Canada

Sources from old books

1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome

• CANADIANE; In which may be considered
  • The ARCTICK LANDS, called AMERICA ARTICA, with its chief places; and such are,
    • ISELAND,
      • Bellested,
      • Schalhod,
      • Holdon.
    • GROENLAND,
      • Bearesord,
      • Mudder Point,
      • Trime Point,
      • Warusick Foreland,
      • Warwick Sound,
      • Cape Farwel,
      • Resolution Isle.
    • NORTH WALES,
      • Seahorse Point,
      • Cape Pembrook.
    • SOUTH WALES,
      • Hudsons Bay,
      • James Bay,
      • Cape Henretta Marie.
  • CANADA, or NEW FRANCE, with its chief Parts and Places; and such are those of
    • ESTOTILAND,
      • Sir Tho. Smiths Foreland,
      • Merchants Isles,
      • Cape Charles,
      • King James Foreland,
      • Cape Prince Henry,
      • Hope advanced,
      • Ganse Bay,
      • Slapers Haven,
      • Clapmuts Bay,
      • Orang Bay,
      • Hollandsche Bay.
    • SAGUANA,
      • Quebeck,
      • Tadousac,
      • Bay Savage,
      • Brest,
      • Port de Quartier,
      • Port de St. Nicholas,
      • Chichekedec,
      • Port Neuf,
      • Jaus Coudres,
      • Isle of Orleance,
      • Sillery.
    • CANADA,
      • Mont Real,
      • Richelieu,
      • Point Verte,
      • Croipapequiac,
      • Cape de l'Evesque,
      • Assumpsion Isle,
      • Isle of Plate,
      • Isle of Birds,
      • Isle of Ramec,
      • New-found-land,
      • Isle of Brien,
      • Isle of Cap. Breton,
      • Isle of St. John.
    • ACADIE,
      • Martengo,
      • Macomode,
      • Paspay,
      • Port de Rosignal,
      • Cape de Sable,
      • Port Royal,
      • Cape de Mines,
      • Isles of
        • Forchu.
        • de Sable.
    • NEW ENGLAND,
      • Boston,
      • Plimouth,
      • Charles-Town,
      • Dorchester,
      • Cambridge,
      • Ulielands Isle,
      • Long Isle.
    • MARY-LAND,
      • Maries Town,
      • Calverton,
      • Herrington.
    • NEW YORK, — New York.
    • VIRGINIA,
      • James Town,
      • Elizabeth Town,
      • Dales Gift,
      • Wicocomoco,
      • Pouhatan,
      • Bermuda,
      • Secotam,
      • Cape Henry,
      • Smiths Isle,
      • Isle of
        • Paquiwock,
        • Croatoan,
        • Wokokon.
    • CAROLINA, — Charles-Town.
    • The HURONS,
      • St. Peter,
      • St. Francis,
      • Alexis,
      • St. Michael,
      • St. Joseph.
    • Isle of BERMUDES,
      • Southampton,
      • Harington,
      • Pagets.
    • FLORIDA,
      • St. Hellens,
      • Port Royal,
      • St. Matthews,
      • St. Augustine,
      • St. Jago.

CANADA, OR New France.

UNder the name of CANADA, or New France, we esteem that which is on both sides the great River of Canada or St. Laurence, with the Isles that are before its Mouth, unto, and so far as this River is known; and from the Gulphs and Streights of Davis and Hudson, unto New Spain or Mexico. In this extent we have the Isles of New-found-land, Terra di Librador, Canada, which communicates its name to the rest, Acadia, Saguenay, the Irocois, the Hurons, the Algonquins, with about a hundred other sorts of people, whose names are known.

The Isles of NEW-FOƲND-LAND, or according to the Biscains,* 1.20 of Bacallaos, that is, of God-fish, are so called by reason of these Fishes here found in such great quantity, that sometimes they seem to hinder the sayling of Ships; in like manner are they found in the Gulph or Bay of St. Laurence. Besides the Cod-fish here are other sorts of Fish in great plenty, as Thornback, Ling, Salmons, Oysters, &c.

The greatest of these Isles, and which commonly takes the name of New-found-land is 4 or 5 Leagues circuit. It is scituate betwixt the degrees of 46 and 53 of Northern Latitude, and is severed from the Continent of America by an Arm of the Sea, and is distant from England about 600 Leagues. A Country ill-inhabited towards the East and South, the Inhabitants being retired farther within Land; but the English have of late settled some Colonies to maintain their Fishing-Trade.* 1.21 The Natives are of a reasonable good Stature, and well proportioned; but full-ey'd, broad-faced, beardless, and of an Oker complexion, not over ingenious; their Houses are very mean, and their Apparel and Furniture worse. The Country being for the generality reputed fertil, if well cultivated, and would yield good Grains; is enriched by Nature with plenty of Fish, Fowl, and wild Beasts, and is blest with a wholsom Air, though the rigour of the Winter season, and the excess of Heats in Summer do something detract from its, due praise.

East of New-found-land is a great Bank, a thing as remarkable as any in all Canada. This Bank is much different from those which are covered with Water when the Sea is high; uncovered and dry on an Ebb: Saylors must shun such Banks like death. This, which we now speak of, is like a Country overflown, always covered with the Sea, and having at least 20, 30, or 40 Fathom water, for the depth is unequal. Off from this Bank, on all sides, the Sea is no less than 200 Fathom deep; and yet this Bank is 200 Leagues long, 20, 25, and sometimes 50 broad. It is on this Bank that the New-found-landers, (that is, those Ships that go to fish for Cods of New-found-land) do for the most part stop and make their freight.

About this great Bank, and more towards the Main Land than the Ocean, there are some others much less, but of the same nature. It is almost incredible how many Nations, and of each how many Sail of Ships go yearly to fish for these Cods, with the prodigious quantity they take; a Man being able to take 100 of them in the space of an hour. They fish with Hooks, which are no sooner thrown into the Sea, but the greedy Fish snapping the Bait is taken by the Hook, and drawn on Ship-board they lay him presently on a Plank; one cuts off his head, another guts it and takes out its biggest bones, another salts and barrels it, &c. Which being thus ordered, is hence transported by the English and other European Nations into all parts of Europe, as also into the other three parts of the World. They Fish only in the day time, the Cod (as they say) not biting in the night; nor doth this Fishing last all Seasons, but begins a little before Summer, and ends with September: In Winter the Fish retires to the bottom of the deep Sea, where Storms and Tempests have no power.

Near New-found-land there is another kind of fishing for the same Fish, which they call dried Fish, as the other green Fish. The Ships retire into some Port, and every Morning send forth their Shallops, one, two or three Leagues into the Sea, which fail not to have their load by Noon, or a little after: They bring them to Land, lay them on Tables or Planks, and order it as the other; but after the Fish hath been some days in salt, they take it forth, exposing it to the Air and Wind, lay it again in heaps, and return it from time to time to the open Air till it be dry. That this Fish may be good, it must be dried in a good and temperate Air; Mists moisten it, and make it rot; the Sun hardens it and makes it yellow.

At the same time they fish for Cods, green or dry, the Fishers have the pleasure of taking Fowl, without going forth of their Vessels. They take them with a Line as they do fish, baiting the Hook with the Cods Liver; these Fowl being so greedy, that they come by flocks, and fight who shall get the Bait first, which soon proves its death: and one taken, the Hook is no sooner thrown out again, but another is catch'd in the like nature. But enough of these, and of Cod-fishing.

In the year 1623, Sir George Calvert, Knight, the Principal Secretary of State, and afterwards Lord Baltimore, obtained a Patent of part of New-found-land, which was erected into the Province of Avalon, where he settled a Plantation, and erected a stately House and Fort at Ferry-land, where he dwelt some time: And after his death it fell to his Son, the Right Honourable Caecilius, late Lord Baltimore, also Proprietor of Mary-land.

CANADA taken particularly, is on the Right hand, and towards the lower part of the great River;* 1.24 and its name is communicated both to the River and Neighbouring Country. This River is the largest of America Septentrionalis, and one of the fairest in the World: It is about 200 Fathom deep, and at its Mouth 30 Leagues broad. Its course (according to the report of those of the Country) is already known for 4 or 500 Leagues; and there is some likelyhood that we may in the end discover, that the Lake which seems to be its head-Spring, disburthens it self into the Sea by two or three different courses; one towards us, which is that of Canada; another towards the West, and above California; the third towards the North, and into the Christian Sea; and that the Mouth of this may shew us the way we have so long sought, to go to the East-Indies by the West.

The People with whom the French trade here are the Canadans, the Hurons, the Algonquins, the Attiquameques, Nipisiriniens, Montagnets; those of Saguenay, Acadia, &c. And to this purpose they have divers Colonies on the great River at Tadousac, at Quebeck, at Three-Rivers, at Sillery, at Richelieu, at Montreal, and without the Bay of Chaleur, at Miscou, at Port-Royal, &c. This Trade is only managed by Exchange; they give the Skins of Bevers, Otters, Martles, Sea-Wolfes, &c. for Bread, Pease, Beans, Plumbs, Kettles, Cauldrons, Hatchets, Arrow-heads, Pinchers, Coverlids, &c. But to instruct them in Christianity, many Ecclesiasticks of Religious Orders have had divers disbursements, and residences; likewise an Hospital and Seminary of Ʋrsilines: The Jesuits have the chief care of these Houses.

North of Canada is ESTOTTILAND, or TERRADE LABRADOR near Hudsons Streight; it is called sometimes the Land of Cortereal, and sometimes new Britany; however, I esteem it a part of new France; the Country is Mountainous, Woody, full of wild Beasts, well furnished with Rivers, rich in Metals, of a fertil Soil in most places, and would produce grains, fruits, &c. if its Inhabitants would give it tillage. South of Canada are New England, New York, Maryland, Virginia, and Caroline; of which in Order.

NEW ENGLAND, North of Maryland according to the report of Captain Smith, hath seventy miles of Sea Coast, where are found divers good Havens, some of which are capable to harbour about five hundred sail of Ships from the fury of the Sea and winds by reason of the interposition of so great a quantity of small Isles which lie about the Coast to the number of about two hundred. And although it be seated in the midst of the Temperate Zone, yet the Climate is more uncertain as to heat, and cold, than those European Kingdoms which lie parallel to it. Yet the Air is found very healthful and agreeable to the English, which hath occasioned the settlement of divers Potent Colonies here who live very happily, and drive a considerable Trade for their provisions to our American Plantations, especially to the Barbados. This Country is Inhabited by divers sorts of people, the chief amongst which are the Bessabees about the River Renobscot; and the Massachusetes, a great Nation,* 1.28 and every one are governed by their particular Kings, and do much differ in Customs and Manners from one another, as they do in the other parts of America, living generally at variance with each other; Their chiefest riches is in their Furrs and Skins which they sell to the English in truck for Commodities; they are for the most part ingenious, well disposed, and with little pains would be brought to Christianity. This Country is for the generality of a fertil soil, is well watered with Rivers, hath plenty of Fish, as Cod, Thornback, Sturgion,* 1.29Porpuses, Haddock, Salmons, Mullets, Herrings, Mackeril, Plaice, Oysters, Lobsters, Crab-fish, Tortoise, Cockles, Muscles, Clams, Smelts, Eels, Lamprons, Drums, Alewives, Basses, Hollibuts, Sharks, Seals, Grampus, Whales &c. Here are great variety of Fowl as Phesants, Partridges, Pigeons, Heathcocks,* 1.30Oxeyes, Geese, Turkeys, Ducks, Teal, Herns, Cranes, Cormorants, Swans, Brants, Widgeans, Sheldrakes, Snipes, Doppers, Blackbirds, Loon, Humbird, with divers others too tedious to name. They have also great plenty of Beasts both tame and wild, as Cows, Sheep, Goats, Swine, and Horses;* 1.31 and for wild Lyons, Bears, Wolves, Foxes, Martins, Rackoons, Mooses, Musquasus, Otters, Bevers, Deer, Hares, Coneys, &c. Amongst the hurtful things the Rattlesnake is the most dangerous; and here are several sorts of stinging Flies which are very troublesom to the Inhabitants.* 1.32 Here are sundry sorts of trees as the Oak, Cyprus, Pine, Cedar, Chesnut, Walnut, Firr, Ash, Elm, Asp, Alder, Maple, Birch, Sassafras, Sumach, &c. also several Fruit-trees, as Pomgranates, Maracocks, Puchamins, Olives, Apples, Pears, Plumbs, Cherries, Grapes,* 1.33 with those common in England. And their ground also produceth Potatoes, Carrots, Turrips, Parsnips, Onyons, Cabbages, with most of the Roots and Herbs found in England, The soil being very agreeable for them. But the fruits are not found here so good as in Virginia, nor in Virginia as in Caroline, as lying more Southwards, and having the greater influence of the Sun. This Country affordeth several rich Furrs, hath Iron, Amber, Pitch, Tarr, Masts, Flax, Linnen, Cables,* 1.34 and Grains in great plenty. The English which now Inhabit this Country are very numerous and powerful, having a great many Towns several of which are of considerable account, and are governed by Laws appropriate to themselves, and have their Courts of Judicature, and assembling together, each Town having two Burgesses for the looking after the affairs of the Colony.* 1.35 And as to matters of Religion and Church Government, they are very strickt, and make a great show, being much of the stamp of the ridged Presbyterians. Amongst their Towns these are of chief note. 1. Boston, commodiously seated for Traffick on the Sea Shore; at present a very large and spacious Town, or rather a City being composed of several well ordered streets, and graced with fair and beautiful houses, which are well inhabited by Merchants, and Tradesmen who drive a very considerable Trade; It is a place of great strength, having two or three hills adjoyning, on which are raised Fortifications with great Pieces mounted thereon which are well guarded. 2. Charles Town seated on and between the Rivers Charles and Mistick; it is beautified with a large and well built Church, and near the River-side is the Market place from which runs two streets, in which are divers well built houses. 3. Dorchester, an indifferent Town seated near the Sea. 4. Cambridge commodiously seated on a River, doth consist of several streets, and is beautified with two Colledges, and hath divers fair and well built houses. 5. Reading commodiously seated about a great Pond, and well Inhabited. 6. St. Georges Fort seated on the mouth of the River Sagadebock. 7. New Plymouth, seated on the large Bay of Potuxed. With divers other Towns of some account, most of which bear the Names from those of England; but amongst the Indians are known by other names.

NEW-YORK, formerly New Netherland is seated betwixt New England and Virginia; It is now called New York from his Royal Highness the Duke of York the Proprietor thereof, by grant from his Majesty. It is a Country of a fertile soil, is well watered with Rivers, and is found to produce the same Beasts, Birds, Fowls, Fish, Fruits, Trees, Commodities, &c. and in as great plenty as New England, so they need not be taken notice of here. This Country is also possessed by sundry sorts of people, not much unlike those of New England, and are very expert at their Bow and Arrows, which is their chief weapon of War; are found to be of a ready wit, and very apt to learn what is taught them; in their Religious Rites divers ceremonies are observed amongst them, and are said to worship the Devil whom they much fear; their Priests being little better than Sorcerers, who strangely bewitch those silly people. When any woman findeth her self quick with child she keepeth her self chast from man until her delivery, the like she observeth in the time of her giving suck, a strange Custom which our European Dames would not well relish; upon the least offence the man turneth away his wife, and marrieth again, and the Children begotten by her she keepeth; Furnication is here permitted; they are very dutiful to their Kings, they believe the transmigration of the soul, and concerning the Creation of the world have strange foolish opinions. They are much addicted to sports, recreations, and dancings, and observe Festival times. Their habit is but mean as the rest of the Indians, yet do they paint and besmear their faces with several colours, which they hold Ornamental; their dyet and habitations are also mean; Here is one very considerable Town now called New York, being well seated both for security, trade and pleasure in a small Isle called Mahatan regarding the Sea made so by Hudsons River, which separates it from Long Island: The Town is large containing about 500 well built houses, and for Civil Government it hath a Major, Aldermen, Sheriff, and Justices of the Peace, for security of the Town here is raised a Fort called James Fort, a place of considerable strength; The Town is Inhabited by Dutch as well as English; and hath a considerable Trade with the Indians, and is like to be a place of considerable Account.

MARYLAND, is South of Virginia, from which it is severed by the River Patowmeck. The Bay of Chesopeak, giving entrance to Ships into Virginia, and Maryland passeth through the heart of this Province, and is Navigable for about 200 miles, into which fall the Rivers of Patowmeck, Patuxent, Severn, and Sasquesahanough, which lie on the West side of the Bay, and to the East those of Choptanke, Nantecoke, Pocomoke, with some others to the great improvement of the soil. The Country of late years since the felling the Woods, and the people accustoming themselves to English dyet, is very healthful and agreeable to their Constitutions few dying at their first coming, of the Countreys disease or seasoning; and as to temperature of the Air, the Heats in Summer nor the Colds in winter are offensive to its Inhabitants. The soyl is rich and fertil naturally producing all such Commodities as are found in New England, and doth abound in the said several sorts of Beasts, and Fowl, both tame and wild; hath also the same Fish, Fruits, Plants, Roots, Herbs, Trees, Gums, Balsams, &c. but the Fruits are more excellent and in greater plenty; here Mulberry trees grow wild, and were the people industrious, the Silk trade might be soon brought to perfection, but their imployment is altogether taken up in planting and ordering their Tobacco,* 1.41 which is the only and Staple Commodity of the Countrey which they vend for such necessaries as they have occasion for. They yearly freighing about one hundred sail of Ships there with.* 1.42 The Natives as to their Complexion, Stature, Costoms, Laws, Religions, Dispositions, Habit, Dyet, &c. are much the same with the Indians in the other parts of America, and are of divers Tribes or sorts of People, and each governed by their particular King. This Province of Maryland is by Patent granted to the Right Honourable the Lord Baltimore and to his Heirs and Assigns, being absolute Lord and Proprietor of the same, having Royal Jurisdictions and Prerogatives both Military and Civil, as making of Laws, pardoning of Offences, conferring of Honours, Coyning of Money, &c. and in acknowledgment thereof paying yearly to his Majesty and his Successors two Indian Arrows at Windsor Castle on Easter Tuesday. This Province is severed into ten Counties, viz. five Eastwards,* 1.43 and five Westwards of Chesopeak Bay, and in every County there is held an inferiour Court every two months for small matters, from which there lyeth Appeals to the Provincial Court at St. Maryes, and each County have their Sheriffs,* 1.44 and Justice of the Peace. The English which are reckoned about 16000 have begun of late to build some Towns, which 'tis hoped in few years will come to good perfection, as Calverton, Herrington, and Harvy-Town, all commodiously seated for the benefit of Trade, and conveniency of Shipping, but the principal Town is St. Maryes, seated on St. Georges River, beautified with several well built houses, where his Lordship Charles Lord Baltimore, hath his House, and where the general Assemblies and Provincial Courts are held, and publick Offices kept. But his Lordship's general Residence is at Mattapany about eight miles distant, where he hath a fair and pleasant house.

VIRGINIA is said to be first discovered by Sir Francis Drake (as indeed all this tract of Sea Coast) and was so named by Sir Walter Rawleigh in honour of Queen Elizabeth, who then Reigned; but before it was brought to any perfection much time was spent with no small expence, and loss of mens lives. And about the Reign of K. James, a Patent was granted to certain persons, as a Corporation, and called the Company of Adventurers of Virginia; but upon divers misdemeanours and miscarriages about the year 1623, the Patent was made void, and hath been since free for all his Majesties Subjects to Trade unto. It is scituate Southwards of Maryland,* 1.46 and hath for its Eastern limits the Atlantick Ocean. It is blest with a good Air, and the Clime of late since the clearing of woods is found very agreeable to the English, so that few die of the Country disease called seasoning.* 1.47 The soil is so fertil that an Acre of ground commonly yields 200 bushels of Corn, and is very apt to produce what is put therein, as English Grains, Roots, Seeds, Plants, Fruits, &c. besides those appropriate to the Country and other adjacent parts of America; and it is observed that their Fruits (which are in great abundance and of various sorts) for goodness may compare with those of Italy or Spain, which are esteemed the best in Europe. They have great abundance of Beasts, Fowl, and Fish,* 1.48 which I have taken notice of in New England, and their Turkeys are said to weigh about six stone; amongst their small Birds is the Mock-Bird which counterfeiteth the notes of all Birds, for which it is esteemed excellent.* 1.49 The Commodities which this Country doth or may produce, are Flase, Hemp, Woad, Madder, Pot-Ashes, Hopps, Honey, Wax, Rapeseed, Anniceseed, Silk (if they would make it Mulberry Trees here growing in so great plenty) several sweet Gums and excellent Balsomes, Alome, Iron, Copper,; several sorts of Woods, Plants, &c. used by Dyers, Pitch, Tarr, Rosin, Turpentine, sundry sorts of rich Furrs, Elk-skins, and other Hides, but above all Tobacco, which is their principal Commodity, and the standard by which all other Commodities are prized; but it were to be wished the Inhabitants would imploy their time about other Commodities as well as Tobacco, and they would soon find the profit, and their Tobacco would not be such a drugg as now it is.* 1.50 This Countrey is well watered with several great and strong Rivers which loose themselves in the Gulph or Bay of Chesopeak, which gives entrance for Shipping into this Countrey, as well as to Maryland; and is a large and capacious Bay found very commodious for Shipping, being said to run up into the Country Northwards above 200 miles; amongst the Rivers those of most note are Pawhatan now James River, found Navigable about 150 miles; Pamaunke now York River, also large and Navigable about 60 miles; and Rapahanock which is long and Navigable about 120 miles; And near or adjoyning to these Rivers for the conveniency of Shipping the English are seated, and have some Towns,* 1.51 the chief of which is James Town commodiously seated on James River, a neat Town, and beautified with well built Brick Houses, and here are kept the Courts of Judicature, and Offices of publick concern for the Countrey. Next to James Town may be reckoned Elizabeth, a well built Town, seated on the mouth of a River so called. Also Dales-gift, Wicocomoco, Bermuda, and others. The Governour of this Country is sent over by his Majesty, and the Country is governed by Laws agreeable with those of England; and for the better observing the same, the Country possessed by the English, is divided into the Counties of Caroluck, Charles, Glocester, Hartford, Henrico, James, New Kent,* 1.52Lancaster, Middlesex, Nansemund, Lower Norfolk, Northampton, Northumberland, Rapalianock, Surrey, Warwick, Westmorland, the Isle of Wight, and York, and in each of these Counties are held petty Courts every Month, from which there may be Appeals to the Quarter Court at James Town. As to the Natives which here Inhabite, they are much of the nature of those already treated of, so I shall omit them here. Only say that it is the Habitation of divers sorts of Indians, which have no dependance upon each other, being of particular Tribes, and having their peculiar King to govern them, every Indian Town being the habitation of a King, and these people do rather live at enmity than amity together.

CAROLINA a Colony not long since established by the English, and is that part of Florida adjoyning to Virginia, in the Latitude of 36 degrees, and extendeth it self to that of 29, which makes it extream Southern bounds; on the East it is washed with the Atlantick Ocean, and on the West it hath that large tract of Land which runneth into the Pacifick Ocean. It is a Country blest with a wholsom and temperate Air, the heat in Summer, nor the cold in Winter (which is so much as to check the growth of Plants, Trees, &c. the several fruits and plants having their distinct seasons) being no waies troublesome to its Inhabitants, but very agreeable to the English; and being found thus healthful hath occasioned several persons to remove from the Bermudes to settle here, who dwelling in so pure an Air durst not venture in any other Country. Nor do those from the Bermudes only remove hither, but from most of the American Plantations, as well as from England, it being esteemed by all one of the best Colonies that ever the English were Masters of, for here is altogether Health, Pleasure, and Profit, centered together, which cannot be met with in so large a measure in any other part of the Indies. This Country has first Inhabited by the English about the year 1660, and became a Proprietorship, which his present Majesty King Charles the Second,* 1.54 granted by Patent, to the Right Noble George Duke of Albemarle, the Right Honourable Edward Earl of Clarendon, William Earl of Craven, Anthony Earl of Shaftsbury, John Lord Berkley, Sir George Cartwright, Sir Jo. Colleton, and Sir William Berkley, and to their Heirs and Successors; and the said Lords Proprietors having by their Patent power to Establish a Government, and make Laws for the better regulation thereof, and the inviting of Inhabitants, have formed a Model so well framed for the good and welfare of the Inhabitants, that it is esteemed by all judicious persons without compare. The Natives of Carolina according to the observation of one Ledener, (who made three several journeys from Virginia to Carolina about the Year 1670, for a discovery of those parts, and the nature and disposition of the Inhabitants) are said to be of a ready wit and good understanding, they instruct their Children in such things as relate to their Families, and Country, which is so preserved from Generation to Generation. They worship one God, as Creator of all things, to whom their High Priest offers Sacrifice, but believes he hath something else to do than to regard Humane affairs, committing them to lesser Deities, viz. to good and evil Spirits, to whom their inferiour Priests make their devotion and Sacrifice. They believe the transmigration of the soul, and when any one dieth they interr with them provisions and Housholdstuff for the next World, which they fancy to be beyond the Mountains, and Indian Ocean. In their Marriages they are very Superstitious; for the generality they are of a good and honest meaning, much addicted to mirth and dancing, and above all are much prone to Honour and Valour which they place above all other vertues. They are great favourers of the English, living together in love and friendship, and upon all occasions ready to contribute their assistance unto them. The Country is by them divided into several Kingdoms, and the people in the one keep no correspondence with those that border upon them, often waging War against one another. The Soil is rich and fertile, and produceth excellent Fruits, as Apricocks, Peaches, Grapes, of which the English have made good Wine; Olives, of which good Oyl is made; Wallnuts, Apples, Pears, Plumbs,* 1.56Cherries, Figgs, Mulberries, Strawberries, Water-Mellons, Marachocks, Quinces, and other Fruits known to us in Europe, which for goodness are no wales inferiour to them, and in the Southern part Oranges, Limes, Pomegranates, and Pomecitrons, and the earth is generally very apt to produce and bring to maturity Corn, all sorts of Garden Herbs, Roots, &c.* 1.57 The Commodities which this Country doth and may produce are Wines, Oyls, Silk, Mulberry-trees growing wildly, Cotton, Indico, Ginger, Tobacco, Masts for Shipping which for length, streightness and bigness are the best in the World, &c. And it is believed that here may be made more Wines, Oyls and Silk than England will vent. Besides the Mulberry-trees, here are Cedar, Oak, both white and red,* 1.58Poplar, Bay, Ash, Pine with divers others whose names are not yet known. The Woods are well stored with Pheasants, large Turkeys, Partridges, Turtle-Doves, Pigeons, great variety and plenty of small Birds, also Deer, Hares, Conies &c. The Country is well watered with Rivers, which with the Sea sufficiently furnish the Inhabitants with excellent Fish and such common in Virginia; here are great plenty of wild Fowl, as Geese, Cranes, Herons, Swans, Curlews, Heath Cocks, Oxeys, Brants, Dotterels, Widgeons, Teal, Duck and Mallard in an undestroyable quantity. Here are at present two considerable Settlements, viz. at Albemarle River in the North, and at Ashley River in the middle of the Country which is likely to be the scale of Trade for the whole Country as being very commodiously seated for Shipping, and in a healthful place.

In all these parts, which we have passed under the name of CANADA, the the people are very barbarous, having neither Religion, nor Learning. Divers people have diversity of Languages: they count their years by the course of the Sun, their months by that of the Moon, their four Seasons by any remarkable thing hapning in them. They are of a middle stature,* 1.60 well proportioned, disposed to running and swimming, of an olive or tawny colour, because they go for the most part naked, often anointing themselves with a certain Oyl to hinder the Flies from tickling them; they wear few Ornaments on their bodies, though their Women do; making themselves Necklaces, Bracelets and Scarfs, formerly of Fishes, Shells, Porcelain, &c. now of Glass, Chrystal, and Toys, carried hence.

They make Feasts at their Marriages, at their Victories, at the reception of their friends; and take much Tobacco. They eat sometimes the flesh of their enemies which they have taken in the War, and fed well before, whom they kill with excessive cruelties. They use Bows and Arrows, in which they are very expert.

FLORIDA.

FLORIDA may be esteemed a part of New France, since the French were the first that established there any Colony, by the consent of the people of the Country. It may likewise be esteemed part of New Spain, since at present the Castilians have two Colonies under the Jurisdiction of the Audience of S. Domingo, one of the four Audiences of New Spain, but these two Colonies are so weak, and so near the one to the other, and the Country is so that that is not considerable. We may say, that Florida is between new France, and new Spain, and that it extends it self from the River of Palmas, which bounds it from the Province of Panuco in new Spain, unto the River Jordan, which divides it from Virginia, which I have esteemed in Canada or New France.* 1.62 The greatest part of its Coast is on the Gulph of Mexico, which flows on its South: Another part on Mer del Nort, which washes it on the East: Between this Gulph and the Sea, Florida stretches out a Peninsula towards the South; where the Cape of Florida is not distant from the Port of Matnasas in the Isle of Cuba, above 35 or 40 Leagues. The more Western Coast of Florida, reaches 450 Leagues, the Eastern 150; the Peninsula between both, advancing 150 Leagues from the Coast, and not being above 60 or 75 Leagues broad, makes yet another Coast of 350 Leagues; so that all Florida hath not much less than 1000 Leagues of Coast on the Sea.

The Castilians have no Colony on the Gulph of Mexico, nor on the Coast, where the French have formerly been. Those two Colonies they have here, are St. Augustine, and St. Mathew, 15 or 16 Leagues one from the other, on the Eastern Coast of the Peninsula, and there where it approaches the Coast, where the French had settled: the North and West of Florida is enclosed with Mountains, which divides it from New France, and New Mexico. St. Augustine which is the best, and strongest of the two Colonies, was taken and pillaged by Sir Francis Drake in Anno 1585.

FLORIDA was first discovered in 1496 by the English, under the Conduct of Sebastian Gabott, whom Henry the Seventh, King of England, sent to seek by the West a passage to fall into the East: he contented himself to have seen the Country yet unknown, and to make report thereof to his Master; afterwards better searched into by John de Ponce of Leon,* 1.64 who in 1512 would have established a Colony for his Master the King of Castile, were it not for the resistance of the Country made against him, who oftentimes made him retreat, and at last forced him to return to Puerto Ricco of which place he was Governour; where, on a desperate wound in his last encounter, which he there received, he ended his life. In 1524 Lucas Vasques of Aillon, and some other Spaniards, landed divers times at Florida, with no other design than to take away its Inhabitants, whom they transported to Hispaniola, and Cuba to work in their Mines, wherein they had already consumed the greatest part of its Inhabitants. Pamphilus Narvaes was likewise there in 1528, who traversed it as far as the Mountains of Apalachi, where he hoped to find Gold. The most famous landing that the Spaniards have ever made in Florida was in 1534,* 1.65 under the conduct of Ferdinando Soto; who being rich with the spoils he had gained, in his Conquest of Peru, led hither 350 Horse, and 900 Foot, with which force he traversed Florida almost on all sides, without endeavouring to bind a Colony; much molesting those of the Country, by whom he was in like manner turmoyled, during the many years he coasted it; till in the end, not finding those riches he expected, he died with grief, and was buried at the bottom of a River, for fear lest his body should fall into the hands of his Enemies. His people returned in 1543, there remaining about 30 Horse, and 300 Foot. All the advantage Soto received by his travel, was, the giving the name of Florida to the Country, either because he arrived there the day of Pasquae Floriae; or because that, landing, he found the herbs and flowers in their prime and verdure. In 1549 the Emperor Charles the Fifth, and the Council of the Indies thought it not good to send any more Armed men, but rather some Religious persons, to sweeten the fierce humours of these barbarous people Lewis of Barbastre,* 1.66 of the Order of St. Benedict went with some other Fathers; but presently those of the Country seized and massacred him, with his two Companions, fleaing them, and hanging their skins at the doors of the Cabanes; the rest saved themselves, by retiring into those Ships that brought them.

The French were not in Florida, save under the Reign of Charles the Ninth. Francis Ribaut was sent in 1562. He made alliance with those of the Country, and built the Fort Caroline on the River May. Ribaut being returned to France, with promise to bring thither more people: but too long delaying his return, his men grew diffident and mutinous, and built a strange kind of Vessel, and with the small stock of provisions they could stow in her, put to Sea, where they endured so great want, that they were forced to cast lots to eat one another; which fell first to him who had been the cause of their discord.

Rene Laudoniere returned in 1564, restored the Fort Caroline; but the Castilians, jealous to see this establishment near their New Spain, resolved to drive them thence: they landed with show of no design against the French; but their intentions were otherwise, for in the end they surprized the Fort, out of which Laudionere could scarce save himself, took Ribaut on the Sea who had before been Shipwrack'd; hanged the Souldiers, and flead Ribaut, as Lescarbott saith.

In 1567 Dominic de Gourgues, a Gascon, and of Mont de Marsan, made an attempt of his own head to revenge this Affront: he put to Sea at his own expence, with a hundred and fifty Souldiers, and eighty Mariners; landed in Florida, and with the aid of those of the Country, who affected the French, retook Caroline from the Spaniards, with two other Forts which they had new built; caused them to be hanged on the same trees whereon they had hanged the French; razed the Fort, and returned into France in 1568, where he had no small trouble to clear himself for his exploit.

Florida being between the twenty fifth or thirtieth and fortieth Degrees of Septentrional Latitude, the Countrey cannot chuse but be good, their Woods and Forests are well cloathed with trees, as lofty Cedars, large Oaks, Cyprus and Bays, trees of a large proportion, also great store of that wood called by the French Sassafras; as also another tree called Esquine, the Bark of which trees are an excellent remedy for many distempers, especially the French Disease. And in these Forrests and Woods are found all sorts of Beasts and Fowl; the Country is well stored with several sorts of Fruits, as Grapes, Cherries, Plumbs, Mulberries, Chesnuts, &c. It is enriched with Mines of Gold and Silver, but in no great plenty, nor much regarded by the Natives. It is well watered with fresh Streams, which are stored with variety of Fish, and Crocodiles, which they eat; they have all sorts of Fowl and Venison as we have. The people are of an Olive-colour, great stature,* 1.70 but well proportioned; their hair is black which they wear very long; their women do far exceed other adjacent Nations in handsomness, which makes them much desired by Strangers, and their shape and beauty is more discernable in that they go naked till their Purgations, and afterwards only they make use of skins of Beasts, taken in hunting, which they embellish with Feathers, of divers colours, which they tie about their waists, and hangs down to their knees, only to hide their Privities; and their Arms, Back, Breast, Knees, and other parts which are exposed to sight, are stained with several sorts of Paintings, not to be washed off, which is esteemed a great ornament among them. They bear some reverence to the Sun and Moon; they are accounted very crafty, cunning, deceitful, revengeful, and much addicted to War; their Arms are Bow and Arrows, as are almost all the Americans; they know the nature of their Herbs, and have Flowers of fine colours; they pass a part of the year in the Woods, where they live on Hunting; and part near the Lakes, Rivers and Sea where they Fish. They have a Custom among them, that is, the Women when their Husbands die, do cut of their hair, and strew it on his Sepulcher, and are restrained from marrying again till their hair is long enough to cover their Shoulders. The Country yields great plenty of Mayz, which is their natural bread, which they sow and reap twice in one year: this Grain they gather, and put into publick places, and distribute it to every Family as occasion requires.

Their Whale Fishing is made with a cunning and boldness, which those of Europe. dare not attempt. The Fisherman having discovered one, enters into his Canott, then leaps upon his back, and there riding takes his time to plunge a stick into one of his nostrils; and what ever endeavour he uses, though he plunge under water, he holds fast; and expecting his rising, fastens another stick on the other side, and then retires with a cord fastned to these sticks; the Whale not able to breath, grows weak; and then by little and little, he draws it to the shore, where assisted by his Companions, he cuts it in pieces, drying it to make Flowr, and of that Flowr Bread, which lasts a long time.

The people of Florida are governed by their Paraousti's, who lead them to War where they kill the men, but preserve the women and children; they have their Jovona's, or Sacrificers, who serve as Physicians, and to whom they bear honour. Their Paraousti's being dead, are interred with many Ceremonies; living, are much feared and obeyed. They have many wives, among which one is esteemed the chief, whose children may hope for the charge and dignity of their Father.

The House of Paraousti Ovade (when Captain Albert was there to beg of him some provisions; besides divers moveables and ornaments) was hung as high as a Pikes length with Tapestry, made of rare Feathers, and of most beautiful colours, composed of such Artifice, that they were worth the most part of ours. The Coverlid of his Bed was white, tissued in divers copartiments and with a fringe of Scarlet about it.

Rivers of most note in Florida are: 1. Rio de Flores. 2. Rio de Spirito Sancto. 3. Rio de Neives. 4. Rio Grande. 5. Rio Secco. 6. Rio Garunna. 7. Rio Charente. 8. Rio Axona, and some others.

Chief Towns (or rather Cottages) in Florida, are: 1. St. Hellens. on a promontary so named. 2. Port Royal, a good and well frequented Haven, seated on the mouth of a River so named. 3. St. Matthews, 4. St. Augustine. 5. St. Phillip. 6. St. Jago, once (if not at present) possessed and fortified by the Spaniards, with some others of less note.

The ISLES of BERMUDES.

EAst of Virginia and Florida we have the Isles of BERMƲDES, so called from John Bermudes, a Spaniard, by whom it was first discovered; also called the Summer-Islands, from the Shipwreck which one Sir George Summers, an English-man, there suffered: It is about 15 or 1600 Leagues from England, 400 from Hispaniola, and only 300 from the nearest Coast of Virginia and Florida. Of these Isles the greatest, called St. Georges, is five or six Leagues long, and almost throughout not above a quarter, third, or half a League broad; the others are much less. All together make a body which form a Cressant, and inclose very good Ports; as those of Southampton, Harrington, Pagets, the Great Sound, Dover, and Warwick.

The Air is almost always serene, sometimes moist and hot, but very healthful, agreeing well with the English Bodies, who have here at divers times settled and established a fair and powerful Colony, and have strongly fortified the Approaches, which at present are very difficult; and the Earth is exceeding fertil, yielding two Crops a year;* 1.76 their Mayz they gather in July and December: They have excellent Fruits, as Oranges, Dates, Mulberries, &c. They have plenty of Tortoises, which is their ordinary food, and the Hogs which the Spaniards formerly carried thither are excellent, and much increased; they have many Sea-birds, and other' Fowl; they have no fresh Water but that of Wells and Pits, there being neither Fountain nor Stream in these Islands. They have no venemous Beasts, their Spiders not being poysonous, but of sundry and various colours;* 1.77 and in the Hot weather they make their Webs so strong, that ofttimes Birds are entangled and catched in them. Cocheneil and Tobacco, with some Pearls and Amber,* 1.78 are their principal Riches, for which they have a good trade. Their Governour is sent them by the King of England, who governs them by our English Laws, whom they also own as their Supream; and it is observed, that scarce any are found to die but with Old age.

1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.

THe Name of Canada is that which the Canadians gave their Countrey, thro which passes the greatest River of Northern America, which they call the River of Canada.

This Countrey is full of Woods, and the Climate colder than that of France, tho' both be in an equal distance from the Equinoctial. Canada furnishes [Us] with Beavers, Stock-fish, Mouse-skins and Whale-oyl. According to the late Relation, you cannot go for half a League together along the great River, without meeting with either another River or a Lake. Wood costs nothing more than the trouble of cutting it. All these Conveniencies would be considerable, if there happen'd not from time to time horrible Tempests, which they call Hurricanes. In the Year 1663. an Earthquake lasted there for above six Months.

The Savages are distributed into several Nations under the Government of their Sagamos's, who are the eldest of their Families. They wear Vestments of Skins, almost like to those which our Painters very generously bestow upon Hercules, or John Baptist. They make use of Bows and Arrows, the points whereof they garnish with Iron and Fish-bones, and make War by Courses and Surprises. They are almost most all alike in manners, but are different in tongues; some are wandring and Vagabonds, others have Villages and setled Abodes; that is to say, Hamocks, which consist in some Cottages. They live almost all of them without any care of Futurity, and are very fond of Tobacco. And therefore they call their Festivals and their Feasts, Tabagies. They can bring but very few men into the Field, for which reason the Europeans found it no difficult matter to settle themselves there, tho' they brought along with them for that purpose, but very inconsiderable Forces. The French have Forts here for the security of Commerce, and to put a stop to the Courses of the Savages, who are their Enemies. The Jesuits, Capuchins and other Religions have their Convents.

Canada contains the following Countries, New France, New Denmark, New Wales, New Britain, otherwise the Land of Labrador, and Terra Coterialis; Accadia, New England, and New York, formerly called New Holland. Besides these Countries, there is that of Saguenay, which receives its name from a River, whose mouth is not above a quarter of a League broad, but which enlarges it self when you go up it, and is above two hundred fathoms deep in several places. This Circumstance hath given occasion to some Adventurers to seek a passage there for the going to China thro' the Northern Ocean. Quesbeck the Principal Colony of the Country, Founded in 1608. is the Capital of all Canada, the Residence of a Vice-Roy and Bishop. The City is divided into High and Low, with a Fortress upon the Rock, which commands the great River, that carries the flowing of the Sea above the City. Tadousac, the three Rivers and Montreal upon the same River, are three very considerable Colonies of the French. The two best Sea Ports are Miscou, and the Port Royal of Accadia. As concerning the people, the Hurons and the Algonquins towards the beginning of the great River, have ever been friends of the French, the Iroquois are cruel and great Buccaniers, that is to say, they suck the flesh of their Enemies, they fortifie their abodes with Palisadoes: They have been sturdy Enemies to the French, and have done them great damage by means of the fire Arms they had from the English and the Hollanders of their Neighbourhood. Yet the French boast that they have prevailed over them; and that tho' these Savages have been able to bring several Troops into the Field without disgarrisoning or emptying their Retreats, which are inaccessible; they have nevertheless been constrained to yield to the Arms of France. Their Country is pretty fruitful, seeing it produces Muscadine Grapes, Lemmons, vence and Melons, even as good as those of Pro- in France.

The principal Isle of New-Found-Land, is one of the greatest in the World, with a great number of Ports, whereof that of Plaisance possessed by the French, is the best. Heretofore they burnt one part of the Forests of this Island, to render it the more habitable; But the Rosin and other Gums which ran into the Sea, were the occasion of the Fishery being spoiled in the Neighbourhood for above seven years. Almost the like thing happened in the Isle of St. Christophers, when several Ships loaded with Tobacco, perished there; the strength and bitterness of that Herb poysoning the Fish. France sends every year a great number of Ships to this Island, which it calls for that reason Terra Neuviers. The English have likewise fetled themselves here. The Isle of Cape Breton, has the Port of Chibou in its Eastern parts, which Nature has formed with all possible advantages for the security of a Fleet.

There is a Shoal and Ridge of Sand on the East of New-Found-Land, notorious for the taking of Stockfish, and its extent of two hundred and sixty Leagues, which has given it the name of the Great Bank. 'Tis not a Rock as several do imagine; they call it Bank by reason of the shallowness all along by its side, in respect of the Depth which is very great in the other parts of that Sea. The fishing there is of two sorts, The one for Cod, and the other for dry Stock-Fish. The Seamen who Fish there, have at the same time the pleasure of taking with the Line great Birds, or Fowl, which they call Fauquets and Happefoyes, which they effect by baiting their Hooks with the Livers of Cods.