A Perfect Description of VIRGINIA: BEING, A full and true Relation of the present State of the Plantation, their Health, Peace, and Plenty: the number of people, with their abundance of Cattles, Fowl, Fish, etc. with several sorts of rich and good Commodities, which may there be had, either Naturally, or by Art and Labour. Which we are fain to procure from Spain, France, Denmark, Swedeland, Germany, Poland, yea, from the East-Indies. There having been nothing related of the true estate of this Plantation these 25 years. Being sent from Virginia, at the request of a Gentleman of worthy note, who desired to know the true State of Virginia as it now stands. ALSO, A Narration of the Country, within a few day's journey of Virginia, West and by South, where people come to trade: being related to the Governor, Sir William Berckley, who is to go himself to discover it with 30 horse, and 50 foot, and other things needful for his enterprise. With the manner how the Emperor Nichotawance came to Sir William Berckley, attended with five petty Kings, to do Homage, and bring Tribute to King CHARLES. With his solemn Protestation, that the Sun and Moon should lose their Lights, before he (or his people in that Country) should prove disloyal, but ever to keep Faith and Allegiance to King CHARLES. London, Prind for Richard Wodenoth, at the Star under Peter's Church in Cornhill. 1649. These things that follow in this ensuing Relation are certified by divers Letters from Virginia, by men of worth and credit there, written to a Friend in England, that for his own, and others satisfaction, was desirous to know these particulars, and the present estate of that Country. And let no man doubt of the truth of it, there be many in England, Land and Seamen that can bear witness of it. And if this Plantation be not worth Encouragement, let every true Englishman judge. 1 THat there are in Virginia about fifteen thousand English, and of Negroes brought thither, three hundred good servants. 2 That of Kine, Oxen, Bulls, Calves, twenty thousand, large and good, and they make plenty of Butter and very good Cheese. 3 That there are of an excellent raise, about two hundred Horse and Mares. 4 That of Asses for burden and use, there is fifty, but daily increase. 5 That for Sheep they have about three thousand, good wool. 6 That for G●ates there number is five thousand, thrive well. 7 That for Swine both tame and wild (in the Woods) innumerable; the flesh pure and good, and Bacon none better. 8 That for Poultry, Hens, Turkeys, Ducks, Geese, without number. 9 That they yearly plough and sow many hundred Acres of Wheat, as good, and fair, as any in the world, and great increase. 10 That they have plenty of Barley, make excellent Malt. 11 That they have Six public Brewhouses, and most brew their own Beer, strong and good. 12 That their Hopps are fair and large, thrive well. 13 That they sell their Beef at two pence half penny a pound, Pork at three pence a pound, plentifully. 14 That their Cattles are about the prices in England, and most of the Ships that come yearly hither, are there Victualled. 15 That they have thirty several sorts of Fish, River, and Sea, very excellent good in their kinds, plentiful and large. 16 That they have five and twenty sundry sorts of Birds and Fowls, Land and Water abundance, and for food not amiss. 17 That they have twenty kind of Beasts, whereof Dear abundance, most sorts to be eaten; creeping Creatures many also. 18 That they have fifteen kinds of Fruits, pleasant and good, and with Italy they will compare for delicate Fruits. 19 That they have five and twenty sorts of Trees, large, good and fit for Shipping Housing, and other uses. 20 That they have Roots of several kinds, Potatoes, Asparagus, Carrots Turnips, Parsnips Onions, and Artichokes. 22 For Herbs they have of all kinds for Gardena, and Physic Flowers. 23 That their Maize or Virginia Corn, it yields them five hundred for one, increase, (' its set as we do garden Pease) it makes good Bread and Furmitie, will keep seven years, and maults well for Beer, and ripe in five Months, set in April or May. 24 That they have store of Indian Pease, better than ours, Beans, Lupins, and the like. 25 They have store of Bees in their Woods, make plenty of honey and wax and also tame Bees in hives about their Houses. 26 Indic● gins to be planted, and thrives wonderfully well, grows up to a little tree, and rich Indies made of the leaves of it, all men gins to get some of the Seeds, and know it will be oftentimes the gain to them as Tobacco (and gain now carries the Bell:) their hopes are great to gain the Trade of it from the Moguls Country, and to supply all Christendom, and this will be many Thousands of pounds in the year. 27 Their Tobacco is much vented and esteemed in all places, yet the quantities so great that's made, that the price there is but three pence a pound. A man can plant two Thousand weight a year of it, and also sufficient Corn and Rootes, and other provisions for himself. 28 They begin to plant much Hemp and Flax which they find grows well and good, only hands are wanting to this and other works. 29 Iron Over and rich Mine are in abundance in the Land, fit streams and waters to erect Iron Mils, woods never to be destroyed to burn Coal, and all this lie on great Rivers banks, easy for transportation of Wood and Ore, and there is Stone fit to build the Furnaces with; trial hath been made of this Iron Over, and not better & richer in the World; his work Erected would be as much worth as a Silver Mine, all things considered: not only to make all Instruments of Iron for the Plantations Uses, but for Building, Shipping, there being wanting in that Country no other Materials to that Work; Then the casting of Ordnance, and making them, will abound to serve all the World; so of Mussquets, Armour, all kind of Tools, and Manufacture of Iron Works will be produced in abundance, so that it would become speedily the Magazine of Iron Instruments in every kind, and at cheap rates; so that no Nation could afford them half so cheap, and all men know, that Iron will command better Mines. 20 Skilful Iron-men for the Works sent out of England, with the assistance of as many more able labourers there in Virginia, housing and victual ready provided for them; (fitting places for Erecting, the Mills found out already, and Oxen for draught at hand,) the Work in fix Month's time would be effected, and four hundred pound charge to transport the twenty men to Virginia, with all tools and necessaries for the Work would do it: and these Men for their encouragement to have half the gain made of the Iron to be yearly divided betwixt the Undertakers and Workmen, the profit and gain would be to the enriching of all. 30 They have 4 Windmills, and 5 Water-mills to grind their Corn; besides many Horsemills of several kinds, and Hand-mills for several uses: A Sawing mill for Board's much wanted; one mill driven by water, will do as much as 20 sawyer's etc. 31 There comes yearly to trade with them above 30 sail of ships, and in these not so little as seven or eight hundred Mariners employed, (some say above a thousand, this is a considerable thing) and they return laden home in March; (this is a good seminary for Mariners.) 32 The Commodity these ships bring, is Linen Cloth of all sorts, and so of Woollen Cloth, Stockings, Shoes, and the like things. 33 Most of the Masters of ships and chief Mariners have also there Plantations, and houses, and servants, etc. in Virginia; and so are every way great gainers by Fraight, by Merchandise, and by Plantation and P●pe-staves, Clap-board, choice Walnut-tree-wood, Ceader-tree-timber and the like, is transported by them if Tobacco is not their full lading. 34 They have in their Colony Pinnaces, Barks, great and small Boats many hundreds, for most of their Plantations stand upon the River's sides or up little Creek●, and but a small way into the Land, so that for transportation and fishing they use many Boates. 35 They make Pitch and Tar▪ (and there is materials in the Woods for abundance.) Also for Pot and Soap-ashes, Woods most proper and store: hands want. 36 That for Mulbery-trees, the natural and proper food for Silkworms, they have abundance in the woods, and some so large that one tree contains as many leaves as will seed Silkworms that will make as much Silk as may be worth five pounds sterling money, this some French men affirm. And now they desire Silke-wormes-seed which is sent them▪ and their hopes are good of the thriving of it: A Commodity that may soon enrich them all with little labour, care or pains; all Materials so plentiful and at hand, the food in abundance, the Climate warm, & the work done in five week's time, and within doors, by women and children as well as men, and at that time of the year in May, that it hinders not any other work or planting, sowing, or the like employments; such an advantage, that had the Dutch the like in any of their Plantations, they would improve it to the certain gain in the trade of Silk from Persia and China, which we fetch with great charge and expense and hazard, and enrich Heathen and Mahumetans greatly; but to these things lack Public and State encouragements to begin the work: but more of this in an other place, it deserves a full handling. 37 Vines in abundance and variety, do grow naturally over all the land, but by the birds and beasts, most devoured before they come to perfection and ripeness; but this testifies and declares, That the Ground, and the Climate is most proper, and the Commodity of Wine is not a contemptible Merchandise; but some men of worth & estate must give in these things example to the inferior inhabitants and ordinary sort of men, to show them the gain and Commodity by it, which they will not believe but by experience before their faces: And in Tobacco they can make 20. l. sterling a man. at 3d a pound per annum; and this they find and know and the present gain is that, that puts out all endeavours from the attempting of others more Staple, and Solid, and rich Commodities, out of the heads and hands of the Common people: So as I say, the wealthier sort of men must begin and give the example, and make the gain of other Commodities as apparent to them, by the effecting them to perfection, or it will not (as it hath not hither unto) go forward. 38 That they have health very well, and fewer die in a year there, according to the proportion, then in any place of England; since that men are provided with all necessaries, have plenty of victual bread, and good beer, and houseing, all which the Englishmen loves full dearly. 39 That the Passengers also come safe and well: the seamen of late years having found a way, that now in 5, 6, and 7 weeks they sail to Virginia free from all Rocks, Sands, and Pirates; and that they return home again in 20 days sometimes and 30 at most: the Winds commonly serving more constantly, being Westerly homeward, the Easterly outward bound. 40 That the mouth of the two Capes of Land, Cape Henry on the South, and Cape Charles on the North; the entrance in is in 37 degrees: that the first River up the West is James River, where most of the Plantations are settled and Towns: the second is Charles river on the North of it; and the third called by the Indian name Tapahanuke, the 4 river Patawoenicke, the 5 river Patuxant, the 6 Bolus, the 7 Saquisahanuke: at the head of the great Bay of Chespiacke, into which Bay these 7 rivers from the West side of it do all enter and run into, and so the mouth of the Bay issueth out due East into the main Sea between the two aforesaid Capes: the Baylie's North and South, and hath a Channel in draught of 140 miles, and in depth between 5, 6, and 15 fathoms in some places. The wideness of the Bay is from the West side which is the great Land, to the East side of the Land which joins upon the Sea called the Acamake-shore; the wideness & breadth of this Bay I say, is about 9, 10, & 14 miles broad in some places of it; and these 7 Rivers have their mouths into the Bay, not above 20 miles, each River is distant from the other: But this in Smith's Map is more at large described. 41 That some English about a thousand are seated upon the Acamake-shore by Cape Charles, (where Captain Teardley is chief Commander) now called the County of Northampton. 42 That they have Lime in abundance made for their houses, store of Bricks made, and House and Chimneys built of Brick, and some Wood high and fair, covered with Shingell for Tyle, yet they have none that make them, wanting workmen; in that trade the Brickmakers have not the art to do it, it shrinketh. 43 That since the Massacre, the Savages have been driven far away, many destroyed of them, their Towns and houses ruinated, their clear grounds possessed by the English to sow Wheat in: and their great King Opechaukenow (that bloody Monster upon 100 years old) was taken by Sir William Berkely the Governor. 44 All kinds of Tradesmen may live well there, and do gain much by their labours and arts, as Turner's, Potters, Cooper's; to make all kind of earthen and wooden Vessels, sawyer's, Carpenters, Tyle-makers, Boat-wrights, Tailors, Shoemakers, Tanners, Fishermen, and the like. 45 Young youths from 16 years and upward, for Apprentices and Servants for some years, then to have Land given them, and to set up. Thousands of these kinds of young boys & maidens wanting. 46 That the Government is after the Laws of England, (that is well for men before they go, to know under what Laws they shall live:) A Governor and Council of State; and yearly general Assemblies▪ men chosen and sent out of each County, (there being 12 in Virginia;) these men Vote, and by the major part all things are concluded; and they are Elected to those places by the most voices in the County for whom they are chosen, and by whom sent. 47 They have 20 Churches in Virginia, and Ministers to each, and the Doctrine and Orders after the Church of England: the Ministers Live are esteemed worth at least 100 l per an. they are paid by each planter so much Tobacco per Pole, & so many bushels of Corn: they live all in peace and love. 48 That for matter of their better knowledge of the Land they dwell in, the Planters resolve to make a further Discovery into the Country West and by South up above the Fall and over the Hills, and are confident upon what they have learned from the Indians, to find away to a West or South Sea by land or rivers, & to discover a way to China and East Indies or unto some other Sea that shall carry them thither; For Sir Francis Dr●ke was on the back side of Virginia in his voyage about the world in 37 degrees just opposite to Virginia, and called Nova Albion, and by the Natives kindly used: And now all the question is only how broad the Land may be to that place from the head of James River above the Falls, but all men conclude if it be not narrow, yet that there is and will be found the like rivers issuing into a South Sea or a West Sea on the other side of those Hills, as there is on this side when they run from the West down into a East Sea after a course of 150 miles: but of this certainty M. Hen. Brigs that most judicious & learned Mathematician wrote a small Tractate, & presented it to that most noble Earl of Southampton then Governor of the Virginia Company in England, Ann. 1623. to which I refer for a full information. And by such a Discovery the Planters in Virginia, shall gain the rich trade of the East India, and so cause it to be driven through the Continent of Virginia, part by Land, and part by Water, and in a most gainful way and safe, and far less expenceful and dangerous, then now it is. And they doubt not to find some rich and beneficial Country, and commodities not yet known to the world that lies West and by South now from their present Plantation. 49 That the Swedes have come and crept into a River called Delawar, that is, within the limits of Virginia in 38 degrees and 30 min. it lies, and are there planted▪ 100 of them drive a great and secret trade of Furs, which they trade for with the Natives: it is but 2 day's journey by land from our Plantations, and a day's sail by Sea from Cape Charles. 50 And again, the Hollanders have stolen into a River called Hudsons' river in the limits also o● Virginia (and about 39 degrees) they have built a strong Fort there, and call it Prince Maurice and New Netherlands, they drive a trade of Furs there with the Natives for above ten thousand pounds a year. These two Plantations are between Virginia and New England on our side of Cape Could which parts us and New England. Thus are the English nosed in all places, and out-traded by the Dutch, they would not suffer the English to use them so: But they have vigilant States men, and advance all they can for a Common good, and will not spare any encouragements to their people to discover. But it is well known, that our English Plantations have had little countenances, nay, that our Statesmen (when time was) had store of Gondemores' gold to destroy and discountenance the Plantation of Virginia, and he effected it in a great part, by dissolving the Company, wherein most of the Nobility, Gentry, Corporate Cities, and most Merchants of England, were Interested and Engaged; after the expense of some hundred of thousands of pounds: For Gundemore did affirm to his Friends, that he had Commission from his Master to ruin that Plantation. For, said he, should they thrive and go on increasing, as they have done under the Government of that Popular L. of Southampton my Masters West-Indies, and his Mexico would shortly be visited by Sea and by Land, from those Planters in Virginia. And Marquis Hambleton told the Earl of Southampton, that Gundemore said to King James, that the Virginia Courts, was but a Seminary to a Seditious Parliament. But this is but a touch by the way, and for a future Item to our Country not to despise Plantations. 51 The Land in Virginia is most fruitful, and produceth, with very great increase, whatsoever is committed into the Bowels of it, Planted▪ Sowed. A fat rich Soil every where watered with many fine Springs, small Rivulets, and wholesome Waters. 52 The Country is with pleasant rising small Ascents and Descents, Valleys, Hills, Meadows, and some level Upland: It's Woody all over, but where labour hath cleared the ground from Trees, and this truly is the great labour in Virginia, to fell Trees, and to get up the Roots, and so make clear ground for the Blow. 53 Stones, and Rocks, and Quarries of several kinds, and very fit for the Iron Furnaces (as trial hath been made to endure fire) are in divers places found in Virginia. 54 There is divers skins of Beasts for Merchandise and uses, as Beavers, Otters, Squirrels, wild Cats, and Crystal is there found. 55 Divers kinds of Drugs, Gums, Dyes, Paints, that the Indians use. 56 There is a kind of Flax the Indians use to make threads of and strings, we call it silk grass, it's fine to make both Linen and Stuff of it; abundance in many places of it groweth. 57 To the Southward of James River, some fifty miles by Land, and eighty by Sea, lies the River Chawanok: whither Master Porey went by Land, and reported, the King there told him, that within ten days Journey Westward towards Sun setting, there were a people that did gather out of a River sand, the which they washed in Sives, and had a thing out of it, that they then put into the Fire, which melted, & became like to our Copper, and offered to send some of his People to guide him to that place. But master Porey being not provided with men as he would have had of English, he returned to Sir George Yearly, and acquainted him with the Relation. But before they could prepare for the Journey, and Discovery, the first Massacre happened, and so to this day it hath been unattempted. The Company also in England was dissolved, their Patent most unjustly, against all Law and Conscience, taken from them. Procured by the Spanish Gold and Faction, and the Colony never looked after, whether sink or swim; and hath now these twenty four years since, laboured for life, and only to subsist with much ado; The Cattles then left, increased to what you hear, and in all these many years no more People in it, and they having little Encouragement, and great uncetainties, whether ever to be continued a Colony, whereby men have had no heart to Plant for Posterity, but every man for the present, Planted Tobacco to get a livelihood by it. And had not this present Governor been sent as he was, and continued, who hath done all a Gentleman could do to maintain it alive. It had upon this second Massacre been utterly deserted and ruinated; as things stand in our own Land. If any demand the cause of this late Massacre, all having been forgiven and forgotten, what the Indians did the first time; Those that are Planters there, writ the occasion of the Indians doing so wicked an Act, was. ☞ That some of them confessed, That their great King was by some English Informed, that all was under the Sword in England, in their Native Country, and such divisions in our Land; That now was his time, or never, to root out all the English▪ For those that they could not surprise and kill under the feigned mask of Friendship and feasting, and the rest would be by wants; and having no supplies from their own Country which could not help them, be suddenly Consumed and Famished. The Indians alaruming them night and day, and killing all their Cattles, as with ease they might do, and by destroying in the nights, all their Corn Fields, which the English could not defend. All this had (as they writ) taken full effect, if God had not abated the Courages of the Savages in that moment of time, they so treacherously slew the English; who were presently (the Act done) so affrighted in their own minds, that they had not the heart to follow the Counsels their King had commanded: but to the admiration of the English, prosecuted not their opportunity, nor were constant to their own Principles, But fled away and retired themselves many miles distant off the Colony; which little space of time gave the English opportunity to gather themselves together, call an Assembly, secure their Cattles, and to think upon some way to defend themselves, if need were, and then to offend their Enemies; which by the great mercy of God was done and effected; And the particulars of all is worthy in some other place to be remembered and manifested to the World, that the great God may have his due Glory, Honour, and Praise for ever and ever, Amen, Amen, Amen. And now at this present the Colony is in good estate (and never a third time to be so surprised by a seeming Friend.) And they conclude, their conditions are now, such as they may and will greatly improve the advancement and welfare of the Colony, even by this late sad Accident; and the Pit there Enemies digged for them, they are like to fall into themselves, and their mischief will and hath assuredly fallen fare more upon their own Pates; since their great King was taken Prisoner. And in brief, they say in three Letters, that if God please, in mercy, now to look upon poor England, that it fall not into a second War, nor relapses, but a happy Peace settled in their Native Country. Then they in Virginia shall be as happy a people as any under heaven, for there is nothing wanting there to produce them, Plenty, Health, and Wealth. 58 Concerning New-England, that they have Trade with them to and fro, and are but four days Sail off from Virginia, that they have had many Cattles from Virginia, and Corn, and many other things; That New-England, is in a good Condition for livelihood. But for matter of any great hopes but Fishing, there is not much in that Land; For it's as Scotland is to England, so much difference, and lies upon the same Land Northward, as Scotland doth to England: there is much Cold, Frost and Snow, and their Land so barren, except a Herring be put into the hole that you set the Corn or Maize in, it will not come up; and it was great pity, all those people being now about twenty Thousand, did not seat themselves at first to the South of Virginia, in a warm and rich Country, where their Industry would have produced Sugar, Indigo, Ginger, Cotten, and the like Commodities. And it's now reported in Virginia that Thousands of them are removing (with many from Summer Islands also) unto the Bahana Islands, near the Cape of Florida; and that's the right way for them to go and thrive. Letters came now this March, 1648, relate further. THAT Opachankenow the old Emperor being dead since he was taken prisoner by our Governor, there is chosen a new one, called Nickotawances, who acknowledge to hold his Government under King Charles, and is become tributary to him, and this March 1648, Nickotawance came to James town to our Noble Governor Sir William Bearkley with five more petty Kings attending him, and brought twenty Beavers-skinnes to be sent to King Charles as he said for Tribute; and after a long Oration, he concluded with this Protestation; That the Sun and Moon should first lose their glorious lights and sbining, before He, or his People should evermore hereafter wrong the English in any kind, but they would ever hold love and friendship together: And to give the English better assurance of their Faith, He had Decreed, That if any Indian be seen to come within the limits of the English Colony, (except they come with some Message from him, with such and such tokens) that it shall be lawful to kill them presently; and the English shall be free to pass at all times when and where they please throughout His Dominions. And the Indians have of late acquainted our Governor, that within five day's journey to the Westward and by South, there is a great high mountain, and at foot thereof, great Rivers that run into a great Sea; and that there are men that come hither in ships, (but not the same as ours be) they wear apparel and have reed Caps on their heads, and ride on Beasts like our Horses, but have much longer ears and other circumstances they declare for the certainty of these things. That Sir William was here upon preparing fifty Horse and fifty Foot, to go and discover thi● thing himself in person, and take all needful provision in that case requisite along with him: he was ready to go when these last ships set sail for England in April last: and we hope to give a good account of it by the next ships, God giving a blessing to the enterprise, which will mightily advance and enrich this Country; for it must needs prove a passage to the South Sea (as we call it) and also some part of China and the East Indies. The Governor Sir William, caused half a bushel of Rice (which he had procured) to be sown, and it prospered gallantly, and he had fifteen bushhels of it, excellent good Rice, so that all these fifteen bushels will be sown again this year; and we doubt not in a short time to have Rice so plentiful as to afford it at 2d a pound if not cheaper, for we perceive the ground and Climate is very proper for it as our Negroes affirm, which in their Country is most of their food, and very healthful for our bodies. We have many thousand of Acres of clear Land, I mean where the wood is all off it (for you must know all Virginia is full of trees) and we have now going near upon a hundred and fifty Ploughs, with many brave yoke of Oxen, and we sow excellent Wheat, Barley, Rye, Beans, Pease, Oates; and our increase is wonderful, and better Grain not in the world. One Captain Brocas, a Gentleman of the Counsel, a great Traveller, caused a Vineyard to be planted, and hath most excellent Wine made, and the Country, he saith, as proper for Vines as any in Christendom, Vines indeed naturally growing over all the Country in abundance: only skilful men wanting here. That at last Christmas we had trading here ten ships from London, two from Bristol, twelve Hollanders, and seven from New-England. Mr. Richard Bennet had this year out of his Orchard as many Apples as he made 20 Butts of excellent Cider. And Mr. Richard Kinsman hath had for this three or four years, forty or fifty Butts of Perry made out of his Orchard, pure and good. So that you may perceive how proper our Country is for these fruits, and men begin now to plant great Orchards, and find the way of Grafting upon Crab-stocks, best for lasting, here being naturally in this Land store of wild Crabtrees. Mr. Hough at Nausamund, hath a curious Orchard also, with all kind and variety of several fruits; the Governor in his new Orchard hath 15 hundred fruit-trees, besides his Apricocks, Peaches, Mellicotons, Quinces, Wardens, and such like fruits. I mention these particular men, that all may know the truth of things. Worthy Captain Matthews, an old Planter of above thirty years standing, one of the Counsel, and a most deserving Commonwealths-man, I may not omit to let you know this Gentleman's industry. He hath a fine house, and all things answerable to it; he sows yearly store of Hemp and Flax, and causes it to be spun; he keeps Weavers, and hath a Tanhouse, causes Leather to be dressed, hath eight Shoemakers employed in their trade, hath forty Negro servants, brings them up to Trades in his house: He yearly sow's abundance of Wheat, Barley, &c, The Wheat he selleth at four shillings the bushel, kills store of Beefs, and sells them to victual the ships when they come thither: hath abundance of Kine, a brave Dairy, Swine great store, and Poltery; he married the Daughter of Sir Tho. Hinton, and in a word, keeps a good house, lives bravely, and a true lover of Virginia; he is worthy of much honour. Our Spring gins the tenth of February, the trees bud, the grass springs, and our Autumn and fall of Lease is in November, our Winter short, and most years very gentle, Snow lies but little, yet Ice some years. I may not forget to tell you we have a Free-school, with two hundred Acres of Land, a fine house upon it, forty milch Kine, and other accommodations to it: the Benefactor deserves perpetual memory; his name Mr. Benjamin Symes, worthy to be Chronicled; other petty Schools also we have. We have most rare coloured Parraketoes, and one Bird we call the Mock-bird; for he will imitate all other Birds notes, and cries both day and night-birds, yea, the Owls and Nightingalls. For Bees there is in the Country which thrive and prosper very well there: one Mr. George Pelton, alias, Strayton, a ancient planter of twenty five years standing that had store of them, he made thirty pounds a year profit of them; but by misfortune his house was burnt down, and many of his Hives perished, he makes excellent good Matheglin, a pleasant and strong drink, and it serves him and his family for good liquor: If men would endeavour to increase this kind of creature, there would be here in a short time abundance of Wax and Honey, for there is all the Country over delicate food for Bees, and there is also Bees naturally in the Land, though we account not of them. 59 Now these are the several sorts and kinds of Beasts, Birds, Fish, in Virginia. Beasts great and small as followeth: above 20 several kinds. 1 Lions, But all these four sorts are up in the higher parts of the Country, on the hills and mountains, few to be seen in the lower parts where the English are; the Elkes are as great as Oxen, their horns six foot wide, and have two Calves at a time; the skins make good Buff, and the flesh as good as Beef. 2 Bears, But all these four sorts are up in the higher parts of the Country, on the hills and mountains, few to be seen in the lower parts where the English are; the Elkes are as great as Oxen, their horns six foot wide, and have two Calves at a time; the skins make good Buff, and the flesh as good as Beef. 3 Leopard, But all these four sorts are up in the higher parts of the Country, on the hills and mountains, few to be seen in the lower parts where the English are; the Elkes are as great as Oxen, their horns six foot wide, and have two Calves at a time; the skins make good Buff, and the flesh as good as Beef. 4 Elkes. But all these four sorts are up in the higher parts of the Country, on the hills and mountains, few to be seen in the lower parts where the English are; the Elkes are as great as Oxen, their horns six foot wide, and have two Calves at a time; the skins make good Buff, and the flesh as good as Beef. 5 Deer. 6 Foxes. 7 Wild Cats. 8 Raconnes, as good meat as Lamb 9 Passonnes▪ This beast hath a bag under her belly into which she takes her young ones, if at any time affrighted, and carries them away. 10 Two sorts of Squirrels▪ One called a flying one, for that she spreads like a Bat a certain lose skin she hath and so flies a good way. 13 A Musk Rat, So called for his great sweetness and shape. 14 Hares. 15 beaver's. 16 Otters. 17 Dogs. But bark not, after the shape of a Wolf, and Foxes smell not: Wolves but little, neither not fierce. 18 Wolves. 19 Marti●s, Poule Cats, Weasels, Minks: but these Vermin hurt not Hens, Chickens or Eggs at any time. 20 A little beast like a Coney, the Foxes kill many of them. Birds are these, viz. above 25 several kinds. 1 Eagles. 2 Hawks of six several kinds. 3 Parteridges many. 4 Wild Turkeys, some weighing sixty pound weight. 5 Red Birds, that sing rarely. 6 Nightingales. 7 Blue Birds, smaller than a Wren. 8 Black birds. 9 Thrushes. 10 Heath Cocks. 11 Swans. 12 Cranes 13 Hernes. 14 Geese. 15 Brants. 16 Ducks. 17 Widgeons. 18 Dottrells. 19 Oxeyes. 20 Parrots. 21 Pigeons. 22 Owls. Many more that have no English Names; for one called the Mock bird, that counterfeits all other several Birds cries and tunes. Fish are these in their kind above Thirty sorts. 1 Cod. 2 B ass. 3 Drums six foot long. 4 Sheepsheads, this Fish makes broth so like Mutton-broath, that the difference is hardly known. 5 Conger. 6 Eels. 7 Trout. 8 Mullets. 9 Plaice. 10 Grampus. 11 Porpus. 12 Scales. 13 Sturgeons, of 10 foot long. 14 Stingraes. 15 Brets. 16 White Salmon. 17 Soles. 18 Herring. 19 Conny-Fish. 20 Rocke-fish. 21 Lampres. 22 Cray Fish. 23 Shads. 24 Perch. 25 Crabs. 26 Shrimps. 27 Crecy-Fish. 28 Oysters. 29 Cockles. 30 Mussels. 31 St. George Fish. 32 Toad-Fish. Trees above 20 kinds, and many not English names. 1 Okes red and white Wood 2 Ash. 3 Wallnut, two kinds. 4 Elms 5 Ceadar. 6 Cypress three fathoms about. 7 Mulberry Trees great and good. 8 Chesnut Trees, 9 Plum Trees of many kinds. 10 The Puchamine Tree. 11 The Laurel. 12 Cherries. 13 Crahes. 14 Vines. 15 Sassafras. Fruits they have, Strawberries, Gooseberries, Raspices, Maracokos, Puchamines, Muskmillions, Pumpions; And for Fruits brought thither and planted. Apples, Pears, Quinces, Apricocks, Peaches; and many more kinds excellent good, etc. FINIS.