Part 1

Licensed,

Nov. 1. 1671.

ROGER L’ESTRANGE.

THE DISCOVERIES OF _JOHN LEDERER_, In three several Marches from VIRGINIA, To the West of Carolina, And other parts of the Continent: Begun in _March 1669_, and ended in _September 1670_. Together with A General MAP of the whole Territory which he traversed.

Collected and Translated out of Latine from his Discourse and Writings, By Sir _William Talbot_ Baronet.

_Sed nos immensum spatiis confecimus æquor,_ _Et jam tempus equum fumanti a solvere colla._ Virg. Georg.

_London_, Printed by _J. C._ for _Samuel Heyrick_, at Grays-Inne-gate in Holborn. 1672.

_The Epistle Dedicatory_

To the Right Honourable _ANTHONY ~Lord ASHLEY~, Baron ~Ashley~ of ~Wimborn St. Giles~, Chancellor of his Majesties Exchequer, Under-Treasurer of ~England~, One of the Lords Commissioners of his Majesties Treasury, one of the Lords of his most Honourable Privie Council, and one of the Lords Proprietors of ~CAROLINA~._

MY LORD,

From this discourse it is clear that the long looked-for discovery of the _Indian_ Sea does nearly approach; and _Carolina_, out of her happy experience of your Lordships success in great undertakings, presumes that the accomplishment of this glorious Designe is reserved for her. In order to which, the _Apalatæan_ Mountains (though like the prodigious Wall that divides _China_ and _Tartary_, they deny _Virginia_ passage into the West Continent) stoop to your Lordships Dominions, and lay open a Prospect into unlimited Empires; Empires that will hereafter be ambitious of subjection to that noble Government which by your Lordships deep wisdom and providence first projected, is now established in _Carolina_; for it will appear that she flourishes more by the influence of that, than the advantages she derives from her Climate and Soyl, which yet do render her the Beauty and Envy of North-_America_. That all her glories should be seen in this Draught, is not reasonably to be expected, since the fate to my Author but once, and then too with a side-face; and therefore I must own it was never by him designed for the Press, but published by me, out of no other ambition than that of manifesting to the world, that I am

My Lord,

Your Lordships most humble and obedient Servant,

_William Talbot_.

TO THE READER.

_That a Stranger should presume (though with Sir ~William Berkly~’s Commission) to go into those Parts of the ~American~ Continent where ~Englishmen~ never had been, and whither some refused to accompany him, was, in ~Virginia~ look’d on as so great an insolence, that our Traveller at his Return, instead of Welcom and Applause, met nothing but Affronts and Reproaches; for indeed it was their part, that forsook him in the Expedition, to procure him discredit that was a witness to theirs; Therefore no industry was wanting to prepare Men with a prejudice against him, and this their malice improved to such a general Animosity, that he was not safe in ~Virginia~ from the outrage of the People, drawn into a perswasion, that the Publick Levy of that year, went all to the expence of his Vagaries. Forced by this storm into ~Maryland~, he became known to me, though then ill-affected to the Man, by the stories that went about of him: Nevertheless finding him, contrary to my expectation, a modest ingenious person, & a pretty Scholar, I thought it common Justice to give him an occasion of vindicating himself from what I had heard of him; which truly he did with so convincing Reason and circumstance, as quite abolished those former impressions in me, and made me desire this Account of his Travels, which here you have faithfully rendred out of Latine from his own Writings and Discourse, with an entire Map of the Territory he traversed, copied from his own hand. All these I have compared with ~Indian~ Relations of those parts (though I never met with any ~Indian~ that had followed a Southwest-Course so far as this ~German~) and finding them agree, I thought the Printing of these Papers was no injury to the Author, and might prove a Service to the Publick._

William Talbot.

THE

Discoveries of JOHN LEDERER

from _Virginia_ to the West of _Carolina_, and other parts of the Continent.

_A General and brief Account of the North-~American~ Continent._

North, as well as South-_America_, may be divided into three Regions: the Flats, the Highlands, and the Mountains. The Flats (in Indian, _Ahkynt_) is the Territory lying between the Eastern Coast, and the falls of the great Rivers, that there run into the _Atlantick_ Ocean, in extent generally taken Ninety miles. The Highlands (in Indian, _Ahkontshuck_) begin at those falls, and determine at the foot of the great ridge of Mountains that runs thorow the midst of this Continent, Northeast and Southwest, called by the Spaniards _Apalatæi_, from the Nation _Apalakin_; and by the Indians, _Pæmotinck_. According to the best of my observation and conjecture, they lie parallel to the _Atlantick_ Sea-coast, that bearing from _Canada_ to Cape _Florida_, Northeast and Southwest, and then falling off due West as the Mountains do at _Sara_: but here they take the name of _Suala_; _Sara_ in the _Warrennuncock_ dialect being _Sasa_ or _Sualy_.

The Flats, or _Ahkynt_, are by former Writers made so well known to Christendom, that I will not stop the Reader here, with an unnecessary description of them; but shall onely say, that by the rankness of the Soyl, and salt moistness of the Air, daily discoveries of Fish-shells three fathom deep in the earth, and Indian tradition; these parts are supposed some Ages past to have lain under the Sea.

The Highlands (or _Ahkontshuch_) though under the same Parallels, are happie notwithstanding in a more temperate and healthful Air. The ground is over-grown with under-wood in many places, and that so perplext and interwoven with Vines, that who travels here, must sometimes cut through his way. These Thickets harbour all sorts of beasts of prey, as Wolves, Panthers, Leopards, Lions, _&c._ (which are neither so large nor so fierce as those of _Asia_ and _Africa_) and small Vermine, as wilde Cats, Foxes, Racoons. These parts were formerly possessed by the _Tacci_, aliàs _Dogi_; but they are extinct; and the Indians now seated here, are distinguished into the several Nations of _Mahoe_, _Nuntaneuck_, aliàs _Nuntaly_, _Nabyssan_, _Sapon_, _Managog_, _Mangoack_, _Akenatzy_, and _Monakin_, &c. One Language is common to them all, though they differ in Dialects. The parts inhabited here are pleasant and fruitful, because cleared of Wood, and laid open to the Sun. The Valleys feed numerous herds of Deer and Elks larger then Oxen: these Valleys they call _Savanæ_, being Marish grounds at the foot of the _Apalatæi_, and yearly laid under water in the beginning of Summer by flouds of melted Snow falling down from the Mountains.

The _Apalatæan_ Mountains, called in Indian _Pæmotinck_, (or the origine of the Indians) are barren Rocks, and therefore deserted by all living creatures but Bears, who cave in the hollow Cliffs. Yet do these Mountains shoot out to the Eastward great Promontories of rich Land, known by the high and spreading trees which they bear: these Promontories, because lower then the main Ridge, are called by the Indians _Tanx-Pæmotinck_ (aliàs _Aquatt_). To the Northeast the Mountains rise higher; and at _Sara_ they sink so low, that they are easily passed over: but here (as was said before) they change their course and name, running due West, and being called _Sualy_: now the _Sualian_ Mountains rise higher and higher Westward.

_Of the Manners and Customs of the ~Indians~ inhabiting the Western parts of ~Carolina~ and ~Virginia~._

The Indians now seated in these parts, are none of those which the English removed from _Virginia_, but a people driven by an Enemy from the Northwest, and invited to sit down here by an Oracle above four hundred years since, as they pretend: for the ancient inhabitants of _Virginia_ were far more rude and barbarous, feeding onely upon raw flesh and fish, until these taught them to plant Corn, and shewed them the use of it.

But before I treat of their ancient Manners and Customs, it is necessary I should shew by what means the knowledge of them hath been conveyed from former ages to posterity. Three ways they supply their want of Letters: first by Counters, secondly by Emblems or Hieroglyphicks, thirdly by Tradition delivered in long Tales from father to son, which being children they are made to learn by rote.

For Counters, they use either Pebbles, or short scantlings of straw or reeds. Where a Battel has been fought, or a Colony seated, they raise a small Pyramid of these stones, consisting of the number slain or transplanted. Their reeds and straws serve them in Religious Ceremonies: for they lay them orderly in a Circle when they prepare for Devotion or Sacrifice; and that performed, the Circle remains still, for it is Sacriledge to disturb or to touch it: the disposition and sorting of the straws and reeds, shew what kinde of Rites have there been celebrated, as Invocation, Sacrifice, Burial, _&c._

The faculties of the minde and body they commonly express by Emblems. By the figure of a Stag, they imply swiftness; by that of a Serpent, wrath; of a Lion, courage; of a Dog, fidelity: by a Swan, they signifie the _English_, alluding to their complexion, and flight over the Sea.

An account of Time, and other things, they keep on a string or leather thong tied in knots of several colours. I took particular notice of small Wheels serving for this purpose amongst the _Oenocks_, because I have heard that the _Mexicans_ use the same. Every Nation gives his particular Ensigne or Arms: The _Sasquesahanaugh_ a Tarapine, or small Tortoise; the _Akenatzy’s_ a Serpent; the _Nahyssanes_ three Arrows, _&c._ In this they likewise agree with the _Mexican_ Indians. _Vid. Jos. à Costa._

They worship one God, Creator of all things, whom some call _Okæè_, others _Mannith_: to him alone the High-priest, or _Periku_, offers Sacrifice; and yet they believe he has no regard to sublunary affairs, but commits the Government of Mankinde to lesser Deities, as _Quiacosough_ and _Tagkanysough_, that is, good and evil Spirits: to these the inferiour Priests pay their devotion and Sacrifice, at which they make recitals, to a lamentable Tune, of the great things done by their Ancestors.

From four women, _viz._ _Pash_, _Sepoy_, _Askarin_, and _Maraskarin_, they derive the Race of Mankinde; which they therefore divide into four Tribes, distinguished under those several names. They very religiously observe the degrees of Marriage, which they limit not to distance of Kindred, but difference of Tribes, which are continued in the issue of the Females: now for two of the same Tribe to match, is abhorred as Incest, and punished with great severity.

Their places of Burial they divide into four quarters, assigning to every Tribe one: for, to mingle their bodies, even when dead, they hold wicked and ominous. They commonly wrap up the corpse in beasts skins, and bury with it Provision and Houshold stuff for its use in the other world. When their great men die, they likewise slay prisoners of War to attend them. They believe the transmigration of souls: for the Angry they say is possest with the spirit of a Serpent; the Bloudy, with that of a Wolf; the Timorous, of a Deer; the Faithful, of a Dog, _&c._ and therefore they are figured by these Emblemes.

_Elizium_, or the abode of their lesser Deities, they place beyond the Mountains and Indian Ocean.

Though they want those means of improving Humane Reason, which the use of Letters affords us; let us not therefore conclude them wholly destitute of Learning and Sciences: for by these little helps which they have found, many of them advance their natural understandings to great knowledge in Physick, Rhetorick, and Policie of Government: for I have been present at several of their Consultations and Debates, and to my admiration have heard some of their Seniors deliver themselves with as much Judgement and Eloquence as I should have expected from men of Civil education and Literature.

The First EXPEDITION,

From the head of _Pemæoncock_, aliàs _York-River_ (due West) to the top of the _Apalatæan_ Mountains.

Upon the ninth of _March 1669_ (with three Indians whose names were _Magtakunh_, _Hopottoguoh_, and _Naunnugh_) I went out at the falls of _Pemæoncock_, aliàs _York-River_ in _Virginia_, from an Indian Village called _Shickehamany_, and lay that night in the Woods, encountring nothing remarkable, but a Rattle-snake of an extraordinary, length and thickness, for I judged it two yards and a half or better from head to tail, and as big about as a mans arm: by the distention of her belly, we believed her full with young; but having killed and opened her, found there a small Squirrel whole; which caused in me a double wonder: first, how a Reptile should catch so nimble a creature as a Squirrel; and having caught it, how she could swallow it entire. The Indians in resolving my doubts, plunged me into a greater astonishment, when they told me that it was usual in these Serpents, when they lie basking in the Sun, to fetch down these Squirrels from the tops of trees, by fixing their eye stedfastly upon them; the horrour of which strikes such an affrightment into the little beast, that he has no power to hinder himself from tumbling down into the jaws of his enemy, who takes in all his sustenance without chewing, his teeth serving him onely to offend withal. But I rather believe what I have heard from others, that these Serpents climb the trees, and surprise their prey in the nest.

The next day falling into Marish grounds between _Pemæoncock_ and the head of the River _Matapeneugh_, the heaviness of the way obliged me to cross _Pemæoncock_, where its North and South-branch (called _Ackmick_) joyn in one. In the Peninsula made by these two branches, a great Indian King called _Tottopottoma_ was heretofore slain in Battel, fighting for the Christians against the _Mahocks_ and _Nahyssans_, from whence it retains his name to this day. Travelling thorow the Woods, a Doe seized by a wild Cat crossed our way; the miserable creature being even spent and breathless with the burden and cruelty of her rider, who having fastned on her shoulder, left not sucking out her bloud until she sunk under him: which one of the Indians perceiving, let flie a luckie Arrow, which piercing him thorow the belly, made him quit his prey already slain, and turn with a terrible grimas at us; but his strength and spirits failing him, we escaped his revenge, which had certainly ensued, were not his wound mortal. This creature is something bigger then our English Fox, of a reddish grey colour, and in figure every way agreeing with an ordinary Cat; fierce, ravenous and cunning: for finding the Deer (upon which they delight most to prey) too swift for them, they watch upon branches of trees, and as they walk or feed under, jump down upon them. The Fur of the wilde Cat, though not very fine, is yet esteemed for its vertue in taking away cold Aches and Pains, being worn next to the body: their flesh, though rank as a Dogs, is eaten by the Indians.

The eleventh and twelfth, I found the ways very uneven, and cumbred with bushes.

The thirteenth, I reached the first Spring of _Pemæoncock_, having crossed the River four times that day, by reason of its many windings; but the water was so shallow, that it hardly wet my horses pasterns. Here a little under the surface of the earth, I found flat pieces of petrified matter, of one side solid Stone, but on the other side Isinglas, which I easily peeled off in flakes about four inches square: several of these pieces, with a transparent Stone like Crystal that cut Glass, and a white Marchasite that I purchased of the Indians, I presented to Sir _Wiliam Berkley_ Governour of _Virginia_.

The fourteenth of _March_, from the top of an eminent hill, I first descried the _Apalatæan_ Mountains, bearing due West to the place I stood upon: their distance from me was so great, that I could hardly discern whether they were Mountains or Clouds, until my Indian fellow travellers prostrating themselves in Adoration, howled out after a barbarous manner, _Okée pœze_, i. e. _God is nigh_.

The fifteenth of _March_, not far from this hill, passing over the South-branch of _Rappahanock_-river, I was almost swallowed in a Quicksand. Great herds of Red and Fallow Deer I daily saw feeding; and on the hill-sides, Bears crashing Mast like Swine. Small Leopards I have seen in the Woods, but never any Lions, though their skins are much worn by the Indians. The Wolves in these parts are so ravenous, that I often in the night feared my horse would be devoured by them, they would gather up and howl so close round about him, though Tether’d to the same tree at whose foot I my self and the Indians lay: but the Fires which we made, I suppose, scared them from worrying us all. Beaver and Otter I met with at every River that I passed; and the Woods are full of Grey Foxes.

Thus I travelled all the sixteenth; and on the seventeenth of _March_ I reached the _Apalatæi_. The Air here is very thick and chill; and the waters issuing from the Mountain-sides, of a Blue colour, and Allumish taste.

The eighteenth of _March_, after I had in vain assayed to ride up, I alighted, and left my horse with one of the Indians, whilst with the other two I climbed up the Rocks, which were so incumbred with bushes and brambles, that the ascent proved very difficult: besides, the first precipice was so steep, that if I lookt down, I was immediately taken with a swimming in my head; though afterwards the way was more easie. The height of this Mountain was very extraordinary: for notwithstanding I set out with the first appearance of light, it was late in the evening before I gained the top, from whence the next morning I had a beautiful prospect of the _Atlantick_-Ocean washing the _Virginian_-shore; but to the North and West, my sight was suddenly bounded by Mountains higher than that I stood upon. Here did I wander in Snow, for the most part, till the Four and twentieth day of _March_, hoping to finde some passage through the Mountains; but the coldness of the Air and Earth together, seizing my Hands and Feet with numbness, put me to a _ne plus ultra_; and therefore having found my _Indian_ at the foot of the Mountain with my Horse, I returned back by the same way that I went.

The Second EXPEDITION,

From the Falls of _Powhatan_, aliàs _James-River_, in _Virginia_, to _Mahock_ in the _Apalatæan_ Mountains.

The twentieth of _May_ 1670, one Major _Harris_ and my self, with twenty _Christian_ Horse, and five _Indians_, marched from the Falls of _James-River_, in _Virginia_, towards the _Monakins_; and on the Two and twentieth were welcomed by them with Volleys of Shot. Near this Village we observed a Pyramid of stones piled up together, which their Priests told us, was the Number of an _Indian_ Colony drawn out by Lot from a Neighbour-Countrey over-peopled, and led hither by one _Monack_, from whom they take the Name of _Monakin_. Here enquiring the way to the Mountains, an ancient Man described with a staffe two paths on the ground; one pointing to the _Mahocks_, and the other to the _Nahyssans_; but my _English_ Companions slighting the _Indians_ direction, shaped their course by the Compass due West, and therefore it fell out with us, as it does with those Land-Crabs, that crawling backwards in a direct line, avoid not the Trees that stand in their way, but climbing over their very tops, come down again on the other side, and so after a days labour gain not above two foot of ground. Thus we obstinately pursuing a due West course, rode over steep and craggy Cliffs, which beat our Horses quite off the hoof. In these Mountains we wandred from the Twenty fifth of _May_ till the Third of _June_, finding very little sustenance for Man or Horse; for these places are destitute both of Grain and Herbage.

The third of _June_ we came to the South-branch of _James_-River, which Major _Harris_ observing to run Northward, vainly imagined to be an Arm of the Lake of _Canada_; and was so transported with this Fancy, that he would have raised a Pillar to the Discovery, if the fear of the _Mahock Indian_, and want of food, had permitted him to stay. Here I moved to cross the River and march on; but the rest of the Company were so weary of the enterprize, that crying out, _One and All_, they had offered violence to me, had I not been provided with a private Commission from the Governour of _Virginia_ to proceed, though the rest of the company should abandon me; the sight of which laid their fury.

The lesser Hills, or _Akontshuck_, are here unpassable, being both steep and craggy: the Rocks seemed to me at a distance to resemble Eggs set up an end.

_James_-River is here as broad as it is about an hundred mile lower at _Monakin_; the passage over is very dangerous, by reason of the rapid Torrents made by Rocks and Shelves forcing the water into narrow Chanels. From an observation which we made of straws and rotten chuncks hanging in the boughs of Trees on the Bank, and two and twenty foot above water, we argued that the melted Snow falling from the Mountains swelled the River to that height, the Flood carrying down that rubbish which, upon the abatement of the Inundation, remained in the Trees.

The Air in these parts was so moist, that all our Biscuit became mouldy and unfit to be eaten, so that some nicer stomachs, who at our setting out laughed at my provision of _Indian_-meal parched, would gladly now have shared with me: but I being determined to go upon further Discoveries, refused to part with any of that which was to be my most necessary sustenance.

_The Continuation of the ~Second Expedition~ from ~Mahock~, Southward, into the Province of ~Carolina~._

The fifth of _June_, my Company and I parted good friends, they back again, and I with one _Sasquesahanough-Indian_, named _Jackzetavon_, only, in pursuit of my first Enterprize, changing my course from West to Southwest & by South, to avoid the Mountains. Major _Harris_ at parting gave me a Gun, believing me a lost man, and given up as a prey to _Indians_ or savage Beasts; which made him the bolder in _Virginia_ to report strange things in his own praise and my disparagement, presuming I would never appear to disprove him. This, I suppose, and no other, was the cause that he did with so much industry procure me discredit and odium; but I have lost nothing by it, but what I never studied to gain, which is Popular applause.