NEW ENGLAND'S TRIALS.  
Declaring the success of 26. Ships employed thither within these six years: with the benefit of that Country by sea and land: and how to build threescore sail of good Ships, to make a little Navy Royal.  
Written by Captain john Smith.  
LONDON, Printed by William jones. 1620.   

TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL THE Master, the Wardens, and the Company of the Fishmongers.  
TO the consideration of your favourable constructions I present these six years continued trials from New England: if you please to peruse them, and make use of them, I am richly rewarded. The subject deserveth a far better habit, but it is as good as the father can give it. Let not therefore a soldier's plainness cause you refuse to accept it, how ever you please to dispose of him, that humbly sacreth himself and best abilities to his Country's good, and the exquisite judgement of your renowned perfections.  
Yours to command, john Smith.   

NEW ENGLAND'S Trials.  
NEw England is a part of America betwixt the degrees of 41. and 45. the very mean betwixt the North Pole and the Line: From 43. to 45. the coast is mountainous, rocky, barren and broken Isles that make many good harbours. The water is deep close to the shore; there are many rivers and fresh springs: few savages, but an incredible abundance of fish, fowl, wild fruits, and good timber. From 43. to 41. and half, an excellent mixed coast of stone, sand, and clay: much corn, many people, some Isles, many good harbours, a temperate air, and therein all things necessary; for the building ships of any proportion, and good merchandise for their fraughts; within a square of twelve leagues 25. harbours I sounded, thirty several Lordships I saw, and so near as I could imagine, three thousand men. I was up one river forty miles, crossed the mouths of many, whose heads are reported to be great Lakes; where they kill their Bevers; inhabited with many people, who trade with those of New England, and them of Cannada.  

The benefit of Fishing, as that famous Philosopher Master Dee reporteth in his British Monarchy.  
He saith, that more than forty four years ago, the Herring Busses out of the Low-countries, under the King of Spain, were five hundred, besides one hundred Frenchmen, and three or four hundred sail of Flemings.  
The coasts of Wales and Lancashire was used by three hundred sail of strangers.  
Ireland at Baltemore fraughted yearly three hundred sail of Spaniards, where King Edward the sixth intended to have made a strong Castle, because of the strait, to have tribute for fishing.  
Black Rock was yearly fished by three or four hundred sail of Spaniards, portugals, and Biskiners.   

Mr. Gentleman and many Fishermen and Fishmongers, with whom I have conferred, report:  
The Hollanders raise yearly by Herrings, Cod, and Ling, 3000000. pounds.  
English, and French by Saltfish, poor john, Salmon, and Pilchards, 300000. pounds.  
Hambrough and the Sound, for Sturgeon, Lobsters, and Eels, 100000. pounds.  
Cape Blank, Tunny and Mullit, by the Biskinners and Spaniards. 30000. pounds.   

But diverse other learned experienced Observers say, though it may seem incredible:  
That the Duke of Medina receiveth yearly tribute, 
S.  of the Fishers of Tunny, Mullit, and Purgos, more than 10000 pounds.  
Lubeck hath seven hundred ships: Hambrough six hundred: Embden lately a fisher town, 1400, whose customs by the profit of fishing hath made them so powerful as they be.  
Holland and Zealand, not much greater than Yorkshire, hath thirty walled towns, 400. villages, and 20000. sail of ships and hoys; 3600. are fishermen, whereof 100 are Dogers, 700. Pinks and Welbotes', 700. frand boats, 400. Enaces, 400. galbotes, Britters and Todebotes, with 1300. Busses; besides three hundred that yearly fish about Yarmouth, where they sell their fish for gold; and 15. years ago they had more than 116000. Seafaring men.  
These fishing ships do take yearly 200000. Last of fish, 12. barrels to a Last; which amounteth to 3000000. pounds by the fisher-men's price that 14. years ago did pay for their tenths 300000. pound; which venting in Pomerland, Sprusland, Denmark, Lesland, Russia, Suethland, Germany, Netherlands, England, or elsewhere, etc. make their returns in a year about 7000000. pounds; and yet in Holland they have neither matter to build ships, nor merchandise to set them forth, yet they as much increase as other Nations decay. But leaving th●se uncertainties as they are, of this I am certain:  
That the coast of England, Scotland, and Ireland, the north Sea, with Island, and the Sound, New-foundland, and Cape Blank, do serve all Europe, as well the land Towns as Portes, and all the Christian shipping, with these sorts of Staple fish which is transported; from whence it is taken, many a thousand mile, viz. 

Herring:  
Saltfish.  
poor john.  
Sturgeon.  
Mullit.  
Tunny.  
Porgos.  
Caviar.  
Buttargo.    
Now seeing all these sorts of fish, or the most part of them, may be had in a land more fertile, temperate, and plentiful of all necessaries for the building of ships, boats and houses; and the nourishment of man: the seasons are so proper, and the fishings so near the habitations we may there make, that New England hath much advantage of the most of those parts, to serve all Europe far cheaper than they can, who at home have neither wood, salt, nor food, but at great rates; at Sea, nothing but what they carry in their ships, an hundred or two hundred leagues from their habitation.  
But New England's fishings near land, where is help of wood, water, fruits, fowls, corn, or other refresh needful; and the Terceras, Mederas, Canaries, Spain, Portugal, Prouance, Savoy, Sicilia, and all Italy, as convensent markets for our dry Fish, green Fish, Sturgeon, Mullit, Caviar, and Buttargo, as Norway, Swethland, Littuania, or Germany, for their Herring, (which is here also in abundance, for taking;) They returning but wood, pitch, tar, soape-ashes, cordage, flax, wax and such like commodities: We, wines, oils, sugars, silks, and such merchandizes as the straits afford, whereby our profits may equalise theirs; besides the increase of Shipping and Mariners. And for proof hereof:  
With two ships I went from the Downs, 
Proof 1. 1614  the third of March, and arrived in New England, the last of April. I had but forty five men and boys, we built seven boats, 37. did fish; myself with eight Bthers ranging the coast, I took a plot of what I could see, got acquaintance of the inhabitants, eleven hundred beaver skins, one hundred Martin's, and as many Otters: forty thousand of dry fish we sent for Spain, with the saltfish, treine oil and furs, I returned for England the 18. of july, and arrived safe with my company the latter end of August. Thus in six months I made my voyage, out and home, and by the labour of 45. got near the value of fifteen hundred pounds in those gross commodities. This year also one went from Plymouth, spent his victual, and returned with nothing.  
The Londoners, 
Proof 2. 1615.  upon this, sent four good ships, and because I would not undertake it for them, having engaged myself to them of the West, the Londoners entertained the men that came home with me; They set sail in january, and arrived there in March: they found fish enough until half june, fraughted a ship of three hundred Tons; went for Spain with dry fish, which was taken by the Turks; one went to Virginia, to relieve that Colony; and two came for Eng●and, with the green fish, treine oil, and f●rres, within six months.  
With a labyrinth of trouble I went from Plymouth with a ship of two hundred Tons, 
Proof 3. 1615.  and one of fifty; but ill weather breaking all my masts, I was forced to return to Plymouth, where re-imbarking myself in a ship of three score tons, how I escaped the English 〈◊〉, and the French, and was betrayed by four Frenchmen of war, I refer you to the Description of New England; but my Vide-admiral, notwithstanding the lateness of the year, setting forth with me in March, the Londoners in january, she arrived in May, they in March, yet came home well fraught in August, and all her men well, within five months odd days.  
The Londoners, 
Proof. 4. 1616.  ere I returned from France, for all their loss by the Turks, which was valued about four thousand pounds, sent two more in july: but such courses they took by the Canaries to the west Indies; it was ten months ere they arrived in New England: wasting in that time, their seasons, victual, and healths; yet there they found means to refresh themselves, and the one returned, near fraught with fish and train, within two months after.  
From Plymouth went four ships, 
Proof 5. 1616.  only to fish and trade, some in February, some in March; one of two hundred tons, got thither in a month, and went full fraught for Spain, the rest returned to Plymouth well fraught, & their men well, within 5 months odd days.  
From London went two more, 
Proof 6. 1616.  one of 220. tons, got thither in six weeks; and within six weeks after, with forty four men and boys, was full fraught, and returned again into England within five months and a few days; the other went to the Canaries with dry fish, which they sold at a great rate, for royals of eight, and (as I heard) turned Pirates.  
I being at Plymouth, 
Proof 7. 1617.  provided with three good ships, was wind-bound three months, as was many a hundred sail more; so that the season being past, the ships went for Newfoundland, whereby my design was frustrate, which was to me and my friends, no small loss.  
There was four good ships prepared at Plymouth; 
Proof 8. 1618.  but by reason of their disagreement, the season so wasted, as only two went forward, the one being of two hundred tons, returned well fraught to Plymouth, and her men in health, within five months; the other of four score, went for Elbow with dry fish, and made a good return.  
This year again, 
Proof 9 1619.  diverse ships intending to go from Plymouth, so disagreed, as there went but one of 200. tuns, who stayed in the Country about six weeks, with thirty eight men & boys, had her fraght, which she sold at the first penny for 2100. pounds, besides the furs; so that every poor Sailor, that had but a single share, had his charges and sixteen pound ten shilting for his seven months work: but some of the company say, for six months in the Hercules, they receeved seventeen pound two shillings a share.  
For to make trial this year there is gone six or seven sail from the west Country, 
Proof 10. 1620.  only to fish, three of which are returned; and (as I am certainly informed) have made so good a voyage, that every Sailor for a single share had twenty pounds for his seven months work, which is more than in twenty months he should have gotten, had he gone for wages any where. Now though all the former ships have not made such good voyages as they expected, by sending opinionated unskilful men, that had not experienced diligence, to save that they took; nor take that there was; which now patience and practice hath brought to a reasonable kind of perfection in d●sp●te of all Detractors, 
For this next year 1621. it is reported 12. or 20. sail is a preparing.  and Calumniations, the Country yet hath satisfied all, the defect hath been in their using or abusing it, not in itself, nor me.  
here I entreat your Honourable leaves to answer some objections. Many do think it strange, if this be true, I have made no more use of it, and rest so long without employment. And I think it more strange they should tax me before they have tried what I have done, both by Sea and Land, as well in Asia, and Africa, as Europe and America. These fourteen years I have spared neither pains, nor money, according to my ability, in the discovery of Norumbega, where with some thirty seven men and boys, the remainder of an hundred and five, against the fury of the savages, I began that plantation now in Virginia; which beginning (here and there) cost me near five years' work, and more than five hundred pound of my own estate; beside all the dangers, miseries and encumbrances, and loss of other employments I endured gratìs. From which blessed Virgin, where I stayed till I left five hundred English, better provided then ever I was (ere I returned) sprung the fortunate habitation of Summer Iles. 
Burmudos.   
This Virgin's sister (called New-England, An. 1616 at my humble suit, by our most gracious Prince Charles) hath been near as chargeable to me and my friends; from all which, although I never got shilling, but it cost me a pound, yet I think my self happy to see their prosperities.  
If it yet trouble a multitude to proceed upon these certainties, what think you I undertook, when nothing was known, but that there was a vast Land? I never had power and means to do any thing (though more hath been spent in formal delays than would have done the business) but in such a penurious and miserable manner, as if I had gone a begging to build an University; where, had men been as forward to adventure their purses, as to crop the fruits of my Labours, thousands ere this, had been bettered by these designs. Thus betwixt the spurt of Desire, and the bridle of Reason, I am near ridden to death in a ring of Despair; the reins are in your hands, therefore I entreat you to ease me: and those blame me (believe) this little may have taught me, not to be so forward again at every motion, unless I intended nothing but to carry news. For now they dare adventure a ship, that, when I went first, would not adventure a groat, so they may be at home again by Michaelmas; but to the purpose.  
By this all men may perceive the ordinary performance of this voyage in five or six months, the plenty of fish is most certainly approved; and it is certain from Cannada and New England hath come near twenty thousand Beaver skins, within these five years. Now, had each of those ships transported but six, or three pigs, as many goats and hens, fruits, plants and seeds as I projected▪ by this time there might have been victual for a thousand men. But the desire of present gain (in many) is so violent, and the endeavours of many undertakers so negligent, every one so regarding his private, that it is hard to effect any public good, and impossible to bring them into a body, rule, or order, unless both Authority and Money assist experiences: it is not a work for every one to plant a Colony (but when a house is built, it is no hard matter to dwell in it.) This requireth all the best pars of art, judgement, courage, honesty, constancy, diligence and experience to do but near well: and there is a great difference betwixt Saying and Doing. But to conclude, the fishing will go forward if you plant it or no; whereby you may transport a colony for no great charge, that in a short time, might provide such fraughts, to buy of us their dwelling, as I would hope no ship could go or come empty from New England.  
The charge of this is only salt, nets, hooks, lines, knives, Irish rugs, course cloth, beads, hatchets, glass and such trash, only for fishing and trade with the savages, besides our own necessary provisions, whose endeavours will quickly defray all this charge; and the savages have entreated me to inhabit where I will. Now all those ships have been fished within a square of two leagues, & not one ship of all these, would yet adventure further, where questionless 500 sail may have their fraught, better than in Island, Newfoundland, or elsewhere, and be in their markets before the other can have their fish in their ships. Because New England's fishing beginneth in mid-February, the other not till mid-Maie, the progression hereof tends much to the advancement of Virginia, and the Bermudas: and will be a good friend in time of need to the Inhabitants in Newfoundland.  
The returns made by the Western ships are commonly divided into 3. parts; one for the owners of the ship, another for the master and his company, the third for the victulers; which course being still permitted, will be no hindrance to the plantation, go there never so many, but a means of transporting that yearly for little or nothing, which otherwise will cost many a hundred of pounds.  
If a Ship can gain, twenty, thirty, fifty in the hundred, nay near three hundred for 100 in seven months, as you see they have done, spending twice so much time in going and coming as in staying there; were I there planted, seeing the variety of the fishings in their seasons, serveth the most part of the year; and with a little labour we might make all the salt we need use. I can conceive no reason to distrust, but the doubling and trebling their gains that are at all the former charge, and can fish but two months in a year: and if those do give twenty, thirty, or forty shillings for an acre of land, or ship Carpenters, Forgers of iron etc. that buy all things at a dear rate, grow rich, when they may have as good of all needful necessaries for taking (in my opinion) should not grow poor; and no commodity in Europe doth more decay than wood.  
Master Dee recordeth in his British Monarchy, that King Edgar had a navy of four thousand sail, with which he yearly made his progress about this famous Monarchy of Great Britain, largely declaring the benefit thereof: whereupon it seems he protected to our most memorable Queen Elizabeth, the erecting of a Fleet of three score sail, he called a little Navy Royal; imitating the admired Pericles prince of Athens, that could never secure that tormented estate, until he was Lord and Captain of the Sea.  
At this none need wonder, for who knows not, her Royal Majesty during her life, by the incredible adventures of her Royal Navy and valiant Soldiers and Seamen; notwithstanding all treacheries at home, the protecting and defending France and Holland, and reconquering Ireland, yet all the world, by Sea or Land, both feared, loved, and admired good Queen Elizabeth.  
Both to maintain and increase that incomparable honour (God be thanked) to her incomparable Successor, our most Royal Lord and Sovereign King james, etc. this great Philosopher hath left this to his Majesty and his kingdom's considerations.  
That if the Tenths of the Earth be proper to God, it is also due by Sea, the King's highways are common to pass, but not to dig for mines or any thing, so England's coasts are free to pass, but not to fish, but by his Majesty's prerogative.  
His Majesty of Spain, permits none to pass the Pope's order for the East and West Indies, but by his permission, or at their perils. If all that world be so justly theirs, it is no injustice for England to make as much use of her own, as strangers do, that pay to their own Lords the tenth, and not to the owners of those Liberties any thing, whose subjects may neither take nor sell any in their territories; which small tribute, would maintain his little Navy Royal, and not cost his Majesty a penny; and yet maintain peace with all foreigners, and allow them more courtesy, than any Nation in the world affords to England.  
It were a shame to allege, that Holland is more worthy to enjoy our fishings as Lords thereof, because they have more skill to handle it then we, as they can our wool, and undressed cloth, notwithstanding all their wars and trouble some disorders.  
To get money to build this Navy he saith, Who would not spare the hundred penny of his Rents, and the 500 penny of his goods; each servant that taketh 33. s. 4. d. wages, 4. pence, and every foreigner seven years of age, 4. pence yearly for 7. years 3▪ not any of these but yearly they will spend 3. times so much in pride, wantonness or some superfluity. And do any men love the security of their estates that are true subjects, would not of themselves be humble suitors to his Majesty, to do this of free will as a voluntary benevolence, so it may be as honestly and truly employed as it is projected, the poorest mechanic in this kingdom will gain by it.  
If this be too much, would the honourable Adventurers be pleased to move his Majesty, that but the 200. penny of Rents, and the thousandth penny of Goods might be thus collected, to plant New England, and but the tenth fish there taken, leaving strangers as they are. You might build ships of any burden and numbers you please, five times cheaper than you can do here, and have good merchandise for their fraught in this unknown Land, to the advauncement of God's glory, his Church and Gospel, and the strengthening and relief of a great part of Christendom, without hurt to any: ●o the terror of Pirates, the amazement of enemies, the assistance of friends, the securing merchants, and so much increase of Navigation, to make England's Trade and Shipping, as much as any Nation in the world, besides a hundred other benefits, to the general good of all true subjects, and would cause thousands yet snborne, bless the time, and all them that first put it in practice.  
Now, lest it should be obscured, as it hath been, to private ends; or so weakly undertaken, by our overweening incredulity, that strangers may possess it, whilst we contend for New England's goods, but not England's good. I present this unto your Lordship, and to all the Lords in England, hoping (by your honourable good liking and approbation,) to move all the worthy Companies of this noble City, and all the cities and Countries in the whole Land to consider of it, since I can find them wood, and half victual with the aforesaid advantages, with what facility they may build and maintain this little Navy Royal, both with honour, profit and content, and inhabit as good a country as any in the world, within that parallel, which with my life, and what I have, I will endeavour to effect, if God please, and you permit.  
As for them whom pride or covetousness lulleth asleep in a Cradle of slothful carelessness; would they but consider, how all the great Monarchies of the Earth have been brought to confusion: or but remember the late lamentable experience of Constantinople; and how many Cities, Towns, and Provinces, in the fair rich kingdoms of Hungaria, Transilvania, and Wallachi; and how many thousands of Princes, Earls, Barons, Knights, and Merchants, have in one day, lost goods, lives, and honours: or sold for slaves, like beasts in a market place; their wives, children & servants slain, or wandering they knew not whither: dying, or living in all extremities of extreme miseries and calamities. Surely, they would not only do this, but give all they have, to enjoy peace and liberty at home; or but adventure their persons abroad, to prevent the conclusions of a conquering foe, who commonly assaulteth, and best prevaileth, where he findeth wealth and plenty (most armed) with ignorance and security.  
Much more I could say, but lest I should be too tedious to your more serious affairs, I humbly crave your honourable and favourable constructions and pardons, if any thing be amiss.  
If any desire to be further satisfied, they may read my Description of Virginia, and New England, and peruse them with their several Maps; what defect you find in them, they shall find supplied in me, or in my Authors, that thus freely have thrown myself, with my Mite into the Treasury of my Country's good, not doubting but God will shirre up some noble spirits, to consider and examine it worthy Collumbus could give the Spaniards any such certainties for his design, when Queen Isabella of Spain set him forth with fifteen sail: And though I can promise no mines of gold, yet the warlike Hollanders let us imitate, but not hate, whose wealth and strength are good testimonies of their treasure gotten by fishing. Therefore (honourable and worthy Countrymen) let not the meanness of the word Fish distaste you, for it will afford as good gold as the mines of Guiana, or Tubatu, with less hazard and charge, and more certainty and facility: and so I humbly rest.   
FINIS.