14 Trans-continental Trade (1602)

The first suggestion that the Americas could become of a new economic system of Trans-continental trade, by Edward Hayes, a member of Sir Humphrey Gilbert’s party, in 1583.

Of a convenient passage and trade into the South Sea under temperate regions, part by rivers and some part over land in the continent of America, I will add hereunto an assured hope (grounded upon infallible reasons) of a way to be made part overland and part by rivers or lakes into the South seas unto Cathay, China, and those passing rich countries lying in the East parts of the world. Which way or passage (supposed to be beyond the uttermost bounds of America, under the frozen Zone) is nevertheless held by the opinion of many learned writers and men of judgement now living to be in these more temperate regions. And that the same shall never be made known, unless we plant [colonize] first. Whereby we shall learn as much by inquisition of the natural inhabitants as by our own navigations. I will not herein rely upon reports made in the Frenchmen’s discoveries that the sea which gives passage unto Cathay extends from the North, near unto the river of Canada into 44 degrees, where the same of the Savages is called Tadouac.

Neither upon the discoveries of Jacques Noel [nephew of Jacques Cartier], who having passed beyond the three Saults [rapids or waterfalls] where Jacques Cartier left to discover, finding the river of St. Laurence passable on the other side or branch. And afterwards understood of the inhabitants, that the same river did lead into a mighty lake which at the entrance was fresh but beyond was bitter or salt; the end whereof was unknown. Omitting therefore these hopes, I will ground my opinion upon reason and nature, which will not fail.

For this we know already, that great rivers have been discovered a thousand English miles into that continent of America, namely that of St. Laurence or Canada. But not regarding miles more or less, most assuredly that and other known rivers there do descend from the highest parts or mountains or middle of that continent into our North sea [Atlantic Ocean]. And like as those mountains do cast from them, streamed into our North seas; even so the like they do into the South sea [Pacific] which is on the back of that continent.

Seeing then in nature this cannot be denied and by experience elsewhere is found to be so, I will show how a trade may be disposed more commodiously into the South sea through these temperate and habitable regions than by the frozen Zones in the supposed passages of Northwest or Northeast where, if the very moment be omitted of the time to pass, then are we like to be frozen in the seas or forced to Winter in extreme cold and darkness like unto hell. Or in the midst of Summer, we shall be in peril to have our ships overwhelmed or crushed in pieces by hideous and fearful mountains of ice floating upon those seas.

Therefore four Staple-places must be erected, when the most short and passable way is found. That is to say, two upon the North side, at the head and fall of the river; and two others on the South side, at the head and fall also of that other river. Provided that ships may pass up those rivers to the Staples, so far as the same be navigable into the land. And afterwards, that boats with flat bottoms may also pass so high and near the heads of the rivers to the Staples as possibly they can. Even with less than two foot water which cannot then be far from the heads, as in the river of Chagre [Chagres River in Panama].

That neck or space of land between the two heads of the said rivers, if it be 100 leagues [300 miles] (which is not likely) the commodities from the North and from the South sea brought there, may well be carried over the same upon horses, mules, or beasts of that country apt to labor (as the elk or buffalo) or by the aid of many Savages accustomed to burdens, who shall stead [serve] us greatly in these affairs.

It is moreover to be considered that all these countries do yield (so far as is known) Cedars, Pines, Fir trees, and Oaks to build, mast, and yard ships. Wherefore we may not doubt but that ships may be built on the South sea.

Then as ships on the South side may go and return to and from Cathay, China, and other most rich regions of the East world in five months or thereabouts; even so the goods being carried over to the North side, ships may come there from England to fetch the same goods, and return by a voyage of four or five months usually.

So as in every four months may be returned into England the greatest riches of Cathay, China, Japan, and the rest which will be Spices, Drugs, Musk, Pearl, Stones, Gold, Silver, Silks, Cloths of gold, and all manner of precious things which shall recompense the time and labor of their transportation and carriage if it were as far and dangerous as the Moors’ trade is from Fez and Morocco (over the burning and moveable sands, in which they perish many times and suffer commonly great distresses) to the river called Niger in Africa and from thence, up the said river many hundred miles. Afterwards overland again to the river Nile and so to Cairo in Egypt, from whence they return the way they came.

Or if it were a voyage so far as our merchants have made into Persia, even to Ormus [Hormuz], by the way of the North, through Russia into the Caspian sea and so forth, with payment of many tolls. But this passage over and through the continent of America, as the same shall be always under temperate and habitable climates and a pleasant passage after it has been a little frequented. Even so it must fall out much shorter than it seems by false description of that continent, which does not extend so far into the West as by later navigations is found and described in more exquisite charts. Besides that, the sea extends itself into the land very far in many places on the South side, whereby our access to the South ocean shall be by so much the shorter.

Source: A Brief and true Relation of the Discoverie of the North part of Virginia, &c. Whereunto is annexed a Treatise of M. Edward Hayes, containing important inducements for the planting in those parts, a finding a passage that way to the South Sea, and China (London, 1602), 21-24. https://archive.org/details/americanhistory00curtgoog/page/160/mode/2up