



Produced by Roger Burch with scans from the internet archive.





{Transcriber's Note: Archaic typography which displays the letter "s" in a
form that resembles the letter "f" has been transposed to the modern "s."
British, archaic and inconsistent spellings have been left as in the
original, as have capitalization and italicisation. A few obvious
typographical errors have been changed. Margin notes are indicated where
they occur in the text with {MN} and inserted in full at the end of the
paragraph to which they refer.}





                                * * * * *

                                THE TRUE
                                TRAVELS,
                                ADVENTURES,
                                  AND
                              OBSERVATIONS,
                                   OF
                             Captain JOHN SMITH,
                                   INTO
                       EUROPE, ASIA, AFRICA, and AMERICA,

                        From Ann. Dom. 1593. to 1629.

                              * * * * *





                              * * * * *


                           To the Right Honourable

                          _WILLIAM_ Earl of _PEMBROKE,_
            Lord Steward of His Majesty's most Honourable Houshold.

                            _ROBERT_ Earl of _LINDSEY,_
                         Great Chamberlain of _England,_

                             _HENRY_ Lord _HUNSDON,_
                       Viscount _ROCHFORD,_ Earl of _DOVER,_


               _And all your Honourable Friends and Well-willers._



My Lords,

Sir _Robert Cotton,_ that most Learned Treasurer of Antiquity, having by
perusal of my General History, and others, found that I had likewise
undergone divers other as hard hazards in the other Parts of the World,
requested me to fix the whole Course of my Passages in a Book by it self,
whose noble Desire I could not but in part satisfie; the rather, because
they have acted my fatal Tragedies upon the Stage, and racked my Relations
at their Pleasure. To prevent therefore all future Misprisions, I have
compiled this true Discourse. Envy hath taxed me to have writ too much,
and done too little; but that such should know, how little I esteem them,
I have writ this, more for the satisfaction of my Friends, and all generous
and well disposed Readers. To speak only of my self were intolerable
Ingratitude; because, having had so many Co-Partners with me; I cannot
make a Monument for my self, and leave them unburied in the Fields, whose
Lives begot me the Title of a Soldier; for as they were Companions with me
in my Dangers, so shall they be partakers with me in this Tomb.

For my _Sea Grammar_ (caused to be Printed by my worthy Friend, Sir _Samuel
Saltenstall_) hath found such good Entertainment abroad, that I have been
importuned by many noble Persons, to let this also pass the Press. Many of
the most eminent Warriours, and others, what their Swords did, their Pens
writ: Though I be never so much their inferiour, yet I hold it no great
Errour, to follow good Examples; nor repine at them will do the like.

And now, _My most Honourable good Lords,_ I know not to whom I may better
Present it, than to your Lordships, whose Friendships, as I conceive, are
as much to each others, as my Duty is to you all; and because you are
acquainted both with my Endeavours, and Writings, I doubt not, but your
Honours will as well accept of this, as of the rest, and Patronize it
under the shadow of your most noble Virtues, which I am ever bound in all
Duty to Reverence, and under which I hope to have shelter, against all
Storms that dare threaten,

                                 _Yours Honours to be Commanded,_

                                                          John Smith.





                              * * * * *

                              THE TRUE
                               TRAVELS,
                             ADVENTURES,
                                AND
                             OBSERVATIONS
                                 OF
                          Captain _JOHN SMITH,_

                              * * * * *


                              CHAP. I.



 _His Birth; Apprenticeship; Going into_ France; _His beginning with Ten
  Shillings and three Pence; His Service in the_ Netherlands; _His bad
  Passage into_ Scotland; _His return to_ Willoughby, _and how he lived in
  the Woods._


He was born in _Willoughby_ in _Lincoln-shire,_ and a Scholar in the two
Free-Schools of _Alford_ and _Louth._ His Father antiently descended from
the ancient _Smiths_ of _Crudley_ in _Lancashire;_ his Mother from the
_Rickards_ at Great _Heck,_ in _York-shire._ His Parents dying when he was
about Thirteen Years of Age, left him a competent Means, which he not
being capable to manage, little regarded; his Mind being even then set
upon brave Adventures, sold his Satchel, Books, and all he had, intending
secretly to get to Sea, but that his Fathers Death stay'd him. But now the
Guardians of his Estate more regarding it than him, he had liberty enough,
though no Means, to get beyond the Sea. About the Age of Fifteen Years, he
was bound an Apprentice to Mr. _Thomas Sendalt_ of _Linne,_ the greatest
Merchant of all those Parts; but because he would not presently send him
to Sea, he never saw his Master in Eight Years after. At last he found
Means to attend Mr. _Peregrine Berty_ into _France_, second Son to the
Right Honourable _Peregrine_, that generous Lord _Willoughby,_ and famous
Soldier; where coming to his Brother _Robert,_ then at _Orleans,_ now Earl
of _Lindsey_, and Lord Great Chamberlain of _England;_ being then but
little Youths under Tutorage: His Service being needless, within a Month
or six Weeks they sent him back again to his Friends; who when he came
from _London_, they liberally gave him (but out of his own Estate) Ten
Shillings to be rid of him; such oft is the share of Fatherless Children:
But those two Honourable Brethren gave him sufficient to return for
_England._ But it was the least thought of his Determination, for now
being freely at liberty in _Paris_, growing acquainted with one Mr. _David
Hume,_ who making some use of his Purse, gave him Letters to his Friends
in _Scotland_ to prefer him to King _James._ Arriving at _Roan,_ he better
bethinks himself, seeing his Money near spent, down the River he went to
_Haver de grace,_ where he first began to learn the Life of a Soldier:
Peace being concluded in _France,_ he went with Captain _Joseph Duxbury_
into the Low-Countries, under whose Colours, having served three or four
Years, he took his Journey for _Scotland,_ to deliver his Letters. At
_Ancusan_ he imbark'd himself for _Lethe,_ but as much danger, as
Shipwreck and Sickness could endure, he had at the Holy Isle in
_Northumberland_ near Berwick, ( being recovered ) into _Scotland_ he went
to deliver his Letters. After much kind usage among those honest _Scots_ at
_Ripweth_ and _Broxmoth,_ but neither Money nor Means to make him a
Courtier, he returned to _Willoughby_ in _Lincoln-shire;_ where within a
short time, being glutted with too much Company, wherein he took small
delight, he retired himself into a little Woody Pasture, a good way from
any Town, invironed with many hundred Acres of other Woods: Here, by a fair
Brook he built a Pavillion of Boughs, where only in his Cloths he lay. His
Study was _Machiavil's_ Art of War, and _Marcus Aurelius;_ his exercise a
good Horse, with his Lance and Ring; his Food was thought to be more of
Venison than any thing else; what he wanted his Man brought him. The
Country wondering at such an Hermite, his Friends perswaded one Seignior
_Theodora Polaloga,_ Rider to _Henry_ Earl of _Lincoln,_ an excellent Horse
Man, and a Noble _Italian_ Gentleman, to insinuate into his Woodish
Acquaintance, whose Languages and good Discourse, and Exercise of Riding
drew him to stay with him at _Tattersall._ Long these Pleasures could not
content him, but he returned again to the Low Countries.

                              * * * * *




                              CHAP. II.



 _The notable Villany of four_ French _Gallants, and his revenge;_ Smith
  _thrown over-board; Captain_ La Roche _of Saint_ Malo _relieves him._


Thus when _France_ and _Netherlands_ had taught him to Ride a Horse, and
use his Arms, with such Rudiments of War, as his tender Years in those
Martial Schools could attain unto; he was desirous to see more of the
World, and try his Fortune against the _Turks,_ both repenting and
lamenting to have seen so many _Christians_ slaughter one another. {MN}
Opportunity calling him; into the Company of four _French_ Gallants well
attended, faining to him the one to be a great Lord, the rest his
Gentlemen, and that they were all devoted that way; over-perswaded him to
go with them into _France,_ to the Dutchess of _Merceur,_ from whom they
should not only have Means, but also Letters of Favour to her Noble Duke,
then General for the Emperour _Rolduphus_ in _Hungary;_ which he did, with
such ill Weather as Winter affordeth, in the dark Night they arrived in
the broad shallow In-let of St. _Valleries sur Soame_ in _Picardie;_ His
_French_ Lord knowing he had good Apparel, and better furnished with Money
than themselves, so Plotted with the Master of the Ship, to set his and
their own Trunks ashore, leaving _Smith_ aboard till the Boat could return,
which was the next day after, towards Evening: The reason he alledged,
was, the Sea went so high he could come no sooner, and that his Lord was
gone to _Amiens,_ where they would stay his coming; which treacherous
Villany, when divers other Soldiers, and Passengers understood, they had
like to have slain the Master, and had they known how, would have run away
with the Ship.

                              * * * * *

 {MN} _A notable Villany of four_ French _Gallants._


Coming on shoar, he had but one _Cavvalue,_ {MN-1} was forced to sell his
Cloak to pay for his Passage. One of the Soldiers, called _Curzianvere,_
compassionating his Injury, assured him, this great Lord _Depreau_ was
only the Son of a Lawyer of _Mortaigne_ in base _Britany,_ and his
Attendants _Cursell, La Nelie,_ and _Monserrat,_ three young Citizens, as
arrant Cheats as himself; but if he would accompany him, he would bring
him to their Friends, but in the _interim_ supplied his wants: Thus
Travelling by _Deepe, Cadebeck, Humphla, Pount-demer_ in _Normandy,_
they came to _Caen_ in base _Normandy;_ where both this Noble
_Curzianvere,_ and the great Prior of the great Abbey of St. _Steven_
(where is the ruinous Tomb of _William_ the Conqueror) and many other of
his Friends kindly welcomed him, and brought him to _Montaigne,_ where he
found _Depreau_ and the rest, but to small purpose; for Mr. _Curzianvere_
was a banished Man, and durst not be seen but to his Friends: yet the
bruit of their Cozenage occasioned the Lady _Collumber,_ the Baron
_Larshan,_ the Lord _Shasghe,_ and divers other honourable Persons, to
supply his wants, and with them to recreate him-self so long as he would;
But such pleasant pleasures suited little with his poor Estate, and his
restless Spirit, that could never find content, to receive such Noble
Favours, as he could neither deserve nor requite: But wandering from Port
to Port to find some Man of War, spent that he had, and in a Forest, near
dead with grief and cold, a rich Farmer found him by a fair Fountain,
under a Tree: This kind Peasant relieved him again to his content, to
follow his intent. {MN-2} Not long after, as he passed thorow a great Grove
of Trees, between _Pounterson_ and _Dina_ in _Britany,_ it was his chance
to meet _Cursell,_ more miserable than himself: His piercing Injuries had
so small patience, as without any word they both drew, and in a short time
_Cursell_ fell to the Ground, where, from an old ruinated Tower, the
Inhabitants seeing them, were satisfied, when they heard _Cursell_ confess
what had formerly passed; and that how, in the dividing that they had
stolen from him, they fell by the Ears amongst themselves, that were
Actors in it; but for his part, he excused himself to be innocent as well
of the one, as of the other. In regard of his hurt, _Smith_ was glad to be
so rid of him, directing his course to an honourable Lord, the Earl of
_Ployer,_ {MN-3} who during the War in _France,_ with his two Brethren,
Viscount _Poomory,_ and Baron _d'Mercy,_ who had been brought up in
_England;_ by him he was better refurnished than ever. When they had shewed
him Saint _Malo_ Mount, Saint _Michael, Lambal, Simbreack, Lanion,_ and
their own fair Castle of _Tuncadeck, Gingan,_ and divers other places in
_Britany_ (and their British _Cornwaile_) taking his leave, he took his
way to _Raynes,_ the _Britains_ chief City, and so to _Nants, Poyters,
Rochel,_ and _Bourdeaux._ The rumour of the strength of _Bayon_ in
_Biskay,_ caused him to see it; and from thence took his way from _Leskar_
in _Bicarne,_ and _Paw,_ in the Kingdom of _Navarre_ to _Tolouza_ in
_Gascoigne, Bezers,_ and _Carcassone, Narbone, Montpelier, Nimes_ in
_Languedeck,_ and thorow the Country of _Avignion,_ by _Aries_ to
_Marseilles_ in _Provence,_ there imbarking himself for _Italy;_ the Ship
was inforced to _Tolonne,_ and putting again to Sea, ill Weather so grew
upon them, that they Anchored close aboard the Shoar, under the little Isle
of St. _Mary,_ against _Nice_ in _Savoy._ Here the inhuman Provincials,
with a Rabble of Pilgrims of divers Nations going to _Rome,_ hourly
cursing him, not only for a _Hugonot_ but his Nation they swore were all
Pirats, and so vilely railed on his dread Soveraign Queen _Elizabeth,_ and
that they never should have fair Weather so long as he was aboard them;
their Disputations grew to that Passion, that they threw him over board,
yet God brought him to that little Isle, where was no Inhabitants, but a
few Kine and Goats. The next Morning, he espied two Ships more riding by
them, put in by the Storm, that fetched him aboard, well refreshed him,
and so kindly used him, that he was well contented to try the rest of his
Fortune with them. {MN-5} After he had related unto them his former
Discourse, what for pity, and the love of the Honourable Earl of _Ployer,_
this Noble _Britain_ his Neighbour, Captain _la Roche_ of Saint _Malo,_
regarded and entertained him for his well respected Friend. With the next
fair Wind, they Sailed along by the Coast of _Corsica_ and _Sardinia,_ and
crossing the Gulf of _Tunis,_ passed by Cape _Bona_ to the Isle of
_Lempadosa,_ leaving the Coast of _Barbary_ till they came at _Cape
Rasata,_ and so along the _African_ Shoar, for _Alexandria_ in _AEgypt._
There delivering their Fraught, they went to _Seandaroone,_ rather to view
what Ships were in the Road, than any thing else: keeping their Course by
_Cypres,_ and the Coast of _Asia,_ Sailing by _Rhodes_, the _Archipelagus,
Candia,_ and the Coast of _Grecia,_ and the Isle of _Zefalonia._ They lay
to and again a few days, betwixt the Isle of _Corsue,_ and the Cape of
_Orranto,_ in the Kingdom of _Naples,_ in the Entrance of the _Adriatick_
Sea.

                              * * * * *

 {MN-1} _A Cavvalue is in value a penny._

 {MN-2} _Here he incountred one of the thieves._

 {MN-3} _The Nobleness of the Earl of_ Plover.

 {MN-4} _An inhuman act of the Provincials in casting him overboard._

 {MN-5} _Capt._ La Roche _relieves him._

                              * * * * *




                              CHAP. III.


   _A desperate Sea Fight in the Streights; His Passage to_ Rome, Naples,
                         _and the view of_ Italy.


Betwixt the two _Capes_, they met with an _Argosie_ of _Venice_; it seemed
the Captain desired to speak with them, whose untoward answer was such, as
slew them a Man; {MN} whereupon the _Britain_ presently gave them the
Broad