Chapter IV: Part 4

{MN} Notwithstanding all this, those that he had left in the _Amazons,_ would not abandon the Country. Captain _Thomas Painton,_ a worthy Gentleman; his Lieutenant dead. Captain _Charles Parker,_ Brother to the Right Honourable the Lord _Morley,_ lived there six years after; Mr. _John Christmas,_ five years; so well, they would not return, although they might, with divers other Gentlemen of Quality and others: All thus destitute of any supplies from _England._ But all Authority being dissolved, want of Government did more wrong their Proceedings, than all other crosses whatsoever. Some relief they had sometime from the _Dutch,_ who knowing their Estates, gave what they pleased, and took what they list. Two Brothers, Gentlemen, _Thomas_ and _William Hixon,_ who stayed three years there, are now gone to stay in the _Amazons,_ in the Ships lately sent thither.

* * * * *

{MN} _Nota bene._

The business thus remaining in this fort, three private Men left of that Company, named Mr. _Thomas Warriner, John Rhodes,_ and _Robert Bims,_ having lived there about two years, came for _England,_ and to be free from the disorders that did grow in the _Amazons,_ for want of Government amongst their Country-men, and to be quiet amongst themselves, made means to let themselves out for St. _Christophers;_ their whole number being but fifteen Persons that payed for their Passage in a Ship going for _Virginia,_ where they remained a year before they were supplied, and then that was but four or five Men. Thus this Isle, by this small beginning, having no interruption by their own Country, hath not got the start of the Continent and main Land of _Guinea,_ which hath been laid apart, and let alone until that Captain _North,_ ever watching his best opportunity and advantage of time in the State, hath now again pursued, and set on foot his former design. Captain _Harcote_ being now willing to surrender his Grant, and to joyn with Captain _North,_ in passing a new Patent, and to erect a Company for Trade and Plantation in the _Amazons,_ and all the Coast and Country of _Guinea_ for ever. Whereupon, they have sent this present year in _January,_ and since 1628, four Ships, with near two hundred Persons; the first Ship with 112 Men, not one miscarried; the rest went since, not yet heard of and are preparing another with their best Expedition; and since _January_ is gone from _Holland,_ 100 _English_ and _Irish,_ conducted by the old Planters.

This great River lieth under the Line, the two chief Head Lands North and South, are about three degrees asunder, the mouth of it is so full of many great and small Isles, it is an easie matter for an unexperienced Pilot to lose his way. It is held one of the greatest Rivers in _America,_ and as most Men think in the World; and cometh down with such a fresh, it maketh the Sea fresh, more than thirty Miles from the Shoar. Captain _North_ having seated his Men about an hundred Leagues in the Main, sent Captain _William White,_ with thirty Gentlemen and others, in a Pinnace of thirty Tun, to discover further, which they did some two hundred Leagues, where they found the River to divide it self in two parts, till then all full of Islands, and a Country most healthful, pleasant and fruitful; for they found food enough, and all returned safe and in good health: In this discovery, they saw many Towns well inhabited, some with three hundred People, some with five, six, or seven hundred; and of some they understood to be of so many thousands, most differing very much, especially in their Languages: Whereof they suppose by those _Indians,_ they understand are many hundreds more, unfrequented till then by any _Christian,_ most of them stark naked, both Men, Women and Children, but they saw not any such Giant-like Women as the Rivers name importeth. But for those where Captain _North_ hath seated his Company, it is not known where Indians were ever so kind to any Nation, not sparing any pains, danger or labour, to feed and maintain them. The _English_ following their Buildings, Fortifications and Sugar-works; for which they have sent most expert Men, and with them all things necessary for that purpose; to effect which, they want not the help of those kind Indians to produce; and many other good Commodities, which (God willing) will ere long make plain and apparent to this Kingdom, and all the Adventures and Well-willers to this Plantation, to be well worthy the cherishing and following with all alacrity.

* * * * *

CHAP. XXV.

_The Beginning and Proceedings of the new Plantation of St._ Christopher
_by Captain_ Warner.

Master _Ralph Merifield_ and others, having furnished this worthy Industrious Gentleman, {MN-1} he arrived at St. _Christophers,_ as is said, with fifteen Men, the 28th of _January_ 1623, _viz. William Tested, John Rhodes, Robert Bints,_ Mr. _Benifield,_ Sergeant _Jones,_ Mr. _Ware, William Ryle, Rowland Grascock,_ Mr. _Bond,_ Mr. _Langley,_ Mr. _Weaver, Edward Warner,_ their Captain's Son, and now Deputy Governour, till his Father's return, Sergeant _Aplon,_ one Sailor and a Cook: At their arrival, they found three _French_ Men, who sought to oppose Captain _Warner,_ and to set the _Indians_ upon us; but at last we all became Friends, and lived with the _Indians_ a Month, then we built a Fort, and a House, and planting Fruits, by _September_ we made a crop of Tobacco; {MN-2} but upon the nineteenth of _September_ came a _Hericano_ and blew it away, all this while we lived upon Cassada Bread, Potatoes, Plantanes, Pines, Turtles, Guanes, and Fish plenty; for drink we had _Nicnobby._

* * * * *

{MN-1} 1623.

{MN-2} _A Hericano._

{MN} The 18th March 1624 arrived Captain _Jefferson,_ with three Men Passengers in the _Hopewell_ of _London,_ with some Trade for the _Indians,_ and then we had another crop of Tobacco, in the mean time the _French_ had planted themselves in the other end of the Isle; with this crop Captain _Warner_ returned for _England_ in _September_ 1625.

* * * * *

{MN} 1624.

In his absence came in a _French_ Pinnace, under the command of _Monsieur de Nombe,_ that told us, the _Indians_ had slain some _French_ Men in other of the _Caribbe_ Isles, and that there were six Peryagoes, which are huge great Trees, formed as your Canoos, but so laid out on the sides with Boards, they will seem like a little Gally: {MN} Six of those, with about four or five hundred strange _Indians_ came unto us, we bade them be gone, but they would not; whereupon we and the _French_ joyned together, and upon the fifth of _November_ set upon them, and put them to flight: upon New years Even they came again, found three _English_ going about the Isle, whom they slew.

* * * * *

{MN} _Their Fight with the_ Indians.

{MN-1} Until the fourth of _August,_ we stood upon our Guard, living upon the spoil and did nothing. But now Captain _Warner_ arriving again with near an hundred People, then we fell to work and planting as before; {MN-2} but upon the fourth of September, came such a Hericano, as blew down all our Houses, Tobacco, and two Drums into the air we know not whither, drove two Ships on Shoar that were both split; all our Provision thus lost, we were very miserable, living only on what we could get in the wild Woods, {MN-3} we made a small party of French and English to go aboard for Provision, but in their returning home, eight _French_ Men were slain in the Harbour.

* * * * *

{MN-1} 1625.

{MN-2} _A Hericano._

{MN-3} _Eight French Slain._

{MN} Thus we continued till near _June_ that the _Tortles_ came in 1627, but the French being like to starve, sought to surprize us, and all the Cassado, Potatoes, and Tobacco we had planted, but we did prevent them. The 26th of _October,_ came in Captain _William Smith,_ in the _Hope-well,_ with some Ordnance, Shot and Powder, from the Earl of _Carlisle,_ with Captain _Pelham_ and thirty Men; about that time also came the _Plow,_ also a small Ship of _Bristow,_ with Captain _Warner's_ Wife, and six or seven Women more.

* * * * *

{MN} 1627.

{MN} Upon the 25th of _November,_ the _Indians_ set upon the French, for some injury about their Women, and slew six and twenty _French_ Men, five _English,_ and three _Indians._ Their Weapons are Bows and Arrows, their Bows are never bent, but the string lies flat to the Bow; their Arrows a small Reed, four or five foot long, headed some with the poisoned Sting of the Tail of a Stingray, some with Iron, some with Wood, but all so poisoned, that if they draw but blood, the hurt is incurable.

* * * * *

{MN} _Three_ Indians _Slain._

{MN} The next day came in Captain _Charles Saltonstall,_ a young Gentleman, Son of Sir _Samuel Saltonstall,_ who brought with him good store of all Commodities to relieve the Plantation; but by reason some _Hollanders,_ and others had been there lately before him, who carried away with them all the Tobacco, he was forced to put away all his Commodities upon trust till the next crop; in the mean time he resolved there to stay, and imploy himself and his Company in planting Tobacco, hoping thereby to make a Voyage, but before he could be ready to return for _England,_ a _Hericano_ happening, his Ship was split, to his great loss, being sole Merchant and owner himself, notwithstanding forced to pay to the Governour the fifth part of his Tobacco, and for fraught to _England,_ three pence a pound, and nine pence a pound custom, which amounts together to more than threescore pound in the hundred pound, to the great discouragement of him and many others, that intended well to those Plantations. Nevertheless he is gone again this present year 1629, with a Ship of about three hundred Tuns, and very near two hundred People, with Sir _William Tuffton_ Governour for the _Barbadoes_, and divers Gentlemen, and all manner of Commodities fit for a Plantation.

* * * * *

{MN} _The arrival of many English Ships._

Captain _Prinn,_ Captain _Stone,_ and divers others came in about _Christmas;_ so that this last year, there hath been about thirty Sail of _English, French,_ and _Dutch_ Ships, and all the _Indians_ forced out of the Isle, for they had done much mischief amongst the _French,_ in cutting their Throats, burning their Houses, and spoiling their Tobacco; amongst the rest _Tegramund,_ a little Child, the King's Son, his Parents being slain, or fled, was by great chance saved, and carefully brought to _England,_ by Master _Merifield,_ who brought him from thence, and bringeth him up as his own Children.

{MN-1} It lieth seventeen degrees Northward of the Line, about an hundred and twenty Leagues from the _Cape de tres Puntas,_ the nearest main Land in _America,_ it is about eight Leagues in length, and four in breadth; an Island amongst 100 Isles in the _West Indies,_ called the _Caribbes,_ where ordinarily all them that frequent the _West Indies,_ refresh themselves; those, most of them are Rocky, little, and Mountainous, yet frequented with the _Canibals;_ many of them inhabited, as Saint _Domingo,_ Saint _Mattalin,_ Saint _Lucia,_ Saint _Vincent, Granada,_ and _Margarita,_ to the Southward; Northward, none but Saint _Christophers,_ and it but lately, yet they will be ranging _Marigalanta, Guardalupo, Deceado, Mountserat, Antegua, Mevis, Bernardo,_ Saint _Martin,_ and Saint _Bartholomew,_ but the worst of the four Isles possessed by the _Spaniard,_ as _Portorico_ or _Jamaica,_ is better than them all; as for _Hispaniola,_ and _Cuba,_ they are worthy the Title of two rich Kingdoms, the rest not respected by the _Spaniards,_ for want of Harbours, and their better choice of good Land, and profit in the main. But Captain _Warner,_ having been very familiar with Captain _Painton,_ in the _Amazon,_ hearing his information of this St. _Christophers;_ and having made a years trial, as it is said, returned for _England,_ joyning with Master _Merifield_ and his Friends, got Letters Patents from King James to plant and possess it. Since then, the Right Honourable the Earl of _Carlisle_ hath got Letters Patents also, not only of that, but all the _Caribe_ Isles about it, who is now chief Lord of them, and the _English_ his Tenants that do possess them; over whom he appointeth such Governours and Officers as their affairs require; and although there be a great Custom imposed upon them, considering their other charges, both to feed and maintain themselves; yet there is there, and now a going, near upon the number of three thousand People; where by reason of the rockiness and thickness of the Woods in the Isle, it is difficult to pass, and such a snuff of the Sea goeth on the Shoar, ten may better defend, than fifty assault. {MN-2} In this Isle are many Springs, but yet Water is scarce again in many places; the Valleys and sides of the Hills very fertile, but the Mountains harsh, and of a sulphurous composition; all overgrown with _Palmetas, Cotten_ Trees; _Lignum vitae,_ and divers other sorts, but none like any in Christendom, except those carried thither; the air very pleasant and healthful, but exceeding hot, yet so tempered with cool breaths, it seems very temperate to them, that are little used to it; the Trees being always green, the days and nights always very near equal in length, always Summer; only they have in their Seasons great Gusts and Rains, and sometimes a Hericano, which is an over grown, and a most violent storm.

* * * * *

{MN-1} _The Description of the Isle._

{MN-2} _The Springs; Temper; and Seasons._

{MN} In some of those Isles, are Cattel, Goats, and Hogs, but here none but what they must carry; _Guanes_ they have, which is a little harmless Beast, like a _Crocodile,_ or _Alligator,_ very fat and good Meat; she lays Eggs in the Sand, as doth the Land Crabs, which live here In abundance, like Conies in Boroughs, unless about _May,_ when they come down to the Sea side, to lay in the Sand, as the other; and all their Eggs are hatched by the heat of the Sun.

* * * * *

{MN} _A strange hatching of eggs for beasts._

{MN} From _May_ to _September,_ they have good store of Tortoises that come out of the Sea to lay their Eggs in the Sand, and are hatched as the other; they will lay half a peck at a time, and near a bushel ere they have done, and are round like Tenis-balls: This Fish is like Veal in taste, the Fat of a brownish colour, very good and wholsom. We seek them in the Nights, where we find them on shoar, we turn them upon their backs, till the next day we fetch them home, for they can never return themselves, being so hard, a Cart may go over them, and so big, one will suffice forty or fifty Men to dinner. Divers sorts of other Fish they have in abundance, and _Prawenes_ most great and excellent, but none will keep sweet scarce twelve hours.

* * * * *

{MN} _Fish._

{MN} The best and greatest is a _Passer Flaminga,_ which walking at her length, is as tall as a Man; _Pigeons_ and _Turtle Doves_ in abundance; some _Parrots,_ wild _Hawks,_ but divers other sorts of good Sea-fowl, whose Names we know not.

* * * * *

{MN} _Birds._

{MN} _Cassado_ is a Root planted in the Ground, of a wonderful Increase, and will make very good White-bread, but the Juce Rank Poyson, yet boyled, better than Wine; _Potatoes, Cabbages,_ and _Radish_ plenty.

* * * * *

{MN} _Roots._

{MN} Maize, like the _Virginia_ Wheat; we have Pine-Apple, near so big as an Hartichock, but the most daintiest taste of any Fruit; _Plantains,_ an excellent and most increasing Fruit; Apples, Prickle Pears, and Pease, but differing all from ours. There is Pepper that groweth in a little red Husk, as big as a Walnut, about four Inches in length, but the long Cods are small, and much stronger and better for use, than that from the _East Indies._ There is too sorts of Cotten, the silk Cotten as in the _East Indies,_ groweth upon a small stalk, as good for Beds as Down; the other upon a shrub, and beareth a Cod bigger than a Walnut, full of Cotten wool: Anotto also groweth upon a shrub, with a Cod like the other, and nine or ten on a bunch, full of Anotto, very good for Dyers, tho' wild; Sugar Canes, not tame, four or five foot high; also Mastick, and Locus-trees; great and hard Timber, Gourds, Musk-Melons, Water-Melons, Lettice, Parsly; all places naturally bear Purslain of it self; Sope-berries like a Musquet Bullet, that washeth as white as Sope; in the middle of the Root is a thing like a Sedge, a very good Fruit, we call Pengromes; a Pappaw is as great as an Apple, coloured like an Orange, and good to eat, a small hard Nut, like a Hazel Nut, grows close to the Ground, and like this grows on the Palmetas, which we call a Mucca Nut; Mustard-seed will grow to a great Tree, but bears no seed, yet the Leaves will make good Mustard; the Mancinel Tree, the Fruit is Poison; good Figs in abundance; but the Palmeta serveth to build Forts and Houses, the Leaves to cover them, and many other uses; the juice we draw from them, till we suck them to Death, (is held restorative) and the top for meat doth serve us as Cabbage; but oft we want Powder'd Beef and Bacon, and many other needful necessaries.

* * * * *

{MN} _Fruits._

By _Thomas Simons, Rowland
Grascocke, Nicholas Burgh,_
and others.

* * * * *

CHAP. XXVI.

_The first Planting of the_ Barbadoes.

The _Barbados_ lies South-West and by South, an hundred Leagues from St. _Christophers,_ threescore Leagues West and South from _Trinidado,_ and some fourscore Leagues from _Cape de Salinos,_ the next part of the main. The first Planters brought thither by Captain _Henry Powel,_ were forty _English,_ with seven or eight _Negros;_ then he went to _Disacuba_ in the main, where he got thirty _Indians,_ Men, Women and Children of the _Arawacos,_ Enemies both to the _Caribbes_ and the _Spaniards._ {MN} The Isle is most like a Triangle, each side forty or fifty Miles square, some exceeding great Rocks, but the most part exceeding good Ground; abounding with an infinite number of Swine, some Turtles, and many sorts of excellent Fish; many great Ponds wherein is Duck and Mallard; excellent Clay for Pots, Wood and Stone for Building, and a Spring near the midst of the Isle of _Bitume,_ which is a liquid mixture like Tarr, that by the great Rains falls from the Tops of the Mountains, it floats upon the Water in such abundance, that drying up, it remains like great Rocks of Pitch, and as good as Pitch for any use.

* * * * *

{MN} _A Description of the Isle._

{MN} The Mancinel Apple, is of a most pleasant sweet smell, of the bigness of a Crab, but rank Poyson, yet the Swine and Birds have wit to shun it; great store of exceeding great Locus-trees, two or three Fathom about, of a great height, that beareth a Cod full of Meal, will make Bread in time of necessity. A Tree like a Pine beareth a Fruit so great as a Musk Melon, which hath always ripe Fruit Flowers, or Green Fruit, which will refresh two or three Men, and very comfortable; Plumb-trees many, the Fruit great and Yellow, which but strained into Water in four and twenty hours, will be very good drink; wild Figg-trees there are many; all those Fruits do fat the Hoggs, yet at sometimes of the Year they are so lean as Carrion; Guane-trees bear a Fruit so big as a Pear, good and wholsom; Palmetaes of three several sorts; Pappaws, Prickle Pears, good to eat or make drink; Cedar Trees very tall and great; Fustick Trees are very great, and the wood yellow, good for dying; Soap Berries, the kernel so big as a sloe, and good to eat; Pumpeons in abundance; Goads so great as will make good great Bottles, and cut in two pieces, good Dishes and Platters; many small Brooks of very good Water; _Guinea_ Wheat, Cassado, Pines and Plantains; all things we there Plant, do grow exceedingly, so well as Tobacco; the Corn, Pease, and Beans, cut but away the Stalk, young sprigs will grow, and so bear Fruit for many Years together, without any more Planting; the Isle is overgrown with Wood or great Reeds, those Woods which are soft are exceeding light and full of Pitch, and those that are hard and great, they are as hard to cut as Stone.

* * * * *

{MN} _Fruits and Trees._

{MN} Mr. _John Powel_ came thither the 40th of _August_ 1627. with forty five Men, where we stayed three Weeks, and then returning, left behind us about an Hundred People, and his Son _John Powel_ for his Deputy, as Governour; but there have been so many Factions amongst them, I cannot from so many variable Relations, give you any certainty for their orderly Government: for all those Plenties, much misery they have endured, in regard of their weakness at their Landing, and long stay without supplies; therefore those that go thither, it were good they carry good Provision with them; but the Isle is most healthful, and all things Planted do increase abundantly; and by this time there is, and now a going, about the number of fifteen or sixteen Hundred People.

* * * * *

{MN} _Their numbers._

Sir _William Curtine,_ and Captain _John Powel,_ were the first and chief Adventurers to the Planting this fortunate Isle; which had been oft frequented by Men of War to refresh themselves, and set up their Shallopes; being so far remote from the rest of the Isles, they never were troubled with any of the _Indies._ Harbours they have none, but exceeding good Rodes, which with a small Charge, might be very well Fortified; it doth Ebb and Flow four or five foot, and they cannot perceive that there hath ever been any Hericano in that Isle.

From the Relations of Captain
_John White,_ and
Captain _Wolverstone._

* * * * *

CHAP. XXVII.

_The first Plantations of the Isle of_ Mevis.

{MN-1} Because I have ranged and lived amongst those Islands, what my Authors cannot tell me, I think it no great error in helping them to tell it my self. In this little Isle of _Mevis,_ more than twenty Years ago, I have remained a great time together, to Wood and Water and refresh my Men; it is all Woody, but by the Sea-side Southward, there are Sands like Downs, where a Thousand Men may quarter themselves Conveniently; but in most places the Wood groweth close to the Water side, at a high Water mark, and in some places so thick of a soft spungy Wood like a wild Fig-tree, you cannot get through it, but by making your way with Hatchets, or Fauchions: whether it was the dew of those Trees, or of some others, I am not certain, but many of our Men became so tormented with a burning swelling all over their Bodies, they seemed like scalded Men, and near Mad with Pain; {MN-2} here we found a great Pool wherein bathing themselves they found much ease; and finding it fed with a Pleasant small stream that came out of the Woods, we found the head half a Mile within the Land distilling from many Rocks, by which they were well cured in two or three days. Such factions here we had, as commonly attend such Voyages, that a pair of Gallows were made, but Captain _Smith_ for whom they were intended, could not be perswaded to use them; but not any one of the inventors, but their lives by Justice fell into his Power to determine of at his Pleasure, whom with much Mercy he favoured, that most basely and unjustly have betrayed him.

* * * * *

{MN-1} _The Description of the Isle._

{MN-2} _The Bath._

{MN} The last Year 1628. Mr. _Littleton_ with some others, got a Patent of the Earl of _Carlisle_ to Plant the Isle called the _Barbadoes,_ thirty Leagues Northward of St. _Christophers;_ which by report of their Informers, and Undertakers, for the excellency of the Pleasantness thereof, they called _Dulcina,_ but when they came there, they found it such a Barren Rock they left it; altho they were told as much before, they would not believe it, perswading themselves those contradicters would get it for themselves, was thus by their cunning Opinion, the deceivers of themselves; for seeing it lie conveniently for their purpose in a Map, they had not Patience to know the goodness or badness, the inconvenience nor probability of the Quantity nor Quality; which error doth predominate in most of our homebred Adventurers, that will have all things as they conceit and would have it; and the more they are contradicted, the more hot they are; but you may see by many Examples in the general History, how difficult a matter it is, to gather the Truth from amongst so many Foreign and several Relations, except you have exceeding good experience both of the Countries People, and their Conditions; and those ignorant undertakings, have been the greatest hindrance of all those Plantations.

* * * * *

{MN} _A great misfortune._

{MN} At last because they would be absolute, they came to _Mevis,_ a little Isle by St. _Christophers;_ where they seated themselves, well furnished with all necessaries, being about the Number of an Hundred, and since increased to an Hundred and fifty Persons, whereof many were old Planters of St. _Christophers;_ especially Mr. _Anthony Hinton,_ and Mr. _Edward Tompson._ But because all those Isles for the most part are so capable to produce, and in Nature like each other, let this discourse serve for the description of them all. Thus much concerning those Plantations, which now after all this time, loss and charge, should they be abandon'd, suppressed, and dissolved, were most lamentable; and surely seeing they all strive so much about this Tobacco, and that the Fraught thereof, and other charges are so great, and so open to any Enemy by that Commodity they cannot long subsist.

* * * * *

{MN} _Their Numbers._

And it is a wonder to me to see such Miracles and Mischiefs in Men; how greedily they pursue to dispossess the Planters of the Name of Christ Jesus, yet say they are Christians, when so much of the World is unpossessed; yea, and better Land than they so much strive for, murthering so many Christians, burning and spoiling so many Cities, Villages and Countries, and subverting so many Kingdoms, when so much lieth wait, or only possessed by a few poor Savages, that more serve the Devil for fear, than God for love; whose Ignorance we pretend to reform, but Covetousness, Humours, Ambition, Faction, and Pride hath so many Instruments, we perform very little to any purpose; nor is there either Honour or Profit to be got by any that are so vile, to undertake the subversion, or hinderance of any honest intended Christian Plantation.

{MN} Now to conclude the Travels and Adventures of Captain _Smith;_ how first he Planted _Virginia_ and was let ashoar with about an Hundred Men in the wild Woods; how he was taken Prisoner by the Savages, by the King of _Pamaunke_ tied to a Tree to be shot to death, led up and down their Country to be shewed for a wonder; fatted as he thought, for a Sacrifice for their Idol, before whom they conjured him three days, with strange Dances and Invocations, then brought him before their Emperor _Powhatan,_ that commanded him to be slain; how his Daughter _Pocahontas_ saves his life, returned him to _James_ Town, relieved him and his famished Company, which was but eight and thirty to possess those large Dominions; how he discovered all the several Nations, upon the Rivers falling into the Bay of _Chisapeacke;_ flung near to death with a most Poisoned taile of a Fish called Stingray: how _Powhatan_ out of his Country took the Kings of _Pamaunke_ and _Paspahegh_ Prisoners, forced thirty nine of those Kings to pay him contribution, subjected all the Savages: how _Smith_ was blown up with Gun-powder, and returned for _England_ to be cured.

* * * * *

{MN} _Certain exploits of Captain_ Smith.

Also how he brought our New _England_ to the subjection of the Kingdom of Great _Britain;_ his fights with the Pirats, left alone amongst a many _French_ men of Warr, and his Ship ran from him; his Sea-fights for the _French_ against the _Spaniards;_ their bad usage of him; how in _France_ in a little Boat he escaped them; was adrift all such a stormy Night at Sea by himself, when thirteen _French_ Ships were split, or driven on shoar by the Isle of _Ree,_ the General and most of his Men drowned, when God, to whom be all Honour and Praise, brought him safe on shoar to all their Admirations that escaped; you may read at large in his General History of _Virginia,_ the _Summer Isles,_ and _New England._

* * * * *

CHAP. XXVIII.

_The bad Life, Qualities and Conditions of Pirates; and how they taught
the_ Turks _and_ Moors _to become men of Warr._

As in all Lands where there are many People, there are some Thieves, so in all Seas much frequented, there are some Pirates; the most Ancient within the Memory of threescore Years, was one _Callis,_ who most refreshed himself upon the Coast of _Wales; Clinton_ and _Purser_ his Companions, who grew famous till Queen _Elizabeth_ of Blessed Memory, hanged them at _Wapping; Flemming_ was as expert and as much sought for as they, yet such a Friend to his Country, that discovering the _Spanish Armado,_ he voluntarily came to _Plimouth,_ yielded himself freely to my Lord Admiral, and gave him notice of the _Spaniards_ coming; which good warning came so happily and unexpectedly, that he had his Pardon, and a good Reward; some few Pirates there then remained; notwithstanding it is incredible how many great and rich Prizes the little Barques of the West Country daily brought home, in regard of their small Charge; {MN} for there are so many difficulties in a great Navy, by Wind and Weather, Victual, Sickness, losing and finding one another, they seldom defray half the charge: But for the Grace, State and Defence of the Coast and narrow Seas, a great Navy is most necessary, but not to Attempt any far Voyage, except there be such a Competent flock, they want not wherewith to furnish and supply all things with expedition; but to the purpose.

* * * * *

{MN} _The difficulties of a great Navy._

{MN} After the death of our most Gracious Queen Elizabeth of Blessed Memory, our Royal King _James,_ who from his Infancy had Reigned in Peace with all Nations; had no imployment for those Men of Warr, so that those that were Rich relied with that they had; those that were poor and had nothing but from hand to Mouth, turned Pirates; some, because they became slighted of those for whom they had got much Wealth; some for that they could not get their Due; some that had lived bravely, would not abase themselves to Poverty; some vainly, only to get a name; others for Revenge, Covetousness, or as ill; and as they found themselves more and more oppressed, their Passions increasing with discontent, made them turn Pirates.

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{MN} _What occasioneth Pirates._

{MN} Now because they grew hatefull to all _Christian_ Princes, they retired to Barbary, where altho' there be not many good Harbours, but _Tunis, Argier, Sally, Mamora,_ and _Tituane,_ there are many convenient Rodes, or the open Sea, which is their chief Lordship: For their best Harbours _Massalqueber,_ the Towns of _Oran, Mellila, Tangier,_ and _Ceuta,_ within the Streights, are possessed by the _Spaniards;_ without the Streights they have also _Arzella_ and _Mazagan; Mamora_ they have likewise lately taken, and Fortified. _Ward_ a poor _English_ Sailer, and _Dansker_ a _Dutchman,_ made first here their Marts; when the _Moors_ knew scarce how to sail a Ship; _Bishop_ was Ancient and did little hurt; but _Easton_ got so much as made himself a Marquess in _Savoy;_ and _Ward_ lived like a Bashay in _Barbary;_ those were the first that taught the _Moors_ to be Men of War. _Gennings, Harris, Tompson,_ and divers others were taken in Ireland, a Coast they much frequented, and died at _Wapping. Haws, Bough, Smith, Walsingham, Ellis, Collins, Sawkwel, Wollingstone, Barrow, Wilson, Sayres,_ and divers others, all these were Captains amongst the Pirates, whom King _James_ Mercifully Pardon'd; and was it not strange, a few of those should command the Seas. Notwithstanding the _Malteses,_ the Pope, _Florentines, Genoeses, French, Dutch_ and _Engish,_ Gallies and Men of War, they Would rob before their Faces, and even at their own Ports, yet seldom more than three, four, five, or six in a Fleet: many times they had very good Ships, and well Man'd, but commonly in such Factions amongst themselves, and so Riotous, Quarrellous, Treacherous, Blasphemous and Villainous, it is more than a wonder they could so long continue, to do so much Mischief; and all they got, they basely consumed it amongst _Jews, Turks, Moors,_ and Whores.

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{MN} _Their chief Rendezvous._

The best was, they would seldom go to Sea, so long as they could possibly live on shoar, being compiled of _English, French, Dutch_ and _Moors,_ (but very few _Spaniards_ or _Italians_) commonly running one from another, till they became so disjointed, disordered, debauched, and miserable, {MN} that the _Turks_ and _Moors_ began to command them as Slaves, and force them to instruct them in their best skill, which many an accursed Runnagado, or _Christian_ turned _Turk_ did, till they have made those Sally-men or _Moors_ of _Barbary_ so Powerful as they be, to the Terror of all the Streights, and many times they take Purchase in the Main Ocean, yea sometimes in the narrow Seas in _England,_ and those are the most cruel Villains in _Turky_ or _Barbary;_ whose Natives are very Noble, and of good Natures, in comparison of them.

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{MN} _Renegados._

{MN} To conclude, The Misery of a Pirate, (altho' many are sufficient Seamen as any) yet in regard of his superfluity, you shall find it such, that any wise Man would rather live amongst wild Beasts, than them; therefore let all unadvised Persons take heed they entertain that quality; and I could how wish Merchants, Gentlemen, and all Setters forth of Ships, not to be sparing of a Competent Pay, nor true Payment; for neither Soldiers nor Seamen can live without Means, but necessity will force them to steal; and when they are once entered into that Trade, they are hardly reclaimed. Those Titles of Seamen and Soldiers, have been most worthily honoured and esteemed, but now regarded for the most part, but as the scum of the World; regain therefore your wonted Reputations and endeavour rather to Adventure to those fair Plantations of our English Nation; which however in the beginning were scorned contemned, yet now you see how many Rich and Gallant People come from thence, who went thither as Poor as any Soldier or Sailer, and gets more in one Year, than you by Piracy in seven. I intreat you therefore to consider how many Thousands yearly go thither; also how many Ships and Sailers are imployed to Transport them, and what Custom they Yearly pay to our most Royal King Charles, whole Prosperity and his Kingdom's good, I humbly beseech the Immortal God to preserve and increase.

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{MN} _Advertisements for Wild heads._

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F I N I S.

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