INTRODUCTORYNOTE
SirHumphreyGilbert，thefounderofthefirstEnglishcolonyinNorthAmerica，wasbornabout1539，thesonofaDevonshiregentleman，whosewidowafterwardmarriedthefatherofSirWalterRaleigh。HewaseducatedatEtonandOxford，servedunderSirPhilipSidney’sfatherinIreland，andfoughtfortheNetherlandsagainstSpain。AfterhisreturnhecomposedapamphleturgingthesearchforanorthwestpassagetoCathay，whichledtoFrobisher’slicenseforhisexplorationstothatend。
In1578GilbertobtainedfromQueenElizabeththecharterhehadlongsought，toplantacolonyinNorthAmerica。Hisfirstattemptfailed，andcosthimhiswholefortune；but，afterfurtherserviceinIreland，hesailedagainin1583forNewfoundland。IntheAugustofthatyearhetookpossessionoftheharborofSt。Johnandfoundedhiscolony，butonthereturnvoyagehewentdownwithhisshipinastormsouthoftheAzores。
ThefollowingnarrativeisanaccountofthislastvoyageofGilbert’s，toldbyEdwardHayes，commanderof"TheGoldenHind，"theonlyonetoreachEnglandofthethreeshipswhichsetoutfromNewfoundlandwithGilbert。
ThesettlementatSt。JohnwasviewedbyitspromoterasmerelythebeginningofaschemeforoustingSpainfromAmericainfavorofEngland。Theplandidnotprogressashehoped；butafterlongdelays，andunderfarotherimpulsesthanGilberteverthoughtof，muchofhisdreamwasrealized。
SIRHUMPHREYGILBERT’SVOYAGETONEWFOUNDLAND
AreportoftheVoyageandsuccessthereof，attemptedintheyearofourLord1583，bySirHumphreyGilbert，Knight，withothergentlemenassistinghiminthataction，intendedtodiscoverandtoplantChristianinhabitantsinplaceconvenient，uponthoselargeandamplecountriesextendednorthwardfromtheCapeofFlorida，lyingunderverytemperateclimes，esteemedfertileandrichinminerals，yetnotintheactualpossessionofanyChristianprince。WrittenbyMr。EdwardHayes，gentleman，andprincipalactorinthesamevoyage，[*]whoalonecontinueduntotheend，and，byGod’sspecialassistance，returnedhomewithhisretinuesafeandentire。
[*]Hayeswascaptainandownerofthe/GoldenHind/，Gilbert’sRear-
Admiral。
Manyvoyageshavebeenpretended，yethithertoneveranythoroughlyaccomplishedbyournation，ofexactdiscoveryintothebowelsofthosemain，ample，andvastcountriesextendedinfinitelyintothenorthfromthirtydegrees，orratherfromtwenty-fivedegrees，ofseptentrionallatitude，neitherhatharightwaybeentakenofplantingaChristianhabitationandregiment（government）uponthesame，aswellmayappearbothbythelittleweyetdoactuallypossesstherein，andbyourignoranceoftherichesandsecretswithinthoselands，whichuntothisdayweknowchieflybythetravelandreportofothernations，andmostoftheFrench，whoalbeittheycannotchallengesuchrightandinterestuntothesaidcountriesaswe，neitherthesemanyyearshavehadopportunitynormeanssogreattodiscoverandtoplant，beingvexedwiththecalamitiesofintestinewars，aswehavehadbytheinestimablebenefitofourlongandhappypeace，yethavetheybothwaysperformedmore，andhadlongsinceattainedasurepossessionandsettledgovernmentofmanyprovincesinthosenortherlypartsof/America/，iftheirmanyattemptsintothoseforeignandremotelandshadnotbeenimpeachedbytheirgarboilsathome。
Thefirstdiscoveryofthesecoasts，neverheardofbefore，waswellbegunbyJohnCabotthefatherandSebastianhisson，anEnglishmanborn，whowerethefirstfindersoutofallthatgreattractoflandstretchingfromtheCapeofFlorida，intothoseislandswhichwenowcalltheNewfoundland；allwhichtheybroughtandannexeduntothecrownofEngland。Sincewhen，ifwithlikediligencethesearchofinlandcountrieshadbeenfollowed，asthediscoveryuponthecoastandoutpartsthereofwasperformedbythosetwomen，nodoubtherMajesty’sterritoriesandrevenuehadbeenmightilyenlargedandadvancedbythisday；and，whichismore，theseedofChristianreligionhadbeensowedamongstthosepagans，whichbythistimemighthavebroughtforthamostplentifulharvestandcopiouscongregationofChristians；whichmustbethechiefintentofsuchasshallmakeanyattemptthatway；orelsewhatsoeverisbuildeduponotherfoundationshallneverobtainhappysuccessnorcontinuance。
Andalthoughwecannotpreciselyjudge（whichonlybelongethtoGod）
whathavebeenthehumoursofmenstirreduptogreatattemptsofdiscoveringandplantinginthoseremotecountries，yettheeventsdoshewthateitherGod’scausehathnotbeenchieflypreferredbythem，orelseGodhathnotpermittedsoabundantgraceasthelightofHiswordandknowledgeofHimtobeyetrevealeduntothoseinfidelsbeforetheappointedtime。Butmostassuredly，theonlycauseofreligionhithertohathkeptback，andwillalsobringforwardatthetimeassignedbyGod，aneffectualandcompletediscoveryandpossessionbyChristiansbothofthoseamplecountriesandthericheswithinthemhithertoconcealed；whereof，notwithstanding，GodinHiswisdomhathpermittedtoberevealedfromtimetotimeacertainobscureandmistyknowledge，bylittleandlittletoallurethemindsofmenthatway，whichelsewillbedullenoughinthezealofHiscause，andtherebytoprepareusuntoareadinessfortheexecutionofHiswill，againsttheduetimeordainedofcallingthosepagansuntoChristianity。
Inthemeanwhileitbehovetheverymanofgreatcalling，inwhomisanyinstinctofinclinationuntothisattempt，toexaminehisownmotions，which，ifthesameproceedofambitionoravarice，hemayassurehimselfitcomethnotofGod，andthereforecannothaveconfidenceofGod’sprotectionandassistanceagainsttheviolence（elseirresistible）bothofseaandinfiniteperilsupontheland；
whomGodyetmayuseasaninstrumenttofurtherHiscauseandglorysomeway，butnottobuilduponsobadafoundation。Otherwise，ifhismotivesbederivedfromavirtuousandheroicalmind，preferringchieflythehonourofGod，compassionofpoorinfidelscaptivedbythedevil，tyrannizinginmostwonderfulanddreadfulmannerovertheirbodiesandsouls；advancementofhishonestandwell-disposedcountrymen，willingtoaccompanyhiminsuchhonourableactions；
reliefofsundrypeoplewithinthisrealmdistressed；allthesebehonourablepurposes，imitatingthenatureofthemunificentGod，wherewithHeiswellpleased，whowillassistsuchanactorbeyondexpectationofmany。Andthesame，whofeeleththisinclinationinhimself，byalllikelihoodmayhopeorratherconfidentlyreposeinthepreordinanceofGod，thatinthislastageoftheworld（orlikelynever）thetimeiscompleteofreceivingalsothesegentilesintoHismercy，andthatGodwillraiseHimaninstrumenttoeffectthesame；
itseemingprobablebyeventofprecedentattemptsmadebytheSpaniardsandFrenchsundrytimes，thatthecountrieslyingnorthofFloridaGodhathreservedthesametobereducedintoChristiancivilitybytheEnglishnation。FornotlongafterthatChristopherColumbushaddiscoveredtheislandsandcontinentoftheWestIndiesforSpain，JohnandSebastianCabotmadediscoveryalsooftherestfromFloridanorthwardstothebehoofofEngland。
AndwhensoeverafterwardstheSpaniards，veryprosperousinalltheirsoutherndiscoveries，didattemptanythingintoFloridaandthoseregionsincliningtowardsthenorth，theyprovedmostunhappy，andwereatlengthdiscouragedutterlybythehardandlamentablesuccessofmanybothreligiousandvaliantinarms，endeavouringtobringthosenortherlyregionsalsoundertheSpanishjurisdiction，asifGodhadprescribedlimitsuntotheSpanishnationwhichtheymightnotexceed；asbytheirowngestsrecordedmaybeaptlygathered。
TheFrench，astheycanpretendlesstitleuntothesenorthernpartsthantheSpaniard，byhowmuchtheSpaniardmadethefirstdiscoveryofthesamecontinentsofarnorthwardasuntoFlorida，andtheFrenchdidbutreviewthatbeforediscoveredbytheEnglishnation，usurpinguponourright，andimposingnamesuponcountries，rivers，bays，capes，orheadlandsasiftheyhadbeenthefirstfindersofthosecoasts；whichinjuryweofferednotuntotheSpaniards，butleftofftodiscoverwhenweapproachedtheSpanishlimits；evensoGodhathnothithertopermittedthemtoestablishapossessionpermanentuponanother’sright，notwithstandingtheirmanifoldattempts，inwhichtheissuehathbeennolesstragicalthanthatoftheSpaniards，asbytheirownreportsisextant。
Then，seeingtheEnglishnationonlyhathrightuntothesecountriesofAmericafromtheCapeofFloridanorthwardbytheprivilegeoffirstdiscovery，untowhichCabotwasauthorisedbyregalauthority，andsetforthbytheexpenseofourlatefamousKingHenrytheSeventh；whichrightalsoseemethstronglydefendedonourbehalfbythepowerfulhandofAlmightyGodwithstandingtheenterprisesofothernations；itmaygreatlyencourageusuponsojustground，asisourright，anduponsosacredanintent，astoplantreligion（ourrightandintentbeingmeetfoundationsforthesame），toprosecuteeffectuallythefullpossessionofthosesoampleandpleasantcountriesappertaininguntothecrownofEngland；thesame，asistobeconjecturedbyinfallibleargumentsoftheworld’sendapproaching，beingnowarriveduntothetimeofGodprescribedoftheirvocation，ifevertheircallinguntotheknowledgeofGodmaybeexpected。WhichalsoisveryprobablebytherevolutionandcourseofGod’swordandreligion，whichfromthebeginninghathmovedfromtheeasttowards，andatlastunto，thewest，whereitisliketoend，unlessthesamebeginagainwhereitdidintheeast，whichweretoexpectalikeworldagain。ButweareassuredofthecontrarybytheprophecyofChrist，wherebywegatherthatafterHiswordpreachedthroughouttheworldshallbetheend。AndastheGospelwhenitdescendedwestwardbeganinthesouth，andafterwardbeguninthesouthcountriesofAmerica，nolesshopemaybegatheredthatitwillalsospreadintothenorth。
Theseconsiderationsmayhelptosuppressalldreadsrisingofhardeventsinattemptsmadethiswaybyothernations，asalsooftheheavysuccessandissueinthelateenterprisemadebyaworthygentlemanourcountryman，SirHumfreyGilbert，Knight，whowasthefirstofournationsthatcarriedpeopletoerectanhabitationandgovernmentinthosenortherlycountriesofAmerica。Aboutwhichalbeithehadconsumedmuchsubstance，andlosthislifeatlast，hispeoplealsoperishingforthemostpart：yetthemysterythereofwemustleaveuntoGod，andjudgecharitablybothofthecause，whichwasjustinallpretence，andoftheperson，whowasveryzealousinprosecutingthesame，deservinghonourableremembranceforhisgoodmindandexpenseoflifeinsovirtuousanenterprise。Wherebynevertheless，lestanymanshouldbedismayedbyexampleofotherfolks’calamity，andmisdeemthatGoddothresistallattemptsintendedthatway，Ithoughtgood，sofarasmyselfwasaneye-
witness，todeliverthecircumstanceandmannerofourproceedingsinthataction；inwhichthegentlemanwassounfortunatelyencumberedwithwants，andworsematchedwithmanyill-disposedpeople，thathisrarejudgmentandregimentpremeditatedforthoseaffairswassubjectedtotolerateabuses，andinsundryextremitiestoholdonacoursemoretoupholdcreditthanlikelyinhisownconceithappilytosucceed。
Theissueofsuchactions，beingalwaysmiserable，notguidedbyGod，whoabhorrethconfusionanddisorder，hathleftthisforadmonition，beingthefirstattemptbyournationtoplant，untosuchasshalltakethesamecauseinhandhereafter，nottobediscouragedfromit；
buttomakemenwelladvisedhowtheyhandleHissohighandexcellentmatters，asthecarriageisofHiswordintothoseverymightyandvastcountries。Anactiondoubtlessnottobeintermeddledwithbasepurposes，asmanyhavemadethesamebutacolourtoshadowactionsotherwisescarcejustifiable；whichdothexciteGod’sheavyjudgmentsintheend，totheterrifyingofweakmindsfromthecause，withoutponderingHisjustproceedings；anddothalsoincenseforeignprincesagainstourattempts，howjustsoever，whocannotbutdeemthesequelverydangerousuntotheirstate（ifinthosepartsweshouldgrowtostrength），seeingtheverybeginningsareenteredwithspoil。
AndwiththisadmonitiondenounceduponzealtowardsGod’scause，alsotowardsthoseinwhomappearethdispositionhonourableuntothisactionofplantingChristianpeopleandreligioninthoseremoteandbarbarousnationsofAmerica（untowhomIwishallhappiness），Iwillnowproceedtomakerelationsbriefly，yetparticularly，ofourvoyageundertakenwithSirHumfreyGilbert，begun，continued，andendedadversely。
WhenfirstSirHumfreyGilbertundertookthewesterndiscoveryofAmerica，andhadprocuredfromherMajestyaverylargecommissiontoinhabitandpossessathischoiceallremoteandheathenlandsnotintheactualpossessionofanyChristianprince，thesamecommissionexemplifiedwithmanyprivileges，suchasinhisdiscretionhemightdemand，verymanygentlemenofgoodestimationdrewuntohim，toassociatehiminsocommendableanenterprise，sothatthepreparationwasexpectedtogrowuntoapuissantfleet，abletoencounteraking’spowerbysea。Nevertheless，amongstamultitudeofvoluntarymen，theirdispositionswerediverse，whichbredajar，andmadeadivisionintheend，totheconfusionofthatattemptevenbeforethesamewasbegun。Andwhentheshippingwasinamannerprepared，andmenreadyuponthecoasttogoaboard，atthattimesomebrakeconsort，andfollowedcoursesdegeneratingfromthevoyagebeforepretended。Othersfailedoftheirpromisescontracted，andthegreaternumberweredispersed，leavingtheGeneralwithfewofhisassuredfriends，withwhomheadventuredtosea；where，havingtastedofnolessmisfortune，hewasshortlydriventoretirehomewiththelossofatallshipand，moretohisgrief，ofavaliantgentleman，MilesMorgan。
Havingburied，onlyinapreparation，agreatmassofsubstance，wherebyhisestatewasimpaired，hismindyetnotdismayed，hecontinuedhisformerdesignment，andpurposedtorevivethisenterprise，goodoccasionserving。Uponwhichdeterminationstandinglongwithoutmeanstosatisfyhisdesire，atlasthegrantedcertainassignmentsoutofhiscommissiontosundrypersonsofmeanability，desiringtheprivilegeofhisgrant，toplantandfortifyinthenorthpartsofAmericaabouttheriverofCanada；towhomifGodgavegoodsuccessinthenorthparts（wherethennomatterofmomentwasexpected），thesame，hethought，wouldgreatlyadvancethehopeofthesouth，andbeafurtheranceuntohisdeterminationthatway。Andtheworstthatmighthappeninthatcoursemightbeexcused，withoutprejudiceuntohim，bytheformersuppositionthatthosenorthregionswereofnoregard。Butchiefly，apossessiontakeninanyparcelofthoseheathencountries，byvirtueofhisgrant，didinvesthimofterritoriesextendingeveryway200leagues；whichinducedSirHumfreyGilberttomakethoseassignments，desiringgreatlytheirexpedition，becausehiscommissiondidexpireaftersixyears，ifinthatspacehehadnotgottenactualpossession。
Timewentawaywithoutanythingdonebyhisassigns；insomuchthatatlasthemustresolvehimselftotakeavoyageinperson，formoreassurancetokeephispatentinforce，whichthenalmostwasexpiredorwithintwoyears。Infurtheranceofhisdetermination，amongstothers，SirGeorgePeckham，Knight，shewedhimselfveryzealoustotheaction，greatlyaidinghimbothbyhisadviceandinthecharge。Othergentlementotheirabilityjoineduntohim，resolvingtoadventuretheirsubstanceandlivesinthesamecause。Whobeginningtheirpreparationfromthattime，bothofshipping，munition，victual，men，andthingsrequisite，someofthemcontinuedthechargetwoyearscompletewithoutintermission。Suchwerethedifficultiesandcrossaccidentsopposingtheseproceedings，whichtooknotendinlessthantwoyears；manyofwhichcircumstancesIwillomit。
Thelastplaceofourassembly，beforeweleftthecoastofEngland，wasinCawsetBay，nearuntoPlymouth，thenresolvedtoputuntotheseawithshippingandprovisionsuchaswehad，beforeourstoreyetremaining，butchieflythetimeandseasonoftheyear，weretoofarspent。Nevertheless，itseemedfirstverydoubtfulbywhatwaytoshapeourcourse，andtobeginourintendeddiscovery，eitherfromthesouthnorthwardorfromthenorthsouthward。Thefirst，thatis，beginningsouth，withoutallcontroversywasthelikeliest，whereinwewereassuredtohavecommodityofthecurrentwhichfromtheCapeofFloridasettethnorthward，andwouldhavefurtheredgreatlyournavigation，discoveringfromtheforesaidcapealongtowardsCapeBreton，andallthoselandslyingtothenorth。Also，theyearbeingfarspent，andarrivedtothemonthofJune，wewerenottospendtimeinnortherlycourses，whereweshouldbesurprisedwithtimelywinter，buttocovetthesouth，whichwehadspaceenoughthentohaveattained，andtheremightwithlessdetrimenthavewinteredthatseason，beingmoremildandshortinthesouththaninthenorth，wherewinterisbothlongandrigorous。Theseandotherlikereasonsallegedinfavourofthesoutherncoursefirsttobetaken，tothecontrarywasinferredthatforasmuchasbothourvictualsandmanyotherneedfulprovisionswerediminishedandleftinsufficientforsolongavoyageandforthewinteringofsomanymen，weoughttoshapeacoursemostlikelytoministersupply；andthatwastotaketheNewfoundlandinourway，whichwasbut700leaguesfromourEnglishcoast。Wherebeingusuallyatthattimeoftheyear，anduntilthefineofAugust，amultitudeofshipsrepairingthitherforfish，weshouldberelievedabundantlywithmanynecessaries，which，afterthefishingended，theymightwellspareandfreelyimpartuntous。NotstayinglonguponthatNewlandcoast，wemightproceedsouthward，andfollowstillthesun，untilwearrivedatplacesmoretemperatetoourcontent。
Bywhichreasonsweweretheratherinducedtofollowthisnortherlycourse，obeyinguntonecessity，whichmustbesupplied。Otherwise，wedoubtedthatsuddenapproachofwinter，bringingwithitcontinualfogandthickmists，tempestandrageofweather，alsocontrarietyofcurrentsdescendingfromtheCapeofFloridauntoCapeBretonandCapeRace，wouldfallouttobegreatandirresistibleimpedimentsuntoourfurtherproceedingforthatyear，andcompelustowinterinthosenorthandcoldregions。Wherefore，suppressingallobjectionstothecontrary，weresolvedtobeginourcoursenorthward，andtofollow，directlyaswemight，thetradewayuntoNewfoundland；fromwhence，afterourrefreshingandreparationofwants，weintendedwithoutdelay，byGod’spermission，toproceedintothesouth，notomittinganyriverorbaywhichinallthatlargetractoflandappearedtoourviewworthyofsearch。Immediatelyweagreeduponthemannerofourcourseandorderstobeobservedinourvoyage；whichweredeliveredinwriting，untothecaptainsandmastersofeveryshipacopy，inmannerfollowing。
Everyshiphaddeliveredtwobulletsorscrolls，theonesealedupinwax，theotherleftopen；inbothwhichwereincludedseveralwatchwords。Thatopen，servinguponourowncoastorthecoastofIreland；theothersealed，waspromisedonallhandsnottobebrokenupuntilweshouldbeclearoftheIrishcoast；whichfromthenceforthdidserveuntilwearrivedandmetalltogetherinsuchharboursoftheNewfoundlandaswereagreedforourrendezvous。Thesaidwatchwordsbeingrequisitetoknowourconsortswhensoeverbynight，eitherbyfortuneofweather，ourfleetdispersedshouldcometogetheragain；oroneshouldhailanother；orifbyillwatchandsteerageoneshipshouldchancetofallaboardofanotherinthedark。
Thereasonofthebulletsealedwastokeepsecretthatwatchwordwhilewewereuponourowncoast，lestanyofthecompanystealingfromthefleetmightbewraythesame；whichknowntoanenemy，hemightboardusbynightwithoutmistrust，havingourownwatchword。
OrdersagreeduponbytheCaptainsandMasterstobeobservedbythefleetofSirHumfreyGilbert。
First，TheAdmiraltocarryhisflagbyday，andhislightbynight。
2。Item，iftheAdmiralshallshortenhissailbynight，thentoshewtwolightsuntilhebeansweredagainbyeveryshipshewingonelightforashorttime。
3。Item，iftheAdmiralafterhisshorteningofsail，asaforesaid，shallmakemoresailagain；thenhetoshewthreelightsoneaboveanother。
4。Item，iftheAdmiralshallhappentohullinthenight，thentomakeawaveringlightoverhisotherlight，waveringthelightuponapole。
5。Item，ifthefleetshouldhappentobescatteredbyweather，orothermishap，thensosoonasoneshalldescryanother，tohoisebothtopsailstwice，iftheweatherwillserve，andtostrikethemtwiceagain；butiftheweatherservenot，thentohoisethemaintopsailtwice，andforthwithtostrikeittwiceagain。
6。Item，ifitshallhappenagreatfogtofall，thenpresentlyeveryshiptobearupwiththeAdmiral，iftherebewind；butifitbeacalm，theneveryshiptohull，andsotolieathulltillitclear。Andifthefogdocontinuelong，thentheAdmiraltoshootofftwopieceseveryevening，andeveryshiptoansweritwithoneshot；andeverymanbearingtotheshipthatistoleewardsonearashemay。
7。Item，everymastertogivechargeuntothewatchtolookoutwell，forlayingaboardoneofanotherinthenight，andinfogs。
8。Item，everyeveningeveryshiptohailtheAdmiral，andsotofallasternhim，sailingthroughtheocean；andbeingonthecoast，everyshiptohailhimbothmorningandevening。
9。Item，ifanyshipbeindangerinanyway，byleakorotherwise，thenshetoshootoffapiece，andpresentlytobringoutonelight；whereuponeverymantobeartowardsher，answeringherwithonelightforashorttime，andsotoputitoutagain；
therebytogiveknowledgethattheyhaveseenhertoken。
10。Item，whensoevertheAdmiralshallhangoutherensigninthemainshrouds，theneverymantocomeaboardherasatokenofcounsel。
11。Item，iftherehappenanystormorcontrarywindtothefleetafterthediscovery，wherebytheyareseparated；theneveryshiptorepairuntotheirlastgoodport，theretomeetagain。
OURCOURSE/agreedupon/。
ThecoursefirsttobetakenforthediscoveryistobeardirectlytoCapeRace，themostsoutherlycapeofNewfoundland；andtheretoharbourourselveseitherinRogneuxorFermous，beingthefirstplacesappointedforourrendezvous，andthenextharboursuntothenorthwardofCapeRace：andthereforeeveryshipseparatedfromthefleettorepairtothatplacesofastasGodshallpermit，whetheryoushallfalltothesouthwardortothenorthwardofit，andtheretostayforthemeetingofthewholefleetthespaceoftendays；andwhenyoushalldepart，toleavemarks。
BeginningourcoursefromScilly，thenearestisbywest-south-
west（ifthewindserve）untilsuchtimeaswehavebroughtourselvesinthelatitudeof43or44degrees，becausetheoceanissubjectmuchtosoutherlywindsinJuneandJuly。Thentotaketraversefrom45to47degreesoflatitude，ifwebeenforcedbycontrarywinds；andnottogotothenorthwardoftheheightof47
degreesofseptentrionallatitudebynomeans，ifGodshallnotenforcethecontrary；buttodoyourendeavourtokeepintheheightof46degrees，sonearasyoucanpossibly，becauseCapeRaceliethaboutthatheight。
NOTE。
IfbycontrarywindswebedrivenbackuponthecoastofEngland，thentorepairuntoScillyforaplaceofourassemblyormeeting。
IfwebedrivenbackbycontrarywindsthatwecannotpassthecoastofIreland，thentheplaceofourassemblytobeatBerehavenorBaltimorehaven。IfweshallnothappentomeetatCapeRace，thentheplaceofrendezvoustobeatCapeBreton，orthenearestharbouruntothewestwardofCapeBreton。Ifbymeansofothershippingwemaynotsafelystaythere，thentorestattheverynextsafeporttothewestward；everyshipleavingtheirmarksbehindthemforthemorecertaintyoftheaftercomerstoknowwheretofindthem。Themarksthateverymanoughttoleaveinsuchacase，wereoftheGeneral’sprivatedevicewrittenbyhimself，sealedalsoinclosewax，anddelivereduntoeveryshiponescroll，whichwasnottobeopeneduntiloccasionrequired，wherebyeverymanwascertifiedwhattoleaveforinstructionofaftercomers；thateveryofuscomingintoanyharbourorrivermightknowwhohadbeenthere，orwhetheranywerestillthereuphigherintotheriver，ordeparted，andwhichway。
Ordersthusdetermined，andpromisesmutuallygiventobeobserved，everymanwithdrewhimselfuntohischarge；theanchorsbeingalreadyweighed，andourshipsundersail，havingasoftgaleofwind，webeganourvoyageuponTuesday，the11dayofJune，intheyearofourLord1583，havinginourfleet（atourdeparturefromCawsetBay）
theseships，whosenamesandburthens，withthenamesofthecaptainsandmastersofthem，Ihavealsoinserted，asfolloweth：——1。The/Delight/，aliasthe/George/，ofburthen120tons，wasAdmiral；inwhichwenttheGeneral，andWilliamWinter，captaininherandpartowner，andRichardClarke，master。2。Thebark/Raleigh/，setforthbyMasterWalterRaleigh，oftheburthenof200tons，wasthenVice-
Admiral；inwhichwentMasterButler，captain，andRobertDavis，ofBristol，master。3。The/GoldenHind/，ofburthen40tons，wasthenRear-Admiral；inwhichwentEdwardHayes，captainandowner，andWilliamCox，ofLimehouse，master。4。The/Swallow/，ofburthen40
tons；inherwascaptainMauriceBrowne。5。The/Squirrel/，ofburthen10tons；inwhichwentcaptainWilliamAndrews，andoneCade，master。
Wewereinnumberinallabout260men；amongwhomwehadofeveryfacultygoodchoice，asshipwrights，masons，carpenters，smiths，andsuchlike，requisitetosuchanaction；alsomineralmenandrefiners。
Besides，forsolaceofourpeople，andallurementofthesavages，wewereprovidedofmusicingoodvariety；notomittingtheleasttoys，asmorris-dancers，hobby-horse，andMay-likeconceitstodelightthesavagepeople，whomweintendedtowinbyallfairmeanspossible。Andtothatendwewereindifferentlyfurnishedofallpettyhaberdasherywarestobarterwiththosesimplepeople。
Inthismannerwesetforward，departing（ashathbeensaid）outofCawsetBaythe11dayofJune，beingTuesday，theweatherandwindfairandgoodallday；butagreatstormofthunderandwindfellthesamenight。Thursdayfollowing，whenwehailedoneanotherintheevening，accordingtotheorderbeforespecified，theysignifieduntousoutoftheVice-Admiral，thatboththecaptain，andverymanyofthemen，werefallensick。AndaboutmidnighttheVice-Admiralforsookus，notwithstandingwehadthewindeast，fairandgood。Butitwasaftercrediblyreportedthattheywereinfectedwithacontagioussickness，andarrivedgreatlydistressedatPlymouth；thereasonI
couldneverunderstand。SureIam，nocostwassparedbytheirowner，MasterRaleigh，insettingthemforth；thereforeIleaveituntoGod。
Bythistimewewerein48degreesoflatitude，notalittlegrievedwiththelossofthemostpuissantshipinourfleet；afterwhosedeparturethe/GoldenHind/succeededintheplaceofVice-Admiral，andremovedherflagfromthemizenintotheforetop。FromSaturday，the15ofJune，untilthe28，whichwasuponaFriday，weneverhadfairdaywithoutfogorrain，andwindsbad，muchtothewest-north-
west，wherebyweweredrivensouthwardunto41degreesscarce。
AboutthistimeoftheyearthewindsarecommonlywesttowardstheNewfoundland，keepingordinarilywithintwopointsofwesttothesouthortothenorth；wherebythecoursethitherfallethouttobelongandtediousafterJune，whichinMarch，April，andMay，hathbeenperformedoutofEnglandin22daysandless。Wehadwindalwayssoscantfromthewest-north-west，andfromwest-south-westagain，thatourtraversewasgreat，runningsouthunto41degreesalmost，andafterwardsnorthinto51degrees。Alsowewereencumberedwithmuchfogandmistsinmannerpalpable，inwhichwecouldnotkeepsowelltogether，butwerediscovered，losingthecompanyofthe/Swallow/andthe/Squirrel/uponthe20dayofJuly，whomwemetagainatseveralplacesupontheNewfoundlandcoastthe3ofAugust，asshallbedeclaredinplaceconvenient。Saturday，the27July，wemightdescry，notfarfromus，asitweremountainsoficedrivenuponthesea，beingthenin50degrees，whichwerecarriedsouthwardtotheweatherofus；wherebymaybeconjecturedthatsomecurrentdothsetthatwayfromthenorth。
BeforewecametoNewfoundland，about50leaguesonthisside，wepassthebank，whicharehighgroundsrisingwithintheseaandunderwater，yetdeepenoughandwithoutdanger，beingcommonlynotlessthan25and30fathomwateruponthem；thesame，asitweresomeveinofmountainswithinthesea，dorunalongandformtheNewfoundland，beginningnorthwardabout52or53degreesoflatitude，anddoextendintothesouthinfinitely。Thebreadthofthisbankissomewheremore，andsomewhereless；butwefoundthesameabouttenleaguesover，havingsoundedbothonthissidethereof，andtheothertowardNewfoundland，butfoundnogroundwithalmost200fathomofline，bothbeforeandafterwehadpassedthebank。ThePortugals，andFrenchchiefly，haveanotabletradeoffishinguponthisbank，wherearesometimesanhundredormoresailsofships，whocommonlybeginthefishinginApril，andhaveendedbyJuly。Thatfishislarge，alwayswet，havingnolandneartodry，andiscalledcodfish。Duringthetimeoffishing，amanshallknowwithoutsoundingwhenheisuponthebank，bytheincrediblemultitudeofsea-fowlhoveringoverthesame，topreyupontheoffalsandgarbageoffishthrownoutbyfishermen，andfloatinguponthesea。
UponTuesday，the11ofJuneweforsookthecoastofEngland。SoagainonTuesday，the30ofJuly，sevenweeksafter，wegotsightofland，beingimmediatelyembayedintheGrandBay，orsomeothergreatbay；
thecertaintywhereofwecouldnotjudge，sogreathazeandfogdidhanguponthecoast，asneitherwemightdiscernthelandwell，nortakethesun’sheight。Butbyourbestcomputationweweretheninthe51degreesoflatitude。Forsakingthisbayanduncomfortablecoast（nothingappearinguntousbuthideousrocksandmountains，bareoftrees，andvoidofanygreenherb）wefollowedthecoasttothesouth，withweatherfairandclear。WehadsightofanislandnamedPenguin，ofafowltherebreedinginabundancealmostincredible，whichcannotfly，theirwingsnotabletocarrytheirbody，beingverylarge（notmuchlessthanagoose）andexceedingfat，whichtheFrenchmenusetotakewithoutdifficultyuponthatisland，andtobarrelthemupwithsalt。Butforlingeringoftime，wehadmadeustherethelikeprovision。
Trendingthiscoast，wecametotheislandcalledBaccalaos，beingnotpasttwoleaguesfromthemain；tothenorththereofliethCapeSt。
Francis，fiveleaguesdistantfromBaccalaos，betweenwhichgoethinagreatbay，bythevulgarsortcalledtheBayofConception。Herewemetwiththe/Swallow/again，whomwehadlostinthefog，andallhermenalteredintootherapparel；whereofitseemedtheirstorewassoamended，thatforjoyandcongratulationofourmeeting，theysparednottocastupintotheairandoverboardtheircapsandhatsingoodplenty。Thecaptain，albeithimselfwasveryhonestandreligious，yetwashenotappointedofmentohishumouranddesert；whoforthemostpartweresuchashadbeenbyussurpriseduponthenarrowseasofEngland，beingpirates，andhadtakenatthatinstantcertainFrenchmenladen，onebarkwithwines，andanotherwithsalt。Bothwhichwerescued，andtooktheman-of-warwithallhermen，whichwasthesameshipnowcalledthe/Swallow/；followingstilltheirkindsooftas，beingseparatedfromtheGeneral，theyfoundopportunitytorobandspoil。AndbecauseGod’sjusticedidfollowthesamecompany，eventodestruction，andtotheoverthrowalsoofthecaptain（thoughnotconsentingtotheirmisdemeanour）IwillnotconcealanythingthatmakethtothemanifestationandapprobationofHisjudgments，forexamplesofothers；persuadedthatGodmoresharplytookrevengeuponthem，andhathtoleratedlongerasgreatoutrageinothers，byhowmuchthesewentunderprotectionofHiscauseandreligion，whichwasthenpretended。
Thereforeuponfurtherenquiryitwasknownhowthiscompanymetwithabarkreturninghomeafterthefishingwithhisfreight；andbecausethemeninthe/Swallow/wereverynearscantedofvictuals，andchieflyofapparel，doubtfulwithalwhereorwhentofindandmeetwiththeirAdmiral，theybesoughtthecaptainthattheymightgoaboardthis/Newlander/，onlytoborrowwhatmightbespared，theratherbecausethesamewasboundhomeward。Leavegiven，notwithoutchargetodealfavourably，theycameaboardthefisherman，whomtheyrifledoftackle，sails，cables，victuals，andthemenoftheirapparel；notsparingbytorture，windingcordsabouttheirheads，todrawoutelsewhattheythoughtgood。Thisdonewithexpedition，likemenskilfulinsuchmischief，astheytooktheircockboattogoaboardtheirownship，itwasoverwhelmedinthesea，andcertainofthesementheredrowned；therestwerepreservedevenbythosesillysoulswhomtheyhadbeforespoiled，whosavedanddeliveredthemaboardthe/Swallow/。Whatbecameafterwardsofthepoor/Newlander/，perhapsdestituteofsailsandfurnituresufficienttocarrythemhome，whithertheyhadnotlesstorunthan700leagues，Godaloneknoweth；
whotookvengeancenotlongafteroftherestthatescapedatthisinstant，torevealthefact，andjustifytotheworldGod’sjudgmentsindicteduponthem，asshallbedeclaredinplaceconvenient。
Thusafterwehadmetwiththe/Swallow/，weheldonourcoursesouthward，untilwecameagainsttheharbourcalledSt。John，aboutfiveleaguesfromtheformerCapeofSt。Francis，wherebeforetheentranceintotheharbour，wefoundalsothefrigateor/Squirrel/
lyingatanchor；whomtheEnglishmerchants，thatwereandalwaysbeAdmiralsbyturnsinterchangeablyoverthefleetsoffishermenwithinthesameharbour，wouldnotpermittoenterintotheharbour。Gladofsohappymeeting，bothofthe/Swallow/andfrigateinoneday，beingSaturday，thethirdofAugust，wemadereadyourfights，andpreparedtoentertheharbour，anyresistancetothecontrarynotwithstanding，therebeingwithinofallnationstothenumberof36sails。ButfirsttheGeneraldespatchedaboattogivethemknowledgeofhiscomingfornoillintent，havingcommissionfromherMajestyforhisvoyagehehadinhand；andimmediatelywefollowedwithaslackgale，andintheveryentrance，whichisbutnarrow，notabovetwobutts’length，theAdmiralfelluponarockonthelarboardsidebygreatoversight，inthattheweatherwasfair，therockmuchabovewaterfastbytheshore，whereneitherwentanysea-gate。ButwefoundsuchreadinessintheEnglishmerchantstohelpusinthatdanger，thatwithoutdelaytherewerebroughtanumberofboats，whichtowedofftheship，andclearedherofdanger。
Havingtakenplaceconvenientintheroad，weletfallanchors，thecaptainsandmastersrepairingaboardourAdmiral；whitheralsocameimmediatelythemastersandownersofthefishingfleetofEnglishmen，tounderstandtheGeneral’sintentandcauseofourarrivalthere。
TheywereallsatisfiedwhentheGeneralhadshewedhiscommissionandpurposetotakepossessionofthoselandstothebehalfofthecrownofEngland，andtheadvancementoftheChristianreligioninthosepaganishregions，requiringbuttheirlawfulaidforrepairingofhisfleet，andsupplyofsomenecessaries，sofarasconvenientlymightbeaffordedhim，bothoutofthatandotherharboursadjoining。Inlieuwhereofhemadeoffertogratifythemwithanyfavourandprivilege，whichupontheirbetteradvicetheyshoulddemand，thelikebeingnottobeobtainedhereafterforgreaterprice。Socravingexpeditionofhisdemand，mindingtoproceedfurthersouthwithoutlongdetentioninthoseparts，hedismissedthem，afterpromisegivenoftheirbestendeavourtosatisfyspeedilyhissoreasonablerequest。Themerchantswiththeirmastersdeparted，theycausedforthwithtobedischargedallthegreatordnanceoftheirfleetintokenofourwelcome。
Itwasfurtherdeterminedthateveryshipofourfleetshoulddeliveruntothemerchantsandmastersofthatharbouranoteofalltheirwants：whichdone，theships，aswellEnglishasstrangers，weretaxedataneasyratetomakesupply。Andbesides，commissionerswereappointed，partofourowncompanyandpartoftheirs，togointootherharboursadjoining（forourEnglishmerchantscommandallthere）
tolevyourprovision：whereuntothePortugals，aboveothernations，didmostwillinglyandliberallycontribute。Insomuchaswewerepresented，aboveourallowance，withwines，marmalades，mostfineruskorbiscuit，sweetoils，andsundrydelicacies。Alsowewantednotoffreshsalmons，trouts，lobsters，andotherfreshfishbroughtdailyuntous。Moreoverasthemannerisintheirfishing，everyweektochoosetheirAdmiralanew，orrathertheysucceedinorderlycourse，andhaveweeklytheirAdmiral’sfeastsolemnized：evensotheGeneral，captains，andmastersofourfleetwerecontinuallyinvitedandfeasted。Togrowshortinourabundanceathometheentertainmenthadbeendelightful；butafterourwantsandtediouspassagethroughtheocean，itseemedmoreacceptableandofgreatercontentation，byhowmuchthesamewasunexpectedinthatdesolatecorneroftheworld；
where，atothertimesoftheyear，wildbeastsandbirdshaveonlythefruitionofallthosecountries，whichnowseemedaplaceverypopulousandmuchfrequented。
ThenextmorningbeingSunday，andthefourthofAugust，theGeneralandhiscompanywerebroughtonlandbyEnglishmerchants，whosheweduntoustheiraccustomedwalksuntoaplacetheycalltheGarden。Butnothingappearedmorethannatureitselfwithoutart：whoconfusedlyhathbroughtforthrosesabundantly，wild，butodoriferous，andtosenseverycomfortable。Alsothelikeplentyofraspberries，whichdogrowineveryplace。
Mondayfollowing，theGeneralhadhistentsetup；who，beingaccompaniedwithhisownfollowers，summonedthemerchantsandmasters，bothEnglishandstrangers，tobepresentathistakingpossessionofthosecountries。Beforewhomopenlywasread，andinterpreteduntothestrangers，hiscommission：byvirtuewhereofhetookpossessioninthesameharbourofSt。John，and200leagueseveryway，investedtheQueen’sMajestywiththetitleanddignitythereof，haddelivereduntohim，afterthecustomofEngland，arod，andaturfofthesamesoil，enteringpossessionalsoforhim，hisheirsandassignsforever；andsignifieduntoallmen，thatfromthattimeforward，theyshouldtakethesamelandasaterritoryappertainingtotheQueenofEngland，andhimselfauthorisedunderherMajestytopossessandenjoyit，andtoordainlawsforthegovernmentthereof，agreeable，sonearasconvenientlymightbe，untothelawsofEngland，underwhichallpeoplecomingthitherhereafter，eithertoinhabit，orbywayoftraffic，shouldbesubjectedandgoverned。Andespeciallyatthesametimeforabeginning，heproposedanddeliveredthreelawstobeinforceimmediately。Thatistosaythefirstforreligion，whichinpublicexerciseshouldbeaccordingtotheChurchofEngland。Thesecond，formaintenanceofherMajesty’srightandpossessionofthoseterritories，againstwhichifanythingwereattemptedprejudicial，thepartyorpartiesoffendingshouldbeadjudgedandexecutedasincaseofhightreason，accordingtothelawsofEngland。Thethird，ifanypersonshouldutterwordssoundingtothedishonourofherMajesty，heshouldlosehisears，andhavehisshipandgoodsconfiscate。
Thesecontentspublished，obediencewaspromisedbygeneralvoiceandconsentofthemultitude，aswellofEnglishmenasstrangers，prayingforcontinuanceofthispossessionandgovernmentbegun；afterthis，theassemblywasdismissed。AndafterwardswereerectednotfarfromthatplacethearmsofEnglandengraveninlead，andinfixeduponapillarofwood。YetfurtherandactuallytoestablishthispossessiontakenintherightofherMajesty，andtothebehoofofSirHumfreyGilbert，knight，hisheirsandassignsforever，theGeneralgrantedinfee-farmdiversparcelsoflandlyingbythewater-side，bothinthisharbourofSt。John，andelsewhere，whichwastotheownersagreatcommodity，beingtherebyassured，bytheirproperinheritance，ofgroundsconvenienttodressandtodrytheirfish；whereofmanytimesbeforetheydidfail，beingpreventedbythemthatcamefirstintotheharbour。ForwhichgroundstheydidcovenanttopayacertainrentandserviceuntoSirHumfreyGilbert，hisheirsorassignsforever，andyearlytomaintainpossessionofthesame，bythemselvesortheirassigns。
Nowremainedonlytotakeinprovisiongranted，accordingaseveryshipwastaxed，whichdidfishuponthecoastadjoining。Inthemeanwhile，theGeneralappointedmenuntotheircharge：sometorepairandtrimtheships，otherstoattendingatheringtogetheroursupplyandprovisions：otherstosearchthecommoditiesandsingularitiesofthecountry，tobefoundbyseaorland，andtomakerelationuntotheGeneralwhateitherthemselvescouldknowbytheirowntravailandexperience，orbygoodintelligenceofEnglishmenorstrangers，whohadlongestfrequentedthesamecoast。Alsosomeobservedtheelevationofthepole，anddrewplotsofthecountryexactlygraded。