Chapter I: Front Matter (1)

NEW
ENGLANDS
PROSPECT.

A true, lively, and experimentall
description of that part of _America_,
commonly called NEW ENGLAND:
discovering the state of that Countrie,
both as it stands to our new-come
_English_ Planters; and to the old
Native Inhabitants.

Laying downe that which may both enrich the
knowledge of the mind-travelling Reader,
or benefit the future Voyager.

By WILLIAM WOOD.

Printed at _London_ by _Tho. Cotes_, for _Iohn Bellamie_, and are
to be sold at his shop, at the three Golden Lyons in _Corne-hill_,
neere the _Royall Exchange_. 1634.

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To the Right Worshipfull,
my much honored Friend,
Sir WILLIAM ARMYNE,
Knight and Baronet.

Noble Sir.

The good assurance of your native worth, and thrice generous disposition, as also the continuall manifestation of your bounteous favour, and love towards my selfe in particular, hath so bound my thankfull acknowledgement, that I count it the least part of my service to present the first fruites of my farre-fetcht experience, to the kinde acceptance of your charitable hands: well knowing that though this my worke, owne not worth enough to deserve your patronage, yet such is your benigne humanity, that I am confident you will daigne it your protection, under which it willingly shrowdes it selfe. And as it is reported of that man whose name was _Alexander_, being a cowardly milke-sop by nature, yet hearing of the valiant courage of that magnificent _Hero_, _Alexander_ the Great, whose name hee bore, he thenceforth became stout and valorous; and as he was animated by having the very name of puissant _Alexander_; so shall these my weake and feble labours, receive life and courage by the patronage of your much esteemed selfe; whereby they shall bee able to out-face the keenest fanges of a blacke mouth'd _Momus_. For from hence the world may conclude, that either there was some worth in the booke, that caused so wise a person to looke upon it, and to vouchsafe to owne it, or else if they suppose that in charity he fosterd it, as being a poore helpelesse brat, they may thence learne to do so likewise. If here I should take upon me the usuall straine of a soothing Epistolizer, I should (though upon better grounds than many) sound forth a full mouth'd encomiasticke of your incomparable worth: but though your deserts may justly challenge it, yet I know your vertuous modesty would not thanke me for it; and indeed your owne actions are the best _Heralds_ of your owne praise, which in spite of envy it selfe must speake you Wise, and truly Noble: and I for my part, if I may but present any thing, which either for its profit or delight may obtaine your favourable approbation, I have already reaped the harvest of my expectation; onely I must desire you to pardon my bold presumption, as thus to make your well deserving name, the frontispeece to so rude and ill deserving frame. Thus wishing a confluence of all blessings both of the throne, and foot-stoole, to be multiplied upon your selfe, and your vertuous Consort, my very good Lady, together with all the Stemmes of your Noble family, I take my leave and rest,

_Your Worships to serve
and be commanded_,
W. W.

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To the Reader.

Courteous Reader,

_Though I will promise thee no such voluminous discourse, as many have made upon a scanter subject, (though they have travailed no further than the smoake of their owne native chimnies) yet dare I presume to present thee with the true, and faithfull relation of some few yeares travels and experience, wherein I would be loath to broach any thing which may puzzle thy beleefe, and so justly draw upon my selfe, that unjust aspersion commonly laid on travailers; of whom many say, They may lye by authority, because none can controule them; which Proverbe had surely his originall from the sleepy beleefe of many a home-bred Dormouse, who comprehends not either the raritie or possibility of those things he sees not, to whom the most classicke relations seeme riddles, and paradoxes: of whom it may be said as once of _Diogenes_, that because he circled himselfe in the circumference of a tubbe, he therefore contemned the Port and Pallace of _Alexander_, which he knew not. So there is many a tub-brain'd Cynicke, who because any thing stranger than ordinary, is too large for the straite hoopes of his apprehension, he peremptorily concludes it is a lye: But I decline this sort of thicke-witted readers, and dedicate the mite of my endeavours to my more credulous, ingenious, and lesse censorious Country-men, for whose sake I undertooke this worke; and I did it the rather, because there hath some relations heretofore past the Presse, which have beene very imperfect; as also because there hath beene many scandalous and false reports past upon the Country, even from the sulphurious breath of every base ballad-monger: wherefore to perfect the one, and take off the other, I have laid downe the nature of the Country, without any partiall respect unto it, as being my dwelling place where I have lived these foure yeares, and intend God willing to returne shortly againe; but my conscience is to me a thousand witnesses, that what I speake is the very truth, and this will informe thee almost as fully concerning it, as if thou wentest over to see it. Now whereas I have written the latter part of this relation concerning the _Indians_, in a more light and facetious stile, than the former; because their carriage and behaviour hath afforded more matter of mirth, and laughter, than gravity and wisedome; and therefore I have inserted many passages of mirth concerning them, to spice the rest of my more serious discourse, and to make it more pleasant. Thus thou mayest in two or three houres travaile over a few leaves, see and know that, which cost him that writ it, yeares and travaile, over Sea and Land before he knew it; and therefore I hope thou wilt accept it; which shall be my full reward, as it was my whole ambition, and so I rest,_

Thine bound in what I may,
_W. W._

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To the Author, his singular good
Friend, M^r. _William Wood_.

_Thanks to thy travell, and thy selfe, who hast
Much knowledge in so small roome, comptly plac't,
And thine experience thus a Mount do'st make,
From whence we may _New Englands Prospect_ take,
Though many thousands distant: wherefore thou
Thy selfe shalt sit upon mount _Praise_ her brow.
For if the man that shall the short cut find
Vnto the _Indies_, shall for that be shrin'd;
Sure thou deservest then no small prayse, who,
So short cut to _New England_ here dost show;
And if then this small thankes, thou getst no more,
Of thankes I then will say the world's growne poore._

S. W.

The Table.

Part. 1. _Page._

_Chap._ 1. Of the Situation, Bayes, 1
Havens, and Inlets.

_Chap._ 2. Of the seasons of the yeare, 3
Winter and Summer, together with the
heat, cold, snow, raine, and the effects
of it.

_Chap._ 3. Of the Climate, length, and 8
shortnesse of day and night, with the
suiteablenesse of it to English bodies
for health and sicknesse.

_Chap._ 4. Of the nature of the Soyle. 10

_Chap._ 5. Of the Hearbs, Fruits, Woods, 13
Waters, and Minerals.

_Chap._ 6. Of the Beasts that live on 18
the land.

_Chap._ 7. Beasts living in the water. 24

_Chap._ 8. Of the Birds and Fowles both 26
of land and water.

_Chap._ 9. Of Fish. 32

_Chap._ 10. Of the severall plantations 36
in particular.

_Chap._ 11. Of the evils, and such 44
things as are hurtful in the plantation.

_Chap._ 12. What provision is to be made 49
for a Iourney at Sea, and what to carry
with us for our use at Land.

Part. 2. _Page._

_Chap._ 1. Of the Connectacuts, 56
Mowhacks, or such Indians as are West-
ward.

_Chap._ 2. Of the Tarrenteenes or the 60
Indians inhabiting East-ward.

_Chap._ 3. Of the Pequants and 61
Narragansets, inhabiting South-ward.

_Chap._ 4. Of the Aberginians or Indians 62
North-ward.

_Chap._ 5. Of their Apparell, Ornaments, 64
Paintings, &c.

_Chap._ 6. Of their diet, cookery, &c. 65

_Chap._ 7. Of their dispositions and 69
good qualifications, as friendship, &c.

_Chap._ 8. Of their hardinesse. 75

_Chap._ 9. Of their wondring at the 77
first view of any strange invention.

_Chap._ 10. Of their Kings governement, 79
and Subiects obedience.

_Chap._ 11. Of their Mariages, &c. 81

_Chap._ 12. Of their worship, &c. 82

_Chap._ 13. Of their Warres. 84

_Chap._ 14. Their games, sports, &c. 85

_Chap._ 15. Of their huntings. 88

_Chap._ 16. Of their Fishings. 89

_Chap._ 17. Of their Arts, &c. 90

_Chap._ 18. Of their Language. 91

_Chap._ 19. Of their deaths, &c. 92

_Chap._ 20. Of their women, &c. 94

_FINIS._

_Errata._

_Page. 13. line 25._ _for_ Squonterquashes _reade_ Isquoutersquashes.

_p. 15. l. 10._ hee, they.
_l. 11._ his, their.
_l. 28._ spoyling, spoile.

_p. 16. l. 10._ mast, masts.

_p. 17. l. 37._ boates, bolles.

_p. 23. l. 12._ us, up.

_p. 24. l. 4._ an, a.

_p. 27. l. 21._ Humiliteers, Humilitees.
_l. 22._ million, millions.

_p. 29. l. 7._ tide, tides.

_p. 31. l. 26._ those, their.

_p. 32. l. 26._ Hage, Haicke.

_p. 37. l. 33._ Clarly, Charles.

_p. 41. l. 10._ land, Inland.

_p. 42. l. 8._ stone, stop.
_l. 16._ lands, ponds.
_l. 36._ brech, Beach.

_p. 45. l. 29._ house, horse.

_p. 46. l. 9._ lyd, lie.
_l. 18._ by, her.
_l. 24._ a (left out.)
_l. 30._ musketor, musketoe.

_p. 47. l. 2._ Fen (left out.)

_p. 50. l. 3._ it (left out.)

_p. 53. l. 20._ handsome, handie.
_l. 36._ Centrie, Gentrie.

_p. 54. l. 6._ many, If any.
_l. 8._ he, they.

_p. 57. l. 14._ here, there.

_p. 60. l. 1._ placed, placing.
_l. 33._ hath (too much.)

_p. 70. l. 24._ Warme, worme.

_p. 82. l. 8._ obiect, subiect.

_p. 83. l. 38._ English ans, English mans.

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NEW
ENGLANDS
PROSPECT.

CHAP. I.

_Of the Situation, Bayes, Havens, and Inlets._

For as much as the Kings most excellent Majesty hath beene graciously pleasd by the grant of his Letters Patents, at first to give life to the plantations of _New England_, and hath dayly likewise by his Favours and Royall protection cherished their growing hopes; whereby many of his Majesties faithfull Subjects haue beene imboldned to venture persons, states, and indeavours, to the inlargement of his Dominions in that Westerne Continent: Wherefore I thought fit (for the further encouragement of those that hereafter, either by Purse, or Person shall helpe forward the Plantation,) to set forth these few observations out of my personall and experimentall knowledge.

The place whereon the _English_ have built their Colonies, is judged by those who have best skill in discovery, either to be an Iland, surrounded on the North side with the spacious River _Cannada_, and on the South with _Hudsons_ River, or else a _Peninsula_, these two Rivers overlapping one another, having their rise from the great Lakes which are not farre off one another, as the _Indians_ doe certainely informe us. But it is not my intent to wander far from our Patent; wherefore I referre you to the thrice memorable discoverer of those parts, Captaine _Smith_, who hath likewise fully described the Southerne and North-east part of _New England_, with the noted head-lands, Capes, Harbours, Rivers, Ponds, and Lakes, with the nature of the Soyle, and commodities both by Sea and Land, &c. within the degrees of fourty one and fourty five.

The Bay of _Massachusets_ lyeth under the degree of fourty two and fourty three, bearing South-west from the Lands end of _England_: at the bottome whereof are situated most of the _English_ plantations: This Bay is both safe, spacious, and deepe, free from such cockling Seas as runne upon the Coast of _Ireland_, and in the Channels of _England_: there be no stiffe running Currents, or Rockes, Shelves, Barres, Quicksands. The Mariners having sayled two or three Leagues towards the bottome, may behold the two Capes embracing their welcome Ships in their Armes, which thrust themselves out into the Sea in forme of a halfe-moone, the surrounding shore being high, and shewing many white Cliffes in a most pleasant prospect with divers places of low land, out of which divers Riuers vent themselves into the Ocean, with many openings, where is good Harbouring for Ships of any burthen; so that if an unexpected storme or crosse winde should barre the Marriner from recovering his desired Port, he may reach other Harbours, as _Plimmouth_, _Cape Ann_, _Salem_, _Marvill Head_; all which afford good ground for Anchorage, being likewise land-lockt from Winde and Seas. The chiefe and usuall Harbour, is the still Bay of _Massachusets_, which is close aboard the plantations, in which most of our ships come to anchor, being the nearest their mart, and usuall place of landing of Passengers; it is a safe and pleasant Harbour within, having but one common and safe entrance, and that not very broad, there scarce being roome for 3. Ships to come in board and board at a time, but being once within, there is roome for the Anchorage of 500. Ships.

This Harbour is made by a great company of Ilands, whose high Cliffes shoulder out the boistrous Seas, yet may easily deceiue any unskilfull Pilote; presenting many faire openings and broad sounds, which afford too shallow waters for any Ships, though navigable for Boates and small pinnaces. The entrance into the great Haven is called _Nantascot_; which is two Leagues from _Boston_; this place of it selfe is a very good Haven, where Ships commonly cast Anchor, untill Winde and Tyde serve them for other places; from hence they may sayle to the River of _Wessaguscus_, _Naponset_, _Charles_ River, and _Misticke_ River, on which Rivers bee seated many Townes. In any of these fore-named harbours, the Sea-men having spent their old store of Wood and Water, may haue fresh supplies from the adjacent Ilands, with good timber to repaire their weather-beaten Ships: Here likewise may be had Masts or Yards, being store of such Trees as are usefull for the same purpose.

CHAP. II.

_Of the Seasons of the yeare, Winter and Summer, together
with the Heate, Cold, Snow, Raine, and the
effects of it._

For that part of the Countrey wherein most of the _English_ have their habitations: it is for certaine the best ground and sweetest Climate in all those parts, bearing the name of _New England_, agreeing well with the temper of our _English_ bodies, being high land, and sharpe Ayre, and though most of our _English_ Townes border upon the Sea-coast, yet are they not often troubled with Mists, or unwholesome fogges, or cold weather from the Sea, which lies East and South from the Land. And whereas in _England_ most of the cold windes and weathers come from the Sea, and those situations are counted most unwholesome, that are neare the Sea-coast, in that Countrey it is not so, but otherwise; for in the extremity of Winter, the North-east and South winde comming from the Sea, produceth warme weather, and bringing in the warme-working waters of the Sea, loosneth the frozen Bayes, carrying away their Ice with their Tides, melting the Snow, and thawing the ground; onely the North-west winde comming over the Land, is the cause of extreame cold weather, being alwaies accompanied with deepe Snowes and bitter Frost, so that in two or three dayes the Rivers are passable for horse and man. But as it is an Axiome in Nature, _Nullum violentum est perpetuum_, No extreames last long, so this cold winde blowes seldome above three dayes together, after which the weather is more tollerable, the Aire being nothing so sharpe, but peradventure in foure or five dayes after this cold messenger will blow a fresh, commanding every man to his house, forbidding any to out-face him without prejudice to their noses; but it may be objected that it is too cold a Countrey for our _English_ men, who have beene accustomed to a warmer Climate, to which it may be answered, (_Igne levatur hyems_) there is Wood good store, and better cheape to build warme houses, and make good fires, which makes the Winter lesse tedious: and moreover, the extremity of this cold weather lasteth but for two Moneths or ten weekes, beginning in _December_, and breaking up the tenth day of _February_; which hath beene a passage very remarkeable, that for ten or a dozen yeares the weather hath held himselfe to his day, unlocking his ycie Bayes and Rivers, which are never frozen againe the same yeare, except there be some small frost untill the middle of _March_. It is observed by the _Indians_ that every tenth yeare there is little or no Winter, which hath beene twice observed of the _English_; the yeare of new _Plimouth_ mens arrivall was no Winter in comparison; and in the tenth yeare after likewise when the great company settled themselves in _Massachusets Bay_, was a very milde season, little Frost, and lesse Snow, but cleare serene weather, few North-west windes, which was a great mercy to the _English_ comming over so rawly and uncomfortably provided, wanting all utensils and provisions which belonged to the well being of Planters: and whereas many died at the beginning of the plantations, it was not because the Country was unhealthfull, but because their bodies were corrupted with sea-diet, which was naught, their Beefe and Porke being tainted, their Butter and Cheese corrupted, their Fish rotten, & voyage long, by reason of crosse Windes, so that winter approaching before they could get warme houses, and the searching sharpnes of that purer Climate, creeping in at the crannies of their crazed bodies, caused death and sicknesse; but their harmes having taught future voyagers more wisedome, in shipping good provision for Sea, and finding warme houses at landing, finde health in both. It hath bin observed, that of five or sixe hundred passengers in one yeare, not above three have died at Sea, having their health likewise at Land. But to returne to the matter in hand, dayly observations makes it apparant, that the peircing cold of that Country produceth not so many noysome effects, as the raw winters of _England_. In publike assemblies it is strange to heare a man sneeze or cough as ordinarily they doe in old _England_; yet not to smother any thing, lest you judge me too partiall in reciting good of the Countrey, and not bad; true it is, that some venturing too nakedly in extreamity of cold, being more foole hardy than wise, have for a time lost the use of their feete, others the use of their fingers; but time and Surgery afterwards recovered them: Some haue had their over-growne beards so frozen together, that they could not get their strong water-bottells into their mouthes; I never heard of any that utterly perished at land with cold, saving one _English_ man and an _Indian_, who going together a Fowling, the morning being faire at their setting out, afterward a terrible storme arising, they intended to returne home; but the storme being in their faces, and they not able to with-stand it, were frozen to death, the _Indian_ having gained three flight-shot more of his journey homeward, was found reared up against a tree with his _Aqua-vitæ_ bottle at his head. A second passage (concerning which many thinke hardly of the Country in regard of his cold) was the miscarriage of a boate at sea; certaine men having intended a voyage to new _Plimouth_, setting sayle towards night, they wanted time to fetch it, being constrained to put into another harbour, where being negligent of the well mooring of their Boate, a strong winde comming from the shore in the night, loosned their killocke, and drove them to Sea, without sight of land, before they had awaked out of sleepe; but seeing the eminent danger, such as were not benummed with cold, shipt out their Oares, shaping their course for _Cape Cod_, where the _Indians_ met them, who buried the dead, and carryed the Boate with the living to _Plimouth_, where some of them died, and some recovered. These things may fright some, but being that there hath beene many passages of the like nature in our _English_ Climate, it cannot dishearten such as seriously consider it, seeing likewise that their owne ruines sprung from their owne negligence.

The Countrey is not so extreamely cold, unlesse it be when the North-west winde is high, at other times it is ordinary for Fishermen to goe to Sea in _Ianuary_ and _February_, in which time they get more Fish, and better than in Summer, onely observing to reach some good Harbours before night, where by good fires they sleepe as well and quietly, (having their mayne sayle tented at their backes, to shelter them from the winde) as if they were at home. To relate how some _English_ bodies have borne out cold, will (it may be) startle beliefe of some, it being so strange, yet not so strange as true. A certaine man being something distracted, broke away from his Keeper, and running into the Wood, could not bee found with much seeking after; but foure dayes being expired, he returned, to appearance as well in body, as at his egresse, and in minde much better: for a mad man to hit home through the unbeaten Woods, was strange, but to liue without meate or drinke in the deepe of Winter, stranger, and yet returne home bettered, was most strange: but if truth may gaine beleefe, you may behold a more superlative strangenesse. A certaine Maide in the extreamity of cold weather, (as it fell out) tooke an uncertaine journey, in her intent short, not above foure miles, yet long in event; for losing her way, she wandred sixe or seaven dayes in most bitter weather, not having one bit of bread to strengthen her, sometimes a fresh Spring quenched her thirst, which was all the refreshment she had; the Snow being upon the ground at first, shee might have trackt her owne foot-steps backe againe, but wanting that understanding, shee wandred, till God by his speciall providence brought her to the place shee went from, where she lives to this day.

The hard Winters are commonly the fore-runners of pleasant Spring-times, and fertile Summers, being iudged likewise to make much for the health of our _English_ bodies: It is found to be more healthfull for such as shall adventure thither, to come towards Winter, than the hot Summer; the Climate in Winter is commonly cold and dry, the Snow lies long, which is thought to be no small nourishing to the ground. For the _Indians_ burning it to suppresse the under-wood, which else would grow all over the Countrey, the Snow falling not long after, keepes the ground warme, and with his melting conveighs the ashes into the pores of the earth, which doth fatten it. It hath beene observed, that _English_ Wheate and Rye proves better, which is Winter sowne, and is kept warme by the Snow, than that which is sowne in the Spring. The Summers be hotter than in _England_; because of their more Southerne latitude, yet are they tollerable; being often cooled with fresh blowing windes, it seldome being so hot as men are driven from their labours, especially such whose imployments are within doores, or under the coole shade: servants have hitherto beene priviledged to rest from their labours in extreame hot weather, from ten of the clocke till two, which they regaine by their early rising in the morning, and double diligence in coole weather. The Summers are commonly hot and dry, there being seldome any raines; I have knowne it sixe or seaven weekes, before one shower hath moystened the Plowmans labour, yet the Harvest hath beene very good, the _Indian_ Corne requiring more heate than wet; for the _English_ Corne, it is refresht with the nightly dewes, till it grow vp to shade his roots with his owne substance from the parching Sunne. In former times the Raine came seldome, but very violently, continuing his drops, (which were great and many) sometimes foure and twenty houres together; sometimes eight and fourty, which watered the ground for a long time after; but of late the Seasons be much altered, the raine comming oftner, but more moderately, with lesse thunder and lightnings, and suddaine gusts of winde. I dare be bold to affirme it, that I saw not so much raine, raw colds, and misty fogges in foure yeares in those parts, as was in _England_ in the space of foure Moneths the last Winter; yet no man at the yeares end, complained of too much drought, or too little raine. The times of most Raine, are in the beginning of _Aprill_, and at _Michaelmas_. The early Springs and long Summers make but short Autumnes and Winters. In the Spring when the Grasse beginnes to put forth, it growes apace, so that where it was all blacke by reason of Winters burnings, in a fortnight there will be Grasse a foote high.

CHAP. III.

_Of the Climate, length, and shortnesse of day and night,
with the suiteablenesse of it to English bodies for
health and sicknesse._

The Countrey being nearer the Equinoctiall than _England_, the dayes and nights be more equally divided. In Summer the dayes be two houres shorter, and likewise in Winter two houres longer than in _England_. In a word, both Summer and Winter is more commended of the _English_ there, than the Summer Winters, and Winter Summers of _England_; and who is there that could not wish, that _Englands_ Climate were as it hath beene in quondam times, colder in Winter, and hotter in Summer? or who will condemne that which is as _England_ hath beene? _Virginia_ having no Winter to speake of, but extreame hot Summers, hath dried up much _English_ blood, and by pestiferous diseases swept away many lusty bodies, changing their complexion not into swarthinesse, but into Palenesse; so that when as they come for trading into our parts, wee can know many of them by their faces. This alteration certainely comes not from any want of victuals or necessary foode, for their soyle is very fertile and pleasant, yeelding both Corne and Cattle plenty, but rather from the Climate, which indeede is found to be hotter than is suiteable to an ordinary _English_ constitution.

In _New England_ both men and women keepe their naturall complexions, in so much as Sea men wonder when they arrive in those parts, to see their Countrey-men so fresh and ruddy: If the Sunne doth tanne any, yet the Winters cold restores them to their former complexion; and as it is for the outward complexion, so it is for the inward constitution; not very many being troubled with inflammations, or such diseases as are encreased by too much heate: and whereas I say, not very many, yet dare I not exclude any; for death being certaine to all, in all Nations there must be something tending to death of like certainty. The soundest bodies are mortall and subject to change, therefore fall into diseases, and from diseases to death. Now the two chiefe messengers of mortality, be _Feavers_ and _Callentures_; but they be easily helpt, if taken in time, and as easily prevented of any that will not prove a meere foole to his body. For the common diseases of _England_, they be strangers to the _English_ now in that strange Land. To my knowledge I never knew any that had the Poxe, Measels, Greene-sicknesse, Head-aches, Stone, or Consumptions, &c. Many that have come infirme out of _England_, retaine their old grievances still, and some that were long troubled with lingering diseases, as Coughs of the lungs, Consumptions, &c. have beene restored by that medicineable Climate to their former strength and health. God hath beene pleased so to blesse men in the health of their bodies, that I dare confidently say it, out of that Towne from whence I came, in three yeares and a halfe, there dyed but three, one of which was crazed before he came into the Land; the other were two Children borne at one birth before their time, the Mother being accidentally hurt. To make good which losses, I have seene foure Children Baptized at a time, which wipes away that common aspersion, that women have no Children, being a meere falsity, there being as sweete lusty Children as in any other Nation, and reckoning so many for so many, more double births than in _England_; the women likewise having a more speedy recovery, and gathering of strength after their delivery than in _England_.

The last Argument to confirme the healthfulnesse of the Countrey, shall be from mine owne experience, who although in _England_ I was brought up tenderly under the carefull hatching of my dearest friends, yet scarce could I be acquainted with health, having beene let blood sixe times for the _Pleurisie_ before I went; likewise being assailed with other weakning diseases; but being planted in that new Soyle and healthfull Ayre, which was more correspondent to my nature, (I speake it with praise to the mercifull God) though my occasions have beene to passe thorow heate and cold, wet, and dry, by Sea and Land, in Winter and Summer, day by day, for foure yeares together, yet scarse did I know what belonged to a dayes sicknesse.

CHAP. IIII.

_Of the nature of the Soyle._

The Soyle is for the generall a warme kinde of earth, there being little cold-spewing land, no Morish Fennes, no Quagmires, the lowest grounds be the Marshes, over which every full and change the Sea flowes: these Marshes be rich ground, and bring plenty of Hay, of which the Cattle feed and like, as if they were fed with the best up-land Hay in _New England_; of which likewise there is great store which growes commonly betweene the Marshes and the Woods. This Medow ground lies higher than the Marshes, whereby it is freed from the over-flowing of the Seas; and besides this, in many places where the Trees grow thinne, there is good fodder to be got amongst the Woods. There be likewise in divers places neare the plantations great broad Medowes wherein grow neither shrub nor Tree, lying low, in which Plaines growes as much grasse, as may be throwne out with a Sithe, thicke and long, as high as a mans middle; some as high as the shoulders, so that a good mower may cut three loads in a day. But many object, this is but a course fodder: True it is, that it is not so fine to the eye as _English_ grasse, but it is not sowre, though it grow thus ranke; but being made into Hay, the Cattle eate it as well as it were Lea-hay and like as well with it; I doe not thinke _England_ can shew fairer Cattle either in Winter, or Summer, than is in those parts both Winter and Summer; being generally larger and better of milch, and bring forth young as ordinarily as Cattle doe in _England_, and have hitherto beene free from many diseases that are incident to Cattle in _England_.

To returne to the Subject in hand, there is so much hay-ground in the Countrey, as the richest voyagers that shall venture thither, neede not feare want of fodder, though his Heard increase into thousands, there being thousands of Acres that yet was never medled with. And whereas it hath beene reported, that some hath mowne a day for halfe of a loade of Hay: I doe not say, but it may be true, a man may doe as much, and get as little in _England_, on _Salisbury_ Plaine, or in other places where Grasse cannot be expected: So Hay-ground is not in all places in _New England_: Wherefore it shall behoue every man according to his calling, and estate, to looke for a fit situation at the first, and if hee be one that intends to live on his stocke, to choose the grassie Vallies before the woody Mountaines. Furthermore, whereas it hath beene generally reported in many places of _England_, that the Grasse growes not in those places where it was cut the fore-going yeares, it is a meere falshood; for it growes as well the ensuing Spring as it did before, and is more spiery and thicke, like our _English_ Grasse: and in such places where the Cattle use to graze, the ground is much improved in the Woods, growing more grassie, and lesse weedy. The worst that can be sayd against the meddow grounds, is because there is little edish, or after-pasture, which may proceede from the late mowing, more than from any thing else; but though the edish be not worth much, yet is there such plenty of other Grasse and seeding, that there is no want of Winter-fodder till _December_, at which time men beginne to house their milch-cattle and Calves: Some, notwithstanding the cold of the Winter, have their Young Cattle without doores, giving them meate at morning and evening. For the more upland grounds, there be different kinds, in some places clay, some gravell, some a red sand; all which are covered with a black mould, in some places above a foote deepe, in other places not so deepe. There be very few that have the experience of the ground, that can condemne it of barrennesse; although many deeme it barren, because the _English_ use to manure their land with fish, which they doe not because the land could not bring corne without it, but because it brings more with it; the land likewise being kept in hart the longer: besides, the plenty of fish which they have for little or nothing, is better so used, than cast away; but to argue the goodnesse of the ground, the _Indians_ who are too lazie to catch fish, plant corne eight or ten yeares in one place without it, having very good crops. Such is the rankenesse of the ground that it must bee sowne the first yeare with _Indian_ Corne, which is a soaking graine, before it will be fit for to receive _English_ seede. In a word, as there is no ground so purely good, as the long forced and improoved grounds of _England_, so is there none so extreamely bad as in many places of _England_, that as yet have not beene manured and improved; the woods of _New England_ being accounted better ground than the Forrests of _England_ or woodland ground, or heathy plaines.

For the naturall soyle, I preferre it before the countrey of Surry, or Middlesex, which if they were not inriched with continuall manurings, would be lesse fertile than the meanest ground in _New England_; wherefore it is neyther impossible, nor much improbable, that upon improvements the soile may be as good in time as _England_. And whereas some gather the ground to be naught, and soone out of hart, because _Plimouth_ men remove from their old habitations, I answer, they do no more remove from their habitation, than the Citizen which hath one house in the Citty & another in the Countrey, for his pleasure, health, & profit. For although they have taken new plots of ground, and built houses upon them, yet doe they retaine their old houses still, and repaire to them, every Sabbath day; neyther doe they esteeme their old lots worse than when they first tooke them: what if they doe not plant on them every yeare? I hope it is no ill husbandry to rest the land, nor is alwayes that the worst that lies sometimes fallow. If any man doubt of the goodnesse of the ground, let him comfort himselfe with the cheapenesse of it; such bad land in _England_ I am sure wil bring in store of good monie. This ground is in some places of a soft mould, and easie to plow; in other places so tough and hard, that I have seene ten Oxen toyled, their Iron chaines broken, and their Shares and Coulters much strained: but after the first breaking up it is so easie, that two Oxen and a Horse may plow it; there hath as good _English_ Corne growne there, as could be desired; especially Rie and Oates, and Barly: there hath beene no great tryall as yet of Wheate, and Beanes; onely thus much I affirme, that these two graines grow well in Gardens, therefore it is not improbable, but when they can gather seede of that which is sowne in the countrey, it may grow as well as any other Graine: but commonly the seede that commeth out of _England_ is heated at Sea, and therefore cannot thrive at land.

CHAP. V.

_Of the Hearbes, Fruites, Woods, Waters and Mineralls._

The ground affoards very good kitchin Gardens, for Turneps, Parsnips, Carrots, Radishes, and Pumpions, Muskmillions, Isquoutersquashes, Coucumbers, Onyons, and whatsoever growes well in _England_, growes as well there, many things being better and larger: there is likewise growing all manner of Hearbes for meate, and medicine, and that not onely in planted Gardens, but in the Woods, without eyther the art or the helpe of man, as sweet Marjoram, Purselane, Sorrell, Peneriall, Yarrow, Mirtle, Saxifarilla, Bayes, &c. There is likewise Strawberries in abundance, very large ones, some being two inches about; one may gather halfe a bushell in a forenoone: In other seasons there bee Gooseberries, Bilberies, Resberies, Treackleberies, Hurtleberries, Currants; which being dryed in the Sunne are little inferiour to those that our Grocers sell in _England_: This land likewise affoards Hempe and Flax, some naturally, and some planted by the _English_, with Rapes if they bee well managed. For such commodities as lie underground, I cannot out of mine owne experience or knowledge say much, having taken no great notice of such things; but it is certainely reported that there is Iron stone; and the _Indians_ informe us that they can leade us to the mountaines of blacke Lead, and have showne us lead ore, if our small judgement in such things doe not deceive us: and though no body dare confidently conclude, yet dare they not utterly deny, but that the _Spaniards_ blisse may lye hid in the barren Mountaines; such as have coasted the countrey affirme that they know where to fetch Seacole if wood were scant; there is plenty of stone both rough and smooth, usefull for many things, with quarries of Slate, out of which they get covering for houses, with good clay, whereof they make Tiles and Brickes, and pavements for their necessary uses.

For the Countrey it is as well watered as any land under the Sunne, every family, or every two families having a spring of sweet waters betwixt them, which is farre different from the waters of _England_, being not so sharpe, but of a fatter substance, and of a more jetty colour; it is thought there can be no better water in the world, yet dare I not preferre it before good Beere, as some have done, but any man will choose it before bad Beere, Wheay, or Buttermilke. Those that drinke it be as healthfull, fresh, and lustie, as they that drinke beere; These springs be not onely within land, but likewise bordering upon the Sea coasts, so that some times the tides overflow some of them, which is accounted rare in the most parts of _England_. No man hitherto hath beene constrained to digge deepe for his water, or to fetch it farre, or to fetch of severall waters for severall uses; one kind of water serving for washing, and brewing and other things. Now besides these springs, there be divers spacious ponds in many places of the Countrey, out of which runne many sweet streames, which are constant in their course both winter and summer, whereat the Cattle quench their thirst, and upon which may be built water mills, as the plantation encreases.

The next commoditie the land affords, is good store of Woods, & that not onely such as may be needfull for fewell, but likewise for the building of Ships, and houses, & Mils, and all manner of water-worke about which Wood is needefull. The Timber of the Countrey growes straight, and tall, some trees being twenty, some thirty foot high, before they spread forth their branches; generally the Trees be not very thicke, though there be many that will serve for Mill posts, some beeing three foote and a halfe o're. And whereas it is generally conceived, that the woods grow so thicke, that there is no more cleare ground than is hewed out by labour of man; it is nothing so; in many places, divers Acres being cleare, so that one may ride a hunting in most places of the land, if he will venture himselfe for being lost: there is no underwood saving in swamps, and low grounds that are wet, in which the _English_ get Osiers, and Hasles, and such small wood as is for their use. Of these swamps, some be ten, some twenty, some thirty miles long, being preserved by the wetnesse of the soile wherein they grow; for it being the custome of the _Indians_ to burne the wood in _November_, when the grasse is withered, and leaves dryed, it consumes all the underwood, and rubbish, which otherwise would over grow the Country, making it unpassable, and spoile their much affected hunting: so that by this meanes in those places where the _Indians_ inhabit, there is scarce a bush or bramble, or any combersome underwood to bee seene in the more champion ground. Small wood growing in these places where the fire could not come, is preserved. In some places where the _Indians_ dyed of the Plague some foureteene yeares agoe, is much underwood, as in the mid way betwixt _Wessaguscus_ and _Plimouth_, because it hath not beene burned; certaine Rivers stopping the fire from comming to cleare that place of the countrey, hath made it unusefull and troublesome to travell thorow, in so much that it is called ragged plaine, because it teares and rents the cloathes of them that passe. Now because it may be necessary for mechanicall artificers to know what Timber, and wood of use is in the Countrey, I will recite the most usefull as followeth.

_Trees both in hills and plaines, in plenty be,
The long liv'd Oake, and mournfull Cypris tree,
Skie towring pines, and Chesnuts coated rough,
The lasting Cedar, with the Walnut tough:
The rozin dropping Firre for masts in use,
The boatmen seeke for Oares light, neate growne sprewse,
The brittle Ash, the ever trembling Aspes,
The broad-spread Elme, whose concave harbours waspes,
The water spungie Alder good for nought,
Small Elderne by th' _Indian_ Fletchers sought,
The knottie Maple, pallid Birtch, Hawthornes,
The Horne bound tree that to be cloven scornes;
Which from the tender Vine oft takes his spouse,
Who twinds imbracing armes about his boughes.
Within this _Indian_ Orchard fruites be some,
The ruddie Cherrie, and the jettie Plumbe,
Snake murthering Hazell, with sweet Saxaphrage,
Whose spurnes in beere allayes hot fevers rage.
The Diars Shumach, with more trees there be,
That are both good to use, and rare to see._

Though many of these trees may seeme to have epithites contrary to the nature of them as they grow in _England_, yet are they agreeable with the Trees of that Countrie. The chiefe and common Timber for ordinary use is Oake, and Walnut: Of Oakes there be three kindes, the red Oake, white, and blacke; as these are different in kinde, so are they chosen for such uses as they are most fit for, one kind being more fit for clappboard, others for sawne board, some fitter for shipping, others for houses. These Trees affoard much Mast for Hogges, especially every third yeare, bearing a bigger Acorne than our _English_ Oake. The Wallnut tree is something different from the _English_ Wallnut, being a great deale more tough, and more serviceable, and altogether as heavie: and whereas our Gunnes that are stocked with _English_ Wallnut, are soone broaken and cracked in frost, beeing a brittle Wood; we are driven to stocke them new with the Country Wallnut, which will indure all blowes, and weather; lasting time out of minde. These trees beare a very good Nut, something smaller, but nothing inferiour in sweetnesse and goodnesse to the _English_ Nut, having no bitter pill. There is likewise a tree in some part of the Countrey, that beares a Nut as bigge as a small peare. The Cedar tree is a tree of no great growth, not bearing above a foot and a halfe square at the most, neither is it very high. I suppose they be much inferiour to the Cedars of _Lebanon_ so much commended in holy writ. This wood is more desired for ornament than substance, being of colour red and white like Eugh, smelling as sweete as Iuniper; it is commonly used for seeling of houses, and making of Chests, Boxes, and staves. The Firre and Pine bee trees that grow in many places, shooting up exceeding high, especially the Pine: they doe afford good masts, good board, Rozin and Turpentine. Out of these Pines is gotten the candlewood that is so much spoken of, which may serve for a shift amongst poore folkes; but I cannot commend it for singular good, because it is something sluttish, dropping a pitchie kinde of substance where it stands. Here no doubt might be good done with saw mils; for I have seene of these stately highgrowne trees, ten miles together close by the River side, from whence by shipping they might be conveyed to any desired Port. Likewise it is not improbable that Pitch and Tarre may be forced from these trees, which beare no other kinde of fruite. For that countrey Ash, it is much different from the Ash of _England_, being brittle and good for little, so that Wallnut is used for it. The Horne-bound tree is a tough kind of Wood, that requires so much paines in riving as is almost incredible, being the best for to make bolles and dishes, not being subject to cracke or leake. This tree growing with broad spread Armes, the vines winde their curling branches about them; which vines affoard great store of grapes, which are very big both for the grape and Cluster, sweet and good: These be of two sorts, red and white, there is likewise a smaller kind of grape, which groweth in the Islands which is sooner ripe and more delectable; so that there is no knowne reason why as good wine may not be made in those parts, as well as in _Burdeuax_ in _France_; being under the same degree. It is great pittie no man sets upon such a venture, whereby he might in small time inrich himselfe, and benefit the Countrie; I know nothing which doth hinder but want of skilfull men to manage such an imployment: For the countrey is hot enough, the ground good enough, and many convenient hills which lye toward the south Sunne, as if they were there placed for the purpose. The Cherrie trees yeeld great store of Cherries, which grow on clusters like grapes; they be much smaller than our _English_ Cherrie, nothing neare so good if they be not very ripe: they so furre the mouth that the tongue will cleave to the roofe, and the throate wax horse with swallowing those red Bullies (as I may call them,) being little better in taste. _English_ ordering may bring them to be an _English_ Cherrie, but yet they are as wilde as the _Indians_. The Plummes of the Countrey be better for Plummes than the Cherries be for Cherries, they be blacke and yellow about the bignesse of a Damson, of a reasonable good taste. The white thorne affords hawes as bigge as an _English_ Cherrie, which is esteemed above a Cherrie for his goodnesse and pleasantnesse to the taste.

CHAP. VI.

_Of the Beasts that live on the land._

Having related unto you the pleasant situation of the Countrey, the healthfulnesse of the climate, the nature of the soile, with his vegetatives, and other commodities; it will not be amisse to informe you of such irrationall creatures as are daily bred and continually nourished in this countrey, which doe much conduce to the well being of the Inhabitants, affording not onely meate for the belly, but cloathing for the backe. The beasts be as followeth.

_The kingly Lyon, and the strong arm'd Beare
The large lim'd Mooses, with the tripping Deare,
Quill darting Porcupines, and Rackcoones bee,
Castelld in the hollow of an aged tree;
The skipping Squerrell, Rabbet, purblinde Hare,
Immured in the selfesame Castle are,
Least red-eyd Ferrets, wily Foxes should
Them undermine, if rampird but with mould.
The grim fac't Ounce, and ravenous howling Woolfe,
Whose meagre paunch suckes like a swallowing gulfe.
Blacke glistering Otters, and rich coated Bever,
The Civet sented Musquash smelling ever._

Concerning Lyons, I will not say that I ever saw any my selfe, but some affirme that they have seene a Lyon at _Cape Anne_ which is not above six leagues from _Boston_: some likewise being lost in woods, have heard such terrible roarings, as have made them much agast; which must eyther be Devills or Lyons; there being no other creatures which use to roare saving Beares, which have not such a terrible kind of roaring: besides, _Plimouth_ men have traded for Lyons skinnes in former times. But sure it is that there be Lyons on that Continent, for the _Virginians_ saw an old Lyon in their plantations, who having lost his Iackall, which was wont to hunt his prey, was brought so poore that he could goe no further. For Beares they be common, being a great blacke kind of Beare, which be most feirce in Strawberry time, at which time they have young ones; at this time likewise they will goe upright like a man, and clime trees, and swimme to the Islands; which if the _Indians_ see, there will be more sportfull Beare bayting than Paris Garden can affoard. For seeing the Beares take water, an _Indian_ will leape after him, where they goe to water cuffes for bloody noses, and scratched sides; in the end the man gets the victory, riding the Beare over the watery plaine till he can beare him no longer. In the winter they take themselves to the clifts of rockes, and thicke swamps, to shelter them from the cold; and foode being scant in those cold and hard times, they live onely by sleeping and sucking their pawes, which keepeth them as fat as they are in Summer; there would be more of them if it were not for the Woolves, which devoure them; a kennell of those ravening runnagadoes, setting on a poore single Beare, will teare him as a Dogge will teare a Kid: it would be a good change if the countrey had for every Woolfe a Beare, upon the condition all the woolves were banished; so should the inhabitants be not onely rid of their greatest annoyance, but furnished with more store of provisions, Beares being accounted very good meate, esteemed of all men above Venison: againe they never prey upon the _English_ cattle, or offer to assault the person of any man, unlesse being vexed with a shot, and a man run upon them before they be dead, in which case they will stand in their owne defence, as may appeare by this instance. Two men going a fowling, appointed at evening to meete at a certaine pond side, to share equally, and to returne home; one of these Gunners having killed a Seale or Sea calfe, brought it to the side of the pond where hee was to meete his comrade, afterwards returning to the Sea side for more gaine; and having loaded himselfe with more Geese and Duckes, he repaired to the pond, where hee saw a great Beare feeding on his Seale, which caused him to throw downe his loade, and give the Beare a salute; which though it was but with Goose shot, yet tumbled him over and over, whereupon the man supposing him to be in a manner dead, ran and beate him with the hand of his Gunne; The Beare perceiving him to be such a coward to strike him when he was down, scrambled up, standing at defiance with him, scratching his legges, tearing his cloathes and face, who stood it out till his six foot Gunne was broken in the middle, then being deprived of his weapon, he ran up to the shoulders into the pond, where hee remained till the Beare was gone, and his mate come in, who accompanied him home.