I only speak thus much, that you may perceive, I had time enough to improve my selfe, in the knowledge of the managment of a Plantation of this bulk; and therefore, you may give the more credit in what I am to say, concerning the profit and value of this Plantation, which I intend as a Scale, for those that go upon the like; or to varie it to greater or lesse proportions, at their pleasure. And indeed, I wanted no tutridge, in the learning this mystery; for, to do him right, I hold Collonell _Modiford_ as able, to undertake and perform such a charge, as any I know. And therefore I might (according to my ability) be able to say something, which I will, as briefly as I can, deliver to you, in such plain language as I have. But before I come to say any thing of the Iland, as it was when I arrived there, I will beg leave, to deliver you a word or two, what hath been told me by the most ancient Planters, that we found there, and what they had by tradition from their Predecessors. For, few or none of them that first set foot there, were now living. About the year ____ a Ship of Sir _William Curteens_, returning from _Fernambock_ in _Brasill_, being driven by foul weather upon this coast, chanc’d to fall upon this Iland, which is not far out of the way, being the most windwardly Iland of all the _Carribbies_, (_Tobago_ only excepted;) and Anchoring before it, stayed some time, to informe themselves of the nature of the place; which they found by tryalls in severall parts, to be so overgrown with Wood, as there could be found no Champions, or _Savannas_ for men to dwell in; nor found they any beasts to inhabit there, only Hogs, and those in abundance: the _Portugalls_ having long before, put some ashoar for breed, in case they should at any time be driven by foul weather, to be cast upon the Iland, they might there finde fresh meat, to serve them upon such an extremity: And the fruits and roots that grew there, afforded them so great plenty of food, as they multiplyed abundantly. So that the Natives of the leeward Ilands, that were at the distance of sight, comming thither in their _Cannoas_, and _Periagos_, and finding such Game to hunt, as these hogs, and the flesh so sweet and excellent in tast, they came often thither a hunting, and stayed sometimes a month together, and so returned again at pleasure, leaving behinde them certain tokens of their being there, which were, Pots, of severall sizes, in which they boyled their meat, made of clay, so finely tempered, and turned with such art, as I have not seen any like them, for finenesse of mettle, and curiosity of turning, in _England_. This information I received from the Planters in _Barbadoes_. But being here a Prisoner, in the _Upper Bench_ Prison, my chance was to meet with an antient Captain, and one of those that first landed on the Iland; and had the managing of a good part of the Iland, under _William_ late Earle of _Pembrok_, before my Lord of _Carlile_ begg’d it of King _James_.