New-Englands plantation : $b with the sea journal and other writingsHigginson, Francis
History
New-Englands plantation : $b with the sea journal and other writings
Higginson, Francis
New England -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800
We haue great Ordnance, wherewith wee doubt not but wee shall
fortifie our selues in a short time to keepe out a potent Aduersary.
But that which is our greatest comfort, and meanes of defence
aboue all other, is, that we haue here the true Religion and holy
Ordinances of Almightie God taught amongst vs: Thankes be to God, wee
haue here plenty of Preaching, and diligent Catechizing, with strickt
and carefull exercise, and good and commendable orders to bring
our People into a Christian conuersation with whom wee haue to doe
withall. And thus wee doubt not but God will be with vs, and _if God
be with us, who can be against us_?
_Here ends Master Higgeson’s Relation of New-England._
_A Letter sent from_ New-England, _by Master_ Graues, _Engynere now
there resident_.
Thus much I can affirme in generall, that I neuer came in a more
goodly Country in all my life, all things considered: if it hath not
at any time beene manured and husbanded, yet it is very beautifull
in open Lands, mixed with goodly woods, and againe open plaines, in
some places five hundred Acres, some places more, some lesse, not
much troublesome for to cleere for the Plough to goe in, no place
barren, but on the tops of the Hils; the grasse & weedes grow vp to
a man’s face, in the Lowlands & by fresh Riuers aboundance of grasse
and large Meddowes without any Tree or shrubbe to hinder the Sith.
I neuer saw except in Hungaria, vnto which I alwayes paralell this
countrie, in all our most respects, for euery thing that is heere
eyther sowne or planted prospereth far better then in old England:
the increase of Corne is here farre beyond expectation, as I haue
seene hereby experience in Barly, the which because it is so much
aboue your conception I will not mention. And Cattle doe prosper
very well, and those that are bredd here farr greater then those
with you in England. Vines doe grow here plentifully laden with
the biggest Grapes that euer I saw, some I haue seene foure inches
about, so that I am bold to say of this countrie, as it is commonly
said in _Germany_ of _Hungaria_, that for Cattel, Corne, and Wine
it excelleth. We haue many more hopefull commodities here in this
countrie, the which time will teach to make good vse of: In the
meane time wee abound with such things which next vnder God doe make
vs subsist, as Fish, Foule, Deere, and sundrie sorts of fruits, as
musk-millions water-millions, India-Pompions, Indian-Pease Beanes, &
many other odde fruits that I cannot name; all which are made good
and pleasant through this maine blessing of God, the healthfulnesse
of the countrie which far exceedeth all parts that euer I haue beene
in: It is obserued that few or none doe here fal sicke, vnless of the
Scuruy that they bring from aboard the Ship with them, whereof I haue
cured some of my companie onely by labour. [Thus making an end of an
imperfect Description, and committing you to God, &c.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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