Purchas his pilgrimes. part 4 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

The Treasurour, Counsell and Company of Virginia, to the Gouernour and Counsell of State in Virginia residing.

AFter our very harty commendations: His Sacred Maiesty, out of his high wisedome and care of the noble Plantation of Virginia, hath beene graciously pleased to direct his Letters to vs here in England, thereby commanding vs to aduance the setting vp of Silkworkes, and planting of Vineyards; as by the Copy herewith sent, you may perceiue. [ 50]

The intimation of his Maiesties pleasure, we conceiue to be a motiue sufficient, to induce you to im∣ploy all your indeuors to the setting forward those two Staple Commodities of Silke and Wine; which brought to their perfection, will infinitely redound to the honour, benefit, and comfort of the Colony, and of this whole Kingdome: yet we, in discharge of our duties, doe againe renew our often and iterated Instructi∣ons, and inuite you cheerefully, to fall vpon these two so rich, and necessary Commodities. And if you shall finde any person, either through negligence or wilfulnesse, to omit the planting of Vines, and Mulberry trees, in orderly and husbandly manner, as by the Booke is prescribed, or the prouiding of conuenient roomes for the breeding of Wormes; we desire they may by seuere censures and punishment, be compel∣led [ 60] thereunto. And on the contrary, that all fauour and possible assistance be giuen to such as yeelde wil∣ling obedience to his Highnesse Commands therein. The breach or performance whereof, as we are bound to giue a strict account, so will it also be required of you the Gouernour and Counsell especially. Herein there can be no Plea, either of difficulty or impossibility; but all the contrary appeares, by the naturall a∣abundance

of those two excellent Plants afore-named euery where in Virginia: neither will such excuses be admitted, nor any other pretences serue, whereby the businesse be at all delayed: and as wee formerly sent at our great charge the French Vignerons to you, to teach you their Art; so for the same purpose we now commend this Booke vnto you, to serue as an Instructour to euery one, and send you store of them to be dispersed ouer the whole Colony, to euery Master of a Family one, Silke-seede you shall receiue also by this Ship, sufficient to store euery man: so that there wants nothing, but industry in the Planter, sud∣denly to bring the making of Silke to its perfection: which either for their owne benefit (we hope) they will willingly indeuour, or by a wholesome and necessary seuerity they must be inforced.

This particular aduice we thought necessary to giue you, lest that if it should haue come to you mingled with others, you would haue interpreted it as a common Instruction, or a businesse that was not taken so [ 10] to heart, as this by vs, and we hope will be by you in humble obedience to his Sacred Maiesties Royall Instructions. The paines and industry of the Authour, for the benefit of the Plantations (being a mem∣ber of our Company) are sufficient arguments of his good affection to the Action, and they both deserue your best acceptance and ours, that others may thereby be inuited to impart their knowledge in businesse of this and the like nature; whereby the Colony may not onely be supported for the present, but brought to that perfection, that may redound to the glory of God, the honour of his Maiestie, and the inestimable benefit of his noble Kingdomes; which as they are the true aime and end the Aduenturers and Planters haue proposed vnto themselues, so ought they to be still the honorable seedes to put others also forward in this action: we commend this businesse againe to your speciall care. And so we commit you all, and your waighty affaires, to the protection of the Almighty. [ 20]

HENRY Southampton.

Notes

• The Booke is printed, con∣taining many good rules both for Silk works, Vines & oth••r husbandry; but too long here to be inserted.