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.

Here followeth the course from Belle Isle, Carpont, and the Grand Bay in Newfoundland vp the Riuer of Canada for the space of 230. leagues, obserued by Iohn Alphonse of Xanctoigne chiefe Pilote to Monsieur Roberual. 1542.

BElles Isles are in 51 degrees and ⅓. Belles Isles and Carpont are Northnorthwest and Southsoutheast, and they are ten leagues distant.* 1.1 Carpont is in 52 degrees. Carpont and Bell Isle from the Grand Bay are Northeast and Southwest, and the distance from Bell Isle to the Grand Bay is 7 leagues.* 1.2 The midst of the Grand Bay is in 52 degrees and a halfe, and on the Northside therof there is a rocke: halfe a league from the Isle, ouer against Carpont toward the East there is a small flat Island, and on the side toward the Northeast there is a flat rocke.* 1.3 And when thou commest out of the harborough of Carpont thou must leaue this rocke on the starreboord side, and also on the larboord side there are two or three small Isles: and when thou commest out on the Northeast side, ranging along the shore toward the West about two pikes length in the midway there is a shold which lieth on thy starboord side: and saile thou by the North coast, and leaue two partes of the Grand Bay to∣ward the South; because there is a rocke which runneth 2 or 3 leagues into the sea. And when thou art come athwart the hauen of Butes;* 1.4 run along the North shore about one league or an halfe off, for the coast is without all danger: Bell Isle in the mouth of the Grand Bay, and the Isles of Blanc Sablon,* 1.5 which are within the Grand Bay, neere vnto the North shore lie Northeast, West and Southwest, & the distance is 30 leagues. The Grand Bay at the entrance is but 7 leagues broad from land to land vntill it come ouer against the Bay des Chasteaux: and from theuce for∣ward it hath not past 5 leagues in breadth. And against Blanc Sablon it is 8 leagues broad from land to land. And the land on the South shore is all low land along the sea coast. The North shore is reasonable high land. Blanc Sablon is in 51 degrees ••.* 1.6 The Isles of Blanc Sablon & the Isles de la Damoiselle, are Northeast, Westsouthwest, and take a little of the Westsouthwest, and they are distant 36 leagues: these Iles are in 50. deg. ¾. And there is a good hauen: & you may enter by an high Cape which lieth along toward the Northeast, and within the distance of a pike & an half, because of a rocke which lieth on your larrebord side, & you may ancre in 10 fathome water ouer against a litle nooke: and from the great headland vnto the place where thou doest ancre there is not aboue the length of 2 Cables. And if thou wouldest go out by the West side, thou must saile neere the Isle by the starrebord, & giue roome vnto the Isle on the larbord at the comming forth: and when thou art not past a cables length out thou must saile hard by the Isles on the larbord side, by reason of a suncken flatte which lieth on the starrebord, and thou shalt saile so on to the South∣southwest, vntill thou come in sight of a rocke which shineth, which is about halfe a league in the sea distant from the Isles, and thou shalt leaue it on the larrebord: (and from the Isles of Damoi∣selle vnto Newfoundland the sea is not in bredth aboue 36. leagues, because that Newfoundland euen vnto Cape Briton runneth not but Northnortheast & Southsouthwest.) Between the Isles de la Damoiselle and the Isles of Blanck Sablon there be many Isles and good harbours:* 1.7 and on this coast there are faulcons & haukes, and certaine foules which seeme to be seasants. The Isles de la Damoiselle & Cape Tienot are Northeast & Westsouthwest & take a little of the Northeast and southwest, & they are distant 18. leagues. Cape Tienot is in 50. deg. and ¼.* 1.8 And there the sea is broadest. And it may be to the end of Newfoundland, which is at the entrance of Cape Briton 70 leagues, which is the greatest bredth of this sea. And there are 6 or 7 Isles between the Isles de la Damoiselle & Cape Tienot. Cape Tienot hath in y^e sea 5 or 6 leagues distant frō it a sunkē I••land dangerous for ships. The Cape Tienot and the midst of the Isle of Ascension are Northeast and southsouthwest, & they are 22. leagues distant, the midst of the Isle of Ascension is in 49 deg. & ½.* 1.9 The said Isle lieth Northwest and Southeast•• the Northwest end is in 50. degrees of latitude and the Southeast end is in 48. degrees and a halfe•• and it is about 25. leagues long and 4. or 5.

leagues broad: and from the Northwest end of the Isle vnto the firme land of the North side the Sea is not aboue seuen leagues broad, but vnto the firme land on the South side are about 15. leagues. Cape Tienot and the end of the Isle of Ascention toward the Southeast are Northeast and Southwest, and are distant 30. leagues. The said Cape of Tienot and the Northwest end of the Isle of Ascension are East and West, and take a little of the Northeast and Southwest, and they are distant 34. leagues. The Isle of Ascension is a goodly Isle,* 1.10 and a goodly champion land without any hilles, standing all vpon white rocks and Alablaster, all couered with trees vnto the Sea shore, and there are al sorts of trees as there be in France: and there be wild beasts, as beares, Luserns, Porkespicks.* 1.11 And from the Southeast end of the Isle of Ascension vnto the entrance of Cape Briton is but 50. leagues. The Northwest end of the Isle & the Cape des Monts nostre Dame, which is on the maine land towards the South, are Northeast and Westsouthwest, and the distance betweene them is 15. leagues. The Cape is in 49. degrees, which is a very high land. The Cape and end of the Isle of Ascension toward the Southeast are East and West and there is 15. leagues distance betweene them. The Bay of Molues or Gaspay is in 48. degrees, and the coast lyeth North and South, and taketh a quarter of the Northeast and Southwest vnto the Bay of Heate: and there are 3. Isles, one great one and two smal: from the Bay of Heate vntill you passe the Monts nostre Dame al the land is high and good ground al couered with trees. Og∣nedoc is a good Bay and lyeth Northnorthwest and Southsoutheast, and it is a good Harbour: and you must saile along the shore on the Northside by reason of the low point at the entrance ther∣of: and when you are passed the poynt bring your selfe to an ancre in 15. or 20. fathoms of water toward the South shore, and here within this Hauen are two riuers, one which goeth toward the Northwest, and the other to the Southwest.* 1.12 And on this coast there is great fishing for Coddes and other fish, where there is more store then is in Newfoundland, and better fish. And here is great store of riuer foule, as Malards, wild Geese, and others: And here are all sorts of trees, Rose trees, Raspesses, Filbird trees, Apple trees, Peare trees, and it is hotter here in Sommer then in France. The Isle of Ascension and the 7. Isles which lie on the North shore lie Southeast and Westnorthwest, and are distant 24. leagues. The Cape of Ognedoc and the 7. Isles are North∣northwest and Southsoutheast, & are distant 35. leagues. The Cape of Monts nostre Dame and the 7. Isles are North and South, and the cut ouer from the one to the other is 25. leagues:* 1.13 and this is the breadth of this Sea, and from thence vpward it beginneth to waxe narrower and nar∣rower. The 7. Isles are in 50. degrees and ½. The 7. Isles and the poynt of Ongear lie North∣east and Southwest and the distance betweene them is 15. leagues, and betweene them are cer∣taine small Islands: and the point of Ongear and the mountaines Nostre Dame, which are on the South side of the entrance of the riuer, are North and South: and the cut ouer from the one to the other is ten leagues: and this is here the abredth of the Sea.* 1.14 The poynt of Ongear and the riuer of Caen lie East and West, and they are distant 12. leagues. And all the coast from the Isle of Ascension hither is very good ground, wherein growe all sortes of trees that are in France and some fruits. The poynt of Ongear is in 49. degrees and ¼.* 1.15 And the riuer of Caen and the Isle of Raquelle lye Northeast and Southwest, and they are distant 12. leagues. The Isle of Raquelle is in 48. degrees and ⅔. In this riuer of Caen there is great s••ore of fish. And here the Sea is not past 8.leagues broad. The Isle of Raquelle is a very low Isle, which is neere vnto the South shore, hard by a high Cape which is called the Cape of Marble. There is no danger there at all. And betweene Raquelle and the Cape of Marble ships may passe. And there is not from the Isle to the South shore aboue one league, and from the Isle vnto the North shore about foure leagues. The Isle of Raquelle and the entrance of Saguenay are Northeast Westsouth∣west, and are distant 14. leagues, and there are betweene them two small Islandes neere the North shore. The entrance of Saguenay is in 48. degrees and ⅓,* 1.16 and the entrance hath not past a quarter of a league in breadth, and it is dangerous toward the Southwest: and two or three leagues within the entrance it beginneth to waxe wider and wider: and it seemeth to bee as it were an arme of the Sea: And I thinke that the same runneth into the Sea of Cathay,* 1.17 for it sen∣deth foorth there a great current, and there doth runne in that place a terrible rase or tyde. And here the riuer from the North shore to the South shore is not past foure leagues in breadth,* 1.18 and it is a dangerous passage betweene both the lands, because there lie bankes of rockes in the ri∣uer. The Isle of Raquelle and the Isle of Hares lye Northeast and Southwest, and take ¼ of the East and the West, and they are distant 18. leagues. The entrance of Saguenay and the Isle of Liepueres or Hares lie Northnortheast & Southsouthwest, and are distant 5. leagues. The en∣trance of Saguenay and the Isle of Raquelle are Northnorthwest, and Southsouthwest,* 1.19 and are distant three leagues. The Isle of Hares is in 48, and 1/16 of a degree. From the Mountaines of

Nostre Dame vnto Canada and vnto Hochelaga, all the land on the South coast is faire, a lowe land and goodly champaigne, all couered with trees vnto the brink of the riuer. And the land on the North side is higher, and in some places there are high mountaines. And from the Isle of Hares vnto the Isle of Orleans the riuer is not past 4 or 5 leagues broad.* 1.20 Betweene the Isle of Hares and the high land on the North side the sea is not past a league and an halfe broad, and it is very deepe, for it is aboue 100. fathoms deepe in the middest. To the East of the Isle of Hares there are 2 or 3 small Isles and rockes. And from hence to the Isle Des Coudres or of Filbeards, all is nothing but Isles and rockes on the Southshore: and towards the North the sea is fayre and deepe. The Isle of Hares and the Isle of Filbeards lie northeast, West and Southwest, and they are distant 12 leagues. And you must alwayes run along the high land on the north shore; for on the other shore there is nothing but rocks. And you must passe by the side of the Isle of Filbeards, and the riuer there is not past a quarter of a league broad, and you must sayle in the middest of the chanel: and in the middest runneth the best passage either at an hie or a low water, because the sea runneth there strongly, and there are great dangers of rocks, and you had neede of good ancre and table. The isle of Filbeards is a small isle, about one league long, and halfe a league broad, but they are all banks of sand. The isle of Filberds stands in 47. deg. and ¾.* 1.21 The isle of Filberds and the isle of Orleans lie northeast and southwest, and they are distant 10 leagues, and thou must passe by the high land on the northside about a quarter of a league, because that in the midst of the riuer there is nothing but sholds and rocks. And when thou shalt bee ouer against a round Cape, thou must take ouer to the South shore southwest, and a quarter toward the South; and thou shalt sayle in 5.6 and 7 fathoms: and there the riuer of Canada beginneth to bee fresh, and the salt water en∣deth. And when thou shalt be athwart the point of the isle of Orleans,* 1.22 where the riuer beginneth to be fresh, thou shalt sayle in the midst of the riuer, and thou shalt leaue the isle on the starreboord, which is on the right hand: and here the riuer is not past a quarter of a league broad, and hath 20 and 30 fathoms water. And towards the South shore there is a ledge of Isles all couered with trees, and they end ouer against the point of the Isle of Orleans. And the poynt of the isle of Orle∣ans toward the Northeast is in 47 degrees and one terce of a degree.* 1.23 And the Isle of Orleans is a fayre Isle, all couered with trees euen vnto the riuers side: and it is about 5 leagues long, and a league and an halfe broade. And on the North shore there is another Riuer, which falleth into the mayne Riuer at the ende of the Island: and Shippes may very well passe there. From the middest of the Isle vnto Canada the Riuer runneth West; and from the place of Canada vnto France-Roy the riuer turneth West Southwest: and from the West ende of the Isle to Canada is but one league; and vnto France-Roy 4 leagues.* 1.24And when thou art come to the end of the Isle, thou shalt see a great Riuer which falleth fifteene or twenty fathoms downe from a rocke, and maketh a terrible noyse. The Fort of France-roy stands in 47 degrees, and one sixt part of a degree.

The extension of all these lands, vpon iust occasion is called New France. For it is as good and as temperate as France, and in the same latitude. And the reason wherefore it is colder in the Winter is, because the fresh Riuer is naturally more colde then the Sea;* 1.25 and it is also broad and deepe: and in some places it is halfe a league and aboue in breadth. And also because the land is not tylled, nor full of people, and is all full of Woods, which is the cause of colde, be∣cause there is not store of fire nor cattel. And the sunne hath his Meridian as high as the Meri∣dian at Rochel: and it is noone here when the Sunne is at South Southwest at Rochel. And here the north starre by the compasse standeth Northnortheast.* 1.26 And when at Rochel it is noone, it is but halfe an houre pass nine at France-Roy. From the sayde place vnto the Ocean sea and the coast of New France, is not aboue 50 leagues distance. And from the entrance of Norum∣bega vnto Florida are 300 leagues: and from this place of France-Roy to Hochelaga, are about 80 leagues: and vnto y^e Isle of Rasus 30 leagues. And I doubt not but Norumbega entreth into the riuer of Canada, and vnto the Sea of Saguenay. And from the Fort of France-Roy vntil a man come foorth of the Grande Bay is not aboue 230 leagues.* 1.27 And the course is Northeast and West Southwest not aboue 5 degrees and ⅓ difference: and reckon 16 leagues and an halfe to a degree. By the nature of the climate the lands toward Hochelaga are still better and better, and more fruitfull. And this land is fitte for Figges and Peares.* 1.28 And I thinke that golde and siluer will be found here, according as the people of the countrey say. These landes lye ouer against Tartarie, and I doubt not but that they stretch toward Asia, according to the roundnesse of the world. And therefore it were good to haue a small Shippe of 70 tunnes to discouer the coast of New France on the backe side of Florida:* 1.29 for I haue bene at a Bay as farre as 42 de∣grees betweene Norumbega and Florida, and I haue not searched the ende thereof, and I

knowe not whether it passe through.* 1.30 And in all these Countreys there are okes, and bortz, ashes, elmes, arables, trees of life, pines, prussetrees, ceders, great wallnut trees, and wilde nuts, hasel-trees, wilde peare trees, wilde grapes, and there haue bene found redde plummes,* 1.31 And very faire corne groweth there, and peason grow of their owne accord, gooseberries and strawberries. And there are goodly Forrests, wherein men may hunt. And there are great store of stagges, deere, porkepicks, and the Sauages say there bee Unicornes. Fowle there are in abundance,* 1.32 as bu∣stards, wilde geese, cranes, turtle doues, rauens, crowes, and many other birds. All things which are sowen there, are not past 2. or 3. dayes in comming vp out of the ground. I haue tolde in one eare of corne an hundred and twenty graines, like the corne of France.* 1.33 And ye neede not to sowe your Wheate vntill March, and it will be ripe in the middest of August.* 1.34 The waters are better and perfecter then in France. And if the Countrey were tilled and replenished with people, it would be as hotte as Rochel. And the reason why it snoweth there oftener then in France is, be∣cause it raineth there but seldome: for the raine is conuerted into snowes.

All things aboue mentioned, are true.

Iohn Alphonse made this Voyage with Monsieur Roberual.

There is a pardon to be seene fo•• the pardoning of Monsieur de Sain•• terre, Lieutenant of the sayd Monsieur de Roberual•• giuen in Canada in the presence of the sayde Iohn Alphonse.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Belle Isle.

  Carpont in 52. degrees.
• * 1.2

  The Grand •••••• in 52. and an halfe.
• * 1.3

  A flatte rocke.
• * 1.4

  Butes.
• * 1.5

  The Isle of Blanc Sablon o•• white sand.

  The seuerall bread••hs of the Grand Bay.
• * 1.6

  Blanc Sablon in 51. deg 2. third parts.

  The Isl••s de la Damo••selle in 50 deg. 3. fourth parts.
• * 1.7

  Many Isles & good harbo••••.
• * 1.8

  Cape Tienot in 50 deg. one fourth part.
• * 1.9

  The Isle Ascen∣sion, As••••••p••ion or N••tiscotto
• * 1.10

  The commen∣dation of the Isle of Ascen••iō.
• * 1.11

  From Cape Briton to the Southeast end of the Isle of Ascension is but 50 leagues.

  The Cape of Mon••z nostre Dame.

  The Bay of Molues o•• Gaspay.

  The Bay de Chaleu•• or of Heate

  The Bay of Ognedoc.
• * 1.12

  Greater store and bette•• fish then in Newfoundland.

  Foule••.

  Trees.
• * 1.13

  The month of the riuer of Canada twenty fiue leagues broad.

  The 7 I••les in 50 degrees and a halfe.
• * 1.14

  The riuer is here but 10 leagues broad.
• * 1.15

  The point of Ongear in 49 degrees and a quarter.

  The Isle of Raquelle in 48 de∣grees and two third parts.

  The riuer 8 leagues broad.
• * 1.16

  The entrance o•• Saguenay.
• * 1.17

  The sea of Ca∣thay.
• * 1.18

  The riu••r not past 4 l••agues ouer.
• * 1.19

  The Isle of Hares in 48 and one si••∣••••nth part.
• * 1.20

  Note
• * 1.21

  The isle of Filbeards in 47 degree•• and 3. quarters.
• * 1.22

  The beginning of the fresh water.

  The riuer but a quarter of a league b••oad.
• * 1.23

  The Isle of Orleans in 47. degrees and one third part.
• * 1.24

  Canada •• leagu•• to the West of the Isle of Or∣leans.

  The Fort of France-Roy stood in 47 de∣grees and one six•• part.
• * 1.25

  Why the coū∣trey is colder in the Winter then France.

  A second rea∣son.
• * 1.26

  The variation of y^• compasse.
• * 1.27

  From the fo••t of France Roy vnto y^e mouth of the Grand Bay 230 le••gs.
• * 1.28

  Gold and s••l∣u••r like to be ••ound in Canada.
• * 1.29

  A Bay in 42. degrees giuing some hope of a passage.
• * 1.30

  Trees.
• * 1.31

  ••edde plums.
• * 1.32

  Fowle.
• * 1.33

  Corne.
• * 1.34

  Wheate to be ••owen in March.

  The cause of the oftē snow∣ing in Canada.