CHAP. II.
New England.
As Canada is by some accounted a general Province, containing New France, L’Accadie, Norumbega, and other places, so under Virginia largely taken, are comprehended New England, New Netherlands, and Virginia properly so call’d; however, since that part which vulgarly goes under the Name of Virginia and New England were possess’d, if not discover’d, at several times, and their Plantations promoted and propagated upon several occasions, and by distinct Interests, and since New England hath been look’d upon as a place considerable enough for Persons of very eminent quality to concern themselves in it, we rather are induc’d to consider this Countrey as a principal part, than as any way depending on, or being any Branch or Portion of Virginia.
Situation of New England.
It lies between Norumbega, which it hath Northward, and New Netherlands Southward, from forty one to forty five Degrees of Northern Latitude, in the midst of the temperate Zone, and paralell to France and some part of Italy in the Western Hemisphere, so that one would think it should enjoy the same temperature of Air; but the contrary is found, for that part which borders upon the Sea is colder, partly by reason that the Sea-waves break the reflexion of the Sun-beams, partly by reason of the abundance of Vapors, which mounting upward, abate the ardor of them; but the more Inland parts of the Countrey are indifferently warm: Moreover it hath been found by certain experience, that those Countreys which look towards the East, or Sun-rising, are colder than those which lie towards the West, or Sun-setting, and those that have the Evening Winds on them, warmer than those which have the Morning Winds; which being so, it should follow, that the temperature of the Air in those Regions is peculiar to the Bodies of those of our Nation, who being accustom’d to a Climate somewhat temperate, are neither able to endure extremity of Cold, nor immoderate Heat: Yet there are who affirm, that New England, though situate in the midst of the temperate Zone, nevertheless feels both extremities of the two opposite Zones, in the Summer the heat of the Torrid, and in the Winter the cold of the Frigid.
First discovery.
As for the first discovery of this Countrey, it is not to be expected otherwise than that of the discovery of those other Countreys hitherto discours’d of, that is to say very uncertain; but because the French boast of Joannes Verrazanus (who though an Italian, was employ’d by the French King Francis the First) as the first Discoverer, not onely of Nova Francia, as hath been already intimated, but also of this Countrey and the adjoyning Coast and Regions, we shall not think it impertinent to give from their own Relations, a brief view of his Voyage, and afterwards a particular Description of the English Plantations there, and of their Transactions, both one with another, and between them and the Nations. The Narration of Verrazanus’s Voyage is as followeth:
Remarkable Voyage of Verrazanus.
“On command of the French King Francis the First, John Verrazanus, Anno 1524. setting Sail Westward from the Canary Isles, discover’d a low American Coast, in thirty four Degrees North Latitude, inhabited by naked People, which behind the sandy Hills facing the Sea, Manur’d many fruitful Plains. Then Sailing a hundred Leagues along the Shore Northerly, he view’d a Countrey full of Vines, which grew up amongst the Boughs of high Trees; and Sailing up a pleasant River, Landed on the Island Clandia, full of woody Mountains: thence he stood for the main Continent; where after having visited a King, Clad in wrought Deer-skin, he Sail’d by a Bay, at whose Mouth appear’d a Rock in an Inlet, twenty Leagues; where appear’d five small Isles, all of them exceeding fruitful. After this (being got a hundred and fifty Leagues to the Northward) he found very salvage People, whose Heads appear’d through Bear-skins and Sea-Calves. By this time having Terreneuf on his Starboard, he return’d back to Diepe.”
Thus far Verrazanus made some discovery of the Coast, which hath since not onely been farther inspected by the English, but also by them Planted and call’d New England.
The setling of Plantations.