A LETTER Sent from Syrranam, TO His Excellency, the Lord Willoughby of Parham, General of the Western Islands, and of the Continent of Guianah, etc. Then residing at the Barbados.  
Together, with the Lord Willoughby's Answer thereunto. With a commendable Description of that Country.  
By HENRY ADIS.  
London, Printed in the Year, 1664.   

A LETTER sent from Syrranam to his Excellency, the Lord Willoughby of Parham, etc. at the Barbados.  
My Lord,  
THat Report which I heard in the Land of my Nativity, from all that I conversed withal that had traveled these Parts, of that worthy person, whom your Lordship hath lately honoured with the Title and Power of your Lieutenant General of this Continent of Guinah, was the great Motive, next the Glory of God, and the good of Souls, of my first intended Voyage unto this Place: And now being experimentally sensible of Fame's truth in this particular, I cannot but wi●h thankfulness of heart humbly acknowledge it to your Lordship, and must in the faithfulness of my soul, say as once it was said after the like long voyage (in an other case, yet little differing) by that Queen of Shebah, concerning the Wisdom & Magnificence of King Solomon, 1 Kings 10. that the half was not told me: for I have been not only made partaker of the Benefits that all persons under his charge do enjoy (the which are no mean ones) together with the due administration of Justice without respect of persons, but also of many signal Favours, by your Lordship's recommendations, procured; the which I must also hereby thankfully acknowledge.  
And as for the freedom of our Liberties in the service of our God, according to what was promised by your Lordship, and also by the Act of the Council of this Colony, manifested, we do freely enjoy: the which, for mine own part (God assisting) shall not in the least be abused; but as in the Land of my Nativity, so hear I shall fervently pray for, and earnestly endeavour the temporal preservation and eternal well-being both of the King, and all that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well; and shall not in the least endeavour either by word or action, directly or indirectly, to alienate the hearts of any of his subjects, either from him, or any that are set up or sent by him, though both he and they should persecute or despitefully use us; but shall (God assisting) both pray for them, and according to the rule of holy Scripture, preach up all dutiful obedience, both to Government and Governors, in all civil things: and if at any time either he, or you, shall force us to worship in the way, that either he, or you, do, or shall worship in, shall (by the assistance of the Almighty) resolve to suffer under you, and not in the least resist you myself, nor endeavour it by others, but shall press to a peaceable life and a holy conversation, the which in all probability may be hoped (by the blessing of God) to conduce much to the reforming of many of Countrymen here, who call themselves Christians, yet by their debauched Atheistical Actions, evidence themselves more brutish by far, than the very Heathens themselves, to the shame and stink of Christianity amongst them; the which, by the civil party here residing, is greatly hoped will, by your Lordship's wisdom and care, now suddenly be remedied, although the constitution of the Colony, could not hitherto well brook a Reformation.  
And now, My Lord, speaking of a Reformation, I must in the faithfulness of my soul, discharge my conscience to you, in letting you know that there is a prize now put into your hands; the which if it be not used to the advancement of his Glory that hath advanced you to this higher step of honour; it will at the last prove that, which will but the more aggravate your greater misery, when you must appear before the great Tribunal, there to give an account to that King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, that righteous Judge, who will give to every man according to his works: And that than you may give up your account with joy, and not with trembling, let me beg you in God's fear, so to set upon the work of a thorough Reformation, not only here, but also in all places where you have to do, that men may tremble to blaspheme that holy Name of him, who so loved the world, that he gave his only Son to die for them.  
My Lord, in the next place, I must beg you not to take these lines from me at the worst hand, as that I think your Lordship either short of your duty, or backward to so good and Christian a work, or that I should presume to moddle a frame of Government; the which the searcher of all hearts knows is the least of my thoughts: but seeing in these parts, by the rude rabble, drunkenness and so much debauchery; and hearing, to the great trouble of my soul, so many bitter Oaths, horrid Execrations, and lascivious Abominations, I cannot but bear my faithful testimony against them, and also earnestly desire and endeavour a suppression of them; not that I fear the violence of the persons so acting, although I have, since I came hither, had a sufficient share of them; for I have, through mercy, tasted so much of the providence of the Almighty in the Land of my Nativity, in the midst of my sufferings, that I know that not a hair from my head shall perish without his providence.  
Neither did I acquaint your faithful Lieutenant therewith, that I either feared their force, or in the least desired their punishment, as he himself can bear me witness, for it is contrary to our principles so to act; but being invited hither by an Act of the Council of the Colony, and having obtained (by the good hand of God upon me) a free pass from the King and his Council, not only for myself and mine, but also for six families more, to transport ourselves into this Place; and only myself, and mine, and one of the said families more, venturing over, the rest with several others, do earnestly desire a faithful Account from me, not only of the place, but also of our entertainment here, as to our Liberties, and having a verbal assurance thereof from your Excellency's Deputy, and another person of Quality and Eminency here. Yet notwithstanding, meeting with some gross incivilities, especially by two debauched persons-in the height of their drunkenness; I thought good to acquaint the said persons therewith, and the rather, because it was told us by several in England, that the said Invitations, and also your Lordship's Promises, and the King's Indulgence for tender Consciences in these parts granted, were but as so many Decoys to inveigle us, and to make us a prey; but your Lieutenant's readiness, and his eager severity in examining, and also in intending to punish the said abuses, hath given me so ample a satisfaction of the verity thereof, as that I am confirmed in my Judgement of the reality of them, and can now with a better confidence give a better testimony of the verity thereof to those that have desired it; and as for the said Offenders, as I had given information of their abuses, so I was fain to beg off their punishments.  
And now my Lord, after this long discourse, so soon as I have given your Lordship to understand, that I and mine like well the Country and Climate, and that notwithstanding we have not plenty of that which formerly we have enjoyed, of English food of all sorts, yet I bless God, for meat and drink, we fare as well with the Country's provisions now in our old age, as ever we did in our youthful days, and do not in the least lust after them, nor much desire them. And as for our young ones, my Son and Daughter, they are fully as well satisfied as we in every particular.  
And now without multiplying more lines, I shall in the faithfulness of my heart, humbly take my leave, praying for your safe and speedy passage to us; and in the mean time, for a safe return of your faithful Lieutenant amongst us again; till which, his temporal joy will in a great measure be eclipsed, who must subscribe himself,  
Your Excellencies to his power to serve you. HENRY ADIS. From Tyrarico in Syrranam, in the Continent of Guianah, the 10th of the 10th Month, vulgarly called December, 1663..   

The Lord Willoughby's ANSWER.  
Mr. Adis,  
I Am very glad to find by your Letter, that you like the Land so well, and approve of the place; I hope that in time God will work upon the hearts of the People to be of a more civil life and conversation. All new Colonies you know of what sort of People generally they are made up of; so that, what we in probability can expect from them, must be from length of time, and the good example of those who have been more civilly bred, and God hath wrought upon, and better principled, which I do with great expectation hope in time may produce good effects in that poor and sad Colony of Syrranam: I do pray to God to strengthen you in those your resolutions for the good of the people of that poor place: I know your discretion will tell you that Reformation is not usually wrought of a sudden in such people, but that endeavours are to be used by degrees to draw them to better carriages. I could be glad to hear more of your sober friends that you mention were coming to you; and am very glad to find you are so well satisfied in my Lieutenant General: and do assure you, and hope you are fully satisfied therein, that nothing that may lie within the power of him or myself, for the effecting of the good Ends I know you aim at, shall be wanting, as well for the confirmation of what hath been promised, as to the free liberty and enjoyment of your Consciences in the Worship of God, and likewise for the encouragement of your civil peace and comfortable living; of which I pray God to increase afterwards, and to let your friends know as much from him, who is and will be a Servant to you all; and rest,  
Your assured Friend, P. Willoughby. Barbados, the 23 d of january, 1663.  
FINIS.