Nova Britannia-Offering Most Excellent Fruites by Planting in Virginia

..But before I come to discribe this earthly Paradice, or to proue the points of my proposition mentioned before, you shall knowe, that the first discouery and actuall possession taken thereof, was in the raigne and by the subiects of Henry the seuenth of England, at which time did Spaine also discouer, and by that right of discouery, doth retaine and holde their Noua Hispania, and all other their limmits vpon that Coast: But that we now intend to ground vpon is a more late Discouerie and actuall possession, taken in the name and right of Queene Elizabeth, in Anno 1584, the 13 of July, as it is truely set downe in the Booke of English Voyages, by sundry English Captaines and Gentlemen in that Voyage, whose names are recorded in that discourse (and many of which are yet liuing) whereof when her Maiestie had true information, shée named the Countrey Virginia, and did assigne to Walter Raleigh (then a Gentleman of worth) power and Authoritie to Plant forces and Colonies there, at his pleasure, (Macham, 1609)

…when her Maiestie had true information, shée named the Countrey Virginia, and did assigne to Walter Raleigh (then a Gentleman of worth) power and Authoritie to Plant forces and Colonies there, at his pleasure, who transported thither in Anno 1587, by the conduct of Iohn White chiefe Leader, aboue an hundred Men, Women, and Children at one time, and left them there to inhabite to this day: Notwithstanding, it is true indéede (as some may obiect.) It is now aboue twentie yéeres agoe since these things were done, and yet euer since in all this time, we neuer sawe or heard of 9 any good that hath come from thence, nor of any hope, that might encourage vs anew to engage our selues therein. (Macham, 1609)…But let vs rightly weigh the reasons of it, and then iudge: Those hundred and vpwards, conducted thither by Iohn White and whose particular Names you may sée Recorded in the same Booke of Voyages, were left there, with intent and promise, to be supplied from England, with more companies and all necessaries, the next yéere following: in the meane time, they were to Plant and fortifie themselues in best manner they could, and to make a discouerie of such Minerals, and other merchandize, as the countrey should yéeld by nature. But as all good Actions haue their Crosses and their Bane attending on them, so had this: for that those which had the Managing of a new supply, being the next yéere sufficiently furnished to Sea for that ende, yet most vnnaturally, being Tainted with that common corruption of time, turned their head another way, and with greedie minds, betooke themselues wholly to hunt after Pillage vpon the Spanish Coast where spending their men, their time and prouisions, they were not able (béeing come and arriued at the port) to make vp into the land to visite and relieue their friends, but were forced to retire for England againe, whereby the edge of those aduenturers that set them foorth was so abated, that this most honourable enterprise so happily begunne, was by this last occasion most vnhappily ended, neither had our poore countri-men left there, any meanes from thence to visite vs, nor in all this time to giue vs any light of their owne estate: whereas then, if those beginnings had béene followed as they ought, and as by Gods helpe wée now entend, that countrey had long since become a most royall addition to the Crowne of England, and a very nursery and fountaine of much wealth and strength to this kingdome. (Macham, 1609)

Edited for readability by Amy AN516 (Something appears to have been deleted here.)

They failed because they pillaged Spanish instead of worked the land But let us rightly weigh the reasons of it, and then judge: Those hundred and upwards, conducted thither by John White and whose particular Names you may see Recorded in the same Book of

Spain hit the jackpot with Columbus When Christopher Columbus (the first betrayer of this new world) was to make his proffer where he liked best, he chose Henry the Seventh of England, as in those days the most worthy, and best furnished for Navigations o

Early bird gets the worm And this I but mention, to note the blind diffidence of our English natures, which laugh to scorn the name of Virginia and all other new projects, be they never so probable, and will not believe till we see the effects: as also to

Maritime benefits And now in describing the natural seat and disposition of the country itself: if I should say no more but with Caleb and Joshua, The land which we have searched out is a very good land; if the Lord love us, he will bring our people to it

Land of plenty, with lovely natives The country itself is large and great assuredly, though as yet, no exact discovery can be made of all. It is also commendable and hopeful every way, the air and climate most sweet and wholesome, much warmer then England

Minerals, soil, trees galore There are valleys and plains streaming with sweet Springs, like veins in a natural body: there are hills and mountains making a sensible proffer of hidden treasure, never yet searched: the land is full of minerals, plenty of w

Justifying encroachment on the Indians For the first (if I forget not myself) how it may tend to advance the kingdom of God, by reducing savage people from their blind superstition to the light of Religion, when some object, we seek nothing less than the

Hope God will keep our intentions wholesome To the first we say, as many actions both good in themselves and in their success have been performed with bad intents: so in this case, howsoever our naughtiness of mind may sway very much, yet God may have the

Lazy people stay away But we must beware that under this pretense the bitter root of greedy gain be not so settled in our hearts that, being in a golden dream, if it falls short of our expectation, we slink away with discontent and draw our purses from th

We’ll make life better for the natives, unlike the Spaniards And as for supplanting the savages, we have no such intent: Our intrusion into their possessions shall tend to their great good and no way to their hurt, unless as unbridled beasts they procure

Intro: I’ve held out too long on this investment. NOVA BRITANNIA. Offering most excellent fruits by Planting in Virginia. Whereas in our last meeting and conference the other day, observing your sufficient reasons answering all objections, and your consta

The Indians will appreciate the grown and prosperity they achieve with us But if this were coined in those days by the Printers themselves to pass for currant through the world, howsoever base it was indeed, we hope they will be as favorable to our case a

Indians who object will be treated as enemies of their own country of whom so many as obstinately refuse to unite themselves unto us, or shall malign or disturb our plantation, our chattel, or whatsoever belonging to us: they shall be held and reputed rec

The king will be honored by converted Indians with peace, not with violence like the Spaniards But for my second point, to prove how this may honor our King by enlarging his kingdoms: no argument of mine can make it so manifest as it is clear in itself: D

Our king will be blessed like Solomon And yet this is not all that may be said, the ancient law, the law of Moses sets it down as a blessed thing when the Prince and people of God, shall be able to lend to all and need to borrow of none, and it added very

Our existing planters and investments deserve our loyalty And as for the third part, the relieving our men already planted to preserve both them and our former adventures, I shall not need to say much, the necessity is so apparent, that I hope no Adventur

What if the Jews gave up on the Promised Land? Our Savior Christ resembles them that give over in their best duties to foolish builders, that having laid the foundation, do gravel themselves in the midway and so become ridiculous: It would have been extre

We must stand strong But we must be prepared with Caleb and Joshua (so highly commended) to oppose an extraordinary zeal against the detractings of such, to rescue our enterprise from malicious ignorance, and to still their murmurings with reproof, for th

Money to be made in timber for shipping and soap And now it follows, how it can be good for this Commonwealth: which is likewise most apparent many ways. First, if we consider what strength of shipping may be raised and maintained thence in furnishing our

We can bring grapes and make wine We doubt not but to make there in few years store of good wines as any from the Canaries by replanting and making tame the Vines that naturally grow there in great abundance, only send men of skill to do it, and Coopers t

Women can make silk, linen, and caviar There are Silkworms and plenty of Mulberry trees, whereby Ladies, Gentlewomen and little children, (being set in the way to do it) may be all employed with pleasure in making Silk comparable to that of Persia, Turkey

England was here first There are diverse monuments already published in Print to the showing the world that the Coasts and parts of Virginia have been long since discovered, peopled, and possessed by many English, both men, women, and children, the natura

We brought in specialists for training a workforce how to make pitch, tar, ect. And for the making of Pitch, Tar, Turpentine, Soap-ashes, Deale, Wainscot and such, we have already provided and sent thither skillful workmen from foreign parts which may tea

We must have patience like Solomon For as I told you before, there must be Art and industry with our helps and means extended, with a little patience to bring these things to pass, we must not look to reap with joy except we sow in tears: The abundance of

International trade strengthens all Experience hath lately taught us by some of our neighbor Provinces how exceedingly it mounts the State of a Commonwealth to put forth Navigation (if possible) into all parts and corners of the world to furnish our own w

We used to be amazed at far less trade We may but look a little back and we shall see what a novice our nation was within these 120 years, in ease of foreign trade, not knowing where to fetch, nor which way to transport, but only to some matte or staple t

Domestic trade never prospers And take this ever as a rule, that Domestic Merchandising brings forth but poor effects in a Commonwealth, whereof I needed not have shown example further then our own doors. What was the case of England before the golden day

Queen Elizabeth prospered England seven-fold by supporting foreign trade A man that marks the difference and compares those times with these will think it was impossible, (unless his knowledge taught him otherwise) that the days and reign of one Elizabeth

It’s shameful that the Netherlands have better shipping with no domestic wood at all Another instance might be shown which taxes very much our English Nation and all the subjects of our sovereign King, that enjoying such plenty of woodlands and fruitful s

We need workers and money to get started And now to our present business in hand which so many stumble at in regard of the continual charge, I would have them know that it cannot be great nor long as the business may be handled. Two things are especially

England is swarming with lazy bums who need work For the first we need not doubt, our land abounding with swarms of idle persons, which having no means of labor to relieve their misery, do likewise swarm in lewd and naughty practices, so that if we seek n

Shun the vile types who bring down society Touching which, I do earnestly admonish you to beware and shun three kinds of people: the first, a most vile minded sort and for the most part bad members of this City, by some means shaken out of their honest co

The pope’s land grant to Spain is ridiculous But what is this to us? They are blind indeed that stumble here; it is much like that great donation of Constantine whereby the Pope himself doeth hold and claim the City of Rome, and all the Western Empire, a

We need all kinds of general workers And as for the general sort that shall go to be planters, no matter how poor, as long as they are honest and painful, the place will make them rich: all kind of Artificers we must first employ, are Carpenters, Ship-wri

Martinets are valuable here And hereby our Martinets shall not lie idle, nor our Owners sell their ships for want of freight: you know how many good ships are daily sold and made away to foreign nations: how many men for want of employment take themselves

We can grow sugar and plenty of other things in this climate and soil We intend to plant there (God willing) great plenty of Sugar Canes, for which the soil and climate is very apt and fit; also Linseed, and Rapeseeds to make Oils, which because the soil

We need sheep here to revive England’s clothing trade But of all other things, that God hath denied that country, there is want of Sheep to make woolen cloth, and this want of cloth must always be supplied from England, whereby when the Colony is thorough

We must stop thinking small – Think big But however that be, yet these good minds and resolutions do serve for imitation to others, and do deserve assuredly the best encouragement, whereby we shall not still betake ourselves to small and little Shipping (

We need money to make this Plantation happen The second thing to make this Plantation is money, to be raised among the adventurers, wherein the sooner and more deeply men engage themselves, their charge will be shorter and their gain greater, as in this l

Each participant will be registered First you shall understand, that his Majesty has granted us an enlargement of our Charter with many ample privileges, wherein we have Knights and Gentlemen of good place: Named for the King’s council of Virginia to gove

Shares of stock issued for active and silent partners alike-dividends paid in 7 years We do account twelve pound ten shillings to be a single share adventured. Every ordinary man or woman, if they will go and dwell there, and every child above ten years t

Planters are incentivized to pay off investors sooner And as by this we shall be soon freed from charge and expense, so there grows an incentive to the planters (by bestowing their labors cheerfully) to make return of stock, for the sooner they free us fr

Land will not be divided equally because all land is not equal And as for the divisions of lands at seven years’ end which (some may object) will be little worth and unequally divided: let them understand, that no man shall have his lot entirely in one pl

Virginia belongs to England by right of succession Letting go (therefore) these legendary fables, which howsoever some men hold authentic as their Creed, yet are they in the judgement of wise men, things of no value, nor do import to us, any cause of doub

By this plan, we will all prosper from sending 100 ships a year of exports. This way, we shall be soon freed from further expense, our gains will grow and our stock increase, we shall fell our timber, saw our plank, and quickly make good shipping there, a

Reasons to invest here So I wish and entreat all well affected subjects, some in their persons, others in their purses, cheerfully to adventure, and jointly take in hand this high and acceptable work, tending to advance and spread the kingdom of God, and

The Indians can’t have it all not enduring to look on whilst so huge and spacious countries (the fourth part of the world) and the greatest and wealthiest part of all the rest, should remain a wilderness, subject (for the most part) but to wild beasts and

We have every right to inhabit Virginia But seeing we so passed by their dwellings, that in seating ourselves, we sought not to unsettle them, but by Gods mercy, after many storms, were brought to the Coast of another country, far distant and remote from

Failure of earlier English attempt to settle But before I come to describe this earthly Paradise, or to prove the points of my proposition mentioned before, you shall know, that the first discovery and actual possession taken thereof, was in the reign and