A Book of American ExplorersHigginson, Thomas Wentworth
History
A Book of American Explorers
Higginson, Thomas Wentworth
America -- Discovery and exploration; United States -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
THE first voyage made to the coasts of America, with two barks,
wherein were Captains M. Philip Amadas and M. Arthur Barlowe, who
discovered part of the country now called Virginia, Anno 1584. Written
by one of the said captains, and sent to Sir Walter Raleigh Knight, at
whose charge and direction the said voyage was set forth.
The twenty-seventh day of April, in the year of our redemption,[190]
1584, we departed [from] the west of England, with two barks well
furnished with men and victuals, having received our last and perfect
directions by your letters, confirming the former instructions and
commandments, delivered by yourself at our leaving the River of
Thames....
The 2d of July we found shoal water, where we smelt so sweet and so
strong a smell, as if we had been in the midst of some delicate garden
abounding with all kind of odoriferous flowers, by which we were
assured that the land could not be far distant. And keeping good watch,
and bearing but slack sail, the 4th of the same month we arrived upon
the coast, which we supposed to be a continent and firm land; and we
sailed along the same a hundred and twenty English miles before we
could find any entrance or river issuing into the sea. The first that
appeared unto us, we entered, though not without some difficulty, and
cast anchor about three arquebuse-shot within the haven’s mouth on
the left-hand of the same. And, after thanks given to God for our safe
arrival thither, we manned our boats, and went to view the land next
adjoining, and “to take possession of the same in the right of the
Queen’s most excellent Majesty, as rightful queen and princess of the
same,” and after[191] delivered the same over to your use, according
to her Majesty’s grant, and letters-patent, under her Highness’ great
seal....
We passed from the seaside towards the tops of those hills next
adjoining, being but of mean height; and from thence we beheld the
sea on both sides to the north, and to the south, finding no end any
of both ways. This land lay stretching itself to the west, which after
we found to be but an island of twenty miles long, and not about six
miles broad.[192] Under the bank or hill whereon we stood, we beheld
the valleys replenished with goodly cedar-trees; and, having discharged
our arquebuse-shot, such a flock of cranes――the most part white――arose
under us, with such a cry, redoubled by many echoes, as if an army of
men had shouted all together.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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