\NarraganHei£\y our supposed enemy.

Every Sachem taketh care for the widow and father-
less : also for such as are aged, and [in] any way maimed ;
if their friends be dead, or not able to provide for them.

A Sachem will not take any to wife but such a one
as is equal to him in birth ; otherwise, they say, their
seed would, in time, become ignoble. And though they
have many other wives : yet are they no other than
concubines or servants ; and yield a kind of obedience
to the principal [one], who ordereth the family, and them
in it. The like, the men observe also ; and will adhere
to the first [wife] during their lives, but put away the
others at their pleasure.

This Government is successive ; and not by choice.
If the father die before the son, or daughter, be of age ;
then the child is committed to the protection and
tuition of some one amongst them : who ruleth, in his
stead, till he be of age ; but when that is, I know not.

Every Sachem knoweth how far the bounds and
limits of his own country extendeth; and that is his
own proper inheritance. Out of that^ if any of his men
desire land to set their com ; he giveth them as much as
they can use, and sets them their bounds. In \wiikin\
this circuit, whosoever hunteth, if they kill any venison,
bringeth him his fee: which is the fore parts of the
same, if it be killed on the land ; but if [the deer] be
killed in the water, then the skin thereof.

The great Sachems, or Kings, know their own
bounds, or limits of land, as well as the rest.



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588 Good News from New England, oot. e. wimiow.

All travellers, or strangers,' for the most part, lodge at
the Sachem'a When they come they tell them, how long
they will stay ; and to what place they go : during which
time, they-^ receive entertainment according to their
persons ; but want not.

Once a year the Pineses use [are accustomed] to
provoke the people to bestow much com on the Sachem.
To that end, they appoint a certain time and place, near
the Sachem's dwelling; where the people bring many
baskets of com, and make a great stack thereof. There,
the Pineses stand ready to give thanks to the people, on
the Sachem's behalf : and, after, acquainteth the Sachem
therewith ; who fetcheth the same, and is no less
thankful, bestowing many gifts on them.

When any are visited with sickness, their friends
resort unto them for their comfort; and continue with
them oft times till their death, or recovery. If they die,
they stay a certain time, to mourn for them. Night
and morning, they perform this duty, many days after
the burial, in a most doleful manner; insomuch as
though it be ordinary [corrmumplace], and the note [not]
musical which they take one from another and all
together : yet it will draw tears from their eyes ; and
ahnost from ours also. But if they recover, then because
their sickness was cheu'geable ; they send com and other
gifts unto them, at a certain appointed time; whereat
they feast and dance, which they call Commoco.

When they bury the dead ; they sew up the corpse
in a mat, and so put it in the earth. If the party be a
Sachem ; they cover him with many curious mats, and
bury all his riches with him, and inclose the grave with
a pale [paliaade]. If it be a child, the father will also
put his own most special jewels and ornaments in the



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Got. b. winBiow. GoocL Ncws frovt Ncw England. 589

earth with it : [and] also will ^cut his hair, and disfigure
himself very much, in token of sorrow. If it be the
man or woman of the house, they will pull down the
mats, and leave the frame standing, and bury them in or
near the same; and either remove their dwelling, or
give over housekeeping.

The men imploy themselves wholly in himting and
other exercises of the bow ; except at some times they
take some pains in fishing.

The women live a most slavish life. They carry
all their \the meu'^] burdens, set and dress their com,
gather it in, seek out for much of their food, beat and
make ready the com to eat, and have all [the] household
care lying upon them.

The younger sort reverence the elder; and do all
mean oflSces whilst they are together: [even] although
they be strangers [to each other].

Boys and girls may not wear their hair like men and
women ; but are distinguished thereby.

A man is not accounted a man till he do some
notable £tct, or shew forth such courage and resolution
as becometh his place. The men take much tobacco : but
for boys so to do, they account it odioua

All their names are significant and variable: for
when they come to the state of men and women, they
alter them ; according to their deeds and dispositions.

When a maid is taken in marriage, she first cutteth
her hair; and, after, weareth a covering on her head
till her hair be grown out.

The women are diversely disposed. Some [are] as
modest as they will 8carce[ly] talk one to another in the
company of men; being very chaste also: yet other
some [are] light [iificonstant], lascivious, and wanton.

If a woman have a bad husband, or cannot affect



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590 Good News from New England, c^r. e.



Window.



[have no affection for] him; and there be war or
oppoBition between that, and any other, people : she will
ran away from him to the contrary party, and there
live ; where they never come unwelcome, for where are
most women, there is greatest plenty. . . •

For adultery, the husband will beat his wife ; and
put her away, if he please. . . .

In matters of unjust and dishonest dealing, the
Sachem examineth and punisheth the same. In eases
of thefts: for the first offence, he is disgracefully
rebuked; for the second, he is beaten by the Sachem,
with a cudgel on the back ; for the third, he is beaten
with many strokes, and hath his nose slit upward, that
thereby all men may both know and shun him. If
any man kill another ; he must likewise for the same.

The Sachem not only passeth the sentence upon
malefactors ; but executeth the same with his own hands,
if the party be then present If not, [he] sendeth his
own knife, in [a] case of death, in the hands of others, to
perform the same. But if the offender be to receive other
punishment ; he will not receive the same, but from the
Sachem himself : before whom, being naked, he kneeleth,
and will not offer to run away though he beat him never
so much ; it being a greater disparagement for a man
to cry during the time of his correction, than is his
.offence and punishment.

As for their apparel, they wear breeches [leggings]
and stockings in one, like some Irish ; which is made of
deer skins; and have shoes [mocasaina] of the same
leather. They wear also a deer skin loose about them, like
a cloak ; which they will turn to the weather [vmidvxi/rd]
side. In this habit [d/ress] they travel : but when they
are at home, or come to their journey's end, presently
[immediately] they pull off their breeches, stockings



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ooT. E. winiiow. Good News from New England. 59 1

and shoes; wring out the water if they be wet, and
dry them, and rub or chafe the same. Though these
be off; yet have they another small garment that
covereth them. The meu wear also, when they go
abroad in cold weather, an otter, or fox, skin on their
right arm ; but only their bracer [tyrw^-flrtfcorrf] on the left.

Women, and all of that sex, wear strings [of beads]
about their legs : which the men never do.

The people are very ingenious and observative.
They keep account of time by the moon, and [by]
winters or summers. They know divers of the stars
by name. In particular, they know the North Star;
and call it Maeike, which is to say " The Bear." Also
they have many names for the winds. They will guess
very well at the wind and weather beforehand, by
observations in the heavens. They report also. That some
of them can cause the wind to blow in what part they list,
[and] can raise storms and tempests. Which they usually
do, when they intend the death or destruction of other
people; that, by rea£K)n of the unseasonable weather,
they may take advantage of their enemies in their
houses. At such times, they perform their greatest
exploits : and, in such seasons, when they are at enmity
with any, they keep more careful watch than at other times.

As for the language, it is very copious, large, and
difficult. As yet [i.e. to the 10th September 1623], we
cannot attain to any great measure thereof: but can
understand them, and explain ourselves to their
understanding; by the help of those that daily
converse with us. And though there be [a] difference,
in a hundred miles distance of place, both in language
and manners: yet [it is] not so much, but that they
very well understand each other.

And thus much of their lives and manners.



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592 Good News from New England, got. e windoir.

Instead of records and chronicles, they take this
course. Where any remarkable act is done : in memory
of ity either in the place or by some pathway near
adjoining, they make a round hole in the ground, about
a foot deep and as much over: which, when others,
passing by, behold, they enquire the cause and occasion
of the same ; which, being once known, they are careful
to acquaint all men, as occasion serveth, therewitL And
lest such holes should be filled, or grown up [with
herbage], by any accident; as men pass by, they will
oft renew the sama By which means, many things of
great antiquity are fresh in memory. So that, as a
man travelleth, if he can understand his guide, his
journey will be the less tedious, by reason of the many
historical discourses [that] will be related to him.

[a description of new ENGLAND; AND OF THOSE
WHO SHOULD GO THERE.]

In all this, it may be said, I have neither praised
nor dispraised the country: and since I [have] lived
so long therein, my judgement thereof will give no less
satisfaction to them that know me, than the Relation of
our proceedings.

To which I answer, That as in [the] one, so of the
other ; I will speak as sparingly as I can : yet [I] will
make known what I conceive thereof.

And, first, for that continent on which we are, called
New England. Although it hath ever been conceived,
by the Elnglish, to be a part of that main land adjoining
to Virginia: yet, by [the] relation of t^ie Indians, it
should appear to be otherwise. For they affirm
confidently, That it is an island: and that, either the
Dutch or [the] French, pass through \i.e, along the
Hudson river] from sea to sea [the Atlantic to the



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ctoT. B. wiMiow. Good News from New England^ 593

river 8t Lawrence] between us and Virginia ; and drive
a great trade in the same. .The name of that inlet of
the sea, they call Mohegon ; which I take to be the same
[as that] which we call Hudson's river: up which,
Master [Henry] Hudson went many leagues ; and for
want of means, as I hear, left it undiscovered.

For confirmation of this their opinion, [there] is thus
mucL Though Virginia be not above 150 leagues
[= 450 rriUea] from us: yet they never heard of
Powhatan, or knew that any English were planted
in his country, save only by us, and Tisquantum who
went in an English ship thither. And therefore it is
the more probable; because the water is not passable
for them, who are [yet] very adventurous in their boats.

Then for the temperature of the air, in almost three
years' experience [9th November 1620 — \Oth SepteTnber
1623], I can scarcefly] distinguish New England from Old
England, in respect of heat and cold, frost, snow, rain,
winds, &c. Some object, because our Plantation lieth in
the latitude of 42'' [North] ; it must needs be much hotter.
I confess I cannot give the reason of the contrary : only
experience teacheth us, That if it do exceed England, it is
[by] so little as must require better judgements to discern
it And for the winter ; I rather think, if there be [any]
difierence, it is both sharper and longer in New England
than [in] Old : and yet the want of those comforts in
the one, which I have enjoyed in the other, may deceive
my judgement also. But, in my best observation,
comparing our own condition with the Relations of other
parts of America; I cannot conceive of any to agree
better with the constitution of the English : not being
oppressed with extremity of heat, nor nipped with
biting cold ; by which means, blessed be GOD, we enjoy

The Pilgrim Fathers. 2 p



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594 Good News from Neisi England, oar.i

our kealth, notwithstanding those difficulties we J^ve
undergone, in such a measure as would have ^R^,
admired [vxmd&red at], if we had lived in England, with'
the like means.

The day is two hours longer than here, when it
is at the shortest : and as much shorter there, whte i^
is at the longest

The soil is variable: in some places, mould; in
some, clay ; [and] others, a mixed sand, &a The ehiefest
grain is the Indian Mays [rruiize] or Guinea wheat
[, also called Turkey wheat].

The seed time beginneth in the midst of April, and
continueth good till the midst of May. Our harvest
beginneth with September. This corn increaseth in
great measure ; but is inferior, in quantity, to the same
in Virginia : the reason, I conceive, is because Virginia
is far hotter than it is with us ; it requiring great heat
to ripen.

But whereas it is objected against New England,
That com will not there grow except the ground be
manured with fish: I answer, That where men set
[com] with fish [ie. aZewivea], as with us, it is more
easy so to do: than to clear ground and set without
[fish] some five or six years; and so begin anew [by
cleaHng fresh ground] ; as in Virginia, and elsewhere.

Not but that, in some places, where they [i,e. the
fieh^alewivea] cannot be taken with ease, in goch
abundance, the Indians set four years together wiUiont
[fish] ; and have as good com, or better, than we have
that set with them : though indeed, I think, if we
had cattle to till the ground, it would be more profitable,
and better agreeable to the soil, to sow wh6at|,||^
barley, pease, and oats, than to set mays, which t)ttr
Indiajis^ called Evxnchvm. For we have had experience



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Got. t. wtoriow. Good News from New England. 595

that they \yoheai^ rye, &c.'\ like and thrive well [in the
ground]: and the other \ma/ize\ will not be procured
without good labour and diligence; especially at seed
time, when it must also be watched by night, to keep ;.
the wolves from the fish till it be rotten, which will
be in fourteen days; yet men agreeing together, and
taking their turns, it is not much.

Much might be spoken of the benefit that may
oome to such as shall here plant, by trade {ba/rter]
with the Indians for furs; if men take a right
course for obtaining the same. For I dare presume,
upon that small experience I have had, to affirm, that
the English, Dutch, and French return yearly many
thousands [of] pounds [of] profits by trade only, from
that island [see page 593] on which we are seated.

Tobacco may be there planted: but not with that
profit as in some other places. Neither were it
profitable there to follow it, though the increase were
equal; because fish is a better and richer commodity,
and more necessary: which may be, and are there,
had in as great abundance as in any other part of
the world. Witness the West Country Merchants of
England [i,e. of Devonehvre and Cornwall]; which
return incredible gains yearly from thence. And
if they can so do, which here buy their salt at a
great charge, and transport more company to make
their voyage than will [ie neceaaa/ry to] sail their
ships: what may the Planters expect, when onto
they are seated, and make the most • of their salt
there, and imploy themselves at least eight months
in fishing? whereas the others fish but four, and
have their ship lying dead [idle] in the harbour all
the time: whereas such shipping as belong to [the]
Plantations, may take freight [outwards] of passengers



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596 Good News from New England, qtm. s.

or cattle thither; and have their lading provided
[ready] against they coma

I confess [that] we have come so far short of the
means to raise snch returns, as, with great difficulty,
we have preserved our lives: insomuch as when I
look back upon our condition, and [our] weak means
to preserve the same, I rather admire [tooTuiar] at
QOD's mercy and Providence in our preservation,
than that no greater things have been effected by ua
But though our beginning hath been thus raw
[inexperienced], small, and difficult ; as thou hast seen :
yet tiie same QOD, that hath hitherto led us through
the former, I hope will raise means to accomplish
the latter. Not that we altogether, or principally,
propound profit to be the main end of that we have
undertaken; but the glory of GOD, and the honour
of our country, in the inlarging of His Majesty's
dominions. Tet wanting outward means to set things
in that forwardness we desire, and to further the
latter by the former; I thought meet to offer both
to consideration : hoping that where religion and profit
jump together, which is rare, in so honourable an
action, it will encourage every honest man, either in
person or purse, to set forward the same ; or, at
least wise, to commend the welfare thereof, in his
daily prayers, to the blessing of the blessed QOD.

I will not again speak of the abundance of fowl
[i.e. wild fowl], store of venison, and variety of fish ;
which might incourage many to go in their persons.
Only I advise all such before hand to consider. That
as they hear of countries that abound with the good
creatures of GOD; so means must be used for the
taking of everyone in his kind: and therefore not
only to content themselves that there is sufficient ; but



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QoT. JB. Whitlow.



Good News from New England, 597



to foresee how they shall be able to obtain the same.
Otherwise, as he that walketh London streets, though
he be in the midst of plenty ; yet if he want means,
is not the better but hath rather his sorrow [is] increased
by the sight dE that he wanteth, and cannot enjoy.
So also there, if thou want art [8A>iU] and other
necessaries thereunto belonging; thou mayest see that
thou wantest and thy heart desireth, and yet be never
the better for the sama Therefore, if thou see thine own
insufficiency of thyself ; then join to some others, where
thou mayest in some measure enjoy the same : otherwise
assure thyself, thou art better where thou art !

Some there be that, thinking altogether of their
present wants [that] they enjoy \?fvtfff&r\ here, and not
dreaming of any there, through indiscretion, plunge
themselves into a deeper sea of misery. As for example,
it may be here [that] rent and firing are so chargeable
as, without great difficulty, a man cannot accomplish
the same : never considering that, as he shall have no
rent to pay, so he must build his house before he have
it ; and peradventure may, with more ease, pay for his
fuel here, than cut and fetch it home (, if he have not
cattle to draw it,) there ; though there is no scarcity,
but rather too great plenty [of it].

I write not these things to dissuade any that shall
seriously, upon due examination, set for themselves to
further the glory of GOD and the honour of our
country in so worthy an enterprise : but rather to
discourage such as, with too great lightness, undertake
such courses. Who peradventure strain themselves and
their friends for their passage thither; and are no
sooner there than, seeing their foolish imagination made
void, are at their wit's end : and would give ten times



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598 Good News from New Engkmd. oor. e. wuidow.

so much for their return, if they could procure it ; and
out of such discontented passions and humours, spare ^
not to lay that imputation upon the country and others,
which themselves deserve.

As for "example, I have heeurd some complain of
others, for their large [ample] reports of New &igland :
and yet because they must drink water, and want many
delicates %hey here enjoyed, could presently here return
with their mouths full of clamours. And casi any be
so simple, as to conceive that the fountains should
stream forth wine or beer; or the woods and rivers
be like butchers' shops, and fishmongers' stalls, where
they might have things taken to their hands ? If thou
canst not live without such things ;, and hast no means
to procure the one, and wilt not take pains for the
other; nor hast ability [Trumey] to employ others for
thee; rest where thou art! For as a proud heart, a
dainty tooth, a beggar's purse, and an idle hand be here
intoUerable : so that person that hath these qualities
there, is much more abominable.

If, therefore, GOD hath given thee a heart to
undexteke such courses, upon such grounds as hesx
thee out in all difficulties, viz. his glory as a principal
[motive]; and all other outward good things, but as
accessories ; which perad venture thou shalt enjoy, and
it may be not: then thou wilt, with true comfori
and thankfulness, receive the least of his mercies;
whereas, on the contrary, men deprive themselves of
much happiness, being senseless of greater blessings ;
and, through prejudice, smother up the love and bounty
of GOD — ^whose name be ever glorified in us, and by**
us, now and evermore. Amen.

FINIS.



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A BRIEF Relation of a credible iNrm^joENCE

OF THE PRESENT ESTATE OF VIRGINIA.

^T the earnest entreaty of some of my much
respected friends; I have added to the
former Discourse, a Relation of such things
as were credibly reported at Plymouth in
New England, in September [1623] last past, concerning
the present estate of Virginia.

And because men may doubt, how we should have
intelligence of these Affairs, [it] being we are so far
distant ; I will therefore satisfy the doubtful therein.

Captain Francis West, being in New England,
about the latter end of May [1623] past; sailed from
thence, to Virginia, and returned in August. In
September, the same ship and company, being discharged
by him at Damarin's Cove [The Damariscove islands,
off the coast of Maine], came to New Plymouth : where,
upon our earnest inquiry after the state of Virginia,
since that bloody slaughter committed by the Indians
jupon our friends and countrymen [on the 22nd March
1622]; the' whole ship's company agreed in this, viz.:

That, upon all occasions, they chased the Indians to
and fro; insomuch as they sued daily unto the English
for peace: who, for the present, would not admit of
any. That Sir George Yeardley, &c was, at that
present, employed upon service against them. That,
amongst many others, Qpechancanotjoh, the chief

599



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r'



6oo Good News from New England, got. b. window.

Emperor, was supposed to be slain. EQs son also was
killed at the same time.

And though, by reason of these forenamed broils,
in the fore part of the year [1623], the English had
undergone great want of food : yet, through QOD'b
mercy, there never was more show of plenty; having
as much, and as good, com on the ground as ever they
had. Neither were the hopes of their tobacco crop
inferior to that of their com. So that the Planters
were never more full of encouragement.

Which I pray QOD long to continue; and so to
direct both them and us, as his glory may be the
principal aim and end of all our actions: and that
for his mercy's sake. Amen.



A POSTCBIPT.




^F any man desire a more ample Relation of
the state of this country before such time
as this present Relation taketh place ; I refer
them to the two former printed books :
The one published by the President and
CJouncil for New England \A brief Relation
of the Discovery cmd PlarUation of New
Engkmd, 1607 to 1622. London, 1622, 4], and
The other gathered by the inhabitants of
this present Plantation at Plymouth in New
England [i.e, the Relation, or Journal, reprinted
at pp. 395-505].
Both which books are to be sold by John Bellamy,
at his shop, at the Th/ree golden Lions, in Comhill, near
the Royal Exchange.



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INDEX

OF THB

Principal Pebsons, Places, etc.

Societies, Buildings, Districts, Streets &c. will be found under the
name of the town — as under Amsterdam, Leyden, London, Plymouth
in N.E., Scrooby, &c.

N.E.=New England.



A., E. — see Aldee, E.

A.,H. — see Ainsworth,
Rev. H.

Abbadakest, a Sachem
of Massachusets
(Boston)Bay, [Is this
a variant spelling of