Chapter XV: Front Matter (15)

At last, they brought him to _Meronocomoco_, where was _Powhatan_ their Emperor. Here more than two hundred of those grim Courtiers stood wondering at him, as he had been a Monster; till _Powhatan_ and his Train had put themselves in their greatest Braveries. Before a Fire, upon a seat like a Bedsted, he sat cover’d with a great Robe, made of _Rarowcun_-Skins, and all the Tails hanging by. On either hand did sit a young Maid, of sixteen or eighteen years of Age, and along on each side the House, two rows of Men, and behind them as many Women, with all their Heads and Shoulders Painted red; many of their Heads bedeck’d with the white Doun of Birds, but every one with something, and a great Chain of white Beads about their Necks. At his entrance before the Emperor, all the People gave a great shout. The Queen of _Appamatuck_ was appointed to bring him Water to wash his Hands, and another brought him a bunch of Feathers, in stead of a Towel to dry them: Having Feasted him after their barbarous manner as well as they could, a long consultation was held, but in conclusion, two great Stones being brought before _Powhatan_, as many as could, laid Hands on him, dragg’d him to them, and thereon laid his Head, when being ready with their Clubs, to beat out his Brains, _Pocahontas_, the Emperors dearest Daughter, seeing no intreaty could prevail, got his Head in her Arms, and laid her own upon his to save him from death; whereat, the Emperor was contented he should live to make him Hatchets, and her Bells, Beads, and Copper; for they thought him a Man of all Occupations like themselves; for the King himself will make his own Robes, Shoes, Bowes, Arrows, Pots, Plant, Hunt, or do any thing as well as the rest.

Two days after, _Powhatan_ having disguis’d himself in the most fearful manner he could, caus’d Captain _Smith_ to be brought forth to a great House in the Woods, and there upon a Mat by the Fire to be left alone. Not long after, from behind a Mat that divided the House, was made the most doleful noise he ever heard; then _Powhatan_, more like a Devil than a Man, with about two hundred more as black as himself, came unto him, and told him, That now they were Friends, and presently he should go to _James-Town_, to send him two great Guns and a Grindstone, for which he would give him the Countrey of _Capahowosick_, and for ever esteem him as his Son _Nantaquoud_. So to _James-Town_ with twelve Guides _Powhatan_ sent him. That Night they Quarter’d in the Woods, he still expecting (as he had done all this long time of his Imprisonment) every hour to be put to one Death or other, for all their Feasting: but Almighty God (by his Divine Providence) had mollifi’d the Hearts of those stern _Barbarians_ with compassion. The next Morning betimes they came to the Fort, where _Smith_ having us’d the Salvages with what kindness he could, he shew’d _Rawhunt_, _Powhatan_’s trusty Servant, two Demi-Culverins and a Milstone, to carry to _Powhatan_: they found them somewhat too heavy; but when they saw him Discharge them, they being loaded with Stones, amongst the Boughs of a great Tree loaded with Isickles, the Ice and Branches came so tumbling down, that the poor Salvages ran away half dead with Fear. But at last we regain’d some Conference with them, and gave them some Toys, and sent to _Powhatan_’s Women and Children such Presents, as gave them in general, full content.

SECT. V.
Carolina.

[Sidenote: Situation and Description of _Carolina_.]

_Carolina_ is that part of _Florida_ which lies between twenty nine and thirty six Degrees and thirty Minutes of Northern Latitude: It is wash’d on the East and South, with the _Atlantick_ Ocean; on the West with _Mare Pacificum_, or the South Sea; and on the North, bounds on _Virginia_. A Countrey wherein Nature shews how bountiful she can be without the assistance of Art, the Inhabitants (excepting a little _Maiz_ which their old Men and Women Plant) depending meerly on the natural and spontaneous Growth of the Soil for their Provisions, the Woods furnishing them with store of Fruit and Venison, and the Rivers with plenty of several sorts of wholsom and savory Fish.

This Maintenance, which without forecast or toil they receive from the natural fruitfulness of the Countrey, will, if we consider either the largeness of their Growth, or the duration of their Lives, be thought neither scanty nor unhealthy, their Stature being of a larger size than that of _English_-men, their Make strong and well proportion’d, a crooked or mis-shapen Person being not to be found in the whole Countrey; and (where the chance of War, which they are almost continually engag’d in one against another in their little Governments, spares any of them) they live to an incredible old age; so that when the _English_ came there, they found some of their Kings, who saw descend from them the sixth Generation.

[Sidenote: Productions of the Soil.]

The Soil is very rich and fertile, producing naturally Walnuts, Grapes (of which the _English_ who are there Planted have made very good Wine) Apricocks, Bullys, with a multitude of others; besides the Woods also are full of very good Peaches, and all the Season of the Year strew’d all over with Strawberries. Mulberry-Trees are the common growth of the Woods; and to assure you they are the natural Offspring of the Place, and grow to an incredible bigness, one whereof the _English_ (who are new Planted at _Albemarle Point_ on _Ashley_ River) made use to fasten the Gate of their Pallisado to, was so large, that all who came from thence say, they never saw any Oak in _England_ bigger, which is but the ordinary size of the Mulberry-Trees of this Countrey, which is so sure an Argument of the richness of the Soil, that the Inhabitants of _Virginia_ enquiring of the Seamen who came from thence, concerning the Quality and Product of the Countrey, when they were inform’d of the large Mulberry-Trees it produc’d, were so well satisfi’d with it, that they made no farther Enquiry. There are also other Trees, as Ash, Poplar, and Bay, with several sorts unknown to us of _Europe_; but those which make it almost all one general Forrest of large Timber-Trees, are Oak, both red and white, and Cedar. There are also here and there large Groves of Pine-Trees, some a hundred Foot high, which afford a better sort of Mast than are to be had either in _Mary-Land_ or _Norway_. These larger Trees weaving their luxuriant Branches into a close Shade, suffer no Under-wood to grow between them, either by their Droppings, or else the Heads of Deer which loosening all the tender Shoots, quite destroy it; so that a great part of the Countrey is as it were a vast Forrest of fine Walks, free from the heat of the Sun, or the incumbrance of Shrubs and Bushes, and so clear and open, that a Man may easily ride a Hunting amongst the Trees, yielding a Prospect very pleasant and surpassing. On the Skirts of these Woods grow lesser Trees and Shrubs of several sorts; amongst them are sundry Dying Materials, which how well the Inhabitants know how to make use of, appears in the Deer-Skins that the chief of them wear, which are Painted, or rather Dy’d, with several lively Colours. But amongst their Shrubs, one of most note and use is that whose Leaves make their _Casini_, a Drink they frequently use, and affirm to be very advantageous for the preservation of Health; which, by the description our _English_ give of the size, colour, and shape of the Leaf, the sort of Tree it grows on, and the taste, colour, and effects of the Drink, which is nothing but the Decoction of the Leaf, seems to be the very same with the _East-India TEE_, and by those who have seen and tasted both, affirm’d to be no other, and may very probably be a spontaneous and native Plant of this Place, since those who give us an account of it, tell us, that this so much valu’d Leaf grows most plentifully in _Nanking_, a Province in _China_ under the very same Latitude, and very much agreeing in Soil and Situation with this of _Carolina_.

What Herbs else the Countrey produces, the _English_ Enquirers (who by minding their Plantations and Settlement there, have been taken off from such unprofitable Actions) give us but little account, onely they say, that those Plats of Ground which have been formerly clear’d off by the _Indians_ for the Planting their Corn, they found thick cover’d with three-leav’d Grass and Dazies, which the fertility of the Soil thrusts forth, whenever the Natives remove their Tillage to some other place, and leave the Earth to its own production; and in other parts they found plenty of Garden Herbs growing wild. The low and Moorish Grounds are for the most part overgrown with Sedge and Reeds, and such other Trash, which usually incumbers rich and uncultivated Lands; those they call _Swamsas_, which with a little Husbandry would prove very good Meadows. There are also some large and pleasant _Savanas_, or grassy Plains.

These are a part of the Trees and Plants best known to us, that Nature of her self produces, in a Soil which contrives and nourishes any thing. The _English_ who are now Planted in the most Northern parts of it, at _Albemarle_, bordering on _Virginia_, have Apples, Pears, Cherries, Apricocks, Plumbs, and Water-Melons, equalling, and if you will believe the Inhabitants, both in largeness of size and goodness of taste, exceeding any in _Europe_. And they who are Setled farther South on _Ashley_ River, have found that the Oranges, Lemmons, Pomegranates, Limes, Pomecitrons, _&c._ which they Planted there, have thriven beyond expectation; and there is nothing which they have put into the Earth, that through any defect in the Soil, hath fail’d to prosper.

[Sidenote: Commodities of the Countrey.]

Besides those things which do serve to satisfie Hunger, or provoke it, the Land doth with great return produce Indigo, Ginger, Tobacco, Cotton, and other Commodities fit to send abroad and furnish foreign Markets; and when a little time shall have brought those kind of Plants to maturity, and given the Inhabitants leisure to furnish themselves with Conveniences for ordering those things aright, the Trials that they have already made of the Soil and its fitness for such Plantations, assure you, that besides Silk, enough to store _Europe_, and a great many other considerable Commodities, they shall have as great plenty of good Wine and Oyl, as any part of the World.

The Mould is generally black, mellow, and upon handling feels soft, and (to use their Expression who have been there) soapy, and is generally all over the Countrey just like the fine Mould of our well order’d Gardens. Under this black Earth, which is of a good thickness in most places that they have try’d, there lies a Bed of Marle, and in some parts Clay.

[Sidenote: Fish and Water-Fowl.]

The Rivers are stor’d with plenty of excellent Fish of several sorts, which are taken with great ease in abundance, and are one great part of the Natives Provision, who are never like to want this Recruit, in a Countrey so abounding in large Rivers, there being in that one small Tract between _Port Rasal_ and _Cape Carteret_, which are not one Degree distant, five or six great Navigable Rivers, that empty themselves into the Sea. These Rivers are also cover’d with Flocks of Ducks and Mallard, whereof millions are seen together, besides Cranes, Herons, Geese, Curlews, and other Water-Fowl, who are so easie to be kill’d, that onely rising at the discharge and noise of a Gun, they instantly light again in the same place, and presently offer a fresh Mark to the Fowler. At the Mouths of the Rivers, and along the Sea-Coast, are Beds of Oysters, which are of a longer Make than those in _Europe_, but very well tasted, wherein are often found good large Pearls, which though the unskilful _Indians_ by washing the Oysters do commonly discolour, and spoil their lustre, yet ’tis not to be doubted, but if rightly order’d, there will be found many of value, and the Fishing for them turn to some account.

Besides the easie Provisions which the Rivers and Sea afford, their Woods are well stock’d with Deer, Rabbets, Hares, Turtle-Doves, Phesants, Partridges, and an infinite number of Wood-Pigeons and wild Turkies, which are the ordinary Dishes of the _Indians_, whose House-keeping depends on their Fishing and Hunting, and who have found it no ill way of Living in so fertile a Countrey, to trust themselves without any labor or forecast, to the Supplies which are there provided to their hands, without the continual trouble of Tillage and Husbandry. Besides, these Woods are fill’d with innumerable variety of smaller Birds, as different in their Notes as Kinds.

[Sidenote: Temperature of the Climate.]

The Temperature of this Province is agreeable to a Countrey, whose Position is on the warmer side of the temperate _Zone_, but yet the Heat is not so sultry nor offensive, as in Places under the same Latitude in the _Old World_; to which moderation of Heat, as well as the healthiness of it, the vast _Atlantick_ Ocean, lying to the East and South of it, may perhaps not a little contribute, an instance whereof some think _China_ to be; to which deservedly admir’d Countrey _Carolina_ exactly answers in its Position and Latitude, the trending from North-East to South-West of its Coast, and the lowness of its Shore, and wants nothing but Inhabitants, to make it equal, if not excell, in all conveniences of Life, as it doth in richness of Soil, that flourishing Empire. The healthiness of the Air is such, that it is not onely benign and favorable to the home-bred _Indians_, and Constitutions accustom’d to it, but the _English_-men who first Planted on _Ashley_ River, though for some other Conveniences they Planted on the side, or almost middle of a Morass, and were encompass’d with a salt Marsh, where the Air, pent up with Woods that surrounded them, had not that freedom it hath in open and cultivated Countreys, yet lost not in a whole years time, of a considerable number, any one Person, of any Disease to be imputed to the Countrey, those few that dy’d in that time sinking under lingring Distempers which they brought with them, and had almost worn them out before they came thither. The _Bermudians_ (who being accustom’d to the pure Air of their own Island, cannot without hazard of their Lives put themselves into any other Place) assur’d of the healthiness of this Place, which is the next Land to them, and under the same Latitude, venture hither. And generally all the _English_ Planting in the _West-Indies_, are so taken with the Conveniences of this Countrey, which, as some of the most considerable of the _English_ in those Parts say of it, promises all that the Heart of Man can wish, that they send the overplus of their People hither; to which the Inhabitants of _Barbados_, a skilful and wary sort of Planters, well knowing in all the parts of the _West-Indies_, have been found to remove the Hands they could spare. As the Summer is not intolerably nor offensively hot, so the Winter is not troublesom nor pinching, but enough to correct the Humors of Mens Bodies, the better to strengthen them, and preserve their Healths, and so far to check the growth of Plants, that by this stop they may put out more regularly, and the Corn and other Fruits the better ripen together, and be ready seasonably at the Harvest, the want whereof in some Countreys hinders the beneficial Growth of several valuable Commodities, the continual Spring all the year long making that their Crops are never ready, their Trees being laden with green and ripe Fruit at the same time, which is to be seen in the Vines growing between the _Tropicks_, where, though they bear excellent Grapes, yet they cannot make any Wine, whilest the mixture of ripe and sowre Grapes upon the same Branch, renders them unfit for the Press, which from Grapes so blended, though of a good kind, would squeeze out a very crude and useless Liquor. This also is the reason why many Parts where our Wheat will grow very well, do yet lose the benefit of it, whilest the several Ears ripening unequally, never make the Crop fit for the Sickle. But this Countrey hath Winter enough to remove that Inconvenience, and to put such a stop to the Rise of the Sap, and the Budding of Plants, as to make the several kinds of Fruits Bud and Blossom in their distinct Seasons, and keep even pace till they are fit to be gather’d.

[Sidenote: Nature, Constitutions, and Manners of the Inhabitants.]

To this happy Climate the native Inhabitants are very well suited, a strong, lusty, and well shap’d People, who to their well knit and active Bodies, want not stout and vigorous Minds; they are a People of a good Understanding, well Humor’d, and generally so just and Honest, that they may seem to have no notice of, as their Language hath no word for, Dishonesty and Cheating; and the worst Name they have for ill Men is, that they are not good. They are a stout and valiant People, which appears in the constant Wars they are engag’d in, not out of covetousness, and a desire of usurping others Possessions, or to enrich themselves by the Spoils of their Neighbors, but upon a pitch of Honor, and for the glory of Victory, which is their greatest joy, there being no parts of their Lives wherein they enjoy so much satisfaction, and give themselves so wholly to Jollity, as in their Triumphs after Victory. Valor therefore is the Vertue they most esteem and reward, and he which hath behav’d himself well in the Wars, is suffer’d to wear the Badges of Honor, and is advanc’d beyond others with some Marks of his Courage; which amongst some is blacking the Skin below his Eyes with black Lead, in fashion something of an Half-Moon; which Mark of Courage is not suffer’d to be worn by any, but those who by some brave Action, as killing the Enemy’s Leader, _&c._ hath signaliz’d himself in their Encounters. They are faithful to their Promises, fair and candid in their Dealings, and so far from Dishonesty, that they want even the Seeds of it, _viz._ Forecast and Covetousness; and he will be very little apt to deceive you to Day, who troubles not himself much about to Morrow, and trusts for the Provisions of the Day to the Day it self; which proceeds not in them for want of Wit, but desire of Content and Quiet, or by the help of their natural Reason they enjoy that Happiness which the Philosophers could not by their Study and Reading attain to, whilest these Men cut off those Desires which Learning could never help the other to Govern; and which if once permitted to run out beyond the present, are capable of no Rest nor Bounds. In their Conversation they are courteous and civil, and in their Visits make Presents to one another; when they meet, their way of Salutation is stroaking on the Shoulders, and sucking in their Breath; and if he be a great Man whom they Salute, they stroak his Thighs too; as civil an Address, as those Patterns of good Breeding, the Hero’s, us’d to their Princes, who in their greatest Courtships, we are told, embrac’d their Knees: After their Salutation they sit down; and it is usual with them to sit still almost a quarter of an hour before they speak, which is not an effect of stupidity or sullenness, but the accustom’d Gravity of their Countrey; for they are in their Tempers a merry, frollick, gay People, and so given to Jollity, that they will Dance whole Nights together, the Women sitting by and Singing, whilest the Men Dance to their Ayrs, which though not like ours, are not harsh or unpleasing, but are something like the Tunes of the _Irish_: So that if we will not let our selves too fondly admire onely the Customs we have been bred up in, nor think Men are to be valu’d for making Legs after our Mode, or the Clothes they wear, which, the finer and gayer they are, always the more to be suspected of Luxury and Effeminateness; if we will allow but these Men to follow the Garbs of their own Countrey, and think them fine enough in a shape onely to hide their Nakedness before, or a Deer-skin hanging loosely on their Shoulders, and their Women not ill Dress’d in Garments of Moss, and Necklaces of Beads, whilest the Fashion of their Courts require no other Ornaments; if, I say, a long and pleasant Life, without Distemper or Care, be to be valu’d, without the incumbrance of unnecessary Trinkets; if Men are to be esteem’d for Valor, Honesty, Friendship, Humanity and good Nature, though Strangers to the ceremonious Troubles we are accustom’d to, the Natives of _Carolina_ will as little, or perhaps less, deserve the Name of _Miserable_, or _Salvage_, as those that give it them. ’Tis true, the _French_ and _Spaniards_ who have Planted amongst them, or with little Armies travell’d their Countrey, have been ill handled by them; but yet the _Indians_ never did them any harm, or treated them otherwise than Friends, till those _Europeans_ by their breach of Faith and several Outrages, had provok’d their just Revenge; and they did nothing but what most virtuous and generous sort of Men are apt to do, to revenge those Affronts, which did not agree with their Tempers tamely to endure. That this did not proceed from treachery and inconstancy in their Natures, is apparent in the contrary Correspondence they have had with the _English_ Setled amongst them, to whom they have been all along very kind, as they were at first very covetous of their Company; for after that some of their King’s Relation had been at _Barbados_, and had seen and admir’d the Temper, Fashions and Strength of the _English_ there, and had been very civilly Treated in that Island, they were so well satisfi’d with them, that at the coming of the _English_ to Settle there, the several little Kingdoms strove with all the Arts and Arguments they could use, each of them to draw the _English_ to Plant in their Dominions, by commending the richness of their Soil, conveniency of their Rivers, the healthiness of their Countrey, the disparagement of their Neighbors, and whatever else they judg’d might allure the _English_ to their Neighborhood. Nor was this onely the first heat of Men fond of Novelties, and as soon weary of them again, but ever since the _English_ first Planted at _Albemarle Point_, on _Ashley_ River, they have continu’d to do them all manner of friendly Offices, ready on all occasions to supply them with any thing they have observ’d them to want, not making use of our Mens Necessities, as an opportunity to enhance the Price of their Commodities, a sort of fair Dealing we could scarce have promis’d them amongst civiliz’d, well bred, and religious Inhabitants of any part of _Europe_; and though they are much frighted with our Guns, both small and great, yet like innocent and well-meaning People, they do not at all distrust our Power, but freely, without suspicion, trust themselves, both Men and Women, even their Kings themselves, in our Town, Lodging and Dancing there frequently whole Nights together, upon no other Pledges but the bare confidence of our mutual Friendship; nor do our Men use any greater caution in Conversing with them, stragling up and down, and travelling singly and unarm’d through their Woods for many Miles about, and are so far from receiving any injury or ill treatment from them, that on the contrary they are kindly us’d and Entertain’d, and guided by them in their Way whenever they desire it; and when any of our Men meet them in their Walks, the _Indians_ all stand still till they are gone by, civilly Saluting them as they pass. Nor doth this Assurance of theirs bound it self within their own Homes, they of their own accords venturing themselves aboard our Ships, have gone voluntarily with our Men to _Virginia_ and _Barbados_. Nor have the _English_ been wanting on their parts in any thing that may preserve this Amity, being very cautious of doing them any injury, bartering with them for those things they receive of them, and buying of them even the waste Land they make no use of.

Besides the simplicity of the _Indians_ Diet, it is very remarkable, that they have a general aversion to those two things which are most acceptable to our Palates, and without which few of us either eat or drink with any delight; for in their Meats they cannot endure the least mixture or rellish of Salt; and for their Drink, they utterly abominate all manner of strong Liquor; to the latter whereof, their large Growth and constant Health, is perhaps not a little owing.

[Sidenote: Their manner of Government.]

Every little Town is a distinct Principality, Govern’d by an Hereditary King, who in some places is not Son, but Sisters Son to the precedent King, the Succession of the Blood-Royal being continu’d by the safer side. The great Business of those Princes is to lead their Men out against their Enemies in War, or against the Beasts in Hunting; for unless it be to appoint them where to Hunt, or else to Consult about making some Attempt upon their Enemy, he hath but small trouble in the Government of his Subjects, who either through their own Honesty, or the few occasions they have for Controversies in their _extempore_ way of Living, need few Laws, and little Severity to keep them in order; but yet they Govern their People without Contract, and fail not of a ready Obedience to their Commands; so that when some of them have bought things of such of the _English_, who by the Orders made amongst our selves were not to Traffick with the _Indians_, they have, upon Complaint made to their _Casiques_, been restor’d again, though in strict Rules of Law they were neither bound by, nor oblig’d to take notice of the Rules which were made onely to Govern our own People, and had at just Prices bought what they carry’d away; such is the Honesty of Men, whose Principles not being corrupted with Learning and Distinction, are contented to follow the Dictates of right Reason, which Nature has sufficiently taught all Men for the well ordering of their Actions, and enjoyment and preservation of humane Society, who do not give themselves up to be amus’d and deceiv’d by insignificant Terms, and minding what is just and right, seek not Evasions in the Niceties and Fallacies of Words.

[Sidenote: _Carolina_ granted by Patent to several Noble Persons by His
Majesty.]

The same is to be said of the first Discovery of this Countrey, as hath been formerly said of _Virginia_ and _Florida_, of both which it partakes; but as to the present Interest and Propriety, the _English_, besides all _Virginia_ intirely, have also so much of _Florida_ as makes up this considerable Province of _Carolina_, which soon after the happy Restauration of His present Majesty King _Charles_ II. from whom it receives Denomination, was granted by Patent to _Edward_ Earl of _Clarendon_, L. Chancellor of _England_, _George_ Duke of _Albemarle_, _William_ Earl of _Craven_, _John_ Lord _Berkley_, _Anthony_ Lord _Ashley_, Sir _George Carteret_, Vice-Chamberlain of His Majesty’s Houshold, Sir _William Berkley_, Knight and Baronet, and Sir _John Colleton_, Knight and Baronet.

[Sidenote: Their care for Setling and Improving of this Plantation.]

The Lords-Proprietors of this Countrey, for the better Settlement of it according to their Patent granted unto them by His Majesty, and for the enlargement of the King’s Dominions in those parts of _America_, have been at great Charge to secure this so rich and advantageous a Countrey to the Crown of _England_, to whom of ancient Right, by the Discovery of Sir _Sebastian Cabott_ in the time of _Henry_ the Seventh, it doth belong, and for its Situation, Fertility, Neighborhood to our other Plantations and several other Conveniences, of too valuable consideration to be negligently lost: By the Care therefore and Endeavors of those Great Men, it hath now two considerable Colonies Planted in it, the one of _Albemarle_, on the North side, bordering on _Virginia_, where are some hundreds of _English_ Families remov’d thither from _New England_, and some of our other Plantations in the _West-Indies_; and another towards the middle of the Countrey, at _Charles-Town_, or _Ashley-River_, a Settlement so hopeful, for the healthiness of the Land, and convenience of access by a large deep Navigable River, and so promising in its very Infancy, that many of the rich Inhabitants of _Barbados_ and _Bermudas_, who are now crowded up in those flourishing Islands, and many in our other _American_ Plantations, are turning their Eyes and Thoughts this way, and have already remov’d part of their Stock and Servants thither. Nor is it to be doubted, but that many, following the Example of those who went to _Albemarle_, will be drawn to this better Plantation at _Ashley-River_, from _New-England_, where the heat of their Zeal, and the coldness of the Air, doth not agree with every Man’s Constitution; and therefore it is to be thought, that many well temper’d Men, who are not much at ease under such Extreams, will be forward to remove hither.

[Sidenote: Fair Terms propos’d to whomsoever shall remove thither.]

The Lords-Proprietors, for the comfortable subsistence, and future enrichment of all those who shall this Year 1671. Transport themselves and Servants thither, allow every Man a hundred Acres _per_ Head, for himself, his Wife, Children and Servants, he carries thither, to him and his Heirs for ever, paying onely one Peny an Acre, as a Chief-Rent; which Peny an Acre is not to be paid these nineteen years; and those Servants who go along thither with their Masters, shall each also have a hundred Acres upon the same Terms, when he is out of his Time. But though these Conditions are very advantageous, and the Countrey promises to the Planter Health, Plenty and Riches at a cheap Rate, yet there is one thing that makes this Plantation more valuable than all these, and that is the secure possession of all these things with as great certainty as the state of humane Affairs, and the transient things of this Life are capable of, in a well continu’d Form of Government, wherein it is made every Man’s Interest to preserve the Rights of his Neighbor with his own; and those who have the greatest Power, have it limited to the Service of the Countrey, the Good and Welfare whereof whilest they preserve and promote, they cannot miss of their own, the Lords Proprietors having no other aim, than to be the greatest Men in a Countrey where every one may be happy if it be not his own fault, it being almost as uncomfortable, and much more unsafe, to be Lord over, than Companion of a miserable, unhappy, and discontented Society of Men.

With this Design the Lords-Proprietors, who are at great Charge for carrying on this Plantation, have put the framing of a Government into the Hands of one, whose Parts and Experience in Affairs of State are universally agreed on, and who is by all Men allow’d to know what is convenient for the right ordering Men in Society, and setling a Government upon such Foundations, as may be equal, safe, and lasting; and to this hath a Soul large enough to wish well to Mankind, and to desire, that all the People where he hath to do might be happy. My Lord _Ashley_ therefore, by the consent of his Brethren, the rest of the Lords Proprietors, hath drawn up, to their general satisfaction, some fundamental Constitutions, which are since, by their joynt approbation, confirm’d to be the Model and Form of Government in the Province of _Carolina_; the main Design and Ballance thereof (according to the best of my memory, having had a Copy thereof) in short is as followeth:

[Sidenote: The Model drawn up by the Lord _Ashley_ for the Government of
_Carolina_.]

1. Every County is to consist of forty square Plots, each containing twelve thousand Acres. Of these square Plots each of the Proprietors is to have one, which is to be call’d a _Signiory_. Eight of these square Plots are to be divided amongst the three Noble-men of that County, _viz._ a _Landgrave_, who is to have four of them; and two _Casiques_, who are to have each of them two apiece; and these square Plots belonging to the Nobility, are to be call’d _Baronies_. The other twenty four square Plots, call’d _Colonies_, are to be the Possession of the People: And this Method is to be observ’d in the Planting and Setting out of the whole Countrey; so that one Fifth of the Land is to be in the Proprietors, one Fifth in the Nobility, and three Fifths in the People.

2. The _Signories_ and _Baronies_, that is, the hereditary Lands belonging to the Proprietors and Nobility, are all entirely to descend to their Heirs, with the Dignity, without power of alienation, more than for three Lives, or one and twenty years, or two Thirds of their _Signiories_ and _Baronies_, and the rest to be _Demesne_.

3. There will be also some Mannors in the Colonies, but none less than three thousand Acres in a Piece, which, like the rest of the Colony Lands, will be alienable, onely with this difference, that it cannot be parcell’d out, but if sold, it must be altogether.

4. There is to be a Biennial Parliament, consisting of the eight Proprietors, the _Landgraves_ and _Casiques_, and one out of every Precinct, that is the six neighboring Colonies, for the People, chosen by the Freeholders; these are to sit and Vote altogether for the making of Laws, which shall be in force no longer than sixty years after their Enacting, the great mischief of most Governments, by which not onely the People are mightily entangled by multiplicity of Rules and Penalties, and thereby laid open to the Malice and Designs of troublesom Men and cunning Projectors; but, which is far worse, the whole frame of the Government in tract of time comes to be remov’d from its original Foundation, and thereby becomes more weak and tottering.

5. There are eight supream Courts for the dispatch of all publick Affairs; the first consists of the _Palatine_, who is the eldest of the Proprietors, and hath power to call Parliaments, and dispose of publick Offices. The other seven supream Courts are, 1. The chief Justices for the determining of Controversies of _Meum_ and _Tuum_, and judging of Criminals. 2. The Chancellors, for passing of Charters, and managing the State Matters of the Province. 3. The High-Constables, for Military Affairs. 4. The Admirals, for Maritime Affairs. 5. The High-Stewards, for Trade. 6. The Treasurers, for the publick Stock; and 7. The Chamberlains, for Ceremonies, Fashions, Marriages, Burials, _&c._ These are the seven supream Courts, to whom lies the ultimate Appeal in all Causes belonging to them. Each of these Courts consists of one Proprietor, and six other Councellors, whereof two are chosen by the Nobility, and two by the People. All the number of these eight Courts joyn’d together make the Grand Council, which are in the nature of a Council of State, and are entrusted with the management of Affairs of greatest concernment. There is also in every County a Court, and in every Precinct another; from the Precinct Court there lies an Appeal to the County Court, and from the County Court to the Proprietors Court, to which the Matter in question belongs, and there is the last decision and determination thereof, without any farther Appeal. And to keep the People from the Charges and vexation of long Suits, to the enriching of Men cunning in Words, care is taken, that no Cause shall be Try’d more than once in any one Court, and that profess’d Pleaders for Money shall not be allow’d.

_Liberty of Conscience_ is here also allow’d in the greatest latitude, but yet so, that neither Atheists, or Men of no Religion, are permitted; Atheism, Irreligion, and vicious Lives being condemn’d, as disagreeable to humane Nature, inconsistent with Government and Societies, and destructive to all that is useful to, or becoming of Mankind; as on the other hand, rigorous Imposing of, and hot Contentions about the Ceremonies and Circumstances of Religion, is an occasion of perpetual Strife, Faction and Division, keeps Men from sedate and temperate Enquiries after Truth, eats out the great Cement of humane Conversation, _Charity_, and cannot be found in any one, who hath but modesty enough to think himself less than a _Pope_, and short of _Infallibility_.

There is also to be a Register of all Grants and Conveyances of Land, to prevent even the occasions of Controversies and Law-Suits.

There are several other less considerable Particulars in this Government, all contriv’d and design’d for the good and welfare of the People; all which are so well put together, and in such equal proportion ballance each other, that some judicious Men who have seen it, say, it is the best and fairest Frame, for the well-being of those who shall live under it, of any they have seen or read of.

CHAP. III.
Florida.

[Sidenote: Situation and Bounds.]

South-West of _Virginia_ lieth the spacious Countrey of _Florida_, remarkable hitherto rather by the great pains which the _Spaniards_ have taken, and the ill Successes they have met with in the discovery and search of this Province, than by any thing else they have discover’d in it answerable to their desires. On the East it hath the _Atlantick Ocean_, or _Mare del Nordt_; on the South, and South-West, the Gulph of _Mexico_ and _Mare Virginium_; and full West, part of _New Gallicia_, and some other Countreys, not yet perfectly known.

[Sidenote: _Ponce_’s Expedition.]

[Sidenote: Water to make old People look young.]

This Countrey is also one of those, said to have been first of all discover’d by Sir _Sebastian Cabot_, at the Charges of the King of _England_, about the Year 1497. but afterwards more throughly search’d into by _John Ponce de Leon_, a _Spaniard_, who in the Year 1512. set Sail with three Ships out of the Haven _St. German_ in _Porto Rico_, North-West to the Isles _Del Veio_, _Caycos_, _Yaguna_, _Amaguyao_, _Manegua_, and _Guanahani_, first discover’d by _Christopher Colonus_, and call’d _St. Salvador_: After that Steer’d North-West by a Coast, which (because of its pleasant prospect) was call’d _Florida_ or (according to the more common Opinion) because it was on _Palm-Sunday_, which the _Spaniards_ call _Pascha de Flores_, (or _Pascha Florida_) that he Landed here: And to find out a Haven he kept sight of the Shore, which appear’d South-West from him. Here the Ships met with so strong a Tide, that notwithstanding they had a fresh Gale of Wind, yet could they not stem it; one of the Ships was driven to Sea out of sight; the other two casting Anchor, which raking, drove toward the Shore; whither, being beckned by the _Indians_, they immediately went; when no sooner he Landed, but they ran in great Companies to make themselves Masters of the Vessels, kill’d one _Spaniard_, and wounded two more: the Night approaching put an end to the Fight. From hence Sailing to the River _La Cruix_ for Wood and Water, they were resisted by sixty Natives, which they put to flight with their Guns, and took one Prisoner; after which they erected a Stone Cross. The Promontory, by which glides the strong Current, lies in twenty Degrees North-Latitude, and call’d _Cabo de Corrientes_, as the Row of Isles, before the Main Land _Los Martyres_, because the Cliffs at a distance appear like Men standing on Poles. Lastly, after some small Encounters with the _Floridans_, _Ponce_ return’d home, being onely inform’d falsly by the _Indians_, that in _Florida_ was a River, and on the Isle _Bimini_ a Fountain, whose Waters made old People young.

[Sidenote: _Vasquez_’s Expedition to _Florida_.]

[Sidenote: Habit of a _Floridan_ King.]

But after this _Florida_ remained not unvisited; for eight years after the foremention’d Voyage, _Lucas Vasquez de Aylom_ weighed Anchor with two Ships from _Hispaniola_, to fetch Slaves from the adjacent Isles for the Gold-Mines, which Labor the Natives were not able to perform: therefore steering his Course Northwardly, he Sail’d along the Coast of _Chicoa_ and _Gualdape_, by them call’d _Cabo de St. Helena_, and _Rio Jordan_, where the Natives look’d upon the Ships as Sea-Monsters, and seeing Bearded Men in them, fled: the _Spaniards_ pursuing them, overtook one Man and a Woman; who being well Entertain’d, and Clad in _Spanish_ Habits, made the Strangers so acceptable to their Countrey-men, that their King sent fifty Men Aboard of them with Provisions, and to invite the Sea-men to his Dominions. The King sat with a great Cloth about him, made fast on his Shoulders, covering his Belly, Breast and Back with the Lappet thereof, and being long, was held up by one of his Servants; over one of his Shoulders hung a String of Pearl that came three times about, and reach’d down to his Thighs; on his Head he wore a Cap full of Ribbonds; his Arms and Legs were also surrounded with a double Chain of Pearl; in his right Hand he held a very rich Staff: But the Queen went almost naked, onely a piece of a wild Beasts Skin hung down before her from her left Shoulder to her mid-Leg, and a double String of Pearl about her Neck hung down between her Breasts, and her Hair Comb’d behind reach’d down to the Calves of her Legs; about her Wrists and Ancles hung also Strings of Pearl.

[Sidenote: Treachery of _Vasquez_.]

[Sidenote: _Indians_ misused.]

On the King’s Command, the _Spaniards_ were permitted to make inspection into the Countrey, in which they were every where courteously Entertain’d, and not without Gold and Silver Presents. Returning Aboard, _Vasquez_ invited the _Indians_ to go with him, under pretence of returning them thanks for the Favours which they had bestowed upon him; but no sooner had he gotten a considerable number in his Ships, but he set Sail, and losing one Ship, arriv’d with the other safe at _Hispaniola_ with a few _Indians_, for most of them with grief and hunger died at Sea, and those that remain’d alive, liv’d on dead Carrion.

[Sidenote: _Vasquez_ defeated by the _Floridans_.]

Some few years after, _Vasquez_ receiving Letters Patent from the Court of _Spain_ for the Government of _Florida_, fitted out a Ship thither in 1620. which brought a good Return of Gold, Silver, and Pearls; whereupon he himself went not long after, and coming into the River _Jordan_, lost one of his Ships, which proved not the worst Accident; for Landing two hundred Men, they were all of them either slain or wounded by the Inhabitants; so that _Vasquez_ was forc’d to sound a Retreat: And after that the _Spaniards_ were less willingly drawn to that Coast, and the rather, because the Inhabitants seem’d poor, and had little Gold but what they procur’d from the _Otapales_ and _Olugatono_’s, sixty Leagues Northward up in the Countrey.

[Sidenote: _Narvaez_ his Expedition.]

[Sidenote: Strange Booty.]

[Sidenote: He is in great extremity.]

[Sidenote: _Cabeca_ is Stranded.]

[Sidenote: His strange Entertainment at _Malhado_.]

Notwithstanding these unsuccessful Expeditions, _Pamphilus Narvaez_ retain’d so much Courage, that obtaining Letters Patents from the Emperor _Charles_ the Fifth, he fitted out four Sail and a Brigantine, weigh’d Anchor from _Cuba_ with six hundred Men and eighty Horse, in the Year 1528. On _Florida_ he Landed three hundred Foot and forty two Horse; they found many empty Huts, but in a great House a golden Bell hid amongst the Nets, Chests full of Merchandise, and in each a dead Body cover’d with Beast Skins, and painted; Pieces of Linnen Cloth, and Wedges of Gold, which they had from the remote Countrey _Apalache_. _Narvaez_, though against the Opinion of _Nunnez Cabeca_, march’d up into the Countrey, whilst the Fleet was to stand along the Shore, and travelling fifteen days saw neither House nor Man, onely here and there some _Palmito_-Trees: Crossing a River on Floats, they were Encountred by two hundred of the Natives; of which the _Spaniards_, having routed them, took six Prisoners, who furnish’d them plentifully with _Indian_ Wheat. After this they march’d fifteen days farther, without discerning the least foot-step of a Man; but at last they met an _Indian_ Lord with a considerable Train, before whom march’d several Pipers: being told by _Narvaez_ that his Journey was for _Apalache_, he conducted the _Spaniards_ with a _Canoo_ over a River, and Landing again, walk’d with them to his Village, where he Entertain’d them with great civility. _Narvaez_, after a long and troublesom Journey, came at last in sight of _Apalache_, a Village which contained two hundred and forty Straw Houses, built between the Mountains on a Moorish Soyl, full of Nut, Pine, and Savine-Trees, Oaks, Laurel, and short _Palmito_’s, besides the Trees, which blown down in several places by a strong Wind from between the Hills, and lying cross, cumber the High-ways: There are many deep Pools, and also Bears, Lyons, and other ravenous Creatures, which make the Ways very dangerous. _Narvaez_ falling suddenly on the Village, took the _Casique_ Prisoner, as also store of Wheat, Mortars to pound it, Hides, and Thred-spun Cloaks. Here he rested twenty five days, during which time some of his Men Journey’d farther into the Countrey, yet found none but poor People, troublesom Ways, and an unfruitful Soyl: twice they were set upon by the Natives, who kill’d some of the Horses and Men: They being a very strong People run stark naked, and as swift as a Deer, Diving under Water from the _Spaniards_ Bullets; which not a little amazing _Narvaez_, he thought it convenient to set upon the Village _Aute_, lying on the Shore: Nine days he was in a miserable condition before he got any Wheat, Pease, or other Provisions from this Village; the getting whereof cost him very dear, for the Villagers behav’d themselves so valiantly, that they kill’d many _Spaniards_, and some of their Horses, which since they left the Haven of _St. Cruce_ had travell’d two hundred and eighty Leagues; so that being tir’d and out of heart, they could not carry the Sick and Wounded, who not able to go, fell down dead in the Way: whereupon it was judg’d convenient to make five Barques, in which they made their Shirts serve for Sails, the Horses Tails and Mayns for Ropes, their Skins to hold fresh Water; with which putting out to Sea, they saw no Land in seven days; and running through the Straights of _St. Miguell_, Steer’d along the Coast of _Rio del Palmes_; where they suffer’d great Drought, insomuch that some drinking salt Water, died thereof: at last Landing, they were in the Night set upon by a _Casique_, who having given _Narvaez_ a great Wound in the Face, fled, leaving behind him a Sable Cloak, scented with Amber; three days they rang’d again along the Sea-shore, when the Barque of _Nunnez Cabeca_ being behind, was by Storm driven on the Shore, where a hundred _Indians_ waited to cut them off, but were pacifi’d with some Trifles: Thus being bereav’d of Arms, Provision, and all manner of Necessaries, they found themselves on an Isle, by the Inhabitants call’d _Malhado_, where they were lodg’d and maintain’d so long as they had any thing left; but Famine grew at last to such a heighth, that they devour’d one another, and in a short time of eighty Men there remain’d onely four alive, _viz._ _Nunnez Cabeca_, _Castillo_, _Orantes_, and _Estevanico_, who at last by Land reach’d to _New Gallicia_, and soon after to _Mexico_, having escap’d a thousand Dangers. Of _Pamphilus Narvaez_ never any tydings being heard, it is suppos’d he was drown’d.

[Sidenote: _Sottus_’s Expedition very remarkable.]

[Sidenote: Strange dealing of the _Cofachiquians_.]

[Sidenote: A Maid Governs the Countrey.]

[Sidenote: Great Treasure of Pearls.]

[Sidenote: Great Tempest.]

[Sidenote: _Sottus_’s farther Journey very remarkable.]

[Sidenote: The City _Mavilla_.]

[Sidenote: Cruel Fight.]

[Sidenote: _Sottus_ dies.]

[Sidenote: Strange Fight.]