1 marke. On both sides in the very necke of the maine are high hills and dales, yet much inhabited, the Ile declining in a plaine fertile corne field, the lower end a low marsh. More plentie of swannes, cranes, geese, duckes, and mallards, and divers sorts of fowles none would desire: more plaine fertile planted ground, in such Having thus by God's, assistance gotten. good store of corne, notwithstanding some bad spirits, not content with God's providence, still grew mutinous, in so much that our president having occasion to chide the smith for his misdemeanour, he not only gave him bad language, but also offered to strike him with some of his tooles. For which rebellious act the 10 great proportions as there, I had not. smith was by a jury condemned to be hanged. But being uppon the ladder, continuing very obstinate as hoping upon a rescue, when he saw no other way but death with him, he became penitent, and declared a dangerous conspiracy. For which Captaine Kendall, as principal, was by a jury condemned and shot to death. This conspiracy appeased, I set for- 20 ward for the discovery of the River Checka Hamania.2 This third time I discovered the townes of Matapamient, Morinogh, Ascacap, Moysenock, Righkahaugh, Nechanicock, Mattalunt, Attamuspincke, and divers others. Their plenty of corne I found decreased, yet lading the barge, I returned to our fort. seene, of a light blacke sandy mould, the cliffes commonly red, white and yellowe coloured sand, and under, red and white clay; fish great plenty, and people aboundance; the most of their inhabitants in view of the neck of Land, where a better seat for a towne cannot be desired. At the end of forty miles this river invironeth many low ilands, at each high water drowned, for a mile, where it uniteth it selfe, at a place called Apokant, the highest Towne inhabited. 10. miles higher I discovered with the barge; in the mid way, a great tree hindred my passage which I cut in two. Heere the river became narrower, 8. 9 or 10. foote at a high water, and 6. or 7. at a lowe; the streame exceeding Our store being now indifferently 30 swift, and the bottom hard channell, well provided with corne, there was much adoe for to have the pinace 3 goe for England; against which Captaine Martin and myselfe stood chiefly against it. And in fine, after many debatings pro et contra, it was resolved to stay a further resolution. This matter also quieted, I set forward to finish this discovery which as yet I had neglected, in regard of the 40 necessitie we had to take in provision whilst it was to be had. 40. miles I passed up the river, which for the most part is a quarter of a mile broad, and 3. fatham and a half deep, exceeding osey, many great low marshes, and many high lands, especially about the midst at a place called Moysonicke, a Peninsule of 4. miles circuit, betwixt two rivers joyned to 50 the main, by a neck of 40. or 50. yards, and 40. or 50 yards from the high water Chickahominy River swampy 1 blacksmith 3 small sailing vessel the ground most part a low plaine, sandy soyle. This occasioned me to suppose it might issue from some lake or some broad ford, for it could not be far to the head, but rather then I would endanger the barge. Yet to have beene able to resolve this doubt, and to discharge the imputation of malicious tungs, that halfe suspected I durst not for so long delaying, some of the company as desirous as my self, we resolved to hier a canow, and returne with the barge to Apocant, there to leave the barge secure, and put our selves uppon the adventure: the country onely a vast and wilde wildernes, and but onely that towne. Within three or foure mile we hired a canow, and 2. Indians to row us the next day a fowling. Having made such provision for the barge as was needfull, I left her there to ride, with expresse charge not any to go ashore til my text mutilated returne. Though some wise men may 1 Pamaunck, called Opeckankenough, with 200 men, invironed me,eache drawing their bowe, which done they laid them upon the ground, yet without shot. My hinde treated betwixt them and me of conditions of peace; he discovered me to be the captaine; my request was to retire to the boat. They demanded my armes; the rest they saide were slaine; onely me they would reserve. The Indian importuned me not to shoot. In retiring, being in the midst. of a low quagmire, and minding them more then my steps, I stept fast into the quagmire, and also the Indian in drawing me forth. drawing me forth. Thus surprised, I resolved to trie their mercies. My armes I caste from me, till which none durst approach me. Being ceazed on me, they drew me out and led me to the King. I presented him with a compasse diall, describing by my best meanes the use thereof, whereat he so amazedly admired, as he suffered me to proceed in a discourse of the roundnes of the earth, the course of the sunne, moone, starres and plannets. With kinde speeches and bread he requited me, conducting me where the canow lay, and John Robbinson slaine, with 20 or 30. arrowes in him. Emry I saw not. I perceived by the aboundance of fires all over the woods. At each place I expected when they would. execute me, yet they used me with what kindnes they could. Having 2 Indians for my guide and 2 of our own company, I set forward, leaving 7 in the barge. Having discovered 20 miles further in this desart, the river stil kept his depth and bredth, but [was] much more combred with trees. Here we went ashore (being 20 some 12 miles higher then the barge had bene) to refresh our selves, during the boyling of our vituals. One of the Indians I tooke with me, to see the nature of the soile, and to crosse the boughts of the river. The other Indian I left with Maister Robbinson and Thomas Emry, with their matches light, and order to discharge a peece 1 for my retreat at the first sight of any 30 Indian. But within a quarter of an houre I heard a loud cry, and a hollowing of Indians, but no warning peece. Supposing them surprised, and that the Indians had betraid us, presently I seazed him and bound his arme fast to my hand in a garter, with my pistoll ready bent to be revenged on him. He advised me to fly, and seemed ignorant of what was done. But as we went 40 discoursing, I was struck with an arrow on the right thigh, but without harme. Upon this occasion I espied 2 Indians drawing their bowes, which I prevented in discharging a French pistoll. By that I had charged againe, 3 or 4 more did the like, for the first fell downe and fled; at my discharge they did the like. My hinde I made my barricado, who offered not to strive. 50 the trees in a bishion, cache his bowe 20. or 30. arrowes were shot at me, but short. 3 or 4 times I had discharged my pistoll ere the king of 2 loaded 1 fire a gun Approaching their towne, which was within 6 miles where I was taken, onely made as arbors and covered with mats, which they remove as occasion requires, all the women and children, being advertised of this accident, came foorth to meet them, the King well guarded with 20 bowmen, 5 flanck and rear, and each flanck before him a sword and a peece, and after him the like, then a bowman; then I, on each hand a boweman, the rest in file in the reare, which reare led foorth amongst and a handfull of arrowes, a quiver at his back, grimly painted. On cache flanck a sargeant, the one running military formation text mutilated alwaies towards the front, the other towards the reare, each a true pace and in exceeding good order. This being a good time continued, they caste themselves in a ring with a daunce, and so eache man departed to his lodging. The captain conducting me to his lodging, a quarter of venison and some ten pound of bread I had for supper; 10 what I left was reserved for me, and sent with me to my lodging. Each morning 3. women presented me three great platters of fine bread; more venison then ten men could devour I had. My gowne, points, and garters, my compas and a tablet they gave me again. Though 8 ordinarily guarded me, I wanted not what they could devise to content me; and still our longer 20 acquaintance increased our better affection. From THE GENERAL HISTORIE [POCAHONTAS] river's head, twentie myles in the desert, had his two men slaine (as is supposed) sleeping by the canowe, whilst himselfe by fowling sought them victuall. Who finding he was beset with 200 salvages, two of them he slew, still defending himselfe with the ayd of a salvage his guid, whom he bound to his arme with his garters, and used him as a buckler. Yet he was shot in his thigh a little, and had many arrowes that stuck in his cloathes, but no great hurt till at last they took him pris oner. When this newes came to James towne, much was their sorrow for his losse, fewe expecting what ensued. Sixe or seven weakes those barbarians kept him prisoner; many strange triumphes and conjurations they made of him. Yet hee so demeaned himselfe amongst them, as he not only diverted them from surprising the fort, but procured his owne libertie, and got himselfe and his company such estimation amongst them that those salvages admired him more than their owne Quiyouckosucks. Our comedies never endured long 30 Their order in conducting him was without a tragedie. Some idle excep- thus. Drawing themselves all in fyle, tions being muttered against Captaine the King in the middest had all their Smith, for not discovering the head of peeces and swords borne before him. the Chickahamania river, and taxed by Captaine Smith was led after him by the Councell to be too slow in so worthy three great salvages, holding him fast an attempt, the next voyage hee pro- by each arme, and on each side went ceeded so farre that with much labour six in fyle with their arrowes nocked. by cutting of trees insunder he made Smith they conducted to a long his passage; but when his barge could house, where thirtie or fortie tall felpasse no farther, he left her in a broad 40 lowes did guard him; and ere long more ... bread and venison was brought him than would have served twentie men. I thinke his stomacke at that time was not very good. What he left they put in baskets and tyed over his head. About midnight they set the meate againe before him, till the next morning they brought him as much more, and they did eate all the old, and re bay out of danger of shot, commanding none should go ashore till his returne. Himselfe with two English and two salvages went up higher in a canowe. But hee was not long absent, but his men went ashore, whose want of government gave both occasion and opportunity to the salvages to surprise one George Cassen, whom they slew, and much failed not to have cut off the boat 50 served the new as they had done the and all the rest. Smith little dreaming of that accident, being got to the marshes at the 1 1 before other, which made him thinke they would fat him to eat him. Yet in this desperate estate, to defend him "Jamestown from the cold, one Maocassater brought him his gowne, in requittal of some beads and toyes Smith had given him at his first arrival in Virginia. 1 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 beene a mon- 10 ster, till Powhatan and his trayne had put themselves in their greatest braveries. Before a fire, upon a seat like a bedstead, he sat covered with a great robe made of rarowcun 1 skinnes, and all the tayles hanging by. On either side did sit a young wench of 16 or 18 yeares, and along on each side the house, two rowes of men, and behind them as many women, with all 20 their heads and shoulders painted red. Many of their heads bedecked with the white downe of birds, but every one with something, and a great chayne of white beads about their necks. At his 2 entrance before the King, all the people gave a great shout. The Queene of Appamatuck was appointed. to bring him water to wash his hands, and another brought him a bunch of 30 feathers in stead of a towell to dry them. Having feasted him after their best barbarous manner they could, a long consultation was held; but the conclusion was, two great stones were brought before Powhatan. Then as many as could, layd hands on him, dragged him to them, and thereon laid his head, and being ready with their clubs to beate out his braines. Poca- 40 hontas, the King's dearest daughter, when no intreaty could prevaile, got his head in her armes, and laid her owne 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 as well of all occupations as themselves. For the King himselfe will make his owne robes, 50 shooes, bowes, arrowes, pots; plant, hunt, or doe any thing as well as the rest. They say he bore a pleasant shew, From "MOURT'S RELATION" A RELATION OR JOURNALL OF Wednesday the sixt of September, the wind comming east north east a fine small gale, we loosed from Plimoth, having beene kindly intertained and courteously used by divers friends there dwelling, and after many difficulties in boysterous stormes, at length by God's providence upon the ninth of November following, by breake of the day we espied land which we deemed to be Cape Cod, and so afterward it proved. And the appearance of it much comforted us, especially seeing so goodly a Land, and wooded to the brinke of the sea, it caused us to reioyce together, and praise God that had given us once againe to see Land. And thus wee made our course south south west, purposing to goe to a riuer ten leagues to the south of the cape; but at night the winde being contrary, we put round againe for the Bay of Cape Cod. And upon the 11. of November we came to an anchor in the Bay, which is a good harbour and pleasant Bay, circled round, except in the entrance, which is about foure miles over from land to land, compassed about to the very Sea with okes, pines, juniper, sassafras, and other sweet wood; it is a harbour wherein 1000. saile of ships may safely ride. There we relieved our selves with wood and water, and refreshed our people, while our shallop 2 was fitted to coast the bay, to search for an habitation. There was the greatest store of fowle that ever we saw. the English Plymouth "small sail boat 1 And every day we saw whales playing hard by us, of which in that place, if we had instruments and meanes to take them, we might have made a very rich returne, which to our great griefe we wanted. Our master and his mate, and others experienced in fishing, professed we might have made three or foure thousand pounds worth of oyle; they preferred it before Greenland 10 whale-fishing, and purpose the next winter to fish for whale here; for cod we assayed, but found none. There is good store, no doubt, in their season. Neither got we any fish all the time we lay there, but some few little ones on the shore. We found great mussles, and very fat and full of sea pearle, but we could not eat them, for they made us all sicke that did eat, as well saylers 20 as passengers; they caused to cast and scoure, but they were soon well againe. The bay is so round and circling that before we could come to anchor, we went round all the points of the compasse. We could not come neare the shore by three quarters of an English mile, because of shallow water, which was a great prejudice to us; for our people going on shore were forced to 30 wade a bow shoot or two in going a-land, which caused many to get colds and coughs, for it was many times freezing cold weather. The day before we came to harbour, observing some not well affected to unitie and concord, but gave some appearance of faction, it was thought good there should be an association and agreement, that we should com- 40 bine together in one body, and to submit to such government and governours as we should by common consent agree to make and chose, and set our hands to this that followes word for word: "In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyall subjects of our dread soveraigne Lord King James, by the grace of God of Great Britaine, France, and Ireland 50 King, Defender of the Faith, etc. "Having undertaken for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian Faith, and Honour of our King and countrey, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northerne parts of Virginia, doe by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civill body politike, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by vertue herof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equall lawes, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the generall good of the colony: unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witnesse wherof we have here-under subscribed our names, at Cape Cod, the 11. of November, in the yeare of the raigne of our soveraigne Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the 18. and of Scotland the 54. Anno Domini 1620." The same day so soon as we could we set ashore 15 or 16 men, well armed, with some to fetch wood, for we had none left; as also to see what the land was, and what inhabitants they could meet with. They found it to be a small neck of land; on this side where we lay is the bay, and the further side. the sea; the ground or earth, sand hils, much like the downes in Holland, but much better; the crust of the earth a spit's depth excellent blacke earth, all wooded with okes, pines, sassafras, juniper, birch, holly, vines, some ash, walnut; the wood for the most part open and without underwood, for either to goe2 or ride in. At night our people returned, but found not any person, nor habitation, and laded their boat with juniper, which smelled very sweet and strong, and of which we burnt the most part of the time we lay there. Munday the 13 of November we unshipped our shallop and drew her on land, to mend and repaire her, having bin forced to cut her downe in bestowing her betwixt the decks; and she was much opened with the people's lying in her, which kept us long there, for it was 16 or 17 dayes before the car2 walk 1 1 dunes |