A New and further DISCOVERY OF The Issle of PINES In A Letter from Cornelius Van Sloetton a Dutch-man( who first discovered the same in the Year, 1667.) to a Friend of his in London. With a Relation of his voyage to the East Indies.  
Wherein Is declared how he happened to come thither, the situation of the Country, the temperature of the Climate, the manners and conditions of the people that inhabit it; their Laws, Ordinances, and Ceremonies, their way of Marrying, Burying, &c. the Longitude and Latitude of the iceland, the pleasantness and felicity thereof, with other matters of concern.  
licenced according to Order.  
LONDON Printed for Allen banks and Charles Harper, at the Flower-de-luce near Cripplegate Church. 1668.   

A New and further discovery of the Isle of PINES, IN A Letter from Cornelius Van Sloetton, a Dutch-man, who first discovered the same in the Year, 1667.  
SIR,  
I Received your Letter of this second instant, wherein you desire me to give you a further account concerning the iceland of Pines, on which we were driven by distress of Weather the last Summer, I also perused the Printed book thereof you sent me, the Copy of which was surreptiously taken out of my hands, else should I have given you a more fuller account upon what occasion we came thither, how we were entertained, with some other circumstances of note wherein that relation is defective. To satisfy therefore your desires, I shall briefly yet fully give you a particular account thereof, desiring you to bear with my blunt phrases, as being more a Seaman then a scholar.  
April the 26th 1667. We set sail from Amsterdam, intending for the East-Indies; our ship had to name the place from whence we came, the Amsterdam, burden 350 Tun. and having a fair gale of Wind, on the 27 of May following we had a fight of the high Peak of Tenariffe belonging to the Canaries, we would have touched at the iceland Palma, but having endeavoured it twice, and finding the winds contrary, we steered on our course by the Isles of scape verd, or Insulae Capitis Viridis where at St. James we took in fresh water, with some few Goats, and Hens, wherewith that iceland doth plentifully abound.  
June the 14 we had a sight of Magadascar or the iceland of St. laurence, an iceland of 4000 miles in compass, and situate under the Southern tropic; thither we steered our course, and trafficked with the inhabitants for Knives, Beads, Glasses and the like, having in exchange thereof Cloves and Silver. Departing from thence we were encountered with a violent storm, and the winds holding contrary, for the space of a fortnight, brought us back almost as far as the Isle deal Principe; during which time many of our men fell sick, and some dyed, but at the end of that time it pleased God the wind favoured us again, and we steered on our course merrily, for the space of ten days: when on a sudden we were encountered with such a violent storm as if all the four winds together had conspired for our destruction, so that the stoutest spirit of us all quailed, expecting every hour to be devoured by that merciless element of water, sixteen dayes together did this storm continue. though not with such violence as at the first, the weather being so dark all the while, and the Sea so rough, that we knew not in what place we were, at length all on a sudden the Wind ceased and the air cleared, the Clouds were all dispersed, and a very serene sky followed, for which we gave hearty thanks to the Almighty, it being beyond our expectation that we should have escaped the violence of that storm.  
At length one of our men mounting the Main-mast espied fire, an evident sign of some country near adjoining, which presently after we apparently discovered, and steering our course more nigher, we saw several persons promisculously running about the shore, as it were wondering and admiring at what they saw: Being now near to the land we manned out our long Boat with ten persons, who approaching the shore asked them in our Dutch tongue, War Eylant is did? to which they returned this Answer in English, That they knew not what we said. One of our Company name Jeremiah Hanzen who understood English very well, hearing their words discourse to them in their own language; so that in fine we were very kindly invited on shore, great numbers of them flocking about us, admiring at our clothes which we did wear, as we on the other side did to find in such a strange place, so many that could speak English and yet to go naked,  
Four of our men returning back in the long Boat to our ships company, could hardly make them believe the truth of what they had seen and heard, but when we had brought our ship into harbour, you would have blessed yourself to see how the naked Islanders flocked unto us, so wondering at our ship, as if it had been the greatest miracle of Nature in the whole world.  
We were very courteously entertained by them, presenting us with such food as that country afforded, which indeed was not to be despised; we eat of the Elesh both of Beasts, and Fowls, which they had cleanly dressed, though with no great curiosity, as wanting materials, wherewithal to do it; and for bread we had the inside or Kernel of a great Nut as big as an Apple, which was very wholesome, and sound for the body, and tasted to the palate very delicious.  
Having refreshed ourselves, they invited us to the palace of their Prince or chief Ruler, some two miles distant off from the place where we landed; which we found to be about the bigness of one of our ordinary village houses, it was supported with rough unhewn pieces of Timber, and covered very artificially with boughs, so that it would keep out the greatest showers of Rain; the sides thereof were adorned with several sorts of Flowers, which the fragrant fields there do yield in great variety. The Prince himself( whose name was William Pine the Grandchild of George Pine that was first cast on shore in this iceland) came to his palace door and saluted us very courteously, for though he had nothing of Majesty in him, yet had he a courteous noble and deboneyre spirit, wherewith your English Nation( especially those of the Gentry) are very much endued.  
Scarce had he done saluting us when his Lady or Wife, came likewise forth of their House or palace, attended on by two Maid-servants, she was a woman of an exquisite beauty, and had on her head as it were a Chaplet of Flowers, which being intermixed with several variety of colours became her admirably. Her privities were hide with some pieces of old Garments, the relics of those clothes( I suppose) of them which first came hither, and yet being adorned with Flowers those very rags seemed beautiful; and indeed modesty so far prevaileth over all the Female Sex of that iceland, that with grass and Flowers interwoven and made strong by the peelings of young Elms( which grow there in great plenty) they do plate together so many of them as serve to cover those parts which nature would have hidden.  
We carried him as a present some few Knives, of which we thought they had great need, an Ax or Hatchet to fell Wood, which was very acceptable unto him, the old one which was cast on shore at the first, and the only one that they ever had, being now so quiter blunt and dulled, that it would not cut at all, some few other things we also gave him, which he very thankfully accepted, inviting us into his house or palace, and causing us to sit down with him, where we refreshed ourselves again, with some more country viands which were no other then such we tasted of before; Prince and peasant here faring alike, nor is there any difference betwixt their drink, being only fresh sweet water which the rivers yield them in great abundance.  
After some little pause, our Companion( who could speak English) by our request desired to know of him something concerning their original and how that people speaking the language of such a remote country, should come to inhabit there, having not as we could see any Ships or Boats amongst them the means to bring them thither, and which was more, altogether ignorant and mere strangers to ships, or shipping, the main thing conducible to that means, to which request of ours, the courteous Prince thus replied.  
Friends( for so your actions declare you to be, and shall by ours find no less) know that we are inhabitants of this iceland of no great standing, my Grandfather being the first that ever set foot on this shore, whose native country was a place called England, far distant from this our Land as he let us to understand; He came from that place upon the Waters, in a thing called a Ship, of which no question but you may have heard; several other persons were in his Company, not intending to have come hither( as he said) but to a place called India, when tempestuous weather brought him and his Company upon this cost, where falling amongst the Rocks his Ship split all in pieces; the whole Company perishing in the Waters, saving only him and four women, which by means of a broken piece of that Ship, by divine assistance got on Land.  
What after passed( said he) during my Grandfathers life, I shall show you in a Relation thereof written by his own hand, which he delivered to my Father being his eldest Son, charging him to have a special care thereof, and assuring him that time would bring some people or other thither to whom he would have him to impart it, that the truth of our first planting here might not be quiter lost, which his commands my Father dutifully obeied; but no one coming, he at his death delivered the same with the like charge to me, and you being the first people which( besides ourselves) ever set footing in this iceland, I shall therefore in obedience to my Grandfathers and Fathers commands, willingly impart the same unto you.  
Then stepping into a kind of inner room, which as we conceived was his lodging Chamber, he brought forth two sheets of paper fairly written in English,( being the same Relation which you had Printed with you at London) and very distinctly red the same over unto us, which we hearkned unto with great delight and admiration, freely proffering us a Copy of the same, which we afterward took and brought away along with us. Then proceeded he on in his discourse saying.  
My Grandfather when he wrote this, was as you hear eighty years of age, there proceeding from his loins one thousand seven hundred eighty nine Children, which he had by them four women aforesaid My Father was his eldest son, and was name Henry, begotten of his wife Mary sparks, whom he appointed chief Governor and Ruler over the rest; and having given him a charge not to exercise tyranny over them, seeing they were his fellow brethren by the Fathers side( of which there could be no doubt made of double dealing therein) exhorting him to use justice and sincerity amongst them, and not to let Religion die with him, but to observe and keep those precepts which he had taught them, he quietly surrendered up his soul,& was butted with great lamentation of all his children.  
My father coming to rule, and the people growing more populous, made them to rang further in the discovery of the Country, which they found answerable to their desires, full both of Fowls and Beasts, and those too not hurtful to mankind, as if this Country on which we were by providence cast without arms or other weapons to defend ourselves, or offend others, should by the same providence be so inhabited as not to have any need of such like weapons of destruction wherewith to preserve our lives.  
But as it is impossible, but that in multitudes disorders will grow, the stronger seeking to oppress the weaker; no tie of Religion being strong enough to chain up the depraved nature of mankind, even so amongst them mischiefs began to rise,& they soonfell from those good orders prescribed them by mygrandfather. The source from whence those mischiefs sprung, was at first I conceive the neglect of hearing the Bible red, which( according to my grandfathers prescription) was to be once a month at a general meeting, but now many of them wandring far up into the Country, they quiter neglected the coming to it, with all other means of Christian instruction, whereby the sense of sin being quiter lost in them, they fell to whoredoms, incests, and adulteries; so that what my Grand-father was forced to do for necessity, they did for wantonness; nay not confining themselves within the bound of any modesty, but brother and sister lay openly together; those who would not yield to their lewd embraces, were by force ravished, yea many times endangered of their lives. To redress those enormities my father assembled all the Company near unto him, to whom he declared the wickedness of those their brethren; who all with one consent agreed that they should be severely punished; and so arming themselves with boughs, stones, and such like weapons, they marched against them, who having notice of their coming, and fearing their deserved punishment, some of them fled into woods, others passed over a great River which runneth through the heart of our Country, hazarding drowning to escape punishment; But the grandest offender of them all was taken, whose name was John phil, the second son of the Negro-woman that came with my Grand-father into this iceland. He being proved guilty of divers ravishings and tyrannies committed by him, was adjudged guilty of death, and accordingly was thrown down from a high Rock into the Sea, where he perished in the waters. Execution being done upon him, the rest were pardonned for what was past, which being notified abroad, they returned from those desert and obscure places wherein they were hidden.  
Now as seed being cast into stinking dung produceth good and wholesome Corn for the sustentation of mans life, so bad manners produceth good and wholesome Laws for the preservation of human society. soon after my father with the advice of some few others of his Counsel, ordained and set forth these Laws to be observed by them.  
1. That whosoever should blaspheme or talk irreverently of the name of God should be put to death.  
2. That who should be absent from the monthly assembly to hear the Bible red, without sufficient cause shown to the contrary, should for the first default be kept without any victuals or drink, for the space of four days, and if he offend therein again, then to suffer death.  
3. That who should force or ravish any maid or woman should be burnt to death, the party so ravished putting fire to the wood that should burn him.  
4. Whosoever shall commit adultery, for the first crime the Male shall loose his privities, and the Woman have her right eye bored out, if after that she was again taken in the act, she should die without mercy.  
5. That who so injured his neighbour by laming of his limbs, or taking any thing away which he possesseth, shall suffer in the same kind himself by loss of limb; and for defrauding his neighbour, to become servant to him whilst he had made him double satisfaction.  
6. That who should defame or speak evil of the Governor, or refuse to come before him upon summons, should receive a punishment by whipping with rods, and afterwards be exploded from the society of all the rest of the inhabitants.  
Having set forth these Laws, he choose four several persons under him to see them put in Execution, whereof one was of the Englishes, the offspring of Sarah English; another of his own Tribe, the sparks; a third of the Trenors, and the fourth of the Phills; appointing them every year at a certain time to appear before him, and give an account of what they had done in prosecution of those Laws.  
The Country being thus settled, my father lived quiet and peaceable till he attained to the age of ninety and four years, when dying, I succeeded in his place, in which I have continued peaceably and quietly till this very present time.  
He having ended his speech, we gave him very heartily thanks for our information, assuring him we should not be wanting to him in any thing which lay in our powers, wherewith we could pleasure him in what he should desire; and thereupon proffered to depart, but before our going away, he would needs engage us to see him the next day, when was to be their great assembly or monthly Meeting for the celebration of their Religious Exercises.  
Accordingly the next day we came thither again, and were courteously entertained as before, In a short space there was gathered such a multitude of people together, as made us to admire; and first there was several Weddings celebrated, the manner whereof was thus. The Bridegroom and Bride appeared before him who was their Priest or Reader of the Bible, together with the Parents of each party, or if any of their Parents were dead, then the next relation unto them, without whose consent as well as the parties to be married, the Priest will not join them together: but being satisfied in those particulars, after some short oraizons,& joining of hands together, he pronounces them to be man and wife; and with exhortations to them to live lovingly towards each other, and quietly to their neighbours, he concludes with some prayers, and so dismisses them.  
The Weddings being finished, all the people took their places to hear the Word red, the new married persons having the honour to be next unto the Priest that day, after he had red three or four Chapters he fell to expounding the most difficult places therein, the people being very attentive all that while, this exercise continued for two or three hours, which being done, with some few prayers he concluded, but all the rest of that day was by the people kept very strictly, abstaining from all manner of playing or pastimes, with which on other days they use to pass their time away, as having need of nothing but victuals, and that they have in such plenty as almost provided to their hands.  
Their exercises of Religion being over, we returned again to our Ship, and the next day, taking with us two or three Fowling-pieces, leaving half our Company to guard the Ship, the rest of us resolved to go up higher into the Country for a furthery discovery; All the way as we passed the first morning, we saw abundance of little cabins or Huts of these inhabitants, made under Trees,& fashioned up with boughs, grass, and such like stuff to defend them from sun and rain; as we went along they came out of them much wondering at our attire,& standing a loof from us as if they were afraid, but our companion that spake English, calling to them in their own tongue, and giving them good words, they drew nigher, some of them freely proffering to go along with us, which we willingly accepted; but having passed some few miles, one of our company espying a fat Buck come gazing on him, he discharged his piece, sending a brace of bullets into his belly, which brought him dead upon the ground; these poor naked unarmed people hearing the noise of the piece,& seeing the Buck lye tumbling in his gore, without speaking any words betook them to their heels, running back again as fast as they could drive, nor could the persuasions of our Companion, assuring them they should have no hurt, prevail any thing at all with them, so that we were forced to pass along without their Company: all the way that we went we heard the delightful harmony of singing Birds; the ground very sertile in Trees, Grass, and such Flowers as grow by the production of nature, without the help of art; many and several sorts of Beasts we saw, who were not so much wild as in other Countries; whether it were as having enough to satiate themselves without ravening upon others, or that they never before saw the sight of man, nor heard the report 〈◇〉 murdering Guns, I leave it to others to deter●●ne. Some Trees bearing wild fruits we also saw, and of those some whereof we tasted, which were neither unwholesome nor distasteful to the palate, and no question had but nature here the benefit of art added unto it, it would equal, if not exceed many of our Europian Countries; the Valleys were every where intermixed with running streams, and no question but the Earth hath in it rich veins of Minerals, enough to satisfy the desires of the most covetous.  
It was very strange to us, to see that in such a fertile Country which was as yet never inhabited, there should be notwithstanding such a free and clear passage to us, without the hindrance of Bushes, Thorns, and such like stuff, wherewith most islands of the like nature are pestered: the length of the Grass( which yet was very much intermixed with flowers) being the onely impediment that we found.  
Six days together did we thus travail, setting several marks in our way as we went for our better return, not knowing whether we should have the benefit of the Stars for our guidance in our going back, which we made use of in our passage: at last we came to the vast Ocean on the other side of the iceland, and by our coasting it, conceive it to be of an oval form, onely here and there shooting forth with some promontories. I conceive it hath but few good Harbours belonging to it, the Rocks in most places making it inaccessible. The length of it may be about 200 and breadth 100 miles, the whole in circumference about 500. miles.  
It lieth about 76 degrees of Longitude, and 20 of Latitude, being situate unde the third Climate, the longest day being about 13. hours and 45. minutes. The weather as in all Southern Countries, is far more hot than with us in Europe; but what is by the Sun parched in the day, the night again refreshes with cool pearly dews. The air is found to be very healthful by the long lives of the present inhabitants, few dying there till such time as they come to good years of maturity, many of them arriving to the extremity of old age.  
And now speaking concerning the length of their lives, I think it will not be amiss in this place to speak something of their Burials, which they used to do thus:  
When the party was dead, they stuck his carcase all over with flowers, and after carried him to the place appointed for Burial, where setting him down,( the Priest having given some Godly exhortations concerning the frailty of life) then do they take stones( a heap being provided there for that purpose) and the nearest of the kin begins to lay the first ston upon him, afterwards the rest follows, never leaving till they have covered the body deep in stones, so that no Beast can possibly come to him, and this shift were they forced to make having no Spades or Shovels wherewith to dig them graves; which want of theirs we espying, bestowed a pickax and two shovels upon them.  
Here might I add their way of Christening Children, but that being little different from yours in England, and taught them by George Pines at first which they have since continued, I shall therefore forbear to speak thereof. after our return back from the discovery of the country, the Wind not being fit for our purpose, and our men also willing thereto, we got all our cutting Instruments on Land, and fell to hewing down of Trees, with which, in a little,( many hands making light work) we built up a palace for this William Pines the Lord of that country; which, though much inferior to the houses of your Gentry in England. Yet to them which never had seen better, it appeared a very Lordly Place. This dead of ours was beyond expression acceptable unto him, loading us with thanks for so great a benefit, of which he said he should never be able to make a requital.  
And now acquainting him, that upon the first opportunity we were resolved to leave the iceland, as also how that we were near Neighbours to the country of England, from whence his Ancestors came; he seemed upon the news to be much discontented that we would leave him, desiring, if it might stand with our commodity to continue still with him, but seeing he could not prevail, he invited us to dine with him the next day, which we promised to do, against which time he provided, very sumptuously( according to his estate) for us, and now was he attended after a more Royal manner then ever we saw him before, both for number of Servants, and multiplicity of Meat, on which we fed very hearty; but he having no other Beverage for us to drink, then water, we fetched from our Ship a Case of Brandy, presenting some of it to him to drink, but when he had tasted of it, he would by no means be persuaded to touch thereof again, preferring( as he said) his own country Water before all such liquours whatsoever.  
After we had Dined, we were invited out into the Fields to behold their Country dancing, which they did with great agility of body; and though they had no other then only Vocal music( several of them singing all that while) yet did they trip it very neatly, giving sufficient satisfaction to all that beholded them.  
The next day we invited the Prince William Pines aboard out Ship, where was nothing wanting in what we could to entertain him, he had about a dozen of Servants to attend on him; he much admired at the Tacklings of our Ship, but when we came to discharge a piece or two of Ordnance, it struck him into a wonder and amazement to behold the strange effects of Powder; he was very sparing in his Diet, neither could he, or any of his followers be induced to drink any thing but Water: We there presented him with several things, as much as we could spare, which we thought would any ways conduce to their benefit, all which he very gratefully received, assuring us of his real love and good will, whensoever we should come thither again.  
And now we intended the next day to take our leaves, the Wind standing fair, blowing with a gentle Gale South and by East, but as we were hoisting of our Sails, and weighing Anchor, we were suddenly Allarum'd with a noise from the shore, the Prince W. Pines imploring our assistance in an Insurrection which had happened amongst them, of which this was the cause.  
Henry Phil, the chief Ruler of the Tribe or Family of the Phills, being the Offspring of George Pines which he had by the N●gro-woman, this man had ravished the Wife of one of the principal of the Family of the Tr●vers, which act being made known, the Trev●rs assembled themselves altogether to bring the o●●ender unto Justice: But he knowing his crime to be so great, as extended to the loss of life; sought to defend that by force, which he had as unlawfully committed, whereupon the whole iceland was in a great hurly burly, they being too great Potent Factions, the bandying of which against each other, threatened a general ruin to the whole State.  
The governor William Pines had interposed in the matter, but found his Authority too weak to repress such Disorders; for where the Hedge of Government is once broken down the most vile bear the greatest rule, whereupon he desired our assistance, to which we readily condescended, and arming out twelve of us went on Shore, rather as to a surprise then sight, for what could nakedness do to encounter with Arms. Being conducted by him to the force of our Enemy, we first entered into parley, seeking to gain them rather by fair means then force, but that not prevailing, we were necessitated to use violence, for this Henry phil being of an undaunted resolution, and having armed his fellows with Clubs and Stones, they sent such a Peal amongst us, as made us at the first to give back, which encouraged them to follow us on with great violence, but we discharging off three or four Guns, when they saw some of themselves wounded, and heard the terrible reports which they gave, they ran away with greater speed then they came. The Band of the Trevors who were joined with us, hotly pursued them, and having taken their Captain, returned with great triumph to their governor, who sitting in judgement upon him, he was adjudged to death, and thrown off a steep Rock into the Sea, the only way they have of punishing any by death.  
And now at last we took our solemn leaves of the governor, and departed from thence, having been there in all the space of three weeks and two dayes, we took with us good store of the flesh of a Beast which they call there Reval, being in taste different either from Beef or Swines-flesh, yet very delightful to the palate, and exceeding nutrimental. We took also with us alive, divers Fowls which they call Mards, about the bigness of Pullet, and not different in taste, they are very swift of flight, and yet so fearless of danger, that they will stand still till such time as you catch them: We had also sent us in by the governor about two bushels of eggs, which as I conjecture were the Mards eggs, very lussious in taste, and strengthening to the body.  
June 8. We had a sight of Cambaia, a part of the East Indies, but under the Government of the great Cham of Tartary; here our Vessel springing a leak, we were forced to put to shore, receiving much damage in some of our Commodities; we were forced to ply the Pump for eighteen hours together, which, had that miscarried, we had inevitably have perished; here we staid five dayes mending our Ship, and drying some of our Goods, and then hoisting Sail, in four days time more we came to Calecute.  
This Cal●cute is the chief Mart foreshown and Staple of all the Indian traffic, it is very populous, and frequented by Merchants of all Nations. Here we unladed a great part of our Goods, and taking in others, which caused us to stay there a full month, during which space, at leisure times I went abroad to take a survey of the City, which I found to be large and populous, lying for three miles together upon the Sea-shore. Here is a great many of those persons whom thy call Brachmans, being their Priests or Teachers whom they much reverence. It is a custom here for the King to give to some of those Brachmain the hanselling of his Nuptial Bed; for which cause, not the Kings, but the Kings sisters sons succeed in the Kingdom, as being more certainly known to be of the true Royal blood: And these sisters of his choose what Gentleman they please, on whom to bestow their Virginities; and if they prove not in a certain time to be with child, they betake themselves to these Brachman Stalions, who never fail of doing their work.  
The people are indifferently civil and ingenious, both men and women imitate a Majesty in their Train and Apparel, which they sweeten with oils and Perfumes: adorning themselves with Jewels and other Ornaments befiting each Rank and Quality of them.  
They have many odd Customs amongst them which they observe very strictly; as first, not knowing their Wives after they have born them two children: Secondly, not accompanying them, if after five years cohabition they can raise no issue by them, but taking others in their rooms: Thirdly, never being rewarded for any Military exploit, unless they bring with them an enemies Head in their Hand, but that which is strangest, and indeed most barbarous, is that when any of their friends falls sick, they will rather choose to kill him, then that he should be withered by sickness.  
Thus you see there is little employment there for Doctors, when to be sick, is the next way for to be slain, or perhaps the people may be of the mind rather to kill themselves, then to let the Doctors do it.  
Having dispatched our business, and freighted again our Ship, we left Calecute, and put forth to Sea, and coasted along several of the Islands belonging to India, at Camboia I met with our old friend Mr. David Prire, who was overjoyed to see me, to whom I related our Discovery of the iceland of Pines, in the same manner as I have related it to you; he was then but newly recovered of a fever, the Air of that place not being agreeable to him; here we took in good store of Aloes, and some other Commodities, and victualled our Ship for our return home.  
After four davs sailing, we met with two Portugal Ships which came from Lisbon, one whereof had in a storm lost its Top-mast, and was forced in part to be towed by the other. We had no bad weather in eleven dayes space, but then a sudden storm of Wind did us much harm in our Tacklings, and swept away one of our Sailors off from the Fore Castle. November the sixth had like to have been a fatal day unto us, our Ship striking twice upon a Rock, and at night was in danger of being fired by the negligence of a Boy, leaving a Candle carelessly in the Gun-room; the next day we were chased by a pirate of Argiere, but by the swiftness of our Sails we out ran him. December the first we came again to Madagascar, where we put in for a fresh recruit of Victuals and Water.  
During our abode here, there happened a very great Earthquake, which tumbled down many Houses; The people of themselves are very Unhospitable and Treacherous, hardly to to be drawn to traffic with any people; and now, this calamity happening upon them, so enraged them against the Christians, imputing all such calamities to the cause of them, that they fell upon some Portugals and wounded them, and we seeing their mischrevous Actions, with all the speed we could put forth to Sea again, and sailed to the iceland of St. Hellens.  
Here we stayed all Christmas holidays, which was very much celebrated by the governor there under the King of Spain: Here we furnished ourselves with all necessaries which we wanted; but upon our departure, our old acquaintance Mr. Petrus Ramazina, coming in a Skiff out of the Isse dol Principe, or the Princes iceland, retarded our going for the space of two dayes, for both myself and our Pu●●er had Emergent business with him, he being concerned in those Affairs of which I wrote to you in April last: Indeed we cannot but aclowledge his Courtesies unto us, of which you know he is never sparing. January the first, we again hoist Sail, having a fair and prosperous gail of Wind, we touched at the Canaries, but made no tarriance, desirous now to see our Native country; but the Winds was very across unto us for the space of a week, at last we were favoured with a gentle Gale, which brought us on merrily; though we were on a sudden strike again into a dump; a Sailor from the main Mast discovering five Ships, which put us all in a great fear, we being Richly Laden, and not very well provided for Defence; but they bearing up to us, we found them to be Zealanders and our Friends; after many other passages concerning us not so much worthy of Note, we at last safely arrived at home, May 26. 1668.  
Thus Sir, have I given you a brief, but true Relation of our Voyage, Which I was the more willing to do, to prevent false Copies which might be spread of this nature: As for the iceland of Pines itself, which caused me to writ this Relation, I suppose it is a thing so strange as will hardly be credited by some, although perhaps knowing persons, especially considering our last age being so full of Discoveries, that this Place should lye Dormant for so long a space of time; Others I know, such Nullifidians as will believe nothing but what they see, applying that Proverb unto us, That Travelers may lie by auth●rity. But Sir, in writing to you, I question not but to give Credence, you knowing my disposition so hateful to divulge Falsities; I shall request you to impart this my Relation to Mr. W. W. and Mr. P. L. remembering me very kindly unto them, not forgetting my old acquaintance Mr. J. P. and Mr. J. B. no more at present, but only my best respects to you and your second self, I rest  
July 22. 1668. Yours in the best of friendship, Cornelius Van Sloetten.   

POST-CRIPT.  
ONe thing concerning the Isle of Pines, I had almost quiter forgot, we had with us an Irish man name Dermot Conelly who had formerly been in England, and had learned there to play on the Bagpipes, which he carried to Sea with him; yet so un-Englished he was, that he had quiter forgotten your Language, but still retained his Art of Bagpipe-playing, in which he took extraordinary delight; being one day on Land in the Isle of Pines, he played on them, but to see the admiration of those naked people concerning them, would have stricken you into admiration; long time it was before we could persuade them that it was not a living creature, although they were permitted to touch and feel it, and yet are the people very intelligible, retaining a great part of the Ingenuity and Gallantry of the English Nation, though they have not that happy means to express themselves; In this respect we may account them fortunate, in that possessing little, they enjoy all things, as being contented with what they have, wanting those allurements to mischief, which our European Countries are enriched with. I shall not dilate any further, no question but time will make this iceland known better to the world; all that I shall ever say of it is, that it is a place enriched with Natures abundance, deficient in nothing conducible to the sustentation of mans life, which were it Manured by Agri-culture and Gardening, as other of our Europian Countries are, no question but it would equal, if not exceed many which now pass for praise worthy.   
FINIS.