First Hand Account by Thomas Harriot


A briefe and true report

of the new found land of Virginia.

of the commodities and of the nature and manners

of the naturall inhabitants. Discovered by

the English Colony there seated by Sir Richard

Greinvile Knight In the yeere 1585. Which Remained

Under the governement of twelve moneth,

At the speciall charge and direction of the Honourable

SIR WALTER RALEIGH Knight lord Warden

Of the stanneries Who therein hath beene favoured

and authorised by her MAIESTIE

and her letters patents:

This fore booke Is made in English

BY Thomas Hariot, servant to the abovenamed

Sir WALTER, a member of the Colony, and there

imployed in discovering

CVM GRATIA ET PRIVILEGIO CAES MAtis SPECIAlia

FRANCOFORTI AD MOENVM

TYPIS IOANNIS WECHELI, SVMTIBVS VERO THEODORI

DE BRY ANNO CIC IC XC

VENALES REPERIVNTVR IN OFFICINA SIGISMVNDI FEIRABENDII

 

 

 

TO THE RIGHT

WORTHIE AND HONOURABLE,

SIR WALTER RALEGH,

KNIGHT, SENESCHAL OF THE DUCHIES OF

Cornewall and Exeter, and L. Warden of the stannaries in Devon

and Cornewall, T. B. wisheth true felictie.

Sir, seeing that the parte of the Worlde, which is betwene the FLORIDA and the Cap BRETON nowe nammed VIRGINIA, to the honneur of yours most souveraine Layde and Queene

Elizabetz, hath ben descouvered by yours meanes. And great chardges. And that your collonye hath been theer established to your great honnor and prayse, and noe lesser proffit unto the common welth: Yt ys good raison that every man ever <unclear> </unclear> him selfe for to showe the benefit which they have receve of yt. Theerore, for my parte I have been allwayes

desirous for to make yow knowe the good will that I have to remayne still your most humble servant. I have thincke that I cold faynde now better occasion to declare yt, then takinge the paines to cott in copper (the most diligent ye and well that wear in my possible to doe) the Figures which doe levelye represent the forme and maner of the Inhabitants of the same countrye with theirs ceremonies, sollemne, feastes, and the manner and situation of their Townes, or Villages. Addinge unto every figure a brief declaration of the same, to that ende that everye

man cold the better understand that which is in livelye represented. Moreover I have thincke that the aforesaid figures wear of greater commendation, If somme Histoire which traitinge of the commodites and fertillitye of the said coutrye weare Ioyned with the same, therfore have I serve miselfe of the rapport which Thomas Hariot hath lattely sett foorth, and have causse them booth togither to be printed for to dedicated unto you, as a thinge which by reigtte dooth

allreadye unto you. Therfore doe I creave that you will accept this little Booke, and take yt In goode partte. And desiring that favor that you will receve me in the nomber of one of your most humble servantz, beseching the lord to blese and further you in all yours good doinges and actions, and allso to preserve, and keepe you allwayes in good helthe. And soe I comitt you unto the almyhttie, from Franckfort the first of Apprill 1590.

Your most humble servant,

THEODORUS de BRY

 

 

 

TO THE ADVENTURERS,

FAVORERS, AND

WELWILLERS OF THE ENTERPRISE

FOR THE INHABITTING

and planting in VIRGINIA.

Since the first undertaking by Sir Walter Ralegh to deale in the action of discovering of that Countrey which is now called and known by the name of VIRGINIA; many voyages having bin thitermade at sundrie times to his great charge; as first in the yeere 1584. and afterwardes in the yeeres 1585. 1586. and now of later this last yeare 1587. There have bin divers and variable reportes with some slaunderous and shamefull speeches bruited abroade by many that returned from thence. Especially of that discovery which was made by the Colony transported by Sir Richard Greinvile in the yeare 1585. being of all the others the most principal and as yet of most effect, the time of their abode in the country being discovered then had been before. Which reports have not done a litle wrong to many that otherwise would have also favoured & adventured in the action, to the honour and benefite of our nation, besides the particular profite and credite which would redound to them selves the dealers therein; as I hope by the sequele of events to the shame of those that have avouched the contrary shalbe manifest: if you the adventurers, favourers, and welwillers fo but either encrease in number, or in opinion continue, or having bin doubtfull renewe your good liking and furtherance to deale therein according to the worthinesse thereof alreadye found and as you shall understand hereafter to be requisite. Touching which woorthines through cause of the diversitie of relations and reportes, manye of your opinions coulde not bee firme, nor the mindes of some that are well disposed, bee setled in any certaintie.

I have therefore thought it good beeing one that have beene in the discoverie and in dealing with the naturall inhabitantes specially imploied; and having therefore seene and knowne more then the ordinarie: to imparte so much unto you of the fruites of our labours, as that you may knowe howe iniuriously the enterprise is slaundered. And that in publike manner at this present chiefelie for two respectes.

 

First that some of you which are yet ignorant or doubtfull of the state thereof, may see that there is sufficiet cause why the cheefe enterpriser with the fovour of her Maiestie, not withstanding suche reportes; hath not onelie since continued the action by sending into the countrey againe, and replanting this last yeere a new Colony; but is also readie, according as the times and meanes will affoorde, to follow and prosecute the same.

Secondly, that you seeing and knowing the continuance of the action by the view hereof you may generally know & learne what the countrey is, & ther upon cosider how your dealing therein if it porceede, may returne you profit and gaine; bee it wither by inhabitting & planting or otherwise in furthering thereof. And least that the substance of my relation should be doubtful unto you, as of others by reason of their diversitie: I will first open the cause in a few wordes wherefore they are so different; referring my selve to your favourable constructions, and to be adiudged of as by good consideration you shall finde cause.

Of our companie that returned some for their misdemenour and ill dealing in the countrey, have beene there worthily punished; who by reason of their badde natures, have maliciously not onelie spoken ill of their Governours; but for their sakes flaundered the countrie it selfe. The like also have those done which were of their confort.

Some beeing ignorant of the state thereof, notwithstanding since their returne amogest their friendes and acquaintance and also others, especially if they were in compaine where they might not be gainesaide; would seeme to knowe so much as no men more; and make no men so great travailers as themselves. They stood so much as it maie seeme uppon their credite and reputation that having been a twelve moneth in the countrey, it would have beene a great disgrace unto them as they thought, if they coulde not have saide much wheter it wre true or false. Of which some have spoken of more then ever they saw or otherwise knew to bee there; othersome have not bin ashamed to make absolute deniall of that which although not by the, yet by others is most certainely ad there pletifully knowne. And othersome make difficulties of those things they have no skill of.

The cause of their ignorance was, in that they were of that many that were never out of the lland where wee were seated, or not farre, or at the leastwise in few places els, during the time of our aboade in the countrey, or of that many that after golde and silver was not so soone found, as it was by them looked for, had little or no care of any other thing but to pamper their bellies; or of that many which had little understanding, lesse discretion, and more tongue then was needfull or requisite.

Some also were of a nice bringing up, only in cities or townes, or such as never (as I may say) had seene the world before. Because there were not to bee found any English cities, nor such faire houses, nor at their owne wish any of their olde accustomed daintie food, nor any soft beds of downe or fethers: the countrey was to them miserable, & their reports thereof according.

Because my purpose was but in briefe to open the cuase of the varietie of such speeches; the particularities of them, and of many envious, malicious, and slanderous reports and devises els, by our owne countrey men besides; as trifles that are not worthy of wise men to bee thought upon, I meane not to trouble you withall: but will passe to the commodities, the substance of that which I have to make relation of unto you.

The treatise where of for your more readie view & easier understanding I will divide into three special parts. In the first I will make declaration of such commodities there alreadie found or to be raised, which will not onely serve the ordinary turnes of you which are and shall bee the platers and inhabitants, but such an overplus sufficiently to bee yelded, or by men of skill to bee provided, as by way of trafficke and exchaunge with our owne nation of England, will enrich your selves the providers; those that shal deal with you; the enterprisers in general; and greatly profit our owne countrey men, to supply the, with most things which heretofore they have bene faine to provide, either of stangers or of our enemies: which commodities for distinction fake, I call Merchantable.

In the second, I will set downe all the comodities which wee know the countrey by our experience doeth yeld of it selfe for victuall, and sustenance of mans life; such as is usually fed upon by the inhabitants of the countrey, as also by us during the times we were there.

In the last part I will make mention generally of such other comodities besides, as I am able to remember, and as I shall thinke behoofull for those that shall inhabite, and plant there to know of; which specially concerne building, as also some other necessary uses: with a briefe description of the nature and maners of the people of the countrey.

 

 

 

THE FIRST PART,

OF MARCHANTABLE

COMMODITIES.

 

Silke of grasse or grasse Silke.

Here is a kind of grasse in the countrey uppon the blades where of there groweth very good silke in forme of a thin glittering skin to bee stript of. It groweth two foote and a half high or better: the blades are about two foot in length, and half inch broad. The like groweth in Persia, which is in the selfe same climate as Virginia, of which very many of the silke workes that come from thence into Europe are made. Here of if it be planted and ordered as in Persia, it cannot in reason be other wise, but that there will rise in shorte time great profite to the dealers therein; seeing there is so great use and vent thereof as well in our countrey as els where. And by the meanes of sowing & planting in good ground, it will be farre greater, better, and more plentifull then it is. Although notwithstanding there is great store thereof in many places of the countrey growing naturally and wilde. Which also by proof here in England, in making a piece of silke Grogan, we found to be excellent good.

Worme Silke

In manie of our iourneyes we found silke wormes fayre and great; as bigge as our ordinary walnuttes. Although it hath not beene our happe to have found such plentie as else where to be in the countrey we have heard of; yet seeing that the countrey doth naturally breede and nourish them, there is no doubt but if art be added in planting of mulbery trees and others itte for them in commodious places, for their feeding and nourishing; and some of them carefully gathered and husbanded in that fort as by men of skill is knowne to be necessarie: there will rise as great profite in time to the Virginians, as there of doth now to the Persians, Turkes, Italians and Spaniards.

 

Flax and Hempe

The trueth is that of Hempe and Flaxe there is no great store in any one place together, by reason it is not planted but as the soile doth yeeld it of it selfe; and howsoever the leafe, and stemme or stalke doe differ from ours; the stuffe but the iudgemet of men of skill is altogether as good as ours. And if not, as further proofe should finde otherwise; we have that experience of the soile, as thas there cannobee shewed anie reason to the contrary, but that it will grow there excellent well; and by planting will be yeelded plentifully: seeing there is so much ground whereof some may well be applied to such purposes. What benefite heereof may growe in cordage and linnens who can not easily understand?

Allum.

There is a veine of earth along the sea coast for the space of fourtie or fiftie miles, whereof by the iudgement of some that have made triall heere in England, is made of good Allum, of that kinde which is called Roche Allum. The richnesse of such a commoditie is so well knowne that I neede not to saye any thing thereof. The same earth doth also yeelde White Copresse, Nitrum, and Alumen Plumeum, but nothing so plentifully as the common Allum; which be also of price and profitable.

Wapeih.

Wapeih, a kinde of earth so called by the naturall inhabitants; very like to terra figallata: and having beene refined, it hath beene found by some of our Phifitios and Chirurgeons to bee of the same kinde of vertue and more effectuall. The inhabitants use it very much for the cure of sores and wounds: there is in divers places great plentie, and in some places of a blewe fort.

Pitch, Tarre, Rozen, and Turpentine.

There are those kindes of trees which yeelde them abundantly and great store. In the very same Iland where wee were seated, being fifteene miles of length, and five or sixe miles in breadth, there are fewe trees els but of the same kind; the whole Iland being full.

Sassafras.

Sassafras, called by the inhabitantes Winauk, a kinde of wood of most pleasand and sweete smel; and of most rare vertues in phisick for the cure of many diseases. It is found by experience to bee farre better and of more uses then the wood which is called Guaiacum, of Lignum vitae. For the description, the manner of using and the manifolde vertues thereof, I referre you to the booke of Monardus, translated and entitled in English, The ioyfull newes from the West Indies .

Cedar.

Cedar , a very sweet wood & fine timber; whereof is nests of chests be there made, or timber thereof fitted for sweet & fine bedsteads, tables, deskes, lutes, virginales & many things else, (of which there hath beene proofe made already) to make up fraite with other principal commodities will yeeldprofite.

Wine.

There are two kinds of grapes that the soile doth yeeld naturally: the one is small and sowre of the ordinarie bignesse as ours in England: the other farre greater & of himselfe iushious sweet. When they are plated and husbandeg as they ought, a principall commoditie of wines by them may be raised.

Oyle.

There are two sortes of Walnuttes both holding oyle, but the one farre more plentifull then the other. When there are milles & other devises for the purpose, a commodity of them may be raised because there are infinite store. There are also three severall kindes of Berries</> in the forme of Oke akornes, which also by the experience and use of the inhabitantes, wee finde to yeelde very good and sweete oyle. Furthermore the Beares of the countrey are commonly very fatte, and in some Places there are many: their fatnesse because it is so liquid, may well be termed oyle, and hath many speciall uses.

Furres.

All along the Sea coast there are great store of Otters , which beeyng taken by weares and other engines made for the purpose, will yeelde good profite. Wee hope also of Marterne furres , and make no doubt by the relation of the people but that in some places of the countrey there are store: although there were but two skinnes that came to our handes. Luzarnes also we have understading of although for the time we saw none.

Deare skinnes.

Deare skinnes dressed after the manner of Chamoes or undressed are to be had of the naturall inhabitants thousands yeerely by way of trafficke for trifles: and no more wast or spoile of Deare then is and hath been ordinarily in time before.

Civet cattes.

In our travailes, there was found one to have beene killed by a salvage or inhabitant: and in an other place the smell where one or more had lately beene before: whereby we gather besides then by the relation of the people that there are some in the countrey: good profite will rise by them.

Iron.

In two places of the countrey specially, one about fourescore and the other sixe score miles from the Fort or place where wee dwelt: wee founde neere the water side the ground to be rockie, which by the triall of a minerall man, was founde to holde Iron richly. It is founde in manie places of the countrey else. I knowe nothing to the contrarie, but that it maie bee allowed for a good marchantable commoditie, considering there the small charge for the labour and feeding of men: the infinite store of wood: the want of wood and deerenesse thereof in England: & the necessity of ballasting of shippes.

Copper.

A hundred and fiftie miles into the maine in two townes wee founde with the inhabitaunts diverse small plates of copper, that had beene made as wee understood, by the inhabitantes that dwell farther into the countrey: where as they say are mountaines and Rivers that yeelde also whyte graynes of Mettall, which is to bee deemed Silver . For confirmation whereof at the time of our arrivall in the Countrey, I sawe with some others with mee, two finall peeces of silver grosly beaten about the weight of a Testrone, hangyng in the eares of a Wiroans or chiefeLorde that dwelt about fourescore myles from us; of whom thorowe enquiry, by the number of dayes and the way, I learned that it had come to his handes from the same place or neere, where I after understood the copper was made and the white graynes of mettall founde. The aforesaide copper wee also founde by triall to holde silver.

Pearle.

Sometimes in feeding on muscles wee founde some pearle; but it was our hap to meete with ragges, or of a pide colour; not having yet discovered those places where wee hearde of better and more plentie. One of our companie; a man of skill in such matters, had gathered to gether from among the sauge people aboute five thousande: of which number he chose so many as made a faire chaine, which for their likenesse and uniformitie in roundnesse, orientnesse, and pidenesse of many excellent colours, with equalitie in greatnesse, were verie fayre and rare; and had there fore beene presented to her Maiestie, had wee not by casualtie and trough extremity of a storme, lost them with many things els in coming away from the countrey.

Sweete Gummes.

Sweete Gummes of divers kindes and many other Apothecary drugges of which wee will make speciall mention, when wee shall receive it from such men of skill in that kynd, that in taking reasonable paines shall discover them more particularly then wee have done; and than now I can make relation of, for want of the examples I had provited and gathered, and are nowe lost. with other thinges by causualtie before mentioned.

Dye of divers kindes.

There is Shoemake well knowen, and used in England for blacke; the seede of an hearbe called Wasewowr: little small rootes called Chappacor; and the barke of the tree called by the inhabitants Tangomockonomindge: which Dies are for divers fortes of red: their goodnesse for our English clothes remayne yet to be proved. The inhabitants use them onely for the dying of hayre; and colouring of their faces, aud Mantles made of Deare skinnes; and also for the dying of Rushes to make artificiall workes withall in their Mattes and Baskettes; having no other thing besides that they account of, apt to use them for. If they will not prove merchantable there is no doubt but the Planters there shall finde apte uses for them, as also for other colours which wee k nowe to be there.

Oade.

A thing of so great vent and use amongst English Diers, which cannot bee yeelded sufficiently in our owne countrey for spare of ground; may bee planted in Virginia, there being ground enough. The grouth therof need not to be doubted when as in the Ilandes of the Asores it groweth plentifully, which is in the same climate. So likewise of Madder.

Sugar canes.

Whe carried thither Sugar canes to plant which beeing not so well preserved as was requisit, & besides the time of the yere being past for their setting when we arrived, wee could not make that proofe of them as wee desired. Not withstanding seeing that they grow in the same climate, in the South part of Spaine and in Barbary, our hope in reason may yet continue. So likewise for Orenges , and Lemmons , there may be planted also Quinses . Wherbi may grow in reasonable time if the action be diligently prosecuted, no small commodities in Sugars, Suckets , and Marmalades .

 

Many other commodities by planting may there also bee raised, which I leave to your discret and gentle considerations: and many also may bee there which yet we have not discovered. Two more commodities of great value one of certaintie, and the other in hope, not to be planted, but there to be raised & in short time to be provided and prepared, I might have said more; as of the particular places where they are founde and best to be planted and prepared: by what meanes and in what reasonable space of time they might be raised to profit and in what proportion; but because others then welwillers might bee therewithall acquainted, not to the good of the action, I have wittingly omitted them: knowing that to those that are well disposed I have uttered, according to my promise and purpose, for this part sufficient.


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