Part 5

Chapter 53,865 wordsPublic domain

Fowles of the Aire are plentifull here, and of all sorts as we haue in _England_ as farre as I can learne, and a great many of strange Fowles which wee know not. Whilst I was writing these things, one of our Men brought home an Eagle which hee had killed in the Wood: they say they are good meate. Also here are many kinds of excellent Hawkes, both Sea Hawkes & Land Hawkes: and my selfe walking in the Woods with another in company, sprung a Partridge so bigge that through the heauinesse of his Body could fly but a little way: they that haue killed them, say they are as bigge as our Hens. Here are likewise aboundance of Turkies often killed in the Woods, farre greater then our English Turkies, and exceeding fat, sweet and fleshy, for here they haue aboundance of feeding all the yeere long, as Strawberries, in Summer all places are full of them, and all manner of Berries and Fruits. In the Winter time I haue seene Flockes of Pidgeons, and haue eaten of them: they doe fly from Tree to Tree as other Birds doe, which our Pidgeons will not doe in _England_: they are of all colours as ours are, but their wings and tayles are far longer, and therefore it is likely they fly swifter to escape the terrible Hawkes in this Country. In Winter time this Country doth abound with wild Geese, wild Duckes, and other Sea Fowle, that a great part of winter the Planters haue eaten nothing but roast meate of diuers Fowles which they haue killed.

Thus you haue heard of the Earth, Water and Aire of _New-England_, now it may bee you expect something to bee said of the Fire proportionable to the rest of the Elements. Indeede I thinke _New-England_, may boast of this Element more then of all the rest: for though it bee here somewhat cold in the winter, yet here we haue plenty of Fire to warme vs, and that a great deale cheaper then they sel Billets and Faggots in _London_: nay, all _Europe_ is not able to afford to make so great Fires as _New-England_. A poore seruant here that is to possesse but 50 Acres of Land, may afford to giue more wood for Timber & Fire as good as the world yeelds, then many Noble men in _England_ can afford to do. Here is good liuing for those that loue good Fires. And although _New-England_ haue no Tallow to make Candles of, yet by the aboundance of the Fish thereof, it can afford Oyle for Lampes. Yea our Pine-Trees that are the most plentifull of all wood, doth allow vs plenty of Candles which are very vsefull in a House: and they are such Candles as the _Indians_ commonly vse, hauing no other, and they are nothing else but the wood of the Pine Tree clouen in two little slices something thin, which are so full of the moysture of Turpentine and Pitch, that they burne as cleere as a Torch. I haue sent you some of them that you may see the experience of them.

Thus of _New-England’s_ commodities, now I will tell you of some discommodities that are here to be found.

First, in the Summer season for these three months, _June_, _July_, and _August_, we are troubled much with little Flyes called Musketoes, being the same they are troubled with in Lincolneshiere and the Fens: and they are nothing but Gnats, which except they bee smoked out of their houses are troublesome in the night season.

Secondly, in the Winter season for two months space, the earth is commonly couered with Snow, which is accompanied with sharp biting Frosts, something more sharpe then is in old _England_, and therefore are forced to make great Fires.

Thirdly, the countrey being very full of Woods, and Wildernesses, doth also much abound with Snakes and Serpents of strange colours, and huge greatnesse: yea there are some Serpents called Rattlesnakes that haue Rattles in their Tailes, that will not fly from a man as others will, but will flye vpon him and sting him so mortally, that hee will dye within a quarter of an houre after, except the partie stinged haue about him some of the root of an Hearbe called Snake-weed to bite on, and then hee shall receiue no harme: but yet seldome falles it out that any hurt is done by these. About three yeares since, an _Indian_ was stung to death by one of them, but wee heard of none since that time.

Fourthly and lastly, Here wants as it were good company of honest Christians to bring with them Horses, Kine and Sheepe to make vse of this fruitfull Land: great pitty it is to see so much good ground for Corne & for Grasse as any is vnder the Heauens, to ly altogether vnoccupied, when so many honest Men and their Families in old _England_ through the populousnesse thereof, do make very hard shift to liue one by the other.

* * * * *

Now, thus you know what _New-England_ is, as also with the commodities and discommodities thereof: now I will shew you a little of the Inhabitants thereof, and their gouernment.

For their Gouernors they haue Kings, which they call _Saggamores_, some greater, and some lesser, according to the number of their Subjects.

The greatest _Saggamores_ about vs can not make aboue three hundred Men, and other lesse _Saggamores_ haue not aboue fifteene Subjects, and others neere about vs but two.

Their Subjects aboue twelue yeares since were swept away by a great & grieuous Plague that was amongst them, so that there are verie few left to inhabite the Country.

The _Indians_ are not able to make vse of the one fourth part of the Land, neither haue they any setled places, as Townes to dwell in, nor any ground as they challenge for their owne possession, but change their habitation from place to place.

For their Statures, they are a tall and strong limmed People, their colours are tawny, they goe naked, saue onely they are in part couered with Beasts Skins on one of their shoulders, and weare something before their priuities: their Haire is generally blacke, and cut before like our Gentelewomen, and one locke longer then the rest, much like to our Gentelmen, which fashion I thinke came from hence into _England_.

For their weapons, they haue Bows and Arrowes, some of them headed with Bone, and some with Brasse: I haue sent you some of them for an example.

The Men for the most part liue idely, they doe nothing but hunt and fish: their wiues set their Corne and doe all their other worke. They haue little Houshold stuffe, as a kettle, and some other Vessels like Trayes, Spoones, Dishes and Baskets.

Their Houses are verie little and homely, being made with small Poles pricked into the ground, and so bended and fastned at the tops, and on the sides they are matted with Boughes and couered on the Roofe with Sedge and old Mats, and for their beds that they take their rest on, they haue a Mat.

They doe generally professe to like well of our comming and planting here; partly because there is abundance of ground that they cannot possesse nor make vse of, and partly because our being heere will bee a meanes both of reliefe to them when they want, and also a defence from their Enemies, wherewith (I say) before this Plantation began, they were often indangered.

For their religion, they doe worship two Gods, a good God and an euill God: the good God they call _Tantum_, and their euill God whom they feare will doe them hurt, they call _Squantum_.

For their dealing with vs, we neither feare them nor trust them, for fourtie of our Musketeeres will driue fiue hundred of them out of the Field. We vse them kindly, they will come into our Houses sometimes by halfe a douzen or halfe a score at a time when we are at victuals, but will aske or take nothing but what we giue them.

We purpose to learne their language as soone as we can, which will be a meanes to do them good.

_Of the present condition of the Plantation, and what it is._

When we came first to _Nehumkek_, we found about halfe a score Houses, and a faire House newly built for the Gouernor, we found also aboundance of Corne planted by them, very good and well liking. And we brought with vs about two hundred Passengers and Planters more, which by common consent of the old Planters were all combined together into one Body Politicke, vnder the same Gouernor.

There are in all of vs both old and new Planters about three hundred, whereof two hundred of them are setled at _Nehumkek_, now called _Salem_: And the rest haue planted themselues at _Masathulets_ Bay, beginning to build a Towne there which wee doe call _Cherton_, or _Charles_ Towne.

We that are setled at _Salem_ make what haste we can to build Houses, so that within a short time we shall haue a faire Towne.

We haue great Ordnance, wherewith wee doubt not but wee shall fortifie our selues in a short time to keepe out a potent Aduersary. But that which is our greatest comfort, and meanes of defence aboue all other, is, that we haue here the true Religion and holy Ordinances of Almightie God taught amongst vs: Thankes be to God, wee haue here plenty of Preaching, and diligent Catechizing, with strickt and carefull exercise, and good and commendable orders to bring our People into a Christian conuersation with whom wee haue to doe withall. And thus wee doubt not but God will be with vs, and _if God be with us, who can be against us_?

_Here ends Master Higgeson’s Relation of New-England._

_A Letter sent from_ New-England, _by Master_ Graues, _Engynere now there resident_.

Thus much I can affirme in generall, that I neuer came in a more goodly Country in all my life, all things considered: if it hath not at any time beene manured and husbanded, yet it is very beautifull in open Lands, mixed with goodly woods, and againe open plaines, in some places five hundred Acres, some places more, some lesse, not much troublesome for to cleere for the Plough to goe in, no place barren, but on the tops of the Hils; the grasse & weedes grow vp to a man’s face, in the Lowlands & by fresh Riuers aboundance of grasse and large Meddowes without any Tree or shrubbe to hinder the Sith. I neuer saw except in Hungaria, vnto which I alwayes paralell this countrie, in all our most respects, for euery thing that is heere eyther sowne or planted prospereth far better then in old England: the increase of Corne is here farre beyond expectation, as I haue seene hereby experience in Barly, the which because it is so much aboue your conception I will not mention. And Cattle doe prosper very well, and those that are bredd here farr greater then those with you in England. Vines doe grow here plentifully laden with the biggest Grapes that euer I saw, some I haue seene foure inches about, so that I am bold to say of this countrie, as it is commonly said in _Germany_ of _Hungaria_, that for Cattel, Corne, and Wine it excelleth. We haue many more hopefull commodities here in this countrie, the which time will teach to make good vse of: In the meane time wee abound with such things which next vnder God doe make vs subsist, as Fish, Foule, Deere, and sundrie sorts of fruits, as musk-millions water-millions, India-Pompions, Indian-Pease Beanes, & many other odde fruits that I cannot name; all which are made good and pleasant through this maine blessing of God, the healthfulnesse of the countrie which far exceedeth all parts that euer I haue beene in: It is obserued that few or none doe here fal sicke, vnless of the Scuruy that they bring from aboard the Ship with them, whereof I haue cured some of my companie onely by labour. [Thus making an end of an imperfect Description, and committing you to God, &c.

A Catalogue of such needefull things as euery Planter doth or ought to prouide to go to _New-England_

as namely for one man, which being doubled, may serue for as many as you please, _viz._

Victuals for a whole yeere for a man, and so after the rate for more.

_8 Bvshels of meale._ _2 Bushels of pease._ _2 Bushels of Otemeale._ _1 Gallon of Aquavitæ._ _1 Gallon of Oyle._ _2 Gallons of Vinegar._ _1 Firkin of Butter._

Apparell.

_1 Monmoth Cap._ _3 Falling bands._ _3 Shirts._ _1 Wast-coat._ _1 Suit of Canuase._ _1 Suit of Frize._ _1 Suit of Cloth._ _3 Paire of Stockings._ _4 Paire of Shooes._ _2 Paire of Sheets._ _7 Ells of Canuas to make a bed and boulster._ _1 Paire of Blankets._ _1 Course Rug._

Armes.

_1 Armor compleat._ _1 Long peece._ _1 Sword._ _1 Belt._ _1 Bandilier._ _20 Pound of Powder._ _60 Pound of Lead._ _1 Pistoll and Goose shot._

Tooles.

_1 Broad Howe._ _1 Narrow Howe._ _1 Broad Axe._ _1 Felling Axe. 1 Steele Handsawe._ _1 Whipsawe._ _1 Hammer._ _1 Shouell._ _1 Spade._ _2 Augres._ _4 Chissels._ _2 Percers stocked._ _1 Gimblet._ _1 Hatchet._ _2 Frowes._ _1 Hand-Bill._ _1 Grindstone._ _1 Pickaxe._ _Nayles of all sorts._

Houshold implements.

_1 Iron pot._ _1 Kettel._ _1 Frying pan._ _1 Gridiron._ _2 Skellets._ _1 Spit._ _Wooden Platters._ _Dishes._ _Spoons._ _Trenchers._

Spices.

_Sugar._ _Pepper._ _Cloues._ _Mace._ _Cinnamon._ _Nutmegs._ _Fruit._

Also there are diuers other things necessary to bee taken ouer to this Plantation, as Bookes, Nets, Hookes and Lines, Cheese, Bacon, Kine, Goats, &c.

The names of the most remarkable places in _New-England_.

But whosoeuer desireth to know as much as yet can be discouered, I aduise them to buy Captaine _John Smiths_ booke of the description of _New-England_ in Folio; and reade from Fol. 203. to the end; and there let the Reader expect to haue full content.

_Finis._

SOME BRIEF COLLECTIONS

_&c._

_Some brief collections out of a letter that Mr._ Higginson _sent to his friends at_ Leicester.

There are certainly expected here the next spring the coming of 60 familyes out Dorcettershire,[5] who have by letters signified so much to the Goverour to desyre him to appoint them places of habitations they bringing their ministers with them. Also many families are expected out of Lincolnshire[6] and a minister with them, and a great company of godly Christians out of London. Such of you as come from Leister, I would counsell you to come quickly and that for two reasons. 1st, if you linger too long, the passages of Jordan through the malice of Sathan, may be stopped, that you can not come if you would. 2dly, Those that come first speed best here, and have the priviledge of choosing choice places of habitations. Little children of 5 years ould may by setting corne one month be able to get their owne maintenance abundantly. Oh what a good worke might you that are rich do for your poore brethren, to helpe them with your purses onely to convey them hither with their children and families, where they may live as well both for soule and body as any where in the world. Besides they will recompense the cost by helping to build houses and plant your ground for a tyme; which shall be difficult worke at the first, except you have the helpe of many hands. Mr. Johnson out of Lincolnshire and many others, have helped our godly christians hither to be employed in their worke, for a while, and then to live of themselves. We have here about 40 goats that give milke, and as many milch kyne; we have 6 or 7 mares and an horse, and do every day expect the coming of half a score mares more, and 30 Kyne by two shipps that are to follow us.[7] They that come let them bring mares, kyne, and sheepe as many as they can: Ireland is the best place to provide sheepe, and lyes in the way. Bring none that are in lambe, nor mares in foale; for they are in more danger to perish at sea. Of all trades carpenters are most needful, therefore bring as many as you can. It were a wise course for those of abilityes to joyne together and buy a shipp for the voyage and other merchandize. For the governour would that any man may employ his stocke in what merchandises he please, excepting only beaver skins, which the company of merchants reserve to themselves, and the managing of the publique stocke. If any be of the mynde to buy a shipp my cousin Nowell’s[8] counsell would be good. Also one Mr. [Beecher] a very godly man and the master of the ship we went in, and likewise one Mr. Graves the master’s maite dwelling in Wapping may herein staund you in stead. The payment of the transportation of things is wondrous deare, as 5_l_ a man and 10_l_ a horse and commonly 3_l_ for every tunne of goodes: so that a little more than will pay for the passage will purchase the possession of a ship for all together.

No man hath or can have a house built for him here unlesse he comes himselfe, or else send servants before to do it for him. It was an errour that I now perceive both in myselfe, and others did conceive by not rightly understanding the merchaunts meaning. For we thought that all that put in their money into the common stocke; should have a house built for them, besides such a portion of the land; but it was not so. They shall indeed have so much land allotted to them when they come to take possession of it and make use of it, but if they will have houses they must build them. Indeed we that are ministers, and all the rest that were entertained and sent over and maintained by the rest of the company, as their servants, for such a tyme in such employments, all such are to have houses built them of the comyanies charge and no others nor otherwise. They that put money into the stocke, as they do a good worke to helpe forwards so worthy a plantation, so all the gayne they are likely to have, is according to the increase of the stocke at 3 years end, by the trade of beaver, besides the lands which they shall enjoy when they will.

All that come must have victualls with them for a twelve month, I meane they must have meale, oatmeale and such like sustenaunce of food, till they can gett increase of corne by their owne labour. For, otherwise, so many may come without provision at the first, as that our small beginnings may not be sufficient to maintayne them.

Before you come be carefull to be strongly instructed what things are fittest to bring with you for your more comfortable passage at sea, as also for your husbandrey occasions when you come to the land. For when you are once parted with England you shall meete neither with taverns nor alehouse, nor butchers, nor grosers, nor apothecaries shops to helpp what things you need, in the midst of the great ocean, nor when you are come to land here are yet neither markets nor fayres to buy what you want. Therefore be sure to furnish yourselves with things fitting to be had before you come; as meale for bread, malt for drinke, woolen and linnen cloath, and leather for shoes, and all manner of carpenters tools, and a good deale of iron and steele to make nails, and lockes, for houses, and furniture for ploughs and carts, and glasse for windowes, and many other things which were better for you to think of them than to want them here.

Whilst I was writing this letter my wiffe brought me word that the fishers had caught 1600 basse at one draught, which if they were in England were worth many a pound.

NOTES

NOTES.

[1] Thomas Hutchinson, the historian of Massachusetts, attributed this document to Francis Higginson, but Alexander Young and Robert C. Winthrop have shown that another draft of these “Considerations,” in the handwriting of Forth Winthrop, and now preserved in the Winthrop Papers, was probably inspired by John Winthrop. Another copy in the English State Paper Office is endorsed “White of Dorchester his instructions for the plantation of New England.”

[2] Quote, _i. e._ quost, an obsolete spelling of coast.

[3] The manuscript now in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society, ends at this point, the following pages having been lost since it was in the possession of Hutchinson. The remainder of the journal of the voyage is reprinted from Hutchinson’s “Collection of Original Papers relative to the History of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay,” Boston, 1769.

[4] Gloucester harbor.

[5] These were the settlers who came with Maverick.

[6] The emigrants from Boston, England.

[7] The “Four Sisters” and the “Mayflower.”

[8] Increase Norwell, afterward Secretary of the Colony.

[A] _Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New England.—Boston, 1853._

INDEX

Aberden, 114.

Accomack, 113.

Accomintus, 113.

Aggawom, 113.

Air of New England, 29, 98.

Ancocisco, 113.

Ancociscos Mount, 113.

Anmoughcawgen, 113.

Ash trees, 26, 95.

Assurance (ship), 62.

Bahanna, 113.

Barley, 109.

Barties Isles, 114.

Barwick, 113.

Bass, 27, 97.

Bastable, 113.

Beans, 110.

Bears, 26, 95.

Beavers, 26, 95, 119.

Beech trees, 26, 95.

Beecher, Mr., 63, 119.

Berries, 25, 94.

Birch trees, 26, 95.

Birds, 31, 100.

Biscay ship, 65.

Black, Goodman, 76.

Boats, Fishing, 28, 97.

Borley, Capt., 64.

Boston, 113.

Boston (Eng.), 125.

Bows and arrows, 35, 105.

Brass, 35, 105.

Bricks, 23, 91.

Bright, Francis, 53, 54.

Bristow Bay, 113.

Brookelime, 25, 94.

Browne, Mr., 65.

Butter, 111.

Cambridge, 113.

Candles, 32, 102.

Cannon, 37, 60, 108.

Cape Ann, 26, 77, 78, 79, 95, 113.

Cape Cod, 113.

Cape James, 113.

Cape Tragabig sanda, 113.

Carrots, 25, 93.

Carvel, 25, 94.

Cattle, 23, 34, 60, 92, 104, 109, 118.

Cedar trees, 26, 95.

Charles I, 6.

Charles River, 22, 90, 113.

Charlestown, 37, 108.

Chawum, 113.

Cherries, 26, 94.

Cherton, 37, 108.

Chestnuts, 25, 94.

Chevit hills, 113.

Christopher Islands, 65.

Churches of Europe, 41.

Claybrook Parish (Eng.), 6.

Cloth, 25, 94.

Clothing for New England, 30, 100, 111.

Codfish, 27, 96.

Cordage, 25, 94.

Corn, 23, 35, 36, 92, 107, 109, 118, 120.

Cornwall (Eng.), 64.

Cowcastle (Eng.), 62.

Cowes (Eng.), 63.

Crabs, 28, 97.

Cucumbers, 25, 94.

Currants, 25, 94.

Cush, 28, 97.

Cypress trees, 26, 95.

Dartmouth (Eng.), 113.

Death of child, 66, 76; of sailor, 75.

Deer, 26, 27, 95, 96.

Dog fell overboard, 69.

Dorchester (Eng.), 59, 60, 117.

Ducks, 31, 101.

Dunbarton, 114.

Dye stuffs, 26, 95.

Eagle, 31, 101.

Edenborow, 113.

Education, 41.

Eels, 28, 97.

Endecott, Gov., 5, 79.

Falmouth, 113.

Fast kept, 67, 71.

Filberts, 25, 94.

Files, 23, 91.

Fir trees, 26, 95.

Fires in New England, 32, 102.

Fish, 27, 96, 121.

Fishing nets, 28, 97.

Force, Peter, 8.

Four Sisters (ship), 60, 125.

Foxes, 26, 95.

Geese, 31, 101.

George (ship), 60, 79.

Gibs, Mr., 66.

Gloucester, 125.

Gnats, 33, 103.