The World Encompaffed
1628
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Hakluyt's The Famous Voyage
1589
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The Course from
Guatalco
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From Guatulco we departed the next day following, viz.
Aprill 16. fetting our courfe directly into the fea:
whereon___
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Upon this refolution, he began to thinke of his beft Way
to the Moluccaes, and finding himfelfe where he nowe was
becalmed, he fawe, that of neceffitie he muft be forced to
take a Spanifh courfe. namely to faile fomewhat Northerly to
get a wind. We therefore fet faile,___
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___we fayled 500. leagues in longitude, to get a
winde: and betweene
that and Iune 3. 1400. leagues in all,___
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___and failed in longitude 600. leagues at the leaft
for a good Winde, and thus much we failed from the 16.
of Aprill, till the 3. of Iune.
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___till we came into 42. deg. of North
latitude,___
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The 5. day of June, being in 42.' degrees towards the
pole Arctike,___
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The Search for a
Northern Passage
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___where in the night following, we found fuch
alteration of heate, into extreame and nipping cold, that
our men in generall, did grieuoufly complaine thereof;
fome of them feeling their healths much impaired thereby,
neither was it, that this chanced in the night alone, but
the day following carried with it, not onely the markes, but
the ftings and force of the night going before; to the great
admiration of vs all, for befides that the pinching and
biting aire, was nothing altered; the very roapes of our
fhip were ftiffe, and the raine which fell, was an vnatural
congealed and frozen fubftance, fo that we feemed rather to
be in the frozen Zone, then any way fo neere vnto the fun,
or thefe hotter climatef.
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___we found the aire fo colde, that our men being
greeuioufly pinched with the fame, complained of the
extremitie thereof,___
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Neither did this happen for the time onely, or by fome
fudden accident, but rather feemes indeed, to proceed from
fome ordinary caufe, againft the which the heate of the fun
preuailes not, for it came to that
extremity, in fayling but 2. deg. farther to the Northward
in our courfe: that though fea-men lack notgood
ftomaches, yet it feemed a queftion to many amongft vs,
whether their hands fhould feed their mouthes, or rather
keepe themfelues within their couerts, from the pinching
cold that did benumme them. ___
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___Niether could we impute it to the tenderneffe of our
bodies, though we came lately from the extremitie of heate,
by reafon whereof we might be more fenfible of the prefent
cold: infomuch as the dead and fenceleffe creatures, were as
well affected with it as ourfelues, our meate as foone as it
was remooued from the fire, would prefently in a manner be
frozen vp; and our ropes and tackling, in few dayes were
growne to that ftiffeneffe, that what 3. men afore were able
with them to performe, now 6. men with their beft ftrength,
and vttermoft endeauour, were hardly able to accomplifh:
whereby a fudden and great difcouragement feafed vpon the
mindes of our men, and they were poffeffed with a great
miflike, and doubting of any good to be done that
way,___
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___yet would not our general be
difcouraged, but as wel by comfortable fpeeches, of the
diuine prouidence, and of Gods louing care ouer his
children, out of the fcriptures; as alfo by other good and
profitable perfwafions, adding thereto his own cheerfull
example, he fo ftirred them vp, to put on a good courage,
and to quite themfelues like men, to indure fome fhort
extremity, to haue the fpeedier comfort, and a little
trouble, to obtaine the greater glory; that euery man was
throughly armed with willingneffe, and refolued to fee the
vttermoft, if it were poffible, of what good was to be done
that way.
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The land in that part of America, bearing farther out into
the Weft, then we before imagined, we were neerer
on it then wee were aware;___
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___and yet the neerer ftill wee came vnto it, the more
extremitie of cold did feafe vpon vs. The 5. day of
Iune, wee were forced by contrary
windef, to run in with the fhoare, which we then
firft defcried; and to caft anchor
in a bad bay, the beft roade we could for the prefent meete
with: where wee were not without fome danger, by
reafon of the many extreme gufts, and flawes that beate vpon
vs; which if they ceafed and were ftill at any time,
immediatly vpon their intermiffion, there followed moft
vile, thicke, and ftinking fogges; againft which the fea
preuailed nothing, till the gufts of wind againe remoued
them, which brought with them, fuch extremity and violence
when they came, that there was no dealing or refifting
againft them.
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___and the further we went, the more the cold
increafed vpon vs, Whereupon we thought it beft for that
time to feeke the land, and did fo, finding it not
mountanous, but lowe plaine land, & clad, and couered
ouer with fnowe,___
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In this place was no abiding for vs; and to go further
North,the extremity of the cold (which had now vtterly
difcouraged our men) would not permit vs:___
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__fo that we drewe backe againe without
landing___
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___and the
windf directly bent againft vs, hauing once gotten vs vnder
fayle againe, commanded vs to the Southward whether we would
or no.___
---From
the height of 48. deg. in which now we were, to
38. we found the land by coafting alongft it
to bee but low and reafonable plaine: euery hill (whereof we
faw many, but none verie high) though it were in Iune, and
the Sunne in his neereft approch vnto them being couered
with fnow.
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The
Latitude of the Harborough, or Baye
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In 38
deg. 30. min.
we fell with a conuenient and fit
harborough,___
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___till we came within
38. degrees towards the line. In which heigth
it pleafed God to fend vs into a faire and good Baye,
with a good winde to enter the fame.
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___and Iune 17. came to anchor therein: where we
continued till the 23. day of Iuly following.The next day
after our comming to anchor in the aforefaid harbour,___
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In this Baye we ankered,___
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The Climate of
the Country
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___During all which time, notwithftanding it was the
height of Summer, and fo neere the Sunne; yet were wee
continually vifited with like nipping colds, as we had felt
before: infomuch that if violent exercifes of our bodies,
and bufie imployment about our neceffarie labours, had not
fometimef compeld vs to the contrary, we could very well
haue beene contented to haue kept about vs ftill our Winter
clothes; yea (had our neceffities fuffered vs) to have kept
our beds; neither
could we at any time in whole fourteene dayes together, find
the aire fo cleare as to be able to take the height of Sunne
or ftarre.
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And here hauing fo fit occafion,
(notwithftanding it may feeme to be befides the purpofe of
writing the hiftory of this ourvoyage) we will a little more
diligently inquire into the caufef of the continuance of the
extreame cold in thefe parts: as alfo into the probabilities
or vnlikelihoods of a paffage to be found that way.
Neither was it (as hath formerly beene touched)
the tenderneffe of our bodies, comming fo lately out of the
heate, whereby the poores were opened, that made vs fo
fenfible of the colds we here felt: in this refpect, as in
many others, we found our God a prouident father, and
carefull Phyfitian for vs. We lacked no outward helpef nor
inward comforts, to reftore and fortifie nature, had it
beene decayed or weakened in vs; neither was there wanting
to vs the great experience of our Generall, who had often
himfelfe proued the force of the burning Zone; whofe advice
alwayef preuailed much to the preferuing of a moderate
temper in our conftitutionf: fo that euen after our
departure from the heate wee alwayes found our bodies not as
fponges, but ftrong and hardened, more able to beare out
cold, though we came out of exceffe of heate, then a number
of chamber champions could haue beene, who lye on their
feather-beds till they go to fea, or rather whole teeth in a
temperate aire do beate in their heads, at a cup of cold
Sack and fugar by the fire.
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And that it was not our tendernes, but the very extremitie
of the cold it felfe, that caufed this fenfiblenes in vs,
may the rather appeare in that the naturall inhabitants of
the place (with whom we had for a long feafon familiar
intercourfe, as if to be related) who had neuer beene
acquainted with fuch heate; to whom cuftome of cold was as
it were a fecond nature: yet vfed to come fhiuering to vs in
their warme furres; crowding clofe together body to body, to
receiue heate one of another; and fheltring themfelues vnder
a lee bancke, if it were poffible; and as often as they
could, labouring to fhroude themfelues vnder our garments
alfo, to keepe them warme. Befides how vnhandfome and
deformed appeared the face of the earth it felfe! fhewing
trees without leaues, and the ground without greennes in
thofe moneths of Iune and Iuly. The poore birds and foules
not daring (as we had great experience to obferue it) not
daring fo much as once to arife from their nefts, after the
firft egge layed, till it with all the reft be hatched, and
brought to fome ftrength of nature, able to helpe it felfe.
Onely this recompence hath nature afoorded them, that the
heate of their owne bodies being exceeding great, it
perfecteth the creature with greater expedition, and in
fhorter time then if to be found in many other places.
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As for the caufes of this extremity they feeme not to be fo
deeply hidden, but that they may at leaft in part be gueffed
at: The chiefeft of which we conceiue to be the large
fpreading of the Afian and American continent, which
(fomewhat Northward of thefe parts) if they be not fully
ioyned, yet feeme they to come very neere one to the other.
From whofe high and fnow-covered mountaines, the North and
North-weft winds (the conftant vifitants of thofe coafts)
fend abroad their frozen nimphes, to the infecting of the
whole aire with this infufferable fharpneffe: not permitting
the Sunne, no not in the pride of his heate, to diffolue
that congealed matter and fnow, which they haue breathed out
fo nigh the Sunne, and fo many degrees diftant from
themfelues. And that the North and North-weft winds are here
conftant in Iune and Iuly, as the North wind alone if in
Auguft and September; we not onely found it by ourowne
experience, but were fully confirmed in the opinion there
of, by the continued obferuations of the Spaniards. Hence
comef the general fqualidneffe and barrenneffe of the
countrie; hence comes it, that in the middeft of their
Summer, the fnow hardly departeth euen from their very
doores, but if neuer taken away from their hils at all;
hence come thofe thicke mifts and moft ftinking fogges,
which increafe fo much the more, by how much higher the pole
if raifed: wherein a blind pilot if as good as the beft
director of a courfe. For the Sunne ftriving to performe his
naturall office, in eleuating the vapors out of thefe
inferior bodies; draweth neceffarily abundance of moifture
out of the fea: but the nipping cold (from the former
caufes) meeting and oppofing the Sunnef indeuour, forces him
to giue ouerhis work imperfect: and inftead of higher
eleuation, to leaue in the loweft region, wandring vpon the
face of the earth and waters, as it were a fecond fea:
through which its owne beames cannot poffibly pierce,
vnleffe fometimes when the fudden violence of the winds doth
helpe to fcatter and breake through it, which thing
happeneth very feldome, and when it happeneth if of no
continuance. Some of our marriners in this voyage had
formerly beene at Wardhoufe, in 72. deg. of North latitude:
who yet affirmed, that they felt no fuch nipping cold there
in the end of Summer, when they departed thence, as they did
here in thofe hotteft moneths of Iune and Iuly.
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Northern Passage:
Conclusion
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And alfo from thefe reafons we
coniecture; that either there if no paffage at all through
thefe Northerne coafts (which if moft likely) or if there
be, that yet it if unnauigable. Adde hereunto, that though
we fearched the coaft diligently, euen vnto the 48. deg. yet
found we not the land, to trend fo much as one point in any
place towards the Eaft, but rather running on continually
Northweft, as if it went directly to meet with Afia; and
euen in that height when we had a franke wind, to haue
carried vs through, had there beene a paffage, yet we had a
fmooth and calme fea, with ordinary flowing and reflowing,
which could not haue beene, had there beene a frete: of
which we rather infallibly concluded then coniectured, that
there was none. But to returne.
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The People of the
Country
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The next day after our comming to anchor in the aforefaid
harbour, the people of the countrey fhewed
themfelues;
fending
off a man with great expedition to vs in a
canow. Who being yet but a little from the
fhoare, and a great way from our fhip, fpake to vs
continually as he came rowing on. And at laft at a
reafonable diftance ftaying himfelfe, he began more
folemnely a long and tedious oration, after his manner:
vfing in the deliuerie thereof, many geftures and fignes;
moving his hands, turning his head and body many wayes; and
after his oration ended, with great fhew of reuerence and
fubmiffion, returned back to fhoare againe. He fhortly came
againe the fecond time in like manner, and fo the third
time:___
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___and the people of the Countrey, hauing their houfes
clofe by the waters fide, fhewed themfeues vnto
vs,___
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___When he brought with him (as a prefent from the
reft) a
bunch of feathers, much like the feathers of a blacke crow,
very neatly and artificially gathered vpon a ftring, and
drawne together into a round bundle; being verie cleane and
finely cut, and bearing in length an equall proportion one
with another; a fpeciall
cognizance (as wee afterwardf obferued) which they that
guard their kings perfon, weare on their heads. With this
alfo he brought a little bafket made of rufhes, and filled
with an herbe which they called Tabâh.
Both which being tyed to a fhort rodde, he caft into our
boate. Our Generall intended to haue recompenced
him immediatly with many good things, he would haue beftowed
vpon him: but entring into the boate to deliuer the fame, he
could not be drawne to recieue them by any meanes: faue one
hat, which being caft into the water out of the fhip, he
tooke vp (refufing vtterly to meddle with any other thing,
though it were vpon a board put off vnto him) and fo
prefently made his returne. After
which time, our boate could row no way, but
wondring at vs as at gods, they would follow the fame with
admiration.
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___ and fent a prefent to our Generall.___
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The 3. day following, viz. the 21.
our fhip hauing receiued a leake at fea, was brought to
anchor neerer the fhoare, that her goods being landed, fhe
might be repaired: but for that we were to preuent any
danger, that might chance againft our fafety, our generall
firft of all landed his men, with all neceffary prouifion,
to build tents and make a fort for the defence of our felues
and goods: and that wee might vnder the fhelter of it, with
more fafety (what euer fhould befall) end our
bufineffe; which when the people of the country
perceiued vs doing, as men fet on fire to war, in defence of
their countrie, in great haft and companies, with fuch
weapons as they had,___
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___they came downe vnto vs; ftanding when they drew
neere, as men rauifhed in their mindes, with the fight of
fuch things as they neuer had feene, or heard of before that
time:___
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___When they came vnto vs, they greatly wondred
at the things that we brought,___
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___their errand being rather with fubmiffion and feare to
worfhip vs as Gods, then to haue any warre with vs as with
mortall men. Which thing as it did partly fhew it felfe at
that inftant, fo did it more and more manifeft it felfe
afterwards; during the whole time of our abode amongft them.
At this time, being willed by fignes to lay from them their
bowes and arrowes, they did as they were directed, and fo
did all the reft, as they came more and more by companies
vnto them, growing in a little while, to a great number both
of men and women.
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To the intent therefore, that this peace which they
themfelues fo willingly fought, might without any caufe of
the breach thereof, on our part giuen, be continued; and
that wee might with more fafety and expedition, end our
bufineffes in quiet;___
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___ our Generall with all his company, vfed all meanes
poffible, gently to intreate them,___
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___but our Generall (according to his naturall and
accuftomed hunianitie) curteoufly intreated them,___
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___beftowing vpon each of them liberally, good and
neceffary things to couer their nakedneffe, withall
fignifying vnto them, we were no Gods but men, and had neede
of fuch things to couer our owne fhame; teaching them to vfe
them to the fame ends: for which caufe alfo wee did eate
and drinke in their prefence, giuing them to vnderftand,
that without that wee could not liue, and therefore were but
men as well as they.
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___and liberally beftowed on them neceffary things to
couer their nakedneff,___
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Notwithftanding nothing could perfwade them, nor remoue that
opinion, which they had conceiued of vs, that wee fhould be
Gods.
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___whereupon they fuppofed us to be gods, and would not
be perfwaded to the contrarie: the prefents which they
fent to our Generall were feathers, and cals of
networke.
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In recompence of thofe things which they had receiued of vs,
as fhirts linnen cloth, &c. they beftowed vpon our
generall, and diuerfe of our company, diuerfe things, as
feathers, cawles of networke, the quiuers of their arrowes
made of fawne-fkins, and the very fkins of beafts that their
women wore vpon their bodies. Hauing thus had their fill of
this times vifiting and beholding of vs, they departed with
ioy to their houfes,___
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Their
Houses
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___which houfes are digged round within the earth, and
have from the vppermoft brimmef of the circle, clefts of
wood fet vp, and ioyned clofe together at the top, like our
fpires on the fteeple of a Church:___
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Their houfes are digged round about with earth, and
haue from the uttermoft brimmes of the circle, clifts of
wood fet vpon them, ioyning clofe together at the toppe like
a fpire fteeple, which by reafon of that clofenes are
very warme.
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___ which being couered with
earth, fuffer no water to enter, and are very
warme,___
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___ the doore in the moft part
of them, performes the office alfo of a chimney, to let out
the fmoake: its made in bigneffe and fafhion, like to an
ordinary fcuttle in a fhip, and ftanding
flopewife:
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their beds are the hard ground, onely with rufhes
ftrewed vpon it, and lying round about the houfe, haue their
fire in the middeft,___
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Their beds is the ground with rufhes ftrowed on it,
and lying about the houfe, haue the fire in the
middeft.
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___which by reafon that the houfe if but low vaulted,
round and clofe, giueth a maruelous reflexion to their
bodies to heate the fame.
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Their
Clothing
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Their men for the moft part goe naked, the women take
a kinde of bulrufhes, and kembing it after the manner of
hempe, make themfelues thereof a loofe garment, which being
knitte about their middles, hanges downe about their hippes,
and fo affordes to them a couering of that, which nature
teaches fhould be hidden: about their fhoulders they weare
alfo the fkin of a deere, with the haire vpon it. They are
very obedient to their hufbands, and exceeding ready in
all feruices: yet of them felues offering to do nothing,
without the confents, or being called of the men.
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The men goe naked, the women take bulrufhes, and kembe
them after the manner of hempe, and thereof make their loofe
garments, which being knit about their middles, hang downe
about their hippes, hauing alfo about their fhoulders, a
fkinne of Deere, with the haire upon it. Thefe women are
very obedient and feruiceable to their hufbands.
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As foone as they were returned to their houfes, they
began amongft themfelues a kind of moft lamentable weeping
& crying out; which they continued alfo a great while
together, in fuch fort, that in the place where they left vs
(being neere about 3. quarters of
an Englifh mile diftant from them) we very
plainely, with wonder and admiration did heare the fame: the
women efpecially, extending their voices, in a moft
miferable and dolefull manner of fhreeking.
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After they were departed from vs,___
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Drake's
Encampment
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Notwithftanding this humble manner of prefenting them
felues, and awfull demeanour vfed towards vs, we thought it
no wifedome too farre to truft them (our experience of
former Infidels dealing with vs before, made vs carefull to
prouide againft an alteration of their affections, or breach
of peace if it fhould happen) and therefore with all
expedition we fet vp our tents, and
entrenched our felues with walls of ftone: that fo being
fortified within our felues, we might be able to keepe off
the enemie (if they fhould fo prove) from comming amongft vs
without our good wills: this being quickly finifhed we went
the more cheerfully and fecurely afterward, about our other
bufineffe.
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Againft the end of two daies (during which time they had not
againe been with vs) there was gathered together a great
affembly of men, women, and children (inuited by the report
of them which firft faw vs, who as it feemes, had in that
time, of purpofe difperfed themfelues into the country, to
make knowne the newes) ___
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___who came now the fecond time vnto vs, bringing with
them as before had beene done, feathers and bagges of
Tabáh
for prefents, or rather indeed for facrifices, vpon this
perfwafion that we were Gods.
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___they came and uifited vs the fecond time, and
brought with them feathers and bags of Tabacco for
prefents:___
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When they came to the top of the hill, at the bottome
whereof wee had built our
fort, they made a ftand; where one (appointed
as their chiefe fpeaker) wearied both vs his hearers, and
himfelfe too, with a long and tedious oration:___
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___ And when they came to the top of the hill (at the
bottome whereof we had pitched
our
tents)
they ftaied themfelues: where one appointed for fpeaker,
wearied himfelfe with making a long oration,___
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___deliuered with ftrange and violent geftures, his voice
being extended to the vttermoft ftrength of nature, and his
words falling fo thick one in the neck of another, that he
could hardly fetch his breath againe: as foone as he had
concluded, all the reft, with a reuerend bowing of their
bodies (in a dreaming manner, and long producing of the
fame) cryed Oh:
thereby giuing their confents, that all was very true which
he had fpoken, and that they had vtered their minde by his
mouth vnto vs;___
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___which done, the men laying downe their bowes vpon
the hill, and leauing their women and children behinde them,
came downe with their prefents; in fuch fort, as if they
had appeared before a God indeed: thinking themfelues happy,
that they might have acceffe vnto our generall, but much
more happy, when they fawe that he would reciue at their
hands, thofe things which they fo willingly had prefented:
and no doubt, they thought themfelues neereft vnto God, when
they fate or ftood next to him:___
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___ which done, they left their bowes vpon the
hill, and came downe with their prefents.
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___In the meane time the women, as if they had beene
defperate, vfed vnnaturall violence againft themfelues,
crying and fhreeking piteoufly, tearing
their flefh with their nails from their cheekes,
in a monftrous manner, the blood ftreaming downe along
their brefts; befides defpoiling the vpper parts of their
bodies, of thofe fingle couerings they formerly had, and
holding their hands aboue their heads, that they might not
refcue their brefts from harme, they would with furie caft
themfelues vpon the ground, neuer refpecting whether it were
cleane or foft, but dafhed themfelues in this manner on hard
ftones, knobby, hillocks, ftocks of wood, and pricking
bufhes, or what euer elfe lay in their way, itterating the
fame courfe againe and againe: yea women great with child,
fome nine or ten times each, and others holding out till 15.
or 16. times (till their ftrengths failed them) exercifed
this cruelty againft themfelues: A thing more grieuous for
vs to fee, or fuffer could we haue holpe it, then trouble to
them (as it feemed) to do it.
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In the meane time, the women remaining on the hill,
tormented themfelues lamentably, tearing their flefh from
their cheekes, whereby -,we perceiued that they were
about a facrifice. ___
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This bloudie facrifice (againft our wils) beeing thus
performed, our Generall with his companie in the prefence
of thofe ftrangers fell to prayers: and by fignes in lifting
vp our eyes and hands to heauen, fignified vnto them, that
that God whom we did ferue, and whom they ought to worfhip,
was aboue: Befeeching God if it were his good pleafure to
open by fome meanes their blinded eyes; that they might in
due time be called to the knowledge of him the true and
eurliuing God, and of Iufuss Chrift whom he hath fent, the
faluation of the Gentiles. In the time of prayers, finging
of Pfalmes, and reading of certaine Chapters in the Bible,
they fate very attentiuley: and obferuing the end at every
paufe, with one voice cryed, Oh, greatly reioycing in our
exercifes. Yea they tooke fuch pleafure in our finging of
Pfalmes, that whenfoeuer they reforted to vs, their firft
requeft was commonly this, Gnaáh,
by which they intreated that we would fing.
|
In the meane time, our Generall, with his companie,
went to praier, and to reading of the Scriptures, at which
exercife they were attentiue, & feemed greatly to be
affected with it:___
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|
Our General hauing now beftowed vpon them diuers things,
at their departure they reftored them all againe; none
carrying with him any thing of whatfoeuer hee had recieued,
thinking themfelues fufficiently enriched and happie, that
they had found fo free acceffe to fee vs.
|
___ but when they were come vnto vs, they reftored
againe vnto vs thofe things which before we beftowed vpon
them.
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|
Againft the end of three daies more (the newes hauing the
while fpread it felfe farther, and as it feemed a great way
vp into the countrie) were affembled the greateft number
of people, which wee could reafonably imagine, to dwell
within any conuenient diftance round about.___
|
The newes of our being there, being fpread through the
Countrey, the people that inhabited round about came
downe,___
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|
___Amongft the reft, the king himfelfe, a man of
goodly ftature and comely perfonage, attended with his
guard, of about 100. tall and warlike men,
this day, viz. Iune 26.
came downe to fee vs.
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___and amongft them the King himfelfe, a man of goodly
ftature, & comely perfonage, with many other tall, and
warlike men:___
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|
Before his comming, were fent two Embaffadors or meffengers
to our General, to fignifie that their Hióh,
that if, their king was comming and at hand. They in the
deliuery of their meffage, the one fpake with a foft and low
voice, prompting his fellow; the other pronounced the fame
word by word after him, with a voice more audible:
continuing their proclamation (for fuch it was) about halfe
an houre. Which being ended, they by fignes made requeft to
our Generall, to fend fomething by their hands to their
Hióh
or king, as a token that his comming might be in peace. Our
Generall willingly fatiffied their defire; and they, glad
men, made fpeedy returne to their Hióh.
Neither was it long before their king (making as princely a
fhew as poffibly he could) with all his traine came
forward.
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___before whofe comming were fent two Ambaffadors to our
Generall, to fignifie that their King was comming, in
doing of which meffage, their fpeech was continued about
halfe an howre. This ended, they by fignes requefted our
Generall to fend fome thing by their hand to their King, as
a token that his coniming might be in peace: wherein our
Generall having fatiffied them, they returned with glad
tidings to their King, who marched to vs with a princely
maieftie, the people crying continually after their manner,
and as they drewc neere vnto vs, fo did they ftriue to
behaue themfelues in their actions with comelines.
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In their comming forwards they cryed continually after a
finging manner with a luftie courage. And as they drew
neerer and neerer towards vs, fo did they more and more
ftriue to behaue themfelues with a certaine comelineffe and
grauity in all their actions.
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In the forefront came a man of a large body and goodly
afpect, bearing the Septer or royal mace (made of a certaine
kind of blacke wood, and in length about a yard and a halfe)
before the king. Whereupon hanged two crownes, a bigger and
a leffe, with three chaines of a maruellous length, and
often doubled; befides a bagge of the herbe Tabáh.
The crownes were made of knitworke, wrought vpon moft
curioufly with feathers of diuers colours, very artificially
placed, and of a formal fafhion:
|
In the fore front was a man of a goodly perfonage, who
bare the fcepter, or mace before the King, whereupon hanged
two crownes, a leffe and a bigger, with three chaines of a
maruelous length: the crownes were made of knit worke
wrought artificially with fethers of diuers
colours:___
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|
The chaines feemed of a bony fubftance: euery
link or part thereof being very little, thinne, moft finely
burnifhed, with a hole pierced through the middeft. The
number of linkes going to make one chaine, if in a manner
infinite:___
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___the chaines were made of a bonie fubftance,___
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___but of fuch eftimation it is amongft them, that few
be the perfons that are admitted to weare the fame: and euan
they to whom itf lawfull to vfe them, yet are ftinted what
number they fhall vfe; as fome ten, fome twelue, fome
twentie, and as they exceed in number of chaines, fo are
they thereby knowne to be the more honorable
perfonages.
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___and few be the perfons among them that are admitted
to weare them: and of that number alfo the perfons are
ftinted, as fome ten, fome 12. etc.___
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|
Next vnto him that bare this Scepter, was the king
himfelfe with his guard about him:
His attire vpon his head was a
cawle of knitworke, wrought vpon fomewhat like the crownes,
but differing much both in fafhion and perfectneffe of
worke; vpon
his fhoulders he had on a coate of the fkins of conies,
reaching to his waft:
His guard alfo had each coats of the fame fhape, but of
other fkins: fome hauing cawles likewife ftucke with
feathers, or couered ouer with a certaine downe, which
groweth vp in the countrey vpon an herbe much like our
lectuce; which exceeds any other downe in the world for
fineneffe, and beeng layed vpon their cawles by no winds can
be remoued: Of fuch eftimation if this herbe amongft them,
that the downe thereof if not lawfull to be worne, but of
fuch perfons as are about the king (to whom alfo it if
permitted to weare a plume of feathers on their heads, in
fign of honour) and the feeds are not vfed but onely in
facrifice to their gods.___
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___Next vnto him which bare the fcepter, was the King
himfelfe, with his Garde about his perfon,___
___ clad with Conie fkins, & other
fkins:___
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___After thefe in their order, did follow the naked
fort of common people; whofe hair being long, was
gathered into a bunch behind, in which ftucke plumes of
feathers, but in the forepart onely fingle feathers like
hornes, euery one pleafing himfelfe in his owne deuice.
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___after them followed the naked comon fort of
people,___
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This one thing was obferued to bee generall amongft them
all; that euery one had his face painted, fome with
white, fome blacke, and fome with other colours, euery man
alfo bringing in his hand one thing or other for a gift or
prefent: Their traine or laft part of their company
confifted of women and children, each woman bearing againft
her breaft a round bafket or two, hauing within them diuerf
thingf, as bagges of Tobâh,
a roote which they call Petáh,
whereof they make a kind of meale, and either bake it into
bread, or eate it raw; broyled fifhes like a pilchard; the
feed and downe aforenamed, with fuch like:
|
___euery one hauing his face painted, fome with white,
fome with blacke, and other colours & hauing in their
handes one thing or another for a prefent, not fo much
as their childre, but they alfo brought their prefents.
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Their bafkets were made in fafhion like a deepe boale, and
though the matter were rufhes, or fuch other kind of fluffe,
yet was it fo cunningly handled, that the moft part of them
would hold water; about the brimmes they were hanged with
peeces of the fhels of pearles, and in fome places with two
or three linkes at a place, of the chaines forenamed:
thereby fignifying, that they were veffels wholly dedicated
to the onely vfe of the gods they worfhipped: and befides
this, they were wrought vppon with the matted downe of red
feathers, diftinguifhed into diuerf worke and
forme.
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In the meane time our Generall hauing affembled his men
together (as forecafting the danger, and worft that might
fall out) prepared himfelfe to ftand vpon fure ground, that
wee might at all timef be ready in our owne defence, if any
thing fhould chance otherwife then was looked for or
expected.
|
In the meane time, our Generall gathered his men
together, and marched within his fenced place, making
againft their approching, a very warlike fhewe.___
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Wherefore euery man being in a warlike readineffe, he
marched within his fenced place, making againft their
approach a moft warlike fhew (as he did alfo at all other
times of their refort) whereby if they had beene defperate
enemies, they could not haue chofen but haue conceiued
terrour and feare, with difcouragement to attempt any thing
againft vs, in beholding of the fame.
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|
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When they were come fomewhat neere vnto vs, trooping
together, they gaue vs a common or a generall falutation:
obferuing in the meane time a generall filence.___
|
___They being trooped together in their order, and a
general falutation being made, there was prefently a
generall filence.
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|
___Whereupon he who bare the Scepter before the king,
being prompted by another whom the king affigned to that
office, pronounced with an audible and manly voice, what the
other fpake to him in fecret: continuing, whether it were
his oration or proclamation, at the leaft halfe an houre. At
the clofe whereof, there was a common Amen,
in figne of approbation giuen by euery perfon: And the king
himfelfe with the whole number of men and women (the little
children onely remaining behind) came further downe the
hill, and as they came fet themfelues againe in their former
order.
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Then he that bare the fcepter before the King, being
informed by another, whome they affigned to that office,
with a manly and loftie voice, proclaimed that which the
other fpake to him in fecret, continuing halfe an howre:
which ended, and a generall Amen as it were giuen, the King
with the whole number of men, and women (the children
excepted) came downe without any weapon, who defcending to
the foote of the hill, fet themfelues in order.
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|
And being now come to the foot of the hill and neere our
fort, the Scepter bearer with a compofed countenance and
ftately carriage began a fong, and anfwerable thereunto,
obferued a kind of meafures in a dance: whom the king with
his guard and euery other fort of perfon following, did in
like manner fing and daunce, fauing onely the women who
danced but kept filence. As they danced they ftill came
on:___
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In comming towards our bulwarks and tents, the fcepter
bearer began a fong, obferuing his meafures in a daunce, and
that with a ftately countenance, whom the King with his
Garde, and euery degree of perfons following, did in like
manner fing and daunce, fauing only the women which daunced,
& kept filence.
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|
___and our Generall perceiuing their plaine and fimple
meaning,gave order that they might freely enter without
interruption within our bulwarke: Where after they had
entred they yet continued their fong and dance a reafonable
time: their women alfo following them with their
waffaile boales in their hands, their bodies bruifed, their
faces torne, their dugges, breafts, and other partf
befpotted with bloud, trickling downe from the wounds, which
with their nailes they had made before their comming.
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The Generall permitted them to enter within our
bulwarks, where they continued their fong and daunce a
reafonable time.___
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|
Drake Crowned
King
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After that they had fatiffied or rather tired themfelues
in this manner, they made fignes to our Generall to have him
fit down; Vnto whom both the king and diuers others made
feuerall orations, or rather indeed if wee had vnderftood
them, fupplications, that hee would take the Prouince and
kingdome into his hand, and become their king and patron:
making fignes that they would refigne vnto him their right
and title in the whole land, and become his vaffals in
themfelues and their pofterities:___
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___When they had fatiffied themfelues, they made fignes
to our General to fit downe, to whom the King, and divers
others made feueral orations, or rather fupplications, that
he would take their prouince & kingdome into his hand,
and become their King, making fignes that they would refigne
vnto him their right and title of the whole land, and become
his fubiects.___
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___Which that they might make vs indeed beleeue that
it was their true meaning and intent; the king himfelfe with
all the reft with one confent, and with great reuerence,
ioyfully finging a fong, fet the crowne vpon his head;
inriched his necke with all their chaines; and offering vnto
him many other things, honoured him by the name of
Hióh.
Adding thereunto (as it might feeme) a fong and dance of
triumph: becaufe they were not onely vifited of the gods
(for fo they ftill iudged vs to be) but the great and chiefe
god was now become their god, their king and patron, and
themfelues were become the onely happie and bleffed people
in all the world.
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___ In which, to perfwade vs the better, the King and
the reft, with one confent, and with great reuerence,
joyfully finging a fong, did fet the crowne vpon his head,
inriched his necke with all their chaines, and offred vnto
him many other things, honouring him by the name of Hioh,
adding thereunto as it feemed, a figne of triumph: which
thing our Generall thought not meete to reiect, becaufe he
knewe not what honour and profite it might be to our
Countrey.___
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Thefe things being fo freely offered, our Generall thought
not meet to reiect or refufe the fame: both for that he
would not giue them any caufe of miftruft, or difliking of
him (that being the onely place, wherein at this prefent, we
were of neceffitie inforced to feeke reliefe of many thingf)
and chiefely, for that he knew not to what good end God had
brought this to paffe, or what honour and profit it might
bring to our countrie in time to come.
|
 "Feather
Crown of Hawk's Feathers" drawn by Captain James Colnett at
Campbell Cove, Bodega Bay, in 1790.
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|
Wherefore in the name and to the vfe of her moft
excellent maiefty, he tooke the fcepter crowne and dignity,
of the fayd countrie into his hand; wifhing nothing more,
then that it had layen fo fitly for her maiefty to enioy, as
it was now her proper owne, and that the riches and
treafures thereof (wherewith in the vpland countrief it
abounds) might with as great conueniency be tranfported, to
the enriching of her kingdome here at home, as it if in
plenty to be attained there: and efpecially, that fo
tractable and louing a people, as they fhewed themfelues to
be, might haue meanes to haue manifefted their moft willing
obedience the more vnto her, and by her meanes, as a mother
and nurfe of the Church of Chrift,
might by the preaching of the Gofpell, be brought to the
right knowledge, and obedience of the true and euerliuing
God.
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___Wherefore in the name, and to the vfe of her Maieftie,
he tooke the fcepter, crowne, and clignitle of the faid
Countrey into his hands, wifhing that the riches &
treafure thereof might fo conueniently be tranfported to the
inriching of her kingdome at home, as it aboundeth in ye
fame.
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The ceremonies of this refigning, and receiuing of the
kingdome being thus performed,___
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___the common fort both of men and women, leauing the
king and his guard about him, with our generall, difperfed
themfelues among our people, taking a diligent view or
furuey of euery man; and finding fuch as pleafed their
fancies (which commonly were the youngeft of vs) they
prefently enclofing them about, offered their facrifices
vnto them, crying out with lamentable fhreekes and moanes,
weeping, and fcratching, and tearing their very flefh off
their faces with their nailes, neither were it the women
alone which did this, but euen old men, roaring and crying
out, were as violent as the women were.
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The common forte of people leaning the King, and his
Garde with our Generall, fcattered themfelues together with
their facrifices among our people, taking a diligent viewe
of euery perfon: and fuch as pleafed their fancie, (which
were the yongeft) they inclofing them about offered their
facrifices vnto them with lamentable weeping, fcratching,
and tearing the flefh from their faces with their
nailes, whereof iffued abundance of bloode.___
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We groaned in fpirit to fee the power of Sathan fo farre
preuaile, in feducing thefe fo harmeleffe foulef, and
laboured by all meanef, both by fhewing our great diflike,
and when that ferued not, by violent___
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|
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___withholding of their hands from that madnefs,
directing them (by our eyes and hands lift vp towards
heauen) to the liuing God whom they ought to
ferue:___
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___But wee vfed fignes to them of difliking this, and
ftaied their hands from force, and directed them vpwards to
the liuing God, whome onely they ought to
worfhippe,___
|
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___ but fo mad were they vpon their Idolatry, that
forcible withholding them would not prevaile (for as foone
as they could get liberty to their hands againe, they would
be as violent as they were before) till fuch time, as they
whom they worfhipped, were conueyed from them into the
tents, whom yet as men befides themfelues, they would with
fury and outrage feeke to haue againe.
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After that time had a little qualified their madnefs,___
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___they then began to fhew & make knowne vnto vs
their griefes and difeafes which they carried about
them, fome of them hauing old aches, fome fhruncke
finewes, fome old foares and canckred vlcers, fome wounds
more lately receiued, and the like, in moft lamentable
manner crauing helpe and cure thereof from vs:___
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___They fhewed vnto vs their wounds,___
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___making fignes, that if we did but blowe vpon their
griefes, or but touched the difeafed places, they would be
whole.
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___and craued helpe of them at our hands,___
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Their griefes we could not but take pitty on them, and to
our power defire to helpe them: but that (if it pleafed God
to open their eyes) they might vnderftand we were but men
and no gods,___
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___we vfed ordinary meanes, as lotions, emplaifters,
and vnguents moft fitly (as farre as our fkills could
gueffe) agreeing to the natures of their griefes, befeeching
God, if it
made for his glory, to giue cure to their difeafes by thefe
meanes. The like we did from time to time as they
reforted to vs.
|
___whereupon wee gaue them lotions, plaifters, and
ointments agreeing to the ftate of their griefes, befeeching
God to cure their difeafes.___
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Few were the days, wherein they were abfent from vs, during
the whole time of our abode in that place: and___
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___ordinarily euery third day, they brought their
facrifices, till fuch time, as they certainely vnderftood
our meaning, that we tooke no pleafure, but were difpleafed
with them: whereupon their zeale abated, and their
facrificing, for a feafon, to our good liking ceafed;
notwithftanding they continued ftill to make their
refortvnto vs in great abundance, and in fuch fort, that
they oft-timefforgate, to prouide meate for their owne
fuftenance; fo that our generall (of whom they made account
as of a father) waffaine to performe the office of a father
to them, relieuing them with fuch victualls, as we had
prouided for our feluef, as, Mufcles, Seales, and fuch like,
wherein they tooke exceeding much content; and feeling that
their facrifices were difpleafing to vs, yet (hating
ingratitude) they fought to recompence vs, with fuch things
as they had, which they willingly inforced vpon vs, though
it were neuer fo neceffarie or needfull for themfelues to
keepe.
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___Euery thirde day they brought their facrifices vnto
vs, vntill they vnderftoode our meaning, that we had no
pleafure in them: yet they could not be long abfent from
us, but daily frequented our companie to the houre of our
departure, which departure feemed fo greeuous vnto them,
that their ioy was turned into forrow. They intreated vs,
that being abfent we would remember them, and by ftelth
prouided a facrifice, which we mifliked.
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They are a people of a tractable, free, and louing nature,
without guile or treachery; their bowes and arrowes (their
only weapons, and almoft all their wealth) they vfe very
fkillfully, but yet not to do any great harme with them,
being by reafon of their weakeneffe, more fit for children
then for men, fending the arrow neither farre off, nor with
any great force: and yet are the men commonly fo ftrong of
body, that that, which 2. or 3. of our men could hardly
beare, one of them would take vpon his backe, and without
grudging carrie it eafily away, vp hill and downe hill an
Englifh mile together: they are alfo exceeding fwift in
running, and of long continuance; the vfe whereof if fo
familiar with them, that they feldome goe, but for the moft
part runne. One thing we obferued in them with admiration:
that if at any time, they chanced to fee a fifh, fo neere
the fhoare, that they might reach the place without
fwimming, they would neuer, or very feldome miffe to take
it.
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After that our neceffary bufineffes were well difpatched,
our generall with his gentlemen, and many of his company,
made a iourney vp into the land, to fee the manner of their
dwelling, and to be the better acquainted, with the
nature and commodities of the country. Their houfes were all
fuch as wee haue formerly defcribed, and being many of them
in one place, made feuerall villages here and
there. The inland we found to be
farre different from the fhoare, a goodly country, and
fruitfull foyle, ftored with many bleffingf fit for the vfe
of man:___
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Our neceffarie bufines being ended, our Generall with his
companie trauiled vp into the Countrey to their
villages,___
|
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___infinite was the company of very
large and fat Deere, which there we fawe by
thoufands, as we fuppofed, in a heard:___
|
___where we found heardes of Deere by 1000. in a
companie, being.moft large, and fat of bodie.
|
|
___
befides a multitude of a ftrange kinde of Conies, by far
exceeding them in number: their heads and bodies, in which
they refemble other Conies, are but fmall; his tayle like
the tayle of a Rat, exceeding long; and his feet like the
paws of a Want or Moale; vnder his chinne, on either fide,
he hath a bagge, into which he gathereth his meate, when he
hath filled his belly abroade, that he may with it, either
feed his young, or feed himfelfe, when he lifts not to
trauaile from his burrough: the people eate their bodies,
and make great account of their fkinnes, for their kings
holidaies coate was made of them.
|
We found the whole Countrey to be a warren of a
ftrange kinde of Connies, their bodies in bignes as be the
Barbarie Connies, their heads as the heads of ours, the
feete of a Want, and the taile of a Rat being of great
length: vnder her chinne on either fide a bagge, into the
which fhe gathereth her meate, when fhe hath filled her
bellie abroad. The people eate their bodies, and make great
accompt of their fkinnes, for their Kings coate was made of
them.
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This country our generall named Albion,
and that for two caufes; the one in refpect of the white
bancks and cliffes, which lie toward the fea: the other,
that it might haue fome affinity, euen in name alfo, with
our owne country, which was fometime fo called.
|
Our Generall called this Countrey, Noua Albion, and that
for two caufes: the one in refpect of the white bankes and
cllffes, which he towards the fea: and the other, becaufe it
might haue fome affinitie with our Countrey in name, which
fometime was fo called.
There
if no part of earth here to be taken vp, wherein there if
not a reafonable quantitie of gold or
filuer.
|
|
Before we went from thence, our generall caufed to be fet
vp, a monument of our being there; as alfo of her maiefties,
and fucceffors right and title to that kingdome, namely, a
plate of braffe, faft nailed to a great and firme poft;
whereon is engrauen her graces name, and the day and yeare
of our arriuall there and of the free giuing vp, of the
prouince and kingdome, both by the king and people, into her
maiefties hands: together with her highneffe picture, and
armes in a piece of fixpence currant Englifh monie, fhewing
it felfe by a hole made of purpofe through the plate:
vnderneath was likewife engrauen the name of our generall
&c.
|
At our departure hence our General fet vp a monument of
our being there, as alfo of her Maiefties right and title to
the fame, namely a plate, nailed vpon a faire great pofte,
whereupon was ingrauen her Maiefties name, the day and yeare
of our arriuall there, with the free giuing vp of the
prouince and people into her Maiefties hands, together with
her highnes picture and armef, in a pecce of fixe pence of
currant Englifh money vnder the plate, where vnder was alfo
written the name of our Generall.
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The Spaniards neuer had any dealing, or fo much as fet a
foote in this country; the vtmoft of their difcoueries,
reaching onely to many degrees Southward of this
place.
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It feemeth that the Spaniards hitherto had neuer bene in
this part of the Countrey, neither did euer difcouer the
lande by many degrees, to the Southwards of this
place.
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And now, as the time of our departure was perceiued by them
to draw nigh, fo did the forrowes and miferies of this
people, feeme to themfelues to increafe vpon them; and the
morecertaine they were of our going away, the more doubtfull
they fhewed themfelues what they might doe; fo that we might
eafily iudge that that ioy (being exceeding great) wherewith
they recieued vs at our firft arriuall, was cleane drowned
in their exceffiue forrow for our departing: For they did
not onely loofe on a fudden all mirth, ioy, glad
countenance, pleafant fpeeches, agility of body, familiar
reioycing one with another, and all pleafure what euer flefh
and bloud might bee delighted in, but with fighes and
forrowings with heauy hearts and grieued mindf, they powred
out wofull complaintf and moanes, with bitter teares and
wringing of their hands, tormenting themfelues. And as men
refufing all comfort, they onely accounted themfelues as
caft-awayes, and thofe whom the gods were about to forfake:
So that nothing we could fay or do, was able to eafe them of
their fo heauy a burthen, or to deliuer them from fo
defparate a ftraite, as our leauing of them did feeme to
them that it would caft them into.
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Howbeit feeing they could not ftill enioy our prefence, they
(fuppofing vs to be gods indeed) thought it their duties to
intreate vs that being abfent, we would yet be mindfull of
them, and making fignes of their defires, that in time to
come wee would fee them againe, they ftole vpon vs a
facrifice, and fet it on fire erre we were aware; burning
therein a chaine and a bunch of feathers. We laboured by all
meanes poffible to withhold or withdraw them but could not
preuaile, till at laft we fell to prayers and finging of
Pfalmes, whereby they were allured immediatly to forget
their folly, and leaue their facrifice vnconfumed, fuffering
the fire to go out, and imitating vs in all our actions;
they fell a lifting vp their eyes and hands to heauen as
they faw vs do.
The 23. of Iuly they took a forrowfull farewell of vs,
but being loath to leaue vs, they prefently ranne to the
tops of the hils to keepe vs in their fight as long as they
could, making fires before and behind, and on each fide of
them, burning therein (as is to be fuppofed) sacrifices at
our departure.
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The
Farralons
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Not farre without this
harbourrough did lye certain Islands (we called them the
Islands of Saint Iames)
having on them pleantyfull and great ftore of Seales and
birds, with one of which wee fell Iuly 24.
Wheron we found fuch prouifion
as might completely, ferve our turne for a while. We
departed againe the day next following, viz. Iuly
25.___
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___And out General now
confidering, that the extremity of the cold not only
continued but increafed, the Sunne being gone farther from
vs, and that the wind blowing ftill (as it did at firft)
from the Northweft, cut off all hope of finding a paffage
through thefe Northerne parts, thought if neceffarie to
loofe no time, and therefore with generall confent of all,
bent his courfe directly to runne with the Islands of the
Moluccas.
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To
the Queen's moft excellent Maiefty, my moft Dread Souereign:
Madam,
Offered
now at laft to publique view, both
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