Part 1
This ebook, based on a book first published in 1625, was created in honour of Distributed Proofreaders’ 25th Anniversary.
ENCOVRAGEMENTS, For such as shall have intention to bee Vnder-takers in the new plantation of _CAPE BRITON_, now _New Galloway_ in AMERICA,
_BY MEE_
LOCHINVAR.
_Non nobis nati sumus; aliquid parentes, aliquid Patria, aliquid cognati postulant._
[Illustration: A family crest with two figures around a knight’s head, with the motto Dread God and the date 1625.]
EDINBVRGH,
Printed by _Iohn Wreittoun_. Anno Dom. 1625.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TO THE RIGHT VVORSHIPFVLL SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER of Menstrie Knight, Master of Requestes for _Scotland_, and Lievetenant Generall to his Majestie in the Kingdome of _NEW SCOTLAND_.
AND TO THE REMNANT THE NOBLE- MEN, AND KNIGHTS BARO- nets in _Scotland_, Vnder-takers in the plantations of New Scot- land in AMERICA.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TO THE ADVEN- TVRERS, FAVOV- rers, and well-willers of the enterprise for the inhabiting, and planting in _Cape Briton_, now _New Galloway_ in America. * * * * * *
Gentle Reader,
It hath beene the policie vniversall, from the creation of the World vnto this time, of all civile States, the replenishing of the World with Colonies of their owne subjects. _Adam_ and _Eva_ did first beginne this pleasant worke to plant the Earth to succeeding posteritie. _Noah_, and his familie began againe the second plantation. And the confusion of tongues at _Babel_, made division of States, scattering as manie Colonies over the face of the Earth after the Flood, as there was diversitie of Languages: and their seede as it still increased, hath still planted new Countries, one after another; and so the Worlde to that estate whereinto it is.
That the planting of Countries, and civilizing barbarous and inhumane Nations, hath ever beene the worke of the greatest Princes of the Earth, their ever-living actions hath testified; wherewith are filled both the records of divine Trueth, and the monuments of humane state; and whose heroicke actions (wee must not thinke) hath beene vndertaken vpon triviall motives, when as by that, they did aswell inlarge the limites of their Dominions, and enriche the revenues of their estates; as bridle sedition at home, and settle securitie against their enemies abroad.
These preceeding praise-worthie Fathers, and their memorable of-spring were diligent to plant, that yet vnplanted to their after-livers; wherein shined those worthie Founders of the great Monarchies and their virtues: the _Hebrues_, the _Lacedemonians_, _Gothes_, _Græcians_, _Romanes_, and the rest from time to time in their severall ages.
But to leaue these remote times, let vs take a view within these 60. yeeres of the discoveries, and plantations in _America_, by the _English_, the _French_, the _Spainard_, the _Portugale_; by whose industrious paines are made knowne vnto vs alreadie their, so hudge tracts, kingdomes, and territories, peopled and vnpeopled, as vpon the hither side for the space of 5000. leagues at the least, and for 3000. more on the backe side in the South Sea.
Manie discourses of the discoueries which hath beene there effected within these few yeeres are made of worthie Personages: such as _Columbus_, _Cortez_, _Pitzora_, _Soto_, _Magellanes_, and manie others, who to the wonder of all ages hath successivelie seconded one another in those partes.
Whole Decads are filled with discoveries there, and volumes with their actions of plantation: There wee see the renowned _Drake_, and memorable _Candisch_ twise about the round circumference of the whole Earth. _Virginia_ to perpetrat the memorie of her honourable Knight _Sr Walter Ralegh_, _Amadas_, _Arthur_, _Whyte_, _Grenuile_, and _Lane_ her first discoverers, and worthie Governours in her plantations. _Sr Iohn Haukins_ in his _Guinea_. _Iohn de Verrazano_ a Florentine, _Iohn Rinault_, _Rene Landoniere_, _Dominique Gorgues_ in their Florida. The noble _Cortez_, and the other Spainards, and Portugalls in their golden Mynes of the 15. Provinces of new _Mexico_, _Nueua Gallicia_, _Nueua Hispanna_, _Nueua Biscaia_, _Cibola_, _Quivivra_, and to the Gulfe of _California_ on the back side of _America_. The famous _Cabot_, _Frobisher_, _Davis_, whose memories shall never die in the North-west parts: and many innumerable moe Worthies, whom all after-ages shall eternize for their vertues, whose actions I leave to bee searched as they are registred in the monuments of their praise-worthie proceedings.
The shining brightnesse of these (_Gentle Reader_) and such others, hath so beamed a path way to all posteritie for imitation; as that the basest minde that is, may bee induced to follow their foot-steppes. And for my selfe, hauing from the source of that ever and over-flowing fountaine, that was still a running to all, from our late Soveraigne of never-dying memorie _King IAMES_ obtained a Patent of _Cape Briton_, which now, by his Royall direction is intituled _New Galloway_ in _America_: I haue resolved to follow the troden way of these others, whose happie successe are so plainlie seene in such honorable designes.
And since I doe propone to my selfe the same ends, which are first for the glorie of my great and mightie _GOD_; next the service of his M. my dread Soveraigne, and my native Countrie; and last the particular weale, and vtilitie of my selfe, and such as shall be generouslie disposed adventurers with mee: Why shall it bee lawfull for others, and not for mee: and not as possible and as commodious for mee, as vnto others of my qualitie?
The chiefe (then) and the farthest poynt that my intention shall seeke to arrive at; shall bee to remove that vnbeliefe, which is so grounded in the mindes of men, to discredite most noble and profitable endevoures with distrust: and, first, to shake off their colourable pretences of ignorance, and then, if they will not be perswaded to make their selfe-willes inexcusable; I shall make manifest the worthinesse of the cause to the mindes of such as are desirous to bee settled in a certaintie. As for my selfe, I doe giue trust to the relations of such, whose wisdomes (I know) are not so shallow, as easilie bee deceiued of others; nor consciences so wretched, as by pretences to deceive others; and having the personall tryall of so honourable and sufficient reporters, our owne Countrie-men, this naked contemplation, and idle knowledge can not content mee: but knowing that the chiefe commendation of vertue consisteth in action, I haue resolved a practise, and to trace the footsteppes of those heroicke fore-runners, whose honourable actions shall ever live vpon Earth; whiles their Soules live in glorie in the Heavens, and shall increase heere, and multiplie; as their bodies in the grave shall putrifie.
The inducements which hath incouraged mee to this enterprise, and to spend my time, and best abilities in these adventures, I shall heere sette brieflie downe without any inlargment of made wordes, but in single speach, as best beseeming a simple meaning; Intreating thee _(Courteous Reader)_ that thou would with an affectioned mind consider these my subsequent motives, wherewith I haue beene induced my selfe: ponder aright my endes: and then but weigh my willing and free Offers, which I doe make for the weale and furtherance of so worthie a Worke. Wee are not borne to our selves: but to help each others, and our abilities and meanes are not much vnlike at the first houre of our birth, and the last minute of our death: and it is our deedes good or bad that all of vs haue to carrie vs to Heaven or Hell after this life.
While wee are therefore heere, let vs imitate the vertues, and glories of our Predecessours, that heereafter worthilie wee may bee remembred as their Successours,
FARE-WELL.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE MOTIVES, which hath induced mee, and may happilie encourage such as _haue intention to bee Vnder-ta-_ kers with Mee in the plantation _of New GALLOWAY in_ AMERICA.
MOTIVE I.
[Sidenote: _The first motive._]
As the chiefe and primarie end of mans creation is the Worshippe of _GOD_; so shall the first, and speciall motive of my proceeding be the advancement of his Glorie, and that by the propagation of the Gospell of _IESVS CHRIST_ amongst an Heathen people, where Christianitie hath not beene knowne, nor the worshippe of the true _GOD_. Where can bee selected a more excellent subject, than to cast downe the Altars of Devills, and to raise vp the Altar of _CHRIST_: to forbidde the Sacrifice of men, that they may offer vp the Sacrifices of contrite Spirites.
Is it not a determined Trueth, that the Gospell of _Iesus Christ_ should bee preached to all the Worlde (_Heaven and Earth shall passe away, but _GODS_ Worde shall not passe away._) And is it not as certaine a Conclusion amongst all the Divines, that these are the latter Dayes, wherein we live, well knowne by the signes that were to come before, sette downe by God himselfe in his sacred Worde, and for the most part alreadie manifested? And hath not Gods all-seeing Providence begunne as first by discoverie, and next by plantation of so hudge and so waste a tract, more commonlie, than properlie called the New Worlde; vnknowne but within this 60. yeeres, except by a glimpse, to make appeare the progresse of his divine Providence, how hee will haue the seede of his worke to be sowne amongst them; Then doth it not belonge vnto vs to prosecute his worke; and as by merchandizing and trade wee buy at them the pearles of the Earth; wee ought to communicate vnto them the pearles of Heaven.
The time hath never beene so apparent as now, vnder our most gratious and Soveraigne Lord, King _CHARLES_, whose generous and gratious goodwill by encouragement to the same, hath manifested the same since hee receaved the Crowne, to bee the selected instrument to atchieue it.
Then should not that Heroicke, and illustrious disposition in Him, whom wee see so prompt to bee still in action, both incite, and invite to so noble designes all such as would shunne the imputation of idlenesse to imitate His foot-steppes.
Is it vnlawfull for vs to come to them? No; it is the duetie of Christianitie in vs, to behold the imprinted foot-steppes of _GODS_ glorie in everie Region vnder Heaven; and to them, against the Law of Nations, to violate a peaceable Stranger, or to deny vs harbour.
Is it vnlawfull for vs to trade with them? No, vnlesse _Salomon_ should bee condemned of sending for Golde to _Ophir_; _Abraham_ for making a league with _Abimelech_; and all Christendome for having commerce with _Turkes_, and miscreants.
Nor neither is it vnlawfull that wee possesse part of their Lands, and dwell with them, and defend our selves from them, because there is no other moderate, and mixt course, to bring them to conversion, but by daylie conversation, where wee may see the Life, and learne the Languages each of others: and because there is rowme sufficient in the Land, (as _Sichem_ said) for them, and vs; the extent of an 100. myles beeing scarce peopled with 500 inhabitants: and chieflie because (as _Pharaoh_ gaue _Goshen_, to _Israel_, ere _Ephron_ sold his caue to _Abraham_) they have solde to our people their Lands for copper (which they more esteme of, than money) to inherite and inhabite: as _Paspehay_ and _Powhatan_, two [of] there greatest Kinges to these our Colonies in _Virginia_; and chieflie (as it is written by Captaine _Iohn Smith_, a worthie actour in the businesse) when Captaine _Newport_ was desired by _Powhatan_ at _Worowacomaco_, to come from _Iames_ towne in _Virginia_, where hee was, as a place vnwholesome, and to take possession of another whole Kingdome, which hee gave vnto him.
If any scrupulous conscience will impute, that yet wee can possesse no further limites, than was alloted by composition, and that fortitude without justice, is but the firebrand of iniquitie. Let him know that _Plato_ defineth it to bee no injustice, to take a sword out of the hand of a madde man. And Saint _Augustine_ hath allowed, for a lawfull offensiue warre that revengeth injuries, and wherein the whole Divines in _Europe_, although contraverting farre in other things, yet in this they all agree, that it is lawfull. That the Church of _Rome_ allowe it. The _Spaniard_, and _Portugalles_ large and ample territories and kingdomes in the 15. Provinces of _Mexico_, _Nueua Hispanna_, _Nueua Gallicia_, &c. beare witnesse. And for the Church of _England_, their _Bermudos_, _Virginian_ and _New England_ conquesse and colonies affirme it. And the Church of _Geneva_ in the yeere 1555. determined in a Synode (where _Calvin_ was president) to send _Peter Rochier_, and _William Quadrigarius_, vnder a French Captaine to _Brasilia_, althogh they were supplanted by the Cardinall of _Loraine_, and the treacherie of their false Captaine.
When therefore it is so sweete a smelling Sacrifice to propagate the name of _Iesus Christ_: if wee haue any graine of faith or zeale in Religion, let vs seeke to convert these poore Savages to knowe _Christ_, and humanitie. Let Religion bee the first aime of our hopes, and other thinges shall bee cast vnto vs. Our Names shall bee registred to posteritie with a glorious Title; These are the men whom GOD hath raised to augment the state of their Countrie, and to propagate the Gospell of _Iesus Christ_.
The same GOD that hath ordained three Kingdomes vnder the Scepter of our gratious King _CHARLES_, will not bee wanting to adde a fourth, if wee would dissolve that frostie ycienesse which chilleth our zeale, and maketh vs cold in the action.
MOTIVE II.
[Sidenote: _The second motive._]
And next to the Worshippe of my GOD, is the service of my Prince, and native Countrie: which is the second end that I haue propounded vnto my selfe, by inlarging these Dominions whereof I am a Subject: a duetie moste proper to all the true and loyall Lieges, whensoever by so lawfull and easie meanes it may bee atchieved.
What is so truelie sutable with honour and honestie, as to gaine to our native Mother-Countrie a Kingdome to attend her? Wherein can the taste of true vertue, and magnanimitie bee more sweete and pleasant than in planting, and building a foundation for thy posteritie; gotte from the rude earth by Gods blessing, and thine owne industrie, without prejudice to any? What more conducing to that mysticall bodie politicke, whereof thou art a member, than for to finde imployment for those that are idle, because they knowe not what to doe? Posteritie shall remember thee for it, and remembring, ever honour that remembrance with praise.
Consider what was the beginninges, and endinges of the Monarchies of the _Chaldeans_, the _Persians_, the _Græcians_ and the _Romans_, but this one rule: what was it they would not doe for the Common-wealth or there mother Citie? for example: _Rome_, what made her such a Monarchesse, but only the adventures of her youthe, not in ryots at home, but in dangers abroad? and their justice, and judgment, out of their own experience when they grewe aged. What was their ruine and hurt, but this: their excesse of idlenesse, want of experience, hypocriticall seeming goodnesse, & growing onlie formall Temporists; so that what their Predecessours gotte in many yeeres, they lost in few dayes: these by their paines and laboures became Lordes of the Worlde, they by their ease and vyces became slaves to their servants.
Then, who would live at home idle (or think in him selfe any worth to live) onlie to eate, drinke, and sleepe, and so to die? or by consuming that careleslie, which their predecessours hath got worthilie? or by vsing that miserablie, that maintained vertue honestlie? or, for beeing descended noblie, pyne with the vaine vaunt of Kinred in penurie? or (to maintaine a sillie show of braverie) toyle out the heart, soule, and time baselie, by shiftes, trickes, cardes, or dyce? or by relating newes of others actions, sharke heere or there for a Dinner or Supper? deceiving his friends by faire promises and dissimulation, in borrowing where hee never intendeth to pay? offending the Lawes, surfeting with excesse, burthening his Countrie, abusing himselfe, despairing in want, and then cousening his kinred? although it is seene what honoures the World hath yet, and what affluence of all things; for such as will seeke, and worthilie deserue them. Heere were courses for Gentle-men, (and such as would bee so reputed) more suting their qualities, than begging from their Princes generous disposition the labours of his other subjects.
It woulde bee a Historie of a large volume to recite the adventures of the _Spaniards_ and _Portugalles_, their constant resolutions, with such incomparable honour, so farre beyond beliefe in their discoveries, and plantations, as may well condemne vs of too much imbecillitie, sloth, and negligence. And yet the authours of these new inventions were helde as ridiculous at that time: as now are others that doe but seeke to imitate their vnparalelled vertues.
And though wee see daylie their mountaines of wealth (sprung from the plants of their generous indevoures) yet is our incredulitie, and vntowardnesse such, and so great, that either ignorantlie wee beleeve nothing; or so curiouslie contest, to prevent wee know not what future events; that so wee either neglect, or oppresse, or discourage both our selves, and others, that might both as easilie and would as willinglie attempt and embrace the like.
Who seeth not, what is the greatest good of the _Spaniard_, but these newe conclusions, in searching these vnknowne partes of this vnknowne Worlde: by which meanes hee diveth even into the verie secreetes of all his Neighboures, and the most part of the Worlde.
And when the _Portugalles_ and _Spaniards_ had found the East and West _Indies_, how manie did condemne themselves that did not accept of that honest offer of noble _Columbus_, who vpon the neglect of _England_, to whom it was first offered; brought them to it: perswading themselves the Worlde had no such places, as they had found: and yet ever since wee finde, they still haue found newe Lands, newe Nations, new trades, and still daylie doe finde, both in _Asia_, _Africa_, _Terra incognita_, and _America_: so that their is neither Souldiour, nor Mechanicke from the Lord, to the begger, but these parts affoord them all employment, and discharge their native Soyle of so manie thousands of all sorts, that else by their sloath, pryde and imperfections, woulde longe ere this haue troubled their neighboures, or haue eaten the pryde of _Spaine_ it selfe.
And seeing further, for all they have, they cease not still to search for that, which yet they neither haue, nor knowe not: it is strange that wee shoulde bee so dull, as not maintaine that which wee haue, and pursue that which wee knowe.
I am sure that manie would take it in an evill part to be abridged of the titles and honours of their predecessours: when if but truelie they would judge themselves: looke howe inferiour they are to their noble vertues, so much they are vnworthie of their honours, and livings: which never were ordained for showes and shadowes, to maintaine idlenesse and sloath, but to make them more able to abound in honour by heroicall deedes of action, judgement, pietie and vertue.
What was it they would not doe both in purse and person for the good of the Common-weale? and may not this bee a motive for vs to set out such as may bee spared of our kindred in such generous designes. Religion aboue all things should move (especiallie the Cleargie) if wee were religious, to showe our faith by our workes, in converting these poore savages to the knowledge of GOD. Honour might move the Gentrie, valiant and industrious; the hope and assurance of wealth, all: if wee were such, as wee would seeme, and desire to bee accompted.
Or bee wee so farre inferiour to other Nations, or our Spirites so farre dejected from our ancient Predecessoures or our minds so vpon spoyle, pyracie, or other villanie, as to serve the _Portugale_, _Spaniard_, _Dutch_, _French_, or _Turk_, (as to the great hurte of _Europe_ too manie doe) rather than our GOD, our King, our Countrie, and our selves? excusing our idlenesse, and our base complaints by want of imployment? when heere is such choyce of all sortes, and for all degrees in this plantation.
So let these answere such questionlesse questions, that keepe vs backe from imitating the worthinesse of their brave spirits, that advanced themselves from poore Souldiers, to great Captaines, their posteritie to great Lords, their King to bee one of the greatest Potentates on Earth, and the fruits of their labours, his greatest glorie, power, riches and renowne.
MOTIVE III.
[Sidenote: _The third motive._]
And as I haue spoken of two principall causes that hath induced me; The third of my ends may happilie bee no lesse forcible to encourage all such, whose education, spirits and judgments, wants but onlie the purse to prosecute the same with mee, and that is the private and particulare gaine, that may bee got by so lawfull and easie meanes: whereof it is more than admirable, that such should either bee so wilfullie ignorant, or so negligently carelesse as not to be moved to imbrace, and speciallie, such imployment as may search out commodities, to live happilie, plentifullie, and at ease.
Ought not everie man to regard, aswell to inlarge his patrimonie, as that hee bee not chargeable to others, so farre as hee may by his vertue and industrie, in a lawfull and honest manner attaine vnto. Is not a lawfull search for such commodities, to bee preferred to an idle sloathfulnesse? and an honorable policie in a lawfull plantation abroad, before vnlawfull monopolies, and wrangling suites of Law, by neighbour against neighbour at home, impoverishing thy selfe, and thy native Countrie, whereof thou oughtest to bee a more profitable member?
May not the fortunate successe of the plantation of _Ireland_, so fresh and recent to all, whence so great commodities are brought both to _England_ and _Scotland_, and whereby the Countrie it selfe is enriched, and wee so benefited, bee inticements to induce vs to the like. The venturous, and generous Spirites of resolute Gentlemen, vnder-takers of this plantation, haue raised their fortunes worthie of honour; and by his Majesties favour, their vertues rewarded with the titles of Earles, Vice-Countes Lords, Barronets, and Knights, according to their qualities, and his Majesties pleasure. The meaner sort, such as artisanes, labourers of the ground, the greater part whereof, were knowne to haue scarce a competent meanes to defraye the charges of their passage thither, now promoted to bee Gentlemen, and of great meanes. And why may not time produce as great effects to vertue, in others who shall follow her pathes with resolution: where as good occasions are offered, in a climate more temperate, a Soyle more fertile, and farre exceeding in greater commodities?
And last, to shake off the difficulties, and impedimentes that may bee objected: as the dangerousnesse of Sea, the barrennesse of the Soyle, and the vnwholesomenesse of the climate; all which discouragements might astonishe some with feare, and to thinke our expensses, and paines vnprofitable; when as our endes shall bee vnpossible. I haue therefore heere taken a view that you may generallie knowe and learne, what the Countrie is, and her commodities: the temperature of the climate: nature of the natives: and the easinesse of the passage; all which I shall briefly runne over; only to remove from before your feete the stumbling blocks of impossibilitie that may affright vs.