made themselves Masters of _Port Royal_, and began to raise a Fort
on the River _Pemtagovet_; but there their happy Proceedings were
stop’d, for Captain _Argal_ before-mention’d, Sailing thither in
vindication of the _English_, was encounter’d by _du Thet_, (who
firing the first Gun on _Argal_, was by him taken off with
Chain-shot) and taking _Biard_ and _Masse_, carry’d them Prisoners
to _Virginia_, and dismantled the Fort built at _Port Royal_, after
which it was by King _James_ given by Patent to Sir _William
Alexander_, as hath been already related, together with what of most
remarkable hath happen’d since.
SECT. VI.
Norumbegua.
[Sidenote: Whence denominated.]
_Norumbegua_, lying between _Nova Scotia_ Northward, and _New England_
Southward, is so utterly not taken notice of by many as a distinct
Province, that it might seem to be swallow’d up and lost in the two
Countreys between which it lies, or at least to be thought a part of
_Virginia_ or _New England_ (for _Virginia_ largely taken is said to
contain _New England_, _Novum Belgium_, and _Virginia_, especially so
call’d) and that so much the rather, because the _Bessabees_, accounted
by _Sanson d’Abbeville_ an ancient People of _New England_, are written
to have liv’d near the River _Penobscot_, which is reckon’d to be the
same with _Pemtegovet_, or (as some will have it) _Norumbegua_, from
which, or from a certain great City of that Name, the Country for
fancy’s sake must needs be denominated; but since most commonly we find
it nam’d and treated of apart, it will not be improper to follow that
method, carrying the Bounds of _New England_ no farther Northward than
the River _Quinnebequi_ or _Sagadahoc_, and so determining the main part
of this Countrey to that space between the aforesaid River and
_Pemtegovet_, excepting a small Southerly portion upon the Banks of the
River _Chovacovet_; so that it appears chiefly situate under the forty
third Degree of Northern Latitude.
[Sidenote: Towns and Cities not certainly known.]
As for the Towns or Cities of this Province, there is but a very
uncertain account to be given, forasmuch as the pretended great City
_Norumbegua_, from whence the Province should take its Appellation, is
not acknowledg’d by any of the most authentick modern Writers, nor in
any late Voyage or Discovery any mention made either of that or any
other considerable Town or City. Dr. _Heylin_ supposeth it to be no
other than _Agguncia_, a poor little Village, that seems compos’d of a
company of Hutts or Sheaves, cover’d with the Skins of Beasts, or the
Barks of Trees. But the most favourable conjecture is, that it might
haply be the Ruines of an ancient Town, which the Natives call’d
_Arambeck_, and had probably deserted it long before the arrival of the
_Europeans_ in those parts; however, it is not very probable that the
Name of the Countrey should be deriv’d from this City, if ever there
were any such, or from the River, which appears to have been term’d
_Norumbegua_ on purpose to make way for this derivation, whereas
_Pemtegovet_ is the ancient Appellation that properly belongs to it; nor
hath any modern one been apply’d to it but that of _Rio Grande_, by
_Buno_ in his _Comment_ upon _Philip Cluverius_, upon what ground is
hard to tell, since it is observ’d by _Heylin_ and others, to be neither
large, nor otherwise much to be commended, being Navigable not above
twenty or thirty Miles, in respect of its many great Cataracts and Falls
of Water, an Inconvenience with which many other Rivers of _America_ are
prejudic’d, and rendred impassable.
Before and about the Mouth of this River, which is judg’d to be about
eight or nine Miles broad, lie many small Islands, or rather Hills,
inviron’d with Water, the chiefest of which is by the _French_ call’d
_La Haute Isle_, from the high and Mountainous appearance of it to those
that see it from afar off at Sea.
The aforemention’d _Buno_, though he names, as belonging to _Norumbega_,
these several places, _viz._ _Porto del Refugio_, _Porto Reale_,
_Paradiso_, _Flora_, and _Angolema_, from some obscure _French_
testimonies, without particularising any Author, yet he afterwards
confesses, that the Names given by the _French_, and those apply’d by
the _Spaniards_, are so various and disagreeing, and breed such a
confusion, that no Charts or Descriptions had concluded upon either.
As for those who will have _Norumbega_ deriv’d from _Norwegia_, in
respect of a Colony brought thither from _Norwey_, if the Etymologie be
not a little too much forc’d, the Invention may pass well enough till a
better be found out.
[Sidenote: The temperature and nature of its Soil.]
In this Countrey the temperature of the Air is not bad, nor the Soil
unfruitful, if it were well cultivated, chiefly towards the Rivers, and
where it is not either overgrown with Woods, or craggy with Hills and
mountainous Rocks: neither are the Woods unprofitable, for they afford
good Timber, and all kind of necessary and useful Wood, especially
Beeches, Fir-trees, Wallnut-trees, and other Nuts: The Plains are very
pleasant, and yield good Pasturage, onely the Maritime Coasts are so
shallow and full of Sands, that the Sailing near them is accounted
somewhat dangerous; and this may be imagin’d to be the reason that no
Authors have yet met with any Ports or Havens belonging to this
Countrey, which they have thought worthy their notice.
[Illustration]
CHAP. II.
New England.
As _Canada_ is by some accounted a general Province, containing _New
France_, _L’Accadie_, _Norumbega_, and other places, so under _Virginia_
largely taken, are comprehended _New England_, _New Netherlands_, and
_Virginia_ properly so call’d; however, since that part which vulgarly
goes under the Name of _Virginia_ and _New England_ were possess’d, if
not discover’d, at several times, and their Plantations promoted and
propagated upon several occasions, and by distinct Interests, and since
_New England_ hath been look’d upon as a place considerable enough for
Persons of very eminent quality to concern themselves in it, we rather
are induc’d to consider this Countrey as a principal part, than as any
way depending on, or being any Branch or Portion of _Virginia_.
[Sidenote: Situation of _New England_.]
It lies between _Norumbega_, which it hath Northward, and _New
Netherlands_ Southward, from forty one to forty five Degrees of Northern
Latitude, in the midst of the temperate Zone, and paralell to _France_
and some part of _Italy_ in the Western Hemisphere, so that one would
think it should enjoy the same temperature of Air; but the contrary is
found, for that part which borders upon the Sea is colder, partly by
reason that the Sea-waves break the reflexion of the Sun-beams, partly
by reason of the abundance of Vapors, which mounting upward, abate the
ardor of them; but the more Inland parts of the Countrey are
indifferently warm: Moreover it hath been found by certain experience,
that those Countreys which look towards the East, or Sun-rising, are
colder than those which lie towards the West, or Sun-setting, and those
that have the Evening Winds on them, warmer than those which have the
Morning Winds; which being so, it should follow, that the temperature of
the Air in those Regions is peculiar to the Bodies of those of our
Nation, who being accustom’d to a Climate somewhat temperate, are
neither able to endure extremity of Cold, nor immoderate Heat: Yet there
are who affirm, that _New England_, though situate in the midst of the
temperate Zone, nevertheless feels both extremities of the two opposite
Zones, in the Summer the heat of the Torrid, and in the Winter the cold
of the Frigid.
[Sidenote: First discovery.]
As for the first discovery of this Countrey, it is not to be expected
otherwise than that of the discovery of those other Countreys hitherto
discours’d of, that is to say very uncertain; but because the _French_
boast of _Joannes Verrazanus_ (who though an _Italian_, was employ’d by
the French King _Francis_ the First) as the first Discoverer, not onely
of _Nova Francia_, as hath been already intimated, but also of this
Countrey and the adjoyning Coast and Regions, we shall not think it
impertinent to give from their own Relations, a brief view of his
Voyage, and afterwards a particular Description of the _English_
Plantations there, and of their Transactions, both one with another, and
between them and the Nations. The Narration of _Verrazanus_’s Voyage is
as followeth:
[Sidenote: Remarkable Voyage of _Verrazanus_.]
“On command of the _French_ King _Francis_ the First, _John
Verrazanus_, _Anno 1524._ setting Sail Westward from the _Canary_
Isles, discover’d a low _American_ Coast, in thirty four Degrees
North Latitude, inhabited by naked People, which behind the sandy
Hills facing the Sea, Manur’d many fruitful Plains. Then Sailing a
hundred Leagues along the Shore Northerly, he view’d a Countrey full
of Vines, which grew up amongst the Boughs of high Trees; and
Sailing up a pleasant River, Landed on the Island _Clandia_, full of
woody Mountains: thence he stood for the main Continent; where after
having visited a King, Clad in wrought Deer-skin, he Sail’d by a
Bay, at whose Mouth appear’d a Rock in an Inlet, twenty Leagues;
where appear’d five small Isles, all of them exceeding fruitful.
After this (being got a hundred and fifty Leagues to the Northward)
he found very salvage People, whose Heads appear’d through
Bear-skins and Sea-Calves. By this time having _Terreneuf_ on his
Starboard, he return’d back to _Diepe_.”
Thus far _Verrazanus_ made some discovery of the Coast, which hath since
not onely been farther inspected by the _English_, but also by them
Planted and call’d _New England_.
[Sidenote: The setling of Plantations.]
This Countrey, whether first discover’d by the said _Verrazanus_, or
together with the rest of largely-taken _Virginia_, by Sir _Walter
Raleigh_, or, as some say, by Captain _Gosnald_, in the Year 1602. was
so well known to the _English_ in the beginning of King _James_’s Reign
here, that the setling and carrying on of Plantations in this part of
_America_, was vigorously promoted by many of the most eminent Persons
in _England_: whereupon it was about the Year 1606. being the fourth
Year of the said King, granted by Patent to several Lords, Knights,
Gentlemen and Merchants, under the denomination of _The Plymouth
Company_, both in favour of those generous Spirits, who studied and
endeavor’d the good of the Publick by foreign Plantations, and
indulgence to those, who not well satisfi’d with the Government of
Church and State, and willingly transporting themselves and Families
thither, as to their _Asylum_, could more conveniently be spar’d than
the better affected part of the People: And although the Colonies at
first sent over succeeded not according to expectation, yet in a short
time there Plantations were brought to very great perfection. Captain
_Weimouth_, who had been employ’d there by the Lord _Arundel_ of
_Warder_, for the discovery of the North-West Passage, falling short of
his Course, hapned into a River on the Coast of _America_, call’d
_Pemmaquid_; from whence he brought five of the Natives for _England_,
three of whose Names were _Mannida_, _Skettwarroes_ and _Tasquantum_,
and Landing at _Plymouth_, presented them to Sir _Ferdinando Gorges_,
whom he made use of as Instruments for the farther advancement of these
Plantations: they were all of one Nation, but of several parts, and
several Families; he kept them with him three years, and observing in
them an inclination to vertuous Designs, and Spirits above the Vulgar,
he gain’d information from them what great Rivers ran up into the Land,
what Men of note were seated on them, what Power they were of, how
Ally’d, what Enemies they had, and the like; and taking some light from
thence, sent away a Ship, furnish’d with Men, and all kind of
Necessaries convenient for the Service intended, under the Command of
Captain _Henry Chaloung_, a Gentleman of a good Family, and very capable
for Undertakings of this nature; and giving him sufficient Instructions
what to do, sent along with him two of the said Natives for his better
Conduct and Direction, ordering him by all means to keep the Northerly
Gage as high as _Cape Briton_, till they had discover’d the Main, and
then to beat it up to the Southward as the Coast tended, till they found
by the Natives they were near the place to which they were assign’d. By
that time they were about a hundred Leagues off the Island of _Canara_,
the Captain fell sick of a Feaver, and the Winds being Westerly, his
Company shap’d their Course for the _Indies_, and coming to _St. John de
Porto Rico_, the Captain went ashore for the recovery of his Health,
whilst the Company took in Water, and such other Provisions as they had
present need of, and spent some time in Hunting, and other Recreations;
after which steering their intended Course, they were met with by the
_Spanish_ Fleet that came from the _Havana_, taken Prisoners and carried
into _Spain_, the Ship and Goods being confiscated, the Voyage
overthrown, and the Natives lost.
Not long after the setting out of _Chaloung_, _Thomas Haman_ was sent by
Sir _John Popham_, Lord Chief Justice of _England_, towards the River of
_Sagadehoc_, to the succour of _Chaloung_, if need were; but not finding
him, after he had scowr’d the Coast all about, he return’d back into
_England_.
Captain _Prinne_ was likewise sent from _Bristol_, who arriving happily
in those Parts, brought back with him at his return the most exact
Discovery of that Coast that ever had been gain’d till then.
A while after, at the Charge of the said Sir _John Popham_, a hundred
Men were sent to settle a Colony at _Sagadehoc_, under the Command of
_George Popham_, _Raleigh Gilbert_, Master of the Ship, who seated
themselves in a _Peninsula_, at the Mouth of this River; which
attempting to discover, they met with a Wood near to an Island, distant
from the Line about forty five Degrees, and some odd Seconds, where they
easily went on Shore. In the Year 1608. the Commander of the Colony
deceasing, and not long after him the Lord Chief Justice, who had been
the chief that had furnish’d them with fresh Supplies, they return’d for
_England_ in those Ships that had been sent them with Succours: At which
unexpected return, the Patrons of the Design were so offended, that for
a certain time they desisted from their Enterprizes. In the mean while
the _French_ making use of this occasion, Planted Colonies in divers
places, when Sir _Samuel Argal_ from _Virginia_ disturb’d their Designs,
and brought away Prisoners all he could lay hold on.
Suddenly after Captain _Hobson_ and divers others were set out with very
great Preparations, and with them two of the Natives which had been
detain’d for some time in _England_, whom they thought to have made use
of, the better to draw the rest of the Natives to their Commerce; but
because a little before twenty four of them had been treacherously dealt
with by one _Hunt_, they contracted from thence so great an animosity
towards the _English_, that Captain _Hobson_ was constrain’d to return
without effecting any thing.
In the Year 1614. Captain _John Smith_ being sent to Fish for Whales,
and seek after Mines of Gold and Silver, Landed upon the Island of
_Monahiggan_, where he found some store of Whales, but not such as those
by whose Oyl they use to make so much profit.
About the same time (two of the Natives being recover’d, _Erpenow_ of
_Capawick_, that had escap’d from Captain _Hobson_, and _Assacumet_ of
_Pemmaquid_, one of those that had been taken Prisoners with _Chaloung_)
Captain _Harly_, with Necessaries convenient for such a Voyage, was
dispatch’d away by Sir _Ferdinando Gorges_, the Earl of _Southampton_
favouring the Design, and furnishing him with some Land-Soldiers under
the Command of Captain _Hobson_, who not discourag’d with his former ill
Success, resolv’d upon a second Adventure.
In the Year 1615. Sir _Richard Hakings_ undertook a Voyage into those
Parts by authority of the Council of the second Colony, but by reason of
the great Wars among the Natives, his Observations could not be such as
might give any farther light than what had been already receiv’d.
Soon after which Captain _Dormer_ coming for _England_ from
_New-found-Land_, and Landing at _Plymouth_, apply’d himself to the
Governor, by whom he was dispatch’d away, with Direction to meet Captain
_Rocroft_, sent away a little before; but _Rocroft_ being dead by that
time _Dormer_ could come after him to _Virginia_, where he heard he was,
he returning to _Capawick_, was there set upon by _Erpenow_, the
foremention’d Salvage, and other _Indians_ that were Conspirators with
him; and within a short while after at _Virginia_, whither he went to be
cur’d of the Wounds he receiv’d in that Assassination, he fell sick and
died.
About the Year 1623. Captain _Robert Gorges_, newly come out of the
_Venetian_ War, was employ’d by the Council of _New Englands_ Affairs as
the Lieutenant-General, to regulate the Abuses of divers Fisher-men and
other Interlopers, who without License frequented those Coasts: for
which Service he had assign’d to him all that part of the main Land
situate upon the North-East side of the Bay of the _Messachasets_.
By these several Colonies sent so thick one after another, both a full
Discovery of the Countrey came to be made, and a large gap open’d to the
free possession thereof; yet in regard of the many disappointments and
misfortunes the several Companies sent over met with, and counting the
vast Charges their setting forth cost the Undertakers, which would have
been still increas’d by the need of continu’d Supplies, in all
probability _New England_ would have been but thinly peopled to this
day, had not a great Tide of People, possess’d with an aversion to the
Church-Government of _England_, and fled into _Holland_ for _Liberty of
Conscience_, eagerly taken hold of this opportunity to make themselves
Masters of their own Opinions, and of a Place where they might erect a
Government suitable thereunto: and though at first there were some
Exceptions taken, as if this Countrey was to be made a Receptacle of
Sectaries, and such as condemn’d the Ecclesiastical Government of the
Nation, insomuch that Sir _Ferdinando Gorges_, to whom they apply’d
themselves, desiring him to mediate for them to the Council of _New
Englands_ Affairs, when they perceiv’d the Authority they had from the
_Virginia_ Company, could not warrant their abode there, had enough to
do (notwithstanding his Apology, _That these things hapned contrary to
his expectation_) to wipe away the jealousie which was entertain’d of
him, it being Order’d, that no more should be suffer’d to pass into _New
England_, but such as should take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy:
yet at last there was little notice taken who went, perhaps upon
consideration, that the vast resort of People thither would be of
greater advantage to the Plantations, than their different Opinions, at
so remote a distance, could be prejudicial, so long as they acknowledg’d
Obedience to the King and Civil Power: However, Sir _Ferdinando_, to
clear himself the better, mov’d those Lords that were the chief Actors
in the Business, to resign their Grand Patent to the King, and pass
particular Patents to themselves of such part of the Countrey along the
Sea-Coast, as might be sufficient for them: To this Motion there being a
general Assent given by the Lords, and a Day appointed for the
conclusion thereof, an Act was made for the Resignation of the Patent,
alloting to each Man their several Bounds. From the uttermost parts
began the Limits of the Lord _Mougrave_, and ended at _Hudson_’s
_River_. To the Eastward of which River, for the space of sixty Miles in
length, was placed the Duke of _Richmond_’s Assignment: Next to him was
setled the Earl of _Carlile_: Next him the Lord _Edward Gorges_: Next
the Marquess of _Hamilton_: Then Captain _John Mason_: And lastly his
own, which extended to the great River _Sagadehoc_, being sixty Miles,
and so up into the Main Land a hundred and twenty Miles, which he was
pleas’d to call by the Name of _The Province of Main_.
The Landing of the _English_ in _Plymouth_ Plantation was very much
facilitated by the great Mortality that hapned amongst the _Indians_
about that time, amongst the _Pecods_, _Narragansets_, _Nianticks_,
_Tarantines_, _Wippanaps_, and those of _Abargini_, _Agissawang_, and
_Pockanekie_, their _Powwows_, or Doctors, seeing with amazement their
_Wigwams_, or Streets, lie full of dead Bodies, and in vain expecting
help from _Squantam_ their good, or _Abbamoch_ their bad God. Not long
before, that blazing Comet, so much talk’d of in _Europe_, apppear’d
after Sun-setting in their Horizon South-West for the space of thirty
Sleeps, (for so they reckon their Days). They Landed at first with
little or no resistance, a handful of Men onely being sent before to
keep possession for their Companions, who arriv’d eight days after; when
the Natives appearing with their Bowes and Arrows, let flie their long
Shafts amongst them; whereupon one Captain _Miles Standish_ with his
Fowling-piece shot the stoutest _Sachem_ amongst the _Indians_, as he
was reaching an Arrow from his Quiver; which the rest seeing, fled into
the Woods and Thickets.
The same Year the _Merchant-Adventurers_ in _England_ sent forth store
of Servants to provide against the Wants of that place; amongst whom
came over a mix’d Multitude, who setled themselves in the Bosom of the
Cape now call’d _Gloucester_.
About the Year 1631. there fled to the _English_ at _Water-town_ the
_Indians_ that dwelt thereabouts, for protection against the
_Tarratines_, a sort of cruel and salvage Cannibals, by whom near the
Town of _Saugust_, in the very dead time of the Night, one Lieutenant
_Walker_ being on a sudden alarm’d, was shot through his Coat and Buff
Jacket with two Indian Arrows. That Night the _English_ stood upon their
Guard, and the next Morning sent word to other parts; who gather’d
together, and taking counsel how to quit themselves of these _Indians_,
agreed to discharge their great Guns; whose redoubled noise, ratling in
the Rocks, struck terror into the _Indians_, and caus’d them to betake
themselves to flight. The Autumn following, others of the _Indians_, who
till then had held a good correspondence with the Planters, began to
quarrel about the Bounds of their Land; but a great Mortality, by the
raging of the Small-Pox, breaking out amongst them, put an end to that
Controversie: There died amongst the rest one of the chief of the
_Sagamores_ of the _Mattachusets_, call’d _Sagamore John_, who before
his Death had been instructed in the _Christian_ Faith, and took care
that his two Sons should be nurtured therein.
In the Year 1635. there arrived several Ships with great plenty of
Provisions, and many Persons of good Quality, and amongst the rest Sir
_Henry Vane_.
The same Year the People of _Cambridge_, otherwise call’d _New-town_,
hearing of a fertile place upon the River _Canectico_, remov’d thither,
and erected a new Corporation by the Name of _Banectico_, being
encourag’d thereunto by the Lord _Say_ and the Lord _Brooks_, and
planting a Forrest at the mouth of the River, call’d it _Saybrook
Forrest_.
About the Year 1638. the _Pequods_, a stout and Warlike Nation, lying to
the South-West of the _Mattachusets_, were discover’d upon their March
within some few Miles of _Hartford_: Their coming very much terrifi’d
all that inhabited thereabouts; but they took onely three Women and
return’d; one of whom making a violent resistance, had her Brains beaten
out; the other two they carried away with them, without abusing their
Persons, as it was suppos’d they would, for they esteem’d their own
_Shaws_, being black, beyond our Women. Their chief Design was to learn
to make Gunpowder; which seeing they could not effect, they look’d upon
their Prize as nothing so precious as they imagin’d.