Colonoware Debate, the Prequel.
The following is an excerpt from A True and Exact History of the
Island of Barbadoes by Richard Ligon, published in London, 1657, pp
23-24 (facsimile edition). Respectfully submitted for your
philosophical enjoyment by Dan Mouer.
***
But before I come to say anything of the Island [Barbados] as it was
when I arrived there, I will beg leave, to deliver you a word or two,
what hath been told me by the most ancient Planters, that we found
there, and what they had by tradition from their Predecessors...
About the year [1625] a ship of Sir William Curteens, returning from
Fernambock in Brasil, being driven by foul weather upon this coast,
chanc'd to fall upon this Island...and Anchoring before it, stayed
some time , to inform themselves of the nature of the place; which
they found by tryals in several parts, to be so overgrown with wood,
as there could be found no Champions, or Savannahs for men to dwell
in; nor found they any beasts to inhabit there, only Hogs, and those
in abundance: the Portugals having long before, put some ashoar for
breed, in case they should at any time be driven by foul weather. to
be cast upon the Island, they might there find fresh meat, to serve
them upon such an extremity: And the fruits and roots that grew
there, afforded them so great plenty of food, as they multiplied
abundantly. So that the natives of the leeward Islands, that were at
the distance of sight, coming thither in their Cannoas and Periagos,
and finding such game to hunt, and the flesh so sweet and excellent
in taste, they came often thither a hunting, and stayed sometimes a
month together, and so returned again at pleasure, leaving behind
them certain tokens of their being there, which were, Pots, of
several sizes, in which they boyled their meat, made of clay, so
finely tempered, and turned with such art, as I have not seen any
like them, for fineness of mettle, and curiosity of turning, in
England. This information I received from the Planters in Barbadoes.
But...my chance was to meet with an ancient Captain, one of those
that first landed on the Island; and had the managing of the good
part of the Island, under William, late Earl of Pembrook, before my
Lord of Carlisle begg'd it of King James. This Captain Canon (dor so
was his name) inform'd me for certain, that this was a gross mistake
in the Planters, and that no Indians ever came there: But those Pots
were brought by the Negroes, which they fetcht from Angola, and some
other parts of Africa; and that he had seen them made of Angola, with
the greatest art that may be. Though I am willing to believe this
Captain, who delivered upon his knowledge, that the Negroes brought
some Pots thither, and very finely and artificially made; yet it does
not hinder any man from believing, that the Indians brought some too,
and who knows, which were the most exactly made. For, 'tis certain,
that from some part of the Island, you may see (in a clear day) St
Vincents perfectly: And if we can see them, why may not they see us;
and they will certainly venture to any place they see, so far as they
know how to reach it before night, setting out very early in the
morning. But I leave you to credit which of these you please, either,
or both.
But I have a great inclination to believe, the Indians have been
there, for this reason, that the island of St. Vincent, lying in the
same Climate with this of Barbadoes, the Clay may be of the same
nature and quality; and they, having the skill to bring their clay to
so fine a temper, to burn and not break, may shew us the way, to
temper ours of Barbadoes so, as we may make Bricks to burn, without
chopping or cracking; which those of Angola, being far off, and it
may be, their Clay of different temper, cannot help us in. And it is
no hard matter, to procure an indian or two, to come to this Island,
and give us direction, which would be of infinite use and advantage
to our buildings in Barbadoes.
|
