In Lieu
Whereof He Made Offer To Gratify Them With Any Favour And Privilege,
Which Upon Their Better Advice They Should Demand, The Like Being Not
To Be Obtained Hereafter For Greater Price.
So craving expedition of
his demand, minding to proceed further south without long detention in
those parts, he dismissed them, after promise given of their best
endeavour to satisfy speedily his so reasonable request.
The merchants
with their masters departed, they caused forthwith to be discharged
all the great ordnance of their fleet in token of our welcome.
It was further determined that every ship of our fleet should deliver
unto the merchants and masters of that harbour a note of all their
wants: which done, the ships, as well English as strangers, were taxed
at an easy rate to make supply. And besides, commissioners were
appointed, part of our own company and part of theirs, to go into
other harbours adjoining (for our English merchants command all there)
to levy our provision: whereunto the Portugals, above other nations,
did most willingly and liberally contribute. In so much as we were
presented, above our allowance, with wines, marmalades, most fine rusk
or biscuit, sweet oils, and sundry delicacies. Also we wanted not of
fresh salmons, trouts, lobsters, and other fresh fish brought daily
unto us. Moreover as the manner is in their fishing, every week to
choose their Admiral anew, or rather they succeed in orderly course,
and have weekly their Admiral's feast solemnized: even so the General,
captains, and masters of our fleet were continually invited and
feasted. To grow short in our abundance at home the entertainment had
been delightful; but after our wants and tedious passage through the
ocean, it seemed more acceptable and of greater contentation, by how
much the same was unexpected in that desolate corner of the world;
where, at other times of the year, wild beasts and birds have only the
fruition of all those countries, which now seemed a place very
populous and much frequented.
The next morning being Sunday, and the fourth of August, the General
and his company were brought on land by English merchants, who shewed
unto us their accustomed walks unto a place they call the Garden. But
nothing appeared more than nature itself without art: who confusedly
hath brought forth roses abundantly, wild, but odoriferous, and to
sense very comfortable. Also the like plenty of raspberries, which do
grow in every place.
Monday following, the General had his tent set up; who, being
accompanied with his own followers, summoned the merchants and
masters, both English and strangers, to be present at his taking
possession of those countries. Before whom openly was read, and
interpreted unto the strangers, his commission: by virtue whereof he
took possession in the same harbour of St. John, and 200 leagues every
way, invested the Queen's Majesty with the title and dignity thereof,
had delivered unto him, after the custom of England, a rod, and a turf
of the same soil, entering possession also for him, his heirs and
assigns for ever; and signified unto all men, that from that time
forward, they should take the same land as a territory appertaining to
the Queen of England, and himself authorised under her Majesty to
possess and enjoy it, and to ordain laws for the government thereof,
agreeable, so near as conveniently might be, unto the laws of England,
under which all people coming thither hereafter, either to inhabit, or
by way of traffic, should be subjected and governed.
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