^ 6 The 



led . If therefore there were no other fniite in the Hi- 

 ftorie and Narration of the deedesand gefts of the In 

 dians, but this commorf vtilitie, to be-a Relation or 

 Hiftorie of things,thc which in the cffed of truth have 

 happened , it deferveth to be received as a profitable 

 thing, neither ought it to be reieded, for that it con- 

 cernes the Indians. As we fee that thofe Authors that 

 treate of naturall things , write not onely of generous 

 bcafts, notable and rare plants, and ofpretious ftones, 

 but alfoof wildebeafts, common hearbs, and bale and 

 vulgar ftones 5 for that there is alwaycs inthemfome 

 properties worthy obfervation.If therefore there were 

 nothing elfc in this Difcourfe, but that it is a Hiftorie, 

 and no fables nor fidions, it were no vnwooi thy fub- 

 iedtobewritten 5 orread. There is yet an other more 

 particular reafon , which is, that wee ought heerein to 

 cfteeme that which is woorthyofmemorie, both for 

 that it is a Nation little efteemed,and alfo a fubied dif 

 ferent from that of our Europe , asthefe Nations be, 

 wherein wee fliould take moftpleafureandcontent 5 to 

 vnderftand the ground of their beginning,their maner 

 of life, with their happy and vnhappy adventures. And 

 this fubied is not onely pleafantand agreeable,butalfo 

 profitable, efpecially to fuch as have the charge to rule 

 and governe them; for the knowledge of theiradls in 

 vites vs to give credite, and dooth partely teach howe 

 they ought to fye intreatcd : yea it takes away much of 

 that common and foolifli contempt wherein they of 

 Eftropeholde them, fuppofing that thofe Nations have 

 no feeling of reafon. Forintruethweecan notcleere 

 this errour better , than by the true report of theades 

 and deedes of this people . I will therefore as briefely 

 as I can , in treate of the beginning , proceedings ana 



notable 



