A Briefe and True Report --- by Thomas Hariot

A briefe and true report

of the new found land of Virginia,

'of the commodities and of the nature and man

ners of the naturall inhabitants: Discouered bÿ

the English Colony there seated by' Sir Richard

Greinuile Knight 'In the yeere 1585. Which rema

=ined vnder the gouernment of twelue monethes,

At the speciall charge and direction of the Honou=

rable' SIR WALTER RALEIGH Knight, lord Warden

of the stanneries Who therein hath beene fauoured

and authorised bÿ her' MAIESTIE

':and her letters patents:

This fore booke Is made in English

By Thomas Hariot; seruant to the abouenamed

Sir' WALTER, 'a member of the Colonÿ, and there

imploÿed in discouering.'

CVM GRATIA ET PRIVILEGIO CÆS.MATIS SPECIALD

FRANCOFORTI AD MOENVM

TYPIS IOANNIS WECHELI, SVMTIBVS VERO THEODORI

DE BRY ANNO CD D XC.

VENALES REPERIVNTVR IN OFFICINA SIGISMVNDI FEIRABENDII

TO THE RIGHT

WORTHIE AND HONOV-

RABLE, SIR VVALTER RALEGH,

KNIGHT, SENESCHAL OF THE DVCHIES OF

Cornewall and Exeter, and L. Warden of the stannaries in Deuon

and Cornewall, T.B. wisheth true felicitie.

'SIR, seeing that the parte of the Worlde, which is betwene the FLORIDA

and the Cap BRETON nowe nammed VIRGINIA, to the honneur of yours most

souueraine Layde and Queene ELIZABETZ, hath ben descouuerd by yours

meanes. And great chardges. And that your Collonye hath been theer

established to your great honnor and prayse, and noelesser proffit vnto

the common welth: Yt ys good raison that euery man euertwe

him selfe for to showe the benefit which they haue receue of yt.

Theerfore, for my parte I haue been allwayes Desirous for to make yow

knowe the good will that I haue to remayne still your most humble

særuant. I haue thincke that I cold faynde noe better occasion to

declare yt, then takinge the paines to cott in copper (the most diligent

ye and well that wear in my possible to doe) the Figures which doe

leuelye represent the forme aud maner of the Inhabitants of the sane

countrye with theirs ceremonies, sollemne,, feastes, and the manner and

situation of their Townes of Villages. Addinge vnto euery figure a brief

declaration of the same, to that ende that cuerye man cold the better

vnderstand that which is in liuely represented. Moreouer I haue thincke

that the aforesaid figures wear of greater commendation, If somme

Histoire which traitinge of the commodites and fertillitye of the

rapport which Thomas Hariot hath lattely sett foorth, and haue causse

them booth togither to be printed for to dedicated vnto you, as a thiuge

which by reigtte dooth allreadye apparteyne vnto you. Therfore doe I

creaue that you will accept this little Booke, and take yt In goode

partte. And desiring that fauor that you will receue me in the nomber of

one of your most humble seruantz, besechinge the lord to blese and

further you in all yours good doinges and actions, and allso to

preserue, and keepe you allwayes in good helthe. And so I comitt you

unto the almyhttie, from Franckfort the first of Apprill 1590.'

'Your most humble seruant,'

THEODORVS de BRY.

TO THE ADVEN-

TVRERS, FAVORERS, AND

VVELVVILLERS OF THE EN-

TERPRISE FOR THE INHABITTING

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 known by the

name of VIRGINIA; many voyages hauing bin thiter made at sundrie times

to his great charge; as first in the yeere 1584. and afterwardes in the

yeeres 1585. '1586'. and now of late this last yeare of '1587'. There

haue bin diuers and variable reportes with some slaunderous and

shamefull speeches bruited abroade by many that returned from thence.

Especially of that discouery which was made by the Colony transported by

Sir Richard Greinuile in the yeare '1585'. being of all the others the

most principal and as yet of most effect, the time of their abode in the

countrey beeing a whole yeare, when as in the other voyage before they

staied but sixe weekes; and the others after were onelie for supply and

transportation, nothing more being discouered then had been before.

Which reports haue not done a litle wrong to many that otherwise would

have also fauoured & aduentured in the action, to the honour and

benefite of our nation, besides the particular profite and credite which

would redound to them selues the dealers therein; as I hope by the

sequele of euents to the shame of those that haue auouched the contrary

shalbe manifest: if you the aduenturers, fauourers, and welwillers do

but either encrease in number, or in opinion continue, or hauing bin

doubtfull renewe your good liking and furtherance to deale therein

according to the worthinesse thereof alreadye found and as you shall

vnderstand hereafter to be requisite. Touching which woorthines through

cause of the diuersitie of relations and reportes, manye of your

opinions coulde not bee firme, nor the mindes of some that are well

disposed, bee setled in any certaintie.

I haue therefore thought it good beeing one that haue beene in the

discouerie and in dealing with the natuall inhabitantes specially

imploied; and hauing therefore seene and knowne more then the ordinaire:

to imparte so much vnto you of the fruites of our labours, as that you

may knowe howe iniuriously the enterprise is slaundered. And that in

publike manner at this present chiefelie for two respectes.

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

thereof, may see that there is sufficiêt cause why the cheefe

enterpriser with the fauour of her Maiestie, notwithstanding suche

reportes; hath not onelie since continued the action by sending into the

countrey againe, and replanting this last yeere a new Colony; but is

also readie, according as the times and meanes will affoorde, 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 & learne what the countrey is; &

therevpon cõsider how your dealing therein if it proceede, may returne

you profit and gaine; bee it either by inhabitting & planting or

otherwise in furthering thereof.

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

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

in a few wordes wherefore they are [a 3] so different; referring my

selue to your fauourable constructions, and to be adiudged of as by good

consideration you shall finde cause.

Of our companie that returned some for their misdemenour and ill dealing

in the countrey, haue beene there worthily punished; who by reason of

their badde natures, haue maliciously not onelie spoken ill of their

Gouernours; but for their sakes slaundered the countrie it selfe. The

like also haue those done which were of their confort.

Some beeing ignorant of the state thereof, nothwithstanding since their

returne amongest their friendes and acquaintance and also others,

especially if they were in companie where they might not be gainesaide;

woulde seeme to know so much as no men more; and make no men so great

trauailers as themselues. They stood so much as it maie seeme vppon

their credite and reputation that hauing been a twelue moneth in the

countrey, it woulde haue beene a great disgrace vnto them as they

thought, if they coulde not haue saide much wheter it were true or

false. Of which some haue spoken of more then euer they saw or otherwise

knew to bee there; othersome haue not bin ashamed to make absolute

deniall of that which although not by thê, yet by others is most

certainely ãd there plêtifully knowne. And othersome 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 Iland where wee were seated, or not farre, or at

the leastwise in few places els, during the time of our aboade in the

countrey; or of that many that after golde and siluer was not so soone

found, as it was by them looked for, had little or no care of any other

thing but to pamper their bellies; or of that many which had little

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 bee found any English cities, norsuch faire houses, nor at their

owne wish any of their olde accustomed daintie food, nor any soft beds

of downe or fethers: the countrey was to them miserable, & their reports

thereof according.

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

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

malicious, and slaûderous reports and deuises els, by our owne countrey

men besides; as trifles that are not worthy of wise men to bee 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 where of for your more readie view & easier vnderstanding I

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

declaration of such commodities there alreadie found or to be raised,

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

shall bee the plãters and inhabitants, but such an ouerplus sufficiently

to bee yelded, or by men of skill to bee prouided, as by way of

trafficke and exchaunge with our owne nation of England, will enrich

your selues the prouiders; those that shal deal with you; the

enterprisers in general; and greatly profit our owne countrey men, to

supply them with most things which heretofore they haue bene 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 cõmodities which wee know the

countrey by our experience doeth yeld of its selfe for victuall, and

sustenance of mans life; such as is 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 cõmodities

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

those that shall inhabite, and plant there to knowe of; which specially

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

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

THE FIRST PART,

OF MARCHAN-

TABLE COMMO-

DITIES.

'Silke of grasse or grasse Silke.'

THere is a kind of grasse in the countrey vppon the blades where of

there groweth very good silke in forme of a thin glittering skin to bee

stript of. It groweth two foote and a halfe high or better: the blades

are about two foot in length, and half inch broad. The like groweth in

Persia, which is in the selfe same climate as Virginia, of which very

many of the silke workes that come from thence into Europe are made.

Here of if it be planted and ordered as in Persia, it cannot in reason

be otherwise, but that there will rise in shorte time great profite to

the dealers therein; seeing there is so great vse and vent thereof as

well in our countrey as els where. And by the meanes of sowing & plãting

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 wilde. Which also by

proof here in England, in making a piece of silke Grogran, we found to

be excellent good.

'Worme Silke.'

In manie of our iourneyes we found silke wormes fayre and great; as

bigge as our ordinary walnuttes. Although it hath not beene our happe to

haue found such plentie as elsew here to be in the coutrey we haue heard

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

there is no doubt but if art be added in plantig of mulbery trees and

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

nourishing; and some of them carefully gathered and husbanded in that

sort as by men of skill is knowne to be necessarie: there will rise as

great profite in time to the Virginians, as there of doth now to the

Persians, Turkes, 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 it of it selfe; and howsoeuer the leafe, and stemme or stalke doe

differ from ours; the stuffe by the iudgemêt of men of skill is

altogether as good as ours. And if not, as further proofe should finde

otherwise; we haue that experience of the soile, as thas there canno bee

shewed anie 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 applyed to such

purposes. What benefite heereof may growe in cordage and linnens who can

not easily vnderstand?

'Allum.'

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

or fiftie miles, whereof by the iudgement of some that have made triall

heere in England, is made good Allum, of that kinde which is called

Roche Allum. The richnesse of such a commoditie is so well knowne that I

neede not to saye any thing thereof. The same earth doth also yeelde

White Copresse, Nitrum, and Alumen Plumeum, but nothing so plentifully

as the common Allum; which be also of price and profitable.

'Wapeih:'

Wapeih, a kinde of earth so called by the naturall inhabitants; very

like to terra sigillata: and hauing beene refined, it hath beene found

by some of our Phisitiõs and Chirurgeons to bee of the same kinde of

vertue and more effectuall. The inhabitãts vfe it very much for the cure

of sores and woundes: there is in diuers places great plentie, and in

some places of a blewe sort.

'Pitch, Tarre, Rozen, and Turpentine.'

There are those kindes of trees which yeelde them abundantly and great

store. In the very same Iland where wee were seated, being fifteene

miles of length, and fiue or sixe miles in breadth, there are fewe trees

els but of the same kind; the whole Iland being full. [Sassafras.]

'Sassafras.'

Sassafras, called by the inhabitantes Winauk, a kinde of wood of most

pleasand and sweete smel; and of most rare vertues in phisick for the

cure of many diseases. It is found by experience to bee farre better and

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

the description, the manner of vsing and the manifolde vertues thereof,

I referre you to the booke of Monardus, translated and entituled in

English, The ioyfull newes from the West Indies.

'Cedar.'

Cedar, a very sweet wood & fine timber; whereof if nests of chests be

there made, or timber therof fitted for sweet & fine bedsteads, tables,

or deskes, lutes, virginalles & many things else, (of which there hath

beene proofe made already) to make vp fraite with other principal

commodities will yeeld profite.

'Wine.'

There are two kinds of grapes that the soile doth yeeld naturally: the

one is small and sowre of the ordinarie bignesse as ours in England: the

other farre greater & of himselfe iushious sweet. When they are plãted

and husbandeg as they ought, a principall commoditie of wines by them

may be raised.

'Oyle.'

There are two sortes of Walnuttes both holding oyle, but the one farre

more plentifull then the other. When there are milles & other deuises

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

inhabitantes, wee finde to yeelde very good and sweete oyle. Furthermore

the Beares of the countrey are commonly very fatte, and in some places

there are many: their fatnesse because it is so liquid, may well be

termed oyle, and hath many speciall vses.

'Furres:'

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

taken by weares and other engines made for the purpose, will yeelde good

profite. Wee 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 handes.

Luzarnes also we haue vnderstãding of. although for the time we saw

none.

'Deare skinnes.'

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

had of the naturall inhabitants thousands yeerely by way of trifficke

for trifles: and no more wast or spoile of Deare then is and hath beene

ordinarily in time before.

'Ciuet cattes.'

In our trauailes, there was founde one to haue beene killed by a saluage

or inhabitant: and in an other place the smell where one or more had

lately beene before: whereby we gather besides then by the relation of

the people that there are some in the countrey: good profite will rise

by them.

'Iron.'

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

other sixe score miles from the Fort or place where wee dwelt: wee

founde neere the water side the ground to be rockie, which by the triall

of a minerall man, was founde to holde Iron richly. It is founde in

manie places of the countrey else. I knowe nothing to the contrarie, but

that it maie bee allowed for a good marchantable commoditie, considering

there the small charge for the labour and feeding of men: the infinite

store of wood: the want of wood and deerenesse thereof in England: & the

necessity of ballasting of shippes.

'Copper.'

A hundred and fiftie miles into the maine in two townes wee founde with

the inhabitaunts diuerse small plates of copper, that had beene made as

wee vnderstood, by the inhabitantes that dwell farther into the

countrey: where as they say are mountaines and Riuers that yeelde also

whyte graynes of Mettall, which is to bee deemed Siluer. For

confirmation whereof at the time of our first arriuall in the Countrey,

I sawe with some others with mee, two small peeces of siluer grosly

beaten about the weight of a Testrone, hangyng in the eares of a Wiroans

or chiefe Lorde that dwelt about fourescore myles from vs; of whom

thorowe enquiry, by the number of dayes and the way, I learned that it

had come to his handes from the same place or neere, where I after

vnderstood the copper was made and the white graynes of mettall founde.

The aforesaide copper wee also founde by triall to holde siluer.

'Pearle.'

Sometimes in feeding on muscles wee founde some pearle; but it was our

hap to meete with ragges, or of a pide colour; not hauing yet discouered

those [places] places where wee hearde of better and more plentie. One

of our companie; a man of skill in such matters, had gathered to gether

from among the sauage people aboute fiue thousande: of which number he

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

vniformitie in roundnesse, orientnesse, and pidenesse of mãy excellent

colours, with equalitie in greatnesse, were verie fayer and rare; and

had therefore beene presented to her Maiestie, had wee not by casualtie

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

comming away from the countrey.

'Sweete Gummes.'

Sweete Gummes of diuers kindes and many other Apothecary drugges of

which wee will make speciall mention, when wee shall receiue it from

such men of skill in that kynd, that in taking reasonable paines shall

discouer them more particularly then wee haue done; and than now I can

makc relation of, for want of the examples I had prouited and gathered,

and are nowe lost. with other thinges by causualtie before mentioned.

'Dyes of diuers kindes.'

There is Shoemake well knowen, and vsed in England for blacke; the seede

of an hearbe called Wasewówr; little small rootes called Cháppacor; and

the barke of the tree called by the inhabitaunts Tangomóckonomindge:

which Dies are for diuers sortes of red: their goodnesse for our English

clothes remayne yet to be proued. The inhabitants vse them onely for the

dying of hayre; and colouring of their faces, aud Mantles made of Deare

skinnes; and also for the dying of Rushes to make artificiall workes

withall in their Mattes and Baskettes; hauing no other thing besides

that they account of, apt to vse them for. If they will not proue

merchantable there is no doubt but the Planters there shall finde apte

vses for them, as also for other colours which wee knowe to be there.

'Oade.'

A thing of so great vent and vse amongst English Diers, which cannot bee

yeelded sufficiently in our owne countrey for spare of ground; may bee

planted in Virginia, there being ground enough. The grouth therof need

not to be doubted when as in the Ilandes of the Asores it groweth

plentifully, which is in thesame climate. So likewise of Madder.

'Suger canes.'

Whe carried thither Suger canes to plant which beeing not so well

preserued as was requisit, & besides the time of the yere being past for

their setting when we [b 2] arriued, wee could not make that proofe of

them as wee desired. Notwithstãding, 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 Lemmons, there may be

planted also Quinses. Wherebi may grow in reasonable time if the action

be diligently prosecuted, no small commodities in Sugers, Suckets, and

Marmalades.

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

leaue to your discret and gentle considerations: and many also may bee

there which yet we haue not discouered. Two more commodities of great

value one of certaintie, and the other in hope, not to be planted, but

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

have specified. So likewise of those commodities already set downe I

might haue said more; as of the particular places where they are founde

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 bee therewithall

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]

THE SECOND PART,

OF SVCHE COMMO--

DITIES AS VIRGINIA IS

knowne to yeelde for victuall and sustenãce of mans

life, vsually fed vpon by the naturall inhabitants:

as also by vs during the time of our aboad.

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 MAYZE: English men call it Guinney wheate or

Turkie wheate, 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 yeelde a very white and sweete flowre: beeing vsed according to his

kinde it maketh a very good bread. Wee made of the same in the countrey

some mault, whereof was brued as good ale as was to bee desired. So

likewise by the help of hops therof may bee made as good Beere. It is a

graine of marueilous great increase; of a thousand, fifteene hundred and

some two thousand fold. There are three sortes, of which two are ripe in

an eleuen and twelue weekes at the most: sometimes in ten, after the

time they are set, and are then of height in stalke about sixe or seuen

foote. The other sort is ripe in fourteene, and is about ten foote high,

of the stalkes some beare foure heads, some three, some one, and two:

euery head cõtaining fiue, sixe, or seuê hundred graines within a fewe

more or lesse. Of these graines besides bread, the inhabitants make

victuall [b 3] eyther by parching them; or seething them whole vntill

they be broken; or boyling the floure with water into a pappe.

'Okindgier', called by vs 'Beanes', because in greatnesse & 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.

'Wickonzówr', 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 tast much, & are far better then our

English peaze. Both the beanes and peaze are ripe in tenne weekes after

they are set. They make them victuall either by boyling them all to

pieces into a broth; or boiling them whole vntill they bee soft and

beginne to breake as is vsed in England, eyther by themselues or mixtly

together: Sometime they mingle of the wheate with them. Sometime also

beeing whole soddeu, they bruse or pound them in a morter, & thereof

make loaues or lumps of dowishe bread, which they vse to eat for

varietie.

'Macócqwer', according to their seuerall formes called by vs,

'Pompions', 'Mellions', and 'Gourdes', because they are of the like

formes as those kindes 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 hearbe 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 foote 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 brothes; other salte they knowe not. Wee our selues, vsed

the leaues also for pothearbes.

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

foote in height; the head with the floure is a spanne in breadth. Some

take it to bee 'Planta Solis': of the seedes heereof they make both a

kinde of bread and broth.

All the aforesaid commodities for victuall are set or sowed, sometimes

in groundes a part and seuerally by themselues; but for the most part

together in one ground mixtly: the manner thereof with the dressing and

preparing of the groûd, because I will note vnto you the fertilitie of

the soile; I thinke good briefly to describe.

The ground they neuer fatten with mucke, dounge or any other thing;

neither plow nor digge it as we in England, but onely prepare it in sort

as followeth. A fewe daies before they sowe or set, the men with wooden

instruments, made almost in forme of mattockes or hoes with long

handles; the women with short peckers or parers, because they vse them

sitting, of a foote long and about fiue inches in breadth: doe onely

breake the vpper part of the ground to rayse vp the weedes, grasse, &

old stubbes of corne stalkes with their rootes. The which after a day or

twoes [drying] drying in the Sunne, being scrapte vp into many small

heapes, 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 grounde; I say that then they woulde eyther disperse the

ashes abroade; which wee obserued they doe not, except the heapes bee

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 that care they touch not one

another, (about an inch asunder) and couer them with the moulde againe:

and so through out the whole plot, making such holes and vsing them

after such maner: but with this regard that they bee made in rãkes,

euery ranke differing from other halfe a fadome or a yarde, and the

holes also in euery ranke, as much. By this meanes there is a yarde

spare ground betwene euery hole: where according to discretion here and

there, they set as many Beanes and Peaze: in diuers places also among

the seedes of 'Macócqwer', 'Melden' and 'Planta Solis'.

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

English Acre conteining fourtie pearches in length, and foure in

breadth, doeth there yeeld in croppe or ofcome of corne, beanes, and

peaze, at the least two hûdred London bushelles: besides the 'Macócqwer,

Melden', and 'Planta Solis': When as in England fourtie bushelles of our

wheate yeelded out of such an acre is thought to be much.

I thought also good to note this vnto you, if you which shall inhabite

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

be preferred before ours: Besides the manifold waies in applying it to

victuall, the increase is so much that small labour and paines is

needful in respect that 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 husbane so much grounde (hauing once borne corne before) with lesse

thê foure and twentie houres labour, as shall yeelde him victuall in a

large proportiõ for a twelue mõeth, if hee haue nothing else, but that

which the same groûd will yeelde, and of that kinde onelie which I haue

before spoken of: the saide groûd being also but of fiue and twentie

yards square. And if neede require, but that there is ground enough,

there might be raised out of one and the selfsame ground two haruestes

or ofcomes; for they sowe or set and may at anie time when they thinke

good from the middest of March vntill the ende 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 neuertheles whether to vse or not to vse it, you that

inhabite maie do as you shall haue farther cause to thinke best. Of the

grouth you need not to doubt: for barlie, oates and peaze, we haue seene

proof of, not beeing purposely [b 4] sowen but fallen casually in the

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

here in England. But of wheat because it was musty and hat taken salt

water wee could make no triall: and of rye we had none. Thus much haue I

digressed and I hope not vnnecessarily: nowe will I returne againe to my

course and intreate of that which yet remaineth appertaining to this

Chapter.

There is an herbe which is sowed a part by it selfe & is called by the

inhabitants Vppówoc: In the West Indies it hath diuers names, according

to the seuerall places & countries where it groweth and is vsed: The

Spaniardes generally call it Tobacco. The leaues thereof being dried and

brought into powder: they vse to take the fume or smoke thereof by

sucking it through pipes made of claie into their stomacke and heade;

from whence it purgeth superfluous fleame & other grosse humors, openeth

all the pores & passages of the body: by which meanes the vse thereof,

not only preserueth the body from obstructiõs; but also if any be, so

that they haue not beene of too long continuance, in short time breaketh

them: wherby their bodies are notably preserued in health, & know not

many greeuous diseases wherewithall wee in England are oftentimes

afflicted.

The Vppówoc us of so precious estimation amongest then, that they thinke

their gods are maruelously delighted therwith: Wherupon sometime they

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

being in a storme vppon 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, somtime dauncing, clapping of hands,

holding vp of hands, & staring vp into rhe heauens, vttering therewithal

and chattering strange words & noises.

We ourselues during the time we were there vsed to suck it after their

maner, as also since our returne, & haue found manie rare and wonderful

experiments of the vertues thereof; of which the relation woulde require

a volume by it selfe: the vse of it by so manie of late, men & women of

great calling as else, and some learned Phisitions also, is sufficient

witnes.

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

can remember they vse to husband: all else that followe are founde

growing naturally or wilde.

'Of Rootes.'

OPENAVK are a kind of roots of round forme, some of the bignes of

walnuts, some far greater, which are found in moist & marish grounds

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

fastnened with a string. Being boiled or sodden they are very good meate.

OKEEPENAVK are also of round shape, found in dry grounds: some are [of

the] of the bignes 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 roste nor seeth. Their tast is not so good as of the former

rootes, notwithstanding for want of bread & somtimes for varietie the

inhabitants vse to eate them with fish or flesh, and in my iudgement

they doe as well as the houshold bread made of rie heere in England.

'Kaishúcpenauk' a white kind of roots about the bignes of hen egs & nere

of that forme: their tast was not so good to our seeming as of the

other, and therfore their place and manner of growing not so much cared

for by vs: the inhabitãts notwithstanding vsed to boile & eate many.

'Tsinaw' a kind of roote much like vnto the which in England is called

the 'China root' brought from the East Indies. And we know not anie

thing to the cõtrary but that it maie be of the same kind. These roots

grow manie together in great clusters and doe bring foorth a brier

stalke, but the leafe in shape far vnlike; which beeing supported by the

trees it groweth neerest vnto, wil reach or climbe to the top of the

highest. From these roots while they be new or fresh beeing chopt into

small pieces & stampt, is strained with water a iuice that maketh bread,

& also being boiled, a very good spoonemeate in maner of a gelly, and is

much better in tast if it bee tempered with oyle. This 'Tsinaw' is not

of that sort which by some was caused to be brought into England for the

'China roote', for it was discouered since, and is in vfe as is

aforesaide: but that which was brought hither is not yet knowne neither

by vs nor by the inhabitants to serue for any vse or purpose; although

the rootes in shape are very like.

'Coscúshaw', some of our company tooke to bee that kinde of roote which

the Spaniards in the West Indies call 'Cassauy', whereupon also many

called it by that name: it groweth in very muddie pooles and moist

groundes. Being dressed according to the countrey maner, it maketh a

good bread, and also a good sponemeate, and is vsed very much by the

inhabitants: The iuice of this root is poison, and therefore heede must

be taken before any thing be made therewithal: Either the rootes must

bee first sliced and dried in the Sunne, or by the fire, and then being

pounded into floure wil make good bread: or els while they are greene

they are to bee pared, cut into pieces and stampt; loues of the same to

be laid neere or ouer the fire vntill it be soure, and then being well

pounded againe, bread, or sponemeate very good in taste, and holsome may

be made thereof.

'Habascon' is a roote of hoat taste almost of the forme and bignesse of

a Parseneepe, of it selfe it is no victuall, but onely a helpe beeing

boiled together with other meates.

There are also 'Leekes' differeing little from ours in England that grow

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

wee gathered and eate many, but the naturall inhabitants neuer.

'Of Fruites.'

CHESTNVTS, there are in diuers places great store: some they vse to eate

rawe, some they stampe and boile to make spoonemeate, and with some

being sodden they make such a manner of dowebread as they vfe of their

beanes before mentioned.

WALNVTS: There are two kindes of Walnuts, and of then infinit store: In

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

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

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

and thicker shelled: the other is greater and hath a verie ragged and

harde shell: but the kernell great, verie oylie and sweete. Besides

their eating of them after our ordinarie maner, they breake them with

stones and pound them in morters with water to make a milk which they

vse to put into some sorts of their spoonmeate; also among their sodde

wheat, peaze, beanes and pompions which maketh them haue a farre more

pleasant taste.

MEDLARS a kind of verie good fruit, so called by vs chieflie for these

respectes: 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 differêt: for

they are as red as cheries and very sweet: but whereas the cherie is

sharpe sweet, they are lushious sweet.

METAQVESVNNAVK, a kinde of pleasaunt fruite almost of the shape & bignes

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

within as without. They grow on a plant whose leaues are verie thicke

and full of prickles as sharpe as needles. Some that haue bin in the

Indies, where they haue seen that kind of red die of great price which

is called Cochinile to grow, doe describe his plant right like vnto this

of Metaquesúnnauk but whether it be the true Cochinile or a bastard or

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

Cochinile is not of the fruite but founde 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 marchantable

cõmodities.

STRABERIES there are as good & as great as those which we haue in our

English gardens.

MVLBERIES, Applecrabs, Hurts or Hurtleberies, such as wee haue in

England.

SACQVENVMMENER a kinde of berries almost like vnto capres but somewhat

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

found in shalow waters: being boiled eight or nine hours according to

their kind are very good meate and holesome, otherwise if they be eaten

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

There is a kind of reed which beareth a seed almost like vnto our rie or

wheat, & being boiled is good meate. [In]

In our trauailes in some places wee founde wilde peaze like vnto ours in

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

'Of a kinde of fruite or berrie in the forme of

Acornes.'

There is a kind of berrie or acorne, of which there are fiue sorts that

grow on seuerall kinds of trees; the one is called 'Sagatémener', the

second 'Osámener', the third 'Pummuckóner'. These kind of acorns 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 vntil they be soft & then being sod they make a good

victuall, either to eate so simply, or els being also pounded, to make

loaues or lumpes of bread. These be also the three kinds of which, I

said before, the inhabitants vsed to make sweet oyle.

An other sort is called 'Sapúmmener' which being boiled or parched doth

eate and taste like vnto chestnuts. They sometime also make bread of

this sort.

The fifth sort is called 'Mangúmmenauk', and is the acorne of their kind

of oake, the which beeing dried after the maner of the first sortes, and

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

chiefe thêselues, either for variety or for want of bread, doe eate them

with their fish or flesh.

'Of Beastes.'

'Deare', in some places there are great store: neere vnto the sea coast

they are of the ordinarie bignes as ours in England, & some lesse: but

further vp into the countrey where there is better feed they are

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

and the snags of their hornes looke backward.

'Conies', Those that we haue seen & al that we can heare of are of a

grey colour like vnto hares: in some places there are such plentie that

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

the skinnes of those they vsually take.

'Saquenúckot' & 'Maquówoc'; two kindes of small beastes greater then

conies which are very good meat. We neuer tooke any of them our selves,

but sometime eate of such as the inhabitants had taken & brought vnto vs.

'Squirels' which are of a grey colour, we haue taken & eaten.

'Beares' which are all of black colour. The beares of this countrey are

good meat; the inhabitants in time of winter do use to take & eate maie;

so also somtime did wee. They are taken comonlie in this sort. In some

Ilands or places where they are, being hunted for, as soone as they haue

spiall of a man they presently run awaie, & 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

bekilled; we sometime shotte them downe with our caleeuers.

I haue the names of eight & twenty seuerall sortes of beasts which I

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

in the maine: of which there are only twelue kinds that we haue yet

discouered, & of those that be good meat we know only them before

mentioned. The inhabitãts somtime kil the 'Lyon' & eat him: & we somtime

as they came to our hands of their 'Wolues' or 'woluish Dogges', which I

haue not set downe for good meat, least that some woulde vnderstand my

iudgement therin to be more simple than needeth, although I could

alleage the difference in taste of those kindes from ours, which by some

of our company haue been experimented in both.

'Of Foule.'

'Turkie cockes' and 'Turkie hennes': 'Stockdoues': 'Partridges':

'Cranes': 'Hernes': & in winter great store of 'Swannes' & 'Geese'. Of

al sortes of foule I haue the names in the countrie language of

fourescore and sixe of which number besides those that be named, we haue

taken, eaten, & haue the pictures as they were there drawne with the

names of the inhabitaunts of seuerall strange sortes of water foule

eight, and seuenteene kindes more of land foul, although wee haue seen

and eaten of many more, which for want of leasure there for the purpose

coulde not bee pictured: and after wee are better furnished and stored

vpon further discouery, with their strange beastes, fishe, trees,

plants, and hearbes, they shall bee also published.

There are also 'Parats', 'Faulcons', & 'Marlin haukes', which although

with vs they bee not vsed for meate, yet for other causes I thought good

to mention.

'Of Fishe.'

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

are plentie of 'Sturgeons': And also in the same monethes of 'Herrings',

some of the ordinary bignesse as ours in England, but the most part

farre greater, of eighteene, twentie inches, and some two foote in

length and better; both these kindes of fishe in those monethes are most

plentifull, and in best season, which wee founde to bee most delicate

and pleasaunt meate.

There are also 'Troutes, Porpoises, Rayes, Oldwiues, Mullets, Plaice,'

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

eaten, whose names I know not but in the countrey language; wee haue of

twelue sorts more the pictures as they were drawn in the countrey with

their names.

The inhabitants vse to take then two maner of wayes, the one is by a

kind of wear made of reedes which in that countrey are very strong. The

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

by shooting them into the fish after the maner as Irishmen cast dartes;

either as they are rowing in their boates or els as they are wading in

the shallowes for the purpose. [There]

There are also in many places plentie of these kindes which follow.

'Sea crabbes', such as we haue in England.

'Oystres', some very great, and some small; some rounde and some of a

long shape: They are founde both in salt water and brackish, and those

that we had out of salt water are far better than the other as in our

owne countrey.

Also 'Muscles, Scalopes, Periwinkles,' and 'Creuises'.

Seekanauk, a kind of crustie shell fishe which is good meate, about a

foote in breadth, hauing a crustie tayle, many legges like a crab; and

her eyes in her backe. They are founde in shallowes of salt waters; and

sometime on the shoare.

There are many 'Tortoyses' both of lande and sea kinde, their backes &

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

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

venemous: but notwithstanding they are very good meate, as also their

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

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

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

as farre foorth as I knowe and can remember or that are specially worthy

to bee remembred.

THE THIRD AND

LAST PART,

OF SVCH OTHER

THINGES AS IS BE HOO-

full for those which shall plant and inhabit to

know of; with a description of the nature

and manners of the people of

the countrey.

'Of commodities for building and other

necessary uses.'

THose other things which I am more to make rehearsall of, are such as

concerne building, and other mechanicall necessarie vses; as diuers

sortes of trees for house & ship timber, and other vses els: Also lime,

stone, and brick, least that being not mentioned some might haue bene

doubted of, or by some that are malicious reported the contrary.

'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 saide before very many, some haue bene seen

excellent faire timber of foure & fiue fadome, & aboue fourescore foot

streight without bough.

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

['Rakíock',]

'Rakíock', a kind of trees so called that are sweet wood of which the

inhabitans that were neere vnto vs doe commonly make their boats or

Canoes of the form of trowes; only with the helpe of fire, harchets of

stones, and shels; we haue known some so great being made in that sort

of one tree that they haue carried well xx. men at once, besides much

baggage: the timber being great, tal, streight, soft, light, & yet tough

enough I thinke (besides other vses) to be fit also for masts of ships.

'Cedar', a sweet wood good for seelings, Chests, Boxes, Bedsteedes,

Lutes, Virginals, and many things els, as I haue also said before. Some

of our company which haue wandered in some places where I haue not bene,

haue made certaine 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'; wherof 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 manner, although the inhabitants vse only reedes, which

because they are so strong as also flexible, do serue for that turne

very well and sufficiently.

'Beech'and 'Ashe', good for caske, hoopes: and if neede require, plow

worke, as also for many things els.

'Elme.'

'Sassafras' trees.

'Ascopo' a kinde of tree very like vnto Lawrell, the barke is hoat in

tast and spicie, it is very like to that tree which Monardus describeth

to bee 'Cassia Lignea' of the West Indies.

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

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

conuenient for the present to trouble you with particular relatiõ:

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.

Now for Stone, Bricke and Lime, thus it is. Neere vnto the Sea coast

where wee dwelt, there are no kind of stones to bee found (except a fewe

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

farther out of the maine. In some of our voiages wee haue seene diuers

hard raggie stones, great pebbles, and a kinde of grey stone like vnto

marble, of which the inhabitants make their hatchets to cleeue wood.

Vpon inquirie wee heard that a little further vp into the Countrey were

all sortes verie many, although of Quarries they are ignorant, neither

haue they vse of any store whereupon they should haue occasion to seeke

any. For if euerie housholde haue one or two to cracke Nuttes, grinde

shelles, whet copper, and sometimes other stones for hatchets, they haue

enough: neither vse they any digging, but onely for graues about three

foote deepe: and therefore no maruaile that they know neither Quarries,

nor lime stones, which both may bee in places neerer than they wot of.

In the meane time vntill there bee discouerie of sufficient store in

some place or other cõuenient, 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 Oister shels, and of others

burnt, after the maner as they vse in the Iles of Tenet and Shepy, and

also in diuers other places of England: Which kinde of lime is well

knowne to bee as good as any other. And of Oister shels there is plentie

enough: for besides diuers other particular places where are abundance,

there is one shallowe sounde along the coast, where for the space of

many miles together in length, and two or three miles in breadth, the

grounde is nothing els beeing but halfe a foote or a foote vnder water

for the most part.

This much can I say further more of stones, that about 120. miles from

our fort neere the water in the side of a hill was founde by a Gentleman

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

to remember vnto you.

'Of the nature and manners of the people'

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

natures and maners, leauing large discourse thereof vntill 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.

They are a people clothed with loose mantles made of Deere skins, &

aprons of the same rounde about their middles; all els naked; of such as

difference of statures only as wee in England; hauing no edge tooles or

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

make any: those weapõs that they haue, are onlie bowes made of Witch

hazle, & arrowes of reeds; flat edged truncheons also of wood about a

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

made of barcks; and some armours made of stickes wickered together with

thread.

Their townes are but small, & neere the sea coast but few, some

cõtaining but 10. or 12. houses: some 20. the greatest that we haue

seene haue bene but of 30. houses: if they be walled it is only done

with barks 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 rounde

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 mattes 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. yardes long, and in

other some wee haue seene of foure and twentie. [In]

In some places of the countrey one onely towne belongeth to the

gouernment of a 'Wiróans' or chiefe Lorde; in other some two or three,

in some sixe, eight, & more; the greatest 'Wiróans' that yet we had

dealing with had but eighteene townes in his gouernmêt, 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 farther they

are distant the greater is the difference.

Their maner of warres amongst themselues is either by sudden surprising

one an other most commonly about the dawning of the day, or moone light;

or els by ambushes, or some suttle deuises: Set battels are very rare,

except if fall out where there are many trees, where eyther part may

haue some hope of defence, after the deliuerie of euery arrow, in

leaping behind some or other.

If there fall out any warres betweê vs & them; what their fight is

likely to bee, we hauing aduantages against them so many maner of waies,

as by our discipline, our strange weapons and deuises els; especially by

ordinance great and small, it may be easily imagined; by the experience

we 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 thinges of greater value: Notwithstanding in their proper

manner considering the want of such meanes as we haue, they seeme very

ingenious; For although they haue no such tooles, nor any such craftes,

sciences and artes as wee; yet in those thinges they doe, they shewe

excellencie of wit. And by howe much they vpon due consideration shall

finde our manner of knowledges and craftes to exceede theirs in

perfection, and speed for doing or execution, by so much the more is it

probable that they shoulde desire our friendships & loue, and haue the

greater respect for pleasing and obeying vs. Whereby may bee hoped if

meanes of good gouernment bee vsed, that they may in short time be

brought to ciuilitie, and the imbracing of true religion.

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

truth, yet beyng as it is, there is hope it may bee the easier and

sooner reformed.

They beleeue that there are many Gods which they call 'Mantóac', but of

different sortes and degrees; one onely chiefe and great God, which hath

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

the worlde, made first other goddes of a principall order to bee as

meanes and instruments to bee vsed in the creation and gouernment to

follow; and after the Sunne, Moone, and Starres, as pettie goddes and

the instruments of the other order more principall. First they say were

made waters, out of which by the gods was made all diuersitie of

creatures that are visible or inuisible.

For mankind they say a woman was made first, which by the woorking of

one of the goddes, conceiued and brought foorth children: And in such

sort they say they had their beginning. [C 3]

But how manie yeeres or ages haue passed since, they say they can make

no relation, hauing no letters nor other such meanes as we to keepe

recordes of the particularities of times past, but onelie tradition from

father to sonne.

They thinke that all the gods are of humane shape, & therfore they

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

'Kewasowok' one alone is called 'Kewás'; Them they place in houses

appropriate or temples which they call 'Mathicómuck'; Where they

woorship, praie, sing, and make manie times offerings vnto them. In some

'Machicómuck' we haue seene but on '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 bodie according to the workes it

hath done, it is eyther carried to heauê the habitacle of gods, there to

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

which they thinke to bee in the furthest partes of their part of the

worlde towarde the sunne set, there to burne continually: the place they

call 'Popogusso'.

For the confirmation of this opinion, they tolde mee two stories of two

men that had been lately dead and reuiued againe, the one happened but

few yeres before our comming in the countrey of a wicked man which

hauing beene dead and buried, the next day the earth of the graue beeing

seene to moue, was takê vp againe; Who made declaration where his soule

had beene, that is to saie very neere entring into 'Popogusso', had not

one of the gods saued him & gaue him leaue to returne againe, and teach

his friends what they should doe to auiod that terrible place of tormenr.

The other happened in the same yeere wee were there, but in a towne that

was threescore miles from vs, and it was tolde mee for straunge newes

that one beeing dead, buried and taken vp againe as the first, shewed

that although his bodie had lien dead in the graue, yet his soule was

aliue, and had trauailed farre in a long broade waie, on both sides

whereof grewe most delicate and pleasaût trees, bearing more rare and

excellent fruites then euer hee had seene before or was able to

expresse, and at length came to most braue and faire houses, neere which

hee met his father, that had beene 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 subtilty soeuer be in the 'Wiroances' and Priestes, this opinion

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

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

what they do, to auoid torment after death, and to enjoy blisse;

although nothwithstanding there is punishment ordained for malefactours,

as stealers, whoremoongers, and other sortes of wicked doers; some

punished with death, some with forfeitures, some with beating, according

to the greatnes of the factes.

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

special familiarity [miliarity] with some of their priestes. 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 admiratiõ of ours, with

earnest desire in many, to learne more than we had meanes for want of

perfect vtterance in their language to expresse.

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

compasses, the vertue of the loadstone in drawing yron, a perspectiue

glasse whereby was shewed manie strange sightes, burning glasses,

wildefire woorkes, gunnes, bookes, writing and reading, spring clocks

that seeme to goe of themselues, and manie other thinges that wee had,

were so straunge 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 works of gods then of men, or at the

leastwise they had bin giuen and taught vs of the gods. Which made manie

of them to haue such opinions of vs, as that if they knew not the trueth

of god and religion already, it was rather to be 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 we spake of concerning such matters.

Manie times and in euery towne where I came, according as I was able, I

made declaration of the contentes of the Bible; that therein was set

foorth the true and onelie GOD, and his mightie woorkes, that therein

was contayned the true doctrine of saluation through Christ, which manie

particularities of Miracles and chiefe poyntes of religion, as I was

able then to vtter, and thought fitte for the time. And although I told

them the booke materially & of itself was not of anie such vertue, as I

thought they did conceiue, but onely the doctrine therein cõtained; yet

would many be glad to touch it, to embrace it, to kisse it, to hold it

to their brests and heades, and stroke ouer all their bodie with it; to

shew their hungrie desire of that knowledge which was spoken of.

The 'Wiroans' with whom we dwelt called 'Wingina', and many of his

people would be glad many times to be with vs at our praiers, and many

times call vpon vs both in his owne towne, as also in others whither he

sometimes accompanied vs, to pray and sing Psalmes; hoping thereby to

bee partaker in the same effectes which wee by that meanes also expected.

Twise this 'Wiroans' was so greiuously sicke that he was like to die,

and as hee laie languishing, doubting of anie helpe by his owne

priestes, and thinking he was in such daunger for offending vs and

thereby our god, sent for some of vs to praie 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 requestes of manie others

in the like case.

On a time also when their corne began to wither by reason of a drouth

which happened extraordinarily, fearing that it had come to passe by

reason that in some thing they had displeased vs, many woulde come to

vs & desire vs to praie to our God of England, that he would perserue

their corne, promising that when it was ripe we also should be partakers

of the fruite.

There could at no time happen any strange sicknesse, losses, hurtes, or

any other crosse vnto them, but that they would impute to vs the cause

or meanes therof for offending or not pleasing vs.

One other rare and strange accident, leauing others, will I mention

before I ende, which mooued the whole countrey that either knew or

hearde of vs, to haue vs in wonderfull admiration.

There was no towne where we had any subtile deuise practised against vs,

we leauing it vnpunished or not reuenged (because wee sought by all

meanes possible to win them by gentlenesse) but that within a few dayes

after our departure from euerie such towne, the people began to die very

fast, and many in short space; in some townes about twentie, in some

fourtie, in some sixtie, & in one sixe score, which in trueth was very

manie in respect of their numbers. This happened in no place that wee

could learne but where wee had bene, where they vsed some practise

against vs, and after such time; The disease also so strange, that they

neither knew what it was, nor how to cure it; the like by the 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

themselues.

Insomuch that when some of the inhabitantes which were our friends &

especially the 'Wiroans Wingina' had obserued such effects in foure or

fiue towns to follow their wicked practises, they were preswaded that it

was the worke of our God through our meanes, and that wee by him might

kil and slai 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 iourneyes, hearing that wee had

wrought no reuenge with our weapons, & fearing vpon some cause the

matter should so rest: did come and intreate vs that we woulde bee a

meanes to our God that they as others that had dealt ill with vs might

in like sort die; alleaging howe much it would be for our credite and

profite, as also theirs; and hoping furthermore that we would do so much

at their requests in respect of the friendship we professe them.

Whose entreaties although wee shewed that they were vngodlie, affirming

that our God would not subiect him selfe to anie such praiers and

requestes of mê: that in deede all thinges haue beene and were to be

done according to his good pleasure as he had ordained: ãd that we to

shew ourselues his true seruãts ought rather to make petition for the

contrarie, that they with them might liue together with vs, bee made

partakers of his truth & serue him in righteousnes; but notwitstanding

in such sort, that wee referre that as all other thinges, to bee done

according to his diuine will & pleasure, ãd as by his wisedome he had

ordained to be best. [Yet]

Yet because the effect fell out so sodainly and shortly after according

to their desires, they thought neuertheless it came to passe by our

meanes, and that we in vsing such speeches vnto them did but dissemble

in the matter, and therefore came vnto vs to giue vs thankes in their

manner that although wee satisfied them not in promise, yet in deedes

and effect we had fulfilled their desires.

This maruelous accident in all the countrie wrought so strange opinions

of vs, that some people could not tel whether to think vs gods or men,

and the rather because that all the space of their sicknesse, there was

no man of ours knowne to die, or that was specially sicke: they noted

also that we had no women amongst vs, neither that we did care for any

of theirs.

Some therefore were of opinion that wee were not borne of women, and

therefore not mortall, but that wee were men of an old generation many

yeeres past then risen againe to immortalitie.

Some woulde likewise seeme to prophesie 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 & without bodies, & that they by our intreaty & 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 ashemed to say, but earnestly make the

simple people beleue, that the strings of blood that they sucked out of

the sicke bodies, were the strings wherewithal the inuisible bullets

were tied and cast.

Some also thought that we shot them ourselues out of our pieces from the

place where we dwelt, and killed the people in any such towne that had

offended vs as we listed, how farre distant from vs soeuer it were.

And other some saide that it was the speciall woorke of God for our

sakes, as wee our selues haue cause in some sorte to thinke no lesse,

whatsoeuer some doe or maie imagine to the contrarie, specially some

Astrologers knowing of the Eclipse of the Sunne which wee saw the same

yeere before in our voyage thytherward, which vnto them appeared very

terrible. And also of a Comet which beganne to appeare but a few daies

before the beginning of the said sicknesse. But to exclude them from

being the speciall an accident, there are farther reasons then I thinke

fit at this present to bee 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

discreet dealing and gouernement to the imbracing of the trueth, and

nsequently to honour, obey, feare and loue vs.

And although some of our companie towardes the ende of the yeare, shewed

themselues too fierce, in slaying some of the people, in some towns,

vpon causes that on our part, might easily enough haue been borne

withall: yet notwithstanding because it was on their part iustly

deserued, the alteration of their opinions generally & for the most part

concerning vs is the lesse to bee doubted. And whatsoeuer 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, & of the worst that may happen notice to bee taken

with consideration, and as much as may be eschewed. ['The']

'The Conclusion.'

NOW I haue as I hope made relation not of so fewe and smal things but

that the countrey of men that are indifferent & wel disposed maie be

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 bee discouered, neither the soile, nor commodities. As we haue reason

so to gather by the difference we found in our trauails: for although

all which I haue before spoken of, haue bin discouered & experiemented

not far from the sea coast where was our abode & most of our trauailing:

yet somtimes as we made our iourneies farther into the maine and

countrey; we found the soyle to bee fatter; the trees greater and to

growe thinner; the grounde 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 hillie ground; more plentie

of their fruites; more abondance of beastes; the more inhabited with

people, and of greater pollicie & 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

alreadie discouered? Vnto the Spaniardes 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 yeeld many kinds of excellent

commodities, which we in our discouerie haue not yet seene.

What hope there is els to be gathered of the nature of the climate,

being answerable to the Iland of 'Iapan', the land of 'China, Persia,

Jury, the Ilandes of 'Cyprus' and 'Candy', the South parts 'Greece,

Italy', and 'Spaine', and of many other notable and famous countreis,

because I meane not to be tedious, I leaue to your owne consideration.'

Whereby also the excellent temperature of the ayre there at all seasons,

much warmer then in England, and neuer so violently hot, as sometimes is

vnder & between the Tropikes, or neere them; cannot bee vnknowne vnto

you without farther relation.

For the holsomnesse thereof I neede to say but thus much: that for all

the want of prouision, as first of English victuall; excepting for

twentie daies, wee liued only by drinking water and by the victuall of

the countrey, of which some sorts were very straunge vnto vs, and might

haue bene thought to haue altered our temperatures in such sort as to

haue brought vs into some greeuous and dãgerous diseases: secondly the

wãt of English meanes, for the taking of beastes, fishe, and foule,

which by the helpe only of the inhabitants and their meanes, coulde not

bee so suddenly and easily prouided for vs, nor in so great numbers &

quantities, nor of that choise as otherwise might haue bene to our

better satisfaction and contentment. Some want also wee had of clothes.

Furthermore, in all our trauailes which were most speciall and often in

the time of winter, our lodging was in the open aire vpon the grounde.

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 aforesaide causes. For all

foure especially three were feeble, weake, and sickly persons before

euer they came thither, and those that knewe them much marueyled that

they liued so long beeing in that case, or had aduentured to trauaile.

Seing therefore the ayre there is so temperate and holsome, the soyle so

fertile and yeelding such commodities as I haue before mentioned, the

voyage also thither to and fro beeing sufficiently experimented, to bee

perfourmed thrise a yeere with ease and at any season thereof: And the

dealing of 'Sir Walter Raleigh' so liberall in large giuing and graûting

lande there, as is alreadie knowen, with many helpes and furtherances

els: (The least that hee hath graunted hath beene fiue hundred acres to

a man onely for the aduenture of his person): I hope there reamine 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 yere as those are which were

transported the last, and beeing there doe vse but that diligence and

care as is requisite, and as they may with eese: There is no doubt but

for the time following they may haue victuals that is excellent good and

plentie enough; some more Englishe sortes of cattaile also hereafter, as

some haue bene before, and are there yet remaining, may and shall bee

God willing thiter transported: So likewise our kinde of fruites,

rootes, and hearbes may bee there planted and sowed, as some haue bene

alreadie, and proue wel: And in short time also they may raise of those

sortes of commodities which I haue spoken of as shall both enrich

theselues, as also others that shall deale with them.

And this is all the fruites of our labours, that I haue thought

necessary to aduertise you of at this present: what els concerneth the

nature and manners of the inhabitants of 'Virginia': The number with the

particularities of the voyages thither made; and of the actions of such

that haue bene by 'Sir Walter Raleigh' therein and there imployed, many

worthy to bee remembered; as of the first discouerers of the Countrey:

of our generall for the time 'Sir Richard Greinuile'; and after his

departure, of our Gouernour there Master 'Rafe Lane'; with diuers other

directed and imployed vnder theyr gouernement: Of the Captaynes and

Masters of the voyages made since for transporation; of the Gouernour

and assistants of those alredie transported, as of many persons,

accidêts, and thinges els, I haue ready in a discourse by it

selfe in maner of a Chronicle according to the course of times, and when

time shall bee thought conuenient shall be also published.

This 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 only of this but of all things els, I take my

leaue of you, this moneth of Februarii, 1588.

F I N I S.