Nova Albion was so denominated by Sir Francis Drake, when he was there Entertain’d by the King of that Countrey; but whether it were in Quivira that he was thus Entertain’d, and left that Denomination, or in the Island of California, appears not either from the Relation, or from the common Consent of Cosmographers, since some there are, who will have Quivira and Nova Albion to be one and the same Province; others reckon it to be the utmost North-West part of California; others make it distinct from Quivira, yet determine it not to the Island California, seeming rather to make it an adjoyning Countrey to Quivira: wherefore finding little else that concerns the Description of the Place, except the said Voyage of Drake, we shall here set it down, and leave the farther Disquisition concerning the Situation of the Place, till we come to describe the Island of California it self.
Sir Francis Drake’s Arrival there.
Captain Francis Drake set Sail from Plymouth Anno 1577. and after much hardship getting through the Straights of Magellan, arriv’d in the Haven Guatulco, having before his coming thither taken as many rich Spanish Ships in the Southern Ocean as he could possibly have wish’d for, so that his onely care now needed to have been how to get safe home; yet he put on a Resolution, not to come short of Ferdinandus Magellanus, who Saild about the World. Which brave Resolution of Drake’s was approv’d of by all his Sea-men; whereupon he set Sail along the North of California the fifth of June; being gotten into forty two Degrees, which was the farthest that Cabrillo went, he came on a sudden out of a warm Air into so frigid a Climate, that the Sea-men were almost kill’d with Cold, and the farther they went, the colder it grew; wherefore falling down three Degrees more Southerly, they got into a convenient Haven, where the Natives who liv’d along the Shore brought them Presents; which Drake left not unrequited, by returning them others, that were to them more novel, and not unuseful.
Nature and Habit of the People.
These People are exceeding hardy; for, notwithstanding the extraordinary coldness of the Climate, the Men go naked; but the Women wear Garments of pleited Flags or Rushes, which being put about their Middle, hang down to their Ancles; on their Stomachs hang the ends of a hairy Skin ty’d together, which hanging also over their Shoulders, cover their hinder Parts. They shew great Respect and Obedience to their Husbands. Each House is surrounded with an Earthen Wall, and all the Corners thereof being close stopp’d, and Fires made in the midst of them, they are very warm. Rushes and Flags strow’d thick on the Ground near the Walls, serve them in stead of Beds.
The Indians coming a second time to Visit the English, brought them Plumes of Feathers, Neckbands of Net-work, and store of Tobacco: Drake pleas’d with this their kindness, built Tents on the Brow of a Hill, on the top of which the Indians stood that brought the Presents, whil’st one of them with a loud voice maintain’d a long Discourse; which he had no sooner ended, but every one laid down his Bowe and Arrows, and walk’d unarm’d down to the Tents to proffer their Gifts: their Wives staying behind on the top, pinch’d their Cheeks, and made sad lamentation; which Drake suppos’d was because they made Offerings there: whereupon he also caus’d all his Men to kneel down and say their Prayers, which made the Indians to look very earnestly upon them, and to return him the Presents which the day before they had receiv’d of him.
Drake’s Entertainment by the King of the Countrey.
The rumour of these Strangers arrival spreading all over the Countrey, made the Inhabitants far and near desirous to see them; the King himself sending Ambassadors to Drake, to inform him that he was on the Way coming to see him; all which the Agents related at large, and desir’d some Presents, as a testimony that their King should be welcome; which he being assur’d of, came with a Retinue of above twelve thousand Men, before whom walk’d one of a Gygantick size, carrying a costly Scepter, on which, by three long Chains made of Bones, hung a great and a small Crown made of Feathers; next follow’d the King himself in a Sute of Cony-Skins; then came a great confus’d company of People, each of them carrying a Present: whereupon Drake putting his Men into good order, march’d to meet the King; at which the Mace-bearer made a long Preamble, and when he had done, Danc’d to the Tune of a Song, which he Sung himself; then the King and his whole Retinue also fell a Singing and Dancing so long, till being weary the King went to Drake, and humbly desir’d of him, that he would accept of the Realm, assuring him, that all the People should be under his Obedience; which said, he put the fore-mention’d Crown on his Head, and hanging three double Chains about his Neck, call’d him Hioh: whereupon Drake took possession of the Countrey in Queen Elizabeths Name. The King staying alone with Drake, his Retinue went amongst the English, every one looking very earnestly upon them, and to those whom they lik’d best, being the youngest, they falling down and crying, proffer’d Offerings, as to Gods, and held their Cheeks to draw Blood out of them; which the English refusing, they desisted; but shew’d them great Wounds, and desir’d some Plaisters of them, which they suppli’d them with.
A Monument erected by Drake before his departure.