A true reporte, of the late discoueries, and possession, taken in the right of the Crowne of Englande, of the new-found landes: by that valiaunt and worthye gentleman, Sir Humfrey Gilbert Knight Wherein is also breefely sette downe, her highnesse lawfull tytle therevnto, and the great and manifolde commodities, that is likely to grow thereby, to the whole realme in generall, and to the aduenturers in particular. Together with the easines and shortnes of the voyage. Seene and allowed.

The seconde Chapiter, sheweth that it is lawfull and necessarye to trade and traficke with the Sauages. And to plant in their Countries. And deuideth planting into two sortes. (Book 2)

ANd firste for traficke, I say that the Christians may law∣fully trauaile into those Countries and abide there, whom the Saua∣ges may not iustly impugne and forbidde, in respect of the mutu∣all society & fellowship betweene man and man prescribed by the Lawe of Nations.

For from the first beginning of the creation of the world and from the renuing of the same after Noes floode, all men haue agreed, that no violence shoulde be offered to Ambassadours. That the Sea with his Hauens should bee

••••••mon. That such as should fortune to be taken in warre, ••••••ld be seruauntes or slaues. And that Straungers sholde 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bee dryuen away from the place or Countrey where. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they doo come.

If it were so then, I demaunde in what age, and by what Lawe is the same forbidden or denied since? For who doubteth but that it is lawfull for Christians to vse trade and traficke with Infidels or Sauages, carrying thether such commodities as they want, and bringing from thence some parte of theyr plentie.

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

And for as much as the vse of trade and traficke, (bee it neuer so profitable) ought not to bee preferred before the planting of Christian fayth. I will therefore some∣what entreate of planting (wythout which, Christian Rellgion can take no roote, be the Preachers neuer so carefull and diligent) which I meane to deuide in two sortes.* 1.1

The first, when Christians by the good likeing and willing assent of the Sauages, are admitted by them to qui∣et possession.

The seconde, when Christians beeing vniustly re∣pulsed, doo seeke to attaine and maintaine the right for which they doo come.

And thoughe in regarde of the establishment of Christian Religion,* 1.2 eyther of bothe maye bee law∣fullye and iustlye exercised. VVhereof manye ex∣amples may bee founde, as well in the tyme of

Moises and Iosua, and other Rulers before the byr•••• ••f Christ. As of many vertuous Emperours and King 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thence his incarnation: yet doo I wish, that before the ••••••cond be put in practise, a proofe may bee made of the fir••••, sauing that for theyr safety as well against the Sauages, as all other sorraine enemies, they should first well and strong lie fortefie themselues, which beeing doone, then by all fayre speeches, and euery other good meanes of perswasion to seeke to take away all occasions of offence.

As letting them to vnderstand, howe they came not to theyr hurt, but for theyr good, and to no other ende, but to dwell peaceably amongst them, and to trade and traficke with them for theyr owne commoditie, without molesting or greeuing them any way, which must not be doone by wordes onely but also by deedes.

For albeit, to maintainer right and repell iniurie, be a iust cause of warre, yet must there heereof be heedefull care had, that whereas the Sauages be fearefull by nature, and fonde otherwise, the Christians shoulde doo theyr best endeuour to take away such feare as may growe vnto them by rea∣son of theyr straunge apparrell, Armour, and weapon, or such like, by quiet & peaceable conuersation, & letting thē liue in securitie & keeping a measure of blameles defencē, with as little discommoditie to the Sauages as may bee, for this kinde of warre woulde be onely defensiue and not of∣fensiue.

And questionles there is great hope & likely hoode that by this kinde of meanes, we should bring to passe all effectes to our desired purposes: Considering that all creatures, by constitution of nature, are rendred more tractable and easier w••nne for all assayes, by cour••esie and myld∣nes, then by crueltie or roughnes: and therefore beeing

a principle taught vs by naturall reason, it is first to be put in vre.

For albeit as yet the Christians are not so throughlye furnished with the perfectnes of theyr language, either to expresse theyr mindes to them, or againe to conceiue the Sauages intent. Yet for the present opportunitie, such pol∣licie may be vsed by freendly signes, and courteous tokens towardes them, as the Sauages may easily perceiue, (were theyr sences neuer so grosse) an assured freendshippe to be offered them, and that they are encountered with such a na∣tion, as bringes thē benefite, commoditie, peace, tranquillity and safetie. To further this, and to accomplish it in deedes, there must be presented vnto them gratis, some kindes of our peittie marchaundizes and trifles: As looking Glasses, Bells, Beades, Braceletts, Chaines, or Collers of Bewgle, Christall, Amber, Iett, or Glasse &c. For such be the things, though to vs of small value, yet accounted by them of high price and estimation: and soonest will induce theyr Barbarous natures to a likeing and a mutuall society with vs.

Moreouer, it shall be requisite, either by speeche, if it bee possible, either by some other certaine meanes, to signifie vnto them. That once league of freendshippe, with all lo∣uing conuersation, beeing admitted betweene the Christi∣ans and them▪ that then the Christians from thence forth will alwayes bee ready with force of Armes to assiste and defende them in theyr iust quarrelles, from all inuasions, spoyles and oppressions, offered or to bee offered them by any Tyraunts, Aduersaries, or theyr next borderers: and a benefit is so much the more to be esteemed, by how much the person vppon whome it is bestowed standeth in neede thereof.

For it appeareth by the relation of a countreyman of ours,* 1.3 namely Dauid Ingram, (who trauelled in those coun∣tries xj. monethes and more) That the Sauages generally for the most part, are at continuall warres wyth their next adioyning neighbours, and especially the Canniballs, beeing a cruell kinde of people, whose foode is mans flesh, & haue teeth like dogges, and doo pursue them with rauenous myndes to eate theyr 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 Canniballs, So that it is very likelie, that by this means wee shall not onely mightely stirre and unflame theyr rude myndes gladly to embrace the louing companye of the Christians, proffering vnto them bothe commodities suc∣cor, and kindnes, But also by theyr francke consents, shall easily enioy such competent quantity of Lande, as euery way shall be corespondent to the Christians expectation, & contentation, considering the great aboūdance that they haue of Lande, and howe small account they make there∣of. Taking no other fruits thereby then such as the ground of it selfe dooth naturally yeelde. And thus much concer∣ning the first sort of planting, which as I assuredly hope, so I most hartelie pray may take effect and place.

But if after these good and fayre meanes vsed, the Sa∣uages neuertheles will not be heerewithall satisfied,* 1.4 but barbarously wyll goe about to practise violence either in repelling the Christians from theyr Portes and safe Lan∣dinges or in withstanding them afterwardes to enioye the rights for which both painfully & lawfully they haue aduentured themselues thether.

Then in such a case I holde it no breache of equitye for the Christians to defende themselues, to pursue re∣uenge

with force, and to doo whatsoeuer is necessary for the attayning of theyr safety: For it is allowable by all Lawes in such distreses, to resist violence with violence. And for theyr more securitie to increase their strength by building of fortes, for auoyding the extremities of iniuri∣ous dealing.

Wherein if also they shall not be suffered in reasonable quietnes to continue, there is no barre (as I iudge but that in stoute assemblies, the Christians may issue out, and by strong hande pursue theyr enemies, subdue them, take posession of theyr Townes, Citties, or Villages, (and in a∣uoyding murtherous tyranny) to vse the Lawe of Armes, as in like case among all nations at thys day is vsed: and most especially to the ende they may with securitye holde theyr lawfull possession, least happily after the departure of the Christians, such Sauages as haue beene conuerted, shoulde afterwardes through compulsion and enforcmēnt of theyr wicked Rulers, returne to theyr horrible Idola∣try (as did the children of Israell,* 1.5 after the decease of Io∣sua) and continue theyr wicked custome of most vnnatu∣rall sacrificing of humaine creatures.

And in so dooing, doubtles the Christians shall no whitt at all transgresse the bondes of equitie or ciuility, for as much as in former ages, (yea before the incarnatiō of Christ) the like hath beene doon by sundry Kings and Princes, Gouerners of the children of Israell: cheefely in respect to beginne theyr Planting, for the establishment of Gods word: as also since the natiuity of Christ, myghty and pussaunt Emperours and Kinges haue performed the like, I say to plant, possesse, and subdue. For proofe whereof, I wyll alledge you examples of bothe tymes.

We reade in the olde testament, howe that after Noes fludde was ceased, restoration of mankinde began onely of those fewe of Noes children and family as were by God pre elected to be saued in the Arke with him, whose seed in pro¦cesse of time, was multiplyed to infinite numbers of nati∣ons, which in diuers sortes deuided themselues to sundry quarters of the earth. And forasmuch as all their posteritie being mightely encreased followed not the perfect lyfe of Noe theyr predecessor, God chose out of the multitude, a peculiar people to himselfe, to whome afterwardes beeing vnder the gouernement of Moises in Mount Synay, hee made a graunt to inherite the Lande of Canaan, called the Land of Promise, with al the other rich and fertile Coun∣tryes next adioyning thervnto. Neuerthelesse, before they came to possession therof, hauing beene afflicted with ma∣ny greeuous punishments and plagues for theyr sinnes, they fell in dispayre to enioy the same.

But beeing encouraged and comforted by theyr Rulers, (men of God) they proceeded, arming themselues with all patience, to suffer what soeuer it shoulde please God to sende: and at last attaining to the Lande, they were encoū∣tered with great numbers of strong people and myghtye Kinges.

Notwithstanding,* 1.6 Iosua theyr leader, replenished with the spirite of God, beeing assured of the iustnes of his quar¦rell, gathered the cheefe strength of the children of Israell together, to the number of 40000. with whom he safely passed the huge Riuer Iourden, and hauing before sent pri∣uie spyes for the discouery of the famous Cittie Ierico, to vnderstand the certaintie of the Cittizens estate,* 1.7 he foorth with came thether, and enuironed it rounde aboute, 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 commaunded (as God before had appointed) that both the Cittie Iericho should be burned, yea, and all the inhabitaunts, as well olde as young, with all their cattell, should be destroied, onelie ex∣cepted Rahab, her kindred and Familie, because she before had hid secretly the messengers of Iosua, that were sent the∣ther as spies. As for all their golde, siluer, precious stones, or vesselles of brasse, they were reserued and consecrated to the Lords treasurie.

In like manner he burned the cittie Hay,* 1.8 slew the inha∣bitants thereof, and hanged vp their King. But for so much as the Gebionites (fearing the like euent) sent Ambassadors vnto Iosua, to intreate for grace, fauour, and peace: he com∣maunded that all their liues should be saued, and that they should be admitted to the companie of the children of Is∣rael.* 1.9 Yet vnderstanding afterwards they wrought this by a pollicie, he vsed them as drudges to hewe wood & to carie water, and other necessaries for his people. Thus beganne this valiaunt Captaine his conquest, which he pursued and neuer left till he had subdued all the Hethites, Amorites, Cananites, Pheresites, Heuites, and Iebusites, with all their Princes and Kings,* 1.10 being thirtie and one in number, and diuers other straunge Nations besides, whose lands and do∣minions, he wholie deuided among Gods people.

After that Iosua was deceased, Iuda was constituted Lord ouer the Armie, who receiuing like charge from God pur∣sued the proceedings of the holie Captaine Iosua, and vt∣terlie vanquished many Gentiles, Idolaters, and aduersa∣ries to the children of Israel,* 1.11 with all such Rulers or Kings, as withstoode him, and namely, Adonibezek, the most cruell tyraunt: whose thombes and great toes he caused to be cut

off,* 1.12 for so much as he had doon the like before vnto seuēty Kings, whome being his prisoners, he forced to gather vp their victualles vnderneath his Table. In this God shewed his iustice to reuenge tyranny. We reade likewise, that Gedeō a most puissant & noble warrior, so behaued himself in following the woorthy actes of Iosua and Iuda,* 1.13 That in short time he not onely deliuered the children of Israel frō the hands of the multitude of the fierce Madianites, but also subdued them and their Tyrants, whose landes he cau∣sed Gods people to possesse and inherite.

I could recite diuers other places out of the Scripture, which aptly may be applied heervnto were it not I do en∣deuour my selfe by all meanes to be breefe. Now in like manner will I alledge some few of Inductions out of the autenticall writings of the Ecclesiasticall Historiographers, all tending to the like argument. And first to begin with all, we doo reade. That after our sauiour Iesus Christ had suf∣fered his passion. The apostles being inspired with the ho∣ly Ghost,* 1.14 and the knowledge of all straunge languages, did immediatly dispearse themselues to sundrie partes of the world, to the preaching of the Gospell. Yet not in so gene∣rall a manner, but that there remained some farre remote Coūtries vnuisited by them, amōg the which it is reported that India the great, called the vttermost India, as yet had receiued no light of the word. But it came to passe, that one Metrodorus, a verie learned and wise Philosopher in that age, being desirous to search out vnknowne landes, did first discouer the same, finding it wonderful populous and rich, which vppon his returne being published, and for certaine vnderstoode, there was another graue Philosopher of Tyrus called Meropius,* 1.15 being a christian, who did resolue himselfe (folowing the example of Metrodorus) to trauaile thether,

and in a short time assisted but with a fewe, in a small Vessell arriued there, hauing in his company two young youthes,* 1.16 Edesius, and Frumentius, whome (being his schol∣lers) he had throughly instructed, both in lyberall Sciences and christian Religion. Now after that Meropius some∣while staying there, had (as he thought) sufficient vnder∣standing of the Indians whole estate. He determined to de∣part, and to bring notice thereof vnto the Emperor, whom he meant to exhort to the conquest of the same. But by misfortune he was preuēted, for being in the middest of his course on the Sea homeward, a sore tempest arose, and per∣force droue him backe againe, to an vnknowne Port of the saide lande: where he by the most cruell barbarous Indians on the suddaine was slaine with all his company,* 1.17 except the two young schollers aforesaide, whome the barbarous In∣dians, by reason they were of comely stature and beautifull personages, tooke, and foorth with presented them to their King and Queene:* 1.18 which both being verie well lyked of, the King courteously entreated, and ordeined Edesius to be his Butler, and Frumentius his Secretary, and in few yeeres by reason of their learning and ciuill gouernement, 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 young sonne to gouerne, and gaue free scope and lybertie to the two christians, at their best plea∣sure to passe to their natiue soyles, allowing them all neces∣saries for the same. Yet the Queene who highly fauoured them, was verie sorowful they should depart, and therefore most earnestlie intreated them to tarie and assist her in the gouernement of her people, tyll such tyme as her young Soone grewe to type yeeres, which request they ful∣filled,

And Frumentius excelling Edesius farre in all wisedome,* 1.19 ruled both the Queene and her subiects at his discretion, whereby he tooke occasion to put in practise priuilie, that the foundation of christian religion might be planted in the hearts of such as with whome he thought his perswasion might best preuaile, and that soonest would giue eare vnto him, which being brought to passe accordingly, he then with his fellow Edesius,* 1.20 tooke leaue of the Queene to re∣turne to his natiue countrie. And so soone as he was arri∣ued there, he reuealed to the Emperor Constantine, the ef∣fect of all those euents: who both commending his deeds and wholie allowing thereof, by the aduise and good liking of Athanasius then Bishop of Alexandria, did arme and set foorth a conuenient power for the aide of Frumentius, in this his so godlie a purpose.* 1.21 And by this meanes came the Emperor afterwardes by faire promises, and by force of Armes together, vnto the possession of all the Indians countrie. The author of this storie Ruffinus receiued the trueth heereof,* 1.22 from the verie mouth of Edesius companion to Frumentius.

Moreouer, Eusebius in his Historie Ecclesiasticall in precise termes, and in diuers places maketh mencion how Con∣stantine the great, not onelie enlarged his Empire by the subduing of his next neighbours, but also endeuored by all meanes, to subiect all such remote Barbarous and Heathen nations, as then inhabited the fowre quarters of the world. For (as it is written) the Emperor throughlie aided with a puissaunt armie of valiaunt souldiers whom he had before perswaded to christian religion, in proper person himselfe, came euen vnto this our natiue Countrie of England, then called the Island of Brittaines, bending from him full west, which he wholie conquered, made tributarie, and setled

therein christian faith, and left behinde him such Rulars thereof, as to his wisedome seemed best. From thence he turned his force towards the North coast of the world, and there vtterlie subdued the rude and cruell Nation of the Scithians, whereof part by freendly perswasions, part by maine strength, he reduced the whole to christian Faith. Afterwardes he determined with himselfe to search out what straunge people inhabited in the vttermost partes of the South.* 1.23 And with great hazard and labour, making his iorney thether, at last became victor ouer them all, euen to the countrie of the Blemmyans, and the remote Etheopi∣ans, that now are the people of Presbiter Iohn, who yet tyl this daie, continue and beare the name of christians.

In the East likewise, what Nation soeuer at that timè he could haue notice off, he easilie wunne and brought in subiection to the Empire. So that to conclude, there was no region in any part of the world, the inhabitaunts wher∣of being Gentiles, though vnknowne vnto him. But in time he ouercame and vanquished.

This woorthy beginning of Constantine,* 1.24 both his sonnes succeeding his roome, and also diuers other Emperors af∣terward to their vttermost endeuor followed and continu∣ed, which all the Bookes of Eusebius more at large setteth foorth. Theodoritus likewise in his Ecclesiasticall historie maketh mencion how Theodosius the vertuous Emperour, emploied earnestlie all his time, as well in conquering the Gentiles to the knowledge of the holie Gospel, vtterlie sub∣uerting the prophane Temples and abhominable Idolatry. As also in extinguishing of such vsurping tiraunts,* 1.25 as with Paganisme withstoode the planting of christian religion. After whose decease his sonnes, Honorius, and Arcadius, were created Emperors, the one of the East, the other of

the West, who with all stoutly godlines, most carefully i∣mitated the foresteps of their father, eyther in enlarging their territories, or increasing the christian flocke.

Moreouer, it is reported by the saide aucthor, that The o∣dotius Iunior the Emperour, no whit inferiour in vertuous life to any of the aboue named Princes,* 1.26 with great study & zeale pursued, & prosecuted the Gētiles, subdued their Ty∣raunts and Countries, and vtterly destroied all their Idola∣try, conuerting their soules to acknowledge their onelie Messias & Creator, and their countries to the enlargement of the Empire. To be breefe, who so listeth to reade Eu∣sebius, Pamphilus, Socrates Scolasticus, Theodoritus, Hermia, Sozomen, and Euagrius Scolasticus, which all were most sage Ecclesiastical writers, shall finde great store of exāples of the woorthy liues of sundry Emperors, tending all to the confirmation of my former speeches.

And for like examples of latter time (yea, euen in the me∣mory 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 men∣cion made in the last chapiter of this Booke. Heerein haue I vsed more copy of examples, then otherwise I would haue doone, sauing that I haue beene in place where this maner of planting the christian. Fath, hath beene thought of some to be scarce lawfull, yea, such as doo take vppon 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 aucthors last aboue recited Thus haue I (as I trust) prooued that we may iustly trade and traffique with the Sauages, and law∣fullie plant and inhabite theyr Countries.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The princi∣pall causes why thys viage is vn∣dertaken.
• * 1.2

  The first kinde of Planting.
• * 1.3

  This Dauid Ingram was in this last iourney w••th Sir Humfrey and is very desirous to be imploy∣ed ••••ether againe.
• * 1.4

  The second kinde of Planting.
• * 1.5

  Iudges. 6.
• * 1.6

  Iosua. 4.
• * 1.7

  Iosua. 6.
• * 1.8

  Iosua. 8.
• * 1.9

  Iosua. 9.
• * 1.10

  Iudg. 11. 13
• * 1.11

  Iudg. 1.
• * 1.12

  A good not for all Conquerers to be mer∣cifull.
• * 1.13

  Iudg. 6. 7.
• * 1.14

  India the great, was not prea∣ched vn∣to by the Apostles. Metrodorus the Philo∣sopher, the fyrst discouerer of India the great.
• * 1.15

  Meropius.
• * 1.16

  Edesius and Frumētius.
• * 1.17

  Meropius slaine.
• * 1.18

  Edisius and Frumentius preserued by the In∣dians.
• * 1.19

  Frumenti∣us in great fauour with the Queene of the Indi∣ans.
• * 1.20

  An other great work of God be∣gun by a man of meane birth.
• * 1.21

  Ruffinus, the Author of this sto∣rye.
• * 1.22

  Euse. in his ecclesiasti∣call history testifieth howe that Cōstantine the great, did enlarge his domi∣nions by subduing of Infidels and Idolatrous nations. Eusebius lib 1. de vita Constant. Cap. 4. et Cap. 9.
• * 1.23

  Eu. eod lib. Cap. 39.
• * 1.24

  Theodorit in Ecclesiast. Hist. lib, 5, Cap. 20.
• * 1.25

  Theodori∣tus cap. 26 eod. libro.
• * 1.26

  Eod. lib. 20. chap. 36.