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THis Country of Virginia, now so called, hath for its Southern limits, Carolina; for its Ea∣stern, the Atlantick Ocean; for its Northern,* 1.1 Mariland; and for its Western, that vast; Tract of Land which runneth into the South-sea.
This Country was first discovered in the Year 1497.* 1.2 by Sebastian Ca∣bot, a Portuguese, but his Mariners were all English, and therefore may justly be claim∣ed by us. But it was more fully discovered, toge∣ther with all that Tract of Sea-Coast, by Sir Fran∣cis Drake, and was called Virginia by Sir Walter Rawleigh, who visited it soon after in honour of his Virgin Mistris, Queen Elizabeth. In the Year 1603. divers persons, who obtained the Propriety of it from Sir Walter, made a Voyage thither, who discovered Whitson-Bay in forty one Degrees. The People used Snake-skins of six Foot long for Girdles, and were exceedingly ravished with the Musick of a Gittern, a Boy dancing in a Ring about him; they were more afraid of two English Ma∣stives than of twenty Men.
There being much time spent in the discovery of this Country, and not without vale Expences, in the setting forth of Ships, and that not without the loss of several Mens lives before it could be brought to perfection, but at length, in the Year 1607. Sir John Popham, and others, settled a Plan∣tation at the Mouth of the River Saghadoc, but Captain James Davis having chosen a small place, almost an Island, to set down in, where, having heard a Sermon, read their Patent and Laws, and, after he had built a Fort, sailed further up the River and Country, where, finding an Island that had a great fall of Water, and having haled their Boat over with a Rope, they came to ano∣ther fall, which, by reason of its being very shallow and swift, proved unpassable; the Head of the River lying in about forty five Degrees: They ••all their Fort, St. George, Captain George Popham be∣ing President; and the People seemed much affect∣ed
with our mens devotion, and would say, King James is a good King, and his God a good God, but our God Tanto a naughty God, which is the Name of the evil Spirit that haunts them every new Moon, and makes them worship him for fear; he commanded the Indians not to converse, nor come near the English, threatning to kill some of them, if they did, and inflict sickness upon others, if they disobey'd him, beginning with two of their Saga∣mores or King's Children, affirming he had power to do the like against the English, and would the next new Moon execute it on them. In January, in the space of seven hours, they had Thunder, Light∣ning, Rain, Frost and Snow, all in very great abundance: There is likewise found a Bath so hot for two Miles about, they cannot drink of it. One of the Indians, for a Straw-hat and Knife, stript himself of his cloathing, which was Beaver∣skins, worth in England 50 s. or 3 l. to present them to the President, only leaving himself a piece to cover his Nudities.
About this time, by the industry of Capt. Gos∣nold and Capt. Smith, James-Town was built,* 1.3 the Indians supplying their Necessities, which were sometimes very extream; the Winter approach∣ing, the Rivers afforded them very great plenty of Cranes, Swans, Geese, Ducks, wherewith they had Pease and wild Beasts, &c. But in the discovery of Chickahamine-River, George Casson was surprised, and Smith, with two others, beset with two hun∣dred Savages, his Men slain, and himself taken Prisoner; but in about a Months time he pro∣cured not only his liberty, but was in great favour among them, being extraordinary well pleased with his Discourses of God, Nature and Art, so
that he had a most noble Entertainment from Pow∣hatan, one of their Emperours, who sate in state upon his Bed of Mats, Pillow of Leather, im∣broidered with Parl and white Beads, attired with Robes of Skins, as large as an Irish-Mantle; at his Head sate a handsom young Woman, and another at his Feet, and on each side the Room twenty others, their Heads and Shoulders painted red, with a great Chain of white Beads about their Necks, and a Robe of Skins, large like an Irish-Mantle; before these sate his chiefest Men, in their orders: In his Palace or Arbour, one Newport, who accompanied Captain Smith, gave the Emperour a Boy, in requital whereof Powhatan bestowed upon him Namontack his Servant, who was afterwards brought into England; yet after this Powhatan treacherously contrived the Murder of sixteen of of our Men, which was happily prevented by Captain Smith, who seized another of their Kings, and thereby obtained Peace with them upon his own Terms.
This Emperour had about thirty Kings under him, his chief Treasure consisting of Skins, Cop∣per, Pearls, Beads, and the like, all which were kept in store against his Burial, being reserved on purpose against that time; his House being fifty or sixty Yards long, frequented only by Priests; at the four Corners stood four Images, as Centi∣nels, one of a Bear, another a Dragon, the third a Leopard, and the fourth a Giant: He hath as many Women as he pleases, whom, after he is grown weary of, he bestows upon his Favorites. His Will, with the Custom of the Country, are his Laws, punishing his Malefactors by broiling to death, inclosed about with fire, with several other Tortures. About ten Miles from James-Town one
of their Kings made a Feast in the Woods, the people being most monstroully painted, some like black Devils, with Horns, and their Hair loose, of variety of colours; they continued two days dancing in a Circle of a quarter of a Mile about, four in a rank, in two companies, exercising seve∣ral Antick Tricks, the King leading the Dance; all in the midst had black Horns on their Heads, and green Boughs in their Hands; next whom were four or five principal Men, differently paint∣ed, who with Clubs beat those forward that tired in the Dance, which held so long, that they were scarce able either to go or stand; they made a hellish noise, and throwing away their Boughs, ran clapping their Hands up into a Tree, and tearing down a Branch, fell into their order again. After this, fifteen of their proper Boys, between ten and fiften years old, painted white, were brought forth to the people, who spent the Forenoon in sporting and dancing about them with Rattles; then, the Children being fetched away, the Women wept, and passionately cried out, providing Moss, Skins, Mats and dry Wood, making Wreaths for their Heads, and decking their Hair with Leaves; after which, they were all cast on a heap in a Valley as dead, where a great Feast was made for all the company for two hours; they then fell again into a Circle, and danced about the Youths, causing a Fire to be made on an Altar, which our Men thought was designed to sacrifice them to the Devil, but it was a mistake, and the Indians deluded our Men by false stories, one denying, and another af∣firming the same thing, being either ignorant or unwilling to discover the devilish Mysteries of their Religion; but a King being demanded the mean∣ing of this Sacrifice, answered, That the Children
were not all dead, but the Okee, or the Devil, did suck the Blood from their left Breast, till some of them died, but the rest were kept in the Wilderness, till nine Moons were expired, during which they must not converse with any; of these were made Priests and Conjurers.
They think these Sacrifices so necessary, that if o∣mitted, they believe their Okee or Devil, & their other Gods would hinder them from having any Deer, Turkies, Corn or Fish, and would likewise make a great Slaughter among them. They imagine their Priests after Death, go beyond the Moun∣tains toward the Sun-Setting, and remain there continually in the shape of their Okee, having their Heads painted with Oyl, and finely trimmed with Feathers, and being furnised with Beads, Hatchets, Copper and Tobacco, never cease to dance and sing with their Predecessors; yet they suppose the common People shall die like Beasts, and never live after Death: Some of their Priests were so far convinced, that they declared our God exceeded theirs, as much as our Guns did their Bows and Arrows, and sent many Presents to the President, intreating him to pray to his God for Rain, for their God would not send them any. By Break of Day, before they eat or drink, the Men, Women and Children above ten years old, run into the Water, and there wash a good space, till the Sun arise; then they offer Sacrifice to it, strewing Tobacco on the Land and Water, re∣peating the same Ceremony at Sun-Set. George Casson aforementioned, was sacrificed, as they thought, to the Devil, being stript naked, and bound to two stakes, with his Back against a great Fire; after which they ript up his Belly, and burnt his Bowels, drying his Flesh to the Bones, which
they kept above ground in a Room; many other Englishmen were cruelly and treacherously executed by them, though perhaps not sacrificed, and none had escaped if their Ambush had succeeded. Pow∣hatan invited one Captain Ratcliff and thirty others to trade for Corn, and having brought them with∣in his Ambush, murdered them all.
Virginia, after its discovery, cost no small pains before it was brought to perfection, with the loss of many Englishmens Lives. In the Reign of King James the First, a Patent was granted to several Persons as a Corporation, and called the Company of Adventurers of Virginia. But upon several Mis∣demeanors and Miscarriages in 1623. the Patent was made null; since which, it hath been free for all his Majesties Subjects to Trade into these Parts.
This Countrey is blest with a sweet and wholsom Ayr,* 1.4 and the Climate so agreeable to the English, since the clearing it from Woods, that few die of the Countrey-Disease, called Seasoning.
It is every where interlaced with delectable Hills and rich Vallies,* 1.5 and of a Soil so fertile, that an Acre of Ground commonly yieldeth 200 Bushels of Corn, and produceth readily the Grain, Fruits, Plants, Seeds and Roots which are brought from England, besides those that are natural to this Countrey and the rest of America.
Here are excellent Fruits in great abundance,* 1.6 which may be compared to those of Italy or Spain; as, Apri∣cocks, Peaches, Melons, Apples, Pears, Plums, Cher∣ries, Grapes, Figs, Quinces, Marrocks, Punchamins, Chesnuts, Walnuts, Olives, Strawberries, Rasberries,
Gooseberries, and Mulberries in great abundance. Of their Apples they make Sider, of their Pears Perry, and of their Grapes Wine.
They have several sorts of Roots, as, Potatoes, Carrots, Turnips,* 1.7 Arti∣chokes, Onions, Cabbages, Colliflowers, Asparagus, &c. with most sorts of Garden-Herbs known to us, in great plenty.
They have great plenty of Fowl; as, wild Turkeys,* 1.8 which usually weigh six Stone, or forty eight pound; Partridges, Swans, Geese, Ducks, Teal, Wigeons, Dotterels, Heath-cocks, Oxe-eyes, Brants, Pigeons, Cranes, Herons, Eagles, and several sorts of Hawks, and for small Birds, innumerable quantities of sun∣dry sorts; as, Black-birds, Thrushes, Red-birds, and above all, the Mock-bird, which counterfeits the Noise of all Birds.
They have great store of wild Beasts; as, Lions, Bears, Leopards,* 1.9 Tygers, Wolves, and Dogs like Wolves, but bark not; Buffeloes, Elks, whose Flesh is as good as Beef, Rosconnes, Ʋtchunquois, Deer, Hares, Bevers, Otters, Foxes, Martins, Polcats, Wesels, Musk-Rats, Flying Squirrels, &c. And for tame Cattel, Cows, Sheep, Goats, Hogs, and Horses in great plenty.
There is great plenty of excellent Fish, as well in the Sea,* 1.10 and Bay of Chesopeack, as in the Rivers; viz. Cods, Thornback, Sturgeon, Crampusses, Por∣pusses, Drums, Cat-Fish, Basses, Sheeps-heads (which makes Broth like that of Mutton) Coney-fish, Rock-fish, Cray-fish, White Salmons, Soals, Plaice, Mullets, Makarel, Trouts, Perches, Conger-Eels, Herrings, Oysters, Shrimps, Cockles, Muscles, &c.
The Commodities* 1.11 which the Countrey doth or may produce, are, Hemp, Flax, Hops, Rape-seed, An∣nise-seed, Woad, Madder, Pot-Ashes, Honey, Wax, Silk, if they would make it, since Mulberry-leaves grow in so great plenty, several sweet Gums and excellent Balsoms of sovereign Vertues; several sorts of Plants and Woods used by Dyers; Here are Veins of Allum, Iron and Copper, together with sundry sorts of rich Furs, Elk-Skins (which ma∣keth excellent Buff) and other Hides; Pitch, Tar, Rozen, Turpentine, Butter, Cheese, salted Fish and Flesh, which find vent at Barbados and other Cha∣ribby-Islands; but above all, Tobacco, which is their principal Commodity, and the Standard whereby all the rest are prized.
There grows a kind of Flax, called Silk-grass, of which the Indians make Thred and Strings, and is good to make Linnen Cloth and Shifts, and and would make excellent strong Cables.
Here all Tradesmen, especially Handicrafts find good encouragement; and for those Commodities aforesaid, the English (who have the sole Trade) bring them all sorts of Apparel, all manner of U∣tensils belonging to Houshold-stuff, or necessary for their Plantations, or otherwise; also Wine, Bran∣dy, and other strong Drinks; likewise all Silks, Stuff, and Cloth, both Linnen and Woollen, which they convert to several Uses according to their slancies, being now supplied with Taylors.
Here groweth likewise sundry sorts of Trees;* 1.12 as, the red and white Oak, black Walnut, Cedar, Pine, Cy∣press, Chesnut, Poplar, Ash, Elm, &c. many of which are very good for the building of Ships, and other Uses.
This Countrey is well watered with several great and swift Rivers,* 1.13 which lose themselves in the Gulph or Bay Chesopeak, which gives entrance for Ship∣ping into this Countrey, and also to Maryland, next adjoyning, which said Bay is very large, ca∣pacious, and commodious for Shipping, being said to run up into the Countrey Northwards 75 Leagues; in breadth in many places being 5, 6, or 7 Leagues, and sometimes more, and 6 or 7 fathom deep; and its opening to the South, be∣tween Cape Henry, which beginneth Virginia, and Cape Charles on the other side opposite, being about 10 or 12 Leagues wide.
The principal of these Rivers beginning at Cape Henry, are Pawhonan, now called James's Ri∣ver, being found navigable about 50 Leagues. Pamaunke, now York-River, also large and naviga∣ble about 20 Leagues. Rapahanock, or Topahanock, likewise a good River, and navigable about 40 Leagues, which is the last River of Virginia north∣wardly, that falls into the Bay of Chesopeak.
Upon, or near these Rivers, for the conveni∣ency of Shipping, the English are seated, which at present do amount unto the number of about thirty or forty thousand, and have some Towns; the chief amongst which is James-Town, or rather James-City, commodiously seated on James-River; the Town is beautified with many fair and well-built Brick Houses; and as it is the chief Town of the Countrey, here are kept the Courts of Ju∣dicatory, and Offices of publick Concern.
Next to James-Town, may be reckoned that of Elizabeth, seated at the bottom of the said River, a well built Town. Also Dales-Gift, Wicocomeco, Bermuda, and others.
The Governour is sent over by His Majesty; who at present is the Right Honourable the Lord Howard of Effingham, and the Countrey is govern∣ed by Laws agreeable with those of England, for the decision of all Causes both Civil and Criminal; which said Laws are made by the Governour, with the consent of the General Assembly, which doth consist of his Council, and the Burgesses chosen by the Freeholders. And for the better Government, the Countrey possessed by the English, is divided into several Counties, in each of which are She∣riffs, Justices of the Peace, and other Officers, which are from time to time appointed by the Go∣vernor.
The Names of the Counties, are those of Carotuck,* 1.14 Charles, Glocester, Hartford, Henrico, James, New-Kent, Lancaster, Middlesex, Nan∣semund, Lower-Norfolk, Northampton, Northum∣berland, Rappahanock, Surrey, Warwick, Westmor∣land, Isle of Wight, and York, and in each of these Counties are held petty Courts every Month; from which there may be Appeals to the Quarter-Court held at James-Town.
The Virginians are not born so swarthy as they appear;* 1.15 their hair is generally black and flaggy, which they wear long; few men have Beards, because they pluck out the Hairs that would grow; their oyntments and smoaky houses do in a great measure cause their Blackness, where∣by they look like Bacon; they are of a ready wit, very subtle and treacherous, not much addicted to Labour, being too great lovers of their ease, and much given to hunting. They have one Wife, many Concubines, and are likewise Sodomites; the
ancient Women are used for Cooks, Barbers, and other Services, the younger for Dalliance; they are modest in their Carriage, and seldom quarrel, in entertaining a Stranger, they spread a Mat for him to sit down, and then dance before him; they wear their Nails long to flea their Deer, and put Bows and Arrows into the hands of their Chil∣dren before they are six years old. In each Ear they have generally three great holes, wherein they commonly hang Chains, Bracelets, or Cop∣per; some wear a Snake therein, coloured green and yellow, near half a yard long, which crawls about their necks, and offers to kiss their Lips; others have a dead Rat tied by the Tail. The wo∣men raze their Bodies, Legs and Thighs with an Iron incurious knots and shapes of Fowls, Fishes, and Beasts, and rub a painting therein which will never come out. The Queen of Apometica was attired with a Cornet beset with many white bones, with Copper in her Ears, and a Chain of the same, six times encompassing her Neck. The Sasqucha∣nocks are a Giant-like People, very monstrous in proportion, behaviour and attire; their Voice sounds as out of a Cave, their Garments are Bear-skins, hanged with Bears Paws, a Wolfes Head, and such odd Jewels, their Tobacco-pipes three quarters of a yard long, with the Head of some Beast at the end, so weighty, as to beat out the Brains of a Horse. The Calf of one of their Legs was measured three quarters of a yard about, their other Limbs being proportionable. They have se∣veral ridiculous Conceits concerning their Origi∣nal; as that a Hare came into their Countrey, and made the first men, and after preserved them from a great Serpent; and two other Hares came thi∣ther, the first killed a Deer for their entertain∣ment,
which was then the only Deer in the world, and strewing the hairs of that Deer, every hair became a Deer.
In the Reign of King James the First, one Toma∣cona, an Indian, and Councellor to one of their Kings, came into England; who landing in the West, was much surprized at our plenty of Corn and Trees, imagining we ventured into their Coun∣trey to supply those defects; he began then to number the Men he met with, but his Arithmetick soon failed him. He related that Okee their God, did often appear to him in his Temple; to which purpose four of their Priests go into the House, and using certain strange words and gestures, eight more are called in, to whom he discovers what his Will is; upon him they depend in all their Pro∣ceedings; as in taking Journeys, or the like: sometimes when they resolve to go a hunting, he by some known token will direct where they shall find Game; which they with great chearfulness acknowledging, follow his Directions, and many times succeed therein; he appears like an handsom Indian, with long black Locks of Hair; after he has staid with his twelve Confederates for some time, he ascendeth into the Ayr from whence he came. The Natives think it a disgrace to fear Death, and therefore when they must die, they do it resolutely; as it happened to one that robbed an Englishman, and was by Pawhatan (upon com∣plaint made against him) fetched sixty miles from the place where he lay concealed, and by this To∣mocomo executed in the presence of the English, his Brains being knockt out, without the least shew of fear or terror.
Their Apparel* 1.16 is but mean, on∣ly contenting themselves with something to cover their naked∣ness; and for the better defending themselves from the Weather, they anoint their bodies with cer∣tain Oyles mixt with Bears-Grease.
Their Houses* 1.17 are no better than our English Hogsties, being made of Boughs, and covered with Barks of Trees, and in the midst thereof is placed their Chimney, or Fire-place.
Their Diet* 1.18 in meanness, is an∣swerable to their Houses not en∣deavouring to please their Palats, with curious Sauces, or pampering their Bodies with provocative Meats.
Its Situation.
Its Discovery.
James-Town built.
Temperature.
Its Fertility.
Its Fruits.
Their Roots.
Their Fowl.
Wild Beasts.
Their Fish.
Commodities.
Their Trees.
Their Rivers.
Their Coun∣ties.
Their Com∣plexion.
Their Apparel.
Their Houses.
Their Diet.