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MOst louing Brother, I did write vnto you from Muggador, where I stayed vntill the ninet••enth of Aprill, and on the fourteenth of May I had first sight of Guiana, in the mouth of the Riuer A∣mazones,
The two and twentieth, I arriued (praysed be God) in safetie in the Riuer Caroleigh, hereto∣fore called Wyapoco, and the same day, I tooke possession of the Countrey in sight of the Indians. The Indians which doe inhabit this Riuer are about one thousand fiue hundred men, women, and children, and they are of three Nations, viz. Yaioas, Arwarkas, and Sapayoas, which beeing chased from other Riuers, by the Caribes haue combined themselues together in this place for their better defence, and are now at deadly warres with the Caribes. After that I had stored my selfe with Bread and Roots sufficient vntill the Earth with Gods prouidence might yeeld me supply, I did then send for the chiefe Captaine of the Yayoas aboord, whom with gifts and good vsage, I easily entreated to stay aboord my ship vntill such time as by his meanes I was prouided with all kind of Plants, which their Gardens doe affoord, yet all this while he knew not my purpose. The day before I purposed to make my intent knowne, their came ano∣ther chiefe Captaine of the Yayoas aboord to dine with me, who together with the former after Dinner [ 10] desired to speake with me, whereupon I sent for an Indian who had beene in England, to bee Interpreter, and tooke them into my Cabbin. The two Captaines told a long Storie of the wrongs the Caribes had done them, how they had driuen them from their ancient dwellings in other Riuers, killed many of their friends, carried their women and children away Captiues, and hurt many of their men, and thereupon they called one of their men to shew me how he was lately hurt in three places with their Arrowes, to con∣clude, they told me, how they purposed the next Moone to goe against the Caribes, with twentie Canoas, and earnestly entreated me if I stayed so long to goe with them to their Warres. Vpon this good occasion, I told them that I purposed to stay in the Countrey, seuen or eight moneths, to seeke out and make triall of Mynes. And in the meane time that I purposed to build Houses ashoare at the head of the Riuer, and there to plant Gardens, that my men might haue victuals of their owne labours, which done, I would [ 20] build a shallop, and send twentie men in her with them to fight against the Caribes, withall this they see∣med wonderfull well content, and thereupon they promised Indians to helpe mee to build and to plant, and the chiefe Captaine promised himselfe to goe vp with me. The next day being the third of May, I set sayle from the mouth of Caroleigh, and cast Anchor in a Bay vnder Mount Oliphe, where I purpo∣sed to plant, and make my habitation: but my men discomforted with the sight of the Woodes which they were to fell, grew generally discontented, and omitted no practices to ouerthrow the Voyage, being sub∣orned vnder hand, by my vnfaithfull Seruant, the Master, his lewd consorts he brought with him, being the only publike maintayners of the mutenie. How I haue beene troubled with him and his consorts, (who intending spoyle and purchase in the West Indies) haue from the beginning sought the ouerthrow of this Voyage, this Bearer can certifie you at large. And vndoubtedly hee made full account with his head∣strong [ 30] companions at such a time to haue commanded the ship at his pleasure. To conclude, amongst o∣ther their practices, they so consumed the victuals which should haue mayntained vs vntill the earth had yeelded supply as that in sixe dayes, our Potatoes which should haue lasted vs two monethes, were wholly spent hereupon being farre distant from the Indians, who inhabit at the mouth of the Riuer, fortie miles from the falls, and it being very doubtfull, how wee should bee furnished with victuals from them in our extremitie, I gaue consent that the ship should returne to the mouth of the Riuer, with this condition: that after I had refurnished them with victuals and other things sufficient that then they should plant vp∣on Mount Huntlay, two leagues to the West of Caroleigh: which being neere the Indians, and betweene them and their enemies they would be readie and willing to furnish vs with victuals, vpon any extremitie, to which condition they generally consented, that place being first motioned by some of them. The shippe [ 40] being returned, they had then brought mutinie to such a head, as that to my face, they stood in defiance of the Voyage, and told me plainly they would not stay doe what I would or could, I vrged them with their promise to plant on Mount Huntly, one of them who seemed most forward of all men to yeeld to that motion: answered that he promised in policie, to draw me from Mount Oliphe. But in the end it plea∣sed God, what by faire meanes and what by foule, I brought them all to consent to stay one whole yeere, thorow all extremities, if it were possible to make a full triall both of people and Countrey, and to plant vpon Mount Huntley, according to their promise. This agreed vpon, I went ashoare to the Indians, to prouide victuals, and other necessaires for our Plantation, who being exceeding glad of my returne; of∣fered me to choose the best of their houses and gardens, to dwell amongst them. For they were very vn∣willing that I should goe to any other place, to conclude, iudging their offers by many likelihoods, to be with∣out [ 50] deceit, I resolued to abide with them vpon this condition: that they should send foure principall In∣dians for England as pledges, for our safetie with them whereunto they willingly condescended, and if I would, I might haue twentie. For they make daily suite to me to goe for England. Beeing in conference with an assembly of two or three hundred, purposely met to craue my abode amongst them, and demanding of them vowes and protestations, according to the custome of all people, for the more securitie of our peace and amity: their answere was that they knew not how to make vowes and protestations, and therefore ge∣nerally they desired (sundry of their Captaines speaking it together, with a low and humble voice) that I would bring them men to teach them to pray. Which motion of theirs, proceeding from themselues and in that humble manner, strooke me I assure you into an admiration of ioy, to thinke that it hath pleased Al∣mightie God after so many dangers heretofore, and troubles in the Voyage, to preserue me to be a meanes [ 60] to this simple-hearted people of the knowledge of Christ. Vndoubtedly, it was the wonderfull worke of Gods Spirit in them, where at all Christian hearts ought to reioyce. And I am perswaded, the like in∣stance hath neuer beene before by any people in the World: I beseech Almightie God to giue a blessed and to this hopefull beginning.
The foureteenth of Iune, concluding with the Indians vpon sundry conditions, I purchased of them the same day for a few Hatchets, Houses and Gardens planted with Cassaua, and Potatoes sufficient for all my company: the scituation of our Houses is in the pleasantest and most fruitfull place of all their ha∣bitations. And because it is a small Village of six or seuen houses; and the first place of our setled aboade I haue named it Principium: the Hill on which it standeth being part of the Mountaine on the West side of the entrance of the Riuer, I haue named Mount Howard, to honour the remembrance of my Lord Admirall, of whom heretofore I haue receiued many fauours: on the East side of the entrance of Caro Leigph, lieth the Riuer O••iuoleighe heretofore called Arrikowarye: and on the West side of Mount Howard runneth the Riuer Iotrameleighe, by the Indians called Wanarie. The commodi∣ties which this Countrie doth yeelde, and through industrie will abound in, are these; Sugar Canes, Cot∣ten [ 10] and fine Flaxe; also it would yeelde great store of long Pepper, if there might be vent for it in Eng∣land: here is sundry sorts of Gummes, of Woods, and of Dies, which I hope will proue good commodi∣ties, of all which I haue sent you samples by Master Huntlie, especially one sort of Gumme, which I am perswaded will proue very rich. Also I haue sent vnto you a peece of a Stone taken out of a Manuate or Sea Cowe. I am giuen to vnderstand that a little thereof beaten into powder, and drunke in Wine or Ale, will in few houres cure any man that is troubled with the Stone, they say it dissolueth it instantly. I doubt not but to get a dosen of them before this time twelue moneths: my refiner hath made triall of sun∣drie Minerals, but cannot yet finde any Mettals. At my arriuall here I found a Dutch Shippe, and sithence here hath arriued another, they buye vp all the Flaxe they can get, and pay so deere that I can get none; they haue not gotten so little I thinke as ten tunnes of Flaxe within these two moneths. [ 20]
I doubt not but I shall be able to returne a Shippe laden with Flaxe and other commodities the next yeare; the Flaxe yeeldeth a wonderfull encrease, and will grow any where, but especially in low moorish grounds: the Indians report that the Roote yeeldeth increase euery moneth, and euerie yeelde may be some foure ounces, by this accompt an acre of ground planted with these rootes, and distant three foote a sunder, will yeelde 17280. li. euerie yeare, which amounteth at sixe pence the pound to 432. li. I doubt this will not proue answerable to their reports, but I verily beleeue it will yeelde halfe the encrease they speake of the Dutch men haue reported that it is worth in Holland but six pence the pound, but they confesse that Holland will vent 500. tunne thereof. Some of the Dutch men haue reported that it is worth in Hol∣land sixteene pence the pound, which I rather beleeue, for my Weuers tell me that they will warrant it to dresse exceeding well, and then it must needes be excellent fine grounds for any stuffe; for Cotten here is [ 30] little, not worth the speaking of, yet the Countrie will yeelde abundance, and in sixe weekes the seede will yeelde Cotten, and it beareth continually and plentifully. I pray you sir send me more Weauers, for I know not how to get any thing spunne for them, for the women here are put to that extreame labour, that they haue no time to spinne, for they onely fetch water, cut wood to burne, and bring it home vpon their backes, they gather all their rootes and bring them out of their Gardens, they make all their Bread which is ve∣rie laboursome, they dresse all the victuals, make all the drinke, attend vpon the men while they are at meate, and besides, they dresse vp their houses in their kinde, and nurse their owne children: so as they are alwayes toiled with labour, and haue little or no time to spinne. For Sugar Canes the world doth not yeelde better soyle for their encrease, and whereas in Barbarie it is fifteene or sixteene moneths before they come to perfection, here they grow vp in ten moneths. And in Barbarie they are planted onely in [ 40] two Uallies, where they are watered euery weeke, but here they grow vpon the Mountaines, and neuer watered but with raine onely. A few yeares I doubt not will afford plentie of Sugars, if wee shall haue meanes to make them. My loose commodities, as Hatchets, Beades, Kniues, Looking-glasses, &c. are almost all gone; a great part in buying of victuals, but the most part to stoppe the mouthes of my Muti∣nors and monstrous Sailours; to whom also I haue promised two third parts of my Iron.
Now for the prosecuting of this voyage, in such sort as that we be not preuented by the Spaniard nor any other Nation; I would entreate you with as much speede as possibly you can to send me a supply of one hundred men at least, to abide here, all labouring men and Gardners, for such are the fittest here for a time, with a few Carpenters; and with them three or foure good peeces of Ordnance with shot and powder: also fiftie Caliuers for the men that stay here: if you can send these men in two Shippes, I doubt not but to [ 50] lade one of them backe in three moneths after arriuall, and the other which I wish may be the Oliue plant, I would keepe here and fit her for a Frigot to keepe and command the Riuer. I haue written to my brother Iohn Leighe to deliuer vnto you such monies as he hath receiued of Gifford, who I hope hath ere this time paid his debts. I hope you shall get store of voluntarie men to ease the charge of the Uoyage, and looke what you shall disburse in my behalfe for the accomplishment of the Uoyage, I will, God willing, see you honestly paid with aduantage; or else if it please you to put it in aduenture, it shall be accomplished in any sort to your owne desir••. As I doubt not of your loue and forwardnesse, especially in so good an action so also I make no question, but this Countrie will in few years yeelde you satisfaction beyond your expectation. If my wife haue not alreadie attained her suite of the Kings Maiestie, I hope she will the sooner speede vp∣on this newes, which if she doe, my desire is, that all shall be imployed vpon these proceedings; and to that [ 60] effect I haue written to her. I haue written a Letter to the Kings Maiestie; another to the Lords of the Counsell, and one to m•• Lord Admirall.
The bearer hereof, Captaine Huntlie is the worthiest yong Gentleman that euer went to Sea, vpon any dangerous enterprize, he was neuer dismaid, neither with extreame dangers at Sea, nor with all the Mu∣tinies
aboord, which had beene able to haue discouraged an old experienced Souldier; besides, I found him alwaies a most true, faithfull, and loyall friend, and therefore I pray accompt him for a right honest man, I have made him my Lieftenant generall of these Countries during life, and therefore I pray let him re∣turne chiefe commander in the first supply. I would pray you also to procure to come with him some honest and discreete men whom I might relie vpon as trustie friends, and vse as companions both for aduise and societie, for I am now very vncomfortably matched, hauing no worldly strength to trust vpon but my selfe onely. I haue sent vnto you foure Indians, principall men in their Countrie, which were deliuered vnto me as pledges of our safeties here and they are to returne again the first, but I thinke some of them will be more willing to stay longer. The English man which was left here by Captaine Lea, is dead, I pray you pro∣cure Sir Walter Rawleighes Indian or my Lord Admirals, for I want an Interpreter exceedingly, here [ 10] is but one, and he vnderstandeth but little to any purpose. I pray forget not to send Preachers, sober and discreete men, and such as are well perswaded of the Church gouernment in England, &c. From Prin∣cipium, or Mount Howard this second of Iuly 1604.
Captaine Le••.