The principal nauigations, voyages, traffiques and discoueries of the English nation. [vols. 1-3] made by sea or ouer-land, to the remote and farthest distant quarters of the earth, at any time within the compasse of these 1600. yeres: deuided into three seuerall volumes, according to the positions of the regions, whereunto they were directed. The first volume containeth the worthy discoueries, &c. of the English ... The second volume comprehendeth the principall nauigations ... to the south and south-east parts of the world ... By Richard Hakluyt preacher, and sometime student of Christ-Church in Oxford.

The second Chapter sheweth, that it is lawfull and necessarie to trade and traffique with the Sauages: And to plant in their Countries: And diuideth planting into two sorts.

ANd first for traffique, I say that the Christians may lawfully trauell into those Countries and abide there: whom the Sauages may not iustly impugne and forbidde in respect of the mutuall societie and fellowshippe betweene man and man prescrided by the Law of Na∣tions.

For from the first beginning of the creation of the world, and from the renewing of the same after Noes flood, all men haue agreed, that no violence should be offered to Ambassadours: That the Sea with his Hauens should be common: That such as should fortune to be taken in warre, should be seruants or slaues: And that strangers should not bee driuen away from the place or Countrey whereunto they doe come:

If it were so then, I demaund in what age, and by what Law is the same forbidden or denied since: For who doubteth but that it is lawfull of Christians to vse trade and traffique with In∣fidels or Sauages, carrying thither such commodities as they want, and bringing from thence some part of their plentie:

A thing so commonly and generally practised, both in these our dayes, and in times past, beyond the memorie of man, both by Christians and Infidels, that it needeth no further proofe.

And for asmuch as the vse of trade and traffique (be it neuer so profitable) ought not to be pre∣ferred before the planting of Christian faith: I will therefore somewhat intreate of planting, (without which, Christian Religion can take no roote, be the Preachers neuer so carefull and di∣ligent) which I meane to diuide into two sortes.

* 1.1The first, when Christians by the good liking and willing assent of the Sauages, are admit∣ted by them to quiet possession.

The second, when Christians being vniustly repulsed, doe seeke to attaine and mant••ine the right for which they doe come.

And though in regard of the establishment of Christian Religion, eyther of both may be law∣fully and iustly exercised: (Whereof many examples may be found, as well in the time of Moy∣ses and Iosua, and other Rulers before the birth of Christ, as of many vertuous Emperours and Kings sithence his incarnation:) ye•• doe I wish, that before the second be pu•• in practise, a proofe may be made of the first, sauing that for their saf••••ie as well against the Sauages, as all other forreigne enemies, they should first wel•• and strongly fortifie themselues: which bring done, then by all fayre speeches, and euery other good meanes of pe••swasion to seeke to ••••ke a∣way all occassions of offence.

As letting them to vnderstand, how they came not to their hurt, but for their good, and to no other ende, but to dwell peaceably amongst them, and to trade and traffique with them for their owne commoditie, without molesting or gr••••uing them any way: which must not be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by wordes onely but also by deedes.

For albeit, to maintaine right and repell iniury, be a iust cause of warre: y•••• must there he••••of be heedefull care had, that wh••reas the Sauages be fearefull by 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and fond oth••rw••se, the Christians should doe their best endeuour to take away such feare as may growe vnto them by rea∣son of their strange apparell, Armour, and weapon, or such like, by quiet and peaceable conuersa∣tion, and ••etting them liue in securitie, and keeping a measure of blam••lesse defence, with as lit••le discommoditie to the Sauages as may bee: for this kinde of warre would be onely defensiue ••••d not offensiue.

And que••••ionlesse there is great hope and likelyhoode, that by this kinde of meanes we should bring to passe all effects to our desired purposes: Considering th••t all creatures, by constitution of nature, are rendred more tractable and easier wonne for all assayes, by courtesi•• and mildnesse, th•••• by crueltie or roughnesse: and therefore being a principle taught vs by naturall reason, it is first to be pu•• •••• vre.

For albeit as yet the Christians are not so throughly ••urnished with the perfectnesse of their language, eyther to expresse their mindes to them, or againe to conceiue the S••uages intent: Y••t for the present opportunitie, su••h policie may be vsed by friendly signes, and courteous to∣kens towards them, as the Sauages may easily perceiue (were their ••ences neuer so grosse) an assured friendship to be offered them, and that they are encountered with such a ••ation, as brings them benefite, commoditie, peace, tranquilitie and safetie. To further this, and to accomplish it in deedes, there must bee presented vnto them gratis, some kindes of our pettie marchan••izes and trifles: As looking glasses, Belles, Beades, Bracelets, Chaines, or col••ers of Bewgle, Chrystall, Amber, ••et, or Glasse &c. For such be the things, though to vs of small value, yet ac∣counted by them of high price and estimation: and soonest will induce their Barbarous ••atures to a liking and a mutuall societie with vs.

Moreouer, it shall be requisite eyther by speeche, if it be possible, either by some other certaine meanes, to signifie vnto them, that once league of friendship with all louing conuersation being admitted betweene the Christians and them: that then the Christians from thence forth will al∣wayes be ready with force of Armes to assist and defend t••em in their iust quarrels, from all in∣uasio••s, spayles and oppressions offered them ••y any Tyrants, Aduersaries, or their next borde∣rers: and a benefite is so much the more to be esteemed, by how much the person vpon whom it is bestowed standeth in neede thereof.

For it appeareth by the relation of a Countryman of ours, namely Dauid Ingram, (who tra∣uelled in those countries ••i. Moneths and more) That the Sauages generally for the most part, are at continuall warres with their next adioyning neighbours, and especially the Cannibals, being a cruell kinde of people, whose foode is ma•••• flesh, and h••ue teeth l••ke dogges, and doe pur∣sue them with rauenous mindes to eate their flesh, and deuoure them.

And it is not to be doubted, but that the Christians may in this case iustly and lawfully ayde the Sauages against the Cannibals. So that it is very likely, that by this meanes we shall not only mightily stirre and inflame their ••ude mindes gladly to embrace the louing company of the Chri∣stians, proffering vnto them both commodities, succour, and kindnesse: But ••lso by their franke consents shall eas••ly enioy such competent quantity of Land, as euery way shall be correspondent to the Christians expectation and contentation, considering the great abu••dance that they haue of ••and, and how small account they make thereof, taking no other fruites thereby then such as the ground of it selfe doeth ••••turally yeelde. And thus much concerning the first sort of planting, which as I assuredly hope, so I most heartily pray may take effect and place.

* 1.2But if after these good and fayre meanes vsed, the Sauages neuerthelesse will not bee here∣withall satisfied, but barbarously will goe about to practise violence eyther in repelling the Chri∣stians from their Ports & safelandings, or in withstanding them afterwards to enioy the rights for which both painfully and lawfully they haue aduentured themselues thither:

Then in such a case I holde it no breach of equitie for the Christians to defend themselues, to pursue reuenge with force, and to doe whatsoeuer is necessarie for the a••te••••ing of their safetie: For it is allowable by all Lawes in such distresses, to resist violence with violence: And for their more securitie to increase their strength by building of Forts for auoyding the extremitie of in∣iurious dealing.

Wherein if also they shal not be suffered in reasonable quietnesse to continue, there is no barre (as I iudge) but that in stoute assemblies the Christians may issue out, and by strong hand pursue their enemies, subdue them, take possession of their Townes, Cities, or Uillages, and (in auoy∣ding murtherous tyrannie) to vse the Law of Armes, as in like case among all Nations at this day is vsed: and most especially to the ende they may with securitie holde their lawfull possession, lest happily after the departure of the Christians, such Sauages as haue bene conuerted, should afterwards through compulsion and enforcement of their wicked Rulers, returne to their horri∣ble idolatrie (as did the children of Israel, after the decease of Ioshua) and continue their wicked custome of most vnnaturall sacrificing of humane creatures.

And in so doing, doubtlesse the Christians shall no whit at all transgresse the bonds of equitie or ciuilitie, forasmuch as in former ages, (yea, before the incarnation of Christ) the like hath bene done by sundry Kings and Princes, Gouernours of the children of Israel: chiefly in respect to begin their planting, for the establishment of Gods worde: as also since the Natiuitie of Christ, mightie and puissant Emperours and Kings haue performed the like, I say to plant, possesse, and subdue. For proofe whereof, I will alledge you examples of both kindes.

Wee reade in the olde Testament, how that after Noes flood was ceased, restauration of man∣kinde began onely of those fewe of Noes children and familie as were by God preelected to bee saued in the Arke with him, whose s••ede in processe of time, was multiplyed to infinite numbers of Nations, which in diuers sortes diuided themselues to sundry quarters of the earth. And for∣asmuch as all their posteritie being might••ly encreased, followed not the perfect life of Noe their predecessour, God chose out of the multitude a peculiar people to himselfe, to whom after∣wardes being vnder the gouernment of Moyses in Mount Sinay, hee made a graunt to inherite the Land of Canaan, called the Land of promise, with all the other rich and fertile Countries next adioyning thereunto. Neuerthelesse, before they came to possession thereof, hauing bene af∣flicted with many grieuous punishments and plagues for their sinnes, they fell in despayre to enioy the same.

But being encouraged and comforted by their Rulers, (men of God) they proceeded, ar∣ming themselues with all patience, to suffer whatsoeuer it should please God to send: and at last attaining to the Land, they were encountered with great numbers of strong people, and mighty Kings.

* 1.3Notwithstanding, Iosua their Leader replenished with the Spirite of God, being assured of the iustnesse of his quarell, gathered the chiefe strength of the children of Israel together, to the number of 40000. with whom he safely passed huge riuer Iordan, and hauing before sent pri∣uie spies for the discouerie of the famous citie Ierico,* 1.4 to vnderstand the certaintie of the Citizens estate, he forthwith came thither, and enuironed it round about with his whole power the space of seuen dayes.

In which respite, perceiuing none of the Gentiles disposed to yeeld or call for mercie, he then commanded (as God before had appointed) that both the citie Ierico should be burned, yea, and all the inhabitants, as well olde as young, with all their cattell should be destroyed, onely excepted Rahab, her kindred and familie, because shee before had hid secretly the messengers of Iosua, that were sent thither as spies. As for all their golde, siluer, precious stones, or vessels of brasse, they were reserued and consecrated to the Lords treasurie.

* 1.5In like maner he burned the citie Hay, slew the inhabitants thereof, and hanged vp their King. But for so much as the Gebionites (fearing the like euent) sent Ambassadours vnto Iosua to in∣treate for grace, sauour, and peace:* 1.6 hee commaunded that all their liues should bee saued, and that they should be admitted to the company of the children of Israel. Yet vnderstanding after∣wards they wrought this by a policie, he vsed them as drudges to hewe wood and to carie water, and other necessaries for his people.* 1.7 Thus beganne this valiant Captaine his conquest, which he pursued and neuer left till hee had subdued all the Hethites, Amorites, Cananites, Peresites,

Heuites, and Iebusites, with all their princes and Kings, being thirtie and one in number, & diuers other strange nations, besides whose lands & dominions he wholy diuided among Gods people.

After that Iosua was deceased, Iuda was constituted Lord ouer the armie, who receiuing like charge from God, pursued the proceedings of the holy captaine Iosua, and vtterly vanquished many Gentiles, Idolaters, and aduersaries to the children of Israel, with all such Rulers or Kings as withstoode him, and namely Adonibezek the most cruell tyrant:* 1.8 whose thumbes and great toes he caused to be cut off, for so much as hee had done the like before vnto seuentie Kings, whom being his prisoners, he forced to gather vp their victuals vnderneath his table.* 1.9 In this God shewed his iustice to reuenge tyrannie. We reade likewise, that Gedeon a most puis∣sant and noble warriour so behaued himselfe in following the worthy acts of Iosua and Iuda,* 1.10 that in short time he not only deliuered the children of Israel from the hands of the multitude of the fierce Madianites, but also s••bdued them and their Tyrants, whose landes he caused Gods people to possesse and inherite.

I could recite diuers other places out of the Scripture, which aptly may be applyed hereun∣to, were it not I doe indeuour my selfe by all meanes to be briefe. Now in like maner will I al∣ledge some fewe Inductions out of the autenticall writings of the Ecclesiasticall Historiogra∣phers, all tending to the like argument. And first to begin withall, we doe trade: That after our Sauiour Iesus Christ had suffered his passion, the Apostles being inspired with the holy Ghost, and the knowledge of all strange languages, did immediatly disperse themselues to sundry parts of the world, to the preaching of the Gospel. Yet not in so generall a maner, but that there re∣mayned some farre remote Countries vnvisited by them, among the which it is reported that India the great, called the vttermost India, as yet had receiued no light of the word.* 1.11 But it came to passe, that one Metrodorus a very learned and wise Philosopher in that age, being desirous to search our vnknowen lan••s, did first discouer the same, finding it wonderfull populous and rich, which vpon his returne being published, and for certaine vnderstood, there was another graue Philosopher of Tyrus called Meropius, being a Christian, who did resolue himselfe (following the example of Metrodorus) to trauaile thither, and in a short time assisted but with a fewe, in a small Uessel arriued there, hauing in his company two yong youths, Edesius and Frumentius, whom (being his schollers) he had throughly instructed both in liberall Sciences, and christian Religion. Now after that Meropius some while staying there, had (as hee thought) sufficient vnderstanding of the Indians whose estate: He determined to depart, and to bring notice thereof vnto the Emperour, whom he meant to exhort to the conquest of the same.

But by misfortune he was preuented, for being in the middest of his course on the Sea home∣ward, a sore tempest arose, and perforce droue him backe againe, to an vnknowen Port of the sayd land:* 1.12 where he by the most cruell barbarous Indians on the sudden was slaine with all his company, except the two young schollers aforesayde, whom the barbarous Indians, by reason they were of comely stature and beautifull personages, tooke, and forthwith presented them to their King and Queene:* 1.13 which both being very well liked of, the King courteously entreated, and ordeined Edesius to be his Butler, and Frumentius his Secretarie, and in few yeeres by rea∣son of their learning and ciuill gouernment, they were had in great fauour, honour, and estimation with the Princes. But the King departing this life, left the Queene his wife with her yong sonne to gouerne, and gaue free scope and libertie to the two Christians, at their best pleasure to passe to their natiue soyles, allowing them all necessaries for the same. Yet the Queene who highly fa∣uoured them was very sorowfull they should depart, and therefore most earnestly intreated them to tarie and assist her in the gouernment of her people, till such time as her young sonne grewe to ripe yeeres, which request they fulfilled.

And Frumentius excelling Edesius farre in all wisedome,* 1.14 ruled both the Queene and her sub∣iects at his discretion, whereby he tooke occasion to put in practice priuily, that the foundation of Christian religion might be planted in the hearts of such as with whom he thought his perswasion might best preuaile, and that soonest would giue eare vnto him: which being brought to passe ac∣cordingly, hee then with his fellow Edesius tooke leaue of the Queene to returne to his natiue countrey. And so soone as he was arriued there, he reuealed to the Emperour Constantine, the effect of all those euents:* 1.15 who both commending his deedes and wholy allowing thereof, by the aduise and good liking of Athanasius then Bishop of Alexandria, did arme and set forth a conue∣nient power for the ayde of Frumentius, in this his so godly a purpose. And by this meanes came the Emperour afterwards by faire promises, and by force of armes together, vnto the possession of all the Indians countrey. The author of this storie Ruffinus receiued the trueth hereof from the very mouth of Edesius companion to Frumentius.* 1.16

* 1.17Moreouer Eusebius in his Historie Ecclesiasticall in precise termes, and in diuers places ma∣keth mention how Constantine the great not onely enlarged his Empire by the subduing of his next neighbours, but also endeuoured by all meanes to subiect all such remote Barbarous and Heathen nations, as then inhabited the foure quaters of the worlde. For (as it is written) the Emperour throughly ayded with a puissant armie of valiant souldiers whom he had before per∣swaded to Christian religion, in proper person himselfe came euen vnto this our country of Eng∣land, then called the Island of Britaines, bending from him full West, which he wholy conque∣red, made tributarie, and setled therein Christian faith, and left behinde him such Rulers thereof, as to his wisedome seemed best.* 1.18 From thence hee turned his force towardes the North coast of the world, and there vtterly subdued the rude and cruell Nation of the Scythians, whereof part by friendly perswasions; part by maine strength, hee reduced the whole to Christian faith. After∣wards he determined with himselfe to search out what strange people inhabited in the vttermost parts of the South. And with great hazard and labour, making his iourney thither, at last be∣came victour ouer them all, euen to the countrey of the Blemmyans, and the remote AEthiopians, that now are the people of Presbyter Iohn, who yet till this day continue and beare the name of Christians.

In the East likewise, what Nation soeuer at that time he could haue notice of, he easily wonne and brought in subiection to the Empire. So that to conclude, there was no region in any part of the world, the inhabitants whereof being Gentiles, though vnknowen vnto him, but in time he ouercame and vanquished.

This worthy beginning of Constantine, doth his sonnes succeeding his ••o••me, and also di∣uers other Emperours afterward to their vttermost endeuour followed and continued, which all the bookes of Eusebius more at large set foorth.* 1.19 Theodoretus likewise in his Ecclesiasticall historie maketh mention how Theodosius the vertuous Emperour imployed earnestly all his time, as well in conquering the Gentiles to the knowledge of the holy Gospel, vtterly subuerting their prophane Temples and abominable Idolatry, as also in extinguishing of such vsurping ty∣rants as with Paganisme withstood the planting of Christian religion. After whose decease his sonnes Honorius and Arcadius were created Emperours,* 1.20 the one of the East, the other of the West, who with all stout godlinesse most carefully imitated the fore steps of their Father, eyther in enlarging their territories, or increasing the christian flocke.

Moreouer, it is reported by the sayd authors that Theodosius iunior the Emperour, no whit inferiour in vertuous life to any of the aboue named Princes, with great studie and zeale pursued and prōsecuted the Gentiles, subdued their tyrants and countries, and vtterly destroyed all their idolatry, conuerting their soules to acknowledge their onely Messias and Creator, and their Countries to the enlargement of the Empire. To be briefe, who so listeth to read Eusebius Pam∣philus, Socrates Scholasticus, Theodoritus, Hermia, Sozomen, and Euagrius Scholasticus, which all were most sage Ecclesiasticall writers, shall finde great store of examples of the worthy liues of sundry Emperours, tending all to the confirmation of my former speeches.

And for like examples of later time; (yea euen in the memorie of man) I shall not neede to recite any other then the conquest made of the West and East Indies by the Kings of Spaine and Portugall, whereof there is particular mention made in the last Chapter of this booke. Herein haue I vsed more copy of examples then otherwise I would haue done, sauing that I haue bene in place, where this maner of planting the Christian faith hath bene thought of some to be scarce lawfull, yea, such as doe take vpon them to be more then meanely learned. To these examples could I ioyne many moe, but whosoeuer is not satisfied with these fewe, may satisfie himselfe in reading at large the Authors last aboue recited. Thus haue I (as I trust) prooued that we may iustly trade and traffique with the Sauages, and lawfully plant and inhabite their Countries.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The principall causes why this voyage is vndertaken.
• * 1.2

  The seconde kinde of plan∣ting.
• * 1.3

  Iosua 4.
• * 1.4

  Iosua 6.
• * 1.5

  Iosua 8.
• * 1.6

  Iosua 9.
• * 1.7

  Iudg. 11.13.
• * 1.8

  Iudg. 1.
• * 1.9

  A good now for al Conque∣rers to be mer∣cifull.
• * 1.10

  Iudg. 6.7.
• * 1.11

  Ruffinus lib. cap. 9.
• * 1.12

  Me••opius sla••n••.
• * 1.13

  Edesius and Fru∣men••ius preser∣ued by the In∣dians.
• * 1.14

  Frumentius in great fauour with y^t Queene of the Indiās.
• * 1.15

  An other great worke of God begunne by a man of me••n•• birth.
• * 1.16

  Ruffinu•• the Author of this storie
• * 1.17

  ••useb•••••• his ec∣clesiasticall Hi∣storie testifieth how that Con∣••tantine the great did en∣large his do∣••inions b•• subduing of Infidels and Idolatrous nations.
• * 1.18

  Eusebius lib. 1. de vita Constant. cap. 4. e•• cap. 9. Euseb. e••d. lib. ••ap. ••9.
• * 1.19

  ••••eo••o••••••. in eccle lib. 5. cap. ••••.
• * 1.20

  Theodoretus cap. 26. eodem 〈◊〉〈◊〉