Aloes.
Aloeswe have growing here, very good, and ’tis a beautifull plant; the leaves four inches broad, ¾ of an inch thick, and about a foot and a halfe long; with prickles on each side, and the last sprout which rises up in the middle, beares yellow flowres, one above another, and those flowres are higher then any of the leaves, by two foot; These thickleaves we take, and cut them through, and out of them issue the Aloes, which we set in the Sun, and that will rarifie it, and make it fit to keep. But it is the first comming which we save; for, if we let it run too long, the second running will be much worse; but, before that comes, we throw away the leafe. The leaves of this Plant, (which we callsemper vivensinEngland, and growes neer the fire in Kitchins, hung up to a beam, with an oyl’d clout about the root) with the inner bark of Elder, and some other ingredients, boyl’d in Sallet-oyle, is the best medicine in the world for a burn or a scald, being presently applyed; and for that the medicine is beyond all that ever was, for that cure, I will set it down, and ’tis this.
TakeSemper vivens, Plantine leaves, and the green rinde of Elder, of each a like quantity, and boyl them in Sallet-oyle, so much as will draw out all that tincture by boyling; then strain the Oyle well out, and put it on the fire again, and put to it a small quantity of spirit of Wine, and so much yellow Wax, as will bring it to the consistance of a Liniment.
One other Plant we have, and that is the Sensible plant, which closes the leavs upon any touch with your hand, or that end of your staff by which you hold, and in a little time will open again.
Flowers.
There are very few Flowers in the Iland, and none of them sweet; as, the white Lilly, which growes in the woods, and is much a fairer flower then ours; as also a red Lilly, of the same bignesse; but neither of them sweet. The St.Jagoflower is very beautifull, but of a nauseous savour. One more we have, and that must not be forgotten for the rarity, because it opens, when all else close, when the Sun goes down; and for that reason we call it, the flower of the Moon: It growes in great tuffs, the leaves almost in the form of a Heart, the point turning back, the flower somewhat bigger then a Primrose, but of the purest purple that ever I beheld. When this flower falls off, the seed appears, which is black, with an eye of purple; shap’d, and of the sise of a small button, so finely wrought, and tough withall, as it might serve very well to trim a suit of apparell.
I know no herbs naturally growing in the Iland, that have not been brought thither from other parts, but Purcelane; and that growes so universally, as the over-much plenty makes it disesteemed; and we destroy it as a Weed that cumbers the ground.
English Herbs and Roots.
Rosemary, Time, Winter Savory, sweet Marjerom, pot Marjerom, Parsley, Penniroyall, Camomile, Sage, Tansie, Lavender, Lavender-Cotten, Garlick, Onyons, Colworts, Cabbage, Turnips, Redishes, Marigolds, Lettice, Taragon, Southernwood. All these I carried with me in seeds, and all grew and prospered well. Leek-Seed I had, which appeared to me very fresh and good; but it never came up. Rose trees we have, but they never bear flowers.
There is a Root, of which some of the Negres brought the Seeds, and planted there, and they grew: ’Tis a very large Root, drie, and well tasted; the manner of planting it is, to make little hills, as big as Mole-hills, and plant the seed a-top, and as soon as it puts forth the stalks they turn down to the ground, on either side, and then as they touch it, they thrust up a stalk, not unlike an Asparagus, but of apurple colour. These being gathered, and eaten as a Sallet, with oyle, vinegar, and salt, will serve an ordinary pallet, where no better is to be had: But the root truly is very good meat, boyl’d with powdred pork, and eaten with butter, vinegar, and pepper. Most of these roots are as large, as three of the biggest Turnips we have inEngland. We carried divers of them to Sea, for our provision, which stood us in good stead, and would have serv’d us plentifully in our great want of victualls; but the Rats (of which we had infinite numbers aboard) rob’d us of the most part.
Strength of the Iland by Nature to Seaward.
That part of the Iland which lies to the windeward, and is part East, part North, the stormes and stiffe windes comming from those points, have so wash’d away all earthly substance, as there remaines nothing but steep Rocks; and the Sea being very deep on that side, the Anchors will hardly touch the bottom, though the Cables be long; so that what Ship soever rides on that side, comes at her owne perill. Contrarily, if any Ship be under Sail, on the Leeward side, and goes but so far out, as to lose the shelter of the Iland, it is certain to be carried away down to the leeward Ilands, and then it will be a very hard work to beat it up again, without putting out into the Main. So that there can hardly be any safe landing, but where the Harbours and Baies are, which lie to the Southwest; and those places are so defensible by Nature, as with small costs, they may be very strongly fortified. But they havebeen much neglected by the Proprietor, for which reason, (and some others) the Planters refused to call him by that name. There was a Gentleman in the Iland, who pretended to be a Souldier,Captain Burrows.and an Ingeneer, that undertook to fortifie all the landing places, and to furnish them with such store of Artillery, as should be sufficient to defend them; provided, he might have the Excise paid to him for seven years, which was promised by the Governour and Assembly. Whereupon he went to work, and made such a Fort, as when abler Ingeneers came upon the Iland, they found to be most pernicious; for, commanding all the Harbour, and not of strength to defend it selfe, if it were taken by an enemy, might do much harm to the land-ward. So that at my comming from thence, they were pulling it down, and instead of it, to make Trenches, and Rampiers, with Pallisadoes, Horn-works, Curtains, and Counter-scarfes; and having left a very good Fortification of standing wood, round about the Iland, near the Sea, these were thought as much as needed for their defence, against the landing of any forraign Forces, and for their strength within.
Strength of the Iland within land.
They built three Forts, one for a Magazine, to lay their Amonition, and Powder in; the other two, to make their retreats upon all occasions. At my comming from thence, they were able to muster ten thousand Foot, as good men, and as resolute, as any in the world, and a thousand good Horse; and this was the strength of the Iland about the time I came away.
How Governed, & how Divided.
They Govern there by the Lawes ofEngland, for all Criminall, Civill, Martiall, Ecclesiasticall, and Maritime affairs.
This Law is administred by a Governour, and ten of his Councill, four Courts of ordinary Justice, in Civill causes, which divide theland in four Circuits; Justices of Peace, Constables, Churchwardens, and Tithing-men: five Sessions in the year, for tryall of Criminall causes, and all Appeals from inferiour Courts, in Civill causes. And when the Governour pleases to call an Assembly, for the supream Court of all, for the last Appeales, for making new Lawes, and abolishing old, according to occasion, in nature of the Parliament ofEngland, and accordingly consists of the Governour, as Supream, his Councill, in nature of the Peers, and two Burgesses chosen by every Parish for the rest. The Iland is divided into eleven Parishes. No Tithes paid to the Minister, but a yearly allowance of a pound of Tobacco, upon an acre of every mans land, besides certain Church-duties, of Mariages, Christenings, and Burialls.
A standing Commission there was also, for punishing Adultery and Fornication, though rarely put in execution.
Something would be said concerning the seasons of the year; but it is little, & therfore wil be the least troublesome. Four months in the year, the weather is colder then the other eight, & those areNovember,December,January, &February; yet they are hotter than with us inMay. There is no generall Fall of the leafe, every Tree having a particular fall to himself; as if two Locusts stands at the distance of a stones cast, they have not their falls at one time; one Locust will let fall the leaves inJanuary, another inMarch, a third inJuly, a fourth inSeptember; and so all months one kinde of Trees, having their severall times of falling: But if any month falls more leaves then other, ’tisFebruary; for so in my nicest observation I found it. The leaves we finde fallen under the trees, being the most of them large and stiffe, when they were growing, and having many veines, which go from the middle stalk, to the uppermost extent of the leafe, when the thin part of the leafe is rotten and consum’d, those veines appear like Anatomies, with the strangest works and beautifullest formes that I have seen, fit to be kept as a rarity, in the Cabinets of the greatest Princes. As also the Negres heads, which we finde in the sands, and they are about two inches long, with a forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, chin, and part of the neck; I cannot perceive any root by which they grow, but find them alwaies loose in the sand; nor is it a fruit that falls from any tree, for then we should finde it growing; black it is as jet, but from whence it comes, no man knowes.
Mines.
Mines there are none in this Iland, not so much as of Coal, for which reason, we preserve our Woods as much as we can.
We finde flowing out of a Rock, in one part of the Iland, an unctuous substance, somewhat like Tarre, which is thought to have many vertues yet unknown; But is already discovered, to be excellent good to stop a flux, by drinking it; but, by annointing, for all aches and bruises; and so subtle it is, as being put into the palm of the hand, and rub’d there, it will work through the back.
Another gummy substance there is, black, and hard as pitch, and is used as pitch; ’tis called Mountjack.
Having given you in my Bills of Fare, a particular of such Viands, as this Iland afforded, for supportation of life, and somewhat for delight too, as far as concernes the Table; yet, what are you the betterfor all this, when you must be scorch’t up from morning till night, with the torrid heat of the sunne; So as in that twelve hours, you hardly can finde two, in which you can enjoy your selfe with contentment. Or how can you expect to find heat, or warmth in your stomack, to digest that meat, when the sunne hath exhausted your heat and spirits so, to your outer parts, as you are chill’d and numb’d within? For which reason, you are compell’d to take such remedies, as are almost as ill as the disease; liquors so strong, as to take away the breath as it goes down, and red pepper for spice, which wants little of the heat of a fire-coale; and all these will hardly draw in the heat, which the sun draws out; and part of this deficiency is occasioned by the improvidence, or inconsideration of the Inhabitants, who build their dwellings, rather like stoves, then houses; for the most of them, are made of timber, low rooft keeping our the wind, letting in the sun, when they have means to have it otherwise; for I will undertake to contrive a house so, as no one shall have just cause to complaine of any excessive heat; and that which gives this great remedy, shall bring with it the greatest beauty that can be look’t on. The Palmetoes, which being plac’t (as I will give you directions in my plot) in convenient order, shall interpose so between the sun and house, as to keep it continually in the shade; and to have that shade at such a distance, as very little heat shall be felt, in any time of the day: For shades that are made by the highest trees, are undoubtedly the coolest, and freshest, by reason it keeps the heat farthest off. Besides this, there are many advantages to be made, in the contrivance of the house; for I see the Planters there, never consider which way they build their houses, so they get them up; which is the cause that many of them, are so insufferably hot, as neither themselves, nor any other, can remaine in them without sweltring.
First then, we will consider what the errours are in their contrivances, that we may be the better able to shew the best way to mend them; A single house that is built long-wise, and upon a North and South line, has these disadvantages: the sun shines upon the East side-walls from six a clock till eight, so as the beams rest flat upon that side, for two hours. And the beames resting upon a flat or oblique line (as that is,) gives a greater heate, then upon a diagonall, which glaunces the beams aside. As a tennis ball, strook against the side walls of the Court, glauncing, hits with lesse force, then when it feels the full resistance of the end wall, where ’tis met with a flat oblique line: So the Sun beames, the more directly they are oppos’d by any flat body, the more violently they burne. This side-wall being warm’d; the sun gets higher, and shines hotter; and then the rafters become the oblique line, which is thinner, and lesse able to resist the beames; and the covering being shingles, receives the heat quicker, and retaines it longer, than tiles would do, so that for the whole forenoon, that side of the roofe, receives as much heat, as the sun can give, and so passes over to the other side, giving it so much the more in the afternoon, as is increast by warming the house and Aire all the morning before, and so the Oven being heat on both sides, What can you expect, but that thosewithin, should be sufficiently bakt: and so much the more, for that the wind is kept out, that should come to cool it, by shutting up all passages, that may let it in, which they alwayes doe, for feare the raine come with it; and letting in the sun at the West end, where and when it shines hottest. Therefore this kind of building is most pernitious to those that love their health, which is the comfort of their lives: but you will say, that a double house will lessen much of this heat, by reason that the West side is not visited by the sun in the morning, nor, the East in the afternoon; I doe confesse that to be some little remedy, but not much, for the double roofes being open to the sun, in oblique lines, a great part of the forenoon; and being reflected from one side to another, when it comes to the Meridian (and before and after, at least two hours,) with the scorching heat it gives to the gutter, which is between them, and is in the middle of the house from end to end, will so warme the East side of the house, as all the shade it has in the afternoon will not cool it, nor make it habitable; and then you may guesse in what a temper the West side is.
Whereas, if you build your house upon an East and West line, you have these advantages, that in the morning, the sun never shines in or neere an oblique line, (which is upon the East end of your house,) above two hours, and that is from six to eight a clock, and as much in the afternoon, and not all that time neither; and upon the roofe it can never shine in an oblique line, but glancing on both sides, cast off the heat very much; I do confesse that I love a double house, much better then a single, but if it have a double cover, that is, two gable ends, and a gutter between, though it be built up an East and West line: yet the sun (which must lye upon it all the heat of the day) will so multiply the heat, by reflecting the beames from inside to inside, and so violently upon the gutter, from both, which you know must be in the middle of the house, from end to end, as you shall feele that heat above, too sensibly in the ground stories below, though your sieling be a foot thick, and your stories sixteen foot high. Therefore if I build a double house, I must order it so, as to have the division between either room of a strong wall, or of Dorique Pillers Archt from one to another; and, in each intercolumniation, a square stud of stone, for the better strengthening and supporting of the Arches above; for I would have the roomes Archt over with stone, and the innermost poynts of the Arches, to rest upon the Pillars, and the whole house to be cover’d with Couples and Rafters, and upon that shingles, the Ridge Pole of the house: running along over the Pillars so that the covering is to serve both Arches, that covers your rooms: by which meanes there is but one Gable end, which will glaunce off the scorching beames of the sun of either side, as, with the help of the Arches underneath, there will be little heat felt in the roomes below. But then a maine care must be had, to the side walls, that the girders be strong, and very well Dove-tayld, one into another, upon the Dorique pillars, or partition walls; and well crampt with Iron, or else the rafters being of that length, will thrust out the side walls by reason the Arches will hinder the Couplets, from comming so low as to keep the rafters steady, from opening at the bottom. For preventionof this great mischiefe, it will be very needfull, to have strong Butteresses without, and those being plac’t just against the Couples, will be of main concern to the side-walls. If you make the breadth of your house fifty foot, allowing two foot to the partition, and two foot to either of the side-walls above, (but more below) which is six foot in all, you will have remaining forty four foot, which being equally divided, will afford twenty two foot for the breadth of either room; you may for the length allow what you please. But this I speak by permission, and not by direction. But, I will send you a Plot with this, and an Index annexed to it, of such a house as I would build for pleasure and convenience, if I were to live there, and had mony enough to bestow; and I believe, with such conveniences and advantages, for shade and coolnesse, as few people in those Western parts, have studied, or ever thought on.
And now I have as neer as I can, delivered the sum of all I know of the Iland ofBarbadoes, both for Pleasures and Profits, Commodities and Incommodities, Sicknesses and Healthfulnesse. So that it may be expected what I can say, to perswade or disswade any, that have a desire to go and live there. But before I give a full answer to that, I must enquire and be enformed, of what disposition the party is that hath this designe; If it be such a one as loves the pleasures ofEurope, (or particularly ofEngland) and the great varieties of those, let him never come there; for they are things he shall be sure to misse. But, if he can finde in himselfe a willingnesse, to change the pleasures which he enjoyed in a Temperate, for such as he shall finde in a Torrid Zone, he may light upon some that will give him an exchange, with some advantage.
And for the pleasures ofEngland, let us consider what they are, that we may be the better able to judge, how far they are consistent with the Climate ofBarbadoes, and what gainers or losers they will be by the exchange, that make the adventure; and by the knowledge and well weighing of that, invite or deter those, that are the great lovers and admirers of those delights, to come there, or stay away.
And amongst the sports and recreations that the people ofEnglandexercise most for their healths, without dores, they are Coursing, Hunting, and Hawking.
And for the Greyhound, though he be compleat in all his shapes that are accounted excellent, headed like a Snake, neckt like a Drake, back’t like a Beam, sided like a Breme, tail’d like a Rat, footed like a Cat, deep breasted, with large phillets and gaskins, excellently winded, with all else may style him perfect, and of a right race: Yet, what of all this, if the Country afford no Game to course at; or if there were, that would amount to nothing; for, in the running of twelve score yards, they will either bruise their bodies against stumps of trees, or break their necks down the steep falls of Gullies, which are there too common.
And for the Huntsman and his Hounds, they will finde themselves at a dead fault, before they begin; for, upon this soyle, no Stag, with his lofty well shap’t head, and active body, has ever set his nimble feet; and Herds of Vallow Deer, were never put to make a stand uponthis ground; the nimble Roe-Buck, nor the subtle Fox, the Badger, Otter, or the fearfull Hare, have ever run their Mases in these Woods. And then, what use of Hounds?
Onely one kinde are usefull here, and those are Liam Hounds, to guide us to the runaway Negres, who, as I told you, harbour themselves in Woods and Caves, living upon pillage for many months together.
And for the Faulconer, though his Hawk have reach’d such excellencies, as may exalt her praise as high, as her wings can raise her body; yet, she must be taken down to a bare Lure. And the painfull and skilfull Faulconer, who has applyed himselfe solely to the humour of the brave Bird he carries, who must be courted as a Mistresse, be she never so froward, and like a coy Mistresse, will take check at any thing, when her liberty gives her license; and though by a painfull and studied diligence, he have reclaimed her so, as to flie at what, and when, and where, and how she is directed; and she, by her own practice and observation, has learnt to know, which Spaniell lies, and which tells truth, that accordingly she may sleight the one, and regard the other; and with this, has all other qualities that are excellent, in so noble and heroick a Bird: Yet, this painfull diligence in the Faulconer, this rare perfection in the Hawk, will be of little use, where there is neither Champion to flie in, Brookes to flie over, nor Game to flie at. No mountie at a Hieron, to cause the lusty Jerfaulcon to raise her to a losse of her self, from the eyes of her Keeper, till by many dangerous thorows, she binde with her Quarrie, and both come tumbling down together. No teem of Ducks, or bunch of Teales, to cause the high flying Haggard make her stooping, and strike her Quarrie dead. And for the Ostringer, though his well-man’d Goshauk, or her bold mate the Tarcell, draw a Covert nere so well; yet, no Eye of Phesants will spring, or perch in these woods.
The Eagle and the Sacre sure, here ever misse their prey.Since Bustard and the Barnacle, are never in the way.No Tarcel drawes a Covert here, no Lanner sits at mark;No Merline flies a Partridge neer, no Hobbie dares a Lark.
The Eagle and the Sacre sure, here ever misse their prey.Since Bustard and the Barnacle, are never in the way.No Tarcel drawes a Covert here, no Lanner sits at mark;No Merline flies a Partridge neer, no Hobbie dares a Lark.
The Eagle and the Sacre sure, here ever misse their prey.
Since Bustard and the Barnacle, are never in the way.
No Tarcel drawes a Covert here, no Lanner sits at mark;
No Merline flies a Partridge neer, no Hobbie dares a Lark.
Another pleasure, the better sort of the people ofEnglandtake delight in, which, in my opinion, may be rather call’d a toyle then a pleasure, and that is Race-Horses, forcing poor beasts beyond their power, who were given us for our moderate use. These exercises are too violent for hot Countries, and therefore we will forget them.
Shooting and Bowling may very well be used here; but at Butts onely, and in Bares, or close Allies, for the turfe here will never be fine enough for a Green, nor the ground soft enough, for an Arrow to fall on. Amongst all the sports without dores, that are used inEngland, these two are onely sufferable in theBarbadoes. But for the sports within the house, they may all be used there, as, all sorts of Gaming,viz.Chesse, Tables, Cards, Dice, Shovel-abord, Billiards; and some kinds of Dances, but none of those that are laborious, as high andloftie Capers, with Turnes above ground; these are too violent for hot Countries.
Some other kindes of pleasures they have inEngland, which are not so fully enjoyed in theBarbadoes, as, smooth Champion to walk or ride on, with variety of Landscapes, at severall distances; all there being hem’d in with Wood, and those trees so tall and lofty, as to hinder and bar the view so much, as (upon a levell or plain) no Horison can be seen. But upon the sides of Hills, which look toward the Sea, your eye may range as far that way, as the globicall roundnesse of that watry Element will give way to; but that once seen, the eye is satisfied, and variety in that object there is none; for no shipping passe that way, but such as arive at the Iland. ’Tis true, that Woods made up of such beautifull Trees as grow there, are pleasant things to look on, and afford a very plentifull delight to the eyes; but when you are so enclos’d, as hardly to look out, you will finde too quick and too full a satiety in that pleasure. But as the Woods are cut down, the Landscapes will appear at farther distances.
Now for the beauty of the Heavens, they are as far transcending all we ever saw inEngland, or elsewhere 40 Degrees without the Line, on either side, as the land-objects of theBarbadoesare short of ours inEurope. So he that can content himselfe with the beauties of the Heavens, may there be sufficiently satisfied. But we Mortalls, that till and love the earth, because our selves are made up of the same mold, take pleasure sometimes to look downward, upon the fruites and effects of our own labours; and when we finde them thrive by the blessings of the great Creator, we look up to give thanks, where we finde so great a glory, as to put us into astonishment and admiration.
Now for the smelling sense, though we have the blossomes of the Orange, Limon, Lyme, Cittron, Pomgranate, with the smell of that admirable fruit the Pine, and others: yet, when we consider the infinite variety of the Flowers ofEngland, both for beauty and savour, there is no comparison between them; and the flowers there, are very few in number, and in smell, not to be allowed in competition with ours ofEngland: For, since the differences between the Houses ofYorkandLancasterhave been laid aside, no red nor white Rose have grown there; but the Lillies have taken up the quarrell, and strive in as high a contest there, as the Roses have done inEngland; for, they are the fairest and purest, that I have ever seen, both red and white, but no sweet smell. He that could transplant the flowers ofEnglandto theBarbadoes, would do a rare work, but I fear to little purpose: For, though the virtuall beams of the Sun, give growth and life to all the Plants and Flowers it shines on; yet, the influence is at severall distances, and so the productions varie; some flowers must be warmed, some toasted, and some almost scalded; and to transpose these, and set them in contrary places, were to strive against nature. ’Tis true, that the Herbs ofEnglandgrow and thrive there, by reason they are stronger, and better able to endure that change; but Flowers, that are of a more tender nature, will not endure so great heat as they finde there. But to repair this sense, some will say, that Perfumes brought out ofEurope, will plentifully supply us: But that will not at all availus, for what with the heat and moisture of the aire, it is all drawn out, as by my own experience I found it to be most true, though I lapp’d them close up in papers, and put them in drawers of a Cabinet, where no aire could finde passage, they were so close; and for Pastills, they lost both their smell and taste.
As for Musick, and such sounds as please the ear, they wish some supplies may come fromEngland, both for Instruments and voyces, to delight that sense, that sometimes when they are tir’d out with their labour, they may have some refreshment by their ears; and to that end, they had a purpose to send for the Musick, that were wont to play at theBlack Fryars, and to allow them a competent salary, to make them live as happily there, as they had done inEngland: And had not extream weaknesse, by a miserable long sicknesse, made me uncapable of any undertaking, they had employed me in the businesse, as the likeliest to prevail with those men, whose persons and qualities were well known to me inEngland. And though I found atBarbadoessome, who had musicall mindes; yet, I found others, whose souls were so fixt upon, and so rivetted to the earth, and the profits that arise out of it, as their souls were lifted no higher; and those men think, and have been heard to say, that three whip-Sawes, going all at once in a Frame or Pit, is the best and sweetest musick that can enter their ears; and to hear a Cow of their own low, or an Assinigo bray, no sound can please them better. But these mens souls were never lifted up so high, as to hear the musick of the Sphears, nor to be judges of that Science, as ’tis practised here on earth; and therefore we will leave them to their own earthly delights.
For the sense of feeling, it can be applyed but two waies, either in doing or suffering; the poor Negres and Christian servants, finde it perfectly upon their heads and shoulders, by the hands of their severe Overseers; so that little pleasure is given the sense, by this coercive kind of feeling, more then a plaister for a broken Pate; but, this is but a passive kinde of feeling: But take it in the highest, and most active way it can be applyed, which is upon the skins of women, and they are so sweaty and clammy, as the hand cannot passe over, without being glued & cimented in the passage or motion; and by that means, little pleasure is given to, or received by the agent or the patient: and therefore if this sense be neither pleased in doing nor suffering, we may decline it as uselesse in a Country, where down of Swans, or wool of Beaver is wanting.
Now for the sense of Tasting, I do confesse, it receives a more home satisfaction, then all the rest, by reason of the fruites that grow there; so that the Epicure cannot be deceived, if he take a long journy to please his palate, finding all excellent tastes the world has, comprehended in one single fruit, the Pine. And would not any Prince be content to reduce his base coyne, into Ingots of pure gold. And so much shall serve touching theBarbadoes.
Some men I have known inEngland, whose bodies are so strong and able to endure cold, as no weather fits them so well as frost and snow; such Iron bodies would be fit for a Plantation in Russia: For, there is no traceing Hares under the Line, nor sliding on the Ice under eitherTropick. Others there are that have heard of the pleasures ofBarbadoes, but are loath to leave the pleasures of England behind them. These are of a sluggish humour, and are altogether unfit for so noble an undertaking; but if any such shall happen to come there, he shall be transmitted to the innumerable Armie of Pismires, and Ants, to sting him with such a reproof, as he shall wish himselfe any where rather then amongst them. So much is a sluggard detested in a Countrey, where Industry and Activity is to be exercised. The Dwarfe may come there, and twice a year vie in competition with the Giant: for set them both together upon a levell superficies, and at noone, you shall not know by their shadowes who is the tallest man.
The Voluptuous man, who thinks the day not long enough for him to take his pleasure. Nor the sleepie man who thinks the longest night too short for him to dreame out his delights, are not fit to repose and solace themselves upon this Iland; for in the whole compasse of the Zodiacke, they shall neither find St. Barnabies day, or St. Lucies night, the Sun running an eeven course, is there an indifferent Arbiter of the differences which are between those two Saints, and like a just and cleere sighted Judge, reconciles those extreams to a Medium, of 12 and 12 houres, which equality of time is utterly inconsistent to the humours and dispositions of these men.
But I speak this, to such as have their fancies so Aereall, and refin’d as not to be pleased with ordinary delight; but think to build and settle a felicity here: above the ordinary levell of mankind. Such spirits, are too volatile to fixe on businesse; and therefore I will leave them out, as useless in this Common-wealth. But such as are made of middle earth: and can be content to wave those pleasures, which stand as Blocks, and Portcullisses, in their way; and are indeed, the main Remoras in their passage to their profits. Such may here find moderate delights, with moderate labour, and those taken moderately will conduce much to their healths, and they that have industry, to imploy that well, may make it the Ladder to clyme to a high degree, of Wealth and opulencie, in this sweet Negotiation of Sugar, provided they have a competent stock to begin with; such I mean as may settle them in a Sugar-work, and lesse then 14000 l. sterling, will not do that: in a Plantation of 500 acres of land, with a proportionable stock of Servants, Slaves, Horses, Camels, Cattle, Assinigoes, with an Ingenio, and all other houseing, thereunto belonging; such as I have formerly nam’d.
But one wil say, why should any man that has 14000 l. in his purse, need to runne so long a Risco, as from hence to the Barbadoes: when he may live with ease and plenty at home; to such a one I answer, that every drone can sit and eate the Honey of his own Hive: But he that can by his own Industry, and activity, (having youth and strength to friends,) raise his fortune, from a small beginning to a very great one, and in his passage to that, doe good to the publique, and be charitable to the poor, and this to be accomplished in a few years, deserves much more commendation and applause. And shall find his bread, gotten by his painfull and honest labour and industry, eatesweeter by much, than his that onely minds his ease, and his belly.
Now having said this much, I hold it my duty, to give what directions I can, to further any one that shall go about to improve his stock, in this way of Adventure; and if he please to hearken to my directions, he shall find they are no Impossibilities, upon which I ground my Computations: the greatest will be, to find a friend for a Correspondent, that can be really honest, faithful and Industrious, and having arriv’d at that happinesse, (which is the chiefest,) all the rest will be easie; and I shall let you see that without the help of Magick or Inchantment, this great Purchase of 14000 l. will be made with 3000 l. stock, and thus to be ordered.
One thousand pound, is enough to venture at first, because we that are here in England, know not what commodities they want most in theBarbadoes, and to send a great Cargo of unnecessary things, were to have them lye upon our hands to losse. This 1000 l. I would have thus laid out: 100 l. in Linnen Cloth, as Canvas and Kentings, which you may buy here in London, of French Marchants, at reasonable rates; and you may hire poor Journy-men Taylers, here in the Citty, that will for very small wages, make that Canvas into Drawers, and Petticoats, for men and women Negres. And part of the Canvas, and the whole of the Kentings, for shirts and drawers for the Christian men Servants, and smocks and peticoates for the women. Some other sorts of Linnen, as Holland or Dowlace, will be there very usefull, for shirts and smocks for the Planters themselves, with their Wives and Children. One hundred pounds more, I would have bestow’d, part on wollen cloath, both fine and coorse, part on Devonshire Carsies, and other fashionable stuffes, such as will well endure wearing. Upon Monmoth Capps I would have bestowed 25 l. you may bespeak them there in Wales, and have them sent up to London, by the waynes at easie rates. Forty pound I think fit to bestow on Irish Ruggs such as are made at Killkennie, and Irish stockings, and these are to be had at St.James’s faire atBristow; the stockings are to be worne in the day, by the Christian servants, the Ruggs to cast about them when they come home at night, sweating and wearied, with their labour; to lap about them, when they rest themselves on their Hamacks at night, than which nothing is more needfull, for the reasons I have formerly given. And these may either be shipt at Bristow, if a ship be ready bound for Barbadoes, or sent to London by waynes which is a cheap way of conveyance. Fifty pound I wish may be bestowed on shooes, and some bootes, to be made at Northampton, and sent to London in dry fates, by Carts; but a speciall care must be taken, that they may be made large, for they will shrink very much when they come into hot Climats. They are to be made of severall sises, for men women and children; they must be kept dry and close, or else the moistnesse of the Ayre will cause them to mould. Gloves will sell well there, and I would have of all kinds, and all sises, that are thinne; but the most usefull, are those of tann’d leather, for they will wash and not shrinke in the wetting, and weare very long and soople; you may provide your selfe of these, at Evill, Ilemister and Ilchester, in Somerset shire; at reasonable rates. Fifteen pound Iwould bestow in these Commodities. In fashionable Hats and Bands, both black and coloured, of severall sises and qualities, I would have thirty pounds bestowed. Black Ribbon for mourning, is much worn there, by reason their mortality is greater; and therefore upon that commodity I would bestow twenty pound; and as much in Coloured, of severall sises and colours. For Silkes and Sattins, with gold and silver-Lace, we will leave that alone, till we have better advice; for they are casuall Commodities.
Having now made provision for the back, it is fit to consider the belly, which having no ears, is fitter to be done for, then talkt to; and therefore we will do the best we can, to fill it with such provisions, as will best brook the Sea, and hot Climates: Such are Beefe, well pickled, and well conditioned, in which I would bestow 100 l. In Pork 50 l. in Pease for the voyage, 10 l. In Fish, as Ling, Haberdine, Green-fish, and Stock-fish, 40 l. In Bisket for the voyage, 10 l. Cases of Spirits 40 l. Wine 150 l. Strong Beer 50 l. Oyle Olive 30 l. Butter 30 l. And Candles must not be forgotten, because they light us to our suppers, and our beds.
The next thing to be thought on, is Utensills, and working Tooles, such are whip-Sawes, two-handed Sawes, hand-Sawes, Files of severall sises and shapes; Axes, for felling and for hewing; Hatchets, that will fit Carpenters, Joyners, and Coopers; Chisells, but no Mallets, for the wood is harder there to make them: Adzes, of severall sises, Pick-axes, and Mat-hooks; Howes of all sises, but chiefly small ones, to be used with one hand, for with them, the small Negres weed the ground: Plains, Gouges, and Augurs of all sises; hand-Bills, for the Negres to cut the Canes; drawing-Knives, for Joyners. Upon these Utensills I would bestow 60 l. Upon Iron, Steel, and small Iron pots, for the Negres to boyl their meat, I would bestow 40 l. And those are to be had inSouthsexvery cheap, and sent toLondonin Carts, at time of year, when the waies are drie and hard. Nailes of all sorts, with Hooks, Hinges, and Cramps of Iron; and they are to be had atBromighaminStaffordshire, much cheaper then inLondon: And upon that Commodity I would bestow 30 l. In Sowes of Lead 20 l, in Powder and Shot 20 l. If you can get Servants to go with you, they will turn to good accompt, but chiefly if they be Trades-men, as, Carpenters, Joyners, Masons, Smiths, Paviers, and Coopers. The Ballast of the Ship, as also of all Ships that trade there, I would have of Sea-coales, well chosen, for it is a commodity was much wanting when I was there, and will be every day more and more, as the Wood decayes: The value I would have bestowed on that, is 50 l. which will buy 45 Chauldron, or more, according to the burthen of the Ship. And now upon the whole, I have outstript my computation 145 l. but there will be no losse in that; for, I doubt not, (if it please God to give a blessing to our endeavours) but in twelve or fourteen months, to sell the goods, and double the Cargo; and, if you can stay to make the best of your Market, you may make three for one.
This Cargo, well got together, I could wish to be ship’t in good order, about the beginning ofNovember, and then by the grace of God,the Ship may arrive at theBarbadoes(if she make no stay by the way) about the middle ofDecember; and it is an ordinary course to sail thither in six weeks: Comming thither in that cool time of the year, your Victualls will be in good condition to be removed into a Store-house, which your Correspondent (who, I account, goes along with it) must provide as speedily as he can, before the Sun makes his return from the Southern Tropick; for then the weather will grow hot, and some of your Goods, as, Butter, Oyle, Candles, and all your Liquors, will take harme in the remove.
The Goods being stowed in a Ware house, or Ware houses, your Correspondent must reserve a handsome room for a Shop, where his servants must attend; for then his Customers will come about him, and he must be carefull whom he trusts; for, as there are some good, so there are many bad pay-masters; for which reason, he must provide himselfe of a Horse, and ride into the Country to get acquaintance; and halfe a dosen good acquaintance, will be able to enform him, how the pulse beats of all the rest: As also by enquiries, he will finde, what prices the Goods bear, which he carries with him, and sell them accordingly; and what valews Sugars bear, that he be not deceived in that Commodity, wherein there is very great care to be had, in taking none but what is very good and Merchantable, and in keeping it drie in good Casks, that no wet or moist aire come to it; and so as he makes his exchanges, and receives in his Sugars, or what other commodities he trades for, they lie ready to send away forEngland, as he findes occasion, the delivering of the one, making room for the other; for Ships will be every month, some or other, comming forEngland. If he can transport all his goods, raised upon the Cargo, in eighteen months, it will be very well. This Cargo being doubled at theBarbadoes, that returned back, will produce at least 50per cent.And then your Cargo, which was 1145 l. at setting out, and being doubled there to 2290 l. will be at your return forEngland3435 l. of which I will allow for freight, and all other charges 335 l. so there remaines to account 3100 l. clear. By which time, I will take for granted, that your Correspondent has bargained, and gone through for a Plantation, which we will presuppose to be of five hundred acres, Stock’t as I have formerly laid down; (for we must fix upon one, that our computations may be accordingly) if it be more or lesse, the price must be answerable, and the Produce accordingly. And therfore as we began, we will make this our scale, that 14000 l. is to be paid, for a Plantation of 500 acres Stock’t. Before this time, I doubt not, but he is also grown so well verst in the traffick of the Iland, as to give you advice, what Commodities are fittest for your next Cargo; and according to that instruction, you are to provide, and to come your selfe along with it.
By this time, I hope, your remaining 1855 l. by good employment inEngland, is raised to 2000 l. So then you have 5100 l. to put into a new Cargo, which I would not have you venture in one Bottom. But if it please God, that no ill chance happen, that Cargo of 5100 l. having then time enough to make your best Market, may very wel double, and 1000 l. over; which 1000 l. I will allow to go out for fraight,and all other charges. So then, your Cargo of 5100 l. being but doubled, will amount unto 10200 l. But this Cargo being large, will require three years time to sell; so that if you make your bargain for 14000 l. to be paid for this Plantation, you will be allowed three daies of payment; the first shall be of 4000 l. to be paid in a year after you are setled in your Plantation; 5000 l. more at the end of the year following, and 5000 l. at the end of the year then next following. And no man will doubt such payment, that sees a visible Cargo upon the Iland of 10200 l. and the produce of the Plantation to boot. Now you see which way this purchase is made up,viz.4000 l. the first payment, 5000 l. the second, and so there remains upon your Cargo 1200 l. towards payment of the last 5000 l. and by that time, the profit of your Plantation will raise that with advantage; and then you have your Plantation clear, and freed of all debts. And we will account at the lowest rate, that if two hundred acres of your five hundred, be planted with Canes, and every Acre bear but three thousand weight of Sugar, valuing the Sugar but at three pence per pound, which is thirty seven pound ten shillings every acre, then two hundred acres will produce 7500 l. in sixteen months; that is, fifteen months for the Canes to grow and be ripe, and a month to Cure the Sugar that is made.
But if you stay four months longer, your Muscavado Sugar, which I valued at three pence per pound, will be Whites, and then the price will be doubled, and that you see is 15000 l. Out of which we will abate ¼ part for waste, and for the tops and bottomes of the Pots,
3̸2̸1̸5̸0̸0̸0̸ (37504̸4̸4̸4̸150003750——-112502400——-13650
which may be rank’d with the Muscavadoes, and that is 3750 l. and then there remains 11250 l. to which we will add the value of the Drink, that is made of the skimmings, at 120 l. per month, which in twenty months comes to 2400 l. and then the whole revenue will amount unto 13650 l. in twenty months. But this profit must come successively in, as the Sugars are made, and they work all the year, except inNovemberandDecember, when the great downfalls of rain come: and if they pave the waies, between the Canes, for the Slids and Assinigoes to passe, they may work then too; for, little else hinders them, but the unpassablenesse of the waies.
So then you see, that upon the venturing, and well husbanding of 3000 l. stock, you are setled in a revenue of 682 l. a month, of which months we will account 13 in a year, so that after your work is set in order, and that you will account the yearly revenue, you will finde it 8866 l. per Annum.
Now let us confider, what the certain charge will be yearly, tokeep the Plantation in the condition we receive it, which we will suppose to be compleatly furnished, with all that is necessary thereunto: And first, of all manner of houseing, as convenient dwelling houses, the Mill-house, or Grinding-house where the sugar is prest out; the boyling-house, with five sufficient Coppers for boyling, and one or two for cooling, with all Utensills, that belong to the Mill, and boyling-house; the filling room, with stantions; the Still-house with two sufficient Stills, and receivers to hold the drinke, with Cisterns to all these rooms, for holding liquor, and temper; the Cureing house fill’d with stantions, two stories high, and commonly in it seventeen or eighteen hundred pots for cureing; the Smiths forge, with room to lay coales, Iron, and steele; the Carpenter, and Joyners houses, where they lodge and lay their tools, and much of their fine worke, with sufficient store-houses, to lay such provision as we receive from forraine parts, as Beefe, Pork, Fish, Turtle; and also to keep our drink which is made of the sugar, to the repairing of all which, the premises with the Appurtenances, we will allow no lesse then 500 l. Per Annum.
To this, there is yet more to be added: for though we breed both Negres, Horses, and Cattle; yet that increase, will not supply the moderate decayes which we finde in all those; especially in our Horses and Cattell, therefore we will allow for that 500 l. Per Annum.
The next thing we are to consider is, the feeding of our servants and slaves, over and above the provisions which the Plantations beare, and that will be no great matter, for they are nor often fed with bone-meat; But we will allow to the Christian servants, (which are not above thirty in number,) foure barrels of Beefe, and as much of Porke yearely, with two barrels of salt Fish, and 500 poore-Johns, which we have from New England, foure barrels of Turtle, and as many of pickled Makerels, and two of Herrings, for the Negres; all which I have computed, and finde they will amount unto 100 l, or thereabouts; besides the fraight which will be no great matter; for you must be sure to have a Factor, both at New England and Virginia, to provide you of all Commodities those places afford, that are usefull to your plantation; or else your charge will be treble. As from New England, Beefe, Porke, Fish, of all sorts, dried and pickled; from Virginia live-Cattle, Beefe and Tobacco; for theirs atBarbadoesis the worst I think that growes in the world; And for Cattle, no place lyes neerer to provide themselves, and the Virginians cannot have a better market to sell them; for an Oxe of 5 l. pound price at Virginie, will yield 25 l. there.
But to go on with our computation: for as we have given order for feeding our people, so we must for their cloathing; and first for the Christians, which we will account to be thirty in number whereof ⅔ shall be men, and ⅓ women, that we may make our computation the more exact; and for the men, (which are twenty in number,) we will allow one for the supreame Overseer, who is to receive and give directions, to all the subordinate Overseers, which we allow tobe five more; and those he appoynts to go out with severall Gangs, some tenne, some twenty, more or lesse, according to the ability of the overseer hee so imployes; and these are to go out upon severall Imployments, as he gives them directions, some to weed, some to plant, some to fall wood, some to cleave it, some to saw it into boards, some to fetch home, some to cut Canes, others to attend the Ingenio, Boyling-house, Still-house, and Cureing-house; some for Harvest, to cut the Maies, (of which we have three Crops every yeare,) others to gather Provisions, of Bonavist, Maies, Yeames, Potatoes, Cassavie, and dresse it at fit times for their dinners and suppers, for the Christian servants; the Negres alwayes dressing their own meat themselves, in their little Pots, which is only Plantines, boyl’d or roasted, and some eares of Maies toasted, at the fire; and now and then a Makerell a piece, or two Herrings.
The Prime Overseer may very well deserve Fifty pounds Per Annum, or the value in such Commodities as he likes, that are growing upon the Plantation; for he is a man that the master may allow sometimes to sit at his own Table, and therefore must be clad accordingly. The other five of the Overseers, are to be accounted in the ranke of Servants, whose freedome is not yet purchased, by their five years service, according to the custome of the Iland. And for their cloathing, they shall be allowed three shirts together, to every man for shifts, which will very well last halfe a year, and then as many more. And the like proportion for drawers, and for shooes, every month a paire, that is twelve paire a year; six paire of stockings yeerly, and three Monmouth Capps, and for Sundayes, a doublet of Canvas, and a plaine band of Holland.
An Account of Expences issuing out yearly for Cloathing, for the Christian Servants, both Men and Women, with the Wages of the principall Overseer, which shall be50 l.sterling, or the value in such Goods as grow upon the Plantation.
To the five subordinate Overseers, for each mans cloathing.
To the fourteen common servants.
Now for the ten women servants, we will dispose of them, thus: Four to attend in the house, and those to be allowed, as followeth in the first Columne,viz.
The four that attend in the house to each of them
The other six that weed, and do the common work abroad yearly.
Now to sum up all, and draw to a conclusion, we will account, that for the repairing dilapidations, and decayes in the houseing, and all Utensills belonging thereunto,
A large Revenue for so small a sum as 14000 l. to purchase, where the Seller does not receive two years value by 1000 l. and upwards; and yet gives daies of payment.
I have been believed in all, or the most part, of my former descriptions and computations, concerning this Iland, and the waies to attain the profits that are there to be gathered; but when I come to this point, no man gives me credit, the businesse seeming impossible, that any understanding man, that is owner of a Plantation of this value, should sell it for so inconsiderable a sum: and I do not at allblame the incredulity of these persons; for, if experience had not taught me the contrary, I should undoubtedly be of their perswasion. But lest I should, by an over-weening opinion, hope, that my experience (which is only to my selfe) should mislead any man besides his reason, which every knowing man ought to be guided and governed by, I will without strayning or forcing a reason, deliver a plain and naked truth, in as plain language, as is fitting such a subject, which I doubt not but will perswade much in the businesse.
’Tis a known truth there, that no man has attained to such a fortune as this, upon a small beginning, that has not met with many rubs and obstacles in his way, and sometimes fallings back, let his pains and industry be what it will: I call those fallings back, when either by fire, which often happens there; or death of Cattle, which is as frequent as the other; or by losses at Sea, which sometimes will happen, of which I can bring lively instances: If either of these misfortunes fall, it stands in an equall ballance, whether ever that man recover, upon whom these misfortunes fall: But, if two of these happen together, or one in the neck of another, there is great odds to be laid, that he never shall be able to redeem himselfe, from an inevitable ruine; For, if fire happen, his stock is consumed, and sometimes his house; if his Cattle die, the work stands still, and with either of these, his credit falls; so as if he be not well friended, he never can entertain a hope to rise again.
These toyls of body and minde, and these misfortunes together, will depresse and wear out the best spirits in the world, and will cause them to think, what a happie thing it is, to spend the remainder of their lives in rest and quiet in their own Countries. And I do believe, there are few of them, whose mindes are not over-ballanc’d with avarice and lucre, that would not be glad to sell good penni-worths, to settle themselves quietly inEngland. Besides the casualties which I have named, there is yet one of neerer Concern then all the rest, and that is, their own healths, than which, nothing is more to be valued; for, sicknesses are there more grievous, and mortality greater by far, than inEngland, and these diseases many times contagious: And if a rich man, either by his own ill diet or distemper, or by infection, fall into such a sicknesse, he will finde there a plentifull want of such remedies, as are to be found inEngland. Other reasons, and strong ones, they have, that induce them to hanker after their own Country, and those are, to enjoy the company of their old friends, and to raise up families to themselves, with a Sum which they have acquired by their toyle and industry, and often hazards of their lives, whose beginnings were slight and inconsiderable; and what can be a greater comfort, both to themselves, and their friends, then such an enjoyment. But I speak not this to discourage any man, that has a mind to improve his Estate, by adventuring upon such a Purchase; for, though the Planter, by long and tedious pain and industry, have worn out his life, in the acquist of his fortune; yet, the Buyer, by his purchase, is so well and happily seated, as he need endure no such hardships, but may go on in the managing his businesse, with much ease, and some pleasure; and in a dosen years, return back with avery plentifull fortune, and may carry with him fromEngland, better remedies for his health, then they, who for a long time had neither means to provide, nor mony to purchase it; for, though some Simples grow there, that are more proper for the bodies of the Natives, than any we can bring from forraigne parts, and no doubt would be so for our bodies too, if wee knew the true use of them; yet wanting that knowledge, we are faine to make use of our own.
But when able and skilfull Physitians shall come, whose knowledge can make the right experiment and use of the vertues of those simples that grow there, they will no doubt finde them more efficatious, and prevalent to their healths, then those they bring from forraine parts. For certainely every Climate produces Simples more proper to cure the diseases that are bred there, than those that are transported from any other part of the world: such care the great Physitian to mankind takes for our convenience.
Somewhat I have said of the diseases that raigne in Generall in this Iland, but have falne on no particular, though I have felt the power and Tyranny of it upon mine own body, as much as any man that has past through it to death, though it pleased the mercifull God to raise me up againe: for I have it to shew under the hand of ColonellThomas Modifordin whose house I lay sick, that he saw me dead without any appearance of life, three several times, not as in sounding but dying fits, and yet recover’d at last.
To tell the tedious particulars of my sicknesse, and the severall drenches our Ignorant Quacksalvers there gave me, will prove but a troublesome relation, and therefore I am willing to decline it: Only this much, that it began with a Fever, and as it is the custome of that disease there to cause Bindings, Costivenesse, and consequently Gripings, and Tortions in the Bowels, so it far’d with me, that for a fortnight together had not the least evacuation by Seige, which put me to such Torment as in all that time I have not slept; and want of that, wore me out to such a weaknesse, as I was not then in a condition to take any remedy at all. This excessive heat within begat a new torment within me, the Stone; which stopt my passage so as in foureteen dayes together no drop of water came from me; But contrary to my expectation, God Almighty sent me a Remedie for that, and such a one as all the whole world cannot afford the like: for in ten hours after I tooke it, I found my selfe not onely eas’d, but perfectly cur’d of that Torment, at least for the present, for it not only broke, but brought away all the Stones and gravell that stopt my passage, so that my water came as freely from me as ever, and carried before it such quantities of broken stones and gravell, as in my whole life I have not seen the like. About three weeks or a month after this, I became in the same distresse and felt the like Torment, whereupon I took the same medicine; which gave me the same help. Now if it did thus to a body so worne out as mine, where Nature was so decay’d as it could operate little to the cure; what will this medicine doe, when it meets with such Organs as can contribute mainly to assist it? But I give the reader but a sooty relation of myMaladies, and indeed very unfit for his eares, yet when I shal prescribe the remedy, which may happen to concerne him, I may hope to make him amends: for truly my touching upon the disease, was but to usher in the cure, which shall follow close after, and ’tis briefly thus. Take the Pisle of a green Turtle, which lives in the Sea, dry it with a moderate heat, pound it in a Morter to powder, and take of this as much as wil lye upon a shilling, in Beere or the like, Ale or White wine, and in a very short time it will doe the cure. If this secret had bin known in Europe but a dosen years since, no doubt we had bin well stor’d with it by this time, for ’tis to be had both at theCharibbyandLucayickeIlands, where these fishes abound.
Yet so slow was my recovery of the maine sicknesse and my relapses so frequent, as I was ever and anon, looking out to meet my familiar Companion Death; my Memory and Intellect suffering the same decayes with my body, for I could hardly give an account of ⅔ of the time I was sick; but as my health increast, they return’d. In three months more, I was able to ride down to the Bridge, where finding a ship bound for England, I agreed for my passage and dyet by the way; and (as the manner of all Masters of ships is,) he made me large promises, of plentifull provisions aboard, as Beefe, Porke, Pease, Fish, Oyle, Bisket, Beere, and some Wine; This Ship had bin fifteen months out of England, and had traded atGuinnyandBinnyfor Gold and Elephants teeth, but those commodities taking up but little room, the Captaine made theBarbadoesin his way home, intending to take in his full lading of Sugar, and such other commodities as that Iland afforded; and so being ready to set sayle, my selfe and divers other Gentlemen embarkt, upon the fifthteenth of April 1650, at twelve a clock at night; which time our Master made choyce of, that he might the better passe undescri’d by a well known Pirate, that had for many dayes layne hovering about the Iland, to take any ships that traded for London, by vertue of a Commission as he pretended, from the Marquesse ofOrmond. This Pirate was an Irish man, his namePlunquet, a man bold enough: but had the character of being more mercilesse and cruell, then became a valiant man. To confirme the first part of his character; he took a ship in one of the Habours of the Iland, out of which he furnisht himselfe with such things as he wanted, but left the carcase of the vessell, to floate at large. He had there a Frigot of about 500 Tunns, and a small vessell to wayte on her, but the night cover’d us from being discern’d by him, and so we came safely off the Iland. About a fortnight after we had bin at sea, our Master complain’d, that his men had abus’d him, and (for some commodities usefull to themselves) had truckt away the greatest part of his Bisket; So that instead of bread, we were serv’d with the sweepings and dust of the bread roome, which caused a generall complaint of all the passengers but no remedy: our Pease must now supply that want, which with some Physicall perswasion of the Master, that it was as hearty and binding as bread, we rested satisfied, with this Motto,Patience upon force. The next thing wanting, was Fish, an excellent food at Sea; and the want of that troubled us much, yet thesame remedy must serve as for the other, Patience. The next thing wanting was Porke; and the last Beere, which put us clean out of all Patience; So that now our staple food of the Ship, was onely Beefe, a few Pease, and for drink water that had bin fifteen months out of England; finding how ill we were accommodated, we desir’d the Master to put in atFiall, One of the Ilands ofAzores, a little to refresh our selves, which Iland was not much out of our way, but the Master loath to be at the charge of re-victualling, and losse of time; refus’d to hearken to us, and being a request much to his disadvantage, slighted us and went on, till he was past recovery of those Ilands, and then a violent storme took us, and in that storme a sad accident, which happened by meanes of a Portugall, who being a Sea-man, and trusted at the Helme, who though he have a compasse before him, yet is mainely guided by the quarter Master that Conns the ship above, upon the quarter deck; whose directions the Portugall mistooke, being not well verst in the English tongue, and so steer’d the Ship, so neer the winde, that she came upon her stayes, which caused such a fluttering of the sayles, against the Masts, (the winde being extreame violent) as they tore all in peeces, Nor was there any other sayles in the ship, all being spent in the long voyage toGuinny; nor any thread in the ship, to mend them, so that now the Master (though too late) began to repent him of not taking our Counsell to goe toFiall.
But how to redeeme us out of this certaine ruine, neither the Master, nor his Mates could tell; for though the winds blew never so faire, we lay still at Hull; and to make use of the Tide, in the Maine, was altogether vaine and hopelesse. Our victualls too, being at a very low Ebbe, could not last us many dayes. So that all that were in the ship, both Sea-men and Passengers, were gazeing one upon another, what to doe when our small remainder of provision came to an end. But the Sea-men, who were the greater number, resolv’d, the Passengers should be drest and eaten, before any of them should goe to the Pot; And so the next thing to be thought on was, which of the Passengers should dye first, for they were all design’d to be eaten; So they resolved upon the fattest and healthfullest first, as likely to be the best meat, and so the next, and next, as they eate Cherries, the best first. In this Election I thought my selfe secure, for my body being nothing but a bagg-full of Hydroptique humours, they knew not which way to dresse me, but I should dissolve and come to nothing in the Cooking; At last the Cooper took me into his consideration, and said that if they would hearken to him, there might be yet some use made of me; and that was in his opinion the best; that seeing my body was not of a consistence to satisfie their hunger, it might serve to quench their thirst. So I saying a short Prayer against drought and thirst, remain’d in expectation of my doome with the rest; So merry these kinde of men can make themselves, in the midst of dangers, who are so accustomed to them; And certainely those men, whose lives are sofrequently exposed to such hazards, do not set that value upon them as others, who live in a quiet security; yet, when they put themselves upon any noble action, they will sell their lives at such a rate, as none shall out-bid them; and the custome of these hazards, makes them more valiant then other men; and those amongst them, that do found their courage upon honest grounds; are certainly valiant in a high perfection.