[Sidenote: _1623_]
In all this, it may be said, I have neither praised nor dispraised
the country; and since I lived so long therein, my judgment thereof
will give no less satisfaction to them that know me, than the
relation of our proceedings. To which I answer, that as in one, so
of the other, I will speak as sparingly as I can, yet will make
known what I conceive thereof.
And first for that continent, on which we are, called New England,
although it hath ever been conceived by the English to be a part
of the main land adjoining the Virginia, yet by relation of
the Indians it should appear to be otherwise; for they affirm
confidently that it is an island, and that either the Dutch or
French pass through from sea to sea between us and Virginia,
and drive a great trade in the same. The name of the inlet of
the sea they call Mohegon, which I take to be the same which we
call Hudson’s river, up which Master Hudson went many leagues,
and for want of means (as I hear) left it undiscovered.[126] For
confirmation of this their opinion, is thus much; though Virginia
be not above a hundred and fifty leagues from us, yet they never
heard of Powhatan, or knew that any English were planted in his
country, save only by us and Tisquantum, who went in an English
ship thither; and therefore it is the more probable, because the
water is not passable for them, who are very adventurous in their
boats.
Then for the temperature of the air, in almost three years’
experience I can scarce distinguish New England from Old England,
in respect of heat and cold, frost, snow, rain, winds, &c. Some
object, because our Plantation lieth in the latitude of 42°, it
must needs be much hotter. I confess I cannot give the reason of
the contrary; only experience teacheth us, that if it do exceed
England, it is so little as must require better judgments to
discern it. And for the winter, I rather think (if there be
difference) it is both sharper and longer in New England than
Old; and yet the want of those comforts in the one, which I have
enjoyed in the other, may deceive my judgment also. But in my
best observation, comparing our own condition with the Relations
of other parts of America, I cannot conceive of any to agree
better with the constitution of the English, not being oppressed
with extremity of heat, nor nipped by biting cold; by which
means, blessed be God, we enjoy our health, notwithstanding those
difficulties we have undergone, in such a measure as would have
been admired if we had lived in England with the like means. The
day is two hours longer than here, when it is at the shortest, and
as much shorter there, when it is at the longest.
The soil is variable, in some places mould, in some clay, others,
a mixed sand, &c. The chiefest grain is the Indian mays, or Guinea
wheat. The seed time beginneth in [the] midst of April, and
continueth good till the midst of May. Our harvest beginneth with
September. This corn increaseth in great measure, but is inferior
in quantity to the same in Virginia; the reason I conceive is
because Virginia is far hotter than it is with us, it requiring
great heat to ripen. But whereas it is objected against New
England, that corn will not grow there except the ground be manured
with fish, I answer, that where men set with fish, (as with us,) it
is more easy so to do than to clear ground, and set without some
five or six years, and so begin anew, as in Virginia and elsewhere.
Not but that in some places, where they cannot be taken with ease
in such abundance, the Indians set four years together without, and
have as good corn or better than we have that set with them; though
indeed I think if we had cattle to till the ground, it would be
more profitable and better agreeable to the soil to sow wheat, rye,
barley, pease and oats, than to set mays, which our Indians call
_ewachim_; for we have had experience that they like and thrive
well; and the other will not be procured without good labor and
diligence, especially at seed-time, when it must also be watched
by night, to keep the wolves from the fish, till it be rotten,
which will be in fourteen days. Yet men agreeing together, and
taking their turns, it is not much.
Much might be spoken of the benefit that may come to such as shall
here plant, by trade with the Indians for furs, if men take a right
course for obtaining the same; for I dare presume, upon that small
experience I have had, to affirm that the English, Dutch and French
return yearly many thousand pounds profit by trade only from that
island on which we are seated.
Tobacco may be there planted, but not with that profit as in some
other places; neither were it profitable there to follow it, though
the increase were equal, because fish is a better and richer
commodity, and more necessary, which may be and are there had in
as great abundance as in any other part of the world; witness the
west-country merchants of England, which return incredible gains
yearly from thence. And if they can so do, which here buy their
salt at a great charge, and transport more company to make their
voyage than will sail their ships, what may the planters expect
when once they are seated, and make the most of their salt there,
and employ themselves at least eight months in fishing; whereas the
other fish but four, and have their ship lie dead in the harbour
all the time, whereas such shipping as belong to plantations may
take freight of passengers or cattle thither, and have their lading
provided against they come? I confess we have come so far short
of the means to raise such returns, as with great difficulty we
have preserved our lives; insomuch as when I look back upon our
condition, and weak means to preserve the same, I rather admire
at God’s mercy and providence in our preservation, than that no
greater things have been effected by us. But though our beginning
have been thus raw, small and difficult, as thou hast seen, yet
the same God that hath hitherto led us through the former, I hope
will raise means to accomplish the latter. Not that we altogether,
or principally, propound profit to be the main end of that we
have undertaken, but the glory of God, and the honor of our
country, in the enlarging of his Majesty’s dominions. Yet wanting
outward means to set things in that forwardness we desire, and to
further the latter by the former, I thought meet to offer both to
consideration, hoping that where religion and profit jump together
(which is rare) in so honorable an action, it will encourage every
honest man, either in person or purse, to set forward the same, or
at leastwise to commend the welfare thereof in his daily prayers to
the blessing of the blessed God.
I will not again speak of the abundance of fowl, store of venison,
and variety of fish, in their seasons, which might encourage many
to go in their persons. Only I advise all such beforehand to
consider, that as they hear of countries that abound with the good
creatures of God, so means must be used for the taking of every
one in his kind, and therefore not only to content themselves
that there is sufficient, but to foresee how they shall be able
to obtain the same. Otherwise, as he that walketh London streets,
though he be in the midst of plenty, yet if he want means, is not
the better, but hath rather his sorrow increased by the sight of
that he wanteth, and cannot enjoy it, so also there, if thou want
art and other necessaries thereunto belonging, thou mayest see
that thou wantest and thy heart desireth, and yet be never the
better for the same. Therefore, if thou see thine own insufficiency
of thyself, then join to some others, where thou mayest in some
measure enjoy the same; otherwise, assure thyself thou art better
where thou art. Some there be that thinking altogether of their
present wants they enjoy here, and not dreaming of any there,
through indiscretion plunge themselves into a deeper sea of misery.
As for example, it may be here, rent and firing are so chargeable,
as without great difficulty a man cannot accomplish the same; never
considering, that as he shall have no rent to pay, so he must build
his house before he have it, and peradventure may with more ease
pay for his fuel here, than cut and fetch it home, if he have not
cattle to draw it there; though there is no scarcity, but rather
too great plenty.
I write not these things to dissuade any that shall seriously, upon
due examination, set themselves to further the glory of God, and
the honor of our country, in so worthy an enterprise, but rather to
discourage such as with too great lightness undertake such courses;
who peradventure strain themselves and their friends for their
passage thither, and are no sooner there, than seeing their foolish
imagination made void, are at their wits’ end, and would give ten
times so much for their return, if they could procure it; and out
of such discontented passions and humors, spare not to lay that
imputation upon the country, and others, which themselves deserve.
As, for example, I have heard some complain of others for their
large reports of New England, and yet because they must drink water
and want many delicates they here enjoyed, could presently return
with their mouths full of clamors. And can any be so simple as
to conceive that the fountains should stream forth wine or beer,
or the woods and rivers be like butchers’ shops, or fishmongers’
stalls, where they might have things taken to their hands? If thou
canst not live without such things, and hast no means to procure
the one, and wilt not take pains for the other, nor hast ability
to employ others for thee, rest where thou art; for as a proud
heart, a dainty tooth, a beggar’s purse, and an idle hand, be here
intolerable, so that person that hath these qualities there, is
much more abominable. If therefore God hath given thee a heart
to undertake such courses, upon such grounds as bear thee out in
all difficulties, viz. his glory as a principal, and all other
outward good things but as accessaries, which peradventure thou
shalt enjoy, and it may be not, then thou wilt with true comfort
and thankfulness receive the least of his mercies; whereas on the
contrary, men deprive themselves of much happiness, being senseless
of greater blessings, and through prejudice smother up the love and
bounty of God; whose name be ever glorified in us, and by us, now
and evermore. Amen.