An Appendix, (continued 2)

Tasman Sailing from hence to Moa, came to an Anchor before the Coast, ten Leagues beyond Jamna, where a great Boat, carrying seventeen Men, coming near the Ship, let flie a great many Arrows at the Seamen; but the next Morning being better reconcil’d, they came aboard, where the Chirurgeon of the Ship gave a Cap to one of the Jamneans, who, as a testimony of his thankfulness for the Present, requested him to sit down; which done, he began to braid his Hair from his Forehead to his Neck, tying the same with a String.

Tasman weighing Anchor, Sail’d between New Guinee and the Island Insou, having got nothing but a few Jamnean words from the Islanders, who call’d a Bone, Vertilia; a Hog, Paro; a Knife, Sapera; Beads, Sassera; a Nail, Tortor; Sleep, Moeni; and a Rat, Asphoo. So steering his Course along Arimoa, which is both higher and larger than the neighboring Amoa, and resembles a Seaman’s Cap, he left New Guinee a Stern of him, and Steering on Northerly, Sail’d by Schoutes-Island, where eight large Boats came within Gun-shot of him, each of which had on each side a Wing, under which sat four Rowers, two and two together, with their Feet hanging in the Water; at their approaching near the Ship they put out a long Pole, with a white Flag upon it; whereupon Tasman also commanded his white Ensign to be put forth, and threw a String of Beads, ty’d to a piece of Wood, out of his Cabbin Window; which the Southlanders had no sooner taken up, but in testimony of thankfulness they all broke their Arrows over their Heads, and kept near the sides of the Ship, till such time as the Boatswain thereof sounded a Trumpet, upon the hearing of which they all Row’d away with as much speed as they could possibly. These People were of a sallow Complexion; they broke their Arrows with great Ceremony; for first they pointed with them towards the Skie, then put them into the Water, and breaking each Arrow in two pieces on their Heads, they threw one over the Larboard, and the other over the Starboard; he that broke the Arrow, made a long Speech to the Hollanders, who took the same for an Oath of their Fidelity toward them. In every one of these Boats were twenty eight or thirty Men.

Tasman’s farther Voyage into New Guinee.

660Tasman prosecuting his Voyage farther, discover’d the following day another Island, and a crooked Arm of New Guinee, near which he judg’d might be an Opening betwixt New Guinee and Gilolo; then leaving on his Starboard a great many blind Cliffs, dangerous Shelves, and uneven Grounds, he cast Anchor near a Rock, which at high Water was overflow’d. A Boat coming near the Ship, in which were six Men, whose long Hair hung down their Backs, one of them amongst the rest standing up, call’d to the Hollanders in the Ternaren Language, saying, What People? to which a Seaman, who understood and spake the said Language, answer’d, Spaniards: whereupon he ask’d, From what Countrey, and whither bound? to which he was answer’d, From Moa to Ternata: The Southlander hereupon reply’d, You are Deceivers, the Ship is not Spanish, but Holland make; whereupon Tasman caus’d the Prince of Orange’s Flag to be put out, which the Southlander no sooner saw, but he cry’d, It appears by your Flags that you are Hollanders, who are always more welcom to us than Spaniards: However, though the Seaman acknowledg’d his mistake, in saying they were Spaniards; yet the Southlanders would not stay within shot of them, but at their Rowing away cry’d aloud, Here is abundance of Pisang, Clappes, Potato’s, Sugar-Canes, and other Fruits on Shore.

From hence Tasman Sail’d Northerly between many Isles, and a Channel that separates New Guinee from Gilolo, by Cerani, Manipe, Bolao, and Burro, to a narrow Opening, where Pangesane being on his Larboard, rose with exceeding high Rocks, as Botton on the Starboard. These Rocks are most of them overgrown with Trees and Brambles. In the middle of this Channel also lies a Rock, for its shape call’d A Galley, by which Tasman Sailing, bent his Course homeward, and at last, on the fifteenth of June, Anno 1643. cast Anchor before Batavia.

CHAP. V. Terra Borealis, or The Artick Region.

Having spoken something of the Terra Australis Incognita, or Unknown South-Land, there remains something to be said of the opposite part, namely, the Terra Borealis, or the Artick Region; which is call’d Incognita in like manner as the Terra Australis, in regard, though very much, as well of the one as of the other, hath been search’d into, and in part discover’d by several Voyagers, yet doubtless there is a very vast Tract of Land, in the Artick Region especially (if it be not rather Sea,) which is altogether unknown, and those parts which have been discover’d, as Groenland, Iseland, Nova Zembla, Spilbergen, Hudson’s Straights and Bay, &c. so imperfectly known, that they may well deserve the Title of Unknown.

The several parts of this Artick Region are, 1. Terra Subpolaris Incognita, or that part which lies directly under the Pole, and is otherwise call’d Orbis Arcticus. 2. Groenland. 3. Spilbergen, or Nieuland. 5. Iseland. 6. Nova Zembla.

A Description of Terra Subpolaris.

The Terra Subpolaris is describ’d by a certain Seaman of Bosleduc, to be a great black Rock, about thirty five Leagues in compass, and of an extraordinary heighth; through the Land adjoyning to which the Sea violently breaking, makes four great and violent Euripi, or Whirlpools, whose Waters driving Northward with so forcible a Stream, that no Ship, though carry’d by never so strong a Gale, is able to stem the Current, are at last swallow’d up in the Earth. It is also reported, 661that between two of these Euripi, namely that made by the Scythick Ocean, and that on the back side of Groenland, there lieth an Island Northward of Lappia and Biarmia, inhabited by Pygmies. Much more to this purpose is related of the Subpolar Region, but since it is very improbable that any one could come so near as to make any discovery thereof, to say more of this Matter, would be but to insist upon things favoring more of Fables than Reality.

Bounds and Situation of Groenland.

Groenland is that part of Terra Septentrionalis, which winds about from South to East, and decline Northward from Cape Faruel, in the Deucaledonian Sea; however, Groenland hath been generally taken for an Island; yet many late Navigators think it joyns with the Continent of Tartary, and others leave it in doubt whether it be Island or Continent: It is bounded towards the East with the Deucaledonian Ocean; towards the West, with Hudson’s Straights and Bay, which separate it from America; towards the North its Bounds are altogether unknown, and is not without reason suppos’d to be the utmost part of the World towards the North Pole. There are who believe it to be one Continent with America, and that upon this ground, because several who have attempted to pass through the Straight commonly call’d The Straight of Davis, into the East-Indies, affirm, that they found it to be a Gulph; but one Captain John Monk, who was also a great Undertaker in the North-West Passage through this Straight, or Gulf of Davis, alledges great Probabilities of this Lands being divided by Sea from the Continent of America.

The Topography of Groenland from the Danish and Iseland Chronicles.

This Countrey hath anciently been divided into two Regions, East-Groenland and West-Groenland; answerable to which Division Errick, surnam’d The Ruddy, the Son of Torvalde, is reported by the Danish Chronicle to have built two Forts or Lodges, Ostrebug and Westrebug, in the Eastern part. The first Planters of Christianity built the City Garde, which became, as the said Chronicle mentions, a City of great Repute and Traffick, and not long after, the Town Albe, and towards the Sea-Coast, a Monastery, dedicated to St. Thomas. The City Garde was a Bishop’s See, to which belong’d a Cathedral Church, by the Title of St. Nicholas, built in the same City, though a certain Iseland Chronicle makes mention of the Church of Strosnes, as the chief Metropolitan and Bishop’s See of Groenland. The Bishop assisted oftentimes in the Assembly of the Estates of Denmark, and held of the Bishop of Nidrosia or Drunthen in Norway, as the Temporal Estate of Groenland held of the Crown of Norway, the Norwegians being the onely known Planters of this Countrey, deriving their Original from the aforesaid Errick, according to the testimony of Mr. Vormius, and also of Angrimus Jonas, in his Specimen Islandicum, and the Vice-Roy of Norway, the Nomophylax (as the said Angrimus calls him,) or Sovereign Judge of the Countrey. The Inhabitants of Westreburg, or the Western Coast of Groenland, are by some call’d Skreglinguers. According to the Iseland Chronicle, the Towns and Places of chief note are Skageford, in the most Eastern part; a little farther West the Port of Funchebuder, so call’d from a Page of St. Olaus King of Norway, who together with several others were cast away upon that place; a little higher, the Roansen, full of white Bears, and other wild Beasts. In the Western Coast, Kindelfiord, an Arm of the Sea; on the right Shore whereof stands Korsekirk, i. e. a Church built cross-ways; also the Town Vandalebug, and not far off a Monastery, dedicated to St. Olaus and St. Augustine; the next Place is Rumpesinfiord, where there is a religious Convent, and divers little Islands, in which are Springs of Water, warm in the winter, and temperate in the Summer, which are accounted Medicinal and of great Vertue in the curing of divers Maladies; upon the same Coast lies Etsnatsfiord; between which and Rumpesinfiord is the Palace Fos, and a great Church, dedicated to St. Nicholas; near the Promontory Clining is another great House call’d 662Daller, and beyond Eynatsfiord, a great Island denominated Reynatsen, from the abundance of Rein-Deer which breed there: In the same Island is a Quarry of the Stone Talguestin, not consumable by Fire, and yet soft enough to be cut into any form, insomuch that Vessels have been made of it, containing twelve Tun. More Westerly lies the Island Langen, and another Royal House call’d Hellestad, then Erricksfford, another Arm of the Sea, and at the Entrance thereof, the Island Herrieven, part whereof belongs to the Dome, or Cathedral, and the other part to the Church of Dunes, the principal Church of Groenland, next to the Cathedral. North-West from Erricksfiord is Midfiord, and farther Northward, Bondeford; near which are several little Isles and Ports. Between Ostrebug and Westrebug is a large Desart, altogether uninhabited.

This Description of the Countrey, Extracted from the Iseland Chronicle, is look’d upon by a late French Writer of note, as the most particular and faithful; however, the Danish Chronicle differs in many things, and amongst others in this, that not the hundredth part of Groenland is possess’d by the Norwegians, but that there inhabit several different sorts of People, of different Fashions and Governments, altogether unknown to the Norwegians.

Temperature of Groenland.

Groenland, notwithstanding its Northerly Situation, is reported to be a Countrey not unfertile of Corn, and other Productions of the Earth; and in respect of its verdant Aspect at some Seasons of the Year, above the rest of those Septentrional Regions, it is concluded to have merited the Name of Groenland, i.e. Greenland; nay, so great is the Heat that is said to be there during the Moneths of June, July, and August, by reason of the reverberation of the Sun-beams from the Rocks, that many times there is but six Weeks space betwixt Seed-time and Harvest.

What sort of Animals breed there.

The Beasts, which are said to breed here in great numbers, are Horses, Deer, Foxes, Hares, Bears, both black and white, common Wolves, and a sort of Beast between a Deer and a Wolf, besides great store of Beavers and Martins, as the Iseland Chronicle testifies, whose Furr in fineness may compare with the Sables of Russia. There are also Gerfalcons in abundance, both white and grey, of so delicate a kind, that they were in ancient times sent to the Kings of Denmark as Presents of great rarity.

The Seas about Greenland abound in very many sorts of Fish, as Sea-Wolves, Sea-Dogs, Sea-Calves, and above all, incredible numbers of Whales of a vast bigness.

Strange kind of Horn found there.

But the most remarkable Commodity of this Countrey, is a kind of Horn, commonly call’d the Licornes, or Unicorns-Horn, which is found there in great quantities, and great store of it is to be seen in Denmark, some whole, some in great pieces, sometimes onely the Ends or Stumps; but since it appears very different from all other kind of Horn, there is great Question made amongst Naturalists, whether it be Horn or Tooth? and if Horn, whether the Horn of a Beast or Fish? but it is discover’d of late to be the Horn, or rather Tusk of a certain Fish, which the Islanders call Narhual, being indeed a kind of Whale, as the Name seems to imply; signifying a Whale which feeds upon Carcases.

The chief Voyagers thither.

This Countrey is call’d by the Natives, Secanunga; who was the first Discoverer thereof is not certainly known, but the first chief Voyagers thither were, of the Dutch, William Barents, or Barentson, of Amsterdam, who set forth towards those Parts in the Year 1594. and before him, Dithmar Blefkens, in the Year 1563. of the English, Mr. James Hall, who set out from Copenhagen in Denmark, Anno 1605. and in a second Voyage was slain by a Salvage of the Countrey.

The Coastings, Havens, and Creeks of Groenland.

The Coastings, Courses, Havens and Creeks of Groenland, according as Barentson 663receiv’d an Account of them from Iver Boty, a Groenlander written in the Norsh Language, as it is call’d, are as followeth: From Stad in Norway, to Hornness, the East part of Groenland, it is seven days Sailing. Between Iseland and Groenland lieth a Riff call’d Gombornse-skare, the Ice lying upon which, hindreth the Passage. Those that Sail from Bergen in Norway South of Rokeness in Iseland, come under Swafster, a Promontory, or high Land in the East part of Groenland, and within sight of the high Mount Whitsark; between which and Groenland lieth a Headland, call’d Hernoldus Hook, not far from Sound-Haven, formerly much frequented by the Norway Merchants. Those that Sail from Iseland to Groenland, Steer to Snoffness, West of Rokeness, and after South-West. East of Hernoldus Hook lieth the Village of Skagenford, the most Easterly Village of the Island; East of Skagenford, the Haven Bearford, inaccessible by Ships, by reason of a great Riff lying at the Mouth thereof. This Place is chiefly remarkable for the Whale-fishing, the Whales upon the going back of the Tide running into a great Swalth, as they call it, which is in the Haven. East of Bearford is the Haven call’d Allabong Sound, full of little Isles. East from the Icy Mountain, the aforemention’d Haven Fendobothes. Farther East is the Highland Corse Hought, where they Hunt white Bears. West from Hernoldus Hook is the Village Codosford, and hard by the Sea-Coast, a fair Church, which we conceive to be the same with Korsekirk above spoken of, as Codosford may also probably be the same with Kindelfiord. A little farther West lieth the Boy, or Town of Wartsdale (for in the Norsh Language Boy signifies a Town,) belonging to Petresuik, or Peterswike Church: Near this Boy or Town standeth a Cloyster, or Abbey of Canons Regular, dedicated to St. Olafe and St. Augustine. Next to Codosford is Rompnesford, the same questionless with the above-mention’d Rumpesinfiord, where there is a Cloyster of Nuns of the Order of St. Benedict: In this Ford lie many small Isles. Between Rompness and the next Sound lieth a great Garden call’d Vose, belonging to the King of the Countrey, as also St. Nicholas Church before mention’d. At the entrance into Emnestnesford is the Inlet Southwoderswike, and somewhat higher on the same side, the little Cape Bloming, beyond the Inlet Granwike; above that, the Garden call’d Daleth, belonging to the Cathedral Church; and on the right-hand to those that Sail out of the said Sound, a great Wood belonging to the same Church, where they feed their Oxen, Kine, and Horses. The Highland lying by Emestnesford, is call’d The Ramas Hayth, from the Rain-Deer which use to be there Hunted: And hereabouts is that sort of Stone of which they make large Fats or Cisterns, as hath been before intimated; it is by some call’d the Zevell-Stone, being a sort of Marble, or (as some will have it) Load-stone, of all colours. West from this lieth another Highland, call’d Long-Highland. The next Sound is call’d Swalterford, having a Church belonging to it of the same Name, and where there is also a Garden belonging to the King, call’d St. Hentelstad. Next to that lieth Erricksford, and at the entrance thereof the Highland Erricks Hought, belonging to Deverskirk, the first Parochial Church in Groenland. North-West from Erricksford, is Megdenford. Farther out is a Church call’d Scogelkirk; and farther in the Sound, Leadenkirk. Beyond Erricksford is another Ford or Sound, by the Name of Fossa, belonging to the Cathedral Church; and to the North of it, two Villages, Ever-boy and Forther-boy. From thence farther North lieth Bredaford; and after that Lormontford; and from thence Westward, Icedeep. To the North of the Westland lieth a spacious Wilderness, call’d Hemel Hatsfelt, and Edg’d with massie Rocks and Cliffs towards the Sea side; beyond which the Sea is innavigable, by reason of the many Swalgen, or Whirlpools thereabouts.

In Groenland there are divers Hills, wherein are Silver-Mines, multitudes of white 664Bears, with red Patches on their Heads; also white Hawks, and all sorts of Fish. There are moreover in the Countrey divers Rivers, frozen up for the most part of the Year, and cover’d with Ice; yet it is generally affirm’d, that it is not so cold there as in Norway or Iseland. On the Hills are said to grow Acorns and Nuts, very well tasted, and as big as Apples; also as good Wheat as is commonly produc’d in other Parts.

An Account of Groenland from Dithmar Blefkens his Journal.

In the Journal of Dithmar Blefkens’s Voyage, mention is made of a certain blind Monk, brought up in the Monastery of St. Thomas, who reported several memorable things concerning this Countrey, as that it was call’d Groenland antiphrastically, or by contrariety of Speech, as appearing seldom or never green; and that it abounded with Bears and white Foxes, and was not without Pygmies and Unicorns, which never appear’d till after the Sun was entred into Aries; that in the said Monastery of St. Thomas there was a Fountain of scalding Water, which was convey’d through Pipes of Stones to the Monks several Cells, and serv’d them not onely for Stoves, but for the dressing of their Meat, which was as well boyl’d by means of this Water, as if it had been over a real Fire, and that the Walls of the Monastery were made of a kind of Pumice-stone, upon which if Water were pour’d, it would produce a slimy Matter, commonly us’d in stead of Lime for Mortar, like the Stone of Mount Hecla in Iseland; that two of these Pygmies, a Male and a Female, were kept by the Abbot, and were both endu’d with perfect humane Shape, and overgrown with Hair, even to the outermost Joynts of their Fingers, the Male especially, who had a Beard reaching down to his Knees, but that they seem’d wholly devoid of Reason and Understanding, nor had any distinct use of Speech, onely made a semblance of Hissing of the manner of Geese; lastly, he reported the duration of the Lives of these Creatures to be answerable to the shortness of their Stature; but that concerning their Wars with the Cranes, he had no other knowledge than by Tradition.

From Mr. James Hall’s Description.

The Description of Groenland left by Mr. James Hall, renders it a high, mountainous, and craggy Region, sufficiently water’d with Rivers, and provided with good Harbors, of a Soil not unfertile in all places where he came, having between the Mountains fruitful Valleys and pleasant Plains, abounding with several sorts of Fowl, as Partridges, Pheasants, Sea-mews, Gulls, Crows, &c. but of Beasts, chiefly black Foxes, and (as was conjectur’d by the plenty of Harts-horns found about their Tents) Rein-Deer, yet not destitute of other Beasts, the Vestigium of one whereof was found to be not less than eight Inches over.

As for the Manners and Customs of the Natives, they are by the said Description represented to be a kind of Samoid, or wandring People, still moving from place to place, warlike and active, using Slings and Darts with marvellous dexterity, of a brown Complexion for the most part, and of an indifferent Stature, eating their Meat either quite raw, or onely a little parboyl’d, Clothing themselves with the Skins of such Beasts, or other Creatures, as they kill, especially Seals, or some of the largest size of Fowls, which they Dress very smooth and soft, turning the Feather or Hair side outwards in Summer, and inward in Winter. Their Weapons Bowes, Slings, and Bone or Iron-headed Darts; their Religion Idolatrous, but chiefly Sun-Worship, as was gather’d from their manner of Accost, when any of the English first approach’d them, for they us’d to point up to the Sun, as chief Author of their felicity, and then beat their Breasts, crying, Iliont, which seem’d to signifie as much as I mean no harm, and would not come near till those that met them did the like. Their Houses built of Whales Bones, and the Baulks thereof with Whales Ribs, and cover’d with Earth, but the best sort with Seal-Skins, having Vaults or 665Rooms under Ground, four-square, and two Yards deep in the Earth. Their manner of Burial, a Pile of Stones thrown over the Corps, being first wrapt up in Seal-Skins.

First Discovery of Spilbergia or Greenland.

Spilbergia, so call’d by the Hollanders, from Spilbergen, whom probably they reckon to have been the first Discoverer of it, is the same that we vulgarly call Greenland, and which Sir Hugh Willoughby (if not the first of all, yet at least the first of the English that discover’d any thing of these Parts) nam’d King James’s New-Land. The said Sir Hugh Willoughby set forth Anno 1553. in the Bona Esperanza, accompany’d with two Ships more, viz. the Bonaventure, Richard Challoner Captain, and the Bona Confidentia, and after some time of Coasting up and down those Northern Seas, he Landed with his Company upon the Place, where staying a few days, he sent three Men three days Journey into the Countrey South-West, and three more as far full West, who all, after much hardship in their Travelling, return’d without having met any People by the Way, or seen the least appearance of any Habitation. Sailing hence back for Lapland, they were all frozen to death in the Haven Arzina.

Fotherby’s Description of Greenland.

A Description of Greenland by one Mr. Robert Fotherby, represents the Nature of this Place contradictory to its Name, as before was observ’d of Groenland: “For certainly (saith he) no part of the World, yet known and discover’d, is less Green than this, both the Mountains and Low-lands being cover’d with Snow till the beginning of June. The Countrey, which is for the most part mountainous, bearing neither Grass nor Tree, save onely Heath or Ling, as it is call’d in the North parts of England, which grows upon the Moors or Heathy Grounds when the Snow begins to melt, and on which in Summer the Deer feed themselves fat in one Moneth; but how they live in the Winter, is a thing beyond any Man’s skill to comprehend, especially during the Sun’s absence under the Horizon, which in the Latitude of seventy seven Degrees continues from the eighteenth of October to the fourth of February.”

This Countrey is by many suppos’d never to have been inhabited by Men, yet not altogether uncapable of affording Habitation to such as would bring with them sufficient defensive Weapons against Hunger and Cold: For other Animals, it is found, by the testimony of those that have been upon the Place, not to be destitute; for besides Deer before mention’d, there have been seen Bears and Foxes; and of wild Fowl, Cuthbert Ducks, Willocks, Stints, Sea-Pigeons, Sea-Parrots, Gulls, Noddies, &c.

The Southermost part of Greenland, call’d Point Look-out, stands in seventy six Degrees and thirty Minutes. The West side of the Land was discover’d by the first Voyagers Northward as far as eighty Degrees and odd Minutes, and in that compass six or eight good Harbors for the Whale-fishing; the East side as far as seventy eight Degrees, with divers Islands, both great and small, yielding good Harbors, and store of Whales and Sea-Horses.

The Voyages of Jonas Pool and others to Greenland.

In the Year 1610. Jonas Pool, Master of the Amity fell in with this Land in May, and continu’d upon the Coast, discovering of Harbors, and killing of Morses, till June following: and he is said to have been the first that gave this Countrey the Name of Greenland. The next year he set out again, accompany’d with Thomas Edge, Commander of the Mary Margaret; And since many other Voyages have been made as to a Place known, and a great Trade driven in catching of Whales, not without several Contests with the Dutch and Danes, but nothing of late discover’d considerable more than in the first Voyages. The Harbors, Sounds and Coastings most taken notice of, are Fair Foreland, Cape Cold, Black-Point, Horn-Sound, Knotty-Point, Bell-Sound, Lowness, Cross-Road, Deer-Sound, Fowl-Sound, Close-Cove, Gurnet-Nose, Ice-Sound, and Green-Haven.

Cherry-Island.

666There are few that have Sail’d to Greenland, but make great mention of Cherry Island, so call’d, as having been first discover’d at the Charges of Sir Francis Cherry, an eminent Merchant; by others Bear-Island, from the multitude of Bears found there; it lies in the Latitude of seventy four Degrees, and is noted for store of Fowl, Foxes like Dogs, and upon the Coasts great store of Whales, Sea-Horses, and Morses: It is also said to be furnish’d with Lead-Mines, and Pits of Sea-Coal.

Situation and first Discovery of Iseland.

Iseland, so call’d from the continual Ice which is upon it, is a craggy mountainous Countrey; and not onely the Hills, but a great part of the Low-land cover’d with perpetual Snow: It is of a Form somewhat oblong, lying between the fifty fourth and fifty ninth Degree of Northern Latitude, having Norway on the East, the Orcades and Scotland on the South, Grenland on the West, and the Hyperborean, or frozen Sea on the North. It is by Olaus Magnus suppos’d to be twice as big as Sicily, that is to say, about a hundred Leagues in length. It is the most known, and most througly discover’d of all the Countreys of the Artick Region, and is said to have been first found out and peopled in the Year of our Lord 900. by certain of the Nobility of East-Frisia in the Countrey of Breme, in the time of Alebrand, Bishop of that Countrey; but whether or no utterly unpeopled till that time, is a Question not easie to be determin’d, though in all probability so obvious a Place to be found out, could not lie so long totally uninhabited. Not long after several Colonies of Norwegians Setled themselves, some in Hitland, some in Ferow, others (following the Example of these Bremers) in Iseland. The Countrey is full of Rocks and Stones, and (as is credibly reported) not a cultivated Field or Garden in the whole Island, and by consequence no sort of Corn, yet the People living without either Bread or Salt, are very strong, and of a good Complexion: Neither is there a Tree to be seen, except the Birch, which likewise grows but in one place, and exceeds not the heighth of a Man, by reason of the violence of the Winds; yet there is said to be great plenty of Butter, the Grass being so fat, that the Oxen are not suffer’d to stay long at a time in the Pastures for fear of bursting. Till of late there was neither Town, nor any thing that could be call’d a Village, in the whole Island, but stragling Cottages here and there, not above three or four together in a place, most by the Sea side for the convenience of Fishing; they were built pretty deep in the Ground, but artificially fram’d of Whales Bones, with Seats, Benches, and other Utensils of the same; now sometimes they use Fir to the same purpose, which is cast upon the Coast by the force of the Sea from Tartary or elsewhere. For want of Vessels, they lay their Butter in Heaps in the Corners of their Houses like Mortar. In the Winter, wanting Fodder, they feed their Cattel with Fish. Besides these Cattel, which are Kine without Horns, Horses onely fit for carrying of Burthens, and very large Sheep, there are store of white Foxes, and huge Bears of the same colour, and a sort of rough Dogs, very well known, and frequent amongst us by the Name of Shocks, which the Islanders esteem not a little, and will part with their Children at a far easier rate: They keep neither Hogs nor Poultrey, for want of Grain to feed them.

Many Rivers in Iseland.

The Rivers belonging to this Island are many, and those not unpleasant, affording to the Inhabitants plenty of Fish, especially Sturgeon, Trouts, and Salmons; and one is especially remarkable for a Bridge made over it, which being the onely Bridge of the Countrey, is made of the great Bones of a Whale. The whole Island is one continu’d Desart, without any trodden Path or Road from one end to the other; so that all that have occasion to travel to any part thereof by Land, make use of the Compass, as if they were Voyaging by Sea.

Strange Fish on the Coast of Iseland.

The Coast of Iseland hath many strange and monstrous Fish worth observation, 667as first the Orca, which though nothing near so big as the Whale, yet is able to be the death of it; for being of the shape of a Ship turn’d upside-down, and having sharp long Fins on its Back, it pricks the Belly of the Whale therewith till it kills.

The next is the Hackfall, which is very fat, and about twelve Inches long.

Then the Dog-Fish, which lifting up its Head out of the Sea, Barks, and letting forth its young ones, receives them into her Belly again, when they have sported a while in the Sea.

Lastly, another Monster, of a most frightful shape, mention’d by Olaus Magnus, but not by any particular Name.

Strange Fountains.

In divers Parts of the Island are Fountains of scalding Water, which as soon as taken from the Fountain begins to cool, and when cold, hath a sulphury Substance swimming on the top.

At the West end is a smoaky Fountain, very cold, and turning all that is cast into it into Stone.

At the place upon the Sea call’d Turlocks Haven, are two Fountains of different quality, the one hot, the other cold, which by Pipes being brought together into one place, make a Bath of an excellent temperature, and of a medicinal Vertue.

Not far from Haven Halneford is a Cliff in a Rock of an unknown depth, and no Water to be discern’d by those that look down into it, but if a Stone be cast in, it shall make a noise for half an hour together, as if it were striking against a Brazen Vessel, and all this while the Water will be rising till it comes up to the brim, and then will be so long sinking again as the Stone was falling.

Mountains of Iseland.

There are also three Mountains in Iseland not to be left unmention’d, the Mountain of the Cross, the Mountain Snenelstockel, and the Mountain Hecla; the two first are chiefly considerable for their wonderful heighth, and for the dreadful noise of Thunder which is heard on the top of them, when in the adjacent parts below, the Air is calm and clear; the third lying in the North of the Island, and not very high, is one of the most prodigious Vulcans in the World, for the casting forth of Flames, black Ashes, and Pumice-Stones, insomuch that there is no possibility of Habitation within six Miles of it round about; and it is a receiv’d Opinion of the Inhabitants, that it is the place of Torment for the Souls of the Damned; from whence there hath risen such a company of strange Stories and Fables, that it would make up a Volume of it self to relate them. The occasion of the great Eruption of this Mountain is not without much reason imputed to the inflammation of the Sulphur, of which there are several Mines or Pits in the Countrey, though none of any sort of Metal.

First planting of Christian Religion here.

Waldemarus, King of Denmark and Norway, being consequently Master of this amongst the other Norwegian Colonies, Planted the Christian Religion in this Island in the Year of Christ 1398. and Ordain’d two Bishops, one in Schalholden, in the East part, another in Hollen, in the West; and after the Reformation was begun, Christianus, King of Denmark, took care to propagate the Reformed Doctrine there, as well as in other parts of his Dominions; and to that end sent over a Printer thither, that the BIBLE, together with the Works of Philip Melancthon and Urbanus Regius, might be publish’d in the Vulgar Tongue of the Countrey. But these Proceedings were mainly oppos’d by the Bishop of Schalholden, who animating the People to Rebellion, they slew the King’s Lieutenant: Whereupon the next Year Paul Holfelt, a Knight of the Danish Order, being sent over with an Army, overthrew the Rebels, and taking off the chief Heads of the Rebellion, committed the Charge of the Government to another Nobleman of Denmark, whom he left upon the Place. But one Tadde Bonde, a great Man of the Countrey, meditating a Revolt, 668drew divers Persons of principal note into Conspiracy with him, and was advancing to a formidable Power, had not the Bishop given continual Intelligence of their Proceedings to the King’s Lieutenant, who thereupon employ’d Agents to the chief Accomplices of the Faction, and what with fair Means and threatnings so wrought with them, that they return’d to their Obedience, and forsook Todde, insomuch that he flying with a small Party, betook himself to a fastness at the Foot of Heckelveld, where being hemm’d in, those about him were slain, and he himself taken Prisoner; and because no Man to whose safe custody he was offer’d durst receive him, so much dreaded was his Power, one Jonas, a bold courageous Fellow, slew him with his own Hand, and thereby put an end to all farther Tumults and Seditions.

The People Iseland addicted to Sorcery and Superstition.

So much have the People of this Island been ever addicted to Sorcerie and Superstition, that notwithstanding the Profession of Christianity, and the frequent Preaching against those Sins, especially since the Reformation, the generality of them are still wedded to many of those old diabolical Customs, which were practis’d there in time of Paganism; and amongst other things they are said to be serv’d, many of them, by Spirits, which constantly attend them, and as Olaus Magnus writes of the Finlanders, they are oftentimes dealt with by Strangers, to sell them prosperous Winds for Money, and (doubtless by the help of the Devil) perform the same; as also on the contrary, they are said by their Enchantments to stop the Course of a Ship, and make it as it were immovable, though in the Stream of never so prosperous a Gale. They are a proud, haughty People, and for the most part endu’d with vast strength of Body; their Habit so promiscuous, that neither Sex can be distinguish’d by it. They are not onely forward to prostitute their Daughters to those Germans that Trade with them at Hafnefords, but that Virgin who hath had to do with a German, shall be sure to be so much the more esteem’d and Courted.

Towns and Places of note.

The onely Towns and Buildings of note here, and those created but of late Ages, are 1. Hafnefords, a Haven Town, chiefly frequented by Dutch Merchants for Traffick with the Natives.

2. Bedstede, the Residence of the Lord Lieutenant or Governor for the King of Denmark.

3. The Bishops See of Halsar, having four Monasteries belonging to it, viz. Pingore, Remestede, Modor, and Monkeniere.

4. The Bishops See of Schalholt, to which also doth belong four Monasteries, viz. Vedey, Pernebar, Kirkebar, and Schirde.

Their Place and manner of Judicature.

The Nobles of Iseland are call’d Bonden; their Justiciaries or Judges, being twelve in number, Lochmaders, that is, Men of Law or Justice, who are said to meet once a year on the twenty ninth of June, to administer Justice in a place ordain’d for that purpose in the midst of the Island, appearing like some feigned Paradice, so pleasant a place it is represented to be at that time of the year, being (as the Tradition goes) from a high burning Mountain like Hecla, consum’d to a Plain, and so environ’d with Rocks, that there was left but a small Passage for one at a time to enter. Here the Governor having first given the Charge, leaves the Trial of all Matters to the Lochmaders, who having diligently heard every Cause argued on both sides, withdraw for a while to Consult together, and then proceed to Sentence, the same Persons being both Jury and Judge; but if any Case of difficulty or scruple arise, they consult the Governor.

Angrimus Jonas’s Relation of Iseland.

Angrimus Jonas’s Relation of Iseland differing much from what hath been deliver’d by Blefkens, is not to be omitted. He saith it was first discover’d by one Naddocus, a 669Pyrate, who going towards the Farensian Islands, was cast by Tempest upon the Shore of East-Iseland, near the Mountain Reidarfial; and as he departed from the Coast, perceiving the tops of the highest Mountains cover’d with a very deep Snow, call’d the Island Snælandia, that is, Snowy Countrey.

Gardarus’s Voyage to Iseland.

Upon the fame of Naddocus’s Discovery, one Gardarus, the Son of Suavarus, a Swede, was desirous to make a Voyage thither, and arriving near the Eastern Shore, Winter’d in the Bay of Skialfanda, or North-Island, in the Year of our Lord 864. and call’d the Haven Huscawick, from the Houses or Wintering-places built there, as the next Haven to it was call’d Nartarawick, from Natrare, an eminent Mariner in this Expedition. Gardarus returning home about the beginning of the Spring, call’d the Countrey from his own Name Gardarsholm.

Flocco’s Voyage to the same Place.

The next that follow’d his Example, was one Flocco, a famous Pyrate, whose Daughter Geirhilda being drown’d upon the Coast of Schetland (anciently Hietland,) gave the Name of Geirhildarwata to the Sea thereabouts: Not having the use of the Mariners Compass, he made use of Ravens for the steering of his Course, and having sent forth two without success, by the guidance of the third he had sight of the Eastern side of the Island; and Steering Southward, he found a very wide Bay, between the Promontories Renkanes and Snæfesness; which Bay, from Faxa a Scottish Mariner that accompany’d him, he nam’d Faxaos, that is, The Mouth of Faxa, though from its many Havens it came afterwards to be term’d Hafnafiordur. Sailing along the West side of the Island, he entred the Bay Bredafiord, and took up his Quarters at Watnesfiordur, a Haven in the Province Bardostraund (for by these Names these Places came afterwards to be known:) Having stay’d here two Winters, he return’d back into Norway, and is said to have been the first that gave this Countrey the Name of Iseland, from the great quantities of Ice which fill’d the Seas thereabouts, he also gave it the Name of Rafnaflock, from the Ravens which serv’d him in stead of a Compass.

A Plantation setled in Ise by Ingulphus and Hiorleifus.

The last and most considerable Adventurer was Ingulfus, the Son of Orn, Duke of Fyrdafilace in Norway, who, together with his Cousin Hiorleifus, that Marry’d his Sister Helca, being adjudg’d to Banishment by Halsten (to the Award of whose Judgment they had submitted themselves) upon the slaughter of his two Brethren, Holmsten and Hersten, (these three Brethren were the Sons of Atlas, one of the prime Noblemen of Norway) in a Quarrel, wherein Halsten was chosen Umpire; and also detesting the Tyranny of Haraldus Pulchricomus, King of Norway, went over Gonfaloniere, or chief Leader of a great Colony of People, whom he rais’d for the setling of a Plantation in some foreign Countrey: Accompany’d with his Cousin Hiorleifus, he took Shipping for Iseland in the Year of our Lord 854. having been over to visit it about four years before; he Landed at a Promontory on the South Shore, which from him took the Name of Ingulfholde, and at Reicharwick setled his Habitation, while Hiorleifus seated himself at the Promontory by him call’d Hiorleifholda, where he built two very large Houses, each being about a hundred and thirty Foot long; then he set himself to Manure and Till the Ground, employing in that Work ten Slaves, whom he brought with him for that purpose out of Norway; but it was not long ere they traiterously set upon him and slew him by an Ambuscade which they had laid for him; after which they betook themselves to certain little Isles, which were nam’d Westmafyar, where before they had well nestled themselves, the whole Race of them were rooted out by Ingulphus, in revenge of his Kinsman’s Death. After this the Island grew daily more and more populous by the coming over of new Families from Norway; so that at this day it is a Place not the least considerable belonging to the Kings of Denmark.

670The ancient Inhabitants of this Place (for it is to be suppos’d that there were People here before the coming over of Ingulfus) were call’d Papæ or Pappæ, and the East side of the Island, Papey, which agrees very well with the Names of two little Islands on the Coast of Scotland, Pappa and Westrepappa, from which many conjecture, as also from several Crosses and Bells found upon the Place, that there hath been in former Ages a resort of the Irish, and of the People of the North-West parts of Scotland.

The Division of Iseland.

The Eastern Bound of Iseland is call’d Austurhorn; the Western, Randesandur; the Northern, Langanes; and the Southern, Reicranes. The Island being divided according to the four Quarters of the World, North-Island is sever’d from East-Island by the aforesaid Promontory of Langanes; from West-Island by Rutafiordur Bay; from South-Island, by vast and unpassable Desarts. Between South-Island and East-Island runneth the River Jocolsu, through the Desarts of Solseimasande. Between South-Island and West-Island a famous River nam’d Albis, which emptieth it self into the Bay of Bargarfiord.

Schetland the Thule of the Ancients.

’Tis a vulgar Opinion, that this Island is the same which the Ancients call’d Thule; but upon consideration it will appear, that by the Ultima Thule taken notice of by Virgil, Claudian, Statius, Pythias Massiliensis, Pliny, Seneca, Solinus, Tacitus, and others, is meant one of the British Isles, amongst which were comprehended the Isles on the North of Scotland, as the Orcades, and some others, the utmost of which we call Schetland, and is very probable to be this Ultima Thule of the Ancients.

Nova Zembla, when first discover’d.

Nova Zembla, lying under seventy six Degrees of Northern Latitude, and a hundred and twelve Degrees and twenty five Minutes of Longitude, and being reckon’d above two hundred Miles in length, was, together with the River Puora, and Straights of Weygats, discover’d, (and, as it is thought, first of all) by Stephen Burrough, who was sent out by the Muscovia Company in the Year 1556. to find out a Way to Cathay by the North-East.

Afterwards one Oliver Bunel, a Dutch-man, mov’d with the hope of Gain, went from Enkhuissen to Pecora; where (having first discover’d Costinfarca in Nova Zembla) he lost all by Shipwrack.

The States-General nothing discourag’d with the little success of these two Voyagers, sent forth two Ships under the Command of Hugo Linschot, to the Straights of Weygats, and two others under William Barrents, who were to go directly Northwards for Nova Zembla: Linschot went fifty Miles beyond the Straights, but the Northerly Winds and late Season of the year forc’d him to hasten back with all possible speed. William Barents and his Company were necessitated in the Year 1596. being not able to get off, in regard the Ice increas’d upon them more and more, to take up their Winter Quarters there in a Cottage, which they made a shift to cast up for their present necessity, having much ado to defend themselves against the Bears, that continually assaulted them.

Description of the Countrey.

This Countrey is generally deliver’d to be a barren and desart Countrey, full of Wood indeed, but the Boughs as bare of Leaves, as the Ground of Grass; also very incommodious to be travell’d through, by reason of its desartness, and the danger of Bears, great fierce Foxes, and such like ravenous Beasts, which feed onely upon Flesh, and which are the onely Beasts this Countrey harbors.

In a Journal of Mr. Henry Hudson, there is to be found a much more favorable Description of the Countrey: “Generally (saith he) the Land of Nova Zembla that we have seen, is to a Man’s Eye a pleasant Land, much Main High-land with no Snow on it, looking in some places green, and Deer feeding thereon, and the Hills partly cover’d with Snow, and partly bare.”

671It should seem to have been a receiv’d Opinion from the first Discovery of Nova Zembla, that it was inhabited by Pygmies, it being several times, in the Journals of some Voyages, mention’d particularly by the Name of The Land of Pygmies, but upon what certain Ground cannot in the least be discover’d; for we find not from the Russians (to whom the Place, by reason of its Vicinity, is probable to have been first known) any other Account of the Inhabitants, but that they are a People wholly destitute of civil Manners, and unlimited by Law or Religion, saving that they seem to give some kind of Adoration to the Sun, Moon, and North-star, and have some Qualities which speak them rational Creatures; whereas the Pygmies (if there be any such Creatures) are thought to have nothing of Humane but their Shape onely.

Willoughby-Island.

Besides Nova Zembla there is not far from it another Island, known by the Name of Willoughby-Island, from Sir Hugh Willoughby, the first Discoverer; they both are of the Dominions of the Czar of Russia.

Several Attempts for the discovery of the North-West Passage.

What hath been discover’d of Sea in the North or South parts of the World, is of no less Consequence than what hath been discover’d of Land, and the Straight of Hudson Northward, is no less considerable than the Straight of Magellan South; we shall therefore compleat this Discourse of the Artick Region with a brief Mention of what Capes, Bays, Sounds, &c. have been found out by those that have attempted to find a Passage by the North-West to the East-Indies.

Not to insist upon the fabulous Stories of King Arthur’s first conquering Ireland, and then Sailing into the Northern Seas, and subduing Scantia, Iseland, Groenland, and (as the Story saith) many other Islands beyond Norway even under the Pole, or of Malgo’s subduing Ireland, Iseland, the Orcades and Norway, or Octher’s Reports to King Alfred of his Voyages to the North-East parts beyond Norway, or the Voyages of the two famous Venetian Brethren, Nicolo and Antonio Zeni, or of Marcus Paulus Venetus, Odoricus and Vertomannus; the first English-man we hear of, that made an Expedition into those Northern Seas, was Sir Hugh Willoughby, before taken notice of for the Discovery of King James’s Newland and Willoughby-Island, in the Year of our Lord 1553.

Stephen Burroughs (as hath been intimated) discover’d amongst other Places, about the Year 1556. the Straight of Vaigats.

Queen Elizabeths Foreland.

Forbisher’s Straight.

In the Year 1576. Sir Martin Forbisher setting forth with two Barques, after he had been out about five Weeks, had sight of a High-land, which he nam’d Queen Elizabeths Foreland: Thence Sailing more Northerly to the heighth of about sixty two Degrees, he descry’d a great Sea or Inlet, which he entred, and thence it took the Appellation of Forbisher’s Straight. About two years after proceeding to a farther discovery of it, he entred a good way into it, and took possession of the utmost Place he went to for Queen Elizabeth, who thereupon gave it the Name of Meta Incognita.

Anno 1580. Arthur Pett and Charles Jackman were sent out by the Russian Company, to make a Discovery of the River Ob, and passing the Straight of Waigats, took particular observation of the Islands and Places there, but not being able to pass much farther, by reason of the Ice, towards the latter end of the year they return’d.

Davis’s Straight.

In prosecution of this Discovery to the North-West, Captain John Davis of Sandruge in Devonshire, made three Voyages; his first Anno 1585. his second, 1587. in which he met with many strange Adventures; but the main thing that accru’d 672from these Voyages, was the finding of a mighty Through-let between vast and desart Islands, to which his Name gave the Appellation of Fretum Davis, or Davis’s Straight.

The next that went upon this Design was Captain George Weymouth, who from the Year 1585 to 1602 made several Expeditions, which produc’d large Relations of strange Accidents that befell them, but little of Discovery farther than what had been made before.

Cape Christianus.

Mr. James Hall, very noted for his Voyages to Groenland, (which before was by Captain Davis call’d Desolation) at his falling in with that Place nam’d a Head-land from the then King of Denmark, Cape Christianus, which some think to be no other than Cape Farewel.

Anno 1606. Mr. John Knight was set out by the King of Denmark, of the Passages of whole Voyage little or nothing memorable is recorded.

Hudson’s Straight and Bay.

The next and most famous Attempter in the discovery of the North-West Passage, was Henry Hudson, who is said to have discover’d farther Northward to the Pole than any before him. From the Year 1607 to 1610 he made several Voyages, being set out by Sir Thomas Smith, Sir Dudley Diggs, and Mr. John Wostenholm, with others that were his great Friends, and Advancers of such publick Designs. In his last Voyage the Isles of Gods Mercy, Prince Henry’s Foreland, King James’s Cape, Queen Annes Cape, Diggs’s Island, Cape Wostenholm, The King’s Foreland, Mount Charles, Cape Salisbury, &c. were first taken notice of and nam’d, and, which were his principal Discoveries, and therefore worthily retaining his Name, Hudson’s Straight and Bay; but in his return homeward he was set upon in his Cabbin by one Green, Wilson, and others of their Conspiracy, and together with his Son John Hudson, Tho. Widdows, Arn. Ludlow, Sidrach Faner, and two or three more, was put over into a small Shallop, in which they were forc’d to seek their Fortune, and in all likelihood perish’d, for they were never heard of after. Not long after Green going on Shore upon a strange Island, was shot from an Ambuscade of Salvages into the Heart; the like End had Wilson, and three more of the Conspirators dy’d of their mortal Wounds, the rest with much ado got home in a very sick and weak Condition, through the Hardships they had sustain’d, and want of Provisions.

There was also another Hudson, who Anno 1608. went to the heighth of eighty one Degrees, and gave Names to certain Places, which continue to this day, as Whale-Bay, Hackluit’s Headland, and Hudson’s Touches.

Button’s Bay.

By the Assistance of Prince Henry, and those other Noble Persons above mention’d, Captain Thomas Button set out in the Year 1612. and is said to have pass’d Hudson’s Straight, and leaving Hudson’s Bay to the South, to have Sail’d two hundred Leagues South-Westward over a Sea above eighty Fathoms deep, which at length he discover’d to be another great Bay, since call’d Button’s Bay; He is said also to have discover’d a great Continent, which he call’d New Wales.

Baffin’s Bay.

Several other Voyagers there were in this great Attempt of the North-West Passage, as Captain Gibbons, Robert Bylot, William Baffins, and Captain William Hawkridge, who though they all came short of the main Enterprize, yet every one found out some new Cape, Bay, or Promontory, or open’d a farther Passage than had been before, as Bylot made known Cape Comfort; Baffin, the Inlet call’d from him Baffins Bay, as also Sir James Lancaster’s Sound; Hawkridge, a farther Passage into Lumly’s Inlet.

From the Year 1616. to 1631. the Business slept, and then a Voyage was undertaken by Captain Luke Fox, who at his Return gave very good hopes and encouragement, that the Work, so long in prosecution, was not impossible to be effected; nevertheless, by reason of the late troublesom Times it was again wholly laid 673aside for almost forty years; but in the Year 1668. several Persons of Honor undertook to revive the Work, and so that purpose furnish’d out two Ships, which set forth in June, and return’d about the beginning of October the Year following, giving so satisfactory an Account of their Voyage, that in the Year 1670. the same Adventurers thought fit to send out two Ships more, so furnish’d, as to endure a Wintering there, which they did, with greater hopes than ever of finding out the North-West Passage, besides a handsom Cargo of rich Furrs, which made it more than a saving Voyage; so that ’tis suppos’d this will not be the last Attempt, but that another will suddenly follow. And it may well be observ’d, that nothing considerable hath been done, in this grand Enterprize, but by the English.

A brief View of what Places are posses’d at this day in the West-Indies by the English, Spaniards, French, Portuguese, and Dutch.

The English possess in Northern America, New England, the Bay of Trinity, Chincet, and a part of Terra Nova, or New-found Land; Virginia, part of Florida, now call’d Carolina, the Bermudas, or Summer-Islands, New Holland, which they took from the Dutch An. 1664. with New Amsterdam and Fort Orange; Terra Mariæ, or Mary-Land, part of the Isles call’d Lucaies; among the Antillæ or Caribbee-Islands, Barbados, Anguilla, part of St. Christophers, Montserrat, Nieves or Mevis, Antego, Dominico, and St. Vincent; the Isle of St. Catherine, otherwise call’d Providence, Jamaica, the Isles of Curacao and Trinity, several Colonies at Surinam and Sinamari, with several Forts upon the Coast of Guiana; and lastly, the Haven Porto Bello, once the Spaniards.

The Spaniards possess the greatest and best part of America, wherein they have a vast number of very considerable Towns. In Northern America they have 1. New Spain, in which are the Audiences of Mexico, Guadalajara, and Guatimala. 2. The Islands Cuba and Hispaniola (excepting some parts towards the West, which are in possession of the French), Boriquen, &c. also St. Augustine and St. Matthew in Florida, and a part of New Mexico. In Southern America, Castilla d’ Oro or Golden Castile, otherwise call’d Terra Firma, in which are the Audiences of Panama, and the new Realm of Granada; next Peru, in which are the Audiences of Quito, Lima, and La Plata; lastly, Chili and Paraguay, which comprehends the Countreys of Tucuman and La Plata.

The French have in Canada, or Nova Francia, Montreal, the Rivers Quebeck, Tadousack, and some Places upon the great River of St. Lawrence; also Accadie, or Nova Scotia, the Isle of Cape Breton, with the Fort St. Peter, from whence they Traffick to Nepigiquit, with the Salvages of that Coast; part of the Isle of Terre-Neuve, Pemptagoet, St. Jean, Port-Royal, and other Fortresses. Among the Caribbee-Islands, part of St. Christophers, St. Bartholomew, St. Crux, St. Martin, Guadalupe, Deseado, Marigalante, Todos los Sanctos, Martinico, St. Alousie and Granada; likewise some Colonies on the West of Hispaniola. Upon the Continent of Southern America, on the Coast of Guiana, the Isle Cayene, where stands the Fort of St. Michael de Ceperoux, now Fort Louis; also the Colonies of Mathouri and Armire, Courrou, Coonama and Comaribo.

The Portuguese possess all the Coast of Brasile in Southern America, with several Capitania’s or Præfectures thereof.

The Dutch have onely the Isles of St. Eustace and Saba, the Town of Coro in Terra Firma, the Colonies Boron, Esquib, Berebie, Aperwaque, and others, on the Coast of Guiana.

FINIS.