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1
2
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T
IBF^tiDHri :^0F for atbalon
1622*
ffiUiteti anti Elustratctr 65 2i:, SH!)itl)urn,
LONDON :
SAMPSON LOW, SON, AND MARSTON,
FLEET STREET ;
FIELD AND TUER, 50, LEADENHALL STREET,
W5'
ILontion :
1 u:i.D S: TuiiK,
50, I.KADHNHALI. ST.
rRINTHKS IN
'antique' TYl'E.
i
|i
(S.243-)
' !
CONTENTS.
i
PAGE
Preface 7
Introduction o
Extracts .16
appendix-
Royal Proclamation ^2
From the Privy Council 33
To the King 35
To THE People . 37
Autobiography 40
Savages and "Maremaid" 45
k
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MEN who would line at home idlely, that
may bee there imployed, or thinke himfelfe
worthy to Hue only to eate, drinke, and
fleepe, and fo die ; hauing confumed that
carelefly, his friends got worthily, or by
vfmg that talent miferably, which may
thus maintaine vertue honestly ? "— Captain
Richard Whithourue.
" Olivia. There lies your way, due Weft.
Viola. Then Westward \\o^:' —Shakspere' s " Twelfth Night;'
Act iii., Sc. I.
Siij^_
[i>
"Take water; keepe aloof from the fhore ; * » * vp \v;th your
faylcb, and WESTWARD llOEl^'—Wdstet^s "Westward lloe,"
Act iii., So. 3.
FEW words on the history of New-
foundland may not be out of place.
Discovered (officially) by Sebastian
Cabot, in 1497, for Henry VII., fleets
for fishing purposes soon fre(|uented its
shores. In 1583, Sir Humfrey Gilbert,
by patent from Queen Elizabeth, for-
mally annexed it to the British crown, and left a few
settlers. Chiefly through Captain Whitbourne's efforts, it
was permanently colonized under James I., the "province"
being named Avalon, whilst the principal "adventurers"
included the Rt. Hon. Henry Cary, Viscount of Falkland,
who had received a grant of an extensive "coast circuit"
there, and who sent some settlers from Ireland under Sir
Francis TanfiU, in 1623, Sir John Calvert, His Majesty's
Chief Secretary, "The Wor. John Slany, of London,
marchant, some Wor. Citizens of Bristoll, the Wor. William
Vaughan, of Taracod, in the county of Carmarthen, Doctor
of the Civil Law," and some others.
The colony prospered, but Charles the First, influenced
by his queen, permitted the French to fish there on
payment of tribute. They, not satisfied with the remission
of this tax by the second Charles, and by James, tried
8
WKSTWAUI) IIOI! FOR AVAI.OX.
to mor,opol:se the island, were repressed by William, I„,t
enc.oache<l L,n<Ier Anne. Knglish r.ierchants loudly com-
Plnine<l, and disputes were settled by the French definitely
renouncing their pretensions to the island in 171, j-ir-
t.oulars respecting Cabot's discovery will be found in the
a^cent vaUutble accornt of that great navigator, by I. F
Nicholls, Esq., city librarian, JJristol, whilst the present
condmon of the colony is spiritedly delineated in Col.
_K. K McCreas ".Sketches of Life in Newfoundland,
^.ngland s ancient colony." From him we learn that at
he capital, St. John's, "in proportion to its inhabitants, a
larger busniess is done than at any other colonial city,"
whilst the harbour .-anks as one of our most important
ocean videttes," and may easily be rendered impregnable
The climate, he tells us, is remar'-ably healthy, and the
summer, though short, is delightful. Near the coast are
valleys of e.xceeding beauty. Game, tish, and wild fruits
;1T" T. 'T''"' "''"" P™''"^^ *■" '"- "" ^™Pe.-or's
table. 1 he people are " kind and social," an.l Col McCrea
sums up by saying, " My lot has been cast in almost
every colony of our vast dominion. Not even excepting
dear old Corfu, have three happier years than those (per°
force at first, and very willingly afterwards; in Newfound-
land been ever spent abroad."
-
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OOKS, like everything; el.se, have their appointed
dcatli-day ; the souls of them, unless they be found
worthy of a second birth in a new body, perish
with the paper in which they lived." — Fronde.
NE of " England's forgotten worthies,"
Ciiptain Richard Whitbourne belongs to
that bold race of Elizabetha:. seamen
Avho dealt a fatal blow to the naval
power of Spain, carried the English flag
to the most distant seas, laid the foun-
dation of our maritime supremacy, and
made known many of those lands Avhich, colonized by the
English race, now form homes of industrious and thriving
millions. Of these he may not be in the foremost rank,
nor have gained historic fame, but he nevertheless did the
State good and substantial service; and as all honest
writing reflects light on contemporary thought and manners,
it seemed to me that his work, now rare, deserved a better
fate than that of mere oblivion. I therefore offer an
abstract of it ; an entire reprint would be tedious. Written
10
WESTWARD HOE
with the express countenance of the king, ordered by the
Privy Council to be printed, and recommended by them to
the Arclibishops of Canterbury and York, and to the rest
of the Bishops, that it might be distributed in the parishes
of the kmgdom, to inform the people how profitable migra-
tion to Newfoundland would be ; it contains much matter
which, then new, is now needless. Its purpose has been
answered ; the colony itself testifies to the soundness of the
author's views. I take, then, such portions merely as
describe either the author's experiences or the island's
characteristics, or possess other interest ; the dedication,
preface, &c., are given, literally, at the end, with the original
spelling, which, as in other works of the period, shows that,
provided the sound were true, the particular letter employed
was in some cases considered unimportant. Who, now-a-
days, for instance, could ul ach license as that of calling
in consecutive lines nature's covering for the scalp *' hayre,"
and " haire ? " So, in proper names, a letter more or less
seemed matter of momentary caprice. Certain words like-
wise have somewhat changed in meaning. Thus, by ** a
discovery of Newfoundland," the author implies, not that
he first touched at the island, but that he first made widely
known the features which fitted it for "plantation" pur-
poses ; and when he tells how one of his ships was appro-
priated by "an English erring captaine (that went forth
with Sir Walter Rawleigh)," we see that "erring" implies
not so much divergence from moral rectitude (though this
too may be comprised in it), as wandering without fixed
goal in the way which once caused kniglits also to be
termed errant. As for the work itself, it professes to be,
and is, merely a plain account of a land which the author
considered ought lo develope into an English colony. Thus
of personal adventure it tells little. True, the preface is
:n
FOR AVALON.
ri
autobiographical, but that form could not be avoided,
for the author had to show his credentials, and he does so
with a brevity which is, I venture to think, cause for regret.
Thus, to prove that in describing Newfoundland he had not
lacked opportunities for comparison, he tells us that he
had "been often in France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Savoy,
Denmark, Norway, Spruceland, the Canaries, and Soris
Islands," whilst to show that his naval experience was of
some standing, he says, —
•'In the year 1588, I served under the then Lord Admiral, as
captain in a ship of my own, set forth at my own charge against the
Spanish Armada : and after such time as that service was ended, taking
my leave of his Honour, I had his favourable letters to one Sir Robert
Dennis, in the county of Devon, Knight, whereby there might be some
course taken, that the charge as well of my own Ship, as also of two
other, and a Pinnace, with the victuals, and men therein employed,
should not be any way burdensome to me. Wherein there was such
order given by the then Right Honourable Lords of the Privy Council
that the same was well satisfied, which service is to be seen recorded in
the Book at Whitehall."
But his visits to Newfoundland, " almost," he says, " so
familiarly known to me as my own country," began even
before this; for about 1580, he went there "in a worthy
ship of the burden of 300 tons, set forth by one Master
Cotton, of Southampton ; " and some three years later he
again went to that coast in command of a ship belonging
to " one Master Crooke," cf the same port. It was on this
occasion that he became " an eye-witness " of the taking
possession of Newfoundland by "Sir ILumfrey Gilbert, a
Devonshire knight," under a patent from Queen Elizabeth ;
in returning from which service Sir Humfrey and his ship
were "overwhelmed by the seas, and so perished." Two
years after this the author, again in command of a ship off
12
WESTWARD HOE
that coast, met with Sir Bernard Drake, also of Devonshire,
who, having a commission backed by divers good ships,
"there took many Portugal ships laden with fish, and
brought them into England as prizes."
Next, leaping over various other voyages there, the
author alights in the year 1612, when, being again on his
favourite coast, he fell in with "that famous Arch Pirate
Peter Easton," who " had with him ten sail of good ships
v/ell furnished, and very rich"— an arch pirate indeed!
Now, having turned piracy to such profitable account, the
prudent Peter proposed to retire from the profession ; and
during the eleven weeks our author was kept "under his
command," which implies, doubtless, that for such period
he could not obtain leave to depart, much edifying dis-
course took place between them on piracy's wicked ways,
and Peter was moved at length to request the author to
come to England, where (being rich) he had influential
friends, and tell them that he was open to accept a pardon.
This the author gladly undertook to do; so, dechning
*'much wealth" which the pirate liberally proffered him
("having no warrant to touch such goods"), he requested
merely the release of a ship belonging to one Captain
Rashly, of Foy, in Cornwall— a man, he says, "whom I
knew but only by report "—which ship the pirate had
appropriated off the coast of Guinea. Peter granted the
favour instantly, and our author providing men, victuals*
and a freight for the ship, sent her home to Dartmouth, in
Devon ; but, ingratitude being rife then as now, he got for
this service not so much as thanks. Giving up, then, his
intenc' d commercial voyage to Naples, the author came
straig t to England to fulfil Easton's behest, but he was
forestalled : ere his arrival a pardon had been sent the
pirate from Ireland, and so he says, I " lost both my labour
• i
FOR AVALON.
13
and charges." But did Easton profit as he desired by this
fulfilment of his wish ? No. The bearer of the pardon
was not zealous, it seems, in the repentant pirate's behoof,
and by " a too much delaying of time " wore out Easton's
patience. So the pirate, leaving the coast of Barbary, where
he had promised to hover — doubtless alleviating the tedmm
of suspense by snapping up maritime trifles — "sailed to the
Straights of Gibraltar, and was afterwards entertained by the
Duke of Savoy, under whom he lived rich." Thus in that
somewhat free and easy time a pirate owning ten good
ships rich with gold, and full of fighting men, was evidently
a personage whom sovereign princes were by no means
prompt to snub.
Two years elapse, and we again find our author off the
Newfoundland coast ; this time in more respectable com-
pany, that of Sir Henry Mainwaring, whose authority was
supported by "five good fliips ftrongly provided," and from
him the author returned straight to England instead of
taking, as he had intended, a commercial trip to Marseilles.
That this return was on official business may be inferred
from the fact that, in the following year, 16 15, he once more
sailed to Newfoundland, carrying with him a commission
under the great seal of the High Court of Admiralty,
authorising him to empannel juries and reform disorders
on the coast, and this, he says, " executed wholly at my
own charge, hath been at large by me already certified into
the High Couit of Admiralty;" but, considering that "the
same hath been overslipped ever since," it may be judged
that '"barren honour" was all he gained for his labour.
Well for him that he could aftord it. But if he possessed
substance he also suffered losses. Shylock's enumeration of,
among other risks, that from "water rats," smacks of the
spirit of the time.
' {
14
WESTWARD HOE
Thus, in 1616, the author's ship of 100 tons, laden from
Newfoundland to Lisbon, was rifled by a Rochelle pirate
hight Daniel Tibolo, whereby he suffered loss to the extent
of ;^86o, in those days no small sum, whilst the master and
the company in her were " cruelly handled " to boot. Nor
was this all. Having, shortly after, come to an arrange-
ment with "a gentleman" to whom certain patentees had
transferred their right to settle people in Newfoundland, the
author received from, him "a conveyance under his hand
and feal for the term of my life, with full power to govern
within his circuit upon that coall." So he once more sailed
to his well-beloved island in a ship of his own, victualled
by a joint stock com.pany, in which he had a share, and
they " likewife then did fet forth another (hip, for a fifhing
voyage, which alfo carried fome vi6luals for thofe people
which had been formerly fent to inhabit there : but this
fliip was intercepted by an Englifh erring captain (that
went forth with Sir Walter Rawleigh) who took the mafler
of her, the boatfwain, and two other of the befl men, with
much of her vi6luals (the refl of the company for fear
running into the woods), and fo left the (hip as a prize;
whereby our intended fifhing voyages of both .our (hips
were overthrown, and the plantation hindered." In what
way an English erring captain differed from a pirate it is
somewhat difficult from this sample of procedure, and after
this lapse of years, to discover. Possibly the former may
have combined traffic with picking and stealing ; the latter,
not. Balked, then, in his individual efforts for the object
he had at heart, the author appeals by his work to the king
and the people ; not claiming, by any means, a monopoly
of credit for calling attention to Newfoundland, but simply
stating that no man had hitherto written a detailed descrip-
tion of the fsland, or " publifhed any fit motives or induce-
I
FOR AVALON.
15
ments whereby to perfuade men to adventure or plant
tliere." To this work, he says, his conscience had often
prompted him, and he gives what is to us, when we
compare, superficially, the relative populousness of England
then and now, the curious reason of desiring by it " to
flir up many of your Majelly's good and religious fubjedls
duly to weigh the piety, honour, and benefit that will arife
from fuch a work, confidering how your Majefly's kingdoms
do abound and overflow with people."
In conclusion, he thanks God that, although he had often
suffeied great losses by pirates and sea rovers, no casualty
had ever happened to any ship in which he himself sailed ;
and he takes this comfort, that if, after more than forty
years of naval life, he had reaped little other than the peace
of a good conscience, he has at least the knowledge that
he had ever been a loyal subject to his prince, whilst he
has enjoyed the comfort of never yet in all his time having
been " beholding to any dodlors' counfel or apothecaries'
drugs " for the preservation of his health. He trusts, also,
by his work to become an instrument of some public good,
and he then commences *'the particular relation of the
country, &c."
THOMAS WHITBURN.
Guildford, January^ 1870.
RDINARY English traders we find fighting Spanish
war-ships in behalf of the Protestant faith. The
cruisers of the Spanish main were full of generous
eagerness for the conversion of the savage nations
to Christianity. And, what is even more surprising,
sites for colonizaiion vi^ere examined and scrutinised
l)y such men in a lofty statesmanlike spirit, and a ready insight was
displayed by them into the indirect effects of a wisely- extended commerce
on every highest human interest." — Frotuie.
A Relation of the New-found-land, with a more ample
DISCOUERY OF THAT CoUNTREY, THEN EUER WAS YET SET
FOORTH TO THE OPEN VIEW ; TOGETHER WITH THE BrIEFES
OF SUCH PRESENTMENTS, AS WERE THERE TAKEN TO THE
VSE OF YOUR MaIESTIE, BY VERTUE OF A COMMISSION
VNDER THE BrOAD SeALE OF THE AUMIRALTIE," DIRECTED
TO ME Richard Whitbourne.
UCH is the heading to the author's
work, and he begins with a description
of " the situation of the countrey," which
is, he tells us, between 46 and 53
degrees, north latitude, whilst the cli-
mate has at least the recommendation
of being perfectly healthy. As for " the
naturall inhabitants," they are described as but few in
WESTWARD HOE FOR AVALON.
17
number and as " fomething rude and fauage people ; hauing
neither knowledge of God, nor liuing under any kind of
ciuill gouernment. In their habits, cuflomes and manners,
they referable the Indians of the Continent, from whence
(I fuppofe) they come." Still they are said to be "an
ingenuous and tradlable people (being well vfed)," and as
ready to assist in the whale fishery for even small reward.
Of the many bays and harbours of the coast, "built by the
admirable workmanfhip of God," the author speaks highly,
and he particularly mentions Trinity Harbour, which
" is neere vnto a great Bay lying on the North-fide of it, called the Bay
of Flowers; to which place no Shippes repaire to fifli; partly in regard of
fundry Kocks and Ledges lying euen with the water, and full of danger ;
but chiefly (as I coniecflure) becaufe the fauage people of that countrey
doe there inhabite : many of them fecretly euery yeere, come into
Trinity Bay and Harbour, in the night time, purpofely to fteale Sailes,
Lines, Hatchets, Hookes, Kniues, and fuch like. And this Bay is not
three Englifh miles ouerland from Trinity Bay in many places; which
people, if they might be reduced to the knowledge of the true Trinity
indeed, no doubt but it would be a mofl fweet and acceptable facrifice
to God, an euerlafling honour to your Maiefly, and the heauenUeft
bleffing to thofe poore Creatures, who are buried in their owne
fuperftitious ignorance. The taflce thereof would proue eafie, if it were
but well begun, and conftantly feconded by induftrious fpirits : and no
doubt but God himfelfe would fet his hand to reare vp and aduance fo
noble, fo pious, and fo Chriflian a building."
The author nexts
Soyle."
dilates on "The Fertilitie of the
"There the Summer naturally produceth out of the fruitful wombe of
the earth, without the labour of man's hand, great plenty of greene
peale and Fitches, faire, round, full and wholefome as our Fitches are
in England : of which I have there fed on many times : the hawmes
of them are good fodder for cattel and other beads in the winter, with
the helpe of Hay ; of which there may be made great llore with little
labour in diuers places of the Countrey.
C
i8
WESTWARD HOE
" Then haue you there fairc Strawberries red and white, and as faire
Rafpaneberries, and Goofe berries, as there be in England ; as alfo
multitudes of Bilberries, which arc called by fome, Whortes, and many
other delicate Berries (which I cannot name) in great abundance.
•* There are alfo many other fruits, as fmall Peares, fowre Cherries,
Filberds, &c. And of thefe Berries and fruits the (lore is there fo great,
that the mariners of my Ship and Barkes company, haue often gathered
at once, more then halfe an hogshead would hold ; of which diuers
times eating their fill I neuer heard of any man, whofe health was
thereby any way impaired.
"There are alfo herbes for Sallets and Broth ; as Parfley, Alexander,
Sorrell, &c. And alfo flowers, as the red and white Damafke Rofe,
with other kinds ; which are mofl beautiful! and delightfull, both to the
fight and fmell."
Herbs good for physic arc also found, and it had been
proved by experiment that " Corn, Cabbage, Carrets,
Turneps, Lettice, and fuch Hke, proue well there." As for
the animals, they comprise, among others, " Deere, Hares,
Foxes, Squirrels, Beuers, Wolues, and Beares." And the
author now gives " A rare example of the gentle nature of
the beafls of that countrey."
* ' Neither let me feeme ridiculous, to annex a matter of nouelty, rather
than waight, to this difcourfe.
'•In the yeere 1615 it was well knowne to 48 perfons of my company,
and diuers other men, that three feuerall times, the Wolues and .beads
of the countrey came downe neere them to the fea-fide, where they
were labouring about their Fifh, howling and making a noife : fo that
at each time my Maftiffe-dogge went vnto them (as the like in that
countrey hath not been feene :) the one began to fawne and play with
the other, and fo went together into the Woods, and continued with
them, euery of thefe times, nine or ten dayes, and did returne vnto us
without any hurt. Hereof I am no way fuperftitious, yet it is fomething
flrange to me, that the wilde beafts, being followed by a Heme Maftiffe-
dogge, fhould grow to a familiaritie with him, feeing their natures are
repugnant : furely much rather the people by our difcreet and gentle
vfage, may be brought to focietie, being already naturally inclined
thereunto."
FOR AVALON.
19
Of birds, also, there is no lack, for " the Lavid-fowle "
include " (befides great number of fmall birds flying vp and
downe, fome without name, that Hue by fcraping their food
from the earth in the hardeft winter that isV hawks,
partridges, and thrushes. The songbirds number " Filladies,
Nightingales, and fuch like, that fmg mofl pleafantly." The
birds of prey comprise "Rauens, Gripes, Crowes, &c.,"
whilst the wate-'^owl are legion, the most noteworthy being
the penguin.
'•Thefe Penguins are as bigge as Geefe, and flye not, for they haue
but a little fliort wing, and they multiply fo infinitly, vpon a certain flat
Hand, that men driue them from thence vpon a boord, into their boates
by hundreds at a time ; as if God had made the innocency of fo poore
a creature to become fuch an admirable inftrument for the fuflentation
of man."
Of scarcely less value are the feathered " oxen and kine,"
••which fowle doe not only fteed thofe that trade thither greatly for
foode, but alfo they are a great furthering to diuers fliips voyages,
becaufe the abundance of them is fuch, that the Fifliermen doe bait
their hookes with the quarters of fea fowle on them : and therewith
fome (hips do yeerely take a great part of their filhing voyages, with
fuch bait, before they can get others."
Fresh water and fuel are said to be abundant. The
author suggests the probability of finding mines ; and as for
fish, from the whale to the herring the waters swarm with
them, the king of the coast being the cod-fish.
••But the chiefe commodity of New-found-land yet knowne, and
which is grown to be a fettled trade, and that may be much bettered by
an orderly Plantation there, (if the Traders thither will take fome better
courfe than formerly they haue done, as fhall be declared) is the Cod-
fifhing vpon that Coaft, by which our Nation and many other countries
are enricht."
ii.
It
20
WESTWARD HOE
By tlie " French, Bifcaines, and Portugals more than 400
foile of fliips" are, he says, sent thither, whilst " in the yeere
1615," when the author's Admiralty commission caused him
to take special note, our fleet there amounted to " 250 faile
of fhips great and fmall." Their united bulk is estimated
at 150,000 tons. Five thousand persons are said to have
manned them. " Every one of thefe fliips, fo neere as I
could gueffe, had about 120,000 fish, and five tunne of
Trayne oyle one with another," the value of which, if sold
in England, where the prices were lower than on the
continent, would " yeeld to your Maiefties fubje6ls better
then the fumme of 135,000 pound." The author then
proceeds to speak of the number of persons indirectly
employed by this traffic, and he intimates that, unless
the English firmly root themselves on the soil, some other
nation will appropriate it, to our great detriment. He next
throws out suggestions as to the North-west Passage.
"The Englifli r.r* reputed for the firft dlfcouerers of this Countrey :
and a Subiect of this State, one Sir Humfrey Gilbert (as is touched
before) hath long fince taken pofleflion thereof, to the vfe of your
Maieflies royall Crowne ; and that poffeflion hath bin continued by
feuerall Patents and Commiflions : fo that of right I do concieue, it
appertaineth to your Maieftie, although it be not yet peopled with your
Maieflies fubjedls, notwithftanding the faid Patents.
" Neither feemes it impoffible to me, but that your Maieftie, and
your royall Progenie, may in time annexe vnto your Crowne a great
part of the Continent of America, bordring vpon New-found-land, the
fame lying neerer to your Maiefties kingdoms, then to any other
countrey of thefe our knowne parts of the World : and for the moft
part of it vnder the lame Eleuation of the Pole with vs ; and but little
aboue Sixe hundred leagues diftance from hence.
*' At leaft I cannot fee, but that from hence further Difcoueries may
be made, and new trades found out, yea peraduenture the fuppofed
Northweft paffage ; For if it can be proued, or if there be any pofll-
bilitie or probabilitie, that there is fuch a paflage, on the Northfide of
FOR AVAI.ON.
21
America towards lapan and China, which is the opinion of fome men,
is to lie neere the lieight of 64 degrees : the fitteft place from whence
to proceed to that Discouerie, is (in my opinion) the New-found-land.
And for thofe that hencefoorth attempt to fearch that ftraight or
paffage, to fct foorth fooner and more early, then heretofore they haue
done, and to faile diredlly to fome conuenient Harbour in New-found -
land, there to refrefli themfelves with fuch prouifion as fliall be needfull ;
and fo put out from thence about the twentieth day of May (if it be
once fet in a faire Wefterly winde,) and to faile along the North part of
New-found-land, and that coaft which is called Cambaleu, continuing
that Northerly courfe vnto 64, which is but 15 degrees from Trinity
Harbour ; and it may be failed in leffe than fixe dayes, with a faire
Wefterly winde, which commonly maketh a cleere coaft all along to
the North, both from fogges and Ice alfo ; both which are violent
hinderers to men that haue vndertaken thefe voyages. For coming to
feeke out thofe ftraights or paffages, with a large Eafterly, Southerly,
or Northerly winde, which commonly bring on that Coaft the fogges
and Ice, and comming fo late in the fummer, they haue thereby loft
the aduantage and benefit of time for finding out fo happy a bufineffe.'
The author then points out that the " counire/ may be
made a place of great vfe and aduantage, for this (late in
any adtion, that may ingage vs by way of attempt or defence,
in regard of thofe parts of the world." He states that the
situation is convenient for ships to refit in returning from
Virginia and the Bermudas, and he recommends migration
thither as a remedy for our plethora of population.
«« Befides all this, it Would be a great eafe to all the reft of your
Maiefties subieds, if fome part of our fuperabounding multitudes
were tranfplanted into New-found-laud ; for befides the great number of
idle perfons that liue here, fpending their time in drinking and other
excelTes, among which many of your New-found-land men may be
reckoned, during the winter feafon, whilft they are at home : There are
many thoufands ol" pOore people of both fexes, which might be fpared
out of all your Maiefties Dominions, who lining penurioully, and in
great want, would be perfwaded to remove their dwelling into New-
found-land, where they might not onely free themfelues of their prefent
miferies, but alfo by their induftrie, in time inrich themfelues, and
W
22
WESTWARD HOE
defenie well of the State by their imploiments ; for there is ycercly
great abvindance of good fiflx loft for want of labourers, and other
good things alfo."
Another beneficial result, too, will follow from this pro-
posed plantation, namely, proper commercial regulations ;
for now, the author complains, mariners set forth at " the
fouled time in the yeere " in order that by arriving first in
harbour they may enjoy " the name of Admirall that yeere "
with corresponding advantages. Thus by undue haste
among fogs and ice *' many times both fhips and men
haue been fuddenly cafl away, to the vtter vndoing of
many Adventurers, and families. So had I myfelfe a (hip
lofl failing to that Countrey, and divers others the like."
Nor is this all. "The firfl arrivers there" ofttimes
wantonly destroy not only the houses or rooms used for
drying the fish, but also such fishing pinnaces as they find,
thus causing great loss to after-comers, all which impro-
prieties a plantation with proper rule would prevent. From
every ship, then, the author proposes that a certain pro-
portion of men (six out of thirty) should be left; a procedure
which *' wil foone raife many people to be fettled in euery
Harbour where our Nation vfeth to fifli,and in other Harbours
there alfo in little time." Thus the profits will be largely
increased, and a broad line will be drawn between those
who have a permanent interest in the colony and mere
traffickers to and fro.
There is another point also on which the author, in
capacity of merchant rather than mariner, speaks feelingly.
"The allowance of victuall to niaintaine euery fixe men, to carry
and recatry them outwards bound and homewards, is fixe hogfheads of
beere, and fixe hundred waight of bread, befides beefe and other pro-
uifion ; which men, when they faile to and fro (as now they vfe) doe
little good or any feruice at all, but pefter the fliip in which they are,
FOR AVALON.
«i
with their bread, beere, water, wood, victuall. f.fli, chcfls, and diuers
other trumperies, that euery fuch f.xe men doe cund.er the (lup withall
yeerely from thence : which men, when the voyage is made, may be
accounted vnneceffary perfons returning yeerly from thence."
See, too, how much more fish the ships would hold when
not " peRered " with " such vnprofitable things," whilst the
men left in the country may if industrious (an important
proviso) " gaine twice as much in the abfence of the Hiips
that leaue them there." Hitherto the class of settler had
not been of good report.
"For certainly I haue already feene and knowne by experience, that
the defired Plantation can neuer bee made beneficiall by fuch idle
nerfons, as I found there the yeere 1618 when I was there with power,
l)y vertue of a graunt from the I'atentees. which people had remamed
there a whole yeere, before 1 came neare, or knew any of them ; and
neuer applied themfelues to any commendable thing, no not fo much as
to make themfelues an houfe to lodge in, but lay in fuch cold and
f.mple roomes all the winter, as the Fidiermen had formerly bmlt there
for their neceffary occaf.ons, the yeere before thofe men arriued there.
This negligence filled the author with disgust.
«« Yet entring into confideration, how iniurious I (liould be to God,
and (as I did conceiue in my confcience) trecherous to your Maiefty,
and my countrev, hauing once as it were laid hold on y- plough, I
fliould take it off and looke backe : I did then incourage my retinng
fpirits; notwithftanding all my former wrongs then fuftamed. And
although I found thofe people that were fo formerly fent to plant, fo
unfit for that feruice, I did not only confider of the fitteft courfe whereby
to aduance that work, which was formerly fo worthily mtended ; but
alfo truly and plamly to write this Difcouery, as now I haue, how
commodioudy & beneficially it may be proceeded on; and fo flapped
fome of them to retume home againe, and gaue others leave to depart,
all, excepting fixe only; to whom I gaue diredions for buddmg an
houfe, and imploying themfelves, otherwife than formerly they had
done, vntill they heard from the gentleman that fent them thither : And
fo they lined there pleafantly all the next winter."
24
WESTWARD HOE
By leaving a certain percentage cf seamen on the coast
the number employed will be increased, the author estim.ites,
by about a thousand a year ; and, whereas but two hundred
and fifty English ships then traded thither, he anticipates
that the number will speedily swell to four hundred sail.
Great, too, is his vexation at the wilful waste in which some
of his countrymen there indulge, by cutting down and
destr ying the fine timber growing near the coast ; nay,
more lamentable still, *' the Harbours and Rodes in New-
found-land, that are fo beautifull and excellent, ordained by
God for Ihips to ride fafe in at anchor," were actually
suffering grievous injury through "the exceeding great
flones," used by the fishermen " to preffe their drie fifli in
their fhips," being thrown by these improvident anglers
" within three fadome of water," greatly to the detriment of
ships and cables, an evil which called loudly for redress.
The author then tells capitalists who may be unwilling to
bestir themselves personally in this traffic, that it is possible
for them to do so by proxy, and he intimates that this
advice must not be classed with that of such imaginative
mariners as would persuade them
"that on the coaft of Guinnle there, they might gather vp gold along
the fea-fliore, waflied vp by the Tea in great abundance ; and likewife if
they would aduenture to the Weft Indies, there they fliould load their
fliips with Wheele-barrowes, and then (hare it by the pound ; and fuch
like proiedls."
To encourage such as feel inclined to profit by the
author's counsel, he now gives detailed directions by which
their course may be shaped ; and, among other neglected
sources of gain, he mentions the manufacture of salt for
curing the fish, which can easily be done on the Newfound-
land coast, to the saving of the sum annually paid for this
commodity to Spain, Portugal, and France. Moreover,
FOR AVALON. 2 5
service on this coast is much healthier than on that of the
Indies ; and if the EngHsh settle here, the author anticipates
that the fishing trade will fall almost wholly into their hands.
Not that he would prevent foreigners from fishing if they
chose, but that he believed they would eventually find it
more to their profit to buy fish than to catch them. Settlers,
too, might derive some gain from trade in furt.. Again,
"for trading thither and returning home thence, wee little feare the
Turkes bondage ard circumcifion, nor any outlandifl) Inquifition, nor
the Iml)arken-ients of any Prince, nor fiich contagiOi.:s heates as thofe
finde that trade acere the Lyne, neither the danger and hurt of Art-
wormes, wherewith fliips that trade to moft parts fouthward are fon\e-
tinies much hurt, nor many other hazards & inconueniences, to which
fome of our other tradings are fubie(5l."
Such as purpose going there are cheered by the pros-
pect of being " farre from any of the Plantations of the
King of Spaine," and of seeing numbers of their countrymen
every year. Of " Pyrats," however, there was some small
risk ; but " two good Ships of Warre, of 200 tunne apiece,
and two Pinnaces of 40 tunne apiece well prouided " would
amply suffice for protection (against a Peter Easton ?), and
the cost might easily be defrayed by a small percentage on
the fishing profits. This method was adopted by the Dutch
greatly to their benefit. Various harbours fit to receive
settlers are now enumerated by the author ; and as for the
cold, of which some, through report, entertained a nervous
dread, he invites his readers to reflect on " the great colde
that is at times in Mufcouia, Sweidon, Norway, Spruceland,
Poland, Denmarke, and other EaRerne and Northerne parts
of the world, where the people liue well and grow rich ; "
and he drives his argument home thus : —
" It hath beene in fome winters fo hard frozen in the Riuer of Thames,
aboue London-bridge near the Court, that the tenderest faire Ladies and
26
WESTWARD HOE
gentlewomen that are in any part of the world, who haue beheld it, and
great numbers of people, haue there sported on the ice many dayes
together, and haue felt it colder there, then men doe that hue in
Newfoundland."
To the truth of the author's statement concerning New-
foundland temperature, " one Master John Guy, late Maior
of the Citie of Bristoll, that liued there two yeeres to-
gether," can certify.
Icebergs and fogs are next noticed, and reasons are given
for their prevalence ; whilst such parts of the island as are
" rockie & mountainous " are said by the author to be no
worse than sites seen by him in Norway, Biscay, Portugal
and Spain. Still, at times, the objections raised to his
favourite project seem to have inclined him to despond.
But he takes comfort from reflecting on the patience of
Columbus.
'* And although that fithence I prefumed to write this Difcourfe, I
haue been often difliartened from proceeding herein : Yet, when I did
remember Columbus his good indeuours, that firft and patient Discouerer
of the West Indies, whom, if God had not hartened him on with a.
worthy minde, and a bofome armed for all the ftormes of croffe fortunes,
he had neuer finiflied that Honourable attempt for finding fuch an
happy bufinelTe out, the which Difcouery of his hath euer fince filled
the Spanifh Gofers with gold and filuer, and made that Nation Lords of
the greateft riches vnder the Sunne : and although that attempt of his
was held at firft impofTible to come to any good effedl, & Golumbus
laught at by fome : yet euer fithece, by his attempt I may fay, that
Spaine hath had fro thence to helpe to furnifh other Griftian Kingdomes
with gold, filuer, and diners other great riches ; and alfo now to that
country fo difcouered, thofe commodities that great Brittaine may
yeerely well fpare, and other Countries also, are the better vented : and
fo likewise may be the New-found-land and the parts of America, neere
thereunto, proue beneficiall for diucrs trades in little time."
Now, drawing near the end of his " discovery," the author
FOR AVALON. 27
touches on his official voyage to Newfoundland, when he
set forth from " the Port of Exceter, in the County of Deuon,
on the 1 1 day of May 1615 in a Bark vicflualled and manned
with II men and boyes at^my owne charge." On the fourth
of June, being Trinity Sunday, he anchored in Trinity
Harbour, and there, " in the name of the holy and in-
diuiduall Trinity," he called together, by virtue of his
commission, the masters of the English ships there lying,
and " fo began to hold the firfl Court of Admiralty in your
Maieflies name, that euer was (as I beleeue) holden in that
Countrey to the vfe of any Chriflian Prince, and proceeded
therein according to courfe of Lawe, as the tenor of my
Commiflion did warrant me therein ; and alfo in other
Harbors of the faid Coafl I did the like." Having carefully
inquired into the disorders committed on the coast, the
masters of a hundred and seventy English ships delivered
to the author, under their hands and seals, their ** prefent-
ments," which, in turn, he transferred to the High Court of
Admiralty. These presentments are summarised under
twelve heads, and they comprise — Non-observance of the
Sabbath day ; injury to the harbours, by casting into them
large stones ; stealing boats and gear ; destroying fishing-
stages and huts; monopoly of convenient space; entering
the service of other countries ; burning down the woods ;
and lastly, idleness, which was considered, doubtless, the
parent of pretty nearly all the foregoing evils.
Having thus put on record their opinions, they decreed
that these disorders should cease — a laudable resolution,
which, with no tribunal to enforce it, was, it is to be feared,
for some time at least, impotent. Next, gathering the
threads of his " discovery " together, the author thanks God
that he had been permitted to describe the many benefits
to his countrymen which colonization of the island would
i
23
WESTWARD KOE
produce ; and he concludes by appealing to the king and to
the people thus : —
"And thefe excellent benefits diftribute themfelues, between your
Maieflie and your Subiedls : your Highnefle part will be the Honour
of the Action ; the accefle of Territory, increafe of ftrength and power,
aduantage againft other Princes, augmentation of Reuenew, and eafe of
your Maiefties Kingdomes, &c. The Subiedls part will be the bettering
and fecuring of their Trade ; inriching of themfelues ; reliefe of other
Trades ; and a nieanes of further Difcoueries.
"Bui thefe two haue a relation and dependency, the one on the
other, that neither can fubfifl without the other. I will not therefore
diuide your Maieflie from your Subiects ; your Highnefle profperitie
being their happineffe ; and their wealth, your Maiefl:ies riches.
"The firfl thing which is to be hoped for, and which hath euer been
your Maieflies principall care, is the propagation of the Chriftian faith :
and by that meanes onely, the poore vnbeleeuing Inhabitants of that
Countrey may be brought to the knowledge of God, and a ciuill kinde
of gouernement : and it is not a thing impolTible, but that from thofe
flender beginnings which may bee mad in New-found-land, all the
regions adioyning (which betweene this place, and the countries actually
poffeffed by the King of Spaine, and to the north of New-found-land,
are fo fpacious as all Europe) may be conuerted to the true worfhip
of God.
" The next is, the vniting of a Countrey so beneficiall already, and fo
promifing vnto your Maiefties Crowne, without bloodfhed, charge, or
vsurpation, which mufl needs be a perpetuall Honour to your Maieflie,
in all fucceeding ages ; neither will it be an Honour onely to your
Highneffe, Init a benefit to the State, by a new acceffe of Dominion.
And what i rince can enlarge his Territories by a more eafie and more
iuft nieanes then this, seeing that of right it appertaineth to your
Maieflie, and therefore deferues to be imbraced ?
"Now if it pleafe your mofl excellent Maieflie not onely to lend
your eare to a Proiect of this nature, but alfo to approue the matter
proiected, and vouchfafe the furtherance therein, the which out of my
foules deuotion, and zealous affection to do feruice to your Maieflie
and your Kingdomes, I tender on my knees ; mofl humbly befeeching
your Highneffe, both to accept of my honefl and zealous intent, as
alfo to pardon my boldneffe and prefumption therein ; for it is, and fo
,;
FOR AVALON. 29
lialh eucr been my refolution, rather to beare the burden of ponerty,
than iuflly to deferue, or giue caufe of reproach ; and to subiect all the
dayes of my life, and the manifold dangers thereof, thereby to approue
my felfe a profitable member, both to your Maieftie, and to my
countrey that gaue nice my firfl breath ; for which onely caufe I haue
adventured to publifli this my fimple and plaine Difcourfe, whereunto
my very confcience hath a long time, and still doth not forbeare to
follicite me.
" The profecution and perfection of the worke, I leaue to the pleafure
of God, and your Maieflies happy diredlions, in the difcourfe and dif-
couery whereof, if I haue either been tedious, or any other way offen-
fiue, it is to be imputed to my want of learning : and so, though perhaps
I doe not fatisfie fome men's curiofities, yet I hope I haue fufficienlly
informed their iudgements ; and befeech God to incline their affections
to the furtherance of fo pious and so profitable a bufineffe, as this
appeareth to be.
"And fo I reft, and euer will remaine, a faithfull and loyall Subiedl
to your Maieftie, an hearty and trnelouerof my Countrey, and a zealous
wellwiftier to this intended plantation.
"RICHARD WHITBOURNE.'
1
At Theobalos, t/w 12 of A prill 1622.
HE COPY OF A Reference from the Kings most
EXCELLENT MaIESTY : As ALSO A LETTER FROM
THE Right Honourable Lords of his Maiesties
MOST Honourable Priuy Councell, to the
MOST Reuerend Fathers in God, the Lords
Archbishops of Canterbury and Yorke their
Graces.
|LS Maiefly is grrciously pleased, that the Lords
Archbifliops of Canterbury and Yorke, doe in
their feuerall Prouinces proceed according to
the Letters of the Lords of the Councell, bearing
date the laft of June 1621, as well in recom-
mending Captain W/.tthourne s difcourfe con-
cerning N'e7i)-fonnd-land, fo as the same may be
diflributed to the feueral Parifhes of this King-
dome, for the incouragement of Adventurers vnto the Plantation there ;
As alfo by iurthering (in the mofl fauorable and effectuall maner they
can) the collections to be thereupon made in all the faid Pariflies,
towards the charge of prmting and distributing thefe bookes, and the
faid Captaine Whttlwirne's good endeauours, and feruice with expence
of his time and meanes in the aduancing of the faid Plantation ; and his
feuerall great lofles receiued at Sea by Pyrats and otherwife, of which
his Maiefly hath beene credibly certified. And further his Maiefties
pleafure is that the faid Captaine Whitboiirne fliall haue the fole printing
of his booke for one-and-twenty yeeres.
Cod/aue the KiJig.
WESTWARD HOE FOR AVALON.
33
FTER our very hearty com-
mendations to your good
Lorddiips, whereas Cap-
taine Richard Whitbourne of
Exmouth in the county of
Deuon, Gentleman, hauing
fpent much time in New-
found-land (whither he hath
made fundry voyages and
fome by expreffe commif-
fions) hath fet downe in
wrytingdiuers good obferua-
tions and notes touching the
ftate and condition of that
country, and the pla'itation there, wliich being by order from vs now
printed: It is defired to be publifhed throughout the Kingdome, for
the furthering and aduancement of the faid Plantation, and to giue
incouragement to fuch as fhall be willing to aduenture therein, and
aflift *he fame, either in their perfons or otherwife, to which we thinke
the publication of this booke may much conduce. And we doe giue
good approbation to his good indeauours and purpofe. So haue we
thought fit earneflly to recommend him vnto your Lordfliips good
iauours, both for the diflribution of his Books within the Prouinces of
Canterbury and Yorke, vnto the feuerall Pariflies thereof, and alfo for
your Lordfliips helpe and furtherance, that after his great trauels and
charges, wherein he hath fpent much of his time and meanes, hauing
long time been a Merchant oi good cftate, he may reape by your Lord-
fliips afliftance fome profit of his labours, and towards the printing
and difl;ributing the faid Bookes by fuch a voluntary contribution, as
D
34
WESTWARD HOE FOR AVALON.
flialbe willingly giuen and collected for him within the feucrall parifh
churches of the faid Prouinces : which will be both a good incourage-
ment vnto others in the like indeauours for the feruice of their country
and fome reward to him for his great charge, trauels, and diuers loffes
at fea which he hath receiued, as we are credibly certified. And fo
recommending him earnestly to your good Lordfliips, We bid your
Lordfliips very heartily farewell. From Whitehall the laft day of
June 1621.
Signed by the
Lord Treafurer, Lord Priuie Scale, Duke of Lenoxe, Marqueffe Ilam-
bleton, Earlc of Arundell, Earle of Kelley, Lord Vifcount Doncafter, "*
Lord Vifcount Falkland, Mafler Treafurer, Master Secretary Calvert- '
Master of the Rollcs. • ■ . *'
To THE lllC.n AM) MlGIITIE PrINCE, JaMES, IIY THE GrACE OF
(loi), King of Great Brittaine, France, and Irelande,
Defender of the Faith, etc.
glost grcab Soucraii^iu
^T hath alwaies been my chiefeft fludie and prac-
, tice, to feme your Maieflie and my Countrey :
the intent of my bed labors that way, I haue pvit
into the following Difcouery, and, vpon good
approbation thereof by diners of your Maieflies
mofl Honourable Priuy Councell, haue beene in-
couraged to offer vp the fame Worke vnto your
Ma.eftie. I conMfe my weakneffe fuch, that I
cannot put fo fit a garment vpon it, either of ftile
or method, as I conceiue the matter itfelfe de-
ferueth. The fubftance of the worke, I fubmit
to your Maieflies wifdome and iudgement ; the
errors and things needleffe, to your Highneffe
pardon. The purpofe thereof, is, with your Gracious allowance, lo
beget a difpofition in all your Maiefties Subieds, for a Plantation in
the New-found.land, grounded vpon reafon of induftry, both generally
and particularly profitable to the Vndertakers and Pofterities, as well
in matters t)f wealth, as alfo the meanes for increafe of Defence and
Power ; which will the better goe forward, when your Maiefties Sub-
36
-•• WKSTWAkl) HOE FOR AVALON."
m
hi
je<5\s are made acciuaiiited. with what facility it may be vnderlaUen ;
and fo to worke the more eficcfhiall impreffioii in them, when they lliall
vnderfland, that it is an Hand, neere as fpacious as Ireland, and lieth
fo far diflant from the Continent of America, as England is from the
neerefl i)art of France, and neere halfe the way between Ireland and
Virginia, and the moft. part of it aboue three degrees nearer the South
than I''ngland, and hath been already well approucd by fuch of your
Maiellies Subje(fls as have lined theri aboue ten yeeres, that the
Countrcy is very healthfuU and pleafant in the Winter. How commo-
dious and beneficially that Land may be peopled with fmall charge, and
]iroue profitable to the Vndertakers, and not hurtful! to any of your
Maiefties Subiedts, the following Difcourfe will make it plainly appeare,
the which was prefented vnto your Maieftie at Huntingdon in October
lafl ; fince which time, it hath pleafed fuch of the Lords of your
Maicflies mod Honourable Priuy Councell, at Whitehall, the 24 of
July lad then prefent, to giue mee incouragement with their good
appro])ation thereunto ; and ordered, that the booke Hiould be printed,
with this further addition of their Honours favour, to be recommended
to the Lord Archbifhop of Canterbury, and the refl of the Lords
Bifliops, to be diftributed to the feuer; 11 Pariflies of your Maieflies
Kingdome, for the better incouragement of fuch as fhall be willing to
affifl that Plantation, either in their perfons or otherwife. And if your
Maieflies Subiedls put it in triall to vndertake ; I trufl, God will giue a
blefling to the fuccefle, whereof I haue only made a true and plaine
Relation of the truth : if I fliould write other than the truth, there are
many in your Maiellies Kingdomes that haue often traded to that
Countrey, whom I fuppofe will be ready to difproue me.
Thus being loth fT be too tedious, I mofl humbly recommend to
God, and to your ^v'^aieflie, my endeuours, the fuccefTe thereof, and my
poore felfe,
Your Maieflies mofl humble
and faithfull Subiedl
RICHARD WHITBOVRNE.
() HIS MAIESTIKS GOOD SUBIECTS.
AUIXG had my breeding for many yeeres
together in the courfes of Marcliandizing ami
Nauigation, I haue, through the expence of my
tyme in that calling, fet this downe to myfelfc,
for my (hity therein, to ohferue and colle<fl,
wherein my labours might Ijecome profitable to
my Countrey ; and the rather, becaufe I could
not be ignorant, how much the maintenance
and increafe of Shipping and Mariners con-
cernes us, who may fitly be filled The nation of the Sea ; which
general I reafons were more and more commemled to me, by more
particular confiderations offered me, in the notice I took of the difpofi-
tion and affaires of other States, to which ours hath relation ; fome
poynts whereof cannot now feafonably be mentioned ; fome others
proper to what I difcourfe of, will prefent themfelves in their places, as
I fliall goe along in giuing account of my endeuours.
Among my vndertaUings and imployments in feafaring, the mofl
part haue been to an Ilanil, called Neiv-fouud-laiui, in part heretofore
outwardly difcouered, but neuer looked into by ihofe difcouerers as it
deferued ; from the beginning I found it promife well, in refpecl of the
38
WESTWARD HOE
purpose, I had to gather fomething for the bettering of the Common-
wealth ; and the more I made tryall of it, the more fatisfadlion it gaue
me. Therefore I affected that course better than any other I fell vnto ;
infomuch as I did fo fix my indufhrie vpon it, that for the qualifying of
my trauels, I obtained Commiffion of the State to proceede in it, and
am now come to propound to my countreymen the benefit they may
make of an orderly Plantation and Traffique there : the following
Difcourfe will fatisfie them if they will forgiue the vnhanfomenes of the
forme it is put into, and look into the matter it felfe only.
The Hand of New-found-land is large, temperate and fruiteful, the
fruicfulneffe of it conf'fling not only in things of fuflenance for thofe
that fliall inhabite it, but in many forts of Commodities likewife of good
ufe and valew to be tranfported. The Natiues in it are ingenuous, and
apt by difcreete and moderate gouernments to be brought to obedience.
The feat is fit for Harbour and reliefe, vpon the way betweene vs and
\'irginia, and confequently of aduantage to vs in any adlion that may
engage us, either by way of offence or attempt, in regard of thofe parts
of the World. The Seas are fo rich, as they are able to aduance a
great Trade of Fifliing ; which, with God's bleffmg, will become very
feruiceabie to the Nauie; and the increafe of Fifliing there, cannot
defpaire of finding Fortes enow to vent the commoditie at profitable
rates.
Now if you would vnderftand what motiues wee haue at home with
vs to carry vs thither, doe but looke vpon the populoufnefs of our
Countrey, to what a furfet of multitude it is fubie(5l ; confider how
charitable for thofe that goe, and how much eafe it will be for thofe
that flay, to put forth fome of our numbers to fuch" an imployment of
liuing. Compare the Englifti nature with others ; and finde whether
wee haue not as much courage as they both to vndertake and mantaine ;
only wee lofe it in hauing leffe induflry. Turne then towards the
Lowe Countries ; behold how they haue wonne vpon us, by taking
aduantage of our fitting flill ; (and moft remarkable in this point of
fifliing) which if their Audit were publiflied, would be found (I beleeue)
one of the beft Agents they have, both for their flrength and wealth.
There is another motiue alfo, which amongft our Aunceftors was wont
to finde good refpedl, namely, the honour of the ad;ion, by the enlarg-
ing of Dominions ; and that which will crowne the worke, will be the
aduancement of the honour of God, in bringing poore Infidels (the
Natiues of that Countrey) to his Worfliip and their own faluation.
FOR AVALON.
39
I commend the defigne to the entertainement of his Maieftie and his
Kincrdomes : becaufe I efteeme it fuch a one as defe-ues, not only to be
vndertaken, but to be gone thorow withall.
And as it is a Proiecl of no fantafie in mee, but a truth grounded
vpon a well-weighed experience ; fo haue I not prefumed to publifli it
but vpon good approbation, as hath already appeared.
If thefe confiderations, with many others here omitted, but contamed
in the enfuing Difcourfe. may worke an impreffion in the affeaions of
his Maiefties subieds, for the aduancement of God's glory, their owne
and their Countries profperity, it (hall be fome content toward the
great paines, loffes of time, and expence of my meanes that I haue
fuftained in the profecuting thereof, for which I truft you will at leaft
relurne your thankfuU acceptance ; and fo I remaine
Your louing friend
R. W.
I i
_-j»jj»:>j»jij>j>llt WV .SA&A.AA JJ^AAA-VA-'^ «^ «^»^'^«^«^> i-lh.hu »ttj^ »> .^ i^
Qui
LTIIOUGH I well know, that it is an hard matter to
perfwade people to aduenture into flrange Countries ;
efpecially to remaine and fettle themfelues there,
though the conditions thereof be neuor fo jrneficiall
and aduantageous for them : yet I a vit uc out of
all hope, that when it fhal be taken into confidera-
tion, what infinite riches and aduantages other
Nations (and in particular the Spaniards and Portugals) haue gotten
to themfelues by their many Plantations, not onely in America, but alfo
in Barbary, Guinnie, Binnie, and other places : And when it fhall
plainely appeare, by the following Discourse, that the countrey of
New-found-land (as it is here truely described) is little inferior to any
other for the Commodities thereof ; and lies, as it were with open
armes towards England, offering itfelfe to be imbraced, and inhabited
by vs ; I cannot be out of hope (I fay) but tliat my Countrymen will be
induced, either by thriuing examples of others, or by the llrength f
reafon, to hearken, and put to their helping hands to that, which • i ,
in all likelyhood yeeld them a plentifull reward of their labors, h .
before I enter into a discourse of the countrey itfelfe, I hold it fit to
make knowne partly the meanes and degrees, whereby I attained vnto
the experience and knowledge I haue thereof.
And firfl, for mine owne poore eftate and condition, it is well-
knowne that my breeding and courfe of life hath been fuch, as that I
haue long time fet many people on worke, and fpent mod of my dayes
in trauell, fpecially in Merchandizing, and Sea Voyages. I haue been
often in France, Spaine, Italy, Portugall, Sauoy, Denmarke, Norway,
Spruceland, the Canaries, and Soris Hands : and for the New-found-
land, it is almofl fo familiarly knowne to me as my owne Countrey.
WESTWARD HOE FOR AVALON.
41
In the yeere 1588, I feruecl vnder the then Lord Admirall, as
Captaine in a (> p of my owne, fet foorth at my charge againl the
Spanilh Armada : and after fuch time as that feruice was ended, taking
my leaue of his Honour, I had his fauourable Letters to one Sir Robert
Dennis, in the County of Deuon, Knight ; whereby there might bee
fome courfe taken, that the charge as well of my owne fhip, as alfo of
two other, and a Pinnace, with the victuals, and men therein imployed,
fliould not be any way burthenfome to me. Wherein there was fuch
order giuen by the then right Honourable Lords of the priuie Councell,
that the fame was well latisfied ; which feruice is to bee feene recorded
in the Booke at White- Hall.
Now, to exprefle fome of my Voyages to the New-found-land, which
make mofl for the prefent purpofe .
My fii-ft Voyage thither, was about 40. yeeres fince, in a worthy fliip
of the burthen of 300. Tunne, fet forth by one Mafler Cotton of South-
hampton ; we were bound to the grand Bay (which lieth on the North-
fide of that Land,) purpofing there to trade then with the Sauage people
(for whom we carried fundry commodities) and to kill Whales, and to
make Trayne oyle, as the Bifcaines doe there yeerely m great abundance.
But this our intended Voyage was ouerthrowne, by the indiscretion of
our Captaine, and faint-heartedneffe of fome gentlemen of our company:
whereupon we fet faile from thence, and bare with Trinity Harbor in
New-found-land : where we killed great (lore of Fish, Deere, Beares,
Beauers, Scales, Otters, and fuch like, with abundance of Sea-fowle,
and fo returning for England, we arriued fafe at South-hampton.
In a voyage to that Countrey about 36. yeeres fince, I had then the
command of a worthy fhip of 220. Tun, fet forth liy one Mafler Crooke
of South-hampton : At that time Sir Humfrey Gilbert, a Deuonlliire
Knight, came thither with two good Ships and a Pinnace, and brought
with him a large Patent, fio the late mofl renowned Queene Elizabeth,
and in her name took poffeffion of that Co ' .ey, in the Harbour of
S. Johns, whereof I was an eye-witneffe. He failed from thence towards
Virginia ; and by reafon of fome vnhappy direction in his courfe, the
greatefl fliip he had, flrucke vpon Shelues, on the Coafl of Canadie,
and was there lofl, with mofl part of the company in her : And hee
himfelfe being then in a fmall Pinnace of 20. Tun, in the Company of
his Vice-Admiral (one Captain Hayes) returning towards Englard, in
a great florme, was ouerwhelmed with the Seas, and fo perished.
In another voyage I made thither, about 34. yeeres pa.l, wherein I
42
WESTWARD HOE
had the command of a good fhip partly mine owne ; at that time one
Sir Bernard Drake of Deuonfhire, Knight, came thither with a Com-
miffion, and hauing diners good Ships vnder his command, he there
tooke many Portugall Ships laden with fifli, and brought them into
England as Prizes.
Omitting to fpeake of other Voyager I made thither, during the late
Queenes Raigne, I will defcend to later times.
In the yeere 1612, being in New-found-land, at which time that
famous Arch- Pirate, Peter Easton, came there, and had with liim ten
fayle of good fliips well furniflied and very rich, I was kept eleuen
weekes vnder his commaund, and had Irom him many golden promifes
and much wealth offered to be put into my hands, as it is well knowne:
I did perswade him much to defist from his euill courfe ; his intreaties
then to me, being, that I would come for England, to fome friends of
his, and foUicite them to become humble petitioners to your Maieflie
for his pardon : but hauing no warrant to touch fuch goods, I gaue
him thanks for his offer ; onely I requested him to releafe a fliip that
he had taken vpon the Coast of Guinnie, belonging to one Captaine
Raflily of Foy in Cornewall ; a man whom I knew but only by report :
which he accordingly releafed. Whereupon I prouided men, victuals,
and a fraught for the faid ftiip, and so sent her home to Dartmouth in
Deuon, though I neuer had fo much as thanks for my kindneffe therein.
And fo leaning Easton, I came for England, and gaue notice of his
intention, letting paffe my Voyage that I mtended for Naples, and lofl
both my labour and charges : for before my arriuall, there was a
Pardon granted, and fent him from Ireland. But Easton houering
with thofe fhips and riches vpon the Coafl of Barbary, as he promifed,
with a longing defire, and full expectation to be called home, loft that
hope, by a too much delaying of time by him who carried the pardon.
Whereupon he fayled to the Straights of Gibraltar, and was afterwards
entertained by the Duke of Sauoy, vnder whom he liued rich.
I was there alfo in the yeere 1614, when Sir Henry Manwaring was
vpon that Coaft, with fine good Ships ftrongly prouided ; he caufed me
to fpend much time in his company, and from him I returned into
England ; although I was bound from thence to Maifellis, to make fale
of fuch goods as I then had, and other imployments &c.
In the yeere 1615 I returned againe to New-found-land, carrying
with me a Commiffion out of the high Court of Admiraltie, vnder the
great Scale thereof, authorifing me to empannell luries, and to make
FOR AVALON.
43
inquirie vpon oath, of fundiy abufes and diforders committed amonj^a
fiHiermen yeerely vpon that Coaft, and of the fitteft means to redrelTe
the fame, with fome other poynts, hauing a more particular relation to
the Office of the Lord Admirall.
What was then there done, by vertue of that Commiffion, which was
wholly executed at my owne charge, hath been at large by me already
certified into the high Court of Admiraltie. Neuertheleffe, feeing the
fame hath been ouerdipt euer fince, and not produced thofe good effects
which were expeded, I will, in fome conuenient place of this Difcourfe,
set downe a briefe coUedion of fome part of my endeauors fpent m that
feruice ; not doubting but it will be as auaileable for the furtherance of
our intended defigne, as any other reafon I Hmll deliuer.
In the yeere 1616 I had a Ship at New-found-land of 100. Tun,
which returning laden from thence, being bound for Lisbone, was met
with by a French Pyrate of Rochell, one Daniel Tibolo, who rifled her,
to the ouerthrowand loffe of my Voyage, in more then the fumme of
860. pounds, and cruelly handled the Mafter and the Company that
were in her: rnd although I made good proofe thereof at Lisbone, and
reprefented the fame alfo to this Kingdome, as appertained, after my
returne from thence ; yet for all this great loffe, 1 could neuer haue any
recompence.
Shortly after my returne from Lisbone, 1 was fent for by a Gentleman,
who about a yeere before, by a grant from the Patentees, had vnder-
taken to fettle people in New-found-land ; he acquainted me with his
defKMies, and after fome conference touching the fame we fo concluded,
that^'he gaue me a conueyance vnder his hand and feale for the terme of
my life, with full power to gouerne within his circuit upon that coaft ;
whereupon (being defirous to aduance that worke; in Anno 1618 I
flxlyled thither in a fliippe of my owne, which was vidualled by that
gentleman, my felfe, and fome others. We likewife then did fet forth
another Ship, for a fillnng Voyage, which alfo carried fome viduals for
thofe people which had been formerly fent to inhabite there : but this
- Ship was intercepted by an Englifla erring Captaine (that went forth
with Sir Walter Rawleigh) who tooke the Mafter of her, the Boatfwame,
and two other of the beft men, with much of her viduals (the reft of
the company for feare running into the woods) and fo left the Ship as a
Prize, whereby our intended Fifliing voyages of both our Shippes were
ouerthrowne, and the Plantation hindered.
Now feeing it pleafed your Maieftie many yeeres fince, to take good
44
WESTWARD HOE FOR AVALON.
notice of the faicl New-found-land, and granted a Patent for a Plantation
there, wherein many Honorable and worthy mens endeauours, and
great charge therein, haue deferued good commendations (as is well
knowne) the which I defire to further with all ny befl endeauours : and
not to difgrace or difable the foundation and Projecfls of others, knowing
they haue been greatly hindered by Pyrats and fome erring fubjecls that
haue arriued upon that coaft ; it being indifferent to niee, whether there
be a new foundation laide, or whether it be build ed on that which hath
already been begun ; fo that the Plantation goe forward. Yet I may
truly fay, that hitherto little hath been performed to any purpofe, by
fuch as therein were imployed, worthy the name of a Plantation, or
anfwerable to the expedation and defert of the Vndertakei-s ; neither
haue fuch good effe<fts followed, as may be expected from a thorow
performance hereafter. And leeing that no man hath yet publiflied any
fit motiues or inducements, whereby to perfuade men to aduenture, or
plant there ; I haue prefumed plainely to lay doM'n thefe following
reafous, which is the principall end 1 aime at, whereby to further that
worke so worthily intended, by prefcribing fit means how a Plantation
might be fettled there ; and haue therefore undertaken it, as wtU
to difcharge my confcience, which hath often prompted me thereunto,
as hoping thereby to flir vp many of your Maieflies good and religious
8ubie(fts duly to weigh the pietie, honour and benefit that will arife from
fuch a worke, confidering how your Maiefties Kingdomes doe abound
and ouerflow with people. And although I haue often fuffered great
loffes by Pyrates and Sea-Rouers, and other cafualties of the fea, yet in
this poynt, I haue tafted of Gods exceeding great mercy, that neuer any
Ship, wherein I my felfe was prefent, mifcarried, or came to any
mifchance, or any cafualty of the Sea, whereunto all Ihips are fubjedl :
fo as I may well fay, that my life hath been a mixture of crofles and
comforts, wherein neuertheleffe they haue not been fo equally ballanced,
but that the one hath ouerweighed the other : for now, after more than
forty yeeres fpent in the forefaid courfes, there i-emaines little other
fruite vnto me, fauing the peace of a good confcience, which giues me
this teftimony that I haue euer been a loyall fubiedl to my Prince, and
a true louer of my Countrey, and was neuer yet in all my time beholding
to any Doctors counfell, or Apothecaries drugs, for the preferuation of
my health ; and it will be to me a contentment, if I may be fo happy as
to become the inflrument of any publike good heerein : And fo I
defcend to the particular Relation of the Countrey, &c.
A CONCLUSION TO THE READER, CONTAINING A PARTICULAR
Description, and relation of some things omitted in
THE former Discourse.
ENTLE Reader, feeing my former Difcourse
recieued fuch good approbation and allowance
before it was printed, it puts me in fome hope,
it will alfo receiue good acceptance from all his
Maieflies well-affected subjects, now that it is
publiflied : the which when I shall vnderftand
by their thankfull acceptance, I shall be in-
couraged the more willingly, to fet forth what I
haue obferued touching the Altitude of fome head-lands of that coafl,
on the Eafl fide of the New-found-land, and alfo the Deepes, and Seueral
foundings, that I haue taken notice of in my trauels to that Countrey ;
which I conceiue to be neceffary for thofe that trade thither ; which as
yet no man, to my knowledge, hath vndertaken ; and alfo be ready with
my life and means whatseuer I haue, or may haue in this World, to
difcouer other Bayes and Harbours round about that land, which are
yet undifcouered, whereby to finde out fome other new Trades with the
Natiues of the Countrey ; for they haue great (lore of red oaker, which
they vfe to colour their Bodies, Bowes and Arrowes, and Cannowes
withall, which Cannowes are built in fliape, like the Wherries on the
Riuer of Thames ; but that they are much longer, made with the rinds of
Birch trees ; which they sowe very artificially and clofe together, and
ouerlay euery feame with Turpentine ; and in like manner they fowe
46
WESTWARD HOE
the rindes of Spruce trees, round and deepe, in proportion like a hrafTc
kettle, to boyle their meate in, which hath been well proued by three
Mariners of a Shippe, riding at Anchor by mee, who being robbed in
the night by the Sauages, of their apparell and diuers prouifions, did
the next day feeke after them, and came fuddainely where they had set
vp three Tents and were feafling, hauing three Cannowes by them, and
had three pots made of fuch rindes of trees, ftanding each of them on
three (lones boyling with twelue Fowles in each of them ; euery Fowie
as bigge as a Widgeon, and fome fo bigge as a Ducke : they had alfo
many fuch pots fo fowed, and fafnioned like the leather buckets that
are vfed for quenching of fire, and thofe were full of the yolkes of egges,
that they had taken and boyled hard, and fo dried fmall, which the
Sauages vfed in their broth, as fugar is vfed in fome meates : they had
great (lore of the flcinnes of Deere, Beauers, Beares, Scales, Otters,
and diuers other fine fkinnes which were well dreffed ; as alfo great
flore of feueral forts of flesh dryed ; and by fliooting off a Mufket to-
wards them, they all ran away naked without any apparell, but only
their hats on their heads, which were made of Scales fkinnes, in fafhion
like our hats, fowed handfomely with narrow bands about them, fet
round with fine white (hels, fuch as are carried from Portugal! to
Brafeile ; where they pafle to the Indians as ready money. All their
three Cannowes, their Flefli, Skinnes, Yolks of Egges, Targets, Bowes
and Arrowes, and much fine Okar and diuers other things, they tooke
and brought away, and (hared it amongft thofe three that tooke it, and
brought to me the bed Cannowe, Bowes and Arrowes, and diuers of
their Skinnes, and many other things worth the noting ; which may
feeme to inuite vs to find out some other trades with them.
Now alfo I will not omit to relate fomething of a flrange Creature
that I firft faw there in the yeere 1610, in a morning early as I was
ftanding by the waterfide, in the Harbour of Saint lohns : which
I efpyed very fwiftly to come fwimming towards me, looking chcerefully,
as it had l^een a woman, by the Face, Eyes, Nofe, Mouth, Chin, Eares,
Necke and Forehead : It feemed to be fo beautifull and in thofe parts
fo well proportioned, hauing round about vpon the head, all blew
ftrakes, refembling hayre, downe to the Necke (but certainly it was no
haire :) for I beheld it long, and another of my Company alfo, yet
liuing, that was not then farre from me ; and feeing the fame comming
fo fwiftly towards me, I stepped backe, for it was come within the
length of a long Pike. Which when this ftrange Creature faw, that
I'OR AVALON. 47
I went from it, it prefently theievipon diued a little vndci water, and
did fwim towards the place where before I landed ; whereby I beheld
the shoulders and backe downe to the middle, to be as fquare, white
and fmoothe as the backe of a man, and from the middle to the hinder
part, poynting in proportion like a broad hooked Arrow ; how it was
proportioned in the forepart, from the necke and flioulders, I know not ;
but the fame came fliortly after unto a Boate, wherein one William
Hawkridge, then my feruant, was, that hath bn fmce a Captaine in a
Ship to the Eaft Indies, and is lately there imployed againe by Sir
Thomas Smith, in the like Voyage ; and the fame Creature did put
both his hands vpon the fide of the Boate. and did llriue to come in to
him and others in the faid Boate : whereat they were afraide ; and one
of them arooke it a full blow on the Head ; whereby it fell off from
them : and afterwards it came to two other Boats in the faid Harbour ;
the men in them, for fetu-e fled to land : This (I fupijofe) was a Mare-
maide. 'Now becaufe diuers haue written much of Maremaids, I haue
prefumed to relate, what is mofl certaine of fuch a ftrange Creature that
was f6ene at New-found-land : AVhether it were a Maremaid or .no, I
know not ; I leaue for others to judge, ike. R. W.
li I
797^4
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