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NEwfoundland is an Island in Extent equal to England,* 1.1 from whence it is distant little above 600 Leagues, lying near half way between Ire∣land, and Virginia.
It is scituated betwixt the de∣grees of 46, and 53 of Northern Latitudes, and it is only severed from the Continent of America, by
an Arm of the Sea, like that which separates England from France.
It is Famous for many spacious and excellent Bayes,* 1.2 and Harbours, and within the Land for the vari∣ety of Fresh Springs, whose waters are exceeding delicious.
It is enriched by nature,* 1.3 with plenty of Fish, Land, and Water-Fowl, and sufficiently stockt with Deer, Hares, Otters, Foxes, Squirils, and other Beasts which yield good Furrs: And though not over-run generally with Woods, it doth af∣ford (besides store of Fewel) abun∣dance of stately Trees,* 1.4 fit for Tim∣ber, Masts, Planks, and sundry o∣ther uses.
The Soile in most places is repu∣ted fertile; the Climate whol∣some, though the rigour of the win∣ter season, and the excess of Heats in Summer, doth detract something from its due praise.
The North and West part of this Countrey the Native-Indians Inhabit,* 1.5 though but few in num∣ber, and those a more rude and savage sort of People then those of New-England and other places in the adjacent Contenent, already taken notice of.
The Island,* 1.6 of New-found Land was first discovered by the Eng∣lish, who are the true Propriators thereof, excluding all Forreigne right, and justifying the same to be∣long to the Crown of England on∣ly, whose Interest hath been there continued by several, under the Reigns of divers Kings & Queens.
In the year 1623,* 1.7 Sir George Calvert Knight, then Principal Se∣cretary of State and afterwards Ld. Baltemore, obtained a Patent of part of New-found-land; which was erected into a Province, and called Avalon; where he caused a Planta∣tion to be setled, and a stately House and Fort to be built at Ferryland, and afterwards Transported him∣self
and Family thither, and conti∣nuing the Plantation by his Deputy, till by descent (after his Lordships decease) it came to his son and heir the Right Honorable Caecilius, now Lord Baltemore, who by De∣puties from time to time, was no less careful to preserve his Interest there, which (though during the late troubles in England, it was by Sir David Kirkes means, for some years discontinued, he was soon re∣invested in the same by his Maje∣sties most happy Restauration.
There is no part of New-found-land generally more happy for mul∣tiplicity of excellent Bayes, and Harbours, then this Province, and where vast quantities of Fish are yearly caught by the English, espe∣cially at Ferryland, and the Bay of Bulls. But the whole Coast of the Island, affords infinite plenty of
Codd, and Poor-John, which is the chief Commodity of the Isle, which is grown to a setled Trade, for these many years, to the enrichment of all those that Trade thither.
East of Newfoundland,* 1.8 over a∣gainst Cape-Ray, at the distance of about 70 miles, lyeth a great Bank of Land, of about 300 miles in Length, and not above Seventy∣five in Breadth, where broadest. It lyes under the Sea many Fa∣thoms deep, so the Ships of a con∣siderable Burthen may ride over it: and about this Banck lyes dis∣persed several small Isles, called by St. Sebastion Cabot (the first discoverer) Los Baccaloos, or the Isles of Cod-fish, from the prodi∣gious quantities of Cod-Fish there
found, which were said to obstruct ••he passage of his Vessels.
The French,* 1.9 Dutch, Biscaners, and other Nations that yearely Trade hither amounting to be∣tween 3 or 400 Vessels, are assu∣red to find sufficient Freight of Cod and Poor John, which they find good vent for in the Streights, Spaine, France- and other Coun∣treys to their great profit and en∣couragement.
And were the English diligent to inspect the advantage that might accrue to this Nation, by settling Plantations on the Island, and raising Fortifications, for the security of the place; we might give Law to all forreigners that come to Fish there, and in few
Its Scitu∣ation.
Its Bayes and Ri∣vers.
Its Fish, Fowles, Beasts,
Trees.
Its Inha∣bitants.
The En∣glish the true Pro∣prieto••s of New∣F••und-land
The Ld. Bal∣temore the pro∣prietor of Avalon in New-Found-Land.
A great bank of Land.
A great Trade here dri∣ven.