A briefe and true report of the new found land of Virginia of the commodities and of the nature and manners of the naturall inhabitants. Discouered by the English Colony there seated by Sir Richard Greinuile Knight In the yeere 1585. Which Rema­ined Vnder the gouernement of twelue monethes, At the speciall charge and direction of the Honou­rable SIR WALTER RALEIGH Knight lord Warden of the stanneries Who therein hath beene fauoured and authorised by her MAIESTIE and her letters patents: This fore booke Is made in English BY Thomas Hariot seruant to the abouenamed Sir WALTER, a member of the Colony, and there imployed in discouering

CVM GRATIA ET PRIVELEDIO CAESMA TIS SPECIA LI

FRANCOFORTI AD MOENVM TYPIS IOANNIS WECHELL, SVMITIRVS VERO THEODORI DE BRY ANNO CD D XC. VENALES REPERIVNTVR IN OFFICINA SIGISMVNDI FEIRABENDII

TO THE RIGHT WORTHIE AND HONOV­RABLE, SIR VVALTER RALEGH, KNIGHT, SENESCHAL OF THE DVCHIES OF Cornewall and Exeter, and L. Warden of the stannaries in Deuon and Cornewall. T.B. wisheth true felictie.
AMORE ET VIRTVE

SIr, seeing that the parte of the Worlde, which is betwene the Florida and the Cap Breton nowe nammed Virgi­nia, to the honneur of yours most souueraine Layde and Quee­ne Elizabetz, hath ben descouuerd by yours meanes. And great chardges. And that your Collonye hath been theer estab­lished to your great honnor and prayse, and noelesser proffit vnto the common­welth: [Page 4] Yt ys good raison that euery man euertwe him selfe for to showe the bene­fit which they haue receue of yt. Theerfore, formy parte I haue been all wayes Desirous for to make yow knowe the good will that I haue to remayne still your most humble seruant. I haue thincke that I cold faynde noe better occasion to declare yt, then takinge the paines to cott in copper (the most diligent ye and well that wear my possible to doe) the Figures which doe leuelye represent the for­me aud maner of the Inhabitants of thesame countrye with theirs ceremonies, sollemne, feastes, and the manner and situation of their Townes, or Villages. Addinge vnto euery figure a brief declaration of thesame, to that ende that eue­rye man cold the better vnderstand that which is in [?] represented. Moreo­uer I haue thincke that the aforesaid figures wear of greater commendation, If somme Histoire which traitinge of the commodites and [?] of the said [?]trye weare Ioyned with the same, therfore haue I serve miselfe of the [?] which Thomas Hariot hath lattely sett foorth, and haue [?] [?] booth togi­ther to be printed for to dedicated vnto you, as a thinge which by [?] doth allreadye apparteyne vnto you. Therfore doe I creaue that you will keepe this little Booke, and take yt In goode partte. And desiringe that fauor that [?] reccueme in the nomber of one of your most humble seruantz, [?] [?] lord to blese and further you in all yours good doinges and actions, and also to preserue, and keepe you allwayes in good helthe. And soe I comitt you vnto the almyhttie, from Franckfort the first of Apprill 1590.

Your most humble seruant,

Theodorvs de Bry.
TO THE ADVEN­TVRERS, FAVORERS, AND VVELVVILLERS OF THE EN­TERPRISE FOR THE INHABITTING and planting in Virginia.

Since the first vndertaking by Sir Walter Ralegh to deale in the action of discouering of that Countrey which is now called and known by the name of Virginia; many voyages hauing bin thiter made at sun­drie times to his great charge; as first in the yeere 1584. and afterwardes in the yeeres 1585. 1586. and now of late this last yeare of 1587. There ha­ue bin diuers and variable reportes with some slaunderous and shame­full speeches bruited abroade by many that returned from thence. Especially of that dis­couery which was made by the Colony transported by Sir Richard Greinuile in the yea­re 1585. being of all the others the most principal and as yet of most effect, the time of their abode in the countrey beeing a whole yeare, when as in the other voyage before they staied but sixe weekes; and the others after were onelie for supply and transporta­tion, nothing more being discouered then had been before. Which reports haue not do­ne a litle wrong to many that otherwise would haue also fauoured & aduentured in the action, to the honour and benefite of our nation, besides the particular profite and credi­te which would redound to them selues the dealers therein; as I hope by the sequele of e­uents to the shame of those that haue auouched the contrary shalbe manifest: if you the aduenturers, fauourers, and welwillers do but either encrease in number, or in opinion continue, or hauing bin doubtfull renewe your good liking and furtherance to deale therein according to the worthinesse thereof alreadye found and as you shall vnderstand hereafter to be requisite. Touching which woorthines through cause of the diuersitie of relations and reportes, manye of your opinions coulde not bee firme, nor the mindes of some that are well disposed, bee setled in any certaintie.

I haue therefore thought it good beeing one that haue beene in the discouerie and in dealing with the naturall inhabitantes specially imploied; and hauing therefore seene and knowne more then the ordinarie: to imparte so much vnto you of the fruites of our labours, as that you may knowe howe iniuriously the enterprise is slaundered. And that in publike manner at this present chiefelie for two respectes.

First that some of you which are yet ignorant or doubtfull of the state thereof, may see that there is sufficiēt cause why the cheefe enterpriser with the fauour of her Maiestie, notwithstanding suche reportes; hath not onelie since continued the action by sending into the countrey againe, and replanting this last yeere a new Colony; but is also readie, according as the times and meanes will affoorde, to follow and prosecute the same.

Secondly, that you seeing and knowing the continuance of the action by the view hereof you may generally know & learne what the countrey is, & ther vpon cōsider how your dealing therein if it proceede, may returne you profit and gaine; bee it either by in­habitting & planting or otherwise in furthering thereof.

And least that the substance of my relation should be doubtful vnto you, as of others by reason of their diuersitie: I will first open the cause in a few wordes wherefore they are [Page 6]so different; referring my selue to your fauourable constructions, and to be adiudged of as by good consideration you shall finde cause.

Of our companie that returned some for their misdemenour and ill dealing in the countrey, haue beene there worthily punished; who by reason of their badde natures, ha­ue maliciously not onelie spoken ill of their Gouernours; but for their sakes slaundered the countrie it selfe. The like also haue those done which were of their consort.

Some beeing ignorant of the state thereof, notwithstanding since their returne amō ­gest their friendes and acquaintance and also others, especially if they were in compaine where they might not be gainesaide; woulde seeme to knowe so much as no men more; and make no men so great trauailers as themselues. They stood so much as it maie seeme vppon their credite and reputation that hauing been a twelue moneth in the countrey, it woulde haue beene a great disgrace vnto them as they thought, if they coulde not ha­ue saide much wheter it were true or false. Of which some haue spoken of more then euer they saw or otherwise knew to bee there; othersome haue not bin ashamed to make ab­solute deniall of that which although not by thē, yet by others is most certainely ād there plētifully knowne. And othersome make difficulties of those things they haue no skill of.

The cause of their ignorance was, in that they were of that many that were neuer out of the Iland where wee were seated, or not farre, or at the leastwise in few places els, during the time of our aboade in the countrey; or of that many that after golde and siluer was not so soone found, as it was by them looked for, had little or no care of any other thing but to pamper their bellies; or of that many which had little vnderstanding, lesse discre­tion, and more tongue then was needfull or requisite.

Some also were of a nice bringing vp, only in cities or townes, or such as neuer (as I may say) had seene the world before. Because there were not to bee found any English cities, nor such faire houses, nor at their owne wish any of their olde accustomed daintie food, nor any soft beds of downe or fethers: the countrey was to them miserable, & their reports thereof according.

Because my purpose was but in briefe to open the cause of the varietie of such spee­ches; the particularities of them, and of many enuious, malicious, and slaūderous reports and deuises els, by our owne countrey men besides; as trifles that are not worthy of wise men to bee thought vpon, I meane not to trouble you withall: but will passe to the com­modities, the substance of that which I haue to make relation of vnto you.

The treatise where of for your more readie view & easier vnderstanding I will diuide into three speciall parts. In the first I will make declaration of such commodities there al­readie found or to be raised, which will not onely serue the ordinary turnes of you which are and shall bee the plāters and inhabitants, but such an ouerplus sufficiently to bee yel­ded, or by men of skill to bee prouided, as by way of trafficke and exchaunge with our ow­ne nation of England, will enrich your selues the prouiders; those that shal deal with you; the enterprisers in general; and greatly profit our owne countrey men, to supply them with most things which heretofore they haue bene faine to prouide, either of strangers or of our enemies: which commodities for distinction sake, I call Merchantable.

In the second, I will set downe all the cōmodities which wee know the countrey by our experience doeth yeld of it selfe for victuall, and sustenance of mans life; such as is vsually fed vpon by the inhabitants of the countrey, as also by vs during the time we were there.

In the last part I will make mention generally of such other cōmodities besides, as I am able to remember, and as I shall thinke behoofull for those that shall inhabite, and plant there to knowe of; which specially concerne building, as also some other necessary vses: with a briefe description of the nature and maners of the people of the countrey.

THE FIRST PART, OF M …

THE FIRST PART, OF MARCHAN­TABLE COMMO­DITIES.

Silke of grasse or grasse Silke.

There is a kind of grasse in the countrey vppon the bla­des where of there groweth very good silke in forme of a thin glittering skin to bee stript of. It groweth two foote and a halfe high or better: the blades are about two foot in length, and half inch broad. The like gro­weth in Persia, which is in the selfe same climate as Vir­ginia, of which very many of the silke workes that co­me from thence into Europe are made. Here of if it be planted and ordered as in Persia, it cannot in rea­son be otherwise, but that there will rise in shorte time great profite to the dealers therein; seeing there is so great vse and vent thereof as well in our countrey as els where. And by the meanes of sowing & plāting in good ground, it will be farre greater, better, and more plentifull then it is. Although not­withstanding there is great store thereof in many places of the countrey growing naturally and wilde. Which also by proof here in England, in making a piece of sil­ke Grogran, we found to be excellent good.

Worme Silke.

In manie of our iourneyes we found silke wormes fayre and great; as bigge as our ordinary walnuttes. Although it hath not beene our happe to haue found such plentie as elsew here to be in the coūtrey wehaue heard of; yet seeing that the coun­trey doth naturally breede and nourish them, there is no doubt but if art be added [Page 8]in plantig of mulbery trees and others fitte for them in commodious places, for their feeding and nourishing; and some of them carefully gathered and husbanded in that sort as by men of skill is knowne to be necessarie: there will rise as great pro­fite in time to the Virginians, as there of doth now to the Persians, Turkes, Italians and Spaniards.

Flaxe and Hempe.

The trueth is that of Hempe and Flaxe there is no great store in any one pla­ce together, by reason it is not planted but as the soile doth yeeld it of it selfe; and howsoeuer the leafe, and stemme or stalke doe differ from ours; the stuffe by the iudgemēt of men of skill is altogether as good as ours. And if not, as further proo­fe should finde otherwise; we haue that experience of the soile, as thas there canno­bee shewed anie reason to the contrary, but that it will grow there excellent well; and by planting will be yeelded plentifully: seeing there is so much ground where­of some may well be applyed to such purposes. What benefite heereof may growe in cordage and linnens who can not easily vnderstand?

Allum.

There is a veine of earth along the sea coast for the space of fourtie or fiftie mi­les, whereof by the iudgement of some that haue made triall heerein England, is made good Allum, of that kinde which is called Roche Allum. The richnesse of such a commoditie is so well knowne that I neede not to saye any thing thereof. The same earth doth also yeelde White Copresse, Nitrum, and Alumen Plume­um, but nothing so plentifully as the common Allum; which be also of price and profitable.

Wapeih.

Wapeih, a kinde of earth so called by the naturall inhabitants; very like to ter­ra sigillata: and hauing beene refined, it hath beene found by some of our Phisitiōs and Chirurgeons to bee of the same kinde of vertue and more effectuall. The in­habitāts vse it very much for the cure of sores and woundes: there is in diuers places great plentie, and in some places of a blewe sort.

Pitch, Tarre, Rozen, and Turpentine.

There are those kindes of trees which yeelde them abundantly and great sto­re. In the very same Iland where wee were seated, being fifteene miles of length, and fiue or sixe miles in breadth, there are fewe trees els but of the same kind; the whole Iland being full.

Sassafras.

Sassafras, called by the inhabitantes Winauk, a kinde of wood of most pleasand and sweete smel; and of most rare vertues in phisick for the cure of many diseases. It is found by experience to bee farre better and of more vses then the wood which is called Guaiacum, or Lignum vitae. For the description, the manner of vsing and the manifolde vertues thereof, I referre you to the booke of Monardus, translated and entituled in English, The ioyfull newes from the West Indies.

Cedar.

Cedar, a very sweet wood & fine timber; wherof if nests of chests be there ma­de, or timber therof fitted for sweet & fine bedsteads, tables, deskes, lutes, virginal­les & many things else, (of which there hath beene proofe made already) to make vp fraite with other principal commodities will yeeld profite.

Wine.

There are two kinds of grapes that the soile doth yeeld naturally: the one is small and sowre of the ordinarie bignesse as ours in England: the other farre greater & of himselfe iushious sweet. When they are plāted and husbandeg as they ought, a principall commoditie of wines by them may be raised.

Oyle.

There are two sortes of Walnuttes both holding oyle, but the one farre more plentifull then the other. When there are milles & other deuises for the purpose, a commodity of them may be raised because there are infinite store. There are also three seuerall kindes of Berries in the forme of Oke akornes, which also by the ex­perience and vse of the inhabitantes, wee finde to yeelde very good and sweete oy­le. Furthermore the Beares of the countrey are commonly very fatte, and in some places there are many: their fatnesse because it is so liquid, may well be termed oyle, and hath many speciall vses.

Furres:

All along the Sea coast there are great store of Otters, which beeyng taken by weares and other engines made for the purpose, will yeelde good profite. Wee ho­pe also of Marterne furres, and make no doubt by the relation of the people but that in some places of the countrey there are store: although there were but two skinnes that came to our handes. Luzarnes also we haue vnderstāding of although for the time we saw none.

Deare skinnes.

Deare skinnes dressed after the manner of Chamoes or vndressed are to be had of the naturall inhabitants thousands yeerely by way of trafficke for trifles: and no more wast or spoile of Deare then is and hath beene ordinarily in time before.

Ciuet cattes.

In our trauailes, there was founde one to haue beene killed by a saluage or in­habitant: and in an other place the smell where one or more had lately beene befo­re: whereby we gather besides then by the relation of the people that there are so­me in the countrey: good profite will rise by them.

Iron.

In two places of the countrey specially, one about fourescore and the other sixe score miles from the Fort or place where wee dwelt: wee founde neere the wa­ter side the ground to be rockie, which by the triall of a minerall man, was founde to holde Iron richly. It is founde in manie places of the countrey else. I knowe no­thing to the contrarie, but that it maie bee allowed for a good marchantable com­moditie, considering there the small charge for the labour and feeding of men: the infinite store of wood: the want of wood and deerenesse thereof in England: & the necessity of ballasting of shippes.

Copper.

A hundred and fiftie miles into the maine in two townes wee founde with the inhabitaunts diuerse small plates of copper, that had beene made as wee vnder­stood, by the inhabitantes that dwell farther into the countrey: where as they say are mountaines and Riuers that yeelde also whyte graynes of Mettall, which is to bee deemed Siluer. For confirmation whereof at the time of our first arriuall in the Countrey, I sawe with some others with mee, two small peeces of siluer grosly bea­ten about the weight of a Testrone, hangyng in the eares of a Wiroans or chiefe Lorde that dwelt about fourescore myles from vs; of whom thorowe enquiry, by the number of dayes and the way, I learned that it had come to his handes from the same place or neere, where I after vnderstood the copper was made and the whi­te graynes of mettall founde. The aforesaide copper wee also founde by triall to holde siluer.

Pearle.

Sometimes in feeding on muscles wee founde some pearle; but it was our hap to meete with ragges, or of a pide colour; not hauing yet discouered those [Page 11]places where wee hearde of better and more plentie. One of our companie; a man of skill in such matters, had gathered to gether from among the sauage people a­boute fiue thousande: of which number he chose so many as made a fayre chaine, which for their likenesse and vniformitie in roundnesse, orientnesse, and pidenesse of māny excellent colours, with equalitie in greatnesse, were verie fayre and rare; and had therefore beene presented to her Maiestie, had wee not by casualtie and trough extremity of a storme, lost them with many things els in comming away from the countrey.

Sweete Gummes.

Sweete Gummes of diuers kindes and many other Apothecary drugges of which wee will make speciall mention, when wee shall receiue it from such men of skill in that kynd, that in taking reasonable paines shall discouer them more parti­cularly then wee haue done; and than now I can makc relation of, for want of the examples I had prouited and gathered, and are nowe lost, with other thinges by causualtie before mentioned.

Dyes of diuers kindes.

There is Shoemake well knowen, and vsed in England for blacke; the seede of an hearbe called Wasewówr: little small rootes called Cháppacor; and the barke of the tree called by the inhabitaunts Tangomóckonomindge: which Dies are for diuers sortes of red: their goodnesse for our English clothes remayne yet to be pro­ued. The inhabitants vse them onely for the dying of hayre;and colouring of their faces, aud Mantles made of Deare skinnes; and also for the dying of Rushes to ma­ke artificiall workes withall in their Mattes and Baskettes; hauing no other thing besides that they account of, apt to vse them for. If they will not proue merchan­table there is no doubt but the Planters there shall finde apte vses for them, as also for other colours which wee knowe to be there.

Oade.

A thing of so great vent and vse amongst English Diers, which cannot bee yeelded sufficiently in our owne countrey for spare of ground; may bee planted in Virginia, there being ground enough. The grouth therof need not to be doubted when as in the Ilandes of the Asores it groweth plentifully, which is in thesame cli­mate. So likewise of Madder.

Suger canes.

Whe carried thither Suger canes to plant which beeing not so well preserued as was requisit, & besides the time of the yere being past for their setting when we [Page 12]arriued, wee could not make that proofe of them as wee desired. Notwithstā ding seeing that they grow in the same climate, in the South part of Spaine and in Bar­bary, our hope in reason may yet continue. So likewise for Orenges, and Lemmons, there may be planted also Quinses. Wherbi may grow in reasonable time if the a­ction be diligently prosecuted, no small commodities in Sugers, Suckets, and Mar­malades.

Many other commodities by planting may there also bee raised, which I lea­ue to your discret and gentle considerations: and many also may bee there which yet we haue not discouered. Two more commodities of great value one of certain­tie, and the other in hope, not to be planted, but there to be raised & in short time to be prouided and prepared, I might haue specified. So likewise of those commo­dities already set downe I might haue said more; as of the particular places where they are founde and best to be planted and prepared: by what meanes and in what reasonable space of time they might be raised to profit and in what proportion; but because others then welwillers might bee therewithall acquainted, not to the good of the action, I haue wittingly omitted them: knowing that to those that are well disposed I haue vttered, according to my promise and purpose, for this part suffi­cient.

THE SECOND PART, OF SVCHE COMMO­DITIES AS VIRGINIA IS knowne to yeelde for victuall and sustenāce of mans life, vsually fed vpon by the naturall inhabitants: as also by vs during the time of our aboad. And first of such as are sowed and husbanded.

Pagatowr, a kinde of graine so called by the inhabitants; the same in the West Indies is called Mayze: English men call it Guinney wheate or Turkie wheate, according to the names of the countreys from whence the like hath beene brought. The graine is about the bignesse of our ordinary English peaze and not much different in forme and shape: but of diuers colours: some white, some red, some yellow, and some blew. All of them yeelde a very white and sweete flowre: beeing vsed according to his kinde it maketh a very good bread. Wee made of the same in the countrey some mault, whereof was brued as good ale as was to bee desired. So likewise by the help of hops therof may bee made as good Beere. It is a graine of marueilous great increase; of a thousand, fifteene hundred and some two thousand fold. There are three sortes, of which two are ripe in an eleuen and twelue weekes at the most: sometimes in ten, after the time they are set, and are then of height in stalke about sixe or seuen foote. The other sort is ripe in fourtee­ne, and is about ten foote high, of the stalkes some beare foure heads, some three, some one, and two: euery head cōtaining fiue, sixe, or seuē hundred graines within a fewe more or lesse. Of these graines besides bread, the inhabitants make victuall [Page 14]eyther by parching them; or seething them whole vntill they be broken; or boyling the floure with water into a pappe.

Okindgíer, called by vs Beanes, because in greatnesse & partly in shape they are like to the Beanes in England; sauing that they are flatter, of more diuers colours, and some pide. The leafe also of the stemme is much different. In taste they are al­together as good as our English peaze.

Wickonzówr, called by vs Peaze, in respect of the beanes for distinction sake, because they are much lesse; although in forme they little differ; but in goodnesse of tast much, & are far better then our English peaze. Both the beanes and peaze a­re ripe in tenne weekes after they are set. They make them victuall either by boy­ling them all to pieces into a broth; or boiling them whole vntill they bee soft and beginne to breake as is vsed in England, eyther by themselues or mixtly together: Sometime they mingle of the wheate with them. Sometime also beeing whole soddeu, they bruse or pound them in a morter, & thereof make loaues or lumps of dowishe bread, which they vse to eat for varietie.

Macócqwer, according to their seuerall formes called by vs, Pompions, Mel­lions, and Gourdes, because they are of the like formes as those kindes in England. In Virginia such of seuerall formes are of one taste and very good, and do also spring from one seed. There are of two sorts; one is ripe in the space of a moneth, and the other in two moneths.

There is an hearbe which in Dutch is called Melden. Some of those that I de­scribe it vnto, take it to be a kinde of Orage; it groweth about foure or fiue foote high: of the seede thereof they make a thicke broth, and pottage of a very good ta­ste: of the stalke by burning into ashes they make a kinde of salt earth, wherewithall many vse sometimes to season their brothes; other salte they knowe not. Wee our seiues, vsed the leaues also for pothearbes.

There is also another great heaŕbe in forme of a Marigolde, ahout sixe foote in height; the head with the floure is a spanne in breadth. Some take it to bee Plan­ta Solis: of the seedes heereof they make both a kinde of bread and broth.

All the aforesaide commodities for victuall are set or sowed, sometimes in groundes a part and seuerally by themselues; but for the most part together in one ground mixtly: the manner thereof with the dressing and preparing of the groūd, because I will note vnto you the fertilitie of the soile; I thinke good briefly to de­scribe.

The ground they neuer fatten with mucke, dounge or any other thing; neither plow nor digge it as we in England, but onely prepare it in sort as followeth. A fewe daies before they sowe or set, the men with wooden instruments, made almost in forme of mattockes or hoes with long handles; the women with short peckers or parers, because they vse them sitting, of a foote long and about fiue inches in bre­adth: doe onely breake the vpper part of the ground to rayse vp the weedes, gras­se, & old stubbes of corne stalkes with their rootes. The which after a day or twoes [Page 15]drying in the Sunne, being scrapte vp into many small heapes, to saue them labour for carrying them away; they burne into ashes. (And whereas some may thinke that they vse the ashes for to better the grounde; I say that then they woulde eyther disperse the ashes abroade; which wee obserued they doe not, except the heapes bee too great: or els would take speciall care to set their corne where the ashes lie, which also wee finde they are carelesse of.) And this is all the husbanding of their ground that they vse.

Then their setting or sowing is after this maner. First for their corne, begin­ning in one corner of the plot, with a pecker they make a hole, wherein they put foure graines with that care they touch not one another, (about an inch asunder) and couer them with the moulde againe: and so through out the whole plot, ma­king such holes and vsing them after such maner: but with this regard that they bee made in rankes, euery rāke differing from other halfe a fadome or a yarde, and the holes also in euery ranke, as much. By this meanes there is a yarde spare ground betwene euery hole: where according to discretion here and there, they set as ma­ny Beanes and Peaze: in diuers places also among the seedes of Macócqwer, Mel­den and Planta Solis.

The ground being thus set according to the rate by vs experimented, an Eng­lish Acre conteining fourtie pearches in length, and foure in breadth, doeth there yeeld in croppe or ofcome of corne, beanes, and peaze, at the least two hūdred Lon­don bushelles: besides the Macócqwer, Melden, and Planta Solis. When as in Eng­land fourtie bushelles of our wheate yeelded out of such an acre is thought to be much.

I thought also good to note this vnto you, if you which shall inhabite and plant there, maie know how specially that countrey corne is there to be preferred before ours: Besides the manifold waies in applying it to victuall, the increase is so much that small labour and paines is needful in respect that must be vsed for ours. For this I can assure you that according to the rate we haue made proofe of, one man may prepare and husbane so much grounde (hauing once borne corne before) with lesse thē foure and twentie houres labour, as shall yeelde him victuall in a large pro­portiō for a twelue mōeth, if hee haue nothing else, but that which the same groūd will yeelde, and of that kinde onelie which I haue before spoken of: the saide groūd being also but of fiue and twentie yards square. And if neede require, but that there is ground enough, there might be raised out of one and the selfsame ground two haruestes or ofcomes; for they sowe or set and may at anie time when they thinke good from the middest of March vntill the ende of Iune: so that they also set when they haue eaten of their first croppe. In some places of the countrey notwithstan­ding they haue two haruests, as we haue heard, out of one and the same ground.

For English corne neuertheles whether to vse or not to vse it, you that inhabite maie do as you shall haue farther cause to thinke best. Of the grouth you need not to doubt: for barlie, oates and peaze, we haue seene proof of, not beeing purposely [Page 16]sowen but fallen casually in the worst sort of ground, and yet to be as faire as any we haue euer seene here in England. But of wheat because it was musty and hat taken salt water wee could make no triall: and of rye we had none. Thus much haue I di­gressed and I hope not vnnecessarily: nowe will I returne againe to my course and intreate of that which yet remaineth appertaining to this Chapter.

There is an herbe which is sowed a part by it selfe & is called by the inhabitants Vppówoc: In the West Indies it hath diuers names, according to the seuerall places & countries where it groweth and is vsed: The Spaniardes generally call it Tobac­co. The leaues thereof being dried and brought into powder: they vse to take the fume or smoke thereof by sucking it through pipes made of claie into their stoma­cke and heade;from whence it purgeth superfluous fleame & other grosse humors, openeth all the pores & passages of the body: by which meanes the vse thereof, not only preserueth the body from obstructiōs; but also if any be, so that they haue not beene of too long continuance, in short time breaketh them:wherby their bodies are notably preserued in health, & know not many greeuous diseases wherewithall wee in England are oftentimes afflicted.

This Vppówoc is of so precious estimation amongest then, that they thinke their gods are maruelously delighted therwith: Wherupon sometime they make hallowed fires & cast some of the pouder therein for a sacrifice: being in a storme vppon the waters, to pacifie their gods, they cast some vp into the aire and into the water: so a weare for fish being newly set vp, they cast some therein and into the ai­re: also after an escape of danger, they cast some into the aire likewise: but all done with strange gestures, stamping, somtime dauncing, clapping of hands, holding vp of hands, & staring vp into rhe heauens, vttering therewithal and chattering stran­ge words & noises.

We our selues during the time we were there vsed to suck it after their maner, as also since our returne, & haue found maine rare and wonderful experiments of the vertues thereof; of which the relation woulde require a volume by it selfe: the vse of it by so manie of late, men & women of great calling as else, and some learned Phisitions also, is sufficient witnes.

And these are all the commodities for sustenance of life that I know and can remember they vse to husband: all else that followe are founde growing naturally or wilde.

Of Rootes.

Openavk are a kind of roots of round forme, some of the bignes of wal­nuts, some far greater, which are found in moist & marish grounds growing many together one by another in ropes, or as thogh they were fastnened with a string. Being boiled or sodden they are very good meate.

Okeepenavk are also of round shape, found in dry grounds: some are [Page 17]of the bignes of a mans head. They are to be eaten as they are taken out of the ground, for by reason of their drinesse they will neither roste nor seeth. Their tast is not so good as of the former rootes, notwithstanding for want of bread & somti­mes for varietie the inhabitants vse to eate them with fish or flesh, and in my iudge­ment they doe as well as the houshold bread made of rie heere in England.

Kaishúcpenauk a white kind of roots about the bignes of hen egs & nere of that forme: their tast was not so good to our seeming as of the other, and therfore their place and manner of growing not so much cared for by vs: the inhabitāts notwith­standing vsed to boile & eate many.

Tsinaw a kind of roote much like vnto the which in England is called the China root brought from the East Indies. And we know not anie thing to the cōtrary but that it maie be of the same kind. These roots grow manie together in great clusters and doe bring foorth a brier stalke, but the leafe in shape far vnlike; which beeing supported by the trees it groweth neerest vnto, wil reach or climbe to the top of the highest. From these roots while they be new or fresh beeing chopt into small pie­ces & stampt, is strained with water a iuice that maketh bread, & also being boiled, a very good spoonemeate in maner of a gelly, and is much better in tast if it bee tempered with oyle. This Tsinaw is not of that sort which by some was caused to be brought into England for the China roote, for it was discouered since, and is in vse as is afore saide: but that which was brought hither is not yet knowne neither by vs nor by the inhabitants to serue for any vse or purpose; although the rootes in shape are very like.

Coscúshaw, some of our company tooke to bee that kinde of roote which the Spaniards in the West Indies call Cassauy, whereupon also many called it by that name: it groweth in very muddie pooles and moist groundes. Being dressed accor­ding to the countrey maner, it maketh a good bread, and also a good sponemeate, and is vsed very much by the inhabitants: The iuice of this root is poison, and the­refore heede must be taken before any thing be made therewithal: Either the roo­tes must bee first sliced and dried in the Sunne, or by the fire, and then being poun­ded into floure wil make good bread: or els while they are greene they are to bee pared, cut into pieces and stampt; loues of the same to be laid neere or ouer the fire vntill it be soure, and then being well pounded againe, bread, or spone meate very good in taste, and holsome may be made thereof.

Habascon is a roote of hoat taste almost of the forme and bignesse of a Parse­neepe, of it selfe it is no victuall, but onely a helpe beeing boiled together with o­ther meates.

There are also Leekes differing little from ours in England that grow in ma­ny places of the countrey, of which, when we came in places where, wee gathered and eate many, but the naturall inhabitants neuer.

Of Fruites.

Chestnvts, there are in diuers places great store: some they vse to eate ra­we, some they stampe and boile to make spoonemeate, and with some being sod­den they make such a manner of dowe bread as they vse of their beanes before mentioned.

Walnvts: There are two kindes of Walnuts, and of then infinite store: In many places where very great woods for many miles together the third part of tre­es are walnuttrees. The one kind is of the same taste and forme or litle differing from ours of England; but that they are harder and thicker shelled: the other is greater and hath a verie ragged and harde shell: but the kernell great, verie oylie and sweete. Besides their eating of them after our ordinarie maner, they breake them with stones and pound them in morters with water to make a milk which they vse to put into some sorts of their spoonmeate; also among their sodde wheat, peaze, beanes and pompions which maketh them haue a farre more pleasant taste.

Medlars a kind of verie good fruit, so called by vs chieflie for these re­spectes: first in that they are not good vntill they be rotten: then in that they open at the head as our medlars, and are about the same bignesse: otherwise in taste and colour they are farre differēt: for they are as red as cheries and very sweet: but whe­reas the cherie is sharpe sweet, they are lushious sweet.

Metaqvesvnnavk, a kinde of pleasaunt fruite almost of the shape & bignes of English peares, but that they are of a perfect red colour as well within as without. They grow on a plant whose leaues are verie thicke and full of prickles as sharpe as needles. Some that haue bin in the Indies, where they haue seen that kind of red die of great price which is called Cochinile to grow, doe describe his plant right like vnto this of Metaquesúnnauk but whether it be the true Cochinile or a bastard or wilde kind, it cannot yet be certified; seeing that also as I heard, Cochini­le is not of the fruite but founde on the leaues of the plant; which leaues for such matter we haue not so specially obserued.

Grapes there are of two sorts which I mentioned in the marchantable co­modities.

Straberies there are as good & as great as those which we haue in our English gardens.

Mvlberies, Applecrabs, Hurts or Hurtleberies, such as wee haue in England.

Sacqvenvmmener a kinde of berries almost like vnto capres but so­me what greater which grow together in clusters vpon a plant or herb that is found in shalow waters: being boiled eight or nine hours according to their kind are ve­ry good meate and holesome, otherwise if they be eaten they will make a man for the time franticke or extremely sicke.

There is a kind of reed which beareth a seed almost like vnto our rie or wheat, & being boiled is good meate.

[Page 19]In our trauailes in some places wee founde wilde peaze like vnto ours in Eng­land but that they were lesse, which are also good meate.

Of a kinde of fruite or berrie in forme of Acornes.

There is a kind of berrie or acorne, of which there are fiue sorts that grow on seuerall kinds of trees; the one is called Sagatémener, the second Osamener, the third Pummuckóner. These kind of acorns they vse to drie vpon hurdles made of reeds with fire vnderneath almost after the maner as we dry malt in England. When they are to be vsed they first water them vntil they be soft & then being sod they make a good victuall, either to eate so simply, or els being also pounded, to make loaues or lumpes of bread. These be also the three kinds of which, I said before, the inhabi­tants vsed to make sweet oyle.

An other sort is called Sapúmmener which being boiled or parched doth eate and taste like vnto chestnuts. They sometime also make bread of this sort.

The fifth sort is called Mangúmmenauk, and is the acorne of their kind of oa­ke, the which beeing dried after the maner of the first sortes, and afterward watered they boile them, & their seruants or sometime the chiefe thēselues, either for varie­ty or for want of bread, doe eate them with their fish or flesh.

Of Beastes.

Deare, in some places there are great store: neere vnto the sea coast they are of the ordinarie bignes as ours in England, & some lesse: but further vp into the countrey where there is better seed they are greater: they differ from ouis onely in this, their tailes are longer and the snags of their hornes looke backward.

Conies, Those that we haue seen & al that we can heare of are of a grey colour li­ke vnto hares: in some places there are such plētie that all the people of some townes make them mantles of the furre or flue of the skinnes of those they vsually take.

Saquenúckot & Maquówoc; two kindes of small beastes greater then conies which are very good meat. We neuer tooke any of them our selues, but someti­me eate of such as the inhabitants had taken & brought vnto vs.

Squirels which are of a grey colour, we haue taken & eaten.

Beares which are all of black colour. The beares of this countrey are good meat; the inhabitants in time of winter do vse to take & eate manie, so also somtime did wee. They are taken comonlie in this sort. In some Ilands or places where they are, being hunted for, as soone as they haue spiall of a man they presently run awaie, & then being chased they clime and get vp the next tree they can, from whence with arrowes they are shot downe starke dead, or with those wounds that they may after easily bekilled; we sometime shotte them downe with our caleeuers.

[Page 20]I haue the names of eight & twenty seuerall sortes of beasts which I haue heard of to be here and there dispersed in the countrie, especially in the maine: of which there are only twelue kinds that we haue yet discouered, & of those that be good meat we know only them before mentioned. The inhabitānts somtime kil the Ly­on & eat him: & we somtime as they came to our hands of their Wolues or woluish Dogges, which I haue not set downe for good meat, least that some woulde vnder­stand my iudgement therin to be more simple than needeth, although I could al­leage the difference in taste of [?] kindes from ours, which by some of our com­pany haue beene experimented in both.

Of Foule.

Turkie cockes and Turkie hennes: Stockdoues: Partridges: Cranes: Hernes: & in winter great store of Swannes & Geese. Ofal sortes of foule I haue the names in the countrie language of four escore and sixe of which number besides those that be named, we haue taken, eaten, & haue the pictures as they were there drawne with the names of the inhabitaunts of seuerall strange sortes of water foule eight, and se­uenteene kinds more of land foul, although wee haue seen and eaten of many mo­re, which for want of leasure there for the purpose coulde not bee pictured: and af­ter wee are better furnished and stored vpon further discouety, with their strange beastes, fishe, trees, plants, and hearbes, they shall bee also published.

There are also Parats, Faulcons, & Marlin haukes, which although with vs they bee not vsed for meate, yet for other causes I thought good to mention.

Of Fishe.

For foure monethes of the yeere, February, March, Aprill and May, there a­re plentie of Sturgeons: And also in the same monethes of Herrings, some of the or­dinary bignesse as ours in England, but the most part farre greater, of eighteene, twentie inches, and some two foote in length and better; both these kindes of fishe in those monethes are most plentifull, and in best season, which wee founde to bee most delicate and pleasaunt meate.

There are also Troutes, Porpoises, Rayes, Oldwiues, Mullets, Plaice, and very ma­ny other sortes of excellent good fish, which we haue taken & eaten, whose names I know not but in the countrey language; wee haue of twelue sorts more the pictu­res as they were drawn in the countrey with their names.

The inhabitants vse to take then two maner of wayes, the one is by a kind of wear made of reedes which in that countrey are very strong. The other way which is more strange, is with poles made sharpe at one ende, by shooting them into the fish after the maner as Irishmen cast dartes; either as they are rowing in their boa­tes or els as they are wading in the shallowes for the purpose.

[Page 21]There are also in many places plentie of these kindes which follow.

Sea crabbes, such as we haue in England.

Oystres, some very great, and some small;some rounde and some of a long sha­pe: They are founde both in salt water and brackish, and those that we had out of salt water are far better than the other as in our owne countrey.

Also Muscles, Scalopes, Periwinkles, and Creuises.

Seekanauk, a kinde of crustie shell fishe which is good meate, about a foote in breadth, hauing a crustie tayle, many legges like a crab; and her eyes in her backe. They are founde in shallowes of salt waters; and sometime on the shoare.

There are many Tortoyses both of lande and sea kinde, their backes & bellies are shelled very thicke; their head, feete, and taile, which are in appearance, seeme ougly as though they were membres of a serpent or venemous: but notwithstan­ding they are very good meate, as also their egges. Some haue bene founde of a yard in bredth and better.

And thus haue I made relation of all sortes of victuall that we fed vpon for the time we were in Virginia, as also the inhabitants themselues, as farre foorth as I knowe and can remember or that are specially worthy to bee re­membred.

THE THIRD AND LAST PART, OF SVCH OTHER THINGES AS IS BE HOO­full for those which shall plant and inhabit to know of; with a description of the nature and manners of the people of the countrey.

Of commodities for building and other necessary vses.

Those other things which I am more to make rehear­sall of, are such as concerne building, and other mecha­nicall necessarie vses; as diuers sortes of trees for house & ship timber, and other vses els: Also lime, stone, and brick, least that being not mentioned some might ha­ue bene doubted of, or by some that are malicious re­ported the contrary.

Okes, there are as faire, straight, tall, and as good timber as any can be, and also great store, and in some places very great.

Walnut trees, as I haue saide before very many, some haue bene seen excellent faire timber of foure & fiue fadome, & aboue fourescore foot streight without bough.

Firre trees fit for masts of ships, some very tall & great.

[Page 23] Rakíock, a kind of trees so called that are sweet wood of which the inhabitans that were neere vnto vs doe commonly make their boats or Canoes of the form of trowes; only with the helpe of fire, harchets of stones, and shels; we haue known so­me so great being made in that sort of one tree that they haue carried well xx. men at once, besides much baggage: the timber being great, tal, streight, soft, light, & yet tough enough I thinke (besides other vses) to be fit also for masts of ships.

Cedar, a sweet wood good for seelings, Chests, Boxes, Bedsteedes, Lutes, Vir­ginals, and many things els, as I haue also said before. Some of our company which haue wandered in some places where I haue not bene, haue made certaine affirma­tion of Cyprus which for such and other excellent vses, is also a wood of price and no small estimation.

Maple, and also Wich-hazle, wherof the inhabitants vse to make their bowes.

Holly a necessary thing for the making of birdlime.

Willowes good for the making of weares and weeles to take fish after the English manner, although the inhabitants vse only reedes, which because they are so strong as also flexible, do serue for that turne very well and sufficiently.

Beech and Ashe, good for caske, hoopes: and if neede require, plow worke, as also for many things els.

Elme.

Sassafras trees.

Ascopo a kinde of tree very like vnto Lawrell, the barke is hoat in tast and spi­cie, it is very like to that tree which Monardus describeth to bee Cassia Lignea of the West Indies.

There are many other strange trees whose names I knowe not but in the Vir­ginian language, of which I am not nowe able, neither is it so conuenient for the present to trouble you with particular relatiō: seeing that for timber and other ne­ceslary vses I haue named sufficient: And of many of the rest but that they may be applied to good vse, I know no cause to doubt.

Now for Stone, Bricke and Lime, thus it is. Neere vnto the Sea coast where weedwelt, there are no kinde of stones to bee found (except a fewe small pebbles about foure miles off) but such as haue bene brought from farther out of the mai­ne. In some of our voiages wee haue seene diuers hard raggie stones, great pebbles, and a kinde of grey stone like vnto marble, of which the inhabitants make their hatchets to cleeue wood. Vpon inquirie wee heard that a little further vp into the Countrey were of all sortes verie many, although of Quarries they are ignorant, neither haue they vse of any store whereupon they should haue occasion to seeke any. For if euerie housholde haue one or two to cracke Nuttes, grinde shelles, whet copper, and sometimes other stones for hatchets, they haue enough: neither vse they any digging, but onely for graues about three foote deepe: and therefore no maruaile that they know neither Quarries, nor lime stones, which both may bee in places neerer than they wot of.

[Page 24]In the meane time vntill there bee discouerie of sufficient store in some place or other cōuenient, the want of you which are and shalbe the planters therein may be as well supplied by Bricke: for the making whereofin diuers places of the coun­trey there is clay both excellent good, and plentie; and also by lime made of Oister shels, and of others burnt, after the maner as they vse in the Iles of Tenet and She­py, and also in diuers other places of England: Which kinde of lime is well knowne to bee as good as any other. And of Oister shels there is plentie enough: for besides diuers other particular places where are abundance, there is one shallowe sounde a­long the coast, where for the space of many miles together in lenght, and two or three miles in breadth, the grounde is nothing els beeing but halfe a foote or a foo­te vnder water for the most part.

This much can I say further more of stones, that about 120. miles from our fort neere the water in the side of a hill was founde by a Gentleman of our compa­ny, a great veine of hard ragge stones, which I thought good to remember vnto you.

Of the nature and manners of the people

It resteth I speake a word or two of the naturall inhabitants, their natures and maners, leauing large discourse thereof vntill time more conuenient hereafter: no­we onely so farre foorth, as that you may know, how that they in respect of troub­ling our inhabiting and planting, are not to be feared; but that they shall haue cau­se both to feare and loue vs, that shall inhabite with them.

They are a people clothed with loose mantles made of Deere skins, & aprons of the same rounde about their middles; all els naked; of such a difference of statu­res only as wee in England; hauing no edge tooles or weapons of yron or steele to offend vs withall, neither know they how to make any: those weapōs that they ha­ue, are onlie bowes made of Witch hazle, & arrowes of reeds; flat edged trunche­ons also of wood about a yard long, neither haue they any thing to defend them­selues but targets made of barcks; and some armours made of stickes wickered to­gether with thread.

Their townes are but small, & neere the sea coast but few, some cōtaining but 10. or 12. houses: some 20. the greatest that we haue seene haue bene but of 30. hou­ses:if they be walled it is only done with barks of trees made fast to stakes, or els with poles onely fixed vpright and close one by another.

Their houses are made of small poles made fast at the tops in rounde forme af­ter the maner as is vsed in many arbories in our gardens of England, in most tow­nes couered with barkes, and in some with artificiall mattes made of long rushes; from the tops of the houses downe to the ground. The length of them is common­ly double to the breadth, in some places they are but 12. and 16. yardes long, and in other some wee haue seene of foure and twentie.

[Page 25]In some places of the countrey one onely towne belongeth to the gouern­ment of a Wiróans or chiefe Lorde; in other some two or three, in some sixe, eight, & more; the greatest Wiróans that yet we had dealing with had but eighteene tow­nes in his gouernmēt, and able to make not aboue seuen or eight hundred fighting men at the most: The language of euery gouernment is different from any other and the farther they are distant the greater is the difference.

Their maner of warres amongst themselues is either by sudden surprising one an other most commonly about the dawning of the day, or moone light; or elsby ambushes, or some suttle deuises: Set battels are very rare, except it fall out where there are many trees, where eyther part may haue some hope of defence, after the deliuerie of euery arrow, in leaping behind some or other.

If there fall out any warres betweē vs & them, what their fight is likely to bee, we hauing aduantages against them so many maner of waies, as by our discipline, our strange weapons and deuises els; especially by ordinance great and small, it may be easily imagined; by the experience we haue had in some places, the turning vs of their heeles against vs in running away was their best defence.

In respect of vs they are a people poore, and for want of skill and iudgement in the knowledge and vse of our things, doe esteeme our trifles before thinges of greater value: Notwithstanding in their proper manner considering the want of such meanes as we haue, they seeme very ingenious; For although they haue no such tooles, nor any such craftes, sciences and artes as wee; yet in those thinges they doe, they shewe excellencie of wit. And by howe much they vpon due considera­tion shall finde our manner of knowledges and craftes to exceede theirs in perfe­ction, and speed for doing or execution, by so much the more is it probable that they shoulde desire our friendships & loue, and haue the greater respect for plea­sing and obeying vs. Whereby may bee hoped if meanes of good gouernment bee vsed, that they may in short time be brought to ciuilitie, and the imbracing of true religion.

Some religion they haue alreadie, which although it be farre from the truth, yet beyng at it is, there is hope it may bee the easier and sooner reformed.

They beleeue that there are many Gods which they call Mantóac, but of dif­ferent sortes and degrees; one onely chiefe and great God, which hath bene from all eternitie. Who as they affirme when hee purposed to make the worlde, made first other goddes of a principall order to bee as meanes and instruments to bee v­sed in the creation and gouernment to follow; and after the Sunne, Moone, and Starres, as pettie goddes and the instruments of the other order more principall. First they say were made waters, out of which by the gods was made all diuersitie of creatures that are visible or inuisible.

For mankind they say a woman was made first, which by the woorking of one of the goddes, conceiued and brought foorth children: And in such sort they say they had their beginning.

[Page 26]But how manie yeeres or ages haue passed since, they say they can make no re­lation, hauing no letters nor other such meanes as we to keepe recordes of the par­ticularities of times past, but onelie tradition from father to sonne.

They thinke that all the gods are of humane shape, & therfore they represent them by images in the formes of men, which they call Kewasowok one alone is cal­led Kewás; Them they place in houses appropriate or temples which they call Mathicómuck; Where they woorship, praie, sing, and make manie times offerings vnto them. In some Machicómuck we haue seene but on Kewas, in some two, and in other some three; The common sort thinke them to be also gods.

They beleeue also the immortalitie of the soule, that after this life as soone as the soule is departed fiom the bodie according to the workes it hath done, it is ey­ther carried to heauē the habitacle of gods, there to enioy perpetuall blisse and hap­pinesse, or els to a great pitte or hole, which they thinke to bee in the furthest partes of their part of the worlde towarde the sunne set, there to burne continually: the place they call Popogusso.

For the confirmation of this opinion, they tolde mee two stories of two men that had been lately dead and reuiued againe, the one happened but few yeres be­fore our comming in the countrey of a wicked man which hauing beene dead and buried, the next day the earth of the graue beeing seene to moue, was takē vp agai­ne; Who made declaration where his soule had beene, that is to saie very neere en­tring into Popogusso, had not one of the gods saued him & gaue him leaue to retur­ne againe, and teach his friends what they should doe to auoid that terrible place of tormenr.

The other happened in the same yeere wee were there, but in a towne that was threescore miles from vs, and it was tolde mee for straunge newes that one beeing dead, buried and taken vp againe as the first, shewed that although his bodie had lien dead in the graue, yet his soule was aliue, ānd had trauailed farre in a long broa­de waie, on both sides whereof grewe most delicate and pleasaūt trees, bearing mo­re rare and excellent fruites then euer hee had seene before or was able to expresse, and at length came to most braue and faire houses, neere which hee met his father, that had beene dead before, who gaue him great charge to goe backe againe and shew his friendes what good they were to doe to enioy the pleasures of that place, which when he had done he should after come againe.

What subtilty soeuer be in the Wiroances and Priestes, this opinion worketh so much in manie of the common and simple sort of people that it maketh them ha­ue great respect to their Gouernours, and also great care what they do, to auoid tor­ment after death, and to enioy blisse; althought notwithstanding there is punish­ment ordained for malefactours, as stealers, whoremoongers, and other sortes of wicked doers; some punished with death, some with forfeitures, some with beating, according to the greatnes of the factes.

And this is the summe of their religion, which I learned by hauing special fa­miliarity [Page 27]with some of their priestes. Wherein they were not so sure grounded, nor gaue such credite to their traditions and stories but through conuersing with vs they were brought into great doubts of their owne, and no small admiratiō of ours, with earnest desire in many, to learne more than we had meanes for want of per­fect vtterance in their language to expresse.

Most thinges they sawe with vs, as Mathematicall instruments, sea compasses, the vertue of the loadstone in drawing yron, a perspectiue glasse whereby was she­wed manie strange sightes, burning glasses, wildefire woorkes, gunnes, bookes, wri­ting and reading, spring clocks that seeme to goe of themselues, and manie other thinges that wee had, were so straunge vnto them, and so farre exceeded their capa­cities to comprehend the reason and meanes how they should be made and done, that they thought they were rather the works of gods then of men, or at the least­wise they had bin giuen and taught vs of the gods. Which made manie of them to haue such opinion of vs, as that if they knew not the trueth of god and religion al­ready, it was rather to be had from vs, whom God so specially loued then from a people that were so simple, as they found themselues to be in comparison of vs. Whereupon greater credite was giuen vnto that we spake of concerning such mat­ters.

Manie times and in euery towne where I came, according as I was able, I ma­de declaration of the contentes of the Bible;that therein was set foorth the true and onelie God, and his mightie woorkes, that therein was contayned the true doctri­ne of saluation through Christ, with manie particularities of Miracles and chiefe poyntes of religion, as I was able then to vtter, and thought fitte for the time. And although I told them the booke materially & of itself was not of anie such vertue, as I thought they did conceiue, but onely the doctrine therein cōtained; yet would many be glad to touch it, to embrace it, to kisse it, to hold it to their brests and hea­des, and stroke ouer all their bodie with it; to shewe their hungrie desire of that knowledge which was spoken of.

The Wiroans with whom we dwelt called Wingina, and many of his people would be glad many times to be with vs at our praiers, and many times call vpon vs both in his owne towne, as also in others whither he sometimes accompanied vs, to pray and sing Psalmes; hoping thereby to bee partaker of the same effectes which wee by that meanes also expected.

Twise this Wiroans was so grieuously sicke that he was like to die, and as hee laie languishing, doubting of anie helpe by his owne priestes, and thinking he was in such daunger for offending vs and thereby our god, sent for some of vs to praie and bee a meanes to our God that it would please him either that he might liue or after death dwell with him in blisse, so likewise were the requestes of manie others in the like case.

On a time also when their corne began to wither by reason of a drouth which happened extraordinarily, fearing that it had come to passe by reason that in [Page 28]some thing they had displeased vs, many woulde come to vs & desire vs to praie to our God of England, that he would preserue their corne, promising that when it was ripe we also should be partakers of the fruite.

There could at no time happen any strange sicknesse, losses, hurtes, or any o­ther crosse vnto them, but that they would impute to vs the cause or meanes the­rof for offending or not pleasing vs.

One other rare and strange accident, leauing others, will I mention before I ende, which mooued the whole countrey that either knew or hearde of vs, to haue vs in wonderfull admiration.

There was no towne where we had any subtile deuise practised against vs, we leauing it vnpunished or not reuenged (because wee sought by all meanes possible to win them by gentlenesse) but that within a few dayes after our departure from euerie such towne, the people began to die very fast, and many in short space; in so­me townes about twentie, in some fourtie, in some sixtie, & in one sixe score, which in trueth was very manie in respect of their numbers. This happened in no place that wee coulde learne but where wee had bene, where they vsed some practise aga­inst vs, and after such time; The disease also so strange, that they neither knew what it was, nor how to cure it; the like by report of the oldest men in the countrey neuer happened before, time out of minde. A thing specially obserued by vs as also by the naturall inhabitants themselues.

Insomuch that when some of the inhabitants which were our friends & espe­cially the Wiroans Wingina had obserued such effects in foure or fiue towns to fol­low their wicked practises, they were perswaded that it was the worke of our God through our meanes, and that wee by him might kil and slai whom wee would wi­thout weapons and not come neere them.

And thereupon when it had happened that they had vnderstanding that any of their enemies had abused vs in our iourneyes, hearing that wee had wrought no reuenge with our weapons, & fearing vpon some cause the matter should so rest: did come and intreate vs that we woulde bee a meanes to our God that they as o­thers that had dealt ill with vs might in like sort die; alleaging howe much it would be for our credite and profite, as also theirs; and hoping furthermore that we would do so much at their requests in respect of the friendship we professe them.

Whose entreaties although wee shewed that they were vngodlie, affirming that our God would not subiect him selfe to anie such praiers and requestes of mē: that in deede all thinges haue beene and were to be done according to his good pleasure as he had ordained: ād that we to shew our selues his true seruāts ought ra­ther to make petition for the contrarie, that they with them might liue together with vs, bee made partakers of his truth & serue him in righteousnes; but notwith­standing in such sort, that wee referre that as all other thinges, to bee done accor­ding to his diuine will & pleasure, ād as by his wisedome he had ordained to be best.

[Page 29]Yet because the effect fell out so sodainly and shortly after according to their desires, they thought neuerthelesse it came to passe by our meanes, and that we in vsing such speeches vnto them did but dissemble the matter, and therefore came vnto vs to giue vs thankes in their manner that although wee satisfied them not in promise, yet in deedes and effect we had fulfilled their desires.

This maruelous accident in all the countrie wrought so strange opinions of vs, that some people could not tel whether to think vs gods or men, and the rather because that all the space of their sicknesse, there was no man of ours knowne to die, or that was specially sicke: they noted also that we had no women amongst vs, nei­ther that we did care for any of theirs.

Some therefore were of opinion that wee were not borne of women, and the­refore not mortall, but that wee were men of an old generation many yeeres past then risen againe to immortalitie.

Some woulde likewise seeme to prophesie that there were more of our gene­ration yet to come, to kill theirs and take their places, as some thought the purpose was by that which was already done.

Those that were immediatly to come after vs they imagined to be in the aire, yet inuisible & without bodies, & that they by our intreaty & for the loue of vs did make the people to die in that sort as they did by shooting inuisible bullets into them.

To confirme this opinion their phisitions to excuse their ignorance in curing the disease, would not be ashemed to say, but earnestly make the simple people be­leue, that the strings of blood that they sucked out of the sicke bodies, were the strings wherewithal the inuisible bullets were tied and cast.

Some also thought that we shot them our selues out of our pieces from the pla­ce where we dwelt, and killed the people in any such towne that had offended vs as we listed, how farre distant from vs soeuer it were.

And other some saide that it was the speciall woorke of God for our sakes, as wee our selues haue cause in some sorte to thinke no lesse, whatsoeuer some doe or maie imagine to the contrarie, specially some Astrologers knowing of the Eclipse of the Sunne which wee saw the same yeere before in our voyage thytherward, which vnto them appeared very terrible. And also of a Comet which beganne to appeare but a few daies before the beginning of the said sicknesse. But to exclude them from being the speciall an accident, there are farther reasons then I thinke fit at this present to bee alleadged.

These their opinions I haue set downe the more at large that it may appeare vnto you that there is good hope they may be brought through discreet dealing and gouernement to the imbracing of the trueth, and consequently to honour, obey, feare and loue vs.

[Page 30]And although some of our companie to wardes the ende of the yeare, shewed themselues too fierce, in slaying some of the people, in some towns, vpō causes that on our part, might easily enough haue been borne withall: yet notwithstanding because it was on their part iustly deserued, the alteration of their opinions gene­rally & for the most part concerning vs is the lesse to bee doubted. And whatsoe­uer els they may be, by carefulnesse of our selues neede nothing at all to be feared. The best neuerthelesse in this as in all actions besides is to be endeuoured and hoped, & of the worst that may happen notice to bee taken with consideration, and as much as may be eschewed.

The Conclusion.

Now I haue as I hope made relation not of so fewe and smal things but that the countrey of men that are indifferent & wel disposed maie be sufficiently liked: If there were no more knowen then I haue mentioned, which doubtlesse and in great reason is nothing to that which remaineth to bee discouered, neither the soi­le, nor commodities. As we haue reason so to gather by the difference we found in our trauails: for although all which I haue before spoken of, haue bin discouered & experimented not far from the sea coast where was our abode & most of our tra­uailing: yet somtimes as we made our iourneies farther into the maine and coun­trey; we found the soyle to bee fatter; the trees greater and to growe thinner; the grounde more firme and deeper mould; more and larger champions; finer grasse and as good as euer we saw any in England; in some places rockie and farre more high and hillie ground; more plentie of their fruites; more abondance of beastes; the more inhabited with people, and of greater pollicie & larger dominions, with greater townes and houses.

Why may wee not then looke for in good hope from the inner parts of more and greater plentie, as well of other things, as of those which wee haue alreadie dis­couered? Vnto the Spaniardes happened the like in discouering the maine of the West Indies. The maine also of this countrey of Virginia, extending some wayes so many hundreds of leagues, as otherwise then by the relation of the inhabitants wee haue most certaine knowledge of, where yet no Christian Prince hath any posses­sion or dealing, cannot but yeeld many kinds of excellent commodities, which we in our discouerie haue not yet seene.

What hope there is els to be gathered of the nature of the climate, being answerable to the Iland of Iapan, the land of China, Persia, Jury, the Ilandes of Cy­prus and Candy, the South parts of Greece, Italy, and Spaine, and of many other no­table and famous countreis, because I meane not to be tedious, I leaue to your ow­ne consideration.

Whereby also the excellent temperature of the ayre there at all seasons, much warmer then in England, and neuer so violently hot, as sometimes is vnder & bet­ween the Tropikes, or nere them; cannot bee vnknowne vnto you without farther relation.

For the holsomnesse thereof I neede to say but thus much: that for all the want of prouision, as first of English victuall; excepting for twentie daies, wee liued only by drinking water and by the victuall of the countrey, of which some sorts were ve­ry straunge vnto vs, and might haue bene thought to haue altered our temperatu­res in such sort as to haue brought vs into some greeuous and dāgerous diseases: se­condly the wāt of English meanes, for the taking of beastes, fishe, and foule, which by the helpe only of the inhabitants and their meanes, coulde not bee so suddenly [Page 32]and easily prouided for vs, nor in so great numbers & quantities, nor of that choise as otherwise might haue bene to our better satisfaction and contentment. Some want also wee had of clothes. Furthermore, in all our trauailes which were most spe­ciall and often in the time of winter, our lodging was in the open aire vpon the grounde. And yet I say for all this, there were but foure of our whole company (being one hundred and eight) that died all the yeere and that but at the latter en­de thereof and vpon none of the aforesaide causes. For all foure especially three we­re feeble, weake, and sickly persons before euer they came thither, and those that knewe them much marueyled that they liued so long beeing in that case, or had ad­uentured to trauaile.

Seing therefore the ayre there is so temperate and holsome, the soyle so fertile and yeelding such commodities as I haue before mentioned, the voyage also thi­ther to and fro beeing sufficiently experimented, to bee perfourmed thrise a yeere with ease and at any season thereof: And the dealing of Sir Water Raleigh so libe­rall in large giuing and graūting lande there, as is alreadie knowen, with many hel­pes and furtherances els: (The least that hee hath graunted hath beene fiue hun­dred acres to a man onely for the aduenture of his person:) I hope there remaine no cause wherby the action should be misliked.

If that those which shall thiter trauaile to inhabite and plant bee but reaso­nably prouided for the first yere as those are which were transported the last, and beeing there doe vse but that diligence and care as is requisite, and as they may with eese: There is no doubt but for the time following they may haue victuals that is excellent good and plentie enough; some more Englishe sortes of cattaile al­so hereafter, as somehaue bene before, and are there yet remaining, may and shall bee God willing thiter transported: So likewise our kinde of fruites, rootes, and he­arbes may bee there planted and sowed, as some haue bene alreadie, and proue wel: And in short time also they may raise of those sortes of commodities which I ha­ue spoken of as shall both enrich them selues, as also others that shall deale with them.

And this is all the fruites of our labours, that I haue thought necessary to ad­uertise you of at this present: what els concerneth the nature and manners of the inhabitants of Virginia: The number with the particularities of the voyages thi­ther made; and of the actions of such that haue bene by Sir Water Raleigh there in and there imployed, many worthy to bee remembred; as of the first discouerers of the Countrey: of our generall for the time Sir Richard Greinuile; and after his de­parture, of our Gouernour there Master Rafe Lane; with diuers other directed and imployed vnder theyr gouernement: Of the Captaynes and Masters of the voya­ges made since for transportation; of the Gouernour and assistants of those alredie transported, as of many persons, accidēts, and thinges els, I haue ready in a discour­se [Page 33]by it self in maner of a Chronicle according to the course of times, and when time shall bee thought conuenient shall be also published.

Thus referring my relation to your fauourable constructions, expecting good successe of the action, from him which is to be acknowled­ged the authour and gouernour not only of this but of all things els, I take my leaue of you, this moneth of Februarii, 1588.

Finis.
THE TRVE PICTVRES AN …

THE TRVE PICTVRES AND FASHIONS OF THE PEOPLE IN THAT PAR­TE OF AMERICA NOVV CAL­LED VIRGINIA, DISCOWRED BY ENGLISMEN sent thither in the years of our Lorde 1585. att the speciall charge and direction of the Honourable SIR WALTER RALEGH Knigt Lord Warden of the stannaries in the duchies of Corenwal and Oxford who therin hath bynne fauored and auctorised by her MAAIESTIE and her let­ters patents.

Translated out of Latin into English by RICHARD HACKLVIT.

DILIGENTLYE COLLECTED and DRAOW­ne by IHON WHITE who was sent thiter speciallye and for the same pur­pose by the said SIR WALTER RALEGH the year abouesaid 1585. and also the year 1588. now cutt in copper and first published by THEODORE DE BRY att his wone chardges.

THE TABLE OF ALL DE PICTV­RES CONTAINED IN this Booke of Virginia.

  • I. The carte of all the coast of Virginia.

  • II. The arriuall of the Englishemen in Virginia.

  • III. A Weroan or great Lorde of Virginia.

  • IIII. On of the chieff Ladyes of Secota.

  • V. On of the Religeous men in the towne of Se­cota.

  • VI. A younge gentill woeman doughter of Se­cota.

  • VII. A chieff Lorde of Roanoac.

  • VIII. A chieff Ladye of Pomeiooc.

  • IX. An ageed manne in his winter garment.

  • X. Their manner of careynge ther Childern and atyere of the chieffe Ladyes of the towne of Dasamonquepeuc.

  • XI. The Coniuerer.

  • [Page]XII. Their manner of makinge their Boates.

  • XIII. Their manner of fishynge in Virginia.

  • XIIII. The browyllinge of their fishe ouer the fla­me.

  • XV. Their seetheynge of their meate in earthen pottes.

  • XVI. Their Sitting at meate.

  • XVII. Their manner of prayinge with their Rat­tels abowt the fyer.

  • XVIII. Their danses whych they vse at their hyghe feastes.

  • XIX. The towne of Pomeiooc.

  • XX The towne of Secota.

  • XXI. Ther Idol Kiwasa.

  • XXII. The Tombe of their Werowans or chieff Lordes.

  • XXIII. The marckes of sundrye of the chiefe me­ne of Virginia.

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To the gentle Reader.

Although (frendlye Reader) man by his disobedience, weare depriued of those good Gifts wher with he was indued in his creation, yet he was not berefte of wit to prouyde for hym selfe, nor discretion to de­uise things necessarie for his vse, except suche as appartayne to his soules healthe, as may be gathered by this sauage nations, of whome this present worke intreateth. For although they haue noe true knoledge of God nor of his holye worde and are destituted of all lerninge, Yet they passe vs in many thinges, as in Sober feedinge and Dexteritye of witte, in makinge without any instrument of mettall thinges so neate and so fine, as a man would scarsclye beleue thesame, Vnless the Englishemen Had made proofe Therof by their trauailes into the contrye. Consideringe, Therfore that yt was a thinge worthie of admiration, I was verye willinge to offer vnto you the true Pi­ctures of those people wich by the helfe of Maister Richard Hakluyt of Oxford Mi­nister of Gods Word, who first Incouraged me to publish the Worke, I creaued out of the verye original of Maister Ihon White an Englisch paynter who was sent into the contrye by the queenes Maiestye, onlye to draw the description of the place, lynelye to describe the shapes of the Inhabitants their apparell, manners of Liuinge, and fashions, att the speciall Charges of the worthy knighte, Sir Walter Ra­legh, who bestowed noe Small Sume of monnye in the serche and Discouerye of that countrye, From te yeers, 1584. to the ende of The years 1588. Morouer this booke which intreateth of that parte of the new World which the Englishemen call by the name of Virginia I heer sett out in the first place, beinge therunto requested of my Frends, by Raeson of the memorye of the fresh and laue performance ther of, albeyt I haue in hand the Historye of Florida wich should bee first sett foorthe be­cause yt was discouured by the Frencheman longe befor the discouerye of Virginia, yet I hope shortlye also to publish thesame, A Victorye, doubtless so Rare, as I thinke the like hath not ben heard nor seene. I craeued both of them at London, an brought, Them hitherto Franckfurt, wher I and my sonnes hauen taken ernest paynes in gra­uinge the pictures ther of in Copper, seeing yt is a matter of noe small importance. Touchinge the stile of both the Discourses, I haue caused yt to bee Reduced into verye Good Frenche and Latin by the aide of verye worshipfull frend of myne. Fi­nallye I hartlye Request thee, that yf any seeke to Contrefaict thes my bookx, (for in this dayes many are so malicious that they seeke to gayne by other men labours) thow wouldest giue noe credit vnto suche conterfaited Drawghte. For dyuers secret marks lye hiddin in my pictures, which wil breede Con­fusion vnless they bee well obserued.

II. The arriual of the Englishemen in Virginia.

[figure]

The sea coasts of Virginia arre full of Ilāds, wehr by the entrance into the mayne lād is hard to finde. For although they bee separated with diuers and sundrie large Diui­sion, which seeme to yeeld conuenient entrance, yet to our great perill we proued that they wear shallowe, and full of dangerous flatts, and could neuer perce opp into the mayne lād, vntill wee made trialls in many places with or small pinness. At lengthe wee fownd an entrance vppon our mens diligent serche therof. Affter that wee had passed opp, and sayled ther in for ashort space we discouered a migthye riuer fallnige downe in to the sownde ouer against those Ilands, which neuerthelesswee could not saile opp any thinge far by Reason of the shallewnes, the mouth ther of beinge annoyed with sands driuen in with the tyde therfore saylinge further, wee came vnto a Good bigg yland, the Inhabitante therof as soone as they saw vs began to make a great an horrible crye, as people which meuer befoer had seene men appa­relled like vs, and camme a way makinge out crys likewild beasts or men out of theirwyts. But been­ge gentlye called backe, wee offred thē of our wares, as glasses, kniues, babies, and other trifles, which wee thougt they deligted in. Soe they stood still, and perceuinge our Good will and courtesie came fawninge vppon vs, and bade us welcome. Then they brought vs to their village in the iland called, Roanoac, and vnto their Weroans or Prince, which entertained vs with Reasonable curtesie, alt­houg the wear amased at the first sight of vs. Suche was our arriuall into the parte of the world, which we call Virginia, the stature of bodee of wich people, theyr attire, and maneer of lyuinge, their feasts, and banketts, I will particullerlye declare vnto yow.

III. A weroan or great Lorde of Virginia.

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The Princes of Virginia are attyred in suche manner as is expressed in this figure. They weare the haire of their heades long and bynde opp the ende of thesame in a knot vnder thier eares. Yet they cutt the topp of their heades from the forehead to the nape of the necke in manner of a cokscombe, stirkinge a faier lōge pecher of some berd att the Begininge of the creste vppun their foreheads, and another short one on bothe seides about their eares. They hange at their eares ether thickepearles, or somwhat els, as the clawe of some great birde, as cometh in to their fansye. Moreouer They ether pownes, or paynt their forehead, cheeks, chynne, bodye, armes, and leggs, yet in another sorte then the inhabitantz of Florida. They weare a chaine about their necks of pearles or beades of cop­per, wich they muche esteeme, and ther of wear they also braselets ohn their armes. Vnder their brests about their bellyes appeir certayne spotts, whear they vse to lett them selues bloode, when they are sicke. They hange before thē the skinne of some beaste verye feinelye dresset in suche sorte, that the tayle hangeth downe behynde. They carye a quiuer made of small rushes holding their bowe readie bent in on hand, and an arrowe in the other, radie to defend themselues. In this manner they goe to warr, or tho their solemne feasts and banquetts. They take muche pleasure in huntinge of deer wher of theris great store in the contrye, for yt is fruit full, pleasant, and full of Goodly woods. Yt hathe also store of riuers full of diuers sorts of fishe. When they go to battel they paynt their bo­dyes in the most terible manner that thei can deuise.

IIII. On of the chieff Ladyes of Secota.

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The woemē of Secotam are of Reasonable good proportion. In their goinge they carrye their hāds danglinge downe, and air dadil in a deer skinne verye excellētlye wel dressed, hanginge downe frō their nauell vnto the mydds of their thighes, which also couereth their hynder partz. The reste of their bodies are all bare. The forr parte of their haire is cutt shorte, the rest is not ouer Longe, thinne, and softe, and falling downe about their shoulders: They weare a Wrrath about their heads. Their foreheads, cheeks, chynne, armes and leggs are pownced. About their necks they wear a chaine, ether pricked or paynted. They haue small eyes, plaine and flatt noses, narrow foreheads, and broade mowths. For the most parte they hange at their eares chaynes of longe Pearles, and of some smootht bones. Yet their nayles are not longe, as the woemen of Florida. They are also deligtted with walkinge in to the fields, and besides the riuers, to see the huntinge of deers and catchinge of fische.

V. On of the Religeous men in the towne of Secota.

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The Priests of the aforesaid Towne of Secota are well stricken in yeers, and as yt see­meth of more experience then the comon sorte. They weare their heare cutt like a creste, on the topps of thier heades as other doe, but the rest are cutt shorte, sauinge those which growe aboue their foreheads in manner of a perriwigge. They also ha­ue somwhat hanginge in their ears. They weare a shorte clocke made of fine hares skinnes quilted with the hayre outwarde. The rest of thier bodie is naked. They are notable enchaunters, and for their pleasure they frequent the riuers, to kill with their bowes, and catche wilde ducks, swannes, and other fowles.

VI. A younge gentill woeman doughter of Secota.

[figure]

Virgins of good parentage are apparelled altogether like the woemen of Secota a­boue mentionned, sauing that they weare hanginge abowt their necks in steede of a chaine certaine thicke, and rownde pearles, with little beades of copper, or po­lished bones betweene them. They pounce their foreheads, cheeckes, armes and legs. Their haire is cutt with two ridges aboue their foreheads, the rest is trussed opp on a knott behinde, they haue broade mowthes, reasonable fair black eyes: they lay their hands often vppon their Shoulders, and couer their brests in token of maydenlike modestye. The rest of their bodyes are naked, as in the picture is to bee seene. They deligt also in seeinge fishe taken in the riuers.

VII. A cheiff Lorde of Roanoac.

[figure]

The cheefe men of the yland and towne of Roanoac reace the haire of their crou­nes of theyr heades cutt like a cokes cōbe, as thes other doe. The rest they wear lōge as woemen and truss them opp in a knott in the nape of their necks. They hange pearles stringe copper a threed att their eares, and weare bracelets on their armes of pearles, or small beades of copper or of smoothe bone called minsal, nether pain­tinge nor powncings of them selues, but in token of authoritye, and honor, they wear a chaine of great pearles, or copper beades or smoothe bones abowt their necks, and a plate of copper hinge v­pon a stringe, from the nauel vnto the midds of their thighes. They couer themselues before and be­hynde as the woemē doe with a deers skynne handsomley dressed, and fringed, More ouer they fold their armes together as they walke, or as they talke one wjth another in signe of wisdome. The yle of Roanoac is verye pleisant, ond hath plaintie of fishe by rea­son of the Water that enuironeth thesame.

VIII. A cheiff Ladye of Pomeiooc.

[figure]

About 20. milles from that Iland, neere the lake of Paquippe, ther is another towne called Pomeioock hard by the sea. The apparell of the cheefe ladyes of dat towne differeth but litle from the attyre of those which lyue in Roanaac. For they weare their haire trussed opp in a knott, as the maiden doe which we spake of before, and haue their skinnes pownced in thesame manner, yet they wear a chaine of great pearles, or beades of copper, or smoothe bones 5. or 6. fold obout their necks, be­aringe one arme in the same, in the other hand they carye a gourde full of some kinde of pleasant liquor. They tye deers skinne doubled about them crochinge hygher about their breasts, which hange downe before almost to their knees, and are almost altogither naked behinde. Commonlye their yonge daugters of 7. or 8. yeares olde do waigt vpon them wearinge abowt them a girdle of skinne, which hangeth downe behinde, and is drawen vnder neath betwene their twiste, and bown­de aboue their nauel with mose of trees betwene that and thier skinnes to couer their priuiliers withall. After they be once past 10. yeares of age, they wear deer skinnes as the older sorte do. They are greatlye Diligted with puppetts, and babes which wear brought oute of England.

IX. An ageed manne in his winter garment.

[figure]

The aged men of Pommeioocke are couered with a large skinne which is tyed vppon their shoulders on one side and hangeth downe beneath their knees wearinge their other arme naked out of the skinne, that they maye bee at more libertie. Those skynnes are Dressed with the hair on, and lyned with other furred skinnes. The yonnge men suffer noe hairr at all to growe vppon their faces but assoone as they growe they put them away, but when thy are come to yeeres they suffer them to growe although to say truthe they come opp verye thinne. They also weare their haire bownde op behynde, and, haue a creste on their heads like the others. The contrye abowt this plase is soe fruit full and good, that England is not to bee compared to yt.

X. Their manner of careynge ther Chil­dern and a tyere of the cheiffe Ladyes of the towne of Dasamonquepeuc.

[figure]

In the towne of Dasemonquepeuc distant from Roanoac 4. or 5. milles, the woe­men are attired, and pownced, in suche sorte as the woemen of Roanoac are, yet they weare noe worathes vppon their heads, nether haue they their thighes painted with small pricks. They haue a strange manner of bearing their children, and quite contrarie to ours. For our woemen carrie their children in their armes before their brests, but they taking their sonne by the right hand, bear him on their backs, holdinge the left thighe in their lefte arme after a strange, and conuesnall fashion, as in the picture is to bee seene.

XI. The Coniuerer.

[figure]

They haue comonlye coniurers or iuglers which vse strange gestures, and often cō ­trarie to nature in their enchantments: For they be verye familiar with deuils, of whome they enquier what their enemys doe, or other suche thinges. They shaue all their heads sauinge their creste which they weare as other doe, and fasten a small black birde aboue one of their ears as a badge of their office. They weare nothinge but a skinne which hangeth downe from their gyrdle, and couereth their priuityes. They weare a bagg by their side as is expressed in the figure. The Inhabitants giue great cre­dit vnto their speeche, which oftentymes they finde to bee true.

XII. The manner of makinge their boates.

[figure]

The manner of makinge their boates in Virginia is verye wonderfull. For wheras they want Instruments of yron, or other like vnto ours, yet they knowe howe to make them as handsomelye, to saile with whear they liste in their Riuers, and to fishe with all, as ours. First they choose some longe, and thicke tree, accordinge to the bignes of the boate which they would frame, and make a fyre on the grownd abowt the Roote therof, kindlinge the same by little, and little with drie mosse of trees, and chipps of woode that the flame should not mounte opp to highe, and burne to muche of the lengte of the tree. When yt is almost burnt thorough, and readye to fall they make a new fyre, which they suffer to burne vntill the tree fall of yt owne accord. Then burninge of the topp, and bowghs of the tree in suche wyse that the bodie of the same may Retayne his iust lengthe, they raise yt vppon potes laid ouer cross wise vppon forked posts, at suche a reasonable heighte as rhey may handsomlye worke vp­pōyt. Then take they of the barke with certayne shells: thy reserue the, innermost parte of the lenn­ke, for the nethermost parte of the boate. On the other side they make a fyre accordinge to the lengthe of the bodye of the tree, sauinge at both the endes. That which they thinke is sufficientlye burned they quenche and scrape away with shells, and makinge a new fyre they burne yt agayne, and soe they continne somtymes burninge and sometymes fcrapinge, vntill the boate haue sufficient bothowmes. This god in dueth thise sauage people with sufficient reason to make thinges necessarie to serue their turnes.

XIII. Their manner of fishynge in Virginia.

They haue likewise a notable way to catche fishe in their Riuers. for whear as they lacke both yron, and steele, they faste vnto their Ree­des or longe Rodds, the hollowe tayle of a certaine fishe like to a sea crabb in steede of a poynte, wehr with by nighte or day they stricke fishes, and take them opp into their boates. They also know how to vse the prickles, and pricks of other fishes. They also make weares, with set­tinge opp reedes or twigges in the water, which they soe plant one within another, that they growe still narrower, and narrower, as appeareth by this figure. Ther was neuer seene amonge vs soe cunninge a way to take fish withall, wherof sondrie sor­tes as they fownde in their Riuers vnlike vnto ours. which are also of a verye good taste. Dowbtless yt is a pleasant sighte to see the people, somtymes wadinge, and goinge somtymes sailinge in those Riuers, which are shallowe and not deepe, free from all care of heapinge opp Riches for their posterite, content with their state, and liuinge frendlye together of those thinges which god of his bountye hath gi­uen vnto them, yet without giuinge hym any thankes according to his desarte. So sauage is this people, and depriued of the true knowledge of god. For they haue none other then is mentionned be­fore in this worke.

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XIIII. The brovvyllinge of their fishe ouer the flame.

[figure]

After they haue taken store of fishe, they gett them vnto a place fitt to dress yt. Ther they sticke vpp in the grownde 4. stakes in a square roome, and lay 4 potes vppon them, and others ouer thwart thesame like vnto an hurdle, of sufficient heigthe. and layinge their fishe vppon this hurdle, they make a fyre vnderneathe to broile the same, not after the manner of the people of Florida, which doe but schorte, and harden their meate in the smoke onlye to Reserue thesame duringe all the winter. For this people reseruinge nothinge for store, thei do broile, and spend away all att once and when they haue further neede, they roste or seethe fresh, as wee shall see heraffter. And when as the hurdle can not holde all the fishes, they hange the Rest by the fyrres on sticks sett vpp in the grounde a gainst the fyre, and than they finishe the rest of their cookerye. They take good heede that they bee not burntt. When the first are broyled they lay others on, that weare newlye broughte, continuinge the dressinge of their meate in this sorte, vntill they thincke they haue sufficient.

XV. Their seetheynge of their meate in earthen pottes.

[figure]

Their woemen know how to make earthen vessells with special Cunninge and that so large and fine, that our potters with lhoye wheles can make noe better: ant then Remoue them from place to place as easelye as we candoe our brassen kettles. Af­ter they haue set them vppon an heape of erthe to stay them from fallinge, they putt wood vnder which being kyndled one of them taketh great care that the fyre burne equallye Rounde abowt. They or their woemen fill the vessel with water, and then putt they in fruite, flesh, and fish, and lett all boyle together like a galliemaufrye, which the Spaniarde call, olla podrida. Then they putte yt out into disches, and sett before the com­panye, and then they make good cheere together. Yet are they moderate in their eatinge wher by they auoide sicknes. I would to god wee would followe their exemple. For wee should bee free from many kynes of diseasyes which wee fall into by sumptwous and vnseasonable banketts, continuallye deuisinge new sawces, and prouocation of gluttonnye to satisfie our vnsatiable appetite.

XVI. Their sitting at meate.

[figure]

Their manner of feeding is in this wise. They lay a matt made of bents one the grownde and sett their meate on the mids therof, and then sit downe Rownde, the men vppon one side, and the woemen on the other. Their meate is Mayz sodden, in suche sorte as I described yt in the former treatise of verye good taste, deers flesche, or of some other beaste, and fishe. They are verye sober in their eatinge, and trinkinge, and consequentlye verye longe liued because they doe not oppress nature.

XVII. Their manner of prainge vvith Rat­tels abowt te fyer.

Vvhen they haue escaped any great danger by sea or lande, or be re­turned from the warr in token of Ioye they make a great fyer a­bowt which the men, and woemen sist together, holdinge a cer­taine fruite in their hands like vnto a rownde pompiō or a gourde, which after they haue taken out the fruits, and the seedes, then fill with smal stons or certayne bigg kernellt to make the more noise, and fasten that vppon a sticke, and singinge after their manner, they make mer­rie: as myselfe obserued and noted downe at my beinge amonge them. For it is a strange custome, and worth the obseruation.

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XVIII. Theirdanses vvhich they vse att their hyghe feastes.

At a Certayne tyme of the yere they make a great, and solemne feaste whe­runto their neighbours of the townes adioninge re­payre from all parts, euery man attyred in the most strange fashion they can deuise hauinge certayne marks on the backs to declare of what place they bee. The place where they meet is a broade playne, abowt the which are planted in the grownde certayne posts carued with heads like to the faces of Nonnes couered with theyr vayles. Then beeing sett in order they dance, singe, and vse the strangest ge­stures that they can possiblye deuise. Three of the fayrest Virgins, of the companie are in the mydds, which imbrassinge one ano­ther doe as yt wear turne abowt in their dancinge. All this is donne after the sunne is sett for auoydinge of heate. When they are weerye of dancinge. they goe oute of the circle, and come in vntill their dances be ended, and they goe to make merrye as is expressed in the 16. figure.

[figure]
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XIX. The Tovvne of Pomeiooc.

The townes of this contrie are in a maner like vnto those which are in Florida, yet are they not soe stronge nor yet preserued with soe great care. They are compassed abowt with poles starcke fa­ste in the grownd, but they are not verye stronge. The entrance is verye narrowe as may be seene by this picture, which is made ac­cordinge to the forme of the towne of Pomeiooc. Ther are but few howses therin, saue those which belonge to the kinge and his nobles. On the one side is their tempel separated from the other howses, and marked with the let­ter A. yt is builded rownde, and couered with skynne matts, and as yt wear com­passed abowt. With cortynes without windowes, and hath noe ligthe but by the doore. On the other side is the kings lodginge marked with the letter B. Their dwellinges are builded with certaine potes fastened together, and couered with matts which they turne op as high as they thinke good, and soe receue in the ligh­te and other. Some are also couered with boughes of trees, as euery man lusteth or liketh best. They keepe their feasts and make good cheer together in the midds of the towne as yt is described in they 17. Figure. When the towne standeth fare from the water they digg a great poude noted with the letter C. wherhence they fetche as muche water as they neede.

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XX. The Tovvne of Secota.

Their townes that are not inclosed with poles aire common­lye fayrer. Then suche as are inclosed, as appereth in this fi­gure which liuelye expresseth the towne of Secotam. For the howses are Scattered heer and ther, and they haue garde­in expressed by the letter E. wherin groweth Tobacco which the inhabitants call Vppowoc. They haue also groaues whe­rin thei take deer, and fields vherin they sowe their corne. In their corne fields they builde as yt weare a scaffolde wher on they sett a cottage like to a rownde chaire, signiffied by F. wherin they place one to watche. for there are suche nomber of fowles, and beasts, that vnless they keepe the better wat­che, they would soone deuoure all their corne. For which cause the wat­cheman maketh continual cryes and noyse. They sowe their corne with a certaine distance noted by H. other wise one stalke would choke the growthe of another and the corne would not come vnto his rypeurs G. For the leaves therofare large, like vnto the leaues of great reedes. They haue also a seuerall broade plotte C. whear they meete with their neighbours, to celebrate their cheefe solemne feastes as the 18. picture doth declare: and a place D. whear af­ter they haue ended their feaste they make merrie togither. Ouer against this place they haue a rownd plott B. wher they assemble themselues to make their solemne prayers. Not far from which place ther is a lardge buil­dinge A. wherin are the tombes of their kings and princes, as will appere by the 22. figure likewise they haue garden notted bey the letter I. wherin they vse to sowe pompions. Also a place marked with K. wherin the make a fyre att their solemne feasts, and hard without the towne a riuer L. from whence they fetche their water. This people therfore voyde of all couetousnes lyue cherfullye and att their harts ease. Butt they solemnise their feasts in the nigt, and therfore they keepe verye great fyres to auoyde darkenes, ant to testifie their Ioye.

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XXI. Ther Idol Kivvasa.

[figure]

The people of this cuntrie haue an Idol, which they call Kiwasa: yt is carued of woode in lengthe 4. foote whose heade is like the heades of the people of Florida, the face is of a flesh colour, the brest white, the rest is all blacke, the thighes are also spottet with whitte. He hath a chayne abowt his necke of white beades, betweene which are other Rownde beades of copper which they esteeme more then golde or siluer. This Idol is placed in the temple of the towne of Secotam, as the keper of the kings dead corpses. Somtyme they haue two of thes idoles in theyr churches, and somtine 3. but neuer aboue, which they place in a darke corner wher they shew tetrible. Thes poore soules haue none other knowledge of god although I thinke them verye Desirous to know the truthe. For when as wee kneeled downe on our knees to make our prayers vnto god, they went abowt to imitate vs, and when they saw we moued our lipps, they also dyd the like. Wherfore that is verye like that they might easelye be brongt to the knowledge of the gospel. God of his mercie grant them this grace.

XXII. The Tombe of their Werovvans or Cheiff Lordes.

The builde a Scaffolde 9. or 10. foote hihe as is expressed in this figure vnder the tōbs of theit Weroans, or cheefe lordes which they couer with matts, and lai the dead corpses of their weroans theruppon in manner followinge. first the bowells are taken forthe. Then layinge downe the skinne, they cutt all the flesh cleane from the bones, which the drye in the sonne, and well dryed the inclose in Matts, and place at their feete. Then their bones (remaininge still fastened together with the ligaments whole and vn­corrupted) are couered a gayne with leather, and their carcase fashioned as yf their flesh wear not taken away. They lapp eache corps in his owne skinne after thesame in thus handled, and lay yt in his order by the corpses of the other cheef lordes. By the dead bodies they sett their Idol Kiwasa, wher of we spake in the former chapiter: For they are persuaded that thesame doth kepe the dead bodyes of their cheefe lordes that nothinge may hurt them. Moreouer vnder the foresaid scaffolde some on of their preists hath his lod­ginge, which Mumbleth his prayers nighte and day, and hath charge of the corpses. For his bedd he hath two deares skinnes spredd on the grownde, yf the wether bee cold hee maketh a fyre to warme by withall. Thes poore soules are thus instructed by natute to reuerence their princes euen after their death.

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XXIII. The Marckes of sundrye of the Cheif mene of Virginia.

[figure]

The inhabitāts of all the cuntrie for the most parte haue marks rased on their backs, wherby yt may be knowen what Princes subiects they bee, or of what place they haue their originall. For which cause we haue set downe those marks in this figure, and haue annexed the names of the places, that they might more easelye be discer­ned. Which industrie hath god indued them withal although they be verye sin­ple, and rude. And to confesse a truthe I cannot remember, that euer I saw a better or quietter people then they.

The marks which I obserued a monge them, are heere put downe in order folowinge.

The marke which is expressed by A. belongeth tho Wingino, the cheefe lorde of Roanoac.

That which hath B. is the marke of Wingino his sisters husbande.

Those which be noted with the letters, of C. and D. belonge vnto diverse chefe lordes in Secotam.

Those which haue the letters E. F. G. are certaine cheefe men of Pomeiooc, and Aqua­scogoc.

SOM PICTVRE, OF THE …

SOM PICTVRE, OF THE PICTES WHICH IN THE OLDE tyme dyd habite one part of the great Bretainne.

THE PAINTER OF WHOM I HAVE had the first of the Inhabitans of Virginia, giue my allso thees 5. Figures fallowinge, fownd as hy did assured my in a oolld English cronicle, the which I wold well sett to the ende of thees first Figures, for to showe how that the Inhabitants of the great Bretannie haue bin in ti­mes past as sauuage as those of Virginia.

The trvve picture of one Picte I.

In tymes past the Pictes, habitans of one part of great Bretainne, which is nowe nammed England, wear sauuages, and did paint all their bodye after the maner followinge. the did lett their haire gro we as fare as their Shoulders, sauinge those which hange vppon their forehead, the which the did cutt. They shaue all their berde except the mustaches, vppon their breast wear painted the head of som birde, ant about the pappes as yt waere beames of the sune, vppon the bel­lye sum feere full and monstreus face, spreedinge the beames verye fare vppon the thighes. Vppon the tow knees som faces of lion, and vppon their leggs as yt hath been shelles of fish. Vppon their Shoulders griffones heades, and then they hath serpents abowt their armes: They caried abowt their necks one ayerne ringe, and another abowt the midds of their bodye, abowt the bellye, and the saids hange on a chaine, a cimeterre or turkie soorde, the did carye in one arme a target made of wode, and in the other hande a picke, of which the ayerne was after the manner of a Lick, whith tassels on, and the other ende with a Rounde boule. And when they hath ouercomme some of their ennemis, they did neuer felle to carye a we their heads with them.

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The trvve picture of a vvomen Picte II.

The woemen of the pictes aboue said wear noe worser for the warres then the men. And wear paynted after the manner followinge, hauinge their heads bear, did lett their hairre flyinge. abowt their Showlders wear painted with griffon heades, the lowe parts and thig­hes with lion faces, or some other beaste as yt com­meth best into their fansye, their brest hath a maner of a half moone, with a great stare, and fowre lesser in booth the sides, their pappes painted in maner of bea­mes of the sonne, and amōg all this a great litteninge starre vppon their brests. The saids of som pointes or beames, and the hoolle bellye as a sonne, the armes, thighes, and leggs well painted, of diuerses Figures: The dyd also carye abowt theyr necks an ayern Ringe, as the men did, and suche a girdle with the soorde hainginge, hauinge a Picke or a lance in one hande, and twoe dardz in the other.

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The trvve picture of a yonge dowgter of the Pictes III.

The yong dougters of the pictes, did also lett their haire flyinge, and wear also painted ouer all the body, so much that noe men could not faynde any different, yf the hath not vse of another fas­hion of paintinge, for the did paint themselues of sondrye kinds of flours, and of the fairest that they cowld feynde. being fourni­shed for the rest of such kinds of weappon as the woemen wear as vou may see by this present picture a thinge trwelly worthie of admiration.

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The trvve picture of a man of na­tion neigbour vnto the Picte IIII.

Therwas in the said great Bretainne yet another nation nigbour vnto the Pictes, which did apparell them selfues with a kind of cas­sake other cloath Ierkin, the rest of the bodye wear naked. The did also wear lōge heares, and their moustaches, butt the chin wear al­so shaued as the other before. The dyd were alardge girdle abowt them, in which hange a croket soorde, with the target, and did carye the picke or the lance in their hande, which hath at the lowe end arownde bowlle, as you may see by this picture.

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The trvve picture of a vvomen nigbour to the Pictes V.

Their woemen wear apparelled after this manner, butt that their apparell was opne before the brest, and did fastened with a little lesse, as our woemen doe fasten their peticott. They lett hange their brests outt, as for the rest the dyd carye suche waeppens as the men did, and wear as good as the men for the warre.

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A TABLE OF THE PRINCI­PALL THINGES THAT are contained in this Historie, after the order of the Alphabet.
  • A.

    • Allum 7

    • Applecrabs 17

    • Ashe 23

    • Ascopo. 23

  • B.

    • Beares 17

    • Beech. 23

  • C.

    • Cedar 9.23

    • Chestnuts 17

    • Ciuet Cattes 9

    • Conies 19

    • Coscuhaw 15

    • Copper 9

    • Cranes 19

    • Creuises 21

  • D.

    • Deare 19

    • Deare skinnes 9

    • Dyes of diuers kindes. 11

  • E.

    • Elme. 23

  • F.

    • Faulcons 19

    • Flaxe and Hempe 7

    • Fiere trees 23

    • Furres 9

  • G.

    • Geese 19

    • Crappes 17

  • H.

    • Habascon 15

    • Hau they bwild their houses 24

    • Haukes 19

    • Hernes 19

    • Herrings 19

    • Holly 23

    • Hurleberies. 17

  • I.

    • Iron. 9

  • K.

    • Kaishucpenauk 15

    • [Page]Kewasowok 26

    • Kewas. 26

  • L.

    • Leekes 17

    • Lions. 19

  • M.

    • Macocqwer 16

    • Mangummenauk 19

    • Maple 23

    • Maqwowoc 19

    • Marlin 19

    • Machicomuck 26

    • Medlars 17

    • Melden 16

    • Metaquesunnauk 17

    • Mulberies 17

    • Mullets 19

    • Muscles. 21

  • N.

    • Natūre ofthe Virginiens: 24

  • O.

    • Oade 11

    • Of beastes 12

    • Of foule 19

    • Of fruites 17

    • Ofthe Vengeance 29

    • Okindgier 14

    • Oldwiues 19

    • Oyle 9

    • Openauk 15

    • Orepenauk 15

    • Oystres. 21

  • P.

    • Pagatowr 13

    • Parats 19

    • Partridges 19

    • Pearle 9

    • Periwinckles 21

    • Pitch 9

    • Plaice 20

    • Planta Solis 14.16

    • Popogusso 26

    • Porpoises 16

  • R.

    • Rayes 19

    • Rakiock 23

    • Rafe Lane 32

    • Richard Greinuile 32

    • Roanoack 8

    • Rozen 9

  • S.

    • Sacquenummener 17

    • Sagatamener and all his kinds 19

    • Sapummener 19

    • Saquenuckot 19

    • Sassafras 9

    • Sassafras trees 23

    • Scalopes 21

    • Seekanauck 21

    • Sea crabbes 21

    • Silke of grasse or grasse Silke 7

    • Squirels 19

    • Stockdoues 19

    • Straberies 17

    • Sturgeons 19

    • Suger cannes 11

    • Swannes 19

    • Sweete gummes 11

    • Stones 24

  • T.

    • Tarre 9

    • Their manner of fishinge 20

    • Their manner of makinge boates 20

    • The soyle better 31

    • The strange oppinion the haue of englishemen 27

    • The climat of Virginia 31

    • Their Relligion 25

    • Tsinaw 15

    • Troutes 19

    • Tortoyses 21

    • Turpentine 9

    • Turkie cockes 19

    • [Page]Turkie hennes 19

  • V.

    • Virginiens willinge to make themselues Christiens. 27

    • Virginiens doe estime the things of Eu­rope 27

    • Vnknowne sicknes 28

    • Vppowoc. 16

  • W.

    • Walnuts 17

    • Walnut trees 23

    • Wapeih 7.8

    • Wasewowr 11

    • Weapons of the Virginiens 24

    • Wich hazle 23

    • Wickenzowr 14.16

    • Wilde peaze. 19

    • Willowes 23

    • Winauck 9

    • Wine 9

    • Wiroans Wingina 27.28

    • Wiroances 26

    • Wolues 19

    • Worme Silke. 7

Finis.

Faults escaped in the impression. the first nombre signiffie the page, the second the Linne.

Pag.1.lin.22. reade, and pag.14.lin.14. reade sodden. lin.27.reade, about. pag. 16.lin.19.reade, sacrifice. pag.20. lin.18.reade Discouery. pag.23.li 3. reade hatchets.

In the preface of the figures lin.17.reade lyuely.lin.23.reade late.figure 2.lin.1. readewher.lin.7.reade fallinge lin.10. reade neuer. 18. bodye.

Fig.3.lin 5.reade vppon.fig.7 lin.11 reade and, fig.8.lin.2.reade that. fig.12.lin. 11.reade they.lin.16.reade scrapinge. fig.13.lin. 10. reade also.fig.16.lin.6.drinkinge. fig.21.lin.12.about.

The rest if any be the discreete reader may easily amend.

AT FRANCKFORT, INPRINTED BY IHON WE­chel, at Theodore de Bry, owne coast and chardges.

MDXC.

[Page]
Americae pars, Nunc Virginia dicta, primum ab Anglis inuenta. sumtibus Dn Walteri Raleigh, Equestris ordinis Viri Anno Dnī .M.D LXXXV regni Vero Sereniss: nostrae Reginae Elisabethae XX.VII hujus vero Historia peculiari Libro descripta est, additis etiam Indigenarum Iconibus

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