Before We proceed to the Description of this Countrey, it will be first requisite to relate the true occasion and means, whereby this part ofAmericacame to be erected into a Province, and call’dMary-land.
The situation.
In the Year of our Lord 1631.GeorgeLordBaltemoreobtain’d of KingCharlesthe First, ofGreat Brittain, &c.a Grant of that part ofAmerica, (first discover’d by theEnglish) which lies between the Degrees of thirty seven and fifty Minutes, or thereabouts, and forty of Northerly Latitude; which is bounded on the South byVirginia; on the North, byNew England, andNew Jersey, part ofNew York, lying on the East side ofDelaware Bay; on the East, by the Ocean; and on the West, by that part of the Continent which lies in the Longitude of the first Fountains of the River call’dPatomeck.
In pursuance of this Grant to his said Lordship, a Bill was prepar’d, and brought to His Majesty to Sign, who first ask’d his Lordship, what he should call it, there being a Blank in the Bill designedly left for the Name, which his Lordship intended should have beenCrescentia; but his Lordship leaving it to His Majesty to give it a Name, the King propos’d to have it call’dTerra-Mariæ, inEnglish,Mary-land, in honor of his Queen, whose Name wasMary; which was concluded on, and inserted into the Bill, which the King then Sign’d; and thereby the said Tract of Land was erected into a Province by that Name.
His Lordship somewhat delaying the speedy passing of it under the Great Seal ofEngland, dy’d in theinterim, before the said Patent was perfected; whereupon aPatent of the said Province was shortly afterwards pass’d to his Son and Heir, (who was Christen’d by the Name ofCœcil, but afterwards confirm’d by the Name ofCœcilius,) the now LordBaltemore, under the Great Seal ofEngland, bearing DateJune 20. 1632.in the eighth Year of His said Majesties Reign, with all Royal Jurisdictions and Prerogatives, both Military and Civil in the said Province, as Power to Enact Laws, Power of pardoning all manner of Offences, Power to confer Honors,&c.to be held of His said Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, Kings ofEnglandin common Soccage, as of His Majesties Honor ofWindsorin the County ofBerksinEngland; yielding and paying yearly for the same to His Majesty and to His Heirs and Successors for ever, twoIndianArrows of those parts, at the Castle ofWindsoraforesaid, on Tuesday inEasterWeek, and the fifth part of all Gold and Silver Oar, which shall happen to be found in the said Province.
The Bounds.
“By the said Patent is Granted to his Lordship, his Heirs and Assigns, all that part of aPeninsula, lying in the parts ofAmerica, between the Ocean on the East, and the Bay ofChesapeackon the West; and divided from the other part thereof by a right Line drawn from the Promontory, orCapeof Land call’dWatkin’s-Point, situate in the aforesaid Bay, near the River ofWigchoon the West, unto the main Ocean on the East, and between that bound on the South, unto that part ofDelaware Bayon the North, which lies under the fortieth Degree of Northerly Latitude from the Equinoctial, whereNew Englandends; and all that Tract of Land between the bounds aforesaid, that is to say, passing from the aforesaid Bay call’dDelaware Bay, in a right Line by the Degree aforesaid, unto the trueMeridianof the first Fountains of the River ofPatomeck; and from thence stretching towards the South, unto the furthest Bank of the said River, and following the West and South side thereof, unto a certain place call’dCinquack, near the Mouth of the said River, where it falls into the Bay ofChesapeack, and from thence by a streight Line unto the aforesaid Promontory, or place call’dWatkin’s-Point, which lies in thirty seven Degrees and fifty Minutes, or thereabouts, of Northern Latitude.”
Title.
By this Patent his Lordship and his Heirs and Assigns are Created the true and absolute Lords and Proprietaries of the said Province, saving the Allegiance and Soveraign Dominion due to His Majesty, His Heirs, and Successors; so that he hath thereby a Soveraignty Granted to him and his Heirs, dependant upon the Soveraignty of the Crown ofEngland.
The first Seating.
His Lordship, in the Year 1633. sent his second Brother Mr.Leonard Calvert, and his third Brother Mr.George Calvert, with divers other Gentlemen of Quality, and Servants to the number of two hundred Persons at least, to settle a Plantation there; who set Sail from theCowesin theIsle of WightinEngland, onNovemb. 22.in the same Year; having made some stay by the way, at theBarbadoesandSt. ChristophersinAmerica, they arriv’d atPoint ComfortinVirginia, onFebruary 24.following; from whence shortly after they Sail’d up the Bay ofChesapeack, andPatomeckRiver. And having review’d the Country, and given Names to several places, they pitch’d upon a Town of theIndiansfor their first Seat, call’dYoacomaco, (now SaintMaries) which the then Governor Mr.Leonard Calvert, freely Purchas’d of the Natives there, for the Lord Proprietaries use, with Commodities brought fromEngland.
That which facilitated the Treaty and Purchase of the said place from theIndians, was a resolution which thoseIndianshad then before taken, to remove higher into the Countrey where it was more Populous, for fear of theSansquehanocks, (another, and more Warlike People of theIndians, who were their too near Neighbors,and inhabit between the Bays ofChesapeackandDelaware) there being then actual Wars between them, insomuch, that many of them were gone thither before theEnglisharriv’d: And it hath been the general practice of his Lordship, and those who were employ’d by him in the Planting of the said Province, rather to purchase the Natives Interest, (who will agree for the same at easie rates) than to take from them by force, that which they seem to call their Right and Inheritance, to the end all Disputes might be remov’d touching the forcible Incroachment upon others, against the Laws of Nature or Nations.
The number of Inhabitants.
Thus this Province at the vast Charges, and by the unweary’d Industry and endeavor of the present LordBaltemore, the now absolute Lord and Proprietary of the same was at first Planted, and hath since been supply’d with People and other Necessaries, so effectually, that in this present Year 1671. the number ofEnglishthere amounts to fifteen or twenty thousand Inhabitants, for whose Encouragement there is a Fundamental Law establish’d there by his Lordship, wherebyLiberty of Conscienceis allow’d to all that Profess to believe inJesus Christ; so that no Man who is aChristianis in danger of being disturb’d for his Religion; and all Persons being satisfi’d touching his Lordships Right, as Granted by his Superior Soveraign, the King ofGreat Brittain, and possess’d by the consent and agreement of the firstIndianOwners, every Person who repaireth thither, intending to become an Inhabitant, finds himself secure, as well in the quiet enjoyment of his Property, as of his Conscience.
Mr.Charles Calvert, his Lordships onely Son and Heir, was in the Year 1661. sent thither by his Lordship to Govern this Province and People, who hath hitherto continu’d that Charge of his Lordships Lieutenant there, to the general satisfaction and encouragement of all Persons under his Government, or otherwise concern’d in the Province.
The precedent Discourse having given you a short Description of this Province from its Infancy to this day, together with an account of his Lordships Patent and Right, by which he holds the same; we will here speak something of the Nature of the Countrey in general, and of the Commodities that are either naturally afforded there, or may be procur’d by Industry.
The Climate is very healthful, and agreeable withEnglishConstitutions; but New-comers have most of them heretofore had the first year of their Planting there inJulyandAugust, a Sickness, which is call’d thereA Seasoning, but is indeed no other than an Ague, with cold and hot Fits, whereof many heretofore us’d to die for want of good Medicines, and accommodations of Diet and Lodging, and by drinking too much Wine and Strong-waters; though many, even in those times, who were more temperate, and that were better accommodated, never had anySeasoningsat all; but of late years, since the Countrey hath been more open’d by the cutting down of the Woods, and that there is more plenty ofEnglishDiet, there are very few die of those Agues, and many have noSeasoningsat all, especially those that live in the higher parts of the Country, and not near to the Marshes and Salt-water.
In Summer, the heats are equal to those ofSpain, but qualifi’d daily about Noon, at that time of the Year, either with some gentle Breezes, or small Showres of Rain: In Winter there is Frost and Snow, and sometimes it is extremely cold, insomuch, that the Rivers and the Northerly part of the Bay ofChesapeackare Frozen, but it seldom lasts long; and some Winters are so warm, that People have gone in half Shirts and Drawers only atChristmas: But in the Spring and Autumn, (viz.) inMarch,April, andMay,September,October, andNovember, there is generallymost pleasant temperate Weather: The Winds there are variable, from the South comes Heat, Gusts, and Thunder; from the North or North-West, cold Weather; and in Winter, Frost and Snow; from the East and South-East, Rain.
The Soyl is very fertile, and furnish’d with many pleasant and commodious Rivers, Creeks, and Harbors.
The Country is generally plain and even, and yet distinguish’d with some pretty small Hills and Risings, with variety of Springs and Rivulets: The Woods are for the most part free from Underwood, so that a Man may Travel or Hunt for his Recreation.
The ordinary entrance by Sea into this Country is between twoCapes, distant each from the other about seven or eight Leagues; the SouthCapeis call’dCape Henry; the North,Cape Charles; within theCapesyou enter into a fairBay, Navigable for at least two hundred Miles, and is call’dChesapeack Bay, stretching it self Northerly through the heart of the Countrey, which adds much to its Fame and Value: Into this Bay fall many stately Rivers, the chief whereof isPatomeck, which is Navigable for at least a hundred and forty Miles: The next Northward, isPatuxent, at its entrance distant from the other about twenty Miles, a River yielding great Profit as well as Pleasure to the Inhabitants; and by reason of the Islands and other places of advantage that may Command it, both fit for Habitation and Defence: Passing hence to the Head of the Bay, you meet with several pleasant and commodious Rivers, which for brevity we here omit to give any particular account of: On the Eastern Shore are several commodious Rivers, Harbors, Creeks, and Islands; to the Northward whereof you enter into another fair Bay, call’dDelaware Bay; wide at its entrance about eight Leagues, and into which falls a very fair Navigable River.
The natural Commodities of the Countrey.
This Countrey yields the Inhabitants many excellent things for Physick and Chyrurgery; they have several Herbs and Roots which are great Preservatives against Poyson, asSnake-Root, which presently cures the bitings of theRattle-Snake, which are very Venomous, and are bred in the Countrey; others that cure all manner of Wounds; they haveSaxafras,Sarsaparilla, Gums and Balsoms, which Experience (the Mother of Art) hath taught them the perfect use of.
AnIndianseeing one of theEnglishmuch troubled with the Tooth-ach, fetch’d a Root out of a Tree, which apply’d to the Tooth, gave ease immediately to the Party; other Roots they have fit for Dyers, wherewith theIndiansPaint themselves asPacoone(a deep red,)&c.
The Timber of these parts is good and useful for Building of Houses and Ships, the white Oak for Pipe-staves, the red for Wainscot; there is likewise black Wall-Nut, Cedar, Pine, and Cypress, Chest-nut, Elme, Ash, and Popelar, all which are for Building and Husbandry: Fruit-trees, as Mulberries,Persimons, with several kind of Plumbs, and Vines in great abundance.
Of Strawberries there is plenty, which are ripe inApril, Mulberries inMay, Rasberries inJune, and theMaracok, which is something like a Lemon, is ripe inAugust. In Spring time there are several sorts of Herbs, as Corn-sallet, Violets, Sorrel, Purslane, and others which are of great use to theEnglishthere.
In the upper parts of the Countrey areBuffeloes,Elks,Tygers,Bears,Wolves, and great store of Deer; as also Beavers, Foxes, Otters, Flying-Squirils,Racoons, and many other sorts of Beasts.
Of Birds, there is the Eagle, Goshawk, Falcon,Lanner, Sparrow-hawk, andMarlin; also wild Turkies in great abundance, whereof many weigh fifty Pounds in weight and upwards, and of Partridge great plenty: There are likewise sundrysorts of singing Birds, whereof one is call’d aMock-Bird, because it imitates all other Birds; some are red, which sing like Nightingales, but much louder; others black and yellow, which last sort excels more in Beauty than tune, and is by theEnglishthere call’d theBaltemore-Bird, because the Colours of his Lordships Coat of Arms are black and yellow: Others there are that resemble most of the Birds inEngland, but not of the same kind, for which we have no names: In Winter there are great plenty of Swans, Cranes, Geese, Herons, Duck, Teal, Widgeons, Brants, and Pidgeons, with other sorts, whereof there are none inEngland.
The Sea, the Bays ofChesapeackandDelaware, and generally all the Rivers, do abound with Fish of several sorts; as Whales, Sturgeon, Thorn-back, Grampuses, Porpuses, Mullets, Trouts, Soules, Plaice, Mackrel, Perch, Eels, Roach, Shadd, Herrings, Crabs, Oysters, Cockles, Mussels,&c.but above all these, the Fish whereof there are none inEngland, asDrums,Sheeps-head,Cat-fish,&c.are best, except Sturgeon, which are there found in great abundance, not inferior to any inEuropefor largeness and goodness.
The Minerals may in time prove of very great consequence, though no rich Mines are yet discover’d there; but there is Oar of several sorts,viz.of Tin, Iron, and Copper, whereof several trials have been made by curious Persons there with good success.
The Soyl is generally very rich, the Mould in many places black and rank, insomuch, that it is necessary to Plant it first withIndianCorn, Tobacco, or Hemp, before it is fit forEnglishGrain; under that is found goodLoam, whereof has been made as good Brick as any inEurope: There are store of Marsh-grounds for Meadows; great plenty of Marle, both blue and white; excellent Clay for Pots and Tiles: To conclude, there is nothing that can be reasonably expected, in a place lying in the same Latitude with this, but what is either there found naturally, or may be procur’d by Industry, as Oranges, Lemons, and Olives,&c.
Commodities which are, or may be procur’d by industry.
We need not here mentionIndianCorn, (call’dMayz) Pease and Beans of several sorts, being the peculiar products Planted by theIndiansof that part ofAmerica.
All sorts ofEnglishGrain are now common there, and yield a great encrease; as Wheat, Rye, Barley, Oats, Pease, Beans,&c.good Beer of Wheat or Barley Malt, after theEnglishMode, is made, even in the meanest Families there; Some drink Beer ofIndianCorn, others of the Stalks thereof, or of the Chipps of thePockykerry-Tree, all which make a sort of fresh and pleasant Drink; but the general Diet of the Country is nowEnglish, as most agreeable to their Constitutions.
There are few able Planters there at present, but what are plentifully supply’d with all sorts of Summer and Winter Fruits; as also of Roots and Herbs, of all sorts out of their Gardens and Orchards, which they have Planted for their Profit as well as Pleasure: They have Pears, Apples, Plumbs, Peaches,&c.in great abundance, and as good as those ofItaly; so are their Mellons, Pumpions, Apricocks, Cherries, Figgs, Pomegranates,&c.In fine, there is scarce any Fruit or Root that grows inEngland,France,Spain, orItaly, but hath been try’d there, and prospers well.
You may have there also Hemp, Flax, Pitch, and Tar, with little labor; the Soyl is apt for Hops, Rape-seed, Annice-seed, Woad, Madder, Saffron,&c.there may be had Silk-worms, the Country being stor’d with Mulberry-trees, and the superfluity of the Wood will produce Pot-ashes.
There is a great quantity of Syder made there at present, and as good as in any other Countrey; good Perry and Quince-drink is there likewise made in great plenty: The Ground doth naturally bring forth Vines in great quantities, the qualitywhereof being something corrected by Industry, (as there have been several trials thereof already made there) may no doubt produce good Wine, to the great encouragement and advantage of the Undertakers.
Brave Ships may be built there with little charge, Clab-board, Wainscot, Pipe-staves, and Masts for Ships, the Woods will afford plentifully; some small Vessels have been already built there: In fine, Beef, Furrs, Hides, Butter, Cheese, Pork, and Bacon, to Transport to other Countreys, are no small Commodities, which by Industry, are, and may be had there in great plenty, theEnglishbeing already plentifully stock’d with all sorts of Cattel and Horses; and were there no other Staple-Commodities to be hop’d for, but Silk and Linnen (the materials of which apparently will grow there) it were sufficient to enrich the Inhabitants.
But the general Trade ofMary-landat present depends chiefly upon Tobacco, it being the Planters greatest concern and study to store himself betimes with that Commodity, wherewith he buys and sells, and after which Standard all other Commodities receive their Price there; they have of late vented such quantities of that and other Commodities, that a hundred Sail of Ships fromEngland,Barbadoes, and otherEnglishPlantations, have been usually known to Trade thither in one Year; insomuch, that by Custom and Excize paid inEnglandfor Tobacco and other Commodities Imported from thence,Mary-landalone at this present, hath by his Lordships vast Expence, Industry, and Hazard for many years, without any charge to the Crown, improv’d His Majesties, the King ofEnglandsRevenues, to the value of Forty thousand PoundsSterl. per annumat least.
The general way of Traffick and Commerce there is chiefly by Barter, or Exchange of one Commodity for another; yet there wants not, besidesEnglishand other foraign Coyns, some of his Lordships own Coyn, as Groats, Sixpences, and Shillings, which his Lordship at his own Charge caus’d to be Coyn’d and dispers’d throughout that Province; ’tis equal in fineness of Silver toEnglish Sterling, being of the same Standard, but of somewhat less weight, and hath on the one side his Lordships Coat of Arms stamp’d, with this Motto circumscrib’d,Crescite & Multiplicamini, and on the other side his Lordships Effigies, circumscrib’d thus,Cæcilius Dominus Terræ-Mariæ, &c.
The Government.
The Order of Government and settled Laws of this Province, is by the Prudence and endeavor of the present Lord Proprietary, brought to great Perfection; and as his Dominion there is absolute (as may appear by the Charter aforemention’d) so all Patents, Warrants, Writs, Licenses, Actions Criminal,&c.Issue forth there in his Name: Wars, Peace, Courts, Offices,&c.all in his Name made, held, and appointed.
Laws are there Enacted by him, with the advice and consent of the General Assembly, which consists of two Estates, namely, the first is made up by the Chancellor, Secretary, and others of his Lordships Privy-Council, and such Lords of Mannors, and others as shall be call’d by particular Writs for that purpose, to be Issu’d by his Lordship: The second Estate consists of the Deputies and Delegates of the respective Counties of the said Province, elected and chosen by the free voice and approbation of the Free-men of the laid respective Counties.
The Names of the Governor and Council in this present Year 1671. are as followeth, Mr.Charles Calvert, his Lordships Son and Heir, Governor; Mr.Philip Calvert, his Lordships Brother, Chancellor; SirWilliam TalbotBaronet, his Lordships Nephew, Secretary; Mr.William Calvert, his Lordships Nephew, Muster-Master-General; Mr.Jerome White, Surveyor-General; Mr.Baker Brooke, his Lordships Nephew; Mr.Edward Lloyd, Mr.Henry Coursey, Mr.Thomas Trueman, MajorEdward Fits-Herbert,Samuel Chew Esq.
His Lordship, or his Lieutenant there for the time being, upon due occasion, Convenes, Prorogues, and Dissolves this Assembly; but whatsoever is by his Lordships Lieutenant there, with the consent of both the said Estates Enacted, is there of the same Force and Nature as an Act of Parliament is inEngland, until his Lordship declares his dis-assent; but such Laws as his Lordship doth assent unto, are not afterwards to be Alter’d or Repeal’d but by his Lordship, with the consent of both the said Estates.
Their chief Court of Judicature is held at St.MariesQuarterly every Year, to which all Persons concern’d resort for Justice, and is call’dThe Provincial Court, whereof the Governor and Council are Judges: To the Court there doth belong several sworn Attorneys, who constantly are present there, and act both as Barristers and Attorneys; there are likewise chief Clerks, Bayliffs, and other Officers, which duly attend the Court in their respective places.
The Province is divided at present, so far as it is inhabited byEnglish, into Counties, whereof there be ten,viz.St.Maries,Charles,Calvert,Anne Arandel, andBaltemoreCounties, which first five lie on the West side of the Bay ofChesapeack; on the Eastern side whereof, commonly call’dThe Eastern-Shore, liesSommerset,Dorchester,Talbot,Cæcil, andKent Counties, which last is an Island lying near the Eastern-shore of the said Bay.
Besides the Provincial Court aforenam’d, there are other inferior Courts, appointed to be held in every one of the Counties six times in the year, for the dispatch of all Causes, not relating to Life or Member, and not exceeding the value of three thousand weight of Tobacco; the decision of all other Causes being reserv’d to the Provincial or higher Court before-mention’d, and there lies Appeals from the County-Courts, to the Provincial Court.
There are Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, and other Officers appointed by the Lord and Proprietary, or his Lordships Lieutenant for the time being, in the said respective Counties; and without four Justices, of which one to be of theQuorum, none of the said respective County-Courts can be held; any of his Lordships Privy Council may sit as Judge, in any of the said County-Courts, by vertue of his place.
These Courts are appointed to be held at convenient Houses in the said Counties, which commonly are not far distant from some Inn, or other House of Entertainment, for accommodation of Strangers; one of the said six County Courts in each County is held for settling of Widows and Orphans Estates.
There are Foundations laid of Towns, more or less in each County, according to his Lordships Proclamation, to that effect Issu’d forth in the year 1668. InCalvert County, about the River ofPatuxent, and the adjacent Cliffs, are the Bounds of three Towns laid out, one over againstPoint Patience, call’dHarvy Town, another inBattel-Creek, call’dCalverton, and a third upon the Cliffs, call’dHerrington, and Houses already built in them, all uniform, and pleasant with Streets, and Keys on the Water side. In the County of St.Maries, on the East side of St.GeorgesRiver, is the principal and original Seat of this Province, where the general Assembly, and Provincial Courts are held, and is call’d St.Maries, being erected into a City by that Name, where divers Houses are already built: The Governor hath a House there call’d St.John’s; the Chancellor Mr.Philip Calvert, his Lordships Brother, hath another, and in this place is built and kept the Secretaries Office, where all the Records are kept, all Process, Grants, for Lands, Probates of Wills, Letters of Administration are issu’d out: the Plat of a Fort and Prison is lately laid there, upon a point of Land, term’dWindmil-Point, from a Windmil which formerly stood there,the situation is proper, for that it commands the breadth of the said River of SaintGeorges; so that when it is finish’d, all Shipping may safely Ride before the Town, without the least fear of any sudden Assault, or Attempt of Pirats or other Enemy whatsoever. This City has formerly been the usual place of abode for his Lordships Lieutenants, and their Retinue; but of late years the present Governor, Mr.Charles Calvert, hath built himself a fair House of Brick and Timber, with all Out-houses, and other Offices thereto belonging, at a place call’dMattapany, near the River ofPatuxentbefore-mention’d, where he and his Family reside, being a pleasant, healthful, and commodious Seat, about eight Miles by Land distant from St.Maries.
Of theIndiansinMary-land.
TheIndiansinMary-landare a People generally of streight, able, and well proportion’d Bodies, something exceeding the ordinary pitch of theEnglish, their Complexion Swarthy, their Hair naturally long and black, without Curle, which generally they cut after some strange Fantastical Mode; nay, sometimes they Dye it with red and other preposterous Colours: They Liquor their Skins with Bears Grease, and other Oyls, which renders them more tawny, and less apt to receive injury from the Weather: They are subtile from their Infancy, and prone to learn any thing their Fancy inclines them to, in other things slothful.
There are as many distinct Nations among them as there areIndianTowns, (which are like Countrey-Villages inEngland, but not so good Houses) dispers’d throughout the Province: Each Town hath its King (by them term’dWerowance) and every forty or fifty Miles distance differs much from its Neighbors in Speech and Disposition: TheSasquahanocks, though but few in number, yet much exceed the rest in Valor, and Fidelity to theEnglish; the rest being generally of a more Treacherous Spirit, and not so stout, and the number of theEnglishdo already exceed all theIndiansin the Province.
TheWerowanceis assisted by Councellors, call’dWisoes, who are commonly of the same Family, and are chosen at the pleasure of theWerowance: They have Captains in time of War which they termCockorooses.
Most of their Governments are Monarchical, (except theSasquahanocks, which is a Re-publick) but for succession they have a peculiar Custom, that the Issue of the Males never succeed, but the Issue-Male of the Female succeed in Government, as the surer side: They all submit to, and are protected by the Lord Proprietaries Government; and in case of any Assault or Murder, committed on anyEnglish, the Party offending is try’d by the Laws of the Province; and in case of any new Election of King or Emperor among them, they present the Person so Elected to the Governor for the time being, who as he sees cause, either alters or confirms their Choice.
In the Year 1663. at theIndiansRequest, the present Governor Mr.Charles Calvert, and some others of his Lordships Privy-Council there, went toPascatoway, in this Province, to be present at the Election of a new Emperor for that Nation: They presented a Youth nam’dNattawasso, and humbly Requested to have him confirm’d Emperor ofPascatoway, by the Name ofWahocasso; which after some charge given them in general, to be good and faithful Subjects to him, the Governor accordingly did, and receiv’d him into his Protection.
They pay great Respect and Obedience to their Kings and Superiors, whose Commands they immediately Execute, though with an apparent hazard of their Lives.
The Mens chief employment is Hunting, and the Wars, in both which they commonly use Bowes and Arrows; some of late have Guns and other Weapons, by a private Trade with someEnglishNeighboring Plantations: They are excellentMarks-men, it being the onely thing they breed their Youth to: The Women Plant and look after the Corn, make their Bread, and dress what Provisions their Husbands bring home. Their way of Marriage is by agreement with the Womens Parents or Friends, who for a certain Sum of their Money, or other Goods, deliver her to the Man at a day appointed, which is commonly spent in jollity.
Their Money.
There are two sorts ofIndianMoney,WampompeageandRoanoack, these serve among them as Gold and Silver do inEurope, both are made of Fish-shells, which they string like Beads;Wampompeageis the largest Bead, sixty whereof countervails an Arms length ofRoanoack, which is valued at six PenceSterling; with this they purchase Commodities of theEnglish, as Trading-Cloth,&c.of which they make themselves Mantles, which is something shaggy, and is call’dDutch Duffels; this is their Winter Habit; in Summer they onely wear a narrow slip of the same to cover those parts, which natural modesty teaches them to conceal; the better sort have Stockings made thereof, and pieces of Deer-Skin, stitch’d together about their Feet in stead of Shooes: The Womens Apparel is the same, but those of the best Quality among them bedeck themselves withWampompeageorRoanoack, or some other toy.
Manner of habitation.
Their Houses are rais’d about the height of a large Arbor, and cover’d with Barks of Trees very tite, in the middle whereof is the Fire-place, they lie generally upon Mats of their own making, plac’d round the Fire, a Woodden-bowl or two, an Earthen Pot, and a Mortar and Pestle, is their chiefest Houshold-stuff; he that hath his Bowe and Arrows, or Gun, a Hatchet, and aCanoo, (a term they use for Boats) is in their minds rarely well provided for; each House contains a distinct Family, each Family hath its peculiar Field about the Town, where they Plant their Corn, and other sorts of Grain afore-mention’d.
Civility to theEnglish.
They are courteous to theEnglish, if they chance to see any of them coming towards their Houses, they immediately meet him half-way, conduct him in, and bid him welcome with the best Cates they have: TheEnglishgiving them in like manner civil Entertainment, according to their Quality.
TheWerowanceofPatuxenthaving been Treated for some days at St.Maries, by the then Governor, Mr.Leonard Calvert, his Lordships Brother, at his first coming thither to settle that Colony, took his leave of him with this Expression,I love theEnglishso well, that if they should go about to kill me, if I had so much breath as to speak, I would Command my People not to revenge my death; for I know they would not do such a thing, except it were through my own default.
In Affairs of concern, they are very considerate, and use few words in declaring their intentions; for at Mr.Leonard Calvertsfirst arrival there, theWerowanceofPascatowaybeing ask’d by him,Whether he would be content, that theEnglishshould sit down in his Countrey?return’d this answer,That he would not bid him go, neither would he bid him stay, but that he might use his own discretion.These were their expressions to the Governor at his first entrance intoMary-land, whom then they were jealous of, whether he might prove a Friend or a Neighbor, but by his discreet Demeanor towards them at first, and friendly usage of them afterwards, they are now become, not only civil, but serviceable to theEnglishthere upon all occasions.
TheIndiansof the Eastern shore are most numerous, and were formerly very refractory, whom Mr.Leonard Calvertsome few years after his first settling the Colony, was forc’d to reduce, and of late the Emperor ofNanticoke, and his Men were deservedly defeated by the present Governor, Mr.Charles Calvert, who reduc’d him about the year 1668. which has since tam’d the ruder sort of the neighboringIndians, who now by experience, find it better to submit and be protected by the LordProprietaries Government, than to make any vain attempt against his Power.
These People live under no Law, but that of Nature and Reason, which notwithstanding leads them to the acknowledgement of a Deity, whom they own to be the Giver of all good things, wherewith their Life is maintain’d, and to him they Sacrifice the first Fruits of the Earth, and of that which they acquire by Hunting and Fishing: The Sacrifice is perform’d by their Priests, who are commonly ancient Men, and profess themselves Conjurers; they first make a Speech to their God, then burn part, and eat and distribute the rest among them that are present; until this Ceremony be ended, they will not touch one bit thereof; they hold the Immortality of the Soul, and that there is a place of Joy, and another of Torment after Death, prepar’d for every one according to their Merits.
They bury their Dead with strange expressions of Sorrow (the better sort upon a Scaffold, erected for that end) whom they leave cover’d with Mats, and return when his flesh is consum’d to Interr his Bones; the common sort are committed to the Earth without that Ceremony; but they never omit to bury some part of their Wealth, Arms, and Houshold-stuff with the Corps.
Situation ofVirginia.
The most Southerly part ofVirginia(for all that Tract of Land, reachingFirst Discovery.fromNorumbegatoFlorida, and containingNew-England,New-York,Mary-land, and this part we are now about to Treat of, was by SirWalter Rawleighterm’dVirginia, in Honor of our Virgin-QueenElizabeth) lies betweenMary-land, which it hath on the North, andCarolina, which it hath on the South, from thirty six, to near thirty eight Degrees of Northern Latitude; and with the rest of those Countries which were comprehended under the same Denomination, was by the Encouragement, and at the Expence of the said SirWalter Rawleigh, first Discover’d (as some say) by CaptainFrancis Drake, for his many notable and bold Exploits, afterwards Knighted by the Queen: But upon examination we find little reason to ascribe the first Discovery thereof to SirFrancis Drake, whose chief performances, from the time he first made himself Eminent at Sea, were against theSpaniards, and for the most part in theSpanish-Indies; as his taking ofNombre de Dios, andVinta Cruz, with an infinite mass of Treasure; his taking ofSanto DomingoinHispaniola, and ofCarthagenainCastella Anna; and that which seems to have given occasion of attributing to him the first Discovery of these parts, was his touching upon the North part of the Isle ofCalifornia, where being nobly Entertain’d byHioh, a King of that Countrey, and having a Surrendry thereof made to him, in behalf of the Queen ofEngland, he upon a Pillar erected, Inscrib’d the Arms ofEngland, with the Queens Name and his own, and call’d the placeNova Albion: Certain indeed it is, that SirWalter Rawleighwas the first Promoter of this Discovery; for, after Mr.Martin Forbisherhad been sent by QueenElizabethto search for the North-West Passage, which was in the year 1576. and for which he also was by the Queen advanc’d to Knight-hood, and nobly rewarded; and SirHumphrey Gilbertobtaining the Queens Letters Patents, for attempting a Plantation, had reach’dNew-found-land(though perishing in his return) he upon these Relations and Inducements undertook by others (for his employments would not permit him to go in Person) to gain Discoveries to the Southward; and accordingly in the year of our Lord 1584. obtain’d a Commission from the Queen, to discover and Plant new Lands inAmerica, not actually possess’d by anyChristians, who, with the assistance of SirRichard Greenvil, and others, provided two small Barques, under the Command of CaptainPhilip Amidas, and CaptainArthur Barlow, who setting Sail the 27. ofApril, fell the 2dofJulyfollowing with the Coast ofFlorida, and made Discovery of the Isle ofWokokon,Roanoack, and the Continent ofWingandacoa, which they left; and arriving inEnglandabout the midst ofSeptemberfollowing, Her Majesty upon the relation of their Discoveries, was pleas’d to call this CountreyVirginia.
NOVA VIRGINIÆ TABULA
April 9. 1585.SirRichard Greenvil, with seven Sail, and several Gentlemen, leftPlymouth; and onMay 26.Anchor’d atWokokon, but made their first Seat atRoanoackonAugust 17.following, which lies in thirty six Degrees of Northerly Latitude, or thereabouts, where they continu’d tillJune 1586.during which time they made several Discoveries in the Continent and adjacent Islands; and being endanger’d by the treachery of the Salvages, return’d forEngland, and Landed atPortsmouthonJuly 27.following.
SirWalter Rawleighand his Associates, in the year 1586. sent a Ship to relieve that Colony, which had deserted the Countrey some while before, and were all return’d forEnglandas is before-mention’d.
Some few days after they were gone, SirRichard Greenvil, with three Ships, arriv’d at the Plantation atRoanoack, which he found deserted, and leaving fifty Men thereto keep Possession of that Countrey, return’d forEngland.
The year following, Mr.John White, with three Ships, came to search for the fiftyEnglishatRoanoack, but found them not, they having been set upon by the Natives, and dispers’d so, as no News could be heard of them, and in their room left a hundred and fifty more to continue that Plantation.
InAugust 1589.Mr.John Whitewent thither again, to search for the last Colony which he had left there; but not finding them, return’d forEnglandinSeptemb. 6. 1590.
This ill Success made all further Discoveries to be laid aside, till CaptainGosnolonMarch 26. 1602.set Sail fromDartmouth, and onMay 11.following, made Land at a place, where someBiscaners, as he guess’d by the Natives information, had formerly fish’d, being about the Latitude of forty eight Degrees Northerly Latitude; from hence putting to Sea, he made Discovery of an Island which he call’dMarthas Vineyard, and shortly after ofElizabeth’s Isle, and so return’d forEngland,June 18.following.
In the Year 1603. the City ofBristolrais’d a Stock, and furnish’d out two Barques for Discovery, under the Command of CaptainMartin Pring, who aboutJune 7.fell with the North ofVirginiain the three and fortieth Degree, found plenty of good Fish, nam’d a placeWhitson-Bay, and so return’d.
In the Year 1605. the Right HonorableThomas Arundelthe first, Baron ofWarder, and Count of theRomanEmpire, set out CaptainGeorge Waymouth, with twenty nine Sea-men, and necessary Provisions, to make what Discoveries he could; who by contrary Winds, fell Northward about one and forty Degrees and twenty Minutes of Northerly Latitude, where they found plenty of good Fish; and Sailing further, discover’d an Island, where they nam’d a Harbor,Pentecost-Harbor; and onJuly 18.following, came back forEngland.
In the Year 1606. by the sollicitation of CaptainGosnol, and several Gentlemen, a Commission was granted by KingJamesofGreat Brittain,&c.for establishing a Council, to direct those new Discoveries; CaptainNewport(a well practic’d Marriner) was intrusted with the Transportation of the Adventurers in two Ships,and a Pinace, who onDecemb. 19. 1606.set Sail fromBlack-wall, and were by Storm, contrary to expectation, cast upon the first Land, which they call’dCape Henry, at the Mouth of the Bay ofChesapeack, lying in thirty seven Degrees, or thereabouts, of Northerly Latitude: Here their Orders were open’d and read, and eight declar’d of the Council, and impower’d to chose a President for a year, who with the Council should Govern that Colony: TillMay 13.they sought a place to Plant in, Mr.Winkfieldwas chose the first President, who caus’d a Fort to be rais’d atPowhatan, now call’dJames-Town: InJunefollowing, CaptainNewportreturn’d forEngland, leaving a hundred Men behind him; since which time they have been sufficiently supply’d fromEngland, and by the indefatigable Industry and Courage of CaptainJohn Smith, (one of the Council at that time, and afterward President of the Colony) they made several Discoveries on the Eastern shore, and up to the Head of the Bay ofChesapeack, and of the principal Rivers which fall into the said Bay.
Virginiabeing thus Discover’d and Planted, KingJamesby his Letters Patent bearing DateApril 10.in the fourth year of his Reign, 1607. Granted Licence to SirThomas Gates, SirGeorge Summers, and others, to divide themselves into two several Colonies, for the more speedy Planting of that Countrey, then call’dVirginia, between the Degrees of thirty four and forty five of North Latitude, that is to say, taken in that large extent, mention’d in the beginning: The first Colony to be undertaken by certain Knights, Gentlemen, and Merchants, in, and about the City ofLondon: The second to be undertaken, and advanc’d by certain Knights, Gentlemen, and Merchants, and their Associates, in, or about the City ofBristol,Exon,Plymouth, and other parts.
At the first Colonies Request, in the seventh year of the same King, a second Patent was Granted to several Noblemen and Gentlemen, (including SirThomas Gates, and some of his former Fellow-Patentees) bearing DateMay 23. 1610.whereby they were made a Corporation, and Body Politique, and stil’d,The Treasurer, and Company of Adventurers and Planters of the City ofLondon,for the first Colony ofVirginia: And by this Patent, there was Granted to them, their Successors and Assigns, two hundred Miles to the Southward, from aCapeof Land inVirginia, call’dPoint Comfort; and two hundred Miles to the Northward of the saidCape, along the Sea-shore, and into the Land from Sea to Sea.
And onMarch 12. 1612.the said King, in the ninth year of his Reign, Grants them a third Patent, of all Islands lying in the Sea, within two hundred Miles of the Shore of that Tract of Land on the Continent, granted to them by the said former Patent,Jac. 7.
In the Year 1615. CaptainSmithprocur’d by his Interest at Court, and the King’s Favor, a Recommendation from His Majesty, and divers of the Nobility, to all Cities and Corporations, to Adventure in a standing Lottery, which was erected for the benefit of this Plantation, which was contriv’d in such a manner, that of 100000. Pounds which was to be put in, 50000. onely, or one half was to return to the Adventurers, according as the Prizes fell out; and the other half to be dispos’d of for the Promotion of the Affairs ofVirginia, in which, though it were three years before it was fully accomplish’d, he had in the end no bad Success.
In the eighteenth Year of the said King’s Reign, at the Request of the second Colony, a Patent was Granted to several Noblemen and Gentlemen, of all that Tract of Land lying in the parts ofAmerica, between the Degrees of forty and forty eight of Northerly Latitude, and into the Land from Sea to Sea, which was call’d by the PatentNew England in America: For the better Government whereof,one Body-Politick and Corporate was thereby appointed and ordain’d inPlymouth, consisting of the said Noblemen, Gentlemen, and others, to the number of forty Persons, by the Name ofThe Council establish’d atPlymouthin the County ofDevon,for the Planting, Ruling, Ordering, and Governing ofNew EnglandinAmerica.