So the clear profit of this Plantation of 500 acres }
of land amounts to yearly } 7516 19 00
A large Revenue for so small a sum as 14000 l. to purchase, where the
Seller does not receive two years value by 1000 l. and upwards; and
yet gives daies of payment.
I have been believed in all, or the most part, of my former
descriptions and computations, concerning this Iland, and the waies
to attain the profits that are there to be gathered; but when I
come to this point, no man gives me credit, the businesse seeming
impossible, that any understanding man, that is owner of a Plantation
of this value, should sell it for so inconsiderable a sum: and I
do not at all blame the incredulity of these persons; for, if
experience had not taught me the contrary, I should undoubtedly be
of their perswasion. But lest I should, by an over-weening opinion,
hope, that my experience (which is only to my selfe) should mislead
any man besides his reason, which every knowing man ought to be
guided and governed by, I will without strayning or forcing a reason,
deliver a plain and naked truth, in as plain language, as is fitting
such a subject, which I doubt not but will perswade much in the
businesse.
’Tis a known truth there, that no man has attained to such a fortune
as this, upon a small beginning, that has not met with many rubs and
obstacles in his way, and sometimes fallings back, let his pains and
industry be what it will: I call those fallings back, when either
by fire, which often happens there; or death of Cattle, which is as
frequent as the other; or by losses at Sea, which sometimes will
happen, of which I can bring lively instances: If either of these
misfortunes fall, it stands in an equall ballance, whether ever that
man recover, upon whom these misfortunes fall: But, if two of these
happen together, or one in the neck of another, there is great odds
to be laid, that he never shall be able to redeem himselfe, from
an inevitable ruine; For, if fire happen, his stock is consumed,
and sometimes his house; if his Cattle die, the work stands still,
and with either of these, his credit falls; so as if he be not well
friended, he never can entertain a hope to rise again.
These toyls of body and minde, and these misfortunes together,
will depresse and wear out the best spirits in the world, and
will cause them to think, what a happie thing it is, to spend the
remainder of their lives in rest and quiet in their own Countries.
And I do believe, there are few of them, whose mindes are not
over-ballanc’d with avarice and lucre, that would not be glad to
sell good penni-worths, to settle themselves quietly in _England_.
Besides the casualties which I have named, there is yet one of neerer
Concern then all the rest, and that is, their own healths, than
which, nothing is more to be valued; for, sicknesses are there more
grievous, and mortality greater by far, than in _England_, and these
diseases many times contagious: And if a rich man, either by his own
ill diet or distemper, or by infection, fall into such a sicknesse,
he will finde there a plentifull want of such remedies, as are to
be found in _England_. Other reasons, and strong ones, they have,
that induce them to hanker after their own Country, and those are,
to enjoy the company of their old friends, and to raise up families
to themselves, with a Sum which they have acquired by their toyle
and industry, and often hazards of their lives, whose beginnings
were slight and inconsiderable; and what can be a greater comfort,
both to themselves, and their friends, then such an enjoyment. But I
speak not this to discourage any man, that has a mind to improve his
Estate, by adventuring upon such a Purchase; for, though the Planter,
by long and tedious pain and industry, have worn out his life, in the
acquist of his fortune; yet, the Buyer, by his purchase, is so well
and happily seated, as he need endure no such hardships, but may go
on in the managing his businesse, with much ease, and some pleasure;
and in a dosen years, return back with a very plentifull fortune,
and may carry with him from _England_, better remedies for his
health, then they, who for a long time had neither means to provide,
nor mony to purchase it; for, though some Simples grow there, that
are more proper for the bodies of the Natives, than any we can bring
from forraigne parts, and no doubt would be so for our bodies too,
if wee knew the true use of them; yet wanting that knowledge, we are
faine to make use of our own.
But when able and skilfull Physitians shall come, whose knowledge can
make the right experiment and use of the vertues of those simples
that grow there, they will no doubt finde them more efficatious,
and prevalent to their healths, then those they bring from forraine
parts. For certainely every Climate produces Simples more proper
to cure the diseases that are bred there, than those that are
transported from any other part of the world: such care the great
Physitian to mankind takes for our convenience.
Somewhat I have said of the diseases that raigne in Generall in
this Iland, but have falne on no particular, though I have felt
the power and Tyranny of it upon mine own body, as much as any man
that has past through it to death, though it pleased the mercifull
God to raise me up againe: for I have it to shew under the hand of
Colonell _Thomas Modiford_ in whose house I lay sick, that he saw me
dead without any appearance of life, three several times, not as in
sounding but dying fits, and yet recover’d at last.
To tell the tedious particulars of my sicknesse, and the severall
drenches our Ignorant Quacksalvers there gave me, will prove but a
troublesome relation, and therefore I am willing to decline it: Only
this much, that it began with a Fever, and as it is the custome of
that disease there to cause Bindings, Costivenesse, and consequently
Gripings, and Tortions in the Bowels, so it far’d with me, that for
a fortnight together had not the least evacuation by Seige, which
put me to such Torment as in all that time I have not slept; and
want of that, wore me out to such a weaknesse, as I was not then in
a condition to take any remedy at all. This excessive heat within
begat a new torment within me, the Stone; which stopt my passage so
as in foureteen dayes together no drop of water came from me; But
contrary to my expectation, God Almighty sent me a Remedie for that,
and such a one as all the whole world cannot afford the like: for
in ten hours after I tooke it, I found my selfe not onely eas’d,
but perfectly cur’d of that Torment, at least for the present, for
it not only broke, but brought away all the Stones and gravell that
stopt my passage, so that my water came as freely from me as ever,
and carried before it such quantities of broken stones and gravell,
as in my whole life I have not seen the like. About three weeks or a
month after this, I became in the same distresse and felt the like
Torment, whereupon I took the same medicine; which gave me the same
help. Now if it did thus to a body so worne out as mine, where Nature
was so decay’d as it could operate little to the cure; what will
this medicine doe, when it meets with such Organs as can contribute
mainly to assist it? But I give the reader but a sooty relation of
my Maladies, and indeed very unfit for his eares, yet when I shal
prescribe the remedy, which may happen to concerne him, I may hope to
make him amends: for truly my touching upon the disease, was but to
usher in the cure, which shall follow close after, and ’tis briefly
thus. Take the Pisle of a green Turtle, which lives in the Sea, dry
it with a moderate heat, pound it in a Morter to powder, and take of
this as much as wil lye upon a shilling, in Beere or the like, Ale or
White wine, and in a very short time it will doe the cure. If this
secret had bin known in Europe but a dosen years since, no doubt we
had bin well stor’d with it by this time, for ’tis to be had both at
the _Charibby_ and _Lucayicke_ Ilands, where these fishes abound.
Yet so slow was my recovery of the maine sicknesse and my relapses
so frequent, as I was ever and anon, looking out to meet my familiar
Companion Death; my Memory and Intellect suffering the same decayes
with my body, for I could hardly give an account of ⅔ of the time I
was sick; but as my health increast, they return’d. In three months
more, I was able to ride down to the Bridge, where finding a ship
bound for England, I agreed for my passage and dyet by the way;
and (as the manner of all Masters of ships is,) he made me large
promises, of plentifull provisions aboard, as Beefe, Porke, Pease,
Fish, Oyle, Bisket, Beere, and some Wine; This Ship had bin fifteen
months out of England, and had traded at _Guinny_ and _Binny_ for
Gold and Elephants teeth, but those commodities taking up but little
room, the Captaine made the _Barbadoes_ in his way home, intending to
take in his full lading of Sugar, and such other commodities as that
Iland afforded; and so being ready to set sayle, my selfe and divers
other Gentlemen embarkt, upon the fifthteenth of April 1650, at
twelve a clock at night; which time our Master made choyce of, that
he might the better passe undescri’d by a well known Pirate, that had
for many dayes layne hovering about the Iland, to take any ships that
traded for London, by vertue of a Commission as he pretended, from
the Marquesse of _Ormond_. This Pirate was an Irish man, his name
_Plunquet_, a man bold enough: but had the character of being more
mercilesse and cruell, then became a valiant man. To confirme the
first part of his character; he took a ship in one of the Habours of
the Iland, out of which he furnisht himselfe with such things as he
wanted, but left the carcase of the vessell, to floate at large. He
had there a Frigot of about 500 Tunns, and a small vessell to wayte
on her, but the night cover’d us from being discern’d by him, and so
we came safely off the Iland. About a fortnight after we had bin at
sea, our Master complain’d, that his men had abus’d him, and (for
some commodities usefull to themselves) had truckt away the greatest
part of his Bisket; So that instead of bread, we were serv’d with
the sweepings and dust of the bread roome, which caused a generall
complaint of all the passengers but no remedy: our Pease must now
supply that want, which with some Physicall perswasion of the Master,
that it was as hearty and binding as bread, we rested satisfied, with
this Motto, _Patience upon force_. The next thing wanting, was Fish,
an excellent food at Sea; and the want of that troubled us much, yet
the same remedy must serve as for the other, Patience. The next
thing wanting was Porke; and the last Beere, which put us clean out
of all Patience; So that now our staple food of the Ship, was onely
Beefe, a few Pease, and for drink water that had bin fifteen months
out of England; finding how ill we were accommodated, we desir’d the
Master to put in at _Fiall_, One of the Ilands of _Azores_, a little
to refresh our selves, which Iland was not much out of our way, but
the Master loath to be at the charge of re-victualling, and losse
of time; refus’d to hearken to us, and being a request much to his
disadvantage, slighted us and went on, till he was past recovery of
those Ilands, and then a violent storme took us, and in that storme
a sad accident, which happened by meanes of a Portugall, who being
a Sea-man, and trusted at the Helme, who though he have a compasse
before him, yet is mainely guided by the quarter Master that Conns
the ship above, upon the quarter deck; whose directions the Portugall
mistooke, being not well verst in the English tongue, and so steer’d
the Ship, so neer the winde, that she came upon her stayes, which
caused such a fluttering of the sayles, against the Masts, (the winde
being extreame violent) as they tore all in peeces, Nor was there
any other sayles in the ship, all being spent in the long voyage
to _Guinny_; nor any thread in the ship, to mend them, so that now
the Master (though too late) began to repent him of not taking our
Counsell to goe to _Fiall_.
But how to redeeme us out of this certaine ruine, neither the Master,
nor his Mates could tell; for though the winds blew never so faire,
we lay still at Hull; and to make use of the Tide, in the Maine, was
altogether vaine and hopelesse. Our victualls too, being at a very
low Ebbe, could not last us many dayes. So that all that were in the
ship, both Sea-men and Passengers, were gazeing one upon another,
what to doe when our small remainder of provision came to an end. But
the Sea-men, who were the greater number, resolv’d, the Passengers
should be drest and eaten, before any of them should goe to the Pot;
And so the next thing to be thought on was, which of the Passengers
should dye first, for they were all design’d to be eaten; So they
resolved upon the fattest and healthfullest first, as likely to be
the best meat, and so the next, and next, as they eate Cherries, the
best first. In this Election I thought my selfe secure, for my body
being nothing but a bagg-full of Hydroptique humours, they knew not
which way to dresse me, but I should dissolve and come to nothing in
the Cooking; At last the Cooper took me into his consideration, and
said that if they would hearken to him, there might be yet some use
made of me; and that was in his opinion the best; that seeing my body
was not of a consistence to satisfie their hunger, it might serve to
quench their thirst. So I saying a short Prayer against drought and
thirst, remain’d in expectation of my doome with the rest; So merry
these kinde of men can make themselves, in the midst of dangers, who
are so accustomed to them; And certainely those men, whose lives are
so frequently exposed to such hazards, do not set that value upon
them as others, who live in a quiet security; yet, when they put
themselves upon any noble action, they will sell their lives at such
a rate, as none shall out-bid them; and the custome of these hazards,
makes them more valiant then other men; and those amongst them, that
do found their courage upon honest grounds; are certainly valiant in
a high perfection.
At last, a little Virgin, who was a passenger in the Ship, stood up
upon the quarter deck, like a she-Worthy, and said, that if they
would be rul’d by her, she would not only be the contriver, but the
acter of our deliverance. At whose speech, we all gave a strict
attention, as ready to contribute our help to all she commanded;
which was, that the Ship-Carpenter should make her a Distaffe and
Spindle, and the Saylers combe out some of the Occome: with which
instruments and materialls, she doubted not, but to make such a
quantity of thread, as to repair our then uselesse Sailes which
accordingly she did, and by her vertue (under God) we held our lives.
Though such an accident as this, and such a deliverance, deserve a
gratefull commemoration; yet, this is not all the use we are to make
of it, somewhat more may be considered, that may prevent dangers for
the future; and that is, the great abuse of Captaines and Masters of
Ships, who promise to their Passengers, such plenty of victualls,
as may serve them the whole voyage: But, before they be halfe way,
either pinch them of a great part, or give them that which is nastie
and unwholsome. And therefore I could wish every man, that is to go
a long voyage, to carry a reserve of his owne, of such viands, as
will last, and to put that up safe; for, if it be not under lock and
key, they are never the neer; for, the Saylers will as certainty take
it, as you trust it to their honesties; Complaine to the Master, and
you finde no remedy. One thing I have observed, let a Sayler steal
any part of the Ships provision, he shall be sure to have severe
punishment; but, if from a Passenger, though it concern him never so
neerly, his remedy is to be laughed at. These enormities are fit to
be complained on at the Trinity-house, that some redresse may be had;
for, the abuses are grievous.
Out of this danger at Sea, it has pleased the God of all mercy to
deliver me, as also from a grievous and tedious sicknesse on land, in
a strange Country; For which, may his holy Name be eternally blessed
and praised, for ever and ever.
I am now cast in Prison, by the subtle practices of some, whom I have
formerly called Friends; But the eternall and mercifull God has been
pleased to visit and comfort me, and to raise me up such friends, as
have kept me from cold and hunger, whose charities in an Age, where
cruelties and tyrannies are exercised in so high a measure, may be
accounted a prodigie. But, I doubt not of my release out of this
restraint, by the power of him, who is able to do all in all. For,
as _David_ said to _Saul_, that God, who had delivered him out of
the paw of the Lion, and out of the paw of the Bear, would deliver
him from that uncircumcised Philistine, _Goliah_ of _Gath_: So may I
now say; that God, which has delivered me from a sicknesse to death,
on land, and from shipwrack and hazards at Sea, will also deliver me
from this uncircumcised Philistine, the _Upper Bench_, than which, the
burning fire of a Feavour, nor the raging waves of the Sea,
are more formidable: But, we have seen and suffered
greater things. And when the great Leveller of
the world, Death, shall run his progresse, all
Estates will be laid eeven.
_Mors Sceptra Ligonibus æquat._
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