Cosmographie in four bookes : containing the chorographie and historie of the whole vvorld, and all the principall kingdomes, provinces, seas and isles thereof / by Peter Heylyn.

OF VIRGINIA.

VIRGINIA hath on the North Canada, on the South Florida; on the East Mare del Noort; the western boundaries not known, or not well discovered. So called in honour of Queen Elizabeth, that Virgin-Monarch; when discovered (to any purpose) by Sir Walter Raleigh, An. 1584. By the natural Inhabitants cal∣led Apalchen, from a Town of that name; one of the chief in all the Country.

The Inland parts hereof are Mountainous and barren, full of thick woods, a Re∣ceptacle for wilde Beasts, and the wilder Salvages. Towards the Sea more plain and fruitfull, as will appear by the Survey of its several Provinces; Premising first that Virginia in the full Lati∣tude thereof extendeth from the 34th. degree where it joyns with Florida, unto the 44th. where it quartereth on Norumbega.

The first Discovery hereof by the two Cabots, Father and Son, An. 1497. did first entitle the Crown of England to this Country; The Design after seconded by one Mr. Hare, bringing thence certain of the petit Kings or Princes hereof; who did Homage to K. Henry the 8. then sitting in his Royal Throne in the Palace of Westminster: but nothing further done in pursuance of it. And though John Verazzani, a noble Florentine, at the incouragement and charge of King Francis the first, An. 1524. discovered more of the Country then Cabot did; yet the French too much in love with the pleasures of France, or intangled in Civill Wars amongst themselves, looked no further after it: Insomuch that the Country lying thus neglected, was re-discovered by the charges and di∣rection of Sir Walter Raleigh, then Captain of the Guard, and in great power and favour with Queen Elizabeth, An. 1584. who sending Master Philip Amadas, and Master Arthur Barlow upon this employment, did by them take possession of it in Queen Elizabeths name, in honour of whom he caused it to be called Virginia. The next year he sent hither a Colonie under the conduct of the noble Sir Richard Greenvile: who not supplied with necessaries for their subsistence, returned home again. In the year 1587, a second Colonie is sent hither, but as successless as the first: the business being undertaken only on a private Purse, not owned as the interesse of the State, or of publick moment, till the year 1606. In the mean time the North parts of this Country being more perfect∣ly discovered by Captain Bartholomew Gosnold, An. 1602. and the middle parts being taken up by the Hollanders not long after, that is to say, in the year 1609. the whole became divided into these three parts, 1 New-England, 2 Novum Belgium, 3 Virginia stristly and specially so called. To which the Isles of the Bermudas shall come in for a fourth.

NEW ENGLAND hath on the North east Norumbegua, and on the South-west Novum Bel∣gium. So called by the Adventurers by whom first planted, not so much because opposite to Nova Albion, as some men conceive; as in imitation of the like adjuncts of distinction, given by the French and Spaniards to Nova Francia, Nova Hispania, Nova Gallicia, Nova Granada, and the like.

The Country situate in the middle of the Temperate Zone, betwixt the degrees of 41. & 44. equally distant from the Artick Circle, and the Tropick of Cancer; by consequence naturally of the same degree of heat with France or Italy: But by reason of the thick mists which arise from the Seas ad∣joyning, those heats so moderated, that the Aire is found to be exceedingly agreeable to an English body. The soil not only fruitfull of such commodities as grow there naturally but also of all sorts of grain which were brought from England. Great store of Woods and trees both for fruit and building; plenty of Deer within the VVoods, of salt and fish upon the shores; and as for Turkies, Partriges, Swans, Geese, Cranes, Ducks, Pigeons, such a full variety, as serves not only for necessity, but for Pride and Luxury. The Commodities of most note for maintaining of Traf∣fick, rich Furs, and many sorts of Fish, some Amber, Flax, Linnen, Iron, Pitch, Masts, Cables, Timber fit for shipping: in a word whatsoever comes to England by the way of the Sound, might be at bet∣ter rates, and with far less trouble be supplied from hence; at least, if we believe the Relations of it published in the year 1622.

The People for the most part well enough disposed, if not roughly handled, hospitable, and more civil then the rest of their Neighbours. So tractable and docile in matters of Religion, that liking well the Rites and Ceremonies of the English at their first setling there Anno 1608. they would use to say that King James was a good King, and his God a good God, but their Tanto naught. Which Tanto was an evil Spirit which did haunt and trouble them every Moon, and therefore they worshipped him for fear. which notwithstanding, I finde not any great increase of Christianity amongst the Natives: our English Undertakers thinking it sufficient if they aud their houses served the Lord, without caring what became of the souls of the wretched People; which hitherto have sate in dark∣ness and the shadow of death, notwithstanding those New lights whith have shined amongst them.

And as for those New-comers which have planted there, all English, though some immediately out of Holland; I cannot better tell you of what strain they were, then in the words of John de La••••, Novi Orbis lib. 3. cap 8. where he observeth, Primos hosce Colonos, uti & illos qui postea accesserunt, potissimùm aut omnino fuisse ex eorum hominum Secta, quos in Anglia Brownistas & Puritanos vo∣cant, quales non pauci & in Belgium superioribus annis se receperunt, & hinc ad socios sunt profecti. They were (saith he) either for the most part or altogether of that Sect, which in England are called Brownists or Puritans; many of which had formerly betaken themselves to Holland, but afterwards went thence to joyn with their Brethren in New-England.

Principal Rivers of this part, 1 Tamescot, where our men found. Oysters of nine inches long. 2 Nansic, a River of the Tarentines, one of the chief Nations of this tract. 3 Sagahadoc, of most note, and deservedly too: Of a mile and an half broad at the mouth or influx, and so upwards for the space of a dayes journey, where it maketh a large Lake three dayes journey broad, with six Ilands in it; nourished with two large Channels, the one from the North east, the other from the North-west, each of them rising from a Lake, the least of which four dayes journey long, two broad, the other double it. Of lesse note, 4 Apanawapesk, 5 Ramassoc, 6 Ashamahaga, &c.

The Country on the Sea side full of notable Havens, populous, and very well inhabited; insomuch as Captain Smith reckoned in the space of 70 miles above twenty Havens, some of them capable of 500 or 1000 sail; most of them sheltered from the furies of wind and sea, by the interposition of some Ilands, of which about 200 lie upon that Coast. In the space of 70 miles he reckoneth forty Villages of the Barbarous people, the chief of which, 1 Macadacut, 2 Segocket, 3 Pemmaquid, 4 Nusconcus, 5 Kennebecque, &c. all called by the name of some Brook or water upon which they were seated. Since added by the English, 1 S Georges Fort, the first Plantation of the English, built by them at the mouth of the River Sagahadoc, in a Demy-Iland, An. 1607. 2 New Plimouth, seated in a large and capacious Bay; at the first building (An. 1620.) consisting of nineteen families only, but in short time improved to an handsom Town: which as it was the first Town, so it was the first Church which was setled there, modelled according to the form of Mr. Robinsons Church in Holland, that notorious Separatist, and after made a pattern to the rest of these Churches, each absolute and Independent in it self, without subordination unto any Superior. For my part, I behold Episcopacie as the Primitive Government of the Church of Christ: but if there were no other Pretenders to it then Presbyterie and Independencie. I should as soon look for the ••cepter and shrone of Christ (as they please to phrase it) in the Co-ordination of New England, as in the Presbyteries of Geneva, or the Kirk of Scotland. 3 Bristow, upon the Seaside also, but more North then Plimouth. 4 Barstaple, so called with reference to a noted Sea town of that name in Devonshire; as 5 Boston, with like refe∣rence to as noted a Sea port in Lincolnshire. 6 Quillipiack, on the Bay of Massachusets; a Town of an old name, but a new plantation.

This part of Virginia first discovered by Captain Gosnold, An 1602. and the next year more per∣fectly surveyed by some of Bristol, was by King James An. 1606. granted unto a certain Corporation of Knights, Gentlemen, and Merchants, to be planted and disposed of for the publike; Sir John Popham, then Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, being one of the Chief also in that Commission. By his encouragement, and principally at his charge, a Colonie was sent thither An. 1607. under the Presidencie of Captain George Popham, and Ralegh Gilbert, who built the Fortress of S. George at the mouth of Sagahadoc. But the President dying the next year, and not long after him the Chief-Justice also, the Colonie despairing of good success, returned home again. Successlesly again attempted An. 1614. the Vndertakers were resolved to make further trial of their fortune, and in the year 1616 sent our eight ships more: but it never setled into form till the year 1620. when by the building of New Plimouth, and some encouragements sent thence to bring others on, it grew in very short time to so swift a growth, that no Plantation for the time ever went beyond it. The growth of old Rome and New England had the like foundation: both Sanctuaries, Ad quae turba omnis ex finitimis gentibus novarum rerum cupida confluxit, as Livy telleth us of the one; resorted to by such of the neighbour∣ing Nations, as longed for innovations in Church and State.

2. NOVVM BELGIVM or NIEVW NEDERLANDT, hath on the North-east New-England, on the South-west Virginia specially so called. So named from the Netherlanders, who began their plantation in it An. 1614. the Country being then void, and consequently open to the next Pretender, according to that Maxime in the Civil laws, Quae nullius sunt, in bonis dantur occupanti. And yet they had some better title then a bare Intrusion, having bought Hudsons Cards and Maps, and otherwise contented him for the charge and pains of his Discovery, An. 1609. Of which more anon.

This part of the Country extended from the 38. Degree and an half, to the 41. 15. of a good temperature both of Aire and soil: fruitfull of those things which the Earth brought forth of its own accord, abundance of wilde Grapes, and Nuts, Trees of great height and bulk for shipping; plenty of Herbage, store of Plants, the effects of nature: and where the People did their part, such increase of Maize (a Plant of which they make their Bread) as shewed their care and industry to be well bestowed. Since the planting of the Hollanders there, abundantly well furnished (with∣in their command) with Wheat and other sorts of Grain; as also of Flax, Hemp, and such other Commodities as were brought hither out of Europe. The Woods replenished with Deer, and the Plains with Fowl; the Rivers not inferiour to any in Sturgeons, Salmons, and other the best sort•• of Fish which can swim in the water.

The People though divided into many Nations, and of different Languages, are much of the same disposition with the other Savages. Clad in Beasts skins, for the most part without certain dwellings, dwelling toegether many Families of them under one poor roof, made of Poles meet∣ing at the top, and covered with the bark of Trees. Their houshold stuff a Tabacco Pipe, a wooden dish, and an Hatchet made of a broad flint; their weapons, Bow and Arrows, but their Arrows made or headed with the bones of fishes. Their Religion Idolatry, or worse, their chief God the Devil, whom they worship under the name of Menetto; but with less pomp and Ceremony then is used in Africk. Of manners, fearfull and suspicious (not without good cause) wonderfull greedy of revenge; but if well used, tractable and obedient unto their Superiours; fickle, but very faith∣full unto those who trust them: conceived to be inclinable to the Christian Faith, if they had fallen into the hands and command of those who had studied godliness more then gain.

Rivers of note they have not many. That want supplyed by many large and capacious Bays, all along the Coast; the principal of those that be 1 Manhattes, by some called Nassovius, but by the Dutch commonly Noordt Rivier, which falleth into the Sea at May Port, so called by Cornelius May, the Master of a Ship of Holland, at their first Plantation; another channel of it, which from the noise thereof they call Hell-gate, emptying it self against an Iland called the Isle of Nuts. The River about 15, or 16. Fathom deep at the mouth thereof, affordeth a safe Road for shipping, but of difficult entrance. 2 Zuid Rivier, so called because more Southerly then the other; as fair as that, but hitherto not so well discovered.

Towns here are few either of the old or New Plantations. The Natural Inhabitants live together in Tribes, many Families of those Tribes under one Roof, as before was said; but those Families so remote from one another, that their Habitations are not capable of the name of a Town, and hard∣ly of a scattered Village. Nor do I finde that either the Hollanders or the English (who now di∣vide the whole among them) are much given to building; The title of the Dutch being subject unto some disputes; and the Possession of the English not confirmed and setled. Hudson an Englishman, had spent some time in the Discovery of this Country, and given his name to one of the Rivers of it. With him the Hollanders, An. 1609. as before is said, compounded for his Charts, and Maps, and whatsoever he could challenge in the right and success of that his Voyage. But they were hardly warm in their new habitations, when Sir Samuel Argal. Governour of Virginia, specially so called (having dispossessed the French of that part of Canada, now called Nova Scotia, An. 1613.) disputed the possession with them; alledging that Hudson, under whose sale they claimed that Country, being an Englishman, and licensed to discover those Northern parts by the King of England, could not alienate or dismember it (being but a part or Province of Virginia) from the Crown thereof. Here∣upon the Dutch Governour submits himself and his Plantation to his Majesty of England, and the Governour of Virginia for, and under him. But a new Governour being sent from Amsterdam in the year next following, not only failed in paying the conditioned Tributes; but began to for∣tifie himself, and entitle those of Amsterdam to a just propriety. To which end, he gave unto the Country the name of New Netherland, conferred new names on all the Bays and Rivers of it; and possessed himself of a little Iland neer that Branch of the Noordt-River, which themselves call Hell-gate: where he laid the foundation of a Town, called New-Amsterdam; and built a Fortress by the name of Orange-Fort, which he garrisonned, and planted with five pieces of Cannon, com∣plaint whereof being made unto King Charles, and by him represented to the States of Holland: it was declared by the said States in a publick instrument, that they were no ways interessed in it, but that it was a private undertaking of the West-Indian Company of Amsterdam; and so referred it wholly to his Majesties pleasure. Which being declared, a Commission was forthwith granted to Sir George Calvert, Lord Baltimore to plant the Southern parts thereof, which lie next Virginia, by the name of MARY-LAND; the like not long after to Sir Edmund Loyden, for planting and pos∣sessing the more Northern parts which lie towards New-England, by the name of Nova Albion. And though the Hollanders did then seem willing to be gone, and leave all they had there, for the sum of 2500. l. yet taking advantage of the troubles which not long after followed in England, they have not only raised their demands to a greater height; but furnished the Native Indians with Arms, and taught them how to use their Weapons. A most mischievous and wicked Act; not only tending to the damage and discouragement of the present Adventurers, but even unto the extirpation of all Christians out of all these Countries. But the best is, they were the first that smarted by it; the Sal∣vages thus armed and trained, fell fowl upon them, destroying their Farme-Houses, and forcing them to betake themselves to their Forts and Fastnesses. What hath been since done (for the giving of new names to some of the old places, I look on as a thing of nothing) either in getting out the Dutch, or planting Colonies of the English, I can hardly say: but I fear that little will be acted, or to little pur∣pose, till it be made a Work of more publick interesse.

3. VIRGINIA specially so called, hath on the North••east Nieu Netherlandt, on the South west, Flo∣rida, the name restrained to this part only, since the two last Plantations, which before was common to the whole. The Country lieth extended from the 34. to the 38. degree of Northern Latitude; by consequence the Aire inclined unto heats, if not refreshed and moderated by a constant Gale of Eastern winds which they call the Brize; and the blasts driving on it from the open Seas. Diversified most pleasantly into hills and valleys; the Mountains clothed with woods, and the Fields with fruits. The soil so fruitful that an Acre of Land well ordered will return 200 Bushels, or 25 Quarter of Corn. Said also to be rich in veins of Allom, as also in Pitch, Turpentine, store of Cedars, Grapes, Oile, plenty of sweet Gams, several sorts of Plants for the Dyers use, some Mines of Iron and Cop∣per,

of Timber trees almost infinite numbers; as also great abundance of Cattel, Fish, Fowl, Fruit, and of Maiz no scarcity. Some Christall found amongst the Mountains, on the shore some Pearls; nothing deficient either in the soil or Aire for the incouragement and reward of a thriving Nation.

The People are but few in number for so large a Country, and those as different in size, as in speeeh or manner; Some of them, whom they call Sasques-hanoxi, of so vast a greatness, that in compa∣rison of the English they seemed as Giants: clad with the skins of Bears, and Wolves in so strange manner that the head of the Beast hung before their breasts instead of a Jewel; their Arms, Bows, Arrows, and a Club. Some on the other side, whom they call Wigcocomoci; of so low a stature, that in relation to the other, they appear as Pigmies. But generally they are all of tall stature, well limbed, for the most part without Beards, and the one half of the head kept shaven: clothed in loose Mantles made of the skins of Deer, with an Apron of the same to hide their nakedness; the rest of their bodies painted over with the figures of Serpents or of some other Creature of as horrid shape. Strong and accustomed to the cold which they patiently endure, or feel not: wavering and inconstant, crafty, and somewhat more industrious then the rest of the Savages; but given to anger, and as greedy of revenge as any. Gods they have many, for they worship all things (and them on∣ly) which are like to hurt them, as Fire, Water, Lightning, Thunder &c. So that it may be said of them, as once Lactantius said of the ancient Romans (did not the ignorance of these poor Wretches render them excusable, and make them fitter objects for our Prayers and pittie, then our scorns) Dignissimi homines qui Deos suos semper haberent praesentes. One Devil-God above all the rest (they call him Oke) whom they worship, as themselves confess, more for fear then Love. Not yet con∣verted from these horrible and gross Idolatries by the long neighbourhood of the English; accused in that respect most justly by those of Rome.

No Country for the bigness of it can be better watered, or yield fairer Rivers, the principal of which 1 Powhatan (so called by the name of that petit Roitelet, whose Territory it passeth tho∣row) which having run a course of an hundred miles, and Navigable all that way by smaller Vessels, is at his fall into the Sea about three miles broad. 2 Apamatuck, 3 Nansamund, and 4 Chikaha∣mania, all Tributaries to Pawhatan. 5 Pamanuke, fourteen miles more North then Pawhatan, but of lesser note. 6 Toppahanock, Navigable 130 miles. 7 Patawomeke, passable by Boat 140 miles, and six or seven miles broad where it falleth into the Sea; increased by many lesser streams which come out of the Mountains, and generally well stored with Fish. 8 Pawtunxut, of a shorter Race, but a deeper Channel then most of the former (16. or 18. Fathom deep) and of more choise of fish then the others are.

Along the Banks of these Rivers dwell their several Tribes, scarce any one of which making up an hundred men (that of Patawomeke excepted, which is able to arm after their manner 160) many not yielding above 30. and some not so many. Their Habitations not containing above ten or twelve houses a piece, but in those houses sundry particular Families, are for the most part covered with the barks of Trees; so placed, that the Common Market place standeth in the midst, at an equal distance; the houses of their Weroances (or the chiefs of their Tribes) and that which serveth them for a Temple, being somewhat finer then the rest. And of these Habitations some are presented to us by the names of Ooanoke, by the English called the Blinde Town, 2 Pemeoke, 3 Shycoake, said by my Author to be Civitas ampla, a large City, but we must understand him with Relation to the rest of this Country. 4 Chowanoak, 5 Secatan; 6 Mattaken, 7 Weopomioke, 8 Pyshokonnok, said to be in∣habited by none but women, 9 Chipano▪ 10 Muscamunge, both upon the Sea; most of them called by the name of those several Tribes which inhabit in them.

In reference to the English and their Plantations, we are to know that they made choice of the Southside of a large and goodly Bay for the place of their dwelling. A Bay which thrusting it self a great way up into this Country, and receiving into it many of the Rivers before mentioned, is by the Natives called Chesepoack, and yeildeth the only safe entrance into this part of the Country: the Capes thereof for that cause fortified by the English; that on the Southern point being called Cape Henry, and the other Cape Charles, according to the names of the two young Princes. Towns of most note which have been either since built or frequented by them, 1 James Town (Jacobipolis, so na∣med in honour of King Iames; on the South-side of that Bay, not far from the River Chikahama∣nia: first founded in the year 1606, at what time it was trenched about, and some Ordnance planted on the Works. 2 Henries Town (Henricopolis) so named in honour of Prince Henry, the eldest son of King Iames, built in a convenient place more within the Land, 80 miles from Iames Town. 3 Dales-gift, so called, because built and planted at the charge of Sir Thomas Dale, An. 1610. 4 Ber∣muda, an open Burrough five miles from Henricopolis. 5 Ketoughtan, a noted and frequented Port in the Bay of Chesepoack, very much traded by the English. 6 Wicocomoco the chief Town of Pawha∣tan, one of the Roitelets of this Country; much courted by the English at their first setling here, and a long time after: a Crown being sent him by King Iames with many other rich presents, the bet∣ter to sweeten and oblige him; but for all that he proved a treacherous and unfaithfull neigh∣bour.

The sum of the Affairs of this last Plantation, is, that the business being resumed in the year 1606, and a Commission granted to certain Noblemen and Merchants to advance the work, they fell in hand, by the Counsell and incouragement of Capt. Smith, with the building of Iames Town (having first fortified Cape Henry) in which Town he fixed a Colony of 100 men. These being almost consumed by

famine and other miseries, were the next year recruited with 120 more brought by Captain Newport: but a Fire having casually consumed their houses, once again discouraged them. But the houses being reedified, and a Church added to the houses, by the industry of Smith their Governour, the Colonie began to flourish, and to increase in reputation amongst the Savages. especially having made (as they believed) a friend of Pawhatan. In the year 1609. the Lord De la Ware was appoint∣ed Governour, and Smith commanded to return; who left here 490 persons, (and of them 200 expert Souldiers) 3 Ships, 7 Boats, 24 great Guns, 300 Muskets, with victuals and ammunition necessary; and 39 of their Weroances or Petit-Kings Tributaries and Contributioners to the English. Sir Thomas Gates and Sir George Summers, sent thither with 9 ships and 500 men, lost a great part of their numbers in the Isle of Bermudaz: the rest not well according with the old Plantation, were at the point of returning home, when happily the Lord De la Ware arrived with three Ships more, An. 1610. But falling into a desperate sickness, and come home to England, he recommended the estate of the English there to Sir Thomas Dale, who furnished them with Men, Cattel, and other necessaries: after whom came Sir Thomas Gates with 300 men, and some heads of Cattel. And then the Government hereof being conferred on Henry Earl of Southampton, the affairs here began to settle in a prosperous way; when unexpectedly in the year 1621. the Salvages falling on them (fearing no such treacherie) killed 340 of their men; and had also then surprized James Town, if one of the Savages, who had received the Christian faith, had not discovered their intention. Since that, recovered of that blow, it went happily forwards: and might by this time have been raised to some power and greatness, if the English by diverting on some by plantations, and by imploying indigent and necessitous persons in so great a work, had not discouraged the design. For certainly one might say of this Plantation, as the Scripture doth of the Camp of David in the time of Saul, that few or none were sent unto it (except the Principals) but such as were in distress, or debt, or some way or other discontented: men never likely to advance and pursue a business of such publicke interesse. Commendable howsoever in this particular, (though perhaps that commendation do belong to their Governours) that being here, they kept themselves constantly to those Forms of Worship which were established and observed in the Church of England.

As for the Natives of the whole, they were divided (as was said) into several Tribes, every Tribe under the command of their several Chiefs: which Chiefs though many in number, and of little power, knew well enough how to keep their State unto their Subjects, and to shew it also unto Strangers. For when Powhatan was pleased to give audience unto Captain Newport and the rest of the English sent from Smith, they found him on a Bed of Mats, his Pillow of Leather imbroidered with white Beads and Pearl, attired with a Robe of skins like an Irish Mantle: at his head and feet an handsom young woman; on each side of the room twenty others, with their necks and shoulders painted Red▪ and about their necks a great chain of Beads; his principal men sitting before them in like manner. Yet notwithstanding this great State, (and great it was indeed for such pe••it Princes) he and the rest became so subject to the English, that in Smiths time they did not only pay their Tributes or Contributions, but at his command would send their Slaves and Subjects to James-Town, to receive correction for wrongs done to the Colonie. And it is probable enough that those of New-England, being the greater and more powerful Plantation (as followed with the stronger zeal, and carried on by the united purses of a prevalent Faction) were of like influence also amongst the Natives; though I find it not expressed in so many particulars.

4. The Isles of BERMVDAZ, many in number (some say 400 at the least) are situate directly East from Virginia, from which they are distant 500 English miles, 3300 of the same miles from the City of London. So called from John Bermudaz a Spaniard, by whom first discovered Called also the Summer-Ilands, from the shipwrack of Sir George Summers upon that Coast; so much delighted with the sadness of the misadventure, that he endeavoured what he could to settle a Plantation in it.

That of more same and greatness then all the rest, to which the name is now most properly ascri∣bed, is situate in the Latitude of 32. & 30 minutes. Well stored, when first discovered, with plenty of Hogs, divers fruits, Mulberries, Palmitos, Cedars; as also of Silk-worms, Pearls and Amber, and such rich Commodities: of Fowl so infinite an abundance, that our men took a thousand of one sort, as big as a Pigeon, within two or three hours. The Aire hereof very sound and healthy, found by experience (the best Argument in such a point) to be agreeable to the body of an English man; yet terribly exposed to tempests of rain, thunder, and lightning: For which, and for the many shipwracks happening on the Coasts thereof, and want of other Inhabitants to be said to own it; the Manners have pleased to call it the Iland of Devils. The soil affirmed to be as fertile as any, well watered, plentiful in Maize, of which they have two Harvests yearly: that which is sowed in March, being cut in July; and that which is sowed in August, being mowed in December. No ven••mous creature to be found in all the Iland, or will live, brought hither. And besides these Com∣modities, of so safe a being, so fenced about with Rocks and ••lets, that without knowledge of the passages, a Boat of ten Tuns cannot be brought into the Haven; yet with such knowledge, there is entrance for the greatest ships. The English have since added to there strengths of nature, such additional helps, by Block-houses, Forts and Bulwarks in convenient places, as may give it the title of Impregnable.

It was first discovered (but rather accidentally then upon design) by John Bermudaz, a Spaniard, about the year 1522. and thereupon a Proposition made in the Council of Spain, for setling a Plan∣tation in it; as a place not to be avoided by the Spanish Fleets in their return from the Bay of Me∣xico by the Streits of Bahama. Neglected notwithstanding, till the like accidental coming of Sir George Summers, sent to Virginia with some Companies of English by the Lord De la Ware, An. 1609. Who being shipwracked on this Coast, had the opportunity to survey the Iland; which he so liked, that he endeavoured a Plantation in it, at his coming home. An. 1612. the first Colonie was sent over under Richard More, who in three years erected eight or nine Forts in convenient places, which he planted with Ordinance. An. 1616. a new Supply is sent over under Captain Daniel Tucker, who applied themselves to sowing Corn, setting of Trees brought thither from other parts of A∣merica, and planting that gainful Weed Tobacco. An. 1619. the business is taken more to heart, and made a matter of the Publick, many great Lords and men of Honour being interessed in it: Captain Butler sent thither with 500 men, the Isle divided into Tribes or Cantreds, to each Tribe a Burrough; the whole reduced to a setled Government both in Church and State, according to the Law of England. After this, all things so succeeded, that in the year 1623. here were said to be three thousand English, ten Forts, and in those Forts fifty peeces of Ordinance; their numbers since increasing daily, both by Children borne within the Iland, and supplies from England.