A Treatise of New ENGLAND Published in Anno Dom. 1637.  
And now reprinted.  
NEw England is a Country in America, Situated within the Degrees of forty, and forty nine of Northerly Latitude, bordering Southwestward upon Maryland and Virginia, Northward upon Nova Francia, Northeastward upon Nova Scotia, and Southward upon the great Ocean, first called by the Spaniards, Mare del Nort (or the North Sea) not for its height so far Northerly, but in opposition of the Sea which is on the other side of that Continent, called the South sea. The Sea coast thereof, from its Southernmost to Cape Codd, bearing West south-west, and East Northeast; and from Cape Codd to Cape Croix, being infortie five Degrees odd minutes, and the utmost bounds of New-England Northward, lying South-west and Northeast. This Country, together with Nova Scotia, was formerly called Norombega, which hath been this many years discovered and possessed by the English, in right of the Crown of England. This Land in the Superficies (the store of Wood excepted) may be compared to this Kingdom. As for De-la-ware Bay to Cape Codd, being an indifferent low Land, is like to the shires of Essex Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridge, Huntingdon, Lincoln; and from Cape Codd Eastward, more hilly, resembling Hampshire, Dorcester, Devon and Cornwall. As these two parts of the Country differ in form, so they do in fertility; for that to the Westward of Cape Codd, exceedeth the other to the Eastward, as much in rich Soil as in level; and withal, hath more large Marshes upon the Sea coast, now subject to the inundation of high-tides howbeit, divers of them might be gained from the water (if ever the Planters should undertake it) with far less charge, than to make Tillable the like quantity of wood land, by reason the in-lets are but narrow, and bounded with ascending grounds.  
2. The inner part of the Country consisteth most of Upland, full of Woods, yet is so well furnished with fertile low Plains and Valleys, that in crossing the Woods, one shall hardly miss in three or four miles of such places, whereof some are very spacious and delightful, with clear fresh Rivers or Brooks gliding through them; without Fen or Bog, and scarce a shrub or bush to hinder a Ploughs going; and commonly flanked or surrounded with woody Hills, whence a man may behold as pleasant prospects (building, Tillage and Cartell excepted) as any in all England; wherein Planters may have choice enough of rich Earable land for many Generations. Those Valleys and Marshes upon the Sea Coast, bear Grass of a great length and thickness, in some places so rank, that it is above an Ell in height; which, though it be not at the first cutting so fine as our English Grass, yet is such good Winter Fodder as that Cattles thrive well therewith, and the oftener it is mowed, the finer it groweth. The Upland also in most places is sufficient good land, producing Grass very thick, sweet and timely, especially where the Indians have cleared any quantity of ground to plant their Corn in, and afterwards quitted it for new choice. The soil in general is of divers sorts. The Valleys and Marshes are for the most part a fat black Mould, saving in some places a kind of a loamie Clay, whereof the Planters make Bricks, Tiles, and earthen Vessels. The Upland is either a Gravel Sandy, or somewhat stronger inclining to a Clay ground, each being very beneficial to the labours of a painful Husbandman.  
3. That Country is stored with as great and good choice of all forts of timber as any one land in the known world; there being three kinds of Oak, each excelling the other for particular uses, with plenty of all kinds of trees that England affords; besides many other kinds of Wood very useful for this Kingdom, which itself yields not; as Spruce, Fir, and Deal of extraordinary growth, for Masts, Yards and Planks; out of which Wood may be extracted, Pitch, Tar, Rozin and Turpentine. Likewise, Pine trees, Cedar, Cypress, Sassaphras, with the Sumack, which is very good for Dyers and Tanners; out of this Sumack and Shee-Cedar issueth sweet Gums, much used for perfumes. All those that work in Wood, do find those trees for goodness very answerable to their desires. There be several kinds of trees that be are fruit, as Wallnut Chestnut, Haselnut trees and divers sorts of Plumbe trees; with infinite store of Vines that bear Grapes in great clusters, and as big many of them, as Musket bullets; which some of the Inhabitants, both English and Dutch, have transplanted, who are of opinion, by what they have already tried, that with dressing and pruning of them, they will be able to make as good Wines as any part of France. All the Woods over, there be Chestnuts, walnuts Haselnuts, Currants, Mulberries, Raspberries, Gooseberries, Hurtleberries, Haws, with many other kinds of fruit and roots which are excellent food for Hogs, and causeth them to increase wonderful in growth and profit.  
4. That Earth fructifieth exceedingly all kind's of English and Indian Corn, and the Planters do find by experience, that it beareth as great crops, and more increase than in any part of this Kingdom: Yet therebe divers experienced Farmers which do neglect our English Beans and Pease, and sow those of the Indians, preferring them before the other, for goodness of taste and profit. But the product of Indian Wheat, which is a good food, surpasseth all other grain; for 100 and 50. and 200. is ordinarily the increase thereof: And there be some of good credit now in this Kingdom who have affirmed, that they had above 300. fold. The worth of that Land is manifestly confirmed, in that it is an usual course with those Farmers (upon the first cutting up of their ground) to sow either Hemp or Indian Wheat to correct the rankness of it, as being too strong for any other grain: there be also Hemp and Flax that groweth naturally somewhat shorter and slenderer than ours in England, but much finer and stronger, whereof the Indians make Cords and Nets, which may prove in time a great staple commodity for Cordage Canvas, and other sorts of finer linen. Likewise that Country affordethh naturally diversity of medecinable Roots, Herbs, and Flowers, some of them being very beautiful and fragrant, with other kinds wholesome and good for sauce and salads, and abundance of Strawberries throughout the fields, larger and as good as any Garden Strawberries in England: For all kinds of Garden Roots and Herbs that are planted or sowed they prosper marvellous well, and are very useful for the Plantors. Moreover the ground is so rich, and the climate so seasonable, that it would afford as good Woad, Madder, Rape and Safron, as in any land where they are now growing.  
5. There may be had all Materials for Buildings, whether Forts, Castles, Churches, Houses, or any other Structures, as Freestone, Smooth stone, and Marble slats for covering, Limestone for mortar and plastering, with choice Timber, and all other appurtenances fit for finishing.  
Some affirm, that there be divers sorts of Mines, but little that I know of, hath been as yet found, excepting Black-lead and Ironstone of several kinds, which may in time move the industrious Planters to set up Iron works, having Wood and all other necessaries fit to maintain them for many succeeding ages; and may prove a special means to preserve the Woods here in England. Good salt hath been there found, candied by the Sun upon the sides of the Rocks, where high spring Tides hath left any quantity of salt water, insomuch, that it is assuredly known, there might be made as good salt in many places to the Southward of Cape Codd, as in any part of France. Likewise for Pot-ashes, there is no Land where more may be made, nor at less charge, for the Planters might therewith supply this Kingdom yearly with more than can be used, out of the superfluous Woods they have about their Plantations.  
6. There are also many fair Lakes (which are the heads of all or most of the principal Rivers of the Country) stored with good choice of dainty fresh Fish, where the Savages take their Beavers Otters, and other Furs; but the Planters have not yet discovered in all that continent near Virginia and New England, any worthy of particular mention but three. The one is the Lake St. Lewis, in the West end of New England, which is 60. leagues in length, and 30. League's broad, but extendeth itself so fare westerly, that I could not insert it in this Map. Another Lake there is sixteen leagues to the westward of this quite out of the bounds of New England, not expressed here at all, named by the French La Merdulce, in English the fresh Sea. This Lake is 160. leagues long, and 60. in breadth, two great fluxes of water are found to go out of this large Cistern; the greater falleth off at the West part of it, and runneth Westerly within the space of fifteen leagues into a Bay of salt water, which must needs be an Arm of the South Sea. The other Eastward & looseth itself into Lake St. Lewis. The third is the Lake of Hierocoyis, lying in the body of New-England, the length thereof being 40 Leagues and the breadth 80. miles. As the Lakes of that Country are vast and numerous, so they produce many goodly Rivers, some of them far bigger than any in this our Britain, of which Canada is the greatest, issuing out of that great Lake St. Lewis: And taking its course all along the North part of New England, divideth it from Nova Francia, and disburtheneth itself in the great Bay Northeastward of Nova Scotia. The second is Mauritius River, so called by the Dutch, but by the English, Hudsons' River, who first discovered it: This River hath divers branches, the chief of which, cometh out of the Lake Hieroquoyis, as the Indians and Dutch among themselves report, but describe it not so [as it is supposed] lest the English should find out by that means a way to the Lake, and so participate of their great Beaver trade; it floweth forty leagues into the land, and is Navigable divers leagues higher, running all within New England, and is received into Sandt or Manahatas Bay, a league and a half from the prime Plantation of the Dutch, in the latitude of forty degrees, and thirty six minutes. The third is Den Suidt River, or south River, which parteth New England from Virginia and Mary Land, being Navigable five and thirty leagues at least. Many are of opinion upon good probabilities, that this and Patowmack a River, which runneth through part of Virginia and Maryland into the Sea at Chesapeacke Bay] descend both out of the Lake St. Lewis. The fourth is St. Croix River, which distinguisheth New England, from Nova Scotia. There be many other Navigable Rivers, as Merimack Sagadahock, Conectecute, Champloiones' River, and others which would be too tedious to discourse of particularly: For Brooks and springs of sweet water, there be so many, that Planters wheresoever they seat themselves, need not fear scarcity of water in the greatest drought for any use. Seamen that frequent that Country commend it for diversity of good Harbours so that whencesoever the wind bloweth, they have one or other to put into for safeguard: For the Coast being full of Lands and broken land, have many openings, which make the Channels deep and narrow, between which Lands and the main land, lie the most and best Harbours which are sheltered on the shore side with high Cliffs, Woods, or both; and towards the Sea with Lands or Headlands, which break the ways of that swelling Sea, so that the tides come in where the Ships ride so calm that they are hardly sensible of any storm. Another great commodity of these Harbours is, that Ships may ride there without danger of Worm-eating, which they cannot do unless they be sheathed, in Virginia, Florida, & further to the Southward. The raggedness of the Coast, and strait entrance into the Harbours are partly fortified by Nature, in that there be few of them so broad, but an ordinary cast piece will execute from one Bank to another, where with a little Art may be raised (as they have done in several places) such strong works as will be able to repel the power of an invading Enemy.  
7. All English and Spanish Cattle which were transported thither, grow larger, and yield more profit than those of the same kind whence they came; and which is more, Dutch beasts which were carried out of a fatter Soil than ours, do with breeding there, become larger in size then otherwise, and none of them have been hitherto subject to those diseases incident to Cattle in this Land: But for their Poultry, comparing the number of those Planters in Families and Estates with the Inhabitants of this Country, they will be found better provided. The benefit that is made by the Planters of their Cattle, Corn and other commodities which the Land affords them is great, considering what good estates divers industrious men have attained unto in a short time, out of small beginnings.  
8. There are of the Native Beasts both ravenous and commodious; The Ravenous are Bears, Wolves, Luserans or Ounces, Foxes, Squunks, Ferrets, and wild Dogs, very like the ordinary Curs of England, which the Salguages do take and tame when they are young to follow them who never bark; but against rain or foul weather, will then set themselves to howl, making a most hideous yelling noise: The beasts that are commodious be profitable two ways, either for food or furs. For Furs, such are Beavers, Otters, Minks, Rackoons, Musquash, Sables, and others. There have been Bears, black Wolves and Foxes taken, whose cases are of great esteem here in England: the beasts for food are Elks, Deer of two kinds, Hares and Rabbits: the bear and Squunk also are esteemed by the Planters little inferior to Veal and Lamb: For those Deer, the lesser of them are a kind of Red Deer, but not altogether so big and large as ours, who never beat themselves so low at rut, but that they will be fat all the winter, and are as good Venison as any in Christendom: these have their brow and beam antlers, broaches, torches, and as many starts upon their heads, as our English Deer, but grow more compassed and forward: the other is as large as an Ox, called a Moose, headed somewhat like a Buck with broad palms, but much wider than our Red or fallow Deer; these Moose are heavy slow beasts, which frequent the low rank grounds to feed upon long grass, by reason their fore feet are longer than their hinder feet, whose flesh is of a course big grain, & eats like unto Beef. Both these kind of Deer bring ordinarily 3. Calves at a fall and timelier than our english Deer by 2. months: there be many kinds of sea and land Fowle, whereof some may be made fit for recreation, others for sustenance, with a third kind good for neither; as Eagles, Gripes, Ravens, Cormorants, and Crows: For sports you have Falcons, Lanners, Goshawks, and others for food, Turkeys, Grouces, Patridges, Cranes, wild Swans, wild Geese of 3. kinds, Ducks, Widgins, Teals, Herons, sea and Land Larks, with many others in greater plenty by far then in these Countries, with several singing Birds strange to us, that are very glorious to the eye for diversity of colours. But there is a Fowl, which some that writ of them call Pigeons, whose colour is like to the Turtle, and tailed like to a Magpie, otherwise for their shape and flying, I should rather think them to be a kind of Stock-Doves, which Fowl in October, fly in such flocks, that I have seen the sky darkened with them; as if it had been overcast with a cloud, all flying from the North  to some hotter Region, where they continue until the spring, and then do return to build and breed towards Nova Scotia, in a more temperate climate for the summer.  
9 As that Sea which flanketh the Coast of New England, is the most spacious in the world, so it affordeth the greatest store and most variety of fish, for near to De-la-ware Bay there are more Whales and Grampasses then in Groinland; and all the Coast along there are great abundance of Salmon, Sturgeon, Turbut, Mullet, Basse, Mackerill, Thornbacke, Hake, Herrings, Shads, Scules, Eales, Lampreys, Smelts, and all other kinds taken in our English seas, with many others, not known by any names to our Nation: As for Codd, the fishing voyages made yearly out of England for that purpose, will sufficiently prove their plenty, and withal there is neither Bay nor Creek, but is as full of Lobsters, Oysters, Scallops, Crabs, Cockles, Prawns, Clammes, Mussels, Periwinkles, etc. So that a Boy may go into divers places on the water side, and take more in one hour than will dine eight or ten Men.  
10. Touching the Climate; That Country is placed in the principal part of the temperate Zone, where being ten Degrees nearer the Equinoctial than this Land; the Air is better digested, which maketh a very serene and fresh Sky: So that New England is generally preferred before this land for healthfulness, sympathising better than our English Nation; more particularly, such as are troubled with any Cold, Rheumatic or Melancholcke distemperatures; for the temper of that Climate is somewhat hotter than is ordinary here in Summer, and somewhat colder in the Winter, yet the Summer is not so hot, but men endure the heat to labour in; nor the Winter so cold, but with moderate stirring they may brook the sharpest air a whole day; but for the spring and Autumn, they are very temperate and pleasant. I need not writ much concerning the length of days and nights, for there is no Intelligent Traveller but knoweth the nearer a Country is to the Equinoctial, there the more equal both nights and days are in Winter and summer; so that in the south part of New England, the days are two hours and a half shorter in Summer than in this Kingdom, and as much longer in the Winter.  
11. There be three Nations besides the Indians who inhabit that Country, namely, French, English, and Dutch: the French are the most Northerly Plantation, being in number about two hundred, and the last of the three that possessed any part of the Land, they are set down in a place called Penobscot, where they have erected a Fort and necessary buildings, but apply themselves hitherto, more to the trad of Beaver, than to Fishing or preparing of Land to establish a Plantation.  
12. The next are the English who are thought to be no less than 30000. persons, whose plantations are all (excepting one) to the Northward of Cape Codd; but because there be of them two distinct Colonies, the one at New Plymouth, the other at the Masachusets Bay, who went not over together, nor hold their estates by the same grant; I thought good [for the Readers better information] to speak somewhat of them severally. The first that came into the Land, are those of New Plymouth, who went over from Amsterdam and Leiden in Holland, and were set out at the charge of divers Merchants for the south part of Virginia: but being crossed in their voyage by contrary winds and storms were forced to land in New England, much weather beaten and prejudiced in their Provision; where, through want of means to follow their purpose, did continue until they sent their Master's word of this cross fortune, which was soon dispatched, desiring a second supply of Necessaries, and a Direction what they should further do. In the mean time, they sought out the best helps that that Country could afford for livelihood, having no Provision but what they got with labour and danger, nor then sufficient to content Nature; yet all of them with much hardness and patience, sustained the want of this rude Desert, expecting some relief to come to them, but this bad and unexpected news took off the edge of the Adventurers hopes, so that they concluded, rather than to hazard any more money for their second transportation, to lose what was already expended. Nevertheless, they inployed their wits and hands some to build houses, others to go abroad into the Country to seek what they could find for profit; and after much search, happily happened upon some trade for Beaver and other Furs, which they did so diligently follow, that within a short time they had not only quitted themselves from the miserable condition they were lately in, but began to raise some benefit, and to conceive a good hope of a growing and continuing gain, which in a short time suited their expectation. For, whereas they were at that time but covenant Servants to the Merchants did within the round of eighteen months or two years; but out their Freedom (as I take it for eighteen hundred pounds) paying them by two hundred pounds a year; but within a year or two after, they came to another composition, which was, That if the Merchants would abate part of the sum agreed upon, they would discharge all in one payment, which was effected to the contentment of both parties. This prosperous success of theirs being known here in England, persuaded in many such a good opinion of that Country that they resolved to adventure themselves and estates into those parts, in hopes of the like fortune, for not long after, there went over many who joined with them and more do still so that they are now grown to a great number of Planters, and of good estates. But they follow the Trade of Beaver, with that greediness by reason of present profit] that they do not apply themselves so much to clear and fence grounds for tillage as other Planters, whereby the Inhabitants might be maintained with the fruit of Husbandry, and the brood of Cattles increased, which indeed is the best and surest foundation of a settled Colony.  
13. The other Plantation is that of the Masachusetts Bay, who went over well provided with all necessaries, intending to raise themselves new estates in that Country. The better sort of them being Gentlemen of good estates and reputation here in England: the rest were very industrious and painful, who brought over either competent means to put themselves into a thriving course, or had good Occupations and Trades, whereby they might live upon the accommodations of the Country: And withal, are now very desirous to have such a Government settled by the King's Authority, that will subject all of them to the Laws of this Land, whereby the abuses of such as are refrectory may be convicted and corrected and the obedience of the rest cherished and defended. This Plantation hath been very successful and eaten already grown so numerous, that they are dispersed throughout the Sea-coast of this Bay, above fifty miles in compass: In several places whereof, they have built Forts of good strength, with divers Towns and villages which are able to  such as come over, with houseroom and other refresh, while they build and make Provision upon their own lots; and whereas some Situations would not afford them arable grounds enough near the towns, they have found out convenient places further in the Country for tillage and Meadowing, where they have good Farms. Their chief employments hitherto have been Husbandry, trading for Beaver, and fishing: For their husbandry, they brought that to so good a perfection, that all of them who have lived there any reasonable time, have sufficient to maintain their Families out of their stocks in Corn and Cattell: For their Beaver trade, it hath continued very beneficial unto them a good while after their first coming over but it soon decayed sithences there went so many Planters with trucking commodities, that all of them traded promiscuously, respectless of the manner and rates the ancient Planters used, which was not to exceed a certain proportion; and this corruption still gaining upon their covetousness, have brought it now to this pass, that so soon as they can descry any Savages coming towards their Plantations with Fur, they will all flock about them, one out-bidding another while there is any material gain, so that they can hardly get two Beavers for that commodity t●ey exchanged for ten or twelve.  
14. And for their fishing, they made Wears in many places where the tides leave so much fish, that they do not only serve all the Plantations therewith throughout the Year, but are forced (and that for a good purpose) to carry the overplus to fatten their Land with, lest those great Shoales should break, or choke up the Weres. But the wealth that the Planters might get by setting up the trade of fishing (did they effectually go in hand therewith) may be conceived, by comparing that Coast with other fishing places; for it is well known that it equalizeth Groinland for Whales and Grampasses. The Irish and North Sea for Herring and salt fish. The Baltic sea for Sturgeon and Muller. And withal doth excel Newfoundland, fishing for Poore-John, in that the fish is larger and the season sooner by above two months, whereby they may be at their Markets in their Lands. Italy, Spain or France, before he others have their Fish a shipboard in Newfoundland, and will sell their fish at a greater price. Furthermore, they have in divers respects, the advantage of our Newfoundland Fishermen (who are at a great charge in buying of salt spending of time and Victuals before they arrive at their fishing place) by reason they are at hand, and may in a short time fit themselves with all provision for that work. But those Planters (excepting some particular men who built a few ships for that purpose) have been hitherto hindered by their Land employments, neither will there be much good done before they make a general stock, and incorporate themselves into one body; which being wisely managed may in a few years raise them to great estates, and make them masters of such a Naval power as will be able to do the King service and defend their own Country.  
15. What I have hitherto written of New England, is upon the matter general now I purpose to write somewhat in particular; concerning a part of the Country which lieth between Delaware Bay, and Cape Codd, that is more than half the land in extent, though not in Degrees, by reason it beareth more Westerly than the other and that hath not been formerly mentioned by any man's Relation, but from Cape Codd Northeastward, Captain Smith, and Mr. Woods have discoursed copiously of the several situations and plantations as also of the manner, and profit of that Fishing, whose Books are now extant.  
16. The only Planters who possessed that Western part of the Country excepting one small Plantation of English upon the River Conectecute] are the Dutch, who first came into the land about the year 1622. and putting into Hudsons' river (which they call Mauritius River) spent some time with the Indians in trading for Beaver, and took possession of that place in their West-India Companies name, who then employed them, and afterwards returned into Holland, moving their Masters with some experimental reasons, to be at the charge of transporting a Colony thither, which the Company undertook, For in the year following they set out a ship for the same River, with some 60 Planters furnished with trucking Commodities, and all necessaries for a twelvemonth, who upon their first landing searched all the places near the Sea side for a commodious Situation, at last chose Manahatas Island for two reasons, one respecting a good Harbour, the other for conveniency of commerce with the Indians. This Island is ten leagues in compass, and a league and a half broad or thereabouts, at the South part whereof, they raised a strong Fort, with 4. complete Bulwarks, upon which they have 20 cast Pieces mounted: near about this Fort live all the Planters that are Artifficers, but their Boors disperse themselves farther Northward into the Island where it is more fertile than about the Plantation, with in 4 or 5. miles Eastward of this place, is a large plain of ten or twelve miles wide, which is very fit for Farmers to inhabit, but on the West side it is more rust and hilly. There is another Island a league and a half from this Plantation that is more fertile than Manahatas (which they called The State's Island) fronting Southward upon the Bay, at the East point thereof, we enter first into Mauritius River, being not above a Falcon shoot over where there might be a Fort made of such consequence, that would secure the whole Plantation from any danger of an invasion: This Island is some 9 leagues about, and the fittest place to be planted of any other nearer the Sea side, by reason of the great quantity of arable land there is in it; as also, of having Men at hand to resist the entrance of an Enemy into that River.  
17. Not long after their first coming into the land, they sailed in a small Vessel 46 leagues up this River, and [finding there a far greater Trade than by the Sea coast planted another Colony, and erected a little work in form of a Redoubt, which they call Fort Aurania; but for their better securing, they have cast up since a high Trench about it, where there is 7 or 8 pieces of Ordnance mounted. The Banks of this River for divers leagues together thereabouts, is an exceeding fat Soil, surpassing all that on the Sea coast, insomuch that the Planters of Manahatas, when they have wrought their Cattle so weak that they are not able long to labour, do use to send them to Fort Aurania, wherewith that rich feeding they recover their flesh and strength in a short time, within a day and a half or two day's journey at the furthest from this place, is the Lake Hieroquoyis so famous for Beavers and Otters, which maintaineth the greatest part of the Beaver trade in the French Plantation at Quibec, and also affordeth this Colony more than they have in all their Factoris besides. The Dutch men's aim is, to get up and plant a Colony upon the Bank of this Lake, where they might with ease engross to themselves most of that great and rich Trade, having a very advantageous help withal by their River to transport to, and from the Sea side a great way, though not up to it all provisions necessary for their use and trade which if they could but compass, would enable them in a short time, but that only gain, to plant and fortify that part of the Land which they now hold so strong, that they might make a powerful resistance against any foreign invasion. Part of the Dutch went from Manahatas four years since, and fettled another Plantation upon the River Conectecute, which is held to be one of the best situations for Tillage in all the Country; but some English who came from the Masachussets Bay, planted above them upon the same River, and do cut off their Trade for Beaver, so that they have little else to make profit of but their Husbandry.  
18. In the year 1630. they set up a Plantation on the South side of De-la-ware Bay, and finding that soil very fertile, intended to plant Tobacco, which if it had taken effect, would have much prejudiced the Virginians for the sale of that commodity in the Netherlands and many other places; but the indiscretion of that Dutch Governor gave a woeful period to the Colony, the manner I will relate to forewarn others from the like folly. The custom of the Dutch, when they take possession of any strange Land, is to fasten upon a tree the Arms of their Country, as they did in this place; but a simple Indian passing by espied it, and ignorant of what it meant took it off and carried it away: which, when the Governor understood, was much incensed therewith, holding it for a great affront, insomuch, that when the Princes and chief of them came first into the Quarter, were laid hands on and examined upon his misdemeanour; who pleaded, they knew not of it: nevertheless he threatened their lives, in case they would not bring in the Malefactor to answer it and in the mean time detained them for Prisoners: when the poor people saw themselves in that exigent got the Offender to come in, thinking the contempt not to deserve death; but when the simple people understood his danger, they offered a great ransom for his life, but nothing would, nor did satisfy this austere judge, but the poor Indians blood: when this was done, the Savages were discharged, who masked their discontent under a fair show of friendship, frequented the Plantation as they had done with some trade or other; but within a while after, there came so many of them together, that they cut all the Planters throats in an instant, demolished their Fort, and destroyed what else they had there, so this Plantation continued not much above a year.  
19 This Nation have a trade in the South-River, and the Naroganses Bay, whence they get from the English in New Engl. and Virginia, 6000. Beavers in a year; and withal, have lesser Boats that go into all the Creeks and Rivers between those two places, where they glean all the trade of the Country; Insomuch, that I believe, these people who are not above 700. in their several plantations, do make a greater benefit of the Beaver trade than all our English in New-England being 30000. They have made an experiment in Delaware Bay, of Whale fishing, but by reason of their slow preparation, came not so soon as the season required; nevertheless, they killed 2. or 3. and were confident of a great voyage had they come in time: for they report, that there is greater store of such fish than in Groinland. But upon that massacre the Indians spoilt all their fishing craft, that they never followed that employment afterwards. The Planters have built in Manahatas Island many little Boats and Shallops, with divers Ships from 70. to 200. Tuns and upwards, and one of 700. Tuns, which was fitted with as good Masts and Yards as any come from the East Country; and they have Sails, Cables, Cordage, and all other requisites fit for their setting out, for all other provision that belongeth to a Colony; they are generally better stocked than any other Plantation in that Country, and have thriven beyond them therewith. I can say little of the Indians, but that they are very subtle and ingenious, seldom or never seen upon any occasion, to express much joy or sorrow; the more Eastward you go into New Engl. the fewer and more effeminate they are; as on the other side, the more Westward, the more populous, masculine and marshal: yet it was never known, that any of them assaulted a Planter upon equal terms, but wait for a treacherous opportunity, and then make use of their advantage.  
20. I should advise those that would undertake to plant new Colonies remote from others, to build their houses so near, that upon all occasions they may be able to second one another; and for their better securing, to keep in each house a good Mastiff Dog, which may give notice of an approaching danger, which otherwise would not be discovered, and with all are far more terrible to the Indians then either Gun or Sword; also I would wish all such Planters to entreat the Savages fairly, and by no means to wrong them for if they be once justly exasperated, they will be found implacable, and will never leave travailing of a revenge until they bring it to execution. Therefore if any one be guilty in that kind, let all the Plantation stand upon their guard, and expect no better favour than the Dutch received upon Delawar Bay. For the use of Fowling pieces, I hold them very necessary to shoot at Deer and Land-fowle, for the Deer will be less affrighted with the fall of one that way, then with hunting or coursing at the Herd, and for Land-fowle, the ground is so rough, that there is no other means to come by them. But for Sea foul though much shooting cannot beat them off the Coast, yet they will grow so cunning and fearful, that a man may walk two or 3. hours before he can come to a shoot, so the best course is to get into each Plantation a good Fowler that knows how to lay Nets, and other devices to catch them, who by that means will be better able to furnish the Planters by his own labour, than they will with forty Guns. There must be a good circumspection used in civilising of the Savages, otherwise what will prove their best good, may happen the Planters greatest prejudice; for the meaner sort of them, they may be trained up any where without any danger, and there bringing up to arts and labour, will prove an assisting help to the Planters. But for the Princes and chief of the Country, the surest course to prevent trouble and danger, is to send them so far from the places where they were borne, that they may not know what they were, or whence they came, otherwise by better understanding what right Princes have above private men to a Country; and having some of the Natives skilled in the Arts and Occupations of the Planters, will peradventure think themselves fit and able to reduce the Land people to what we intended, and seek either by their treacheries strength, or the aid of other neighbouring Princes, to extirpate the Plantations, and reinvest themselves in the possession of their ancient Inheritance, which though happily they cannot effect, would distract and disturb the Peace of that COUNTRY. [* ⁎ *]  
FINIS.