The discoveries of John Lederer in three several marches from Virginia to the west of Carolina and other parts of the continent begun in March, 1669 and ended in September, 1670 : together with a general map of the whole territory which he traversed / collected and translated out of Latine from his discourse and writings, by Sir William Talbot, Baronet.

The Second EXPEDITION, From the Falls of Powhatan, aliàs James-River, in Virginia, to Mahock in the Apalataean Mountains.

THe twentieth of May 1670, one Major Harris and my self, with twenty Christian Horse, and five Indians, marched from the Falls of James-River, in Virginia, to∣wards the Monakins; and on the Two and twentieth were welcomed by them with Volleys of Shot. Near this Village we observed a Pyramid of stones piled up together, which their Priests told us, was the Number of an Indian Colony drawn out by Lot from a Neighbour-Countrey o∣ver-peopled, and led hither by one Monack, from whom they take the Name of Monakin. Here enquiring the way to the Mountains, an ancient Man described with a staffe two paths on the ground; one pointing to the Mahocks, and the other to the Nahyssans; but my English Compani∣ons slighting the Indians direction, shaped their course by the Compass due West, and therefore it fell out with us, as

it does with those Land-Crabs, that crawling backwards in a direct line, avoid not the Trees that stand in their way, but climbing over their very tops, come down again on the other side, and so after a days labour gain not above two foot of ground. Thus we obstinately pursuing a due West course, rode over steep and craggy Cliffs, which beat our Horses quite off the hoof. In these Mountains we wan∣dred from the Twenty fifth of May till the Third of June, finding very little sustenance for Man or Horse; for these places are destitute both of Grain and Herbage.

The third of June we came to the South-branch of James-River, which Major Harris observing to run North∣ward, vainly imagined to be an Arm of the Lake of Ca∣nada; and was so transported with this Fancy, that he would have raised a Pillar to the Discovery, if the fear of the Mahock Indian, and want of food, had permitted him to stay. Here I moved to cross the Rive and march on; but the rest of the Company were so weary of the enterprize, that crying out, One and All, they had offered violence to me, had I not been provided with a private Commission from the Governour of Virginia to proceed, though the rest of the company should abandon me; the sight of which laid their fury.

The lesser Hills, or Akontshuck, are here unpassable, be∣ing both steep and craggy; the Rocks seemed to me at a di∣stance to resemble Eggs set up an end.

James-River is here as broad as it is about an hundred mile lower at Monakin; the passage over is very dangerous, by reason of the rapid Torrents made by Rocks and Shelves forcing the water into narrow Chanels. From an observa∣tion which we made of straws and rotten chuncks hanging in the boughs of Trees on the Bank, and two and twenty foot above water, we argued that the melted Snow falling from the Mountains swelled the River to that height, the Flood carrying down that rubbish which, upon the abate∣ment of the Inundation, remained in the Trees.

The Air in these parts was so moist, that all our Biscuit became mouldy and unfit to be eaten, so that some nicer stomachs, who at our setting out laughed at my provision of Indian-meal parched, would gladly now have shared with me: but I being determined to go upon further Discoveries, refused to part with any of that which was to be my most necessary sustenance.

The Continuation of the Second Expedition from Mahock, Southward, into the Pro∣vince of Carolina.

THe fifth of June, my Company and I parted good friends, they back again, and I with one Sasquesa∣hanough-Indian, named Jackzetavon, only, in pursuit of my first Enterprize, changing my course from West to South∣west & by South, to avoid the Mountains. Major Harris at parting gave me a Gun, believing me a lost man, and gi∣ven up as a prey to Indians or savage Beasts; which made him the bolder in Virginia to report strange things in his own praise and my disparagement, presuming I would ne∣ver appear to disprove him. This, I suppose, and no other, was the cause that he did with so much industry procure me discredit and odium; but I have lost nothing by it, but what I never studied to gain, which is Popular applause.

From the fifth, which was Sunday, until the ninth of June, I travelled through difficult Ways, without seeing any Town or Indian; and then I arrived at Sapon, a Village of the Nahyssans, about an hundred miles distant from Mahock, scituate upon a branch of Shawan, aliàs Rorenock-River; and though I had just cause to fear these Indians, because they had been in continual Hostility with the Christians for

ten years before; yet presuming that the Truck which I carried with me would procure my welcome, I adventured to put my self into their power, having heard that they never offer any injury to a few persons from whom they ap∣prehend no danger: nevertheless, they examined me strict∣ly whence I came, whither I went, and what my business was. But after I had bestowed some trifles of Glass and Metal amongst them, they were satisfied with reasonable answers, and I received with all imaginable demonstrations of kindness, as offering of Sacrifice, a complement shewed only to such as they design particularly to honour: but they went further, and consulted their Godds whether they should not admit me into their Nation and Councils, and oblige me to stay amongst them by a Marriage with the Kings or some of their great Mens Daughters. But I, though with much a-do, waved their courtesie, and got my Pastport, having given my word to return to them within six months.

Sapon is within the limits of the Province of Carolina, and as you may perceive by the Figure, has all the attributes requisite to a pleasant and advantagious Seat; for though it stands high, and upon a dry land, it enjoyes the benefit of a stately River, and a rich Soyl, capable of producing many Commodities, which may hereafter render the Trade of it considerable.

Not far distant from hence, as I understood from the Nahyssan Indians, is their Kings Residence, called Pintahae, upon the same River, and happy in the same advantages both for pleasure and profit: which my curiosity would have led me to see, were I not bound, both by Oath and Commission, to a direct pursuance of my intended purpose of discovering a passage to the further side of the Moun∣tains.

This Nation is governed by an absolute Monarch; the People of a high stature, warlike and rich. I saw great store

of Pearl unbored in their little Temples, or Oratories, which they had won amongst other spoyls from the Indians of Florida, and hold in as great esteem as we do.

From hence, by the Indians instructions, I directed my course to Akenatzy, and Island bearing South & by West, and about fifty miles distant, upon a branch of the same Ri∣ver, from Sapon. The Countrey here, though high, is le∣vel, and for the most part a rich soyl, as I judged by the growth of the Trees; yet where it is inhabited by Indians, it lies open in spacious Plains, and is blessed with a very healthful Air, as appears by the age and vigour of the peo∣ple; and though I travelled in the month of June, the heat of the weather hindred me not from Riding at all hours without any great annoyance from the Sun. By easie jour∣neys I landed at Akenatzy upon the twelfth of June. The current of the River is here so strong, that my Horse had much difficulty to resist it; and I expected every step to be carried away with the stream.

This Island, though small, maintains many inhabitants, who are fix'd here in great security, being naturally fortified with Fastnesses of Mountains, and Water of every side. Up∣on the North-shore they yearly reap great crops of Corn, of which they always have a twelv••-months Provision afore∣hand, against an Invasion from their powerful Neighbours. Their Government is under two Kings, one presiding in Arms, the other in Hunting and Husbandry. They hold all things, except their Wives, in common; and their cu∣stome in eating is, that every man in his turn feasts all the rest; and he that makes the entertainment, is seated betwixt the two Kings; where having highly commended his own chear, they carve and distribute it amongst the guests.

At my arrival here, I met four stranger-Indians, whose Bodies were painted in various colours with figures of Ani∣mals whose likeness I had never seen: and by some dis∣course and signes which passed between us, I gathered that they were the only survivours of fifty, who set out together

in company from some great Island, as I conjecture, to the Northwest; for I understood that they crossed a great Wa∣ter, in which most of their party perished by tempest, the rest dying in the Marishes and Mountains by famine and hard weather, after a two-months travel by Land and Wa∣ter in quest of this Island of Akenatzy.

The most reasonable conjecture that I can frame out of this Relation, is, that these Indians might come from the Island of new Albion or California, from whence we may imagine some great arm of the Indian Ocean or Bay stretches into the Continent towards the Apalataean Mountains in the nature of a mid-land Sea, in which many of these Indians might have perished. To confirm my opinion in this point, I have heard several Indians testifie, that the Nation of Ricko∣hockans, who dwell not far to the Westward of the Apala∣taean Mountains, are seated upon a Land, as they term it, of great Waves; by which I suppose they mean the Sea-shore.

The next day after my arrival at Akenatzy, a Rickohockan Ambassadour, attended by five Indians, whose faces were co∣loured with Auripigmentum (in which Mineral these parts do much abound) was received, and that night invited to a Ball of their fashion; but in the height of their mirth and dancing, by a smoke contrived for that purpose, the Room was suddenly darkned, and for what cause I know not, the Rickohockan and his Retinue barbarously murthered. This struck me with such an affrightment, that the very next day, without taking my leave of them, I slunk away with my Indian Companion. Though the desire of inform∣ing my self further concerning some Minerals, as Auripig∣mentum, &c. which I there took special notice of, would have perswaded me to stay longer amongst them, had not the bloody example of their treachery to the Rickohockans frighted me away.

The fourteenth of June, pursuing a South-southwest course, sometimes by a beaten path, and sometimes over hills and

rocks, I was forc'd to take up my quarters in the Woods: for though the Oenock-Indians, whom I then sought, were not in a direct line above thirty odde miles distant from A∣kenatzy, yet the Ways were such, and obliged me to go so far about, that I reached not Oenock until the sixteenth. The Country here, by the industry of these Indians, is very open, and clear of wood. Their Town is built round a field, where in their Sports they exercise with so much la∣bour and violence, and in so great numbers, that I have seen the ground wet with the sweat that dropped from their bo∣dies: their chief Recreation is Slinging of stones. They are of mean stature and courage, covetous and thievish, in∣dustrious to earn a peny; and therefore hire themselves out to their neighbours, who employ them as Carryers or Por∣ters. They plant abundance of Grain, reap three Crops in a Summer, and out of their Granary supply all the adja∣cent parts. These and the Mountain-Indians build not their houses of Bark, but of Watling and Plaister. In Sum∣mer, the heat of the weather makes them chuse to lie abroad in the night under thin arbours of wilde Palm. Some hou∣ses they have of Reed and Bark; they build them generally round: to each house belongs a little hovel made like an oven, where they lay up their Corn and Mast, and keep it dry. They parch their Nuts and Acorns over the fire, to take away their rank Oyliness; which afterwards pressed, yeeld a milky liquor, and the Acorns an Amber-colour'd Oyl. In these, mingled together, they dip their Cakes at great Entertainments, and so serve them up to their guests as an extraordinary dainty. Their Government is Demo∣cratick; and the Sentences of their old men are received as Laws, or rather Oracles, by them.

Fourteen miles West-Southwest of the Oenocks, dwell the Shackory-Indians, upon a rich Soyl, and yet-abounding in Antimony, of which they shewed me considerable quanti∣ties. Finding them agree with the Oenocks in Customs and Manners, I made no stay here, but passing thorow their

Town, I travelled till the nineteenth of June; and then after a two days troublesome Journey thorow Thickets and Marish grounds, I arrived at Watary above fourty miles distant, and bearing West-Southwest to Shakor. This Nati∣on differs in Government from all the other Indians of these parts: for they are Slaves, rather then Subjects to their King. Their present Monarch is a grave man, and courteous to strangers: yet I could not without horrour behold his bar∣barous Superstition, in hiring three youths, and sending them forth to kill as many young women of their Enemies as they could light on, to serve his son, then newly dead, in the other world, as he vainly fancyed. These youths during my stay returned with skins torn off the heads and faces of three young girls, which they presented to his Majestie, and were by him gratefully received.

I departed from Watary the one and twentieth of June; and keeping a West-course for near thirty miles, I came to Sara: here I found the ways more level and easie. Sara is not far distant from the Mountains, which here lose their height, and change their course and name: for they run due West, and receive from the Spaniards the name of Suala. From these Mountains or Hills the Indians draw great quantities of Cinabar, with which beaten to powder they colour their faces: this Mineral is of a deeper Purple then Vermilion, and is the same which is in so much esteem amongst Physitians, being the first element of Quicksilver.

I did likewise, to my no small admiration, find hard cakes of white Salt amongst them: but whether they were made of Sea-water, or taken out of Salt-pits, I know not: but am apt to believe the later, because the Sea is so remote from them. Many other rich Commodities and Minerals there are undoubtedly in these parts, which if possessed by an in∣genious and industrious people, would be improved to vast advantages by Trade. But having tied my self up to things onely that I have seen in my Travels, I will deliver no Conjectures.

Lingua sile non est ultra narrabile quidquam.

These Indians are so indiscreetly fond of their children, that they will not chastise them for any mischief or inso∣lence. A little Boy had shot an Arrow thorow my body, had I not reconciled him to me with gifts: and all this an∣ger was, because I spurred my horse out of another Arrows way which he directed at him. This cause such a mutiny amongst the Youth of the Town, that the Seniors taking my horse and self into protection, had much ado (and that by intreaties and prayers, not commands) to appease them.

From Sara I kept a South-Southwest course until the five and twentieth of June, and then I reached Wisacky. This three-days march was more troublesome to me then all my travels besides: for the direct way which I took from Sara to Wisacky, is over a continued Marish over-grown with Reeds, from whose roots sprung knotty stumps as hard and sharp as Flint. I was forc'd to lead my horse most part of the way, and wonder that he was not either plunged in the Bogs, or lamed by those rugged knots.

This Nation is subject to a neighbour-King residing up∣on the bank of a great Lake called Ʋshery, invironed of all sides with Mountains, and Wisacky Marish; and therefore I will detain the Reader no longer with the discourse of them, because I comprehend them in that of Ʋshery.

The six and twentieth of June, having crossed a fresh River which runs into the Lake of Ʋshery, I came to the Town, which was more populous then any I had seen be∣fore in my March. The King dwells some three miles from it, and therefore I had no opportunity of seeing him the two nights which I stayed there. This Prince, though his Dominions are large and populous, is in continual fear of the Oustack-Indians seated on the opposite side of the Lake; a people so addicted to Arms, that even their wo∣men come into the field, and shoot Arrows over their hus∣bands

shoulders, who shield them with Leathern Targets. The men it seems should fight with Silver-Hatchets: for one of the Ʋsheryes told me they were of the same metal with the Pomel of my Sword. They are a cruel genera∣tion, and prey upon people, whom they either steal, or force away from the Ʋsheryes is Periago's, to sacrifice to their Idols. The Ʋshery-women delight much in feather-orna∣ments, of which they have great variety; but Peacocks in most esteem, because rare in those parts. They are reasona∣bly handsome, and have more of civility in their carriage then I observed in the other Nations with whom I conver∣sed; which is the reason that the men are more effeminate and lazie.

These miserable wretches are strangely infatuated with il∣lusions of the devil: it caused no small horrour in me, to see one of them wrythe his neck all on one side, foam at the mouth, stand bare-foot upon burning coals for near an hour, and then recovering his senses, leap out of the fire without hurt, or signe of any. This I was an eye-witness of.

The water of Ʋshery-lake seemed to my taste a little brackish; which I rather impute to some Mineral-waters which flow into it, then to any saltness it can take from the Sea, which we may reasonably suppose is a great way from it. Many pleasant Rivulets fall into it, and it is stored with great plenty of excellent fish. I judged it to be about ten leagues broad: for were not the other shore very high, it could not be discerned from Ʋshery. How far this Lake tends Westerly, or where it ends, I could neither learn or guess.

Here I made a days stay, to inform my self further in these Countries; and understood both from the Ʋsheries, and some Sara-Indians that came to trade with them, that two-days journey and a half from hence to the Southwest, a powerful Nation of Bearded men were seated, which I suppose to be the Spaniards, because the Indians never have any; it being an universal custom amongst them, to prevent

their growth, by plucking the young hair out by the roots. Westward lies a Government inhospitable to strangers; and to the North, over the Suala-mountains, lay the Rickohoc∣kans. I thought it not safe to venture my self amongst the Spaniards, lest taking me for a Spy, the would either make me away, or condemn me to a perpetual Slavery in their Mines. Therefore not thinking fit to proceed further, the eight and twentieth of June I faced about, and looked homewards.

To avoid Wisacky-Marish, I shaped my course Northeast; and after three days travel over hilly ways, where I met with no path or road, I fell into a barren Sandy desert, where I suffered miserably for want of water; the heat of the Summer having drunk all the Springs dry, and left no signe of any, but the Gravelly chanels in which they run: so that if now and then I had not found a standing Pool, which provident Nature set round with shady Oaks, to de∣fend it from the ardour of the Sun, my Indian companion, horse and self had certainly perished with thirst. In this distress we travelled till the twelfth of July, and then found the head of a River, which afterwards proved Eruco; in which we received not onely the comfort of a necessary and seasonable refreshment, but likewise the hopes of coming into a Country again where we might finde Game for food at least, if not discover some new Nation or People. Nor did our hopes fail us: for after we had crossed the River twice, we were led by it upon the fourteenth of July to the Town of Katearas, a place of great Indian Trade and Com∣merce, and chief Seat of the haughty Emperour of the Zoskiroro's, called Kackusara vulgarly K••••k••••••. His grim Majestie, upon ••••y first appearance, demanded my Gun and Shot; which I willingly parted with, to ransom my self out of his clutches▪ for he was the most proud imperious Barbarian that I met with in all my Marches. The people here at this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seemed prepared for some extraordinary

Solemnity: for the men and the women of better sort had decked themselves very fine with pieces of bright Copper in their hair and ears, and about their arms and neck, which upon Festival occasions they use as an extraordinary brave∣ry: by which it should seem this Country is not without rich Mines of Copper. But I durst not stay to inform my self further in it, being jealous of some sudden mischief to∣wards me from Kaskous, his nature being bloudy, and pro∣voked upon any slight occasion.

Therefore leaving Katearas, I travelled through the Woods until the sixteenth, upon which I came to Ka∣witziokan, an Indian town upon a branch of Rorenoke-ri∣ver, which here I passed over, continuing my journey to Menchoerinck; and on the seventeenth departing from thence, I lay all night in the Woods, and the next morning betimes going by Natoway, I reached that evening Apama∣tuck in Virginia, where I was not a little overjoyed to see Christian faces again.