Page:Books from the Biodiversity Heritage Library (IA mobot31753000820123).pdf/91

 Rh Correspondence with the Natives of the said Cape and neigbouring Country, and in some little time was so successful as to gain that Point, and farther prevail'd with them so far, as to persuade them to send home the King's Son, leaving one of his People as Hostage for him, which was Colonel Morris, now living at New York. The Indian Prince going home with the said Earl, staid in England three years, in which time the Indian King died, and the said Natives having in that time had intercourse of Friendship and Commerce with those of Providence, were soon made sensible of the Grandeur of his Majesty of Great Britain, and how necessary his Protection was to them. Upon the return of the said Indian Prince, they persuaded him to resign up his Authority and Power over them, and (with them) unanimously declare themselves the Subjects of his said Majesty of Great Britain, in which Opinion they have ever since persisted, and do own no other Supream Command over them. As to the Fertility of their Soil, 'tis a very great Level, free from any Mountains for several Leagues from the Sea, the Soil black Mold mixt with Sand, where otherwise, the Land is covered with Pine-Trees, of the nature of New England Fir, well watered with great Rivers and Rivulets. Their chief Commerce being managed in Canoes; for Harbours it hath but two, and they both barr'd, and so not capable of receiving any Vessel that draws above Eleven or Twelve Foot Water, but when within, able to receive Ships of the greatest Burthen, that may lay their Sides to the Shore, and Careen safely. In these Harbours are Banks or rather Rocks of Oisters, from the bigness of Horseshoes, to those of Colchester, or less. As to the Nature of the Inhabitants, they are Affable and Courteous, very Hospitable, and ready to relieve all People in Distress, but more especially endear'd to those of the English Nation. The Men generally speak broken English, there is nothing more hateful to them than breach of Promise, or telling an Untruth, their Words being inviolable. They are always on their Guard for Fear of their neighbouring Enemies, and for the most part get their Living by Fishing. Their most usual Arms are six hand Lances slight ones, and one other very large and strong with which they nimbly avoid those that are darted from their Enemy, the lesser ones they handle so dextrously, that they dart small Fishes, about the bigness of a Salmon-Trout, Thirty Yards, and though their Country have great plenty of Deer, Pecary, and Wild-Fowl; yet they get most of their Provisions out of the Sea. Their manner of living now is Patriarchal, their Families being numerous, they allowing plurality of Wives, of which only the old Women and Children perform the Work of all the rest of the Family, but every individual Person pays great Duty and Respect to the Paterfamilias, who is absolute Judge in all Cases, and from