There are in all of vs both old and new Planters about three hundred, whereof two hundred of them are setled at Nehumkek, now called Salem: And the rest haue planted themselues at Masathulets Bay, beginning to build a Towne there which wee doe call Cherton, or Charles Towne.
We that are setled at Salem make what haste we can to build Houses, so that within a short time we shall haue a faire Towne.
We haue great Ordnance, wherewith wee doubt not but wee shall fortifie our selues in a short time to keepe out a potent Aduersary. But that which is our greatest comfort, and meanes of defence aboue all other, is, that we haue here the true Religion and holy Ordinances of Almightie God taught amongst vs: Thankes be to God, wee haue here plenty of Preaching, and diligent Catechizing, with strickt and carefull exercise, and good and commendable orders to bring our People into a Christian conuersation with whom wee haue to doe withall. And thus wee doubt not but God will be with vs, and if God be with us, who can be against us?
Here ends Master Higgeson’s Relation of
New-England.
A Letter sent from New-England, by Master Graues,
Engynere now there resident.
THus much I can affirme in generall, that I neuer came in a more goodly Country in all my life, all things considered: if it hath not at any time beene manured and husbanded, yet it is very beautifull in open Lands, mixed with goodly woods, and againe open plaines, in some places five hundred Acres, some places more, some lesse, not much troublesome for to cleere for the Plough to goe in, no place barren, but on the tops of the Hils; the grasse & weedes grow vp to a man’s face, in the Lowlands & by fresh Riuers aboundance of grasse and large Meddowes without any Tree or shrubbe to hinder the Sith. I neuer saw except in Hungaria, vnto which I alwayes paralell this countrie, in all our most respects, for euery thing that is heere eyther sowne or planted prospereth far better then in old England: the increase of Corne is here farre beyond expectation, as I haue seene hereby experience in Barly, the which because it is so much aboue your conception I will not mention. And Cattle doe prosper very well, and those that are bredd here farr greater then those with you in England. Vines doe grow here plentifully laden with the biggest Grapes that euer I saw, some I haue seene foure inches about, so that I am bold to say of this countrie, as it is commonly said in Germany of Hungaria, that for Cattel, Corne, and Wine it excelleth. We haue many more hopefull commodities here in this countrie, the which time will teach to make good vse of: In the meane time wee abound with such things which next vnder God doe make vs subsist, as Fish, Foule, Deere, and sundrie sorts of fruits, as musk-millions water-millions, India-Pompions, Indian-Pease Beanes, & many other odde fruits that I cannot name; all which are made good and pleasant through this maine blessing of God, the healthfulnesse of the countrie which far exceedeth all parts that euer I haue beene in: It is obserued that few or none doe here fal sicke, vnless of the Scuruy that they bring from aboard the Ship with them, whereof I haue cured some of my companie onely by labour. [Thus making an end of an imperfect Description, and committing you to God, &c.
A Catalogue of such needefull things as euery Planter doth or ought to prouide to go to New-England
as namely for one man, which being doubled, may serue for as many as you please, viz.
Victuals for a whole yeere for a man, and so after the rate for more.
8 Bvshels of meale.
2 Bushels of pease.
2 Bushels of Otemeale.
1 Gallon of Aquavitæ.