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.

CHAP. VIII. [ 20]

Captaine RICHARD WHITBOVRNES Voyages to New-found-land, and obseruations there, and thereof; taken out of his Printed Booke.

IT it well knowne, that my breeding and course of life hath beene such, as that I haue long time set many people on worke, and spent most of my daies in trauell, specially in Merchandizing, and Sea-Voyages. I haue beene often in France, Spain, [ 30] Italy, Portugall, Sauoy, Denmarke, Norway, Spruceland, the Canaries, and Soris I∣lands: and for the New-found-land, it is almost so familiarly knowne to me as my owne Countrey.

In the yeere 1588. I serued vnder the then Lord Admirall, as Captaine in a Ship of my owne set forth at my charge against the Spanish Armado: and after such time as that seruice was en∣ded, taking my leaue of his Honour, I had his fauourable Letters to one Sir Robert Denuis, in the Countie of Deuon, Knight; whereby there might be some course taken, that the charge as well of my owne Ship, as also of two other, and a Pinnace, with the victuals, and men therein imploi∣ed, should not be any way burthensome to me. Wherein there was such order giuen by the then right Honorable Lords of the priuie Counsell, that the same was well satisfied: which seruice is [ 40] to be seene recorded in the Booke at White-Hall.

Now to expresse some of my Voyages to the New-found-land, which make most for the pre∣sent purpose. My first Voyage thither, was about fortie yeeres since, in a worthie Shippe, of the burthen of three hundred ••un, set forth by one Master Cotton of South-hampton: wee were bound to the Grand Bay (which lieth on the Northside of that Land) purposing there to trade then with the Sauage people (for whom we carried sundry commodities) and to kill Whales, and to make Traine Oyle, as the Biscaines doe there yeerely in great abundance. But this our intended Voy∣age was ouerthrowne, by the indiscretion of our Captaine, and faint-hartednesse of some Gen∣tlemen of our Companie: whereupon we set faile from thence, and bare with Trinity Harbour in New-found-land: where we killed great store of Fish, Deere, Beares, Beauers, Seales, Otters, and [ 50] such like, with abundance of Sea-fowle; and so returning for England, wee arriued safe at South∣hampton.

In a Voyage to that Countrie, about six and thirtie yeeres since, I had then the command of a worthy Ship of two hundred and twenty tun, set forth by one Master Crooke of South-hampton: At that time Sir Humfrey Gilbert, a Deuonshire Knight, came thither with two good Ships and a Pinnace, and brought with him a large Patent, from the late most renowned Queene Elizabeth, and in her name tooke possession of that Countrie, in the Harbour of Saint Iohns, whereof I was an eye-witnesse. He failed from thence towards Virginia; and by reason of some vnhappy di∣rection in his course, the greatest Ship he had strucke vpon Shelues, on the Coast of Canadie, and was there lost, with most part of the company in her; And he himselfe being then in a small Pin∣nace [ 60] of twenty tun, in the company of his Vice-Admirall (one Captaine Hayes) returning to∣wards England, in a great storme was ouerwhelmed with the Seas, and so perished.

In another Voyage I made thither, about foure and thirty yeeres past, wherein I had the com∣mand of a good Ship, partly mine one: at that time own Sir Bernard Drake of Deuonshire, Knight,

came thither with a Commission, and hauing diuers good Ships vnder his command, hee there took many Portugall Ships laden with Fish, and brought them into England as Prizes. Omitting to speak of other Voyages, I made thither, during the late Queens raign, I will descend to later times.

In the yeere 1611. being in New-found-land, at which time that famous Arch-Pirate, Peter Easton, came there, and had with him ten saile of good Ships well furnished and very rich, I was kept eleuen weekes vnder his command, and had from him many golden promises, and much wealth offered to be put into my hands, as it is well knowne: I did perswade him much to de∣sist from his euill course; his intreaties then to me, being that I would come for England, to some friends of his, and sollicite them to become humble petitioners to your Maiestie for his pardon: but hauing no warrant to touch such goods, I gaue him thinkes for his offer; onely I requested [ 10] him to release a Ship that he had taken vpon the Coast of Guinnie, belonging to one Captaine Rashly of Foy in Cornewall; a man whom I knew but onely by report: which he accordingly re∣leased. Whereupon I prouided men, victuals, and a fraught for the said Ship, and so sent her home to Dartmouth in Donen, though I neuer had so much as thankes for my kindenesse therein. And so leauing Easton, I came for England, and gaue notice of his intention, letting passe my Voyage I intended for Naples, and lost both my labour and charges: for before my arriuall, there was a par∣don granted, and sent him from Ireland. But Easton houering with those ships and riches vpon the Coast of Barbary, as he promised, with a longing desire, and full expectation to be called home, lost that hope by a too much delaying of time by him who carried the Pardon. Whereupon he failed to the Straights of Gibraltar, and was afterwards entertained by the Duke of Sauoy, vnder whom [ 20] he liued rich.

I was there also in the yeere 1614. when Sir Henry Manwaring was vpon that Coast, with fiue good Ships strongly prouided: he caused me to spend much time in his company, and from him I returned into England, although I was bound from thence to Marsse••••is, to make sale of such goods as I then had, and other imploiments, &c.

In the yeere 1615. I returned againe to New-found-land, carrying with mee a Commission out of the high Court of Admiraltie, vnder the great Seale thereof, authorising me to empannell Iu∣ries, and to make inquirie vpon Oath, of sundry abuses and disorders committed amongst Fisher∣men yeerly vpon that Coast, and of the fittest means to red••esse the same, with some other points, hauing a more particular relation to the Office of the Lord Admirall. [ 30]

What was then there done, by vertue of that Commission, which was wholly executed at my owne charge, hath bin at large by me already certified into the high Court of Adm••••altie. Neuer∣thelesse, seeing the same hath beene ouer slipt euer since, & not produced those good effects which were expected, I will, in some conuenient place of this Discourse; set downe a briefe collection of some part of my endeuours spent in that seruice; not doubting but it will be as auaileable for the furtherance of our intended designe, as any other reason I shall deliuer.

In the yeere 1616. I had a Ship at New-found-land of a hundred tun, which returning laden from thence, being bound for Lisbone, was met with by a French Pirace of Rochell, one Daniel Ti∣bolo, who rifled her, to the ouerthrow and losse of my Voyage, in more then the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 860. pounds, and cruelly handled the Mastes and the Company that were in her; and although I made [ 40] good proofe thereof at Lisbone, and represented the same also to this Kingdome, as appertained, after my returne from thence; yet for all this losse, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 could neuer haue any recompence.

Shortly after my returne from Lisboue, I was sent for by a Gentleman, who about a yeere be∣fore, by a grant from the Patentees, had vndertaken to settle people in New-found-land; he ac∣quainted me with his designes, & after some conference touching the same, we so concluded, that he gaue me a conueiance vnder his hand and seale for the terme of my life, with full power to go∣uerne within his circuit vpon that Coast; whereupon (being desirous to aduance that worke) in Anno 1618. I sailed thither in a Ship of my owne, which was victualled by that Gentleman, my selfe, and some others. We likewise then did set forth another Ship, for a fishing Voyage, which also carried some victuals for those people which had beene formerly sent to inhabit there: but this Ship was intercepted by an English erring Captain (that went forth with Sir Walter Raleigh) [ 50] who tooke the Master of her, the Boatswaine, & two other of the best men, with much of her vi∣ctuals (the rest of the Company for feare running into the woods) and so left the Ship as a Prize, whereby our intended Fishing Voyages of both our Ships were ouerthrown, and the Plantation hindered.

Now seeing it pleased your Maiestie many yeers since, to take good notice of the said New∣found-land, and granted a Patent for a Plantation there, wherein many Honorable and worthy mens endeuours, and great charge therein, haue deserued good commendations (as is well known) the which I desire to further with all my best endeuours: and not to disgrace or disable the foun∣dation and Proiects of others, knowing they haue beene greatly hindered by P••••ats, and some er∣ring [ 60] Subiects that haue arriued vpon that Coast; it being indifferent to me, whether there be a new foundation laid, or whether it be builded vpon that which hath already beene begun; so that the Plantation go forward. Yet I may truly say, that hither to little hath beene performed to any purpose, by such as therein were imploied, worthy the name of a Plantation, or answerable to the

expectationa and desert of the Vndertakers; neither haue such good effects followed, as may be expected from a thorow performance hereafter. And seeing that no man hath yet published any fit motiues or inducements, whereby to perswade men to aduenture, or plant there; I haue presu∣med plainly to lay downe these following reasons, &c.

A Relation of the New-found-land.

NEw-found-land is an Iland, bordering vpon the continent of America, from which it is diui∣ded by the Sea: so far distant, as England is from the neerest part of France, & lieth between * 1.1 46. and 53. deg. North-latitude: It is neere as spacious as Ireland, and lieth neere the course that Ships vsually hold in their return from the Wost Indies, and neere halfe the way between Ireland [ 10] and Virginia I shall not much neede to co••••end the wholsome temperature of that Countrie, see∣ing the greatest part thereof lieth aboue 3. degrees neerer to the South, then any part of England doth. And it hath bin well approued by some of our Nation, who haue liued there these many * 1.2 yeeres, that euen in the winter it is as pleasant and healthfull as England is. And although the ex∣ample of one Summer be no certain rule for other yeeres; yet thus much also can I truely affirme, that in the yeare 1615. of the many thousands of English, French, Portugals, and others, that were then vpon that Coast (amongst whom I sailed to and ••••o more then one hundred leagues) I neither saw nor heard in all that crauell, of any man or boy of either of these Nations, that died there du∣ring the whole Voyage; neither was so much as any one of them sicke.

The naturall Inhabitants of the Countrie, as they are but few in number, so are they something * 1.3 [ 20] rude and sauage people; hauing neither knowledge of God, nor liuing vnder any kinde of ciuil go∣uernment. In their habits, customs & manners, they resemble the Indians of the Continent, from whence (I suppose) they come; they liue altogether in the North and West part of the Country, which is seldome frequented by the English; But the French and Biscaines (who resort thither yeerely for the Whale-fishing, and also for the Cod-fish) report them to be an ingenious and tra∣ctable people (being well vsed) they are ready to assist them with great labour and patience, in the killing, cutting, and boyling of Whales; and making the Traine Oyle, without expectation of other reward, then a little Bread, or some such small hire.

All along the coast of this Countrie, there are many spacious and excellent Bayes, some of them stretching into the land, one towards another, more then twentie leagues. On the East side of * 1.4 [ 30] the Land, are the Bayes of Trinitie and Conception, which stretcheth themselues towards the South-weste To•• Bay, and Cap〈…〉〈…〉 Bay, lying also on the East, stretch toward the West: the Bayes of Trepassoy, S. Mary, B••rrell, and Plais••••ce, on the South part of the Land, extend their armes to∣ward the North: The great Bay of S. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lying on the South-west side of the Land, and East, So〈…〉〈…〉rly from the great Riuer of C〈…〉〈…〉 being about twentie leagues distant, the same stretch∣eth toward the East. And here I pray you note, that the bottoms of these Bayes doe meete to∣gether within the compasse of a small 〈◊〉〈◊〉: by meanes whereof our men passing ouer land from Bay to Bay may with much facilitied discouer the whole Countrie.

From the Bay of S. Peter round about the West side of the Land, till you come to the grand Bay which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on the North side of the Countrie; and so from thence, till you come round, back [ 40] to T〈…〉〈…〉 Bay, are abundance of large and excellent Bayes; which are the lesse knowne, because not frequented by the English, who seldome 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the Northward of Tri••••tie Bay.

And it is to be obserued, that round about the Coast and in the Bayes, there are many small I∣lands (none of them further off the〈…〉〈…〉 league from the land) both faire and fruitfull•• neither doth * 1.5 any one part of the world afford greacee store of good Harbours, more free from dangers, or more commodious, then are there built by the admirable workmanship of God; I will onely instance two or three of the chiefest, for some speciall reasons.

Trinitie Harbour ••yes fortie nine degrees North-latitude, being very commodiously sea∣sted to receiue shipping in reasonable weather, both to anchor in and from thence to saile to∣wards * 1.6 either the East, West, or South: It hath three Armes or Riuers, long and large enough [ 50] for many hundred fayle of Ships, to moare fast at Anchor neere asmile from the Harbours mouest; close adioyning to the Riuers side, and within the Harbour is much open land, well stored with Grasse suffcient, Winter and Summer, to maintaine great store of ordinary Cat∣tell, besides Hogges and Geats, if such beasts were carried thither and it standeth North, most of any Harbour in the Land, where our Nation practiseth Fishing; It is neere vnto a great Bay lying on the North side of it, called the Bay of Flowers, to which place no Ships repaire to fish; partly in regard of sundry Rockes and Ledges lying euen with the water, and full of dan∣ger: but ••niefly (as I coniecture) because the Sauage people of that Countrey doe there in∣habite: many of then secretly euery yeere, come into Trinitie Bay and Harbour, in the night * 1.7 time, purposely to steale Sailes, Lines, Hatchets, Hookes, Kniues, and such like. And [ 60] this Bay is not three English miles ouer Land from Trinitie Bay in many places; which peo∣ple if they might bee reduced to the knowledge of the true Trinitie indeed, no doubt but it would bee a most swe•••• and acceptable sacrifice to God, an euerlasting honour to your Maie∣sty, and the heauenliest blessing to those poore Creatures, who are buried in their own superstious

ignorance. The taske thereof would proue easie, if it were but well begun, and constantly seconded by industrious spirits: and no doubt but God himselfe would set his hand to reare vp and aduance so noble, so pious, and so Christian a building.

The bottome of the Bay of Trinity lieth within foure leagues through the land South-west, * 1.8 Southerly from Trinity, as by experience is found, and it comes neere vnto the Bay of Trepassey, and the bottome of some other Bayes, as I haue alreadie touched before.

Trepassey in like manner is as commodious a Harbour, lying in a more temperate climate, al∣most in 46. degrees, the like latitude, and is both faire and pleasant, and a wholesome Coast, free * 1.9 from Rockes and Shelues: so that of all other Harbours, it lies the South-most of any Harbour in the Land, and most conueniently to receiue our Shipping to and from Uirginia, and the Bermuda Ilands; and also any other Shipping that shall passe to and from the Riuer of Cana∣dy [ 10] and the Coast thereof; because they vsually passe and returne in the sight of the Land of Tre∣passe, and also for some other purposes, as shall be partly declared in the following discourse.

The soile of this Countrie in the Vallies and sides of the Mountaines, is so fruitfull, as * 1.10 that in diuers places, there the Summer naturally produceth out of the fruitfull wombe of the earth, without the labour of mans hand, great plentie of greene Pease and Fitches, faire, round, full and wholesome as our Fitches are in England: of which I haue there fed on ma∣ny times: the hawmes of them are good fodder for Cattell and other Beasts in the winter, with the helpe of Hay; of which there may be made great store with little labour in diuers places of the Countrie.

Then haue you there faire Strawberries red and white, and as faire Raspasse berrie, and Goose∣berries, * 1.11 [ 20] as there be in England; as also multitudes of Bilberries, which are called by some Whortes, and many other delicate Berries (which I cannot name) in great abundance. There are also many other fruites, as small Peares, sowre Cherries, Filberds, &c. And of these Berries and Fruits the store is there so great, that the Marriners of my Ship and Barkes Companie, haue often gathered at once, more then halfe an Hogshead would hold; of which diuers times ea∣ting their fill, I neuer heard of any man, whose health was thereby any way impaired.

There are also Herbes for Sallets and Broth; as Parslie, Alexander, Sorrell, &c. And also Flow∣ers, * 1.12 as the red and white Damaske Rose, with other kindes, which are most beautifull and de∣lightfull, both to the sight and smell. And questionlesse the Countrie is stored with many Physi∣call herbs and roots, albeit their vertues are not knowne, because not sought after; yet within [ 30] these few yeeres, many of our Nation finding themselues ill, haue bruised some of the herbs and streined some of the iuice into Beere, Wine or Aquauite; and so by Gods assistance, after a few drinkings, it hath restored them to their former health. The like vertue it hath to cure a wound or any swelling, either by washing the grieued places with some of the herbes boiled, or by ap∣plying them so thereunto (plaister-wise) which I haue seene by often experience. This being the naturall fruitfulnesse of the earth, producing such varietie of things, fit for foode, without the la∣bour of man: I might in reason hence inferre, that if the same were manured, and husbanded in some places, as our grounds are, it would be apt to beare Corne, and no lesse fertill then the Eng∣lish soile.

But I neede not confine my selfe to probabilities; seeing our men that haue wintred there di∣uers * 1.13 [ 40] yeeres, did for a triall and experiment thereof sowe some small quantitie of Corne, which I saw growing verie faire; and they found the increase to be great, and the graine very good; and it is well knowne to me, and diuers that trade there yeerely, how that Cabbage, Carrets, Tur∣neps, Lettice, and such like, proue well there.

In diuers parts of the Countrie there is great store of Deere, & some Hares, manie Foxes, Squir∣rels, * 1.14 Beuers, Wolues, and Beares, with other sorts of Beasts, seruing as well for necessitie, as for profit and delight. Neither let me seeme ridiculous, to annex a matter of noueltie, rather then * 1.15 weight, to this discourse. In the yeere 1615. it was well knowne to eight and fortie persons of my Companie, and diuers other men, that three seuerall times, the Wolues & Beasts of the Coun∣trie came downe neere them to the Sea-side, where they were labouring about their Fish, how∣ling [ 50] and making a noise: so that at each time my Mastiffe Dogge went vnto them (as the like in that Countrie hath not been seene) the one began to fawne and play with the other, and so went * 1.16 together into the Woods, and continued with them, euerie of these times, nine or ten daies, and did returne vnto vs without any hurt.

The Land Fowle (besides great number of small Birds flying vp and downe, some without name, that liue by scraping their food from the earth in the hardest winter that is) there are also Hawkes great and small, Partridges, Thrush, and Thrussels abundance, very fat. As also Filladies, Nightingales, and such like, that sing most pleasantly. There are also Birds that liue by prey, as Rauens, Gripes, Crowes, &c. For Water-fowle, there is certainly so good, and as much varietie, [ 60] as in any part of the world; as Geese, D••cks, Pidgeons, Gulls, Penguins, and many other sorts. * 1.17 These Penguins are as bigge as Geese, and flie not, for they haue but a little short wing, and they multiply so infinitely, vpon a certaine flat Iland, that men driue them from thence vpon a boord into their Boates by hundreds at a time; as if God had made the innocencie of so poore a crea∣ture

to become such an admirable instrument for the sustentation of man. There are also God∣wits, Curlewes, and a certaine kinde of Fowle are called Oxen and Kine, with such like; which Fowle doe not onely steed those that trade thither greatly for foode, but also they are a great fur∣thering to diuers Ships voyages, because the abundance of them is such, that the Fishermen doe ba••t their hookes with the quarters of Sea-Fowle on them: and therewith some Ships doe yeerely take a great part of their Fishing Voyages, with some baite, before they can get others.

The fresh waters and Springs of that Countrie, are many in number, and withall very plea∣sant, delightfull and wholesome, that no Countrie in the world hath better. And Fewell for fire * 1.18 is so plen••••full, that there is neuer like to be want of that commoditie. [ 10]

In like manner there is great abundance of Trees fit to be imploied in other seruiceable vses: There are Furre and Spruce trees, sound, good, and fit to mast Ships withall; and as commodious * 1.19 for boords and buildings as the Spruce and Firre trees of Norway, and out of these came abundance of Turpentine. No Countrie can shew Pine and Birch trees, of such height and greatnesse as those are there: and doubtlesse, if some store of your Maiesties subiects doe once settle there to liue, and would be industrious to search further, and more throughly into the Countrie, then as yet it hath beene, there might be found many other commodities of good worth. Amongst the * 1.20 which I may not omit, that there is much probabilitie of finding Mines, and making of Iron and Pitch.

The Riuers also and Harbors are generally stored with delicate Fish, as Salmons, Pearles, Eeles, [ 20] Herring, Mackerell, Flounders, Launce, Capelin, God, and Troutes the fairest, fattest and swee∣test, * 1.21 that I haue seene in any part of the world. The like for Lobsters, Crabfish, Musktes, Hens, and other varietie of Shel-fish great store. And also obserue here, that in these places there is v∣sually store of the spawne and frie of seuerall sorts of fishes: whereby the Sea-fowle liue so fat as they are there in the winter: And likewise the Beuers, Otters, and such like, that seeke their foode in the Ponds, and fresh Riuers. The Seas likewise all along the Coast, doe plentiful∣ly abound in other sorts of fish as W••ales, Spanish Mackerell, Dorrell, Pales, Herring, Hogs, Por∣poses, Seales, and such like royall fish, &c.

But the chiefe commodity of New-found-land yet knowne, and which is growne to be a set∣led trade, and that may be much bettered by an orderly Plantation there (if the Traders thither * 1.22 [ 30] will take some better course, then formerly they haue done, as shall be declared) if the Cod∣fishing vpon that Coast, by which our Nation and many other Countries are enricht. And if I should here set downe a valuation of that Fish, which the French, Biscaines, and Portugals setch yeerely from this Coast of New-found-land, and the Banke, which lieth within fiue and twen∣tie * 1.23 leagues from the South-Cape of that Countrie, where the French vse to fish Winter and Sum∣mer, vsually making two Voyages euery yeere thither: (To which places, and to the Coast of Canady, which lieth neere vnto it, are yeerely sent from those Countries, more then foure hun∣dred saile of Ships:) It would seeme incredible, yea some men are of opinion, that the people of France, Spaine and Italy, could not so well liue, if the benefit of the fishing vpon this Coast, and your Maiesties other Dominions, were taken from them. [ 40]

But I trust it will be sufficient, that I giue an estimate of our owne trading thither, and partly of the wealth and commodities we reape thereby, without any curious search into other mens profits. In the yeere 1615. when I was at New-found-land with the Commission before mentio∣ned, * 1.24 which was an occasion of my taking the more particular obseruations of that Country, there were then on that Coast, of your Maiesties subiects two hundred and fiftie saile of Ships great and small. The burthens and Tunnage of them all, one with another, so neere as I could take no∣tice, allowing euery Ship to be at least threescore tun (for as some of them contained lesse, so ma∣ny of them held more) amounting to more then 15000. tunnes. Now for euery threescore tun burthen, according to the vsuall manning of Ships in those Voyages, agreeing with the note I then tooke, there are to be set downe twentie men and boyes: by which computation in these [ 50] two hundred and fiftie saile, there were no lesse then fiue thousand persons. Now euery one of these Ships, so neere as I could guesse, had about 120000. fish, and fiue tunne of traine Oyle one with another. So that the totall of the Fish in these two hundred and fiftie saile, when it was brought into England, France or Spaine (being sold after the rate of foure pound, for euery thou∣sand * 1.25 of fish, sixscore fishes to the hundred, which is not a pennie a fish, and if it yeelde lesse, it was ill sold) amounted in monie to 120000. pound.

Now, as I haue said before, allowing to euery Ship of sixtie tun, at least fiue tun of traine Oyle, the totall of that ariseth to 1250. tun; each tun, whether it be sold in England, or elsewhere, be∣ing vnder-valued at twelue pound. So as the whole value thereof in monie, amounteth to the sum of 15000. pound, which added to the fish, it will appeare that the totall value of the fish, and [ 60] Traine Oyle of those 250. saile of Ships that yeere, might yeelde to your Maiesties subiects better then the Summe of 135000. pound, omitting to reckon the ouer-prices which were made and gotten by the sale thereof in forrain Countries, being much more then what is vsually made at home, and so the like in other yeeres. And this certainly, in my vnderstanding, is a point wor∣thy

of consideration, that so great wealth should yearely be raised, by one sole commodity of that Countrie, yea by one onely sort of fish, and not vpon any other trade thither, which must needes yeelde, with the imploiments thereof, great riches to your Maiesties Subiects: And this also to be gathered and brought home by the sole labour and industry of men, without exchange or exportation of our Coine, and natiue commodities, or other aduenture (then of necessarie pro∣uisions for the fishing) as Salt, Nets, Leads, Hookes, Lines, and the like; and of victuals, as Bread, Beefe, and Porke, in competent measure, according to the number and proportion of men imploy∣ed in those. Voyages. The conuerting of these commodities (gotten by fishing) into mony, cannot choose but be a great benefit to all your Maiesties Kingdomes in many respects.

What the charge in setting forth of these two hundred and fiftie saile might amount vnto (be∣ing * 1.26 onely for victuals, which our Country yeeldeth) I hold it not fit here to set down, lest I should [ 10] be accused by some therein. And withall it is to be considered, that the trade thither (as now it is) doth yearely set on worke, and relieue many numbers of people, as Bakers, Brewers, Coopers, Ship-Carpenters, Smiths, Net-makers, Rope-makers, Line-makers, Hooke-makers ••••lly ma∣kers, and many other trades, which with their families haue their best meanes of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, from these New-found-land Voyages. Adde vnto them the families or seruants of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Owne•••• and Masters of such Ships as goe thither, and Mariners with their families, hereby 〈…〉〈…〉ied and maintained, * 1.27 &c.

THe Natiues of the Countrey haue great store of red Oaker, which they vse to colour their Bodies, Bowes and Arrowes, and Cannowes withall, which Cannowes are built in shape, [ 20] like the Wherries on the Riuer of Thames; but that they are much longer, made with the rinds of Birch trees, which they sew very artificially and close together, and ouerlay euery seame with Turpentine; and in like manner they sew the rindes of Spruce trees, round and deepe, in propor∣tion like a Brasse Kettle, to boyle their meate in, which hath beene well proued by three Mari∣ners of a Ship, riding at Anchor by me, who being robbed in the night by the Sauages, of their ap∣parell and diuers prouisions, did the next day seeke after them, and came suddenly where they had set vp three Tents, and were feasting, hauing three Canoas by them, and had three Pots made of such rindes of trees, standing each of them on three stones boyling with twelue Fowles in each of them; euery Fowle as bigge as a Widgeon, and some so bigge as a Ducke: they had also ma∣ny * 1.28 [ 30] such pots so sewed, and fashioned like the leather Buckets that are vsed for quenching of fire, and those were full of the yolks of Egges, that they bad taken and boiled hard, and so dried small, which the Sauages vsed in their broth, as Sugar is vsed in some meates: they had great store of the Skins of Deere, Beuers, Beares, Seales, Otters, and diuers other fine skins which were well dressed; as also great store of seuerall sorts of flesh dried; and by shooting off a Musket towards them, they all ran away naked without any apparell, but onely their hats on their heads, which were made of Seales skins, in fashion like our hats, sewed handsomely with narrow bands about them, set round with fine white shels, such as are carried from Portugall to Braseile; where they passed to the Indians as ready monie. All their three Canoas, their Flesh, Skins, Yolks of Egges, Targets, Bowes and Arrows, and much fine Okar, and diuers other things, they tooke & brought [ 40] away, and shared it amongst those three that tooke it, and brought to me the best Canoa, Bowes and Arrowes, and diuers of their Skins, and many other things worth the noting: which may seeme to inuite vs to finde out some other trades with them.

Now also I will not omit to relate something of a strange Creature that I first saw there in the yeere 1610. in a morning early as I was standing by the water side, in the Harbour of Saint Iohns; which I espied verie swiftly to come swimming towards me, looking cheerefully, as it had beene a woman, by the Face, Eyes, Nose, Mouth, Chin eares, Necke and Forehead: It seemed to be so beautifull, and in those parts so well proportioned, hauing round about vpon the head, all blew strakes, resembling haire, downe to the Necke (but certainly it was haire) for I beheld it long, and another of my companie also, yet liuing, that was not then farre from me; and seeing the same comming so swiftly towards mee, I stepped backe, for it was come within the length of a long Pike. Which when this strange Creature saw that I went from it, it presently thereupon [ 50] diued a little vnder water, and did swim to the place where before I landed; whereby I beheld the shoulders and backe downe to the middle, to be as square, white and smooth as the backe of a man, and from the middle to the hinder part, pointing in proportion like a broad hooked Ar∣row; how it was proportioned in the forepart from the necke and shoulders, I know not; but the same came shortly after vnto a Boat, wherein one William Hawkridge, then my seruant, was, that hath bin since a Captaine in a Ship to the East Indies, and is lately there imploied againe by Sir Thomas Smith, in the like Voyage; and the same Creature did put both his hands vpon the side of the Boate, and did striue to come in to him and others then in the said Boate: whereat they were afraid; and one of them strooke it a full blow on the head; whereat it fell off [ 60] from them: and afterwards it came to two other Boates in the Harbour; the men in them, for feare fled to land: This (I suppose) was a Mermaide. Now because diuers haue written much of Mermaides, I haue presumed to relate, what is most certaine of such a strange Creature that

was seene at New-found-land: whether it were a Mermaide or no, I know not; I leaue it for o∣thers to iudge, &c.

R. W.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The situation of the Country
• * 1.2

  The tempera∣ture of the Ayre.
• * 1.3

  The Inhabi∣tanes, with their nature and customes.
• * 1.4

  The conueni∣ency of the Bayes in that Countrie.
• * 1.5

  Commodious Ilands & wor∣thy Harbours.
• * 1.6

  Trinitie Harbor affording di∣uers good commodities.
• * 1.7

  Sauages liuing neer to Trinitie Harbour.
• * 1.8

  The bottoms of diuers Baies meeting neere together.
• * 1.9

  The Harbour of Trepassey ly∣ing commodi∣ously.
• * 1.10

  The fertiltie of the soyle.
• * 1.11

  Seuerall sorts. of Fruits there growing.
• * 1.12

  Herbs & Flow∣ers both plea∣sant and medi∣cinable.
• * 1.13

  Corn growing there, yeelding good increase.
• * 1.14

  Store of Deere & other Beasts
• * 1.15

  A rare example of the gentle nature of the Beasts of that Country.
• * 1.16

  M Guies Ma∣st••••e & Grey∣hound vsed a Wolfe there more dogged∣ly, one pulling out the throat the other the belly.
• * 1.17

  Great store of Land Fowle. Water Fowle, Penguins.
• * 1.18

  Fresh water and Springs.
• * 1.19

  Many sorts of Timber there growing.
• * 1.20

  Good hope of Mines, and making of I∣ron and Pitch.
• * 1.21

  Fish in great abundance.
• * 1.22

  Cod-fishing a great hope of benefit there∣from.
• * 1.23

  The benefit a∣rising to France, Spaine and Italy from fishing vpon those coasts.
• * 1.24

  250. saile of Shipslying vp∣on that coast, Anno 1615.
• * 1.25

  What the valew of the Fish con tained in most Ships did a∣mount vnto.
• * 1.26

  The relief that the trading there will af∣ford to seuerall sorts of people
• * 1.27

  After this the author vseth reasons to per∣swade to a Plantation there; which I haue omitted, as busied in hi∣story. The Book is common to such as desire to reade it. I haue also omit ted his Admi∣ralty commis∣sion and pro∣ceedings.
• * 1.28

  Commoditie•• vsed by the Natiues.