A LETETR WRITTEN BY Captain EDWARD WINNE, to the Right Honourable, Sir George Caluert, Knight, his Majesty's Principal Secretary: From Feryland in Newfoundland, the 26. of August. 1621.  
Imprinted MDCXXI.   

TO THE RIGHT HOnourable, Sir George Caluert, Knight, his Majesty's principal Secretary.  
May it please your Honour,  
Upon the 26. day of june, between 12. and 1. in the morning we did set sail & departed from Plymouth, and upon the 4. day of August, (God's name be praised for it) we safely arrived at Feryland. There happened nothing in our over-bound passage worthy your Honour's leisure of reading. Our passage was somewhat tedious, the which happened by means of much Westerly winds, and not without some foul weather.  
The first land we made was that to the Westward of Cape de Raze, and the wind at North-east, by reason whereof our arrival aforesaid was prolonged by the space of two days, in the interim of which time we traversed to and again, to make good that which might maintain that outwardness towards our wished Harbour. Having the happiness of a clear sky all about, & both Coast and Continent without any Rain, Fog or Hazines, they being in these parts the common attendants of Easterly winds. By this commodity I had the full view of the Coast between (as we supposed) Cape Saint mary's, Cape de Raze, and Cape Ballard, and as far as Renouze, and as we hold alongst the same, I saw (in my mean judgement) the beautifullest Coast and the pleasantest Sea Cant that ever mine eyes beheld, for that spacious tract. It is a very Champion Country without any Hill, appearing either within Land, or upon the Coast, representing itself unto me like a pleasant Meadow, and the Sea-bank all along of an equal height, and that so indifferent, that out of a floating Boat one may easily throw a quoit upon the level shore. Of the fertility of the soil I can say nothing only that it is very probable that much or most part thereof may prove very good with the help of man's industry, seeming to be void of woods, and the endowments of Harbours and Roads for Shipping, Trepassey excepted.  
Renouze is a place of great fishing, and about a league to the Northward of the same is the Harbour of Fermoze, thence to Agnafort, another league, from thence to Feryland about a mile, & to Cape Broyle another, including Capling Bay between both, being ignorant as yet of that to the Northward of the same. But from Renoze to Cape Broyle, for Woods and pleasant Harbours they are most pleasant to behold, the Sea Cant whereof being uneven and hilly, yet not extreme, but of height indifferent, the Inland more inclining towards a Champion, and by general consent here, Feryland is as pleasant and as profitable a Harbour as any in the Land. It is endowed with about 100 acres of pasture land, and as much more of that which is woody: all which lying to the Seaboord of the beach, which severs it so from the Main, that it is almost an Island. There is likewise about 200. acres more, lying close to the Harbour, the which (with some labour) may be made good pasture land.  
The Sea coast to the Northward of Renouze, is most capable and fittest for Wood-land as now it is, but (most destroyed) from the bottom of the Harbours, and so inwards, for arable and (most) pasture.  
Both Sea and Land here swarm (as it were) with benefits and blessings of God for man's use and relief.  
The Land here is (without doubt) very fertile, for I have since my arrival seen Wheat, Barley and Rye, growing here full eared & kerned, the which had been accidentally shed out of Salt Mats among Stones & Grasse. Therefore ground of better choice, well manured and fitly prepared, will doubtless bring forth plentiful increase, and wherefore there is no just doubt to be made: for in reason where there is a Summer, there will be a Harvest.  
Besides there are many other invitements, which (as it were) beckon unto your Honour's perseverance. First the commodity of the Salt, which for vent and making here may fitly and necessarily be undertaken. Secondly Hemp and Flax for cordage, and thread for necessary uses, as also for Nets and Lines for fishing, Tar, Iron and Timber in some measure, and places to be had for boards and building, & also for Masts, and yards for Shipping. So likewise Hops will grow here a profitable Merchandise. Also here are two fishing seasons, the the former for dry fish, and the latter for Corfish: wherewith (together with the train of the whole) many Ships are employed to the Market & otherwise.  
My want of leisure causeth me to omit many things, which otherwise I might have enlarged, this my service of writing.  
By the consent and advise of some of the masters of this Harbour, I am become an humble suitor unto your Honour for the redress of such abuses, the which (except a speedy redress may be had) will overthrow the whole.  
1. And first that Stones or Ballast may not from henceforth be cast into the Harbour, and the Beaches preserved. 2. Secondly, that no man neither burn nor pull down Stages, Flakes, nor any part thereof. 3. Thirdly that the rinding of Trees may be prohibited, but only such as shall be felled for necessary uses and needful behoofes. Fourthly, that all such Woods and Timber-trees so felled, may be cut close to to the ground. 5. Lastly, that no man may be wronged in their Boats and traine-fats, or in any thing else whatsoever. And therefore if this by your Honour's favour and procurement may be had, a prosperous & flourishing time will follow, and all things here will go on well hereafter, the which God grant: And for the which, the said Masters humbly pray that large penalties may (therein be specified, and first to be proclaimed in Englund. Thus referring all unto your Honour's wisdom and full consideration. Our business, or rather your Honours now goeth forward apace; the frame is in hand, and almost ready for the rearing; the seller is already diged; all things by God's grace and blessed assistance shall be performed with all care & diligence, whereof your Honour may be pleased to rest assured, as by the success of my carefulness it shall plainly appear.  
The 5. persons and provision from aboard the Benjamin, are safely arrived here the 17. of August, but not without some danger, for I was enforced to send for them in two shallops of fishing Botes from the Isles of Spear, 4. leagues from this place.  
The place whereon I have made choice to plant and build upon, is according to the Letter A in this superficial draught here enclosed, it being the fittest the warmest, and most commodious of all about the Harbour. And as soon as the house and fortification is fitted and finished, I shall (God willing) prepare and fence in a proportion of seed ground, and a Garden close by the house. It may please your Honour not to send any Cattle the next year, because I cannot provide fodder for them so soon, before there be some quantity of Corn growing, but it may please your Honour to send some Goats, a few tame Coneys for breed, as also Pigs, Geese, Ducks and Hens. I have some Hens already: some Spades from London were necessary, if of the best making, also some good Pickaxes, iron Crows, and a Smith, and also such as can brew and bake.  
Meal and Malt would be sent rather than otherwise, being both better cheap, & of less waste, yet referring all to your Honour's pleasure therein, humbly praying you would be pleased to proceed with all cheerfulness, nothing doubting of a good and profitable succsse, for here are are great hopes, and a large Territory for to employ and receive many needy people in a blessed and a profitable doing, even who may live here both wealthily and happily.  
And withal it may likewise please your Honour, that after one year more we shall be able to subsist of ourselves by our own industry, with Master jenning's his help and furtherance, and that with his profit and content.  
I doubt not but that within the compass of a small time to make your Honour a saver.  
If your Honour please, you may defer the sending of a salt Pan one year more. Brigs and Owen hath been touched with the Scurvy, but are now well recovered but all the rest of us are in perfect health, I thank God for it.  
One Master Yawe, Master of a Ship of Barnstable (whose owner is called Master Strange) he did spare me half his Stage; the which did stand me in great steed to put my provision in at the first landing of them. Master Luxen, a Master of another Ship of Barnstable, he showed me much courtesy, & bestowed on me a Hen and 10. Chickens. Master Richard Martin, Master of the Blessing of Dartmouth, he gave me a couple of young Pullet's, kind entertainment, and many good turns. Master Michael Waltham, Master of a Ship of Weimouth, he went in person to the I'll of Spear, in a Boat of his own, to help to fetch our men and provision from aboard the Benjamin, he hath beside done me many good Offices, and hath sent me many presents of Fresh-fish, and his Mate bestowed on me a good Hen.  
My happiness of prevailing hitherto hath been such, that all the Masters as well as the common sort throughout this Harbour have used me kindly, and to say truly, I have not discerned so much as a sour aspect upon me amongst them all.  
I have not been (and please your Honour) wanting in any thing, which by fair persuasions might produce a good liking of your Honours proceedings: insomuch that (I am persuaded) divers will stay with me another year. Therefore I humbly pray your Honour to entreat Master jenning's to send me 3. Pieces of Ordnance, a full Saker, a Minion, & a lesser Piece for our defence, a Drum, and a Ship Ancient.  
And thus with my humble duty remembered, I most humbly cease to trouble your Honour any further for this time, resting  
Your Honour's most humble and faithful servant, Edward Winne. Feryland, the 26. of August. 1621.   

ANOTHER LETTER of the 28. of August, from the said Captain Winne, unto Master Secretary Caluert.  
MAy it please your Honour,  
Upon the 26. of this present I delivered unto one Master Henry Zeny, Master of a Ship of Milbrooke, near Plymouth, a Packet directed to Master jenning's, wherein my Letters to your Hononr were enclosed: the Copies whereof I have likewise here enclosed, and have sent the same by one Master Buss, Master of the Prosperous a Ship of Bristol, humbly praying your Honour, that I may be furnished with all necessary Tools and provision of Victuals the next year, and if your Honour may, with about the number of twenty persons more, whereof a Surgeon, and a learned and a religious Minister: that then your Honour may be pleased by God's assistance, not to doubt of a good and a profitable success in every respect, and a flourishing plantation, women would be necessary here for many respects. Some two miles from this Harbour, direct West, there is a pleasant Champion fit for the Farm, which I trust with your Honour's leave, to set forward another year. And thus with my humble duty remembered and recommended unto your Honour and my good Lady, beseeching the Almighty to bless you and yours, and so I rest.  
Your Honour's most humble faith full and obedient servant, Edward Winne. From Ferryland, the 28. of August 1621.