crueltie in vs, as in other people and nations, of whom they haue beene beguiled vnder colour of good faith: whiche doing in the ende turned to the doers no good. This is the riuer of JordainThe riuer of Jordan. in mine opinion, whereof so much hath beene spokẽ, which is very faire & the coũtrie good, both for y͏ͤ easie habitation, and also for many other things, which should bee long to write.
The twentie of May wee planted another columne or pillor grauen with the kinges armes on the South side, in a high place, of the entrie of a great riuer, which wee called Libourne: where there is a lake of fresh water very good, and on the same side a little lower towards the entrie of the Hauen is one of the fayrest fountaines that a man may drink of, which falleth by violence down to the riuer from an high place out of a red and sandy ground, and yet for all that fruitefull and of good ayre, where it shoulde seeme that the Indians haue had some faire habitation.
There we sawe the fayrest & the greatest vines with grapes according,Exceeding faire and great vines. and young trees, and smal woods, very wel smelling, that euer were seen: wherby it appeareth to be the pleasantest & most commodious dwelling of al y͏ͤ world. Wherefore (my Lorde) trusting you will not thinke it amisse (considering the commodities that may be brought thence) of we leaue a number of men there, which may fortifie and prouide them selues of things necessary: for in all new discoueries it is the chiefest thing that may be done, at the beginning to fortifieFortification most necessarie in all newe discoueries. and people the countrey. I had not so soone set forth this to our companie, but many of them affraid to tary there, yet with such a good will and ioly corage, that such a number did thus offer themselues, as we had much to do to stay their importunitie.
And namely of our shipmaisters and principall pilotes, and such as we could not spare. How bee it, wee lefte there but to the number of thirtie in all, Gentlemen, souldiers, and marriners, and that at their own suit30. lefte behind at their owne suite and prayer, and of their owne free willes, and by the aduice and deliberation of the Gentlemen sent on the behalfe of the Prince and yours.
And
