Vpon the 26. day of Iune , betweene 12. and 1. in the morning we did set saile & departed from Plimmoth , and vpon the 4. day of August , ( Gods name be praised for it ) we safely arriued at Feryland . There happened nothing in our ouer-bound passage worthy your Honours leasure of reading . Our passage was somewhat tedious , the which hapned by meanes of much Westerly winds , and not without some foule weather .

The first land we made was that to the Westward of Cape de Raze , and the wind at North-east , by reason whereof our ariuall aforesaid was prolonged by the space of two dayes , in the interim of which time wee trauersed to and againe , to make good that which might mainetaine that outwardnesse towards our wished Harbour . Hauing the happines of a cleere skie al about , & both Coast and Continent without any Rayne , Fogge or Hazines , they being in these parts the common attendants of Easterly winds . By this commodity I had the full view of the Coast betweene ( as wee supposed ) Cape Saint Maries , Cape de Raze , and Cape Ballard , and as farre as Renouze , and as we hold alongst the same , I saw ( in my meane iudgment ) the beautifullest Coast and the pleasantest Sea Cant that euer mine eyes beheld , for that spacious tract . It is a very Champion Country without any Hill , appearing either within Land , or vpon the Coast , representing it selfe vnto me like a pleasant Medow , and the Sea-banke all along of an equall height , and that so indifferent , that out of a floating Boat one may easily throw a quoit vpon the leuell shore . Of the fertility of the soyle I can say nothing onely that it is very probable that much or most part thereof may proue very good with the help of mans industry , seeming to be void of woods , and the endowments of Harbours and Roades for Shipping , Trepassey excepted .

Renouze is a place of great fishing , and about a league to the Northward of the same is the Harbour of Fermoze , thence to Agnafort , another league , from thence to Feryland about a mile , & to Cape Broyle another , including Capling Bay between both , being ignorant as yet of that to the Northward of the same . But from Renoze to Cape Broyle , for Woods and pleasant Harbours they are most pleasant to behold , the Sea Cant whereof being vneuen and hilly , yet not extreme , but of height indifferent , the Inland more enclining towards a Champion , and by generall consent here , Feryland is as pleasant and as profitable a Harbour as any in the Land . It is endowed with about 100. acres of pasture land , and as much more of that which is wooddie : all which lying to the Sea-boord of the beach , which seuers it so from the Maine , that it is almost an Iland . There is likewise about 200. acres more , lying close to the Harbour , the which ( with some labour ) may be made good pasture land .

The Sea coast to the Northward of Renouze , is most capable and fittest for Wood-land as now it is , but ( most destroyed ) from the bottome of the Harbours , and so inwards , for arable and ( most ) pasture .

Both Sea and Land heere swarme ( as it were ) with benefits and blessings of God for mans vse and reliefe .

The Land here is ( without doubt ) very fertile , for I haue since my arriuall seene Wheate , Barly and Rye , growing here full eared & kerned , the which had beene accidentally shed out of Salt Mats among Stones & Grasse . Therefore ground of better choise , well manured and fitly prepared , will doubtlesse bring forth plentifull increase , and wherefore there is no iust doubt to be made : for in reason where there is a Summer , there will be a Haruest .

Besides there are many other inuitements , which ( as it were ) becken vnto your Honors perseuerance . First the commodity of the Salt , which for vent and making here may fitly and necessarily bee vndertaken . Secondly Hempe and Flaxe for cordage , and thred for necessary vses , as also for Nets and Lines for fishing , Tarre , Yron and Timber in some measure , and places to be had for boords and building , & also for Masts , and yards for Shipping . So likewise Hops will grow heere a profitable Marchandize . Also here are two fishing seasons , the the former for dry fish , and the latter for Cor-fish : wherewith ( together with the traine of the whole ) many Ships are imploied to the Market & otherwise .

My want of leasure causeth me to omit many things , which otherwise I might haue enlarged , this my seruice of writing .

By the consent and aduise of some of the masters of this Harbour , I am become an humble suter vnto your Honour for the redresse of such abuses , the which ( except a speedy redresse may be had ) wil ouerthrow the whole .

1. And first that Stones or Ballast may not from henceforth be cast into the Harbour , and the Beaches preserued . 2. Secondly , that no man neither burne nor pull downe Stages , Flakes , nor any part thereof . 3. Thirdly that the rinding of Trees may be prohibited , but only such as shall bee felled for necessary vses and needefull behoofes . Fourthly , that all such Woods and Timber-trees so felled , may bee cut close to to the ground . 5. Lastly , that no man may bee wronged in their Boats and traine-fats , or in any thing else whatsoeuer . And therefore if this by your Honors fauour and procurement may be had , a prosperous & flourishing time will follow , and all things here will goe on well hereafter , the which God grant : And for the which , the said Masters humbly pray that large penalties may ( therin be specified , and first to be proclaimed in Englund . Thus referring all vnto your Honors wisdome and full consideration . Our busines , or rather your Honors now goeth forward apace ; the frame is in hand , and almost ready for the rearing ; the seller is already diged ; al things by Gods grace and blessed assistance shall be performed with al care & diligence , whereof your Honour may be pleased to rest assured , as by the successe of my carefulnesse it shall plainely appeare .

The 5. persons and prouision from aboord the Beniamin , are safely ariued here the 17. of August , but not without some danger , for I was enforced to send for them in two shallops of fishing Botes from the Iles of Speare , 4. leagues from this place .

The place whereon I haue made choise to plant and build vpon , is according to the Letter A in this superficiall draught here inclosed , it being the fittest the warmest , and most commodious of all about the Harbour . And as soone as the house and fortification is fitted and finished , I shall ( God willing ) prepare and fence in a proportion of seede ground , and a Garden close by the house . It may please your Honour not to send any Cattle the next yeere , because I cannot prouid fodder for them so soone , before there bee some quantity of Corne growing , but it may please your Honour to send some Goates , a few tame Conies for breede , as also Pigs , Geese , Ducks and Hens . I haue some Hens already : some Spades from London were necessary , if of the best making , also some good Pickaxes , yron Croes , and a Smith , and also such as can brew and bake .

Meale and Malt would bee sent rather then otherwise , being both better cheap , & of lesse waste , yet referring all to your Honors pleasure therein , humbly praying you would be pleased to proceed with all cheerefulnes , nothing doubting of a good and profitable succsse , for here are are great hopes , and a large Territory for to imploy and receiue many needy people in a blessed and a profitable doing , euen who may liue heere both wealthily and happily .

And withall it may likewise please your Honour , that after one yeere more we shall be able to subsist of our selues by our owne industry , with Master Iennings his helpe and furtherance , and that with his profit and content .

I doubt not but that within the compasse of a small time to make your Honour a sauer .

If your Honor please , you may defer the sending of a salt Pan one yeere more . Brigs and Owen hath bin touched with the Scuruie , but are now well recouered but all the rest of vs are in perfect health , I thanke God for it .

One Master Yawe , Master of a Ship of Barnstable ( whose owner is called Master Strange ) hee did spare mee halfe his Stage ; the which did stand me in great steede to put my prouision in at the first landing of them . Master Luxen , a Master of another Ship of Barnstable , hee shewed me much courtesie , & bestowed on me a Hen and 10. Chickens . Master Richard Martin , Master of the Blessing of Dartmouth , he gaue me a couple of yong Pullets , kind entertainement , and many good turnes . Master Michael Waltham , Master of a Ship of Weimouth , hee went in person to the I le of Speare , in a Boate of his owne , to helpe to fetch our men and prouision from aboord the Beniamin , hee hath besides done mee many good Offices , and hath sent mee many presents of Fresh-fish , and his Mate bestowed on mee a good Hen.

My happinesse of preuayling hetherto hath beene such , that all the Masters as well as the common sort throughout this Harbour haue vsed me kindly , and to say truely , I haue not discerned so much as a sowre aspect vpon mee amongst them all .

I haue not beene ( and please your Honour ) wanting in any thing , which by faire perswasions might produce a good liking of your Honours proceedings : insomuch that ( I am perswaded ) diuers wil stay with me another yeere . Therefore I humbly pray your Honour to entreate Master Iennings to send me 3. Peeces of Ordnance , a full Saker , a Minion , & a lesser Peece for our defence , a Drumme , and a Ship Ancient .

And thus with my humble duty remembred , I most humbly cease to trouble your Honour any further for this time , resting