[Sidenote: His strange Entertainment amongst them.]
About the same time that _Gasca_ arriv’d in _Spain_, _John Stade_ had
the Command over a small Fort rais’d of Stone and Earth, on the Island
_Maro_, adjacent to _Brasile_, because the Salvage People of _Tupin
Imba_ sail’d twice a year from the Countrey of Brikioka, to _Maro_, at
the time when the Plant Abbati was ripe, of which they made the Liquor
that they generally drink at their Humane Banquets: They also landed on
Maro about the _Bratti_-Fishing. This _Bratti_ is a Fish of a very
delicious taste, either caught in Nets, or shot by the _Tupin Imba_, and
carried to their several Habitations. Against these People _Stade_ kept
a continual Guard, when _Heliodorus Hesse_, Son to _Eobanus Hesse_, the
famous _Latin_ Poet in _Germany_, came to visit him. _Stade_ to
entertain his Guest the better, went into the Woods to hunt for Venison,
where he was taken by the _Tupin Imba_, of which the King march’d in the
Rear with a great Palm-Tree Club, and carried him towards the Sea side,
that he, with others that waited on the Shore, might make up a
_Kawewipepicke_ (that is, _A Feast of Rosted Men_) But because _Stade_
being a _German_ of a large Body, well-skinn’d, young, plump and fat,
they all concluded to spare this Dainty, and carry him alive to
_Brikioka_, that with such a Banquet they might highly caress their
Wives: But the Journey being long, and a just melancholy possessing him
with fear, and the terror of certain death, and to be Food for such
ravenous _Cannibals_, so macerated and consum’d him, that he was almost
dwindled away to Skin and Bone; whereupon thinking him thus lean to make
but few savory Morsels, they chang’d their resolutions, and growing
better acquainted, he having learn’d their Tongue, and being able to
discourse with them, they lik’d his company so well, that they let him
live amongst them. Nine years _Stade_ had been a Slave amongst these
Man-eaters, when the _French_ coming thither, bought him for a few
Trifles, and carried him to _Normandy_, where landing _Anno 1555._ he
went from thence to _Hamburgh_, being his Native Countrey.
[Sidenote: _Durande_’s Expedition.]
[Sidenote: Dissention in the new Colony.]
[Sidenote: Wickedness of _Cointak_ against the Ministers.]
[Sidenote: _Durande_ drowns three Religious Men.]
_Nicholas Durande_ a _Frenchman_ set Sail from _Havre de Grace_, at the
same time when _Stade_ came thither. This _Durande_ having lost a Castle
in _Brittain_, to the great prejudice of the _French_, out of a pretence
of advancing their Affairs, and to fill up their almost exhausted
Treasury, reported, That the _Spanish_ and _Portuguese_ Forces were
driven out of _India_, where they had gather’d so much Wealth; and it
would certainly redound to the Honor and Profit of _France_, if they
could become Masters of the Gold and Silver Mines. King _Henry_ the
Second approving of the Proposal, and the more because the Admiral
_Gasper Coligni_ was also very earnest, looking upon it as a safe
Retreat for the Protestants, at that time cruelly persecuted: and
_Durande_, sensible of the Admirals thoughts, privately inform’d him,
That in his _American_ Design he chiefly aim’d to plant a True Church of
God in _America_, where the Professors might enjoy themselves peaceably.
This Report being spread amongst those that call’d themselves
_Protestants_, (fled from _Switzerland_ in great numbers to _France_)
made many of them venture upon the Design; who having fitted themselves,
and setting sail with three Ships, after some time arriv’d on the Coast
of _Brasile_, and landed on the _Rock-Island_, in the Haven _Januario_:
Here _Durande_ built several Watch-houses, and the Fort _Coligni_, which
he fortified with a considerable number of Guns: Not long after he writ
to _John Calvin_, That he would please to furnish this new Plantation in
_Brasile_ with good and able Teachers of the Gospel; which Request being
immediately taken into serious consideration by the Classes, one _Philip
Corguileray_, a Gentleman near _Geneva_, set Sail out of the Haven
_Honfleurs_, with three Ships, freighted with some Provisions, several
Persons of divers Trades, and two Ministers, _Peter Richer_, and
_William Chartier_: But he had scarce made _Africa_, when they began to
have a scarcity of Victuals; wherefore they turn’d their Design of
setling the Gospel in _America_, to Pyracy, where they made small
scruple or difference, whether Friends or Foes, but made Prize of all
they could light upon, though indeed their Ministers both preach’d and
perswaded the contrary, amongst whom a Controversie happening, put other
Business into their Heads; for one _John Cointak_, formerly a _Parisian
Sorbonist_, was also amongst those that remov’d from _Geneva_, who
pretended that _Coligni_ had promis’d him a Ministers place, so soon as
he landed at _Brasile_; but _Richer_ and _Chartier_, not satisfied that
there was any such Promise, and consequently thinking themselves not
obliged by his bare Assertion, told him, That themselves being able,
under God, to perform the Work, they needed no such Coadjutor: This bred
so great a Rancor between them, that _Cointak_ accus’d them for teaching
false Doctrine, and chiefly that they did not mix the Wine at their
Sacraments with Water, which Father _Clemens_ had strictly commanded.
_Durande_, being prevail’d on by the Cardinal of _Lorein_, joyn’d with
_Cointak_, and thereupon so sharply persecuted the _Protestants_, that
he starv’d several of them, which others to escape fled to the
_Brasilians_: Nay, he took _John Du Bordell_, _Matthias Vermeil_, and
_Peter Bourdon_, out of their Sick-Beds, and tying their Hands and Feet,
threw them headlong from a Rock into the Sea: Soon after which, the
bloody Persecutor return’d with ill success to _France_, where he wrote
a Book against the Reform’d Religion; but all the Honor which he gain’d
was, that all Parties on both sides accounted him a distracted Person.
SECT. XIII.
_The Expeditions of_ John Ribald, Renatus Laudonier, _and_ Gurgie.
[Sidenote: _Florida_ unhappily discover’d.]
[Sidenote: _Ribald_’s Voyage.]
[Sidenote: The Garrison in _Florida_ in great want.]
[Sidenote: Unheard-of Hunger.]
_Florida_ being upon the Continent of _America_, and so call’d by _John
Pontæus_, who landed there upon _Palm-Sunday_, though _Sebastian Gaboto_
a _Venetian_, imploy’d by _Henry_ the Seventh King of _England_, landed
there before, may well be term’d _the_ Europeans _Bloody Stage_,
_Pontæus_ being slain here: But _Ferdinand Sotto_ exercis’d against the
Inhabitants inhumane Cruelty five years together; yet at last died of a
deep discontent, because he could not reach his Aims, having condemn’d
so many _Floridans_ fruitlesly to dig for Gold in the Mines. However,
since that, _Julian Sumanus_ and _Peter Ahumada_ undertook the Work
anew, but with the like bad Success. _Anno 1545._ one _Lodowick
Cancello_, a _Dominican_, thought to effect great things with four of
his Associates; but landing on _Florida_, was destroy’d by the Natives.
But _Gasper Coligni_ the Marshal, neither discourag’d by these miserable
Proceedings, nor the former Treachery of _Durande_, prepar’d for a new
Expedition thither; and accordingly _John Ribald_ was fitted with two
Ships from _Diep_, at the Charge of _Charles_ the Ninth King of
_France_, wherewith having sail’d thirty Degrees Northern Latitude, he
came before the Promontory of _Francisco_, where he ran up into the
Mouth of a wide River, to which he gave the denomination of _Dolphin_,
upon whose Banks were whole Mulberry-Woods, which nourish’d Silk-Worms
in strange abundance. From hence he sail’d by the _Wolves Head_ (a Point
so call’d, because great numbers of Wolves breed there) and leaving the
_Cedar-Island_, landed on _Florida_, where he built a Triangular Fort,
and having furnish’d it with Men, Guns, and Provisions, sail’d back for
more Supplies to _France_; but coming thither, found all things in
disorder, occasion’d by a War amongst themselves; so that the _French_
which guarded and dwelt in the Fort, waited in vain for Relief, and
their Provisions growing scant, thought it fittest and their best way to
build a Vessel, and sail from thence; which having effected, and being
gone about the third part of their Voyage there hapned such a Calm for
twenty Days, that they made not the least way, which drove them to so
great extremity, their Provisions being spent, that they drank their own
Urine, and fed upon their old Shoes, which also in a short time failing,
they agreed amongst themselves to kill and eat one of their Sea-men,
call’d _Henry Lacher_, on whose Flesh they liv’d some days; but being
again driven to the greatest want imaginable, in this extremity of
Desparation, their Condition being altogether hopeless, an _English_
Frigat discovering them, and observing by their manner of Sailing that
they were in some great want, drawing near, sent their Long-boat aboard,
and found them so weak, that they were not able to handle their Tack;
whereupon generously taking pity of them, they reliev’d them, and
conducted them to the Coast of England, and then brought them to Queen
_Elizabeth_, who had formerly design’d to rig a Fleet for _Florida_.
[Sidenote: _Laudonier_’s Voyage.]
[Sidenote: Remarkable difference in the _French_ Fleet.]
Mean while, no News having been heard of the foremention’d _French_
Plantation in _Brasile_, and _Coligni_’s Difference with the King being
decided, he prevail’d so much, that _Renatus Laudonier_ should with
three Ships sail to relieve the Garrison in the late deserted Fort.
_Laudonier_ landing in _Nova Francia_, found a Stone with a _French_
Inscription, plac’d on the Shore by _Ribald_, and hung full of Laurel
Garlands: Then he visited the King _Saturiona_, whose Son _Atorcus_ had
several Children by his own Mother, according to a Salvage Custom
observ’d in that Countrey. Whilst they stay’d here, a Fiery Meteor
appear’d in the Sky, with such fervor, that some Rivers boyl’d with the
heat of it, and the Fish parboyl’d, died; nay more, it scorch’d all the
Plants far and near: The Natives ascrib’d this Plague to the _French_
Cannons, by which means they stood in great fear of the _French_, who
might have done great things had not they differ’d amongst themselves;
For a Sea-man nam’d _Rubel Patracon_, pretending to have skill in
_Necromancy_, would undertake to shew the Places where the Gold and
Silver Mines were, which the rest of the Sea-men believing, rebell’d
against _Laudonier_, and though sick, imprison’d him, forcing him to
sign a Writing to this effect, That the two Ships, of which the Rebels
made _Vassar_ and _Trincant_ Commanders, should with his leave and
permittance sail to _New Spain_ for Provisions. Whilst they were
preparing for their Voyage, _Rupiferrir_ having been sent to the King
_Utina_, came back with many rich Presents, and withal brought
Information of the Gold and Silver Mynes _Apalatica_; but _Vassar_ and
_Trincant_ taking no notice thereof, set forth, and took a _Spanish_
Carvel, richly laden before _Havana_, whose Commander they agreed to
release on the payment of a great Ransom; but the Masters Son being sent
ashore to fetch the Money which they had agreed for, in stead thereof,
made his Fathers Mischance known; whereupon two great Frigats and a
Galley were the next Morning very early sent to attaque the _French_,
between whom was a sharp Encounter; but in a short time the two Pyrats
were sunk, and the Prisoners sold for Slaves, excepting a few that
escap’d in their Long-boat.
[Sidenote: Great cruelty of the _Spaniards_ against the _French_.]
[Sidenote: _Gurgie_’s valiant Exploits against the _Spaniards_.]
In this interim _Laudonier_ receiving no Supply from _France_, was
brought to great extremity; for the Rebels had carried great part of his
Store with them. In these straights he was forc’d by those that staid
with him, contrary to the Articles of Peace lately made with King
_Utina_, to take him Prisoner, in hopes that for his Liberty he would
procure them some Provisions; but the Inhabitants incens’d at the
baseness of so unexpected an Action, could not be wrought upon by any
means to give them Relief; but grown more perverse than before,
appointed a general Meeting to elect another King; so that out of all
hopes, they utterly gave themselves over for lost. In this desperate
condition, _John Haukins_, a great Sea-Captain, came thither with four
_English_ Ships, who pitying their misery, furnish’d them with
Necessaries, and having onely four Vessels, lent them one, because
_Laudonier_ was at that time too weak to endure the Sea; but not long
after recovering strength, and all things ready to set Sail, _Ribald_
came to an Anchor before _Charles-Fort_, with seven Ships from _Diep_:
Within few days after, the _Spanish_ Admiral _Peter Melandez_ arriv’d
with eight Frigats, whereof the French having Intelligence, cut their
Cables, and stood out to Sea, whom the _Spaniards_ chac’d, but could not
reach; whereupon leaving them, they landed in the Mouth of the River
_Dolphin_, where by help of the _Moorish_ Slaves they began to intrench
themselves; of which _Ribald_ having notice, immediately sail’d thither,
at least to disturb, if not absolutely drive them from their Work; but
surpriz’d in the way by a great Storm, lost most of his Fleet, ingag’d
among the Rocks; yet the Men were most of them sav’d. In this Storm the
_Spaniards_ also suffer’d great damage, yet made an Advantage of the
_Frenchmens_ Misfortune, marching with all speed to _Charles-Fort_, in
which were onely two hundred weak Men, _Ribald_ having taken the primest
Soldiers along with him. In the Morning before Sun-rise the _Spaniards_
made a fierce Assault, and in a short time became Masters of the Place,
which _Laudonier_ seeing, fled in a Boat; others leaping from the Walls
into the Moat, sav’d themselves by swimming: Whoever fell into the
Victors Hands, was without mercy slain; nay, such was the _Spaniards_
inveterate malice to the _French_, that wanting living Bodies, they
exercis’d their Cruelty upon the dead, pulling out their Eyes, and
cutting off their Members, carrying them in Triumph on the Points of
their Swords. In the interim, the Storm ceasing, _Ribald_ approach’d
_Charles-Fort_, with his shatter’d Fleet, but was so amaz’d when he saw
the _Spanish_ Flag set upon the Walls, and _Vallemond_ marching towards
him with a Squadron of _Spaniards_, that although a River lay between
them, yet he presently came to a Treaty, and deliver’d up all his Men,
being above four hundred, upon promise of good Quarter; but the
_Spaniards_ in stead of keeping their Agreement, bound them, leading
them all to the Castle, where, both against their Articles, and the Law
of Arms, they massacred them, and burnt their Bodies; but _Ribald_ being
quarter’d, they fix’d his Limbs upon Poles about the Walls, sending his
Head to _Sevil_. When _Charles_ the Ninth, King of _France_, receiv’d
notice hereof, he was not in the least concern’d at the _Spanish_
Cruelty us’d to his Subjects, out of a particular hatred to _Coligni_,
the first Promoter of the Voyage. But though the _French_ Crown so
little regarded the inhumane Usage committed by the _Spaniards_ in
_Charles-Fort_, yet _Dominicus Gurgie_ shew’d himself so highly
concern’d thereat, that turning all his Goods into Money, he levied two
hundred Soldiers, and fourscore Sea-men, which he put aboard three small
Ships, pretending that he would onely touch at _Brasile_; but sailing
beyond _Cuba_, he stood directly for _Florida_, where after his Landing
he was kindly receiv’d by _Saturiona_ the King, who complaining much
against the _Spaniards_ Oppressions, sent to joyn with him his Kinsman
_Olotocara_, having the Command of a great Army.
[Sidenote: Is ungratefully rewarded.]
The _Spaniards_ by this time had not onely strengthned _Charles-Fort_,
but also rais’d two others on each side of the River _Mayo_, in which
three Holds lay Garrison’d above four hundred choice Soldiers. Those in
the new Forts made little resistance; but quitting the same, and flying
into a neighboring Wood, fell into an Ambuscade of _Indians_, who slew
thirty of them, and preserv’d ninety for a Publick Execution. Thus they
march’d on victoriously to _Charles-Fort_, where by the way sixty
_Spaniards_ sallying out, were every one cut off, which much facilitated
the _Frenchmens_ Work. The Governor _Melandez_, seeing a certain ruine
attend him, fled into the Woods; but met there by the _Floridans_,
return’d to the _French_, of whom he begg’d Life for himself, and some
of his People: Yet _Gurgie_ deaf to all intreaties, would hear nothing,
but pressing on, took them all Prisoners, and as a just Reward of their
Cruelty to his Countrey-men, hang’d them on the next Trees: After which
Execution, it can scarce be express’d how kindly the Natives entertain’d
the _French_, because they had freed the Countrey from the _Spanish_
Oppressions. Thus having accomplish’d his Design, and returning home, he
was nobly receiv’d at _Rochel_, but had not the least Countenance for
all his trouble from the King; the Cardinal of _Lorein_ telling him,
_That for his good Service he ought to suffer death, because he had
fitted out three Ships upon his own Account, without Authority_.
SECT. XIV.
_Four_ English _Expeditions, under the Conduct of our Famous
Sea-Captains_ Martin Forbisher, _Sir_ Francis Drake, Thomas Candish,
_and_ John Smith.
[Sidenote: _Forbisher_’s Expedition.]
Captain _Forbisher_ sailing to the Northern Parts of _America_, _Anno
1576._ chusing a bad time, the Year being too much spent, and the Ocean
so full of Ice, that it forc’d him to return to _England_: Not many
Months after, he renew’d his Voyage, Queen _Elizabeth_ having rigg’d
out, and sent under his Command one Frigat and two Ketches, Mann’d with
a hundred and forty Men: The twenty sixth of _May_ he weigh’d Anchor,
and sail’d to the _Orkenies_, lying to the North of _Scotland_, where
landing, he found the poor Islanders fled out of their Huts, into Caves
and Dens among the Rocks. From thence he steer’d North-North-West,
through abundance of floating Pieces of Timber, which oftentimes gave
him great stops. The fourth of _July_ he made _Friezland_, where he met
with a great Storm of Hail, mix’d with Snow: Before the Shore lay a
great Ridge of Ice, which hindred for a while their Landing: Here he saw
several Wild People, but could not come to speak with them; for upon the
least approach they fled; yet when they saw any advantage, made
resistance: At last, three of them came unarm’d to the Shore, beckoning
_Forbisher_ to come to them; which he had done, had not great numbers of
the Natives appear’d too soon from an Ambuscade in a Wood, and behind a
Hill, who seeing themselves discover’d, march’d up into the Countrey,
three onely staying on the Shore, of whom the middlemost feigning to be
lame, at last fell down, whom his Companions took up, and carried a
little way, but then forsook, by which the _English_ observing their
Design, shot that the Sand flew all about him; whereupon forgetting his
Lameness, he ran as swift as a Deer up a Hill.
_Forbisher_’s Men had by this time fill’d two Barrels with a Mineral not
unlike Gold, but was afterwards found to be of little value. Nothing
else of Remark did he find here, except great long-hair’d Men, who being
exceeding salvage, subtilly plot nothing else but to murder, lurking for
Men, like Wild Beasts for their Prey, whom, when caught, they tear in
pieces. Close fitted to their Bodies, they wore the Skins of several
Wild Beasts, priding in the Tails which hung down betwixt their Legs.
Their Tents are of conjoyn’d Whalebones, cover’d over with the like
Skins, the Entrance always facing the South. They use Bowes, Arrows,
Slings, and two sorts of Boats: In the biggest they can carry seventeen
Men, which are made of several Wooden Planks clinch’d together, and
cased on both sides with Leather: The smallest ones are cover’d just in
the same manner, much resembling a Weavers Shuttle, having in the middle
a Hole, wherein a Man sits, who drawing the Cover of the Boat about his
Waste by Strings, with one Oar makes swift Passage.
The Countrey it self is barren, yet feeds abundance of Deer, Hares,
Wolves, Bears, and Dogs like Wolves, whose Flesh serves the Inhabitants
for Food.
This Countrey seems to be exceedingly troubled with great Earthquakes,
because several pieces of Rocks, and whole Mountains rent asunder, may
be seen in divers places.
The fourth of _August_, _Forbisher_ having elevated the Pole to sixty
eight Degrees, beyond what _Sebastian Cabot_, the first Discoverer of
those Parts, and set out by _Henry_ the Seventh, had done (for _America_
Northward never before had been so far penetrated) and laden with a sort
of shining Sand, which he believ’d might contain much of a Golden Oar,
having with him three of the Natives, _viz._ a Man, a Woman, and a
Child, set Sail for _England_, and the seventh of _September_ came to
_Milford_-Haven, and not long after arriv’d in _London_, where in short
time the Salvages died.
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: Sir _Francis Drake_’s Expedition.]
At the same time when _Forbisher_ sail’d Northerly, Sir _Francis Drake_
also, fitted out by Queen _Elizabeth_, steer’d another Course, sailing
by _Cape Blanko_ and _Cape Verde_, along the _African_ Coast, to
_Brasile_, where he caught several Sea-Wolves, and Anchoring in the
River _La Plata_, furnish’d himself with Fresh Water: Then proceeding on
his Voyage through the crooked _Straights of Magellan_, he came to an
Anchor before _Moucha_, wash’d by the _South Sea_. The Islanders
receiv’d him very courteously, because they were inform’d that the
_English_ were at great Wars with the _Spaniards_, to avoid whose
Cruelties, they had deserted the main Continent, and setled on _Moucha_.
One of these _Mouchaners_ going aboard, serv’d them for a Pilot to the
Haven _Valparizo_, where _Drake_ burnt the _St. Jago_, a small Village,
and plundring all the Countrey about it, got together a great Treasure
of Gold and Silver. Before _Arica_ he took three _Spanish_ Ships, richly
laden; and before _Lima_, four more, having an unvaluable Treasure of
Pearls and Gold aboard them. Thus inrich’d, he steer’d his Course
Northerly to forty two Degrees; but the Cold forcing him to fall four
Degrees to the Southward, he discover’d a very pleasant and inhabited
Coast, the People whereof shew’d him great kindness: The King himself
coming aboard with a great Train, set a Crown of Gold upon _Drakes_
Head, and gave him a Golden Scepter, and an Ivory Chain. After this he
inspected the Islands _Tidor_, _Ternata_, _Java_, _Zeilon_, and _Cape de
Bona Esperanza_, from whence, after a three Years Voyage, having
encompass’d the World, he came safe to _London_, where he rested not
long; for sailing _Anno 1585._ to _America_, he took great Prizes from
the Cities _St. Jago_, _St. Domingo_, _St. Augustin_, and _Carthagena_,
setting them all on Fire. Thus again returning home victoriously, and
after the famous defeat of the _Spanish Armado_, he rigg’d out a new
Fleet, having for his Vice-Admiral Captain _Hawkins_: Their Design was
to have sail’d to _Panama_; but both dying, and so the Commission
ceasing, the expected great and golden Project also died with them.
[Sidenote: _Candish_ his Expedition.]
A Year after the death of these famous Navigators, Captain _Thomas
Candish_ Mann’d with a hundred and twenty Men, and Provisions for two
Years, setting sail in a lucky Hour, a second time encompass’d the
World, passing the _Straights of Magellan_; in which Voyage having got
above ten times the value of his Charge, by taking the _Spanish_ Carrack
_St. Anna_, valued at twenty Tun of Gold; and at last freighted with a
Mass of Treasure, he came safe into the River of _Thames_.
[Sidenote: _Smith_’s Voyage.]