The first that discover’d New Guinee, Anno 1529. was Alvares de Savedra, who, as also several others besides him, suppos’d that some of the Islands Solomons border New Guinee.
Eighteen of the many Solomon Isles exceed the rest, of which some are three hundred Leagues in circumference, some two hundred, others one hundred, and some fifty: All that are inhabited have a fruitful Soil, producing all manner of Provisions, particularly Hogs and Poultrey. The Natives differ very much one from another, for some are black, others white or tawny.
The fore-mention’d Hawkins in his Voyage towards the Straights of Magellan, supposing it by estimation to be fifty Leagues from the Main Coast of America, discover’d forty Degrees to the Southward of the Equinoctial Line, with a Westerly Wind, the unknown South-Land; which he found to consist of low Land, and to be inhabited, by reason of the many Fires which he saw ashore in the Night.
The Spanish Commander, Peter Fernandes de Quiro, and the Admiral Lodowick Paes de Torres, have made a farther Discovery of this Countrey; for Landing on the South-Land, they met with several People, some whereof were brown, others white, and others sallow; some had long and lank, others short and curl’d Hair: They acknowledg’d no King or supream Governor, nor were Govern’d by any Laws, neither had they any Wall’d Towns or Forts; but being divided amongst themselves, they continually Encountred one another with Darts, Clubs, and Staves. Their Houses built of Wood, were cover’d with the Leaves of Palm-Trees. Their Housholdstuff consisted in Earthen Dishes, Pots, Ropes, Fish-nets, Flutes, Drums, and varnish’d Spoons. Their Gardens were neatly kept. Near their Temples were Burying-places. They Row’d very swift in little Boats. Their Bread, well tasted, was made of long thick Roots, either roasted or boyl’d.
Fertility, Plenty, and Riches of the Countrey.
Here also grow sorts of Platano’s, great abundance of Almonds, Oranges, Citrons, thick Sugar-Canes, Palm-Trees, which yield Wine, Cocoa’s, and Obos, in taste not much unlike Quinces; but the greatest benefit which they receive, is from the Cocoa Nuts, the Pulp whereof is delicious Meat and Drink; the outermost Shells whereof serve for Cups or Dishes, the inner for Ropes and Cordage; of the Leaves they make Sails and Mats, and cover their Houses with the same; of the Body, Oars, Clubs, Pikes, and Props for their Houses.
Besides several sorts of Pot-herbs, here grow very high Coleworts and Bledo’s.
The Countrey also abounds with Pigeons, Partridges, Ducks, Goats, Hogs, and other ordinary Cattel and Fowls.
The Rivers afford them Souls, Salmon, Thornback, Sea-Cocks, Eels, Gurnets, and several other unknown Fishes, very delicate and wholsom.
This Countrey also produces Nutmegs, Mastick, Peppers, Ginger, Cinamon, Gold, Silver, Pearls, Silk, Sugar, Anniseed, Honey, Wax, Ebony-wood, Turpentine, Lime-pits, and Marble.