gods of a principall order, to be as meanes

and instruments to be vsed in the creation and gouernment to follow, and

after the Sunne, moone, and starres as pettie gods, and the instruments of

the other order more principal. First (they say) were made waters out of

which by the gods were made all diuersitie of creatures that are visible

or invisible.

For mankinde they say a woman was made first, which by the working of one

of the gods, conceiued and brought foorth children: And in such sort they

say they had their beginning. But how many yeeres or ages haue passed

since, they say they can make no relation hauing no letters or other such

meanes as we to keepe records of the particularities of times past, but

onely tradition from father to sonne.

They thinke that all the gods are of humane shape, and therefore they

represent them by images in the formes of men, which they call Kewasowok,

one alone is called Kewas: them they place in houses appropriate or

temples, which they call Machicomuck, where they worship, pray, sing, and

make many times offring vnto them. In some Machicomuck we haue seene but

one Kewas, in some two, and in other some three. The common sort thinke

them to be also gods.

They beleeue also the immortalitie of the soule, that after this life as

soone as the soule is departed from the body, according to the workes it

hath done, it is either carried to heauen the habitacle of the gods, there

to enioy perpetuall blisse and happinesse or els to a great pitte or hole,

which they thinke to be in the furthest parts of their part of the world

toward the Sunne set, there to burne continually: the place they call

Popogusso.

For the confirmation of this opinion, they tolde me two stories of two men

that had bene lately dead and reuiued againe, the one happened but few

yeeres before our comming into the Countrey of a wicked man, which hauing

bene dead and buried, the next day the earth of the graue being seene to

moue, was taken vp againe, who made declaration where his soule had bene,

that is to say, very neere entring into Popogusso, had not one of the gods

saued him, and gaue him leaue to returne againe, and teach his friends

what they should do to auoyd that terrible place of torment. The other

happened in the same yeere we were there, but in a towne that was 60.

miles from vs, and it was told me for strange newes, that one being dead,

buried, and taken vp againe as the first, shewed that although his body

had lien dead in the graue, yet his soule was aliue, and had trauailed

farre in a long broad way, on both sides whereof grew most delicate and

pleasant trees, bearing more rare and excellent fruits, then euer hee had

seene before, or was able to expresse, and at length came to most braue

and faire houses, neere which he met his father that had bene dead before,

who gaue him great charge to goe backe againe, and shew his friendes what

good they were to doe to enioy the pleasures of that place, which when he

had done he should after come againe.

What subtiltie soeuer be in the Wiroances and priestes, this opinion

worketh so much in many of the common and simple sort of people, that it

maketh them haue great respect to their Gouernours, and also great care

what they doe, to auoyd torment after death, and to enioy blisse, although

notwithstanding there is punishment ordeined for malefactours, as

stealers, whoremongers, and other sorts of wicked doers, some punished

with death, some with forfeitures, some with beating, according to the

greatnesse of the facts.

And this is the summe of their Religion, which I learned by hauing

speciall familiaritie with some of their priests. Wherein they were not so

sure grounded, nor gaue such credite to their traditions and stories, but

through conuersing with vs they were brought into great doubts of their

owne; and no small admiration of ours, with earnest desire in many, to

learne more then wee had meanes for want of perfect vtterance in their

language to expresse.

Most things they sawe with vs, as Mathematicall instruments, sea

Compasses, the vertue of the load-stone in drawing yron, a perspectiue

glasse whereby was shewed many strange sights, burning glasses, wilde

firewoorkes, gunnes, hookes, writing and reading, spring-clockes that

seeme to goe of themselues, and many other things that wee had were so

strange vnto them, and so farre exceeded their capacities to comprehend

the reason and meanes how they should be made and done, that they thought

they were rather the workes of gods then of men, or at the leastwise they

had bene giuen and taught vs of the gods. Which made many of them to haue

such opinion of vs, as that if they knew not the trueth of God and

Religion already, it was rather to bee had from vs whom God so specially

loued, then from a people that were so simple, as they found themselues to

be in comparison of vs. Whereupon greater credite was giuen vnto that wee

spake of, concerning such matters.

Many times and in euery towne where I came, according as I was able, I

made declaration of the contents of the Bible, that therein was set foorth

the true and onely God, and his mightie workes, that therein was conteined

the true doctrine of saluation through Christ, with many particularities

of Miracles and chiefe points of Religion, as I was able then to vtter,

and thought fit for the time. And although I told them the booke

materially and of it selfe was not of any such vertue, as I thought they

did conceiue, but onely the doctrine therein conteined: yet would many be

glad to touch it, to embrace it, to kisse it, to holde it to their

breastes and heads, and stroke ouer all their body with it, to shew their

hungry desire of that knowledge which was spoken of.

The Wiroans with whom we dwelt called Wingina, and many of his people

would bee glad many times to be with vs at our Prayers, and many times

call vpon vs both in his owne towne, as also in others whither hee

sometimes accompanied vs, to pray and sing Psalmes, hoping thereby to be

partaker of the same effects which we by that meanes also expected.

Twise this Wiroans was so grieuously sicke that he was like to die, and as

he lay languishing, doubting of any helpe by his owne priestes, and

thinking hee was in such danger for offending vs and thereby our God, sent

for some of vs to pray and bee a meanes to our God that it would please

him either that he might liue, or after death dwell with him in blisse, so

likewise were the requests of many others in the like case.

On a time also when their corne began to wither by reason of a draught

which happened extraordinarily, fearing that it had come to passe by

reason that in some thing they had displeased vs, many would come to vs

and desire vs to pray to our God of England, that he would preserue their

Corne, promising that when it was ripe we also should be partakers of the

fruit.

There could at no time happen any strange sicknesse, losses, hurts, or any

other crosse vnto them, but that they would impute to vs the cause or

meanes thereof, for offending or not pleasing vs. One other rare and

strange accident, leauing others, wil I mention before I end, which moued

the whole Countrey that either knew or heard of vs, to haue vs in

wonderfull admiration.

There was no towne where wee had any subtle deuise practised against vs,

wee leauing it vnpunished or not reuenged (because we sought by all meanes

possible to win them by gentlenesse) but that within a few dayes after our

departure from euery such Towne, the people began to die very fast, and

many in short space, in some Townes about twentie, in some fourtie, and in

one sixe score, which in trueth was very many in respect of their numbers.

This happened in no place that we could learne, but where we had bin,

where they vsed some practise against vs, and after such time. The disease

also was so strange, that they neither knewe what it was, nor how to cure

it, the like by report of the oldest men in the Countrey neuer happened

before, time out of minde. A thing specially obserued by vs, as also by

the naturall inhabitants themselves. Insomuch that when some of the

inhabitants which were our friends, and especially the Wiroans Wingina,

had obserued such effects in foure or fiue Townes to follow their wicked

practises, they were perswaded that it was the worke of our God through

our meanes, and that we by him might kill and slay whom we would without

weapons, and not come neere them. And thereupon when it had happened that

they had vnderstanding that any of their enemies had abused vs in our

iourneys, hearing that we had wrought no reuenge with our weapons, and

fearing vpon some cause the matter should so rest: did come and intreate

vs that we would be a meanes to our God that they as others that had dealt

ill with vs might in like sort die, alleadging how much it would bee for

our credite and profite, as also theirs, and hoping furthermore that we

would doe so much at their requests in respect of the friendship we

professed them.

Whose entreaties although wee shewed that they were vngodly, affirming

that our God would not subiect himselfe to any such prayers and requests

of men: that indeede all things haue bene and were to be done according to

his good pleasure as he had ordeined: and that, we to shewe our selues his

true seruants ought rather to make petition for the contrary, that they

with them might liue together with vs, be made partakers of his trueth,

and serue him in righteousnesse, but notwithstanding in such sort, that

wee referre that, as all other things, to bee done according to his diuine

will and pleasure, and as by his wisedome he had ordeined to be best.

Yet because the effect fell out so suddenly and shortly after according to

their desires, they thought neuerthelesse it came to passe by our meanes,

and that we in vsing such speeches vnto them, did not dissemble the

matter, and therefore came vnto vs to giue vs thankes in their maner, that

although we satisfied them not in promise, yet in deedes and effect we had

fulfilled their desires.

This marueilous accident in all the Countrey wrought so strange opinions

of vs, that some people could not tell whether to thinke vs gods or men,

and the rather because that all the space of their sicknes, there was no

man of ours knowen to die, or that was specially sicke: they noted also

that we had no women among vs, neither that we did care for any of theirs.

Some therefore were of opinion that we were not borne of women, and

therefore not mortal, but that we were men of an old generation many

yeeres past, then risen againe to immortalitie.

Some would likewise seeme to prophecie that there were more of our

generation yet to come to kill theirs and take their places, as some

thought the purpose was, by that which was already done. Those that were

immediatly to come after vs they imagined to be in the aire, yet inuisible

and without bodies, and that by our intreatie and for the loue of vs, did

make the people to die in that sort as they did, by shooting inuisible

bullets into them.

To confirme this opinion, their Phisitions (to excuse their ignorance in

curing the disease) would not be ashamed to say, but earnestly make the

simple people beleeue, that the strings of blood that they sucked out of

the sicke bodies, were the strings wherewithall the inuisible bullets were

tied and cast. Some also thought that wee shot them our selues out of our

pieces, from the place where wee dwelt, and killed the people in any Towne

that had offended vs, as wee listed, howe farre distant from vs soeuer it

were. And other some said, that it was the speciall worke of God for our

sakes, as we our selues haue cause in some sort to thinke no lesse,

whatsoeuer some doe, or may imagine to the contrary, specially some

Astrologers, knowing of the Eclipse of the Sunne which we saw the same

yeere before in our voyage thitherward, which vnto them appeared very

terrible. And also of a Comet which began to appeare but a fewe dayes

before the beginning of the saide sicknesse. But to exclude them from

being the speciall causes of so speciall an accident, there are further

reasons then I thinke fit at this present to be alleadged. These their

opinions I haue set downe the more at large, that it may appeare vnto you

that there is good hope they may be brought through discreete dealing and

gouernment to the imbracing of the trueth, and consequently to honour,

obey, feare and loue vs.

And although some of our company towards the ende of the yeere, shewed

themselues too fierce in slaying some of the people in some Townes, vpon

causes that on our part might easily ynough haue bene borne withall: yet

notwithstanding, because it was on their part iustly deserued, the

alteration of their opinions generally and for the most part concerning vs

is the lesse to be doubted. And whatsoever els they may be, by

carefulnesse of our selues neede nothing at all to be feared.

The best neuerthelesse in this, as in all actions besides, is to be

endeuoured and hoped, and of the worst that may happen notice to be taken

with consideration, and as much as may be eschewed.

The conclusion.

Now I haue (as I hope) made relation not of so few and small things, but

that the Countrey (of men that are indifferent and well disposed) may bee

sufficiently liked: If there were no more knowen then I haue mentioned,

which doubtlesse and in great reason is nothing to that which remaineth to

be discouered, neither the soyle, nor commodities. As we haue reason so to

gather by the difference we found in our trauailes, for although al which

I haue before spoken of, haue bene discouered and experimented not farre

from the Sea coast, where was our abode and most of our trauailing: yet

sometimes as we made our iourneys further into the maine and Countrey; we

found the soile to be fatter, the trees greater and to grow thinner, the

ground more firme and deeper mould, more and larger champions, finer

grasse, and as good as euer we saw any in England; in some places rockie

and farre more high and hilly ground, more plentie of their fruites, more

abundance of beastes, the more inhabited with people, and of greater

pollicie and larger dominions, with greater townes and houses.

Why may wee not then looke for in good hope from the inner parts of more

and greater plentie, as well of other things, as of those which wee haue

already discouered? Vnto the Spaniards happened the like in discouering

the maine of the West Indies. The maine also of this Countrey of Virginia,

extending some wayes so many hundreds of leagues, as otherwise then by the

relation of the inhabitants wee haue most certaine knowledge of where yet

no Christian prince hath any possession or dealing, cannot but yeelde many

kinds of excellent commodities, which we in our discouery haue not seene.

What hope there is els to bee gathered of the nature of the climate, being

answerable to the Iland of Japan, the land of China, Persia, Iury, the

Ilands of Cyprus and Candy, the South parts of Greece, Italy and Spaine,

and of many other notable and famous Countreys, because I meane not to be

tedious, I leaue to your owne consideration.

Whereby also the excellent temperature of the aire there at all seasons,

much warmer then in England, and neuer so vehemently hot, as sometimes is

vnder and betweene the Tropikes, or neere them, cannot be knowen vnto you

without further relation.

For the holsomnesse thereof I neede to say but this much: that for all the

want of prouisson, as first of English victuall, excepting for twentie

dayes, we liued onely by drinking water, and by the victuall of the

Countrey, of which some sorts were very strange vnto vs, and might haue

bene thought to haue altered our temperatures in such sort, as to haue

brought vs into some greuious and dangerous diseases: (M311) Secondly the

want of English meanes, for the taking of beastes, fish and foule, which

by the helpe onely of the inhabitants and their meanes could not bee so

suddenly and easily prouided for vs, nor in so great number and

quantities, nor of that choise as otherwise might haue bene to our better

satisfaction and contentment. Some want also we had of clothes.

Furthermore in al our trauailes, which were most specially and often in

the time of Winter, our lodging was in the open aire vpon the ground. And

yet I say for all this, there were but foure of our whole company (being

one hundred and eight) that died all the yeere, and that but at the latter

ende thereof, and vpon none of the aforesaid causes. For all foure,

especially three, were feeble, weake, and sickly persons before euer they

come thither, and those that knew them, much marueled that they liued so

long being in that case, or had aduentured to trauaile.

Seeing therefore the aire there is so temperate and holsome, the soyle so

fertile, and yeelding such commodities, as I haue before mentioned, the

also thither to and fro being sufficiently experimented to be performed

twise a yeere with ease, and at any season thereof: And the dealing of Sir

Walter Ralegh so liberall in large giuing and granting land there, as is

already knowen, with many helpes and furtherances else: (The least that he

hath granted hath bene fiue hundreth acres to a man onely for the

aduenture of his person) I hope there remaines no cause whereby the action

should be misliked.

If that those which shall thither trauaile to inhabite and plant bee but

reasonably prouided for the first yeere, as those are which were

transported the last, and being there, doe vse but that diligence and

care, that is requisit, and as they may with ease: There is no doubt but

for the time following, they may haue victuall that are excellent good and

plentie ynough, some more English sorts of cattell also hereafter, as some

haue bene before and there are yet remayning, may and shall be (God

willing) thither transported. So likewise, our kinde of fruites, rootes,

and hearbes, may be there planted and sowed, as some haue bene already,

and proue well: And in short time, also they may raise so much of those

sorts of commodities which I haue spoken of, as shall both enrich

themselues, as also others that shall deale with them.

And this is all the fruit of our labours, that I haue thought necessary to

aduertise you of at this present: What else concerneth the nature and

maners of the inhabitants of Virginia, the number with the particularities

of the voyages thither made, and of the actions of such as haue beene by

Sir Walter Ralegh therein, and there imployed, many worthy to be

remembred, as of the first discouerers of the Country, of our Generall for

the time Sir Richard Grinuil, and after his departure of our Gouernour

there Master Ralph Lane, with diuers others directed and imployed vnder

their gouernment: Of the Captaines and Masters of the voyages made since

for transportation of the Gouernour and assistants of those already

transported, as of many persons, accidents, and things els, I haue ready

in a discourse by it selfe in maner of a Chronicle, according to the

course of times: which when time shall be thought conuenient, shall be

also published.

Thus referring my relation to your fauourable constructions, expecting

good successe of the action, from him which is to be acknowledged the

authour and gouernour, not onely of this, but of all things els, I take my

leaue of you, this moneth of February 1587.

XXX. The fourth voyage made to Virginia with three ships, in yere 1587.

Wherein was transported the second Colonie.

In the yeere of our Lord 1587. Sir Walter Ralegh intending to perseuere in

the planting of his Countrey of Virginia, prepared a newe Colonie of one

hundred and fiftie men to be sent thither, vnder the charge of Iohn White,

whom hee appointed Gouernour, and also appointed vnto him twelue

Assistants, vnto whom he gaue a Charter, and incorporated them by the name

of Gouernour and Assistants of the Citie of Ralegh in Virginia.

April.

Our Fleete being in number three saile, viz. the Admirall a shippe of one

hundred and twentie Tunnes, a Flie-boate, and a Pinnesse, departed the

sixe and twentieth of April from Portsmouth, and the same day came to an

ancker at the Cowes in the Isle of Wight, where wee stayed eight dayes.

May.

The fift of May, at nine of the clocke at night we came to Plimmouth,

where we remained the space of two dayes.

The 8 we weyed anker at Plimmouth, and departed thence for Virginia.

The 16 Simon Ferdinando, Master of our Admirall, lewdly forsooke our

Fly-boate, leauing her distressed in the Bay of Portugal.

Iune.

The 19 we fell with Dominica, and the same euening we sayled betweene it,

and Guadalupe: the 21 the Fly-boat also fell with Dominica.

(M312) The 22 we came to an anker at an Island called Santa Cruz,(101)

where all the planters were set on land, staying there till the 25 of the

same moneth. (M313) At our first landing on this Island, some of our

women, and men, by eating a small fruit like greene Apples, were

fearefully troubled with a sudden burning in their mouthes, and swelling

of their tongues so bigge, that some of them could not speake. Also a

child by sucking one of those womens breasts, had at that instant his

mouth set on such a burning, that it was strange to see how the infant was

tormented for the time: but after 24 houres it ware away of it selfe.

Also the first night of our being on this Island, we took fiue great

Tortoses, some of them of such bignes, that sixteene of our strongest men

were tired with carying of one of them but from the sea side to our

cabbins. In this Island we found no watring place, but a standing ponde,

the water whereof was so euill, that many of our company fell sicke with

drinking thereof: and as many as did but wash their faces with that water,

in the morning before the Sunne had drawen away the corruption, their

faces did so burne and swell, that their eyes were shut vp, and could not

see in fiue or sixe dayes, or longer.

The second day of our abode there, we sent forth some of our men to search

the Island for fresh water, three one way, and two another way. The

Gouernour also, with sixe others, went vp to the top of an high hill, to

viewe the Island, but could perceiue no signe of any men, or beastes, nor

any goodnes, but Parots, and trees of Guiacum. Returning backe to our

cabbins another way, he found in the discent of a hill, certaine

potsheards of sauage making, made of the earth of that Island: whereupon

it was iudged, that this Island was inhabited with Sauages, though

Fernando had told vs for certaine the contrary. The same day at night, the

rest of our company very late returned to the Gouernour. The one company

affirmed, that they had seene in a valley eleuen Sauages, and diuers

houses halfe a mile distant from the steepe, or toppe of the hill where

they stayed. The other company had found running out of a high rocke a

very fayre spring of water, whereof they brought three bottels to the

company: for before that time, wee drank the stinking water of the pond.

The same second day at night Captaine Stafford, with the Pinnesse,

departed from our fleets, riding at Santa Cruz, to an Island, called

Beake, lying neere S. Iohn, being so directed by Ferdinando, who assured

him he should there find great plenty of sheepe. The next day at night,

our planters left Santa Cruz, and came all aboord, and the next morning

after, being the 25 of Iune we weyed anker, and departed from Santa Cruz.

The seuen and twentieth we came to anker at Cottea, where we found the

Pinnesse riding at our comming.

The 28 we weyed anker at Cottea, and presently came to anker at S. Iohns

in Musketos Bay,(102) where we spent three dayes vnprofitable in taking in

fresh water, spending in the meane time more beere then the quantitie of

the water came vnto.

Iulie.

(M314) The first day we weyed anker at Musketos Bay, where were left

behind two Irish men of our company, Darbie Glauen, and Denice Carrell,

bearing along the coast of S. Iohns till euening, at which time wee fell

with Rosse Bay. At this place Ferdinando had promised wee should take in

salte, and had caused vs before, to make and prouide as many sackes for

that purpose, as we could. The Gouernour also, for that hee understood

there was a Towne in the bottome of the Bay, not farre from the salt

hills, appointed thirty shot, tenne pikes, and ten targets, to man the

Pinnesse, and to goe aland for salt. Ferdinando perceiuing them in a

readines, sent to the Gouernour, vsing great perswasions with him, not to

take in salt there, saying that hee knew not well whether the same were

the place or not: also, that if the Pinnesse went into the Bay, she could

not without great danger come backe, till the next day at night, and that

if in the meane time any storme should rise, the Admirall were in danger

to bee cast away. Whilest he was thus perswading, he caused the lead to be

cast, and hauing craftily brought the shippe in three fadome and a halfe

water, he suddenly began to sweare, and teare God in pieces, dissembling

great danger, crying to him at the helme, beare vp hard, beare vp hard, so

we went off, and were disappointed of our salt, by his meanes.

The next day sayling along the west end of S. Iohn, the (M315) Gouernour

determined to go aland in S. Germans Bay, to gather yong plants of

Orenges, Pines, Mameas, and Plantanos, to set at Virginia, which we knew

might easily be had, for that they grow neere the shore, and the places

where they grew, well known to the Gouernour, and some of the planters:

but our Simon denied it, saying: he would come to an anker at Hispaniola,

and there land the Gouernour, and some other of the Assistants, with the

pinnesse, to see if he could speake with his friend Alanson, of whom he

hoped to be furnished both of cattell, and all such things as we would

haue taken in at S. Iohn: but he meant nothing lesse, as it plainely did

appeare to vs afterwards.

The next day after, being the third of Iuly, we saw Hispaniola, and bare

with the coast all that day, looking still when the pinnesse should be

prepared to goe for the place where Ferdinando his friend Alanson was: but

that day passed, and we saw no preparation for landing in Hispaniola.

The 4. of Iuly, sayling along the coast of Hispaniola, vntill the next day

at noone, and no preparation yet seene for the staying there, we hauing

knowledge that we were past the place where Alanson dwelt, and were come

with Isabella: hereupon Ferdinando was asked by the Gouernour, whether he

meant to speake with Alanson, for the taking in of cattell, and other

things, according to his promise, or not: but he answered that he was now

past the place, and that Sir Walter Ralegh told him, the French Ambassador

certified him, that the king of Spaine had sent for Alanson into Spaine:

wherefore he thought him dead, and that it was to no purpose to touch

there in any place, at this voyage.

The next day we left sight of Hispaniola, and haled off for Virginia,

about foure of the clocke in the afternoone.

The sixt day of Iuly we came to the Island Caycos, wherein Ferdinando sayd

were two salt pondes, assuring vs that if they were drie we might find

salt to shift with, vntill the next supply: but it prooued as true as

finding of sheepe at Baque. In this Island, whilest Ferdinando solaced

himselfe ashore, with one of the company, in part of the Island, others

spent the latter part of that day in other parts of the Iland, some to

seeke the salt ponds, some fowling, some hunting Swans, whereof we caught

many. The next day early in the morning we weyed anker, leauing Caycos,

with good hope, that the first land that we saw next should be Virginia.

About the 16 of Iuly we fel with the maine of Virginia, which Simon

Ferdinando tooke to be the Island of Croatoan, where we came to anker, and

rode there two or three dayes: but finding himselfe deceiued, he weyed,

and bare along the coast, where in the night, had not Captaine Stafford

bene more carefull in looking out, then our Simon Ferdinando, we had bene

all cast away vpon the breach, called the Cape of Feare, for we were come

within two cables length vpon it: such was the carelesnes, and ignorance

of our Master.

The two and twentieth of Iuly wee arriued safe at Hatorask, where our ship

and pinnesse ankered: (M316) the Gouernour went aboord the pinnesse

accompanied with fortie of his best men, intending to passe vp to Roanoak

foorthwith, hoping there to finde those fifteene Englishmen, which Sir

Richard Grinuile had left there the yeere before, with whom he meant to

haue conference, concerning the state of the Countrey, and Sauages,

meaning after he had so done, to returne againe to the fleete, and passe

along the coast, to the Bay of Chesepiok where we intended to make our

seate and forte, according to the charge giuen us among other directions

in writing, vnder the hande of Sir Walter Ralegh: but assoone as we were

put with our pinnesse from the ship, a Gentleman by the meanes of

Ferdinando, who was appointed to returne for England, called to the

sailers in the pinnesse, charging them not to bring any of the planters

backe again, but to leaue them in the Island, except the Gouernour, and

two or three such as he approued, saying that the Summer was farre spent,

wherefore hee would land all the planters in no other place. Vnto this

were all the saylers, both in the pinnesse, and shippe, perswaded by the

Master, wherefore it booted not the Gouernour to contend with them, but

passed to Roanoak, and the same night at sunne-set went aland on the

Island, in the place where our fifteene men were left, but we found none

of them, nor any signe that they had bene there, sauing onely wee found

the bones of one of those fifteene, which the Sauages had slaine long

before.

The three and twentieth of Iuly the Gouernour with diuers of his company,

walked to the North ende of the Island, where Master Ralfe Lane had his

forte, with sundry necessary and decent dwelling houses, made by his men

about it the yeere before, where wee hoped to find some signes, or

certaine knowledge of our fifteene men. When we came thither, we found the

fort rased downe, but all the houses standing vnhurt, sauing that the

neather roomes of them, and also of the forte, were ouergrowen with Melons

of diuers sortes, and Deere within them, feeding on those Melons: so wee

returned to our company, without hope of euer seeing any of the fifteene

men liuing.

The same day order was giuen, that euery man should be employed for the

repayring of those houses, which wee found standing, and also to make

other new Cottages, for such as should neede.

The 25 our Flyboate and the rest of our planters arriued all safe at

Hatoraske, to the great ioy and comfort of the whole company: but the

Master of our Admirall Ferdinando grieued greatly at their safe comming:

for hee purposely left them in the Bay of Portugal, and stole away from

them in the night, hoping that the Master thereof, whose name was Edward

Spicer, for that he neuer had bene in Virginia, would hardly finde the

place, or els being left in so dangerous a place as that was, by meanes of

so many men of warre, as at that time were abroad, they should surely be

taken, or slaine: but God disappointed his wicked pretenses.

The eight and twentieth, George Howie, one of our twelue Assistants was

slaine by diuers Sauages, which were come ouer to Roanoak, either of

purpose to espie our company, and what we were, or else to hunt Deere,

whereof were many in the Island. These Sauages being secretly hidden among

high reedes, where oftentimes they find the Deere asleep, and so kill

them, espied our man wading in the water alone, almost naked, without any

weapon, saue only a smal forked sticke, catching Crabs therewithall, and

also being strayed two miles from his company, and shot at him in the

water, where they gaue him sixteen wounds with their arrowes: and after

they had slaine him with their woodden swords, they beat his head in

pieces, and fled ouer the water to the maine.

On the thirtieth of Iuly Master Stafford and twenty of our men passed by

water to the Island of Croatoan, with Manteo, who had his mother, and many

of his kindred dwelling in that Island, of whom wee hoped to vnderstand

some newes of our fifteene men, but especially to learne the disposition

of the people of the countrey toward vs, and to renew our old friendship

with them. At our first landing they seemed as though they would fight

with vs: but perceiuing vs begin to march with our shot towardes them,

they turned their backes, and fled. Then Manteo their countrey man called

to them in their owne language, whom, assoone as they heard, they

returned, and threwe away their bowes and arrowes, and some of them came

vnto vs, embracing and entertaining vs friendly, desiring vs not to gather

or spill any of their corne, for that they had but little. We answered

them, that neither their corne, nor any other thing of theirs, should be

diminished by any of vs, and that our comming was onely to renew the old

loue, that was betweene vs and them at the first, and to liue with them as

brethren and friends: which answer seemed to please them well, wherefore

they requested vs to walke vp to their Towne, who there feasted vs after

their maner; and desired vs earnestly, that there might bee some token or

badge giuen them of vs, whereby we might know them to be our friends, when

we met them any where out of the Towne or Island. They told vs further,

that for want of some such badge, diuers of them were hurt the yeere

before, being found out of the Island by Master Lane his company, whereof

they shewed vs one, which at that very instant lay lame, and had lien of

that hurt euer since: but they sayd, they knew our men mistooke them, and

hurt them instead of Winginos men, wherefore they held vs excused.

August.

The next day we had conference further with them, concerning the peopie of

Secotan, Aquascogoc, and Pomeiok, willing them of Croatoan to certifie the

people of those townes, that if they would accept our friendship, we would

willingly receiue them againe, and that all vnfriendly dealings past on

both parts, should be vtterly forgiuen and forgotten. To this the chiefe

men of Croatoan answered, that they would gladly doe the best they could,

and within seuen dayes, bring the Wiroances and chiefe Gouernours of those

townes with them, to our Gouernour at Roanoak, or their answere. We also

vnderstood of the men of Croatoan, that our man Master Howe was slaine by

the remnant of Winginos men dwelling then at Dasamonguepeuk, with whom

Wanchese kept companie: and also we vnderstood by them of Croatoan, how

that the 15 Englishmen left at Roanoak the yeere before, by Sir Richard

Grinuile, were suddenly set vpon, by 30 of the men of Secota, Aquascogoc,

and Dasamonguepeuk in manner following. They conueyed themselues secretly

behind the trees, neere the houses where our men carelesly liued: and

hauing perceiued that of those fifteene they could see but eleuen onely,

two of those Sauages appeared to the 11 Englishmen calling to them by

friendly signes, that but two of their chiefest men should come vnarmed to

speake with those two Sauages, who seemed also to be vnarmed. Wherefore

two of the chiefest of our Englishmen went gladly to them: but whilest one

of those Sauages traiterously imbraced one of our men, the other with his

sworde of wood, which he had secretly hidden vnder his mantell, strooke

him on the heade and slew him, and presently the other eight and twentie

Sauages shewed them selues: the other Englishman perceiuing this, fled to

his company, whom the Sauages pursued with their bowes, and arrowes, so

fast, that the Englishmen were forced to take the house, wherein all their

victuall, and weapons were: but the Sauages foorthwith set the same on

fire: by meanes wherof our men were forced to take vp such weapons as came

first to hand, and without order to runne forth among the Sauages, with

whom they skirmished aboue an howre. In this skirmish another of our men

was shotte into the mouth with an arrow, where hee died: and also one of

the Sauages was shot into the side by one of our men, with a wild fire

arrow, whereof he died presently. The place where they fought was of great

aduantage to the Sauages, by meanes of the thicke trees, behinde which the

Sauages through their nimblenes, defended themselues, and so offended our

men with their arrowes, that our men being some of them hurt, retyred

fighting to the water side, where their boat lay, with which they fled

towards Hatorask. By that time they had rowed but a quarter of a mile,

they espied their foure fellowes coming from a creeke thereby, where they

had bene to fetch Oysters: these foure they receiued into their boate,

leauing Roanoak, and landed on a little Island on the right hand of our

entrance into the harbour of Hatorask, where they remayned a while, but

afterward departed, whither as yet we know not.

Hauing nowe sufficiently dispatched our businesse at Croatoan, the same

day we departed friendly, taking our leaue, and came aboord the fleete at

Hatorask.

The eight of August, the Gouernour hauing long expected the comming of the

Wiroanses of Pomeiok, Aquascogoc, Secota, and Dasamonguepeuk, seeing that

the seuen dayes were past, within which they promised to come in, or to

send their answeres by the men of Croatoan, and no tidings of them heard,

being certainly also informed by those men of Croatoan, that the remnant

of Wingina his men, which were left aliue, who dwelt at Dasamonquepeuk,

were they which had slaine George Howe, and were also at the driving of

our eleuen Englishmen from Roanoak, hee thought to deferre the reuenge

thereof no longer. Wherefore the same night about midnight, he passed ouer

the water, accompanied with Captaine Stafford, and 24 men, wherof Manteo

was one, whom we tooke with vs to be our guide to the place where those

Sauages dwelt, where he behaued himselfe toward vs as a most faithfull

Englishman.

The next day, being the 9 of August, in the morning so early that it was

yet darke, we landed neere the dwelling place of our enemies, and very

secretly conueyed our selues through the woods, to that side, where we had

their houses betweene vs and the water: and hauing espied their fire, and

some sitting about it, we presently set on them: the miserable soules

herewith amazed, fled into a place of thicke reedes, growing fast by,

where our men perceiuing them, shot one of them through the bodie with a

bullet, and therewith we entered the reedes, among which we hoped to

acquite their euill doing towards vs, but we were deceiued, for those

Sauages were our friends, and were come from Croatoan to gather the corne

and fruit of that place, because they vnderstood our enemies were fled

immediatly after they had slaine George Howe, and for haste had left all

their corne. Tobacco, and Pompions standing in such sont, that al had bene

deuoured of the birds, and Deere, if it had not bene gathered in time: but

they had like to haue payd deerely for it: for it was so darke, that they

being naked, and their men and women apparelled all so like others, wee

knew not but that they were al men: and if that one of them which was a

Wiroances wife had not had a child at her backe, shee had bene slaine in

stead of a man, and as hap was, another Sauage knew master Stafford, and

ran to him, calling him by his name, whereby hee was saued. Finding our

selues thus disappointed of our purpose, we gathered al the corne, Pease,

Pompions, and Tobacco that we found ripe, leauing the rest vnspoyled, and

tooke Menatoan his wife, with the yong child, and the other Sauages with

vs ouer the water to Roanoak. Although the mistaking of these Sauages

somewhat grieued Manteo, yet he imputed their harme to their owne folly,

saying to them, that if their Wiroances had kept their promise in comming

to the Gouernour at the day appointed, they had not knowen that mischance.

The 13 of August our Sauage Manteo, by the commandement of Sir Walter

Ralegh, was christened in Roanoak, and called Lord thereof, and of

Dasamonguepeuk, in reward of his faithfull seruices.

The 18 Elenor, daughter to the Gouernour, and wife to Ananias Dare one of

the Assistants, was deliuered of a daughter in Roanoak, and the same was

christened there the Sonday following, and because this child was the

first Christian borne in Virginia, shee was named Virginia. By this time

our ships had vnladen the goods and victuals of the planters; and began to

take in wood, and fresh water, and to new calke and trimme them for

England: the planters also prepared their letters and tokens to send backe

into England.

Our two ships, the Lion and the Flyboat almost ready to depart, the 21 of

August, there arose such a tempest at Northeast, that our Admirall then

riding out of the harbour, was forced to cut his cables, and put to sea,

where he lay beating off and on sixe dayes before he could come to vs

againe so that we feared he had bene cast away, and the rather for that at

the time that the storme tooke them, the most and best of their sailers

were left aland.

At this time some controuersies arose betweene the Gouernour and

Assistants, about choosing two out of the twelue Assistants, which should

goe backe as factors for the company into England: for euery one of them

refused, saue onely one, which all other thought not sufficient: but at

length by much perswading of the Gouernour, Christopher Cooper only agreed

to goe for England: but the next day, through the perswasion of diuers of

his familiar friends, hee changed his minde, so that now the matter stood

as at the first.

The next day, the 22 of August, the whole company both of the Assistants

and planters came to the Gouernour, and with one voice requested him to

returne himselfe into England, for the better and sooner obtaining of

supplies, and other necessaries for them: but he refused it, and alleaged

many sufficient causes, why he would not: the one was, that he could not

so suddenly returne backe againe without his great discredite, leauing the

action, and so many whome hee partly had procured through his perswasions,

to leaue their natiue countrey, and vndertake that voyage, and that some

enemies to him and the action at his returne into England would not spare

to slander falsly both him and the action, by saying, hee went to

Virginia, but politikely, and to no other end but to leade so many into a

countrey, in which hee neuer meant to stay himselfe, and there to leaue

them behind him. (M317) Also he alleaged, that seeing they intended to

remoue 50 miles further vp into the maine presently, he being then absent,

his stuffe and goods might be both spoiled, and most of them pilfered away

in the cariage, so that at his returne he should be either forced to

prouide himselfe of all suche things againe, or else at his comming againe

to Virginia find himselfe vtterly vnfurnished, whereof already he had

found some proofe, being but once from them but three dayes. Wherefore he

concluded that he would not goe himselfe.

The next day, not onely the Assistants but diuers others, as well women as

men, began to renew their requests to the Gouernour againe, to take vpon

him to returne into England for the supply, and dispatch of all such

things as there were to be done, promising to make him their bond vnder

all their handes and seales for the safe preseruing of all his goods for

him at his returne to Virginia, so that if any part thereof was spoyled or

lost, they would see it restored to him, or his Assignes, whensoever the

same should be missed and demanded: which bond, with a testimony vnder

their hands and seales, they foorthwith made, and deliuered into his

hands. The copie of the testimony I thought good to set downe.

“May it please you, her Maiesties subjects of England, we your friends and

countrey-men, the planters in Virginia, doe by these presents let you and

euery of you to vnderstand, that for the present and speedy supply of

certaine our knowen and apparent lackes and needes, most requisite and

necessary for the good and happy planting of vs, or any other in this land

of Virginia, wee all of one minde and consent, haue most earnestly

intreated, and vncessantly requested Iohn White, Gouernour of the planters

in Virginia, to passe into England, for the better and more assured help,

and setting forward of the foresayd supplies: and knowing assuredly that

he both can best, and wil labour and take paines in that behalfe for vs

all, and he not once, but often refusing it, for our sakes, and for the

honour and maintenance of the action, hath at last, though much against

his will, through our importunacie, yeelded to leaue his gouernement, and

all his goods among vs and himselfe in all our behalfes to passe into

England, of whose knowledge and fidelitie in handling this matter, as all

others, we doe assure ourselues by these presents, and will you to giue

all credite thereunto, the 25 of August 1587.”

The Gouernour being at the last through their extreame intreating

constrayned to returne into England, hauing then but halfe a dayes respite

to prepare himselfe for the same, departed from Roanoak the seuen and

twentieth of August in the morning and the same day about midnight, came

aboord the Flieboat, who already had weyed anker, and rode without the

barre, the Admirall riding by them, who but the same morning was newly

come thither againe. The same day both ships weyed anker, and set saile

for England: at this weying their ankers, twelue of the men which were in

the Flyboate were throwen from the Capstone, which by meanes of a barre

that brake, came so fast about them, that the other two barres thereof

strooke and hurt most of them so sore, that some of them neuer recouered

it; neuerthelesse they assayed presently againe to wey their anker, but

being so weakened with the first fling, they were not able to weye it, but

were throwen downe and hurt the second time. Wherefore hauing in all but

fifteene men aboord, and most of them by this vnfortunate beginning so

bruised, and hurt, they were forced to cut their Cable, and leese their

anker. Neuerthelesse, they kept company with the Admirall, vntill the

seuenteenth of September, at which time wee fell with Coruo, and sawe

Flores.

September.

The eighteenth, perceiuing that of all our fifteene men in the Flyboat

there remained but fiue, which by meanes of the former mischance, were

able to stand to their labour: and that the Admirall meant not to make any

haste for England but to linger about the Island of Tercera for purchase:

the Flyboate departed for England with letters, where we hoped by the

helpe of God to arriue shortly: but by that time we had continued our

course homeward about twentie dayes, hauing had sometimes scarse and

variable windes, our fresh water also by leaking almost consumed there

arose a storme at Northeast, which for sixe dayes ceased not to blowe so

exceeding, that we were driuen further in those sixe then we could recouer

in thirteene daies: in which time others of our saylers began to fall very

sicke and two of them dyed, the weather also continued so close, that our

Master sometimes in foure dayes together could see neither sunne nor

starre, and all the beuerage we could make, with stinking water, dregs of

beere, and lees of wine which remayned, was but three gallons, and

therefore nowe we expected nothing but famine to perish at Sea.

October.

(M318) The 16 of October we made land, but we knewe not what land it was,

bearing in with the same land at that day: about sunne set we put into a

harbour, where we found a Hulke of Dublin, and a pinnesse of Hampton(103)

riding, but we knew not as yet what place this was, neither had we any

boate to goe ashore, vntill the pinnesse sent off their boate to vs with 6

or 8 men, of whom wee vnderstood wee were in Smerwick in the West parts of

Ireland: they also relieued vs presently with fresh water, wine and other

fresh meate.

The 18 the Gouernour and the Master ryd to Dingen a Cushe,(104) 5 miles

distant, to take order for the new victualing of our Flieboat for England,

and for reliefe of our sicke and hurt men, but within foure daies after

the Boatswain, the Steward, and the Boatswains mate died aboord the

Flieboat, and the 28 the Masters mate and two of our chiefs sailers were

brought sicke to Dingen.

Nouember.

The first the Gouernour shipped himselfe in a ship called the Monkie,

which at that time was ready to put to sea from Dingen for England,

leauing the Flyboat and all his companie in Ireland. The same day we set

sayle, and on the third day we fell with the North side of the lands end

and were shut vp the Seuerne, but the next day we doubled the same for

Mounts Bay.

The 5 the Gouernour landed in England at Martasew, neere Saint Michaels

mount in Cornewall.

The 8 we arriued at Hampton, where we vnderstood that our consort the

Admirall was come to Portsmouth, and had bene there three weekes before:

and also that Ferdinando the Master with all his company were not onely

come home without purchase, but also in such weaknesse by sicknesse, and

death of their chiefest men, that they were scarse able to bring their

ship into harbour, but were forced to let fall anker without, which they

could not wey againe, but might all haue perished there, if a small barke

by a great hap had not come to them to helpe them. The names of the chiefe

men that died are these, Roger Large, Iohn Mathew, Thomas Smith, and some

other saylers, whose names I knew not at the writing hereof. An. Dom.

1587.

XXXI. The names of all the men, women and children, which safely arriued

in Virginia, and remained to inhabite there. 1587. Anno regni Reginæ

Elizabethæ. 29.