THe sending forth of Colonies ( seeming a nouelty ) is esteemed now to bee a strange thing , as not onely being aboue the courage of common men , but altogether alienated from their knowledge , which is no wonder , since that course though both ancient , and vsuall , hath beene by the intermission of so many ages discontinued , yea was impossible to be practised so long as there was no vast ground , howsoeuer men had beene willing , whereupon Plantations might haue beene made , yet there is none who will doubt but that the world in her infancy , and innocency , was first peopled after this manner .

The next generations succeeding Shem planted in Asia , Chams in Africke , and laphets , in Europe : Abraham and Lot were Captaines of Colonies , the Land then being as free as the Seas are now , since they parted them in euery part where they passed , not taking notice of natiues without impediment . That memorable troope of Iewes which Moses led from Aegypt to Cana●● was a kind of Colonie though miraculously conducted by God , who intended thereby to aduance his Church and to destroy the rejected Ethnikes . Salmanezer King of Ash●r was remarked for the first who did violate the naturall ingenuitie of this commendable kind of policy by too politike an intention ; for hauing transported the ten Tribes of Israel , to the end that transplanting and dispersing them , hee might either weaken their strength , or abolish their memorie by incorporating of them with his other Subjects ; he to preuent the dangers incident amongst remote vassals did send a Colonie to inhabite Samaria of a purpose thereby to secure his late and questionable conquest .

Who can imagine by this industrious course of Plantations , what an vnexpected progresse from a despised beginning hath beene suddenly made to the height of greatnesse ! The Phoenicians quickly founded Sidon , and Tirus , so much renowned both by sacred , and humane writers , and a few Tirians builded Carthage , which had first no more ground allowed her than could be compassed by the extended dimensions of a Bulls hide , which for acquiring of the more ground they diuided in as many sundrie parts as was possible , yet in end that Town became the Mistresse of Afr●ke , and the riuall of Rome : and Rome it selfe that great Ladie of the World , and terrour to all Nations , ambitiously clayming for her first founders a few scandalized fugitiues that fled from the ruines of Troy , did rise from small appearances to that exorbitancy of power , which at this day is remembred with admiration ; Though the walls of it at that time were very lowe when the one brother did kill the other for jumping ouer them , either jealousie already preuayling aboue naturall affection , or else vnaduised anger constructing that which might haue been casually or carelesly done , in a sinistrous sense to the hatefull behauiour of insolency or scorne ; Their number then was not only very small , but they wanted women , without which they could not encrease , nor subsist , till they rauished the daughters of the Sabins , by a violent match at first , portending their future rapins , and what a furious off-spring they were likely to ingender . And when that haughty Citie beganne to suffer the miseries which she had so long beene accustomed to inflict vpon others , the venerable Citie of Venice ( keeping for so many ages a spotlesse reputation ) was first begunne by a few discouraged persons , who fleeing from the furie of the barbarous Nations that then encroached vpon Italie , were distracted with feare and ( seeking for their safety ) did stumble vpon a commodious dwelling .

The Graecians were the first , at least of all the Gentiles , ( who joyning learning with armes ) did both doe , and write that which was worthie to be remembred ; and that small parcel of ground whose greatnesse was then only valued by the vertue of the inhabitants , did plant Trapizonde in the East , and many other Cities in Asia the lesse , the protecting of whose liberties was the first cause of warre between them and the Persian Monarchs ; then besides all the adjacent Iles they planted Siracusa in Sicile , most part of Italie , which made it to bee called Graecia maior , and Marseills in France . O what a strange alteration ! that this part , which did flourish thus , whilest it was possessed by vigorous spirits , who were capable of great enterprises , did so many braue things should now ( the seate of base seruile people ) become the most abject and contemptible part of all the Territories belonging to the barbarous Ottomans , whose insolent Ianissaries ( as the Pretorian Guards did with their Emperours , and Mamalukes of Egypt with their Soldans ) presume at this time to dispose of the Regall power , vpbrayding the miserable follie of Christians , who dangerously embarqued in intestine warres , though inuited by an encountring occasion , neglect so great , so glorious , and so easie a conquest .

The Romanos comming to command a well peopled World , had no vse of Colonies , but onely thereby to reward such old deseruing Souldiers as ( age and merit pleading an immunitie from any further constrained trauell ) had brauely exceeded the ordinary course of time appointed for military seruice , which custome was vsed in Germanie , France , Spaine , and Brittaine , and likewise that the Townes erected in this sort might serue for Citadels imposed vpon euery conquered Prouince , whereof some doe flourish at this day , and of others nothing doth remaine but the very name onely , their ruines being so ruined , that wee can hardly condiscend vpon what solitary part to bestowe the fame of their former being .

I am loth by disputable opinions to dig vp the Tombes of them that more extenuated then the dust are buried in obliuion & will leaue these disregarded relicts of greatnesse to continue as they are , the scorne of pride , witnessing the power of time . Neither will I after the common custome of the world , ouerualuing things past disualue the present , but considering seriously of that which is lately done in Ireland , doe finde a Plantation there inferiour to none that hath beene heretofore . The Babylonians hauing conquered the Israelites did transplant them as exposed to ruine in a remote Countrey , sending others of their owne Nation ( that they might be vtterly extirpated ) to inhabite Samvria in their places . And our King hath only diuided the most seditious families of the Irish by dispersing them in sundry parts within the Countrey , not to extinguish , but to dissipate their power , who now neither haue , nor giue cause of feare . The Romanes did build some Townes which they did plant with their owne people by all rigour to curbe the Natiues next adjacent thereunto , And our King hath incorporated some of his best Brittaines with the Irish , planted in sundry places without power to oppresse , but onely to ciuilize them by their example . Thus Ireland which heretofore was scarcely discouered , and only irritated by others , prouing to the English as the Lowe-Countries did to Spaine , a meanes whereby to waste their men , and their money , is now really conquered , becomming a strength to the State , and a glorie to his Majesties gouernment , who hath in the setling thereof excelled all that was commended in any ancient Colonie .

As all first were encouraged to Plantations by the largenesse of the conquests that were proposed vnto them , fearing onely want of people , and not of land , so in after ages when all knowne parts became peopled , they were quickly entangled with the other extremitie , grudging to be bounded within their prospect , and jarring with their neighbours for small parcels of ground , a strife for limits limiting the liues of many who entring first in controuersie vpon a point of profit though with the losse of ten times more , valuing their honour by the opinion of others behooued to proceed as engaged for the safety of their reputation . Then richesse being acquired by industrie , and glorie by employments , these two did beget auarice , and ambition , which lodging in some subtile heads vpon a politike consideration to vnite intestine diuisions did transferre their splene to forraine parts , not seeking to rectifie the affections , but to busie them abroad where least harme was feared , and most benefit expected , so that where they had first in a peaceable sort sought for Lands onely wherewith to furnish their necessity , which conueniency , or sufficiency , did easily accommodate , now ayming at greatnesse the desires of men growne infinite , made them strangers to contentment , and enemies to rest .

Some Nations seeking to exchange for better seates , others to command their neighbours , there was for many ages no speach but of wrongs and reuenges , conquests and reuolts , razings and ruining of States , a continuall reuolution determining the periods of Time by the miseries of mankind , and in regard of the populousnesse of these ages during the Monarchies of the Assirians , Persians , Graecians , and Romanes , the world could not haue subsisted if it had not beene purged of turbulent humours by letting out the bloud of many thousands , so that warre was the vniuersall Chirurgeon of these distempered times : And thereafter O what monstrous multitudes of people were slaine by huge deluges of barbarous armies that ouerflowed Italie , France and Spaine ! and the Christians haue long beene subject to the like calamities wanting a commoditie how they might ( not wronging others ) in a Christian manner employ the people that were more chargeable then necessary at home , which was the cause of much mischiefe among themselues , till at that time when Spaine was striuing with France how to part Italie , as Italie had formerly done with Carthage how to part Spaine . Then it pleased God hauing pitie of the Christians who for purposes of small importance did prodigally prostitute the liues of them whom hee had purchased with so pretious a ransome , as it were for diuerting that violent kind of vanitie , to discouer a new world , which it would seeme in all reason should haue transported them with designes of more moment , whereby glory and profit with a guiltlesse labour was to bee attayned with lesse danger whereunto they are as it were inuited , and prouoked with so many eminent aduantages palpably exposed to any cleare judgement that I thinke ( this obuious facilitie vilifying that which a further difficulty might the more endeare ) the easinesse of the prey hath blunted the appetite .

When Christopher Columbus had in vaine propounded this enterprise to diuers Christian Princes , Isabella of Castile against the opinion of her husband ( though so much renowned for wit yet not reaching this mysterie ) did first furnish him for a Voyage , as if it were fatall that that Nation should owe the greatest part of their greatnesse to the female Sexe , And if the Spaniards would sincerely , and gratefully haue bestowed the benefits whereby God did allure them to possesse this Land for the planting of it with Christians enclined to ciuilitie , and religion , it had at this day considering the excellency of the soyle , for all the perfections that nature could affoord ; beene the most singularly accomplished place of the world , but it hath infortunatly fallen out farre otherwise , that the treasures that are drawne from thence ( mynes to blowe vp mindes and rockes to ruine faith ) doe proue the seed of dissention , the sinewes of the warre , and nurcerie of all the troubles amongst Christians .

The Spaniards that were so happie as to chance first vpon this new World , were of all others ( hauing but a vast mountainous Countrey ) in regard of their scarcity of people , most vnfit for planting thereof , and could not but soone haue abandoned the same , if they had not so quickly encountred with the rich Mynes of Mexico , New Spaine and Peru , which were once likely to haue beene lost for lacke of wood , till the way was inuented of refining Siluer by quicksiluer , which may bee easily done out of any oare that is free from Lead , and ( all the Spaniards disdayning worke as a seruile thing belowe their abilities ) their greatest trouble is the want of workmen : for the Natiues that are extant , suruiuing many vexations , if they become ciuile out of an indulgency to libertie , and ease , whereunto all the Americans ( liking better of a penurious life thus then to haue plenty with taking paines ) are naturally enclined , that they may haue a secure ease warranted by an order , doe betake themselues to Cloisters , so that they haue no meanes to prosecute these workes but by drawing yeerly a great number of Negroes from Angola , and other parts , which being but an vnnaturall merchandise , are bought at a deare rate , and maintayned with danger , for they once of late , as I haue heard from one that was there at that time designed to murther their Masters , by a plot which should haue beene put in execution vpon a Good-friday , when all being exercised at their deuotion were least apt to apprehend such a wicked course , and it is alwaies feared that to reuenge what of necessitie they must suffer , and to procure their libertie hating most what they feele for the present , and hoping for better by a change , they will joyne with any strong enemy that landing there dare attempt the conquest of that Countrey .

I will not here insist in setting downe the manner how the Spaniards made themselues Masters of so many rich and pleasant Countries , but doe leaue that to their owne Histories , though I confesse ( like wisemen ) they are very sparing to report the estate of these parts , and doe barre all strangers from hauing accesse thereunto , wishing to enjoy that which they loue in priuate , and not inconsiderately vanting by the vanitie of praises to procure vnto themselues the vexation that they might suffer by the earnest pursuit of emulating riuals , but as they did brauely begin , and resolutely prosecute their Discoueries in America , so hath it justly recompenced their courage , prouing the ground of all that greatnesse which at this time ( not without cause ) doth make them ( as able , or willing , to conquer others if not both ) so much suspected by euery jealous State . And Henry the Seuenth the Salomon of England had his judgement onely condemned for neglecting that good occasion which was first offered vnto him by Columbus , yet did he presently seeke to repaire his errour by sending forth Sebastian Chabot a Venetian who did discouer the I le of Newfound-land , and this part of the Continent of America now intended to bee planted by his Majesties Subjects vnder the name of New England , and New Scotland , so that the fruits of his happie raigne still growing to a greater perfection and now ripe to bee gathered by this age , as he made way by the marriage of his eldest daughter for vniting these two Nations at home , so did hee the same likewise by this discouerie abroad , but the accomplishment of both was reserued for his Majestie now raigning , and no Prince in the world may more easily effectuate such a purpose since his Dominions affoord abundance of braue men singularly valued for able bodies and actiue spirits whereof the English haue already giuen good proofe of their sufficiency in forraine Plantations ; but before I proceed further in that which doth concerne them I must obserue what the French haue done in this kind .

All such aduentrous designes out of ignorance , or enuie ( either contemned , or doubtfully censured ) are neuer approued , nor imitated , til they be justified by the successe , & then many who had first been too distrustfull falling in the other extremitie of an implicite confidence , to redeeme their former neglects , doe precipitate themselues in needlesse dangers . After that the Spaniards were knowne to prosper , and that it was conceiued by the Voyage of Chabot what a large vastnesse this new Continent was likely to proue , Francis the first did furnish forth Iohn Verrizzon a Florentine , who did discouer that part of America which was first ( and most justly ) called New France , and now Terra Florida . And vpon his returne he affirming it to be ( as it is indeed for all the excellencies of nature ) one of the most pleasant parts of the world , This was the cause that after a long delay ( during the space of two Princes whole raignes ) some new Discoueries reuiuing the memory of this , in the yeere of God 1562. Charles the ninth ( hauing a haughty mind , and being so rauished with a desire of glorie , that he was sometimes tempted by sinistrous suggestions in seeking after it to goe vpon wrong grounds ) was quickly enamoured with the eminency of such a singular designe , wherein hee did employ Iohn Riba●t , who comming to Florida , was kindly receiued by the Natiues there , and hauing made choice of a place where to build a Fort , after hee had stayed a time giuing direction for such things as were necessarie to be done , he left forty men therein when hee came away with one Captaine Albert to command them , who after that hee had with difficulty beene freed from the danger of famine , and of fire ( vnseasonably affecting the disused austeritie of the Ancients ) did for a small offence hang one of his companie with his owne hands , so losing both the dignitie of his place , and the hearts of his people at one time , which hee should haue beene extremely studious to preserue , esteeming them as fellowes of his sufferings , and coheires of his hopes , at least the qualitie of the offence and necessitie of his death should haue beene made so cleare , that as importing a common good , all ( if not vrging it ) should at least haue condiscended thereunto , but this errour of his was acquited in as rude a manner : for his companie putting him to death did make choice of another Captaine , and despairing of a new supplie though wanting skilfull workmen for such a purpose ( necessitie sharpning their wits ) they builded a little Barque which they calfatted and made fit for the Seas with the Gummes of trees which they found there in stead of Pitch , and in place of Sayles they furnished her with such linnens as they had vpon their beds , and being thus set forth ( couragiously ouercomming a number of admirable difficulties ) did returne to France after a desperate manner .

The dangerlesse returne , and plausible hopes of Ribaut , assisted by the serious perswasions of the Admirall , ( the receiued opinion of whose not questioned wisedome was enough to warrant any thing that had his approbation ) did moue the French King to send out a great number of men with a competent prouision of all things requisite vnder the charge of Monsieur Laudonier , who had a prosperous Voyage , and a congratulated arriuall at the French Fort by the Sauages in Florida , but immediatly thereafter hee was extremely perplexed with the vnexpected , mutinies and factious offers of some whom he had carried with him , who had not gone thither intending what they pretended , out of a cleare resolution to inhabite that bounds , but did onely flee from some inconueniences that had vexed them at home , such men as hating labour they could not industriously serue by their endeauours in a mechanike trade , so were they not capable of generous inspirations that prouoke magnanimitie , but habitually bred to vice were naturally enemies to vertue , which made thirtie of them taking away a Barke that belonged to the Plantation betake themselues to the Seas in hope ( continuing as they had beene accustomed in naughty courses ) to seize vpon a prize whereby they might incontinent bee made rich ; and their designe in some measure had the projected issue , but in place of raising their fortunes ( the Lord neuer blessing them that abandon such a worthie worke , much lesse with a minde to doe mischiefe ) it proued in end away to worke their confusion , And Laudoniere being happie to haue his companie purged of such pestiferous fellowes did carrie himselfe brauely as became a commander , aduisedly enquiring concerning the Sauages , what their force was , what relation they had one to another , where they were friends or foes , how their pleasures were placed , and by what accounts they reckoned their gaines or losses , so that hee was alwaies ready as might stand best with the good of his affaires to assist , or oppose , to diuide , or agree any partie , thus by shewing power purchasing authoritie , til he drew the ballance of all businesse to bee swayed where hee would as being Master of the Countrey . Hereupon ( the vmbragious aspersions of enuie so darkening reason that it could not discerne merite at least out of a depraued opinion with a derogatory censure cancelling all naturall ingenuitie , could not or would not acknowledge what was due thereunto ) a report was spread in France by some that Laudoniere liued like a Prince disdayning the condition of a Subject , and the French out of a preposterous policie fearing what they should haue wished that one of their owne Nation could be too great abroad , they sent backe Ribaut with a new commission to succeed him in his charge , ( shaking thereby the first foundation of a growing greatnesse ) who seeking to steale priuately vpon him to preuent aduertisements that hee might take him at vnawares did hardly escape to haue beene sunke at his first entrie .

Immediatly after that Ribaut was admitted Gouernour ( Laudoniere hauing shewed himselfe as dutifull to obey as he had beene skilfull in commanding ) intelligence was giuen them that sixe Spanish Ships were riding at an anchor not farre from thence , and he ambitiously aspiring to grace his beginning with some great matter against the aduice of all the rest with an obstinate resolution would needs goe and pursue them taking the best of the companie with him , and so left the Fort weakely guarded , which made it to proue an easie prey for the Spaniards of whom the most part leauing their Ships ( a minde transported with hope not thinking of paine ) did march thorow the woods whence no perill was expected , and in a maruellous stormy night , as if the very Heauens ( accessarily culpable ) had conspired with the malice of men for the working of mischief . When the Frenchmen ( too much affecting their owne ease ) had neglected their watch , surprizing their Fort did put them all to the sword , which extreme crueltie of theirs was brauely reuenged by one Captaine Gorgues a Gentleman of Burdeaux , who out of a generous disposition being sensible of this publike injurie whereby all his Nation was interested , as if it had only in particular imported the ruine of his owne fortunes , went of purpose to this part , and secretly before his comming was knowne contracting a great friendship with the Sauages who did hate the austere countenance , and rigorous gouernment of the Spaniards , when it came to be compared with the insinuating formes of the French , he found the meanes by a stratagem that he vsed to entrap the Spaniards , by the death of them all expiating that which they had made his Countreymen formerly to suffer , yet after the manner of many being more apt to acquire then to preserue ( acting greater things when carried with the impetuositie of a present fury then hee could confirme with the constant progresse of a well setled resolution ) he made no more vse of his victorie , but returned back to France , flattering himself with the hope of a triumphall welcome , in place whereof by some meanes made Court he was proclaimed a Rebell , as a sacrifice appointed to appease Spaine . This was the last thing that the French did in Florida .

The next forraine aduenture was likewise procured by the Admirall , a worthie man , who would gladly haue diuerted the vindictiue dispositions of his Countrymen from the bloudy ciuile warres wherewith they were then entangled , to prosecute some braue enterprise abroad whereby they might not be made guilty , and yet haue glorie , The man that did offer himselfe for Conductor of the Voyage was one Villegagnon a Knight of Malta who then pretended to be of the reformed religion ( as all doe who affect to appeare what they are not indeed ) making shew of extraordinary remorse , and zeale , and that hee had a desire to retire himselfe from the vanitie , corruption , and vexation of their parts to some remote place in America , where professing himselfe such as he was , he might ( free from all kind of impediments ) begin a new life , and where he hoped to found such a Colony as should serue for a retreat to all those of the reformed Religion who ( weary of the persecutions at home ) would goe where they might liue with safety , and enjoy the libertie of their conscience , by this meanes hee got a great number to accompany him , amongst whom was Iohn de Lerie their Minister , a learned man who wrote a discourse of all that passed in this Voyage , and there were sundry others that came from the Towne of Geneua , so that hauing a reasonable number and well prouided , hee embarqued and sayled towards Brasile , making choice of a place fit for a Plantation , where they found ( the soile excellent , the Natiues well inclined towards them , and a supplie comming in due time ) all things so concurring for their contentment that they might haue begunne a great worke happie and hopefull for their posteritie , if Uillagagnon had beene the man that he made them beleeue he was , but he apparantly neuer louing them of the Religion in his heart had counterfeited to doe so for a time , onely ( angling their affections ) by this meanes to draw a supply from them ; for as soone as hee was setled in his gouernment , that hee found himselfe strong enough by Catholikes , and others of his friends that he had with him to doe ( as hee thought ) what he would , straight , remouing the maske that hypocrisie had put vpon him , he discharged all exercise of the reformed religion which no man with more feruency had professed then himselfe , commanding all to conforme themselues to the orders that he had set downe , but ( in place of feare which he purposed to giue , receiuing but contempt ) this base kind of carriage did quite ouerthrowe his authoritie , and they making a partie amongst themselues did remoue with their Minister Iohn de Lerie , which diuision of their Colonie in two was the cause that neither could subsist , so that Villagagnon abandoning that Countrey , all after many seuerall designes returned vnto France , hauing found no impediment to so good a purpose but the peruersenesse of such mindes as they had carried with them .

Monsieur De Lara●erdier a very worthie Gentleman did of late enterprise the like course in the same bounds , and was crossed in the same manner by the difference of Religion ( disputations quickning them to contrauert who will not be conuerted ) that distracted his companie with seuerall opinions , yet at this time a long continuance making that lesse strange amongst the French then it was wont to be , the Gentleman did command with such judgement , and discretion , that what euer priuate dislike was , it neuer bursted forth in any open insurrection . And for the space of foure or fiue yeeres being befriended by the Natiues , though continually opposed both by the Spaniards , and by the Portugals , yet he alwaies preuayled , liuing ( as himselfe told me ) with more contentment then euer he had done in his time either before or since ; hee could neuer discerne any Winter there by the effects , seeing no stormy weather at all , and finding a continuall greennesse to beautifie the fields , which did affoord such abundance , and variety of all things necessary for the maintaynance , that they were neuer in any danger of famine , but in end finding no more people comming from France , and fearing that time should weare away them that were with him ; then being flattered with the loue of his natiue soyle , longing to see his friends , and tempted by the hope of a present gaine , which as he imagined might the better enable him for some such purpose in an other part , he capitulated with the Spaniards to surrender the place hauing assurace giuen him for a great summe of money which should haue beene deliuered in Spaine , but comming to receiue the same ( it being more easie to pay debt by reuenging a pretended injurie then with money which some would rather keepe then their Faith ) he was cast in prison , where hee remayned long , till at last he was deliuered by the mediation of our Kings Ambassadour , and came here where I spake with him of purpose to giue his Majestie thankes . I heare that for the present he is now at Rochell ( with a hope to repaire his error ) ready to embarque for some such like enterprise . This is all that the Frenchmen haue done in the South parts of America , and now I will make mention of their proceedings in these parts that are next vnto vs .

Francis the first of France a braue Prince , and naturally giuen to great things , after the Voyage made by Iohn Verrizan ( Chabot hauing discouered the Continent for Henry the seuenth ) did send forth Iames Quartier one of Saint Malo , who by two seuerall Voyages did discouer the Riuer of Cannada , and by his relation doth commend it exceedingly as being fertile in variety of Fishes , and bordered with many pleasant meadowes , and stately woods , hauing in sundry parts abundance of Vines growing wilde , chiefly in one Ile which he hath called by the name of the I le of Orleans . This man neuer made any Plantation at all , but onely discouered and traffiqued with the Sauages , neither was there any further done by Roberwall , who did liue one Winter at Cape Breton .

The Marquesse De la Roche by a Commission from Henry the fourth , intending a Voyage for Cannada , happened by the way vpon the I le of Sablon ( which is now comprehended within the Patent of New Scotland ) and there ( trusting to the strength of the place where there are no Sauages at all ) landed some of his men till hee should haue found a conuenient place within the maine Land fit for habitation , promising then to returne for them ; but it was his fortune by reason of contrary winds neuer to finde the maine Land , being blowne backe to France without seeing of them , where he was in the time of the ciuile warres ( such is the vncertainty of worldly things producing vnexpected effects ) taken prisoner by the Duke of Mercoeur , and shortly after died , so that his people whom hee had left at Sablon furnished but for a short time had quickly spent their prouisions , and tooke for their maintaynance onely such things as the place it selfe did without labour freely affoord , which hath a race of Kowes ( as is thought ) first transported thither by the Portugals that haue long continued there , and sundry roots fit to be eaten , with abundance of Fishes , Fowle and Venison . And ( hauing no meanes to liue but by sport ) as for their apparell they clothed themselues with the skinnes of such creatures as they could kill by Land , or Sea , so that liuing there for the space of twelue yeeres when they were presented to Henry the fourth who had hired a Fisherman to bring them home , as I haue heard from them that did see them at first before the King , they were in very good health , and looked as well , as if they had liued all that time in France : But hauing beene abused by the Fisherman who ( cunningly concealing that he had beene directed by the King ) did bargaine with them to haue all their skinnes for transporting them home , which were of great value , some of them being of blacke Foxes , which were sold at fiftie pounds sterling a piece , and aboue , for the recouerie thereof they intended a processe against him before the Court of Parliament at Paris , wherein by the equitie of their cause or by the compassion of the Iudges , they preuayled , gayning by that meanes a stocke wherewith to traffique in these parts againe .

Monsieur De Montes procuring a Patent from Henry the fourth of Cannada from the 40. degree Eastward comprehending all the bounds that is now both within New England and New Scotland ( after that Queene Elizabeth had formerly giuen one thereof as belonging to this Crowne by Chabots Discouerie ) did set forth with a hundred persons fitted for a Plantation , carried in two ships of small burthen , which parting from France on seuerall dayes did appoint their meeting at the Port of Campseau , but the ship wherein Monsieur De Montes had placed himselfe going first , and fearing the huge Mountaines of Ice that dissoluing from the farre Northerne parts come alongst the coast of Newfound-land during the Spring time , did take her course more to the South , and arriued at Port De Muton a Bay now in the fore-land of New Scotland , from whence one of the Natiues of the Countrey ( either out of courtesie , or to gayne a reward ) leauing his Wife and Children ( as a pledge , or else to bee nourished with them ) went to Campseau , and within a weeke brought them newes from their other Ship that had arriued there , which comming to them , and Monsieur Champlein who had gone in a shallop to discouer the coast being returned , they sayled together Westwards to Cape Sable , and from thence Northwards to Bay Saint Maries , where towards the South side thereof they found good meadowes and arable ground fit to be planted vpon , and towards the North a mountainous and minerall bounds , hauing discouered one veine of metall that did hold Siluer , and two of Iron stone : After this , hauing seene Port Royall , they went to the Riuer called by them Sante Croix , but more fit now to bee called Tweed , because it doth diuide New England and New Scotland , bounding the one of them vpon the East , and the other vpon the Westside thereof , here they made choice of an I le that is within the middle of the same where to winter , building houses sufficient to lodge their number ; There , besides other sorts of wood , they had store of Cedar trees , and found the ground very fertile as it did proue afterwards , bringing forth that which they did sow with an extraordinary encrease , yet during the Winter time when they could not conueniently goe to the maine Land , they found it a very incommodious dwelling , specially for want of fresh Springs ; And the soyle being of it selfe humid , and obnoxious to waters , they had not beene so industrious as to cast a ditch wherewith to drie the ground whereupon their houses stood , and in end finding that a little Ile was but a kind of large prison , they resolued to returne vnto Port Royall , whereof I will giue a particular Description , because it was the place of their residence , as I intend it to be for the chiefe Colonie of the Scottish Nation , grounding that which I am to deliuer vpon such Discourses as the Frenchmen haue written , and vpon that which I haue heard reported by sundry others who haue seene the same .

The entry in Port Royall is from the South side of a great Bay , which doth make the South part of New Scotland almost an I le , and hath the passage at first so narrow , with a current so violent , that Ships can hardly enter if they take not the Tide right , and may easily be commanded by any Ordnance that is planted on either side , where there are parts fit for that purpose ; As soone as they are within the Bay , it doth enlarge itself to the bredth of seuen or eight miles , and doth continue so as if it were square for the like bounds in length ; There are within the same two Iles euery one of them extending itselfe about three miles in circuit , and both are well garnished with trees , and grasse ; Diuers Riuers and Brookes doe fall within this large bosome on euery side , of which the chiefe is one that doth come from the South , being discouered to be aboue fortie miles portatiue , and it hath all alongst on euery side for the bounds of a mile , or halfe a mile at least , very faire meadowes which are subject to bee ouerflowed at high tides , and there is Land fit to be laboured lying betweene them and the woods , which doe compasse all about with very faire trees of sundry sorts , as Oakes , Ash , Playnes , Maple , Beech , Birch , Cypresse , Pinc and Firre ; The great Riuer doth abound exceedingly in Salmon and Smelts during their season , and euery little Brooke in Trouts . One Lake within this Bay hath yeerely a great quantitie of Herrings , which by reason of a strict way which they passe are easie to be taken , and all the yeere ouer they neuer want shell-fish , such as Lobsters , Crabs , Cockles and Mussels . The chiefe beasts that inhabite the Woods there , are Ellans , Hart , Hind , and fallow Deere , with store of other wilde beasts , such as Wolues , Beares , Foxes , and Otters , but the most vsefull of all is the Beauer , both for his flesh that is esteemed to be very delicate for eating , and for the skinne that is of good value ; as for wild foule , there is great varietie and store , of Partridges , Plouers , Woodcockes , Larkes , Wild Geese , Wild Duckes , Heron and Crane , with many other sorts peculiar to that part of the World , and not knowne here .

Vpon the East side of this Port the French did entrench themselues , building such houses as might serue to accommodate their number , and a little from thence Monsieur Champlein did cut a walke through the Woods , where they delighted to repaire in Summer to shroud themselues from the heate , and the rather that they had a sweet Melodie which was made by the varietie of voyces , of singing Birds which without any affectation did affoord them naturall Musicke .

Some sixe miles further vp that side of the Riuer they built a Barne , and laboured ground for Wheat ; ouer against which they made a Water-mill vpon a Riuer , that doth fall in on the West side , the Damme of it beeing there where the Herrings haunt most , and they did likewise try some ground neere by for Wheate , whereas their owne Writers make mention , they reaped aboue fortie for one , but what they did was rather trying the nature of the soile to satisfie their curiositie then to haue a qantitie fit for their maintenance , which they trusted to bee sent vnto them by two Merchants from the Rochell , and were that way well furnished so long as they keeped their skinnes to giue them in exchange ( but the Merchants either by some priuate conueyances ) or by the comming in of some Flemmings to traffique , being disappointed by the Planters as soone as they missed their present Commoditie did likewise frustrate them of the prouisions that they expected . Whereupon Monsieur de Montes betaking himselfe to trade for Furres . Monsieur Poutrincourt resolued to prosecute the Plantation at that place , and sent for his Son Biencourt to France , to bargaine with some that would send them a supply , such as was requisite for establishing of that Colony .

The first that embraced his Propositions were the Iesuites who as they haue ordinarly good wits which made them the rather capable of so aduantagious a proiect , so they were the more animated thereunto ( by vpbrayding the lazinesse of our Clergie ) to shew with what feruencie they trauell to propagate the Gospell in doing whereof ( whither it be ambition or deuotion that prouokes them sparing no paines ) they haue trauelled both to the East and West Indies , and to that admired Kingdome of China ; their Societie in France preuayling with all that had any inclination either to religion , or to vertue did easily gather a voluntary contribution for the furthering of so commendable a purpose , thereafter they sent away two Fathers of their company with a new supply of all things necessarie to the Plantation at Port Royall , but shortly after their arriuall ( their predominant disposition hardly yeelding to any Superiour , specially if it be a Secular power ) they be-beganne to contradict Poutrincourt , in the execution of these Decrees which had beene giuen forth by him as Ciuil Magistrate of that place . Whereupon the Gentleman extreamely discontented , and wearie of contesting with them , hauing said that it was his part to rule them vpon earth , and theirs onely to guide him the way to Heauen , he returned backe to France , leauing his Sonne Biencourt in his place , who being a youth at that time of more courage then circumspectnesse , disdayning to be controlled by them whom he had inuited thither , and scorning their insupportable presumption , and imperious kinde of carriage , vsing Spirituall Armes for Temporall ends , whose spleene had excommunicated and branded him with a Spirituall censure , hee threatned them by his Temporall power with a more palpable punishment , so that after much controuersie , resoluing to separate themselues , the two Iesuites taking a part of the company with them , went from thence to a place in New England , called by them Mount Desert , where they seated themselues , and hauing a supply from the Queene Mother , did plant sundry fruit trees of the most delicate kinds in France , such as Apricockes and Peaches neuer intending to remoue from thence .

At this time Sir Samuell Argall , who hath beene Gouernour of Virginia , coasting alongst New England , to traffique , discouer , or to acquire things necessary for the Southerne Colonie in these parts , where the Lands are reputed to be more fertile , and the Seas more frequented , did conceiue by a description made vnto him by the Sauages , that there were some come from this part of the World to inhabit there , and being iealous of any thing that might derogate from the honour , or prooue preiudiciall to the benefit of his Nation , whereof their interest in this was easie to be apprehended , hee went whereas hee was informed that they were , and his vnexpected arriuall , as it would seeme , not onely amazing the mindes of the French , but likewise preuenting their preparation , and resolution , he approched so neere to a ship that lay before their Fort , that hee beate them all that were within , with Musket shot , from making any vse of their Ordnance , and killed one of the two Iesuites , who was giuing fire to a Peece ; hauing taken the ship he landed and went before the Fort , summoning them that were within to yeeld themselues , who at the first made some difficultie , asking a time to aduise , but that being refused , they priuately abandoned the Fort , stealing out by some back way into the Woods , where they stayed one night , and the next day comming backe rendred themselues , giuing vp the Patent they had from the French King to bee cancelled , hee vsed them courteously , as their owne Writers doe make mention , suffering such as had a minde to goe for France , to seeke out fishers ships wherein they might bee transported , the rest that were willing to goe for Virginia , went thither alongst with him , no man hauing lost his life , but onely that one Iesuite who was killed whilest they made resistance during the time of the conflict , thereafter Father Biard the other of the Iesuites comming backe from Uirginia , with Sir Samuell Argall , out of the indigestable malice that he had conceiued against Biencourt , did informe him where he had planted himselfe offering ( as hee did ) to conduct him thither . As soone as they were entred within the Port , neere the vppermost of the Ilands , Sir Samuell directing the ship to ride at a reasonable distance to attend occasions before the Fort , did land himselfe with fortie of the best of his men vpon a Medow , where immediatly they heard a Peece of Ordnance from the Fort , and he conceiuing since it was shot whilst it could do no harme that it was done either but to giue terrour to them , or to warne some that might happen to bee abroad , Did make the greater haste towardes the Fort , where hee presently entred , finding it abandoned without any men at all , left for the defence thereof , hee went vp the Riuer side fiue or sixe miles , where hee saw their Barnes and the ground where a great quantitie of Wheate had growne , which he carried with him to serue for Seed in Virginia , he saw likewise their Corne Mill very conueniently placed , which together with the Barnes hee left standing vntouched . As for the Fort it selfe he destroyed it downe to the ground , razing the French Armes , and leauing no monument remayning , that might witnesse their being there .