After vve had vvell rested our selues, the Generall commaund

Produced by Irma Spehar, Louise Pryor, The Kraus Collection

of Sir Francis Drake and the Online Distributed Proofreading

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{Transcriber's note:

The spelling and punctuation in the original are inconsistent.

No corrections have been made except those that have been noted

explicitly at the end of the etext.

The maps referred to on the title page and after the Dedication were

not present in the original.}

A SVMMARIE

AND TRVE DISCOVRSE

OF SIR FRANCES DRAKES

VVest Indian Voyage.

VVherein were taken, the Townes of

_Saint Iago, Sancto Domingo, Cartagena,

and Saint Augustine_.

With Geographicall Mappes exactly describing each of the

Tovvnes vvith their scituations, and the maner

of the Armies approching to the vvinning

of them: diligently made by

BAPTISTA BOAZIO.

[Illustration]

Printed at London by Roger Ward dvvelling vpon

Lambard Hill, neere olde Fish-streete.

1589.

[Illustration: decorative page header]

TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE

ROBERT D'EVREVX, EARLE

_OF ESSEX AND EVVE, VISCOVNT_

of Hereford and Bourchier, Lord Ferrers of

Chartley, Bourchier, and Louaine, Maister

of the Queenes Maiesties horse,

and knight of the most honorable

order of the Garter. T. C.

vvisheth increase of all

honour and happinesse.

_Right Honorable, hauing by chaunce recouered of late into my handes

(after I had once lost the same) a copie of the Discourse of our late

West Indian Voyage, which was begun by Captaine Bigges; who ended his

life in the said voyage after our departure from _Cartagena_, the same

being afterwardes finished (as I thinke) by his Lieutenant Maister

Croftes, or some other, I know not well who. Now finding therein a most

true report of the seruices and other matters which happened in the said

voyage, the sight whereof is wonderfully desired of manie honest and

well disposed persons. I haue presumed to recommend the publishing

thereof, vnto your Lordships protection and fauour, for these two

causes. The one, for that your Lordships honourable disposition is in

the knowledge of all men that know your selfe, most thirstingly affected

to embrace in your owne person, the brauest enterprises, if the time

would once afford anie such fit occasion, as might be agreeable to her

Maiesties resolution: who wisely (and long may she do it) gouerneth all

thinges to the greatest aduantage of her selfe and people. The other,

because my selfe hauing bene a member in the said actions, and was

Lieutenant of Maister Carleils owne companie, whereby I can well assure

the truth of this report: I thought it my bounden duetie, hauing

professed my seruice to your Lordship before all men, to dedicate the

same rather vnto your Lordship then vnto any other. And although it be

now a yeare and a halfe sithence the voyage ended, whereby some man will

say, that it is now no new matter: yet the present time considered, how

doubtfull some of our meaner sort of people are of the Spanish

preparations, I thinke this Discourse a verie fit thing to be published,

that they may see what great victories a fewe English men haue made vpon

great numbers of the Spaniardes, euen at home in their owne Countries.

The beholding whereof will much encourage those, who by fame and bare

wordes are made to doubt much more then there is cause why they should.

Vpon which point, as there may be much said: so my selfe being no

Discourser, do desire to be held excused therein; and therefore doe

onely commend the trueth of this report vnto your Lordship: which will

be also auowed by diuers Captaines that were in the said voyage. And so

in all humblenesse do take my leaue, readie to do your Lordship all

faithfull seruice._

Your Lordships souldier

and humble seruant

THOMAS GATES.

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_¶ The Reader must vnderstand, that this Discourse was dedicated, and

intended to haue bene Imprinted somewhat before the comming of the

Spanish Fleete vpon our coast of England: but by casualtie the same was

forgotten and slacked for a time of some better leasure._

The Order and maner for the true placing

_of the Mappes in this Booke_.

{ S'. Iago in fol. 10.

{ S'. Domingo in fol. 19.

Place the Mappe of { Cartagena in fol. 23.

{ S'. Augustine in fol. 31.

[Illustration]

[Illustration: decorative page header]

A SVMMARIE AND

TRVE DISCOVRSE OF SIR FRANCIS

_DRAKES WEST INDIAN VOYAGE_,

WHEREIN WERE TAKEN

THE TOVVNES OF SAINT IAGO,

_Sancto Domingo, Cartagena_,

and Saint Augustine,

This vvorthie Knight for the seruice of his Prince and Countrie, hauing

prepared his vvhole fleete, and gotten them downe to Plimmouth in

Deuonshire, to the number of fiue and twentie saile of ships and

pinnaces, and hauing assembled of Souldiours and Marriners to the number

of two thousand and three hundred in the vvhole, embarqued them and

himselfe at Plimmouth aforesaid, the twelfth day of September 1585.

being accompanied vvith these men of name and charge, vvhich hereafter

followe.

Maister Christopher Carleill Lieftenant Generall, a man of long

experience in the vvarre as vvell by sea as land, and had formerly

carried high offices in both kindes in many fightes, vvhich he

discharged alvvaies verie happilie, and with great good reputation.

Anthonie Povvell Sergeant Maior.

Captaine Mathevve Morgan, and Captaine Iohn Sampson, Corporals of the

field.

These Officers had commaundement ouer the rest of the land Captaines,

vvhose names hereafter follovve.

Captaine Anthony Plat.

Captaine Edvvard Winter.

Captaine Iohn Goring.

Captaine Robert Pevv.

Captaine George Barton.

Captaine Iohn Merchant.

Captaine William Cecill.

Captaine Walter Bigs.

Captaine Iohn Hannam.

Captaine Richard Stanton.

Captaine Martine Frobusher Viceadmirall, a man of great experience in

sea faring actions, & had caried chiefe charge of many shippes

himselfe, in sundry voyages before, being novv shipped in the

Primrose.

Captaine Francis Knollis, Rieradmirall in the Gallion Leicester.

Maister Thomas Venner Captaine in the Elizabeth Bonaduenture vnder the

Generall.

Maister Edvvard Winter Captaine in the Aide.

Maister Christopher Carleill the Lieftenant generall, Captaine in the

Tygar.

Henry White Captaine of the sea Dragon.

Thomas Drake Captaine of the Thomas.

Thomas Seelie Captaine of the Minion.

Baily Captaine of the Barke Talbot.

Robert Crosse Captaine of the Barke Bond.

George Fortescute Captaine of the Barke Bonner.

Edward Carelesse Captaine of the Hope.

James Erizo Captaine of the vvhite Lion.

Thomas Moone Captaine of the Francis.

Iohn Riuers Captaine of the Vantage,

Iohn Vaughan Captaine of the Drake.

Iohn Varney Captaine of the George,

Iohn Martin Captaine of the Beniamin.

Edward Gilman Captaine of the Skout.

Richard Haukins Captaine of the Galliot called the Ducke.

Bitfield Captaine of the Svvallowe.

After our going hence, which vvas the fourteenth of September, in the

yeare of our Lord, one thowsand fiue hundred eightie and fiue: & taking

our course towardes Spaine, vve had the winde for a fewe daies somevvhat

skant, and sometimes calme. And being arriued neere that part of the

coast of Spaine, vvich is called the Moores, vvee happened to espie

diuerse Sailes, vvich kept their course close by the shore, the vveather

being faire and calme. The Generall caused the Vizeadmirall to goe vvith

the Pinnaces vvell manned to see vvhat they vvere, vvho vpon sight of

the said Pinnaces approching neere vnto them, abandoned for the most

part all their shippes (being Frenchmen) laden all vvith salt, and bound

homewardes into France, amongst vvhich shippes (being all of small

burthen) there was one so vvell liked, vvhich also had no man in her, as

being brought vnto the Generall, he thought good to make stay of her for

the seruice, meaning to pay for her, as also accordingly performed at

our returne: vvhich Barke vvas called the Drake. The rest of these

shippes (being eight or nine) vvere dismissed vvithout any thing at all

taken from them. Who beeing aftervvardes put somevvhat further off from

the shore, by the contrarietie of the vvinde, vve happened to meete

vvith some other French shippes, full laden vvith Newland fish, beeing

vpon their returne homewarde from the saide New found land: vvhom the

Generall after some speech had vvith them, (and seeing plainely that

they vvere Frenchmen) dismissed vvithout once suffering any man to goe

aboord of them.

The day follovving standing in vvith the shore againe, vve discried an

other tall ship of twelue score tunnes or theraboutes, vpon vvhom

Maister Carleill the Lieuetenant generall being in the Tygar, vndertooke

the chase, vvhome also anon after the Admirall follovved, and the Tygar

hauing caused the saide straunge shippe to strike her sayles, kept her

there without suffering anye bodie to goe aboorde vntill the Admirall

vvas come vp: vvho foorthwith fending for the Maister, and diuerse

others of their principall men, and causing them to be seuerally

examined, found the Shippe and goodes to be belonging to the

inhabitantes of Saint SEBASTIAN in Spaine, but the Marriners to bee for

the most parte belonging to Saint IOHN de LVCE, and the Passage. In this

ship was greate store of dry Nevvland fish, commonly called vvith vs

Poore Iohn, vvhereof aftervvards (being thus found a lavvfull prize)

there vvas distribution made into all the shippes of the Fleete, the

same being so new and good, as it did verie greatly bestead vs in the

whole course of our voyage. A day or two after the taking of this ship,

vve put in within the Isles of BAYON, for lacke of fauourable vvind,

where we had no sooner anckered some part of the Fleete, but the

Generall commaunded all the Pinnaces with the ship boates to be manned,

and euerye man to be furnished with such armes as vvas needefull for

that present seruice; vvhich being done, the Generall put himselfe into

his Galley, vvhich was also well furnished, and rowing towardes the

Citie of BAYON; with intent, and the fauour of the Almightie to supprise

it. Before we had aduaunced one halfe league of our way, there came a

messenger beeing an English Marchant from the Gouernour, to see what

straunge Fleete we were, who came to our Generall, and conferred a while

with him, and after a small time spent, our Generall called for Captaine

Sampson, and willed him to goe to the Gouernour of the Citie, to resolue

him of two pointes. The first, to knowe if there were any warres

beetweene Spaine and England. The second, vvhy our Merchantes with their

goodes were imbarred or arrested. Thus departed Captaine Sampson with

the saide Messenger to the citie, vvhere he found the Gouernour and

people much amazed of such a suddaine accident.

The Generall with the aduice and counsell of Maister Carliell his

Lieuetenant generall, who was in the Galley with him, thought not good

to make any stand, till such time as they were within the shot of the

Citie, wher they might be ready vpon the returne of Captaine Sampson, to

make a suddaine attempt if cause did require before it were darke.

Captaine Sampson returned with his message in this sort. First, touching

peace or warres the Gouernour said he knevve of no warres, and that it

lay not in him to make any, he being so meane a subiect as hee vvas. And

as for the stay of the Marchantes with their goodes, it vvas the Kinges

pleasure, but not with intent to endommage any man. And that the Kinges

conter commaundement vvas (vvhich had bene receiued in that place some

seauennight before) that English Marchants vvith their goods should be

discharged: for the more verifying vvhereof, he sent such Marchants as

vvere in the tovvne of our Nation, who traffiqued those parts; vvhich

being at large, declared to our generall by them, counsell vvas taken

vvhat myght best be done. And for that the night approched, it vvas

thought needefull to land our force, vvhich vvas done in the shutting vp

of the day, and hauing quartered our selues to our most aduantage, vvyth

sufficient gard vpon euery straight, vve thought to rest our selues for

that night there. The Gouernour sent vs some refreshing, as bread,

vvine, oyle, apples, grapes, marmalad and such lyke. About midnight the

vveather beginnes to ouercast, insomuch that it vvas thought meeter to

repaire aboord, then to make any longer abode on land, and before vve

could recouer the Fleete, a great tempest arose, vvhich caused many of

our ships to driue from their anker hold, and some vvere forced to sea

in great peril, as the barke Talbot, the barke Hawkins, and the

Speedewell, vvhich Speedewel onely vvas driuen into England, the others

recouered vs againe, the extremitie of the storme lasted three dayes,

vvhich no sooner beganne to asswage, but Maister Carleill our Lieutenant

generall, vvas sent vvith his ovvne ship and three others: as also vvith

the galley and vvith dyuers Pinnaces, to see vvhat he might do aboue

VIGO, vvhere he tooke many boates and some Caruels, diuersly laden vvith

thinges of small value, but chiefly vvith houshold stuffe, running into

the high countrey, and amongst the rest, he found one boate laden vvith

the principal Church stuffe of the high Church of VIGO, vvhere also vvas

their great Crosse of siluer, of very fayre embossed vvorke, and double

gilt all ouer, hauing cost them a great masse of money. They complayned

to haue lost in all kind of goods aboue thirtie thowsand Duckets in this

place.

The next day the General vvith his vvhole Fleete vvent vp from the Isles

of BAYON, to a very good harbour aboue VIGO, vvhere Maister Carleill

stayd his comming, asvvell for the more quiet riding of his ships, as

also for the good commoditie of fresh vvatering, vvhich the place there

did afoord full vvell. In the meane time the Gouernour of GALLISIA had

reared such forces as he might, his numbers by estimate vvere some two

thowsand foot, and three hundred horse, and marched from BAYON to this

part of the countrey, vvhich lay in sight of our Fleete, vvhere making

stand, he sent to parle vvith our Generall, vvhich vvas graunted by our

Generall, so it might be in boates vpon the vvater: and for safetie of

their persons, there vvere pledges deliuered on both sides, vvhich done,

the Gouernour of GALLISIA put him selfe vvith two others into our

Vice-Admirals Skiffe, the same hauing bene sent to the shore for him.

And in like sort our Generall in his owne Skiffe, vvhere by them it vvas

agreed, vve should furnish our selues vvith fresh vvater, to be taken

by our owne people quietly on the land, and haue all other such

necessaries, paying for the same, as the place vvould affoord.

VVhen all our businesse vvas ended, vve departed, and tooke our vvay by

the Islands of CANARIA, vvhich are esteemed some three hundred leagues

from this part of Spaine, and falling purposely vvith PALMA, vvith

intention to haue taken our pleasure of that place, for the full

digesting of many thinges into order, and the better furnishing our

store vvith such seuerall good thinges as that affoordeth very

abundantly, vve vvere forced by the vile sea gate, vvhich at that

present fell out, and by the naughtinesse of the landing place, being

but one, and that vnder the fauor of many Platformes, vvell furnished

vvith great ordinance, to depart vvith the receipt of many their Canon

shot, some into our ships, and some besides, some of them being in very

deede full Canon high. But the onely or chiefe mischiefe, vvas the

daungerous sea surge, vvhich at shore all alongest, plainly threatned

the ouerthrovv of as many Pinnaces and boates, as for that time should

haue attempted any landing at all.

Novv seeing the expectation of this attempt frustrated by the causes

aforesaid, vve thought it meeter to fall vvith the Isle FERRO, to see if

vve could find any better fortune, and comming to the Island, vve landed

a thousand men in a valley vnder a high mountaine, vvhere we stayed some

two or three houres, in which time the inhabitants, accompanied vvith a

yong fellovv borne in England, who dwelt there with them, came vnto vs,

shewing their state to be so poore, that they were all readie to starue,

which was not vntrue: and therefore without any thing gotten, we were

all commaunded presently to imbarke, so as that night we put off to sea

South Southeast along towards the coast of Barbarie.

Vpon Saterday in the morning, being the thirteenth of Nouember, we fell

with Cape Blancke, vvhich is a lovve lande and shallowe vvater, where

vvee catched store of fish, and doubling the Cape, we put into the Bay,

where wee found certaine French shippes of warre, whom we entertained

with great courtesie, & there left them. The after noone the whole

Fleete assembled, vvhich was a little scattered about their fishing, and

put from thence to the Isles of Cape Verde, sailing till the sixteenth

of the same moneth in the morning, on which day we discryed the Island

of Saint IAGO, & in the euening we anckered the Fleete betweene the

towne called the PLAIE or PRAIE and Saint IAGO, where we put on shore a

thowsand men or more, vnder the leading of Maister Christopher Carleill

Lieuetenant Generall, who directed the seruice most like a wise

commaunder. The place where wee had first to march did affoord no good

order, for the ground was mountaines and full of dales, being a

marueilous stonye and troublesome passage, but such vvas his industrious

disposition, as hee woulde neuer leaue, vntill wee had gotten vppe to a

faire plaine, vvhere we made stand for the assembling of the armie. And

when vve vvere all gathered together vpon the plaine, some two litle

miles from the Towne, the Lieuetenant general thought good not to make

attempt till day light: because there vvas not one that could serue for

guide or giuing knovvledge at all of the place. And therefore after

hauing vvell rested, euen halfe an hovver before day, he commaunded the

Armie to be deuided into three speciall partes, such as he appointed,

vvhereas before vvee had marched by seuerall companies, being thereunto

forced by the naughtinesse of the vvay as is aforesaid.

Now by the time we wer thus raunged into a very braue order, daylight

began to appeare, and being aduaunced hard to the vvall, we saw no

enemie to resist, whereupon the Lieutenant generall appointed Captaine

Sampson with thirtie shot, and Captaine Barton with other thirtie, to

goe downe into the tovvne vvhich stood in the valey vnder vs, and might

verie plainly be viewed all ouer from that place vvhere the vvhole Army

vvas novv arryued and presently after these Captaines vvas sent the

great Ensigne, vvhich had nothing in it but the plaine English crosse,

to be placed tovvardes the Sea, that our fleete might see Saint Georges

crosse florish in the enemies fortresse. Order vvas giuen that all the

ordinance throughout the towne, and vpon all the platformes, vvhich vvas

aboue fifty peeces al ready charged, should be shot off in honor of the

Queenes Maiesties Coronation day, being the seuententh of Nouember,

after the yearly custome of England, which was so aunswered againe by

the ordinance out of all the ships in the fleete which novv was come

neere, as it was straunge to heare such a thondering noise last so long

together. In this meane while the Lieutenant general held still the most

part of his force on the hill top, till such time as the tovvne was

quartered out for the lodging of the whole Armie, which being done euery

Captaine toke his owne quarter, and in the euening was placed such

sufficient gard vpon euerie part of the tovvne that vve had no cause to

feare any present enemie.

Thus we continued in the Citie the space of fourteene daies, taking such

spoiles as the place yelded, which were for the most part, wine, oyle,

meale, and some such like thinges for victuall, as vineger, oliues, and

some such other trash, as marchandise for their Indian trades. But there

was not founde any trasure at all, or any thing else of vvorth besides.

The scituation of Sainct IAGO is somewhat strange, in forme like to a

triangle, hauing on the East and West sides two Mountaines of Rocke and

cliffie, as it were hanging ouer it, vpon the top of which two

mountaines was builded certaine fortifications to preserue the towne

from any harme that might be offered, as in this Plot is plainly

shevved. From thence: on the South side of the towne is the maine sea,

and on the North side, the valley lying betweene the foresayd

mountaines, wherein the towne standeth: the said valley and towne both

do grow verie narrow, insomuch that the space betweene the two cliffes

of this ende of the towne is estimated not to be aboue tenne or twelue

score ouer.

In the middest of the valley commeth dovvne a riueret, rill, or brooke

of fresh vvater, which hard by the sea side maketh a pond or poole,

vvhereout our ships were vvatered vvith verie great ease and pleasure.

Somewhat aboue the Towne on the North side betweene the two mountaines,

the valley vvaxeth somewhat larger then at the townes end, vvhich valley

is vvholie conuerted into gardens and orchardes well replenished vvith

diuers sorts of fruicts, herbes and trees, as lymmons, orenges, suger

canes, cochars or cochos nuts, plantens, potato roots, cocombers, small

and round onions, garlike, and some other thinges not now remembred,

amongst vvhich the cochos, nuts and plantens are very pleasant fruicts,

the said cochos hauing a hard shell and a greene huske ouer it, as hath

our vvalnut, but it farre exceedeth in greatnesse, for this cochos in

his greene huske is bigger then any mans two fistes, of the hard shell

many drinking cups are made here in England, and set in siluer as I haue

often seene.

Next within this hard shell is a vvhite rine resembling in shew verie

much euen as any thing may do, to the vvhite of an egge vvhen it is hard

boyled. And vvithin this vvhite of the nut lyeth a vvater, vvhich is

vvhitish and very cleere, to the quantitie of halfe a pint or there

abouts, vvhich vvater and white rine before spoken of, are both of a

very coole fresh tast, and as pleasing as any thing may be. I haue heard

some hold opinion, that it is very restoratiue.

The Planten grovveth in cods, somewhat like to beanes, but is bigger and

longer, and much more thicke together on the stalke, and vvhen it waxeth

ripe, the meate vvhich filleth the rine of the cod becommeth yellovv,

and is exceeding sweet and pleasant.

In this time of our being there, hapned to come a Portingall to the

Westermost fort, vvith a flag of truce, to vvhom Captaine Sampson was

sent vvith Captaine Goring, vvho comming to the said Messenger, he first

asked them vvhat nation they vvere, they aunswered Englishmen, he then

required to knovv if warres vvere betweene England and Spaine, to vvhich

they aunsvvered that they knew not, but if he would go to their Generall

he could best resolue him of such particulars, and for his assurance of

passage and repassage, these Captaines made offer to ingage their

credits, which he refused for that he vvas not sent from his Gouernor.

Then they told him, if his Gouernor did desire to take a course for the

common benefite of the people and countrie, his best way vvere to come

and present him selfe vnto our Noble and mercifull Gouernor Sir Frances

Drake; vvhereby he might be assured to finde fauor, both for him selfe

and the inhabitantes. Othervvise within three dayes vve should march

ouer the land, and consume vvith fire all inhabited places, and put to

the svvord all such liuing soules as vve should chaunce vpon: so thus

much he tooke for the conclusion of his answere, and departing, he

promised to returne the next day, but vve neuer heard more of him.

Vpon the foure and twentieth of Nouember, the Generall accompanied vvith

the Lieutenant generall and sixe hundred men, marched foorth to a

village tvvelue miles vvithin the lande, called S. DOMINGO, vvhere the

Gouernor and the Bishop vvith all the better sort vvere lodged, and by

eight of the clocke vve came to it, finding the place abandoned, and the

people fled into the mountaines: so vve made stand a vvhile to ease

ourselues, and partly to see if any vvould come to speake to vs.

After vve had vvell rested our selues, the Generall commaunded the

troupes to march away homewardes, in vvhich retreat the enemie shewed

them selues, both horse and foote, though not such force as durst

encounter vs: and so in passing some time at the gase vvith them, it

vvaxed late and towards night, before vve could recouer home to Saint

IAGO.

On Monday the six and twentieth of Nouember, the Generall commaunded all

the Pinnaces vvith the boates, to vse all diligence to imbarke the Armie

into such ships as euery man belonged. The Lieutenant generall in like

sort commaunded Captaine Goring and Lieutenant Tucker, with one hundred

shot to make a stand in the market place, vntill our forces were wholly

imbarked, the Vize-Admiral making stay vvith his Pinnace and certaine

boats in the harbour, to bring the said last companie aboord the ships.

Also the Generall willed forthwith the Gallie with two Pinnaces to take

into them the companie of Captaine Barton, and the companie of Captaine

Bigs, vnder the leading of Captaine Sampson, to seeke out such munition

as vvas hidden in the ground, at the towne of PRAY or PLAY, hauing beene

promised to be shewed it by a prisoner, vvhich was taken the day before.

The Captaines aforesaid comming to the PLAY, landed their men, and

hauing placed the troupe in their best strength, Captaine Sampson tooke

the prisoner, and willed him to shevve that he had promised, the vvhich

he could not, or at least vvould not: but they searching all suspected

places, found two peeces of ordinance, one of yron, an other of brasse.

In the after noone the Generall anckered the rest of the Fleete before

the PLAIE comming him selfe a shore, vvilling vs to burne the Tovvne and

make all hast a boorde, the which was done by sixe of the clocke the

same day, and our selues imbarked againe the same night, and so we put

off to sea Southwest.

But before our departurre from the towne of Saint IAGO, we established

orders for the better gouernment of the Armie, euery man mustered to his

Captaine, and othes ministred to acknowledge her Maiestie supreame

Gouernour, as also euery man to doe his vttermost endeuour to aduaunce

the seruice of the action, and to yeeld due obedience vnto the

directions of the General and his officers. By this prouident counsell,

and laying downe this good foundation before hand, all thinges went

forward in a due course, to the achieuing of our happie enterprise.

In all the time of our being here, neither the Gouernour for the King of

Spaine, (which is a Portugall) neither the Bishop, whose authoritie is

great, neither any of the inhabitantes of the towne, or Island euer came

at vs (which we expected they should have done) to intreate vs to leaue

them some part of their needfull prouisions, or at the least, to spare

the ruining of their towne at our going away. The cause of this their

vnreasonable distrust (as I doe take it) vvas the fresh remembrance of

the great wronges they had done to olde Maister William Havvkins of

Plimmouth, in the voyage he made foure or fiue yeares before, when as

they did both breake their promise, and murthered many of his men,

whereof I iudge you haue vnderstood, and therfore needlesse to be

repeated. But since they came not at vs, vve left written in sundrie

places, as also in the Spitle house, (vhich building was onely appointed

to be spared) the great discontentment and scorne we tooke at this their

refraining to come vnto vs, as also at the rude maner of killing, and

sauage kinde of handling the dead body of one of our boyes found, by

them stragling all alone, from whome they had taken his head and heart,

and had stragled the other bowels about the place, in a most brutish and

beastly maner.

In reuenge vvhereof at our departing vve consumed vvith fire all the

houses, asvvell in the countrey vvhich vve savv, as in the tovvne of S.

IAGO.

From hence putting ouer to the West Indies, we vvere not many dayes at

sea, but there beganne amongst our people such mortalitie, as in fevv

dayes there vvere dead aboue tvvo or three hundred men. And vntill some

seuen or eight dayes after out comming from S. IAGO, there had not died

any one man of sicknesse in all the Fleete: the sicknesse shevved not

his infection vvherevvith so many vvere stroken, vntill vve vvere

departed thence, and then seazed our people vvith extreme hote burning

and continuall ague, vvhereof some very fevv escaped vvith life, and yet

those for the most part not vvith out great alteration and decay of

their vvittes and strength for a long time after. In some that died

vvere plainly shevved the small spottes, vvhich are often found vpon

those that be infected vvith the plague, vve vvere not aboue eighteene

daies in passage betvvene the sight of Sainct IAGO aforesaid, and the

Island of DOMINICA, being the first Islande of the West Indies that vve

fell vvithall, the same being inhabited vvith sauage people, vvhich goe

all naked, their skin coloured vvith some painting of a reddish tavvney,

very personable and handsome strong men, vvho doe admit little

conuersation vvith the Spaniardes: for as some of our people might

vnnderstand them, they had a Spaniard or tvvaine prisoners vvith them,

neither do I thinke that there is any safetie for any of our nation, or

any other to be vvithin the limits of their commaundement, albeit they

vsed vs very kindly for those fevve houres of time vvhich vve spent

vvith them, helping our folkes to fill and carie on their bare shoulders

fresh vvater from the riuer to our ships boates, and fetching from their

houses, great store of Tobacco, as also a kinde of bread vvhich they fed

on, called Cassado, verie white and sauerie, made of the rootes of

Cassania. In recompence whereof, wee bestovved liberall revvardes of

glasse, coloured beades, and other things, which we had found at Sainct

IAGO, vvherewith (as it seemed) they rested verie greatlie satisfied,

and shevving some sorrowfull countenance vvhen they perceaued that vve

vvoulde depart.

From hence vve vvent to another Island Westward of it, called Sainct

CHRISTOPHERs Island, wherein vvee spent some daies of Christmas, to

refresh our sicke people, and to cleanse and ayre our ships. In vvhich

island vvere not any people at all that vve could heare off.

In vvhich time by the Generall it vvas aduised and resolued, vvith the

consent of the Lieftenant generall, the Vice-Admirall, and all the rest

of the Captaines to proceed to the great Island of HISPANIOLA, as vvel

for that we knevve our selues then to bee in our best strength, as also

the rather allured thereunto, by the glorious fame of the Citie of S.

DOMINGO, being the ancientest and chiefe inhabited place in al the tract

of countrey ther aboutes. And so proceeding in this determination, by

the vvay vvee met a small Frigot, bound for the same place, the vvhich

the Vice-Admirall tooke, and hauing duelie examined the men that vvere

in her, there vvas one founde by vvhome vve vvere aduertised, the hauen

to be a barred hauen, and the shore or land thereof to be vvell

fortified, hauing a Castle thereupon furnished vvith greate store of

Artillerie, vvithout the danger vvhereof, vvas no conuenient landing

place vvithin ten English miles of the Citie, to vvhich the saide Pilote

tooke vpon him to conduct vs.

All thinges being thus considered on, the vvhole forces vvere commaunded

in the euening to embarke themselues into Pinnaces, boates, & other

small barkes appointed for this seruice. Our souldiers being thus

imbarked the Generall put himselfe into the barke Francis as Admirall,

and all this night we lay on the sea, bearing small saile vntill our

arriuall to the landing place, which vvas about the breaking of the day,

and so we landed, being Newyears day, nine or ten miles to the

Westwardes of that braue Citie of S. DOMINGO: for at that time nor yet

is knowen to vs, any landing place, vvher the sea surge doth not

threaten to ouerset a Pinnace or boat. Our General hauing seene vs all

landed in safetie, returned to his Fleete, bequeathing vs to God, and

the good conduct of Maister Carliell our Lieuetenant Generall: at which

time, being about eight of the clocke, we began to march, and about

noone time, or towards one of the clocke we approched the towne, where

the Gentlemen and those of the better sort, being some hundred and

fiftie braue horses or rather more, began to present themselues, but our

small shot plaied vpon them, which were so sustained with good

proportion of pikes in all partes, as they finding no part of our troope

vnprepared to receiue them (for you must vnderstande they viewed all

round about) they were thus driuen to giue vs leaue to proceed towardes

the tvvo gates of the tovvne, vvhich vvere the next to the seavvard.

They had manned them both, and planted their ordinance for that present,

and sudden alarum vvithout the gate, and also some troopes of small shot

in Ambuscado vpon the hievvay side. We deuided our vvhole force, being

some thousand or tvvelue hundred men into tvvo partes, to enterprise

both the gates at one instant, the Lieftenant Generall hauing openly

vovved to Captaine Povvell (vvho led the troope that entered the other

gate) that vvith Gods good fauour he vvould not rest vntill our meeting

in the market place.

Their ordinance had no sooner discharged vpon our near approch, & made

some execution amongst vs, though not much, but the Lieftenant generall

began foorthvvith to aduaunce both his voice of encouragement, and pace

of marching, the first man that vvas slaine vvith the ordinance being

verie neere vnto himselfe, and thereupon hasted all that he might to

keepe them from the recharging of the ordinance. And notvvithstanding

their Ambuscadoes, vve marched or rather ranne so roundly into them as

pell mell vve entered the gates, and gaue them more care euery man to

saue himselfe by flight, then reason to stand any longer to their broken

fight, we foorthwith repaired to the market place, but to be more truely

vnderstood a place of verye faire spatious square grounde before the

great Church, vvhether also came as had bene agreed Captaine Povvell

with the other troope, which place vvith some part next vnto it, we

strengthened with Barricados, and there as the most conuenient place

assured our selues, the Citie being farre to spacious for so small and

weary a troope to vndertake to garde. Somevvhat after midnight they vvho

had the garde of the Castle, hearing vs busie about the gates of the

saide Castle, abandoned the same: some being taken prisoners, and some

flying away by the help of boates, to the other side of the hauen, & so

into the country.

The next day vve quartered a little more at large, but not into the

halfe part of the tovvne, and so making substantiall trenches, and

planting all the ordinance that ech part vvas correspondent to other, we

held this towne the space of one moneth.

In the vvhich time happened some accidents more then are vvell remembred

for the present, but amongst other thinges it chanced that the Generall

sent on his message to the Spaniardes a negro boy with a flagge of

vvhite, signifiing truce, as is the Spaniardes ordinarie manner to doe

there, vvhen they approch to speak to vs, vvhich boy vnhappily vvas

first met withall, by some of those who had bene belonging as officers

for the King in the Spanish Galley, vvhich vvith the Tovvne vvas lately

fallen into our hands, vvho vvithout all order or reason, and contrary

to that good vsage vvherevvith vvee had entertained their messengers,

furiouslie stroke the poore boy through the bodie vvith one of their

horsemens staues, with vvich vvound the boy returned to the Generall,

and after he had declared the maner of this wrongfull crueltie, died

forthvvith in his presence, vvherewith the Generall beeing greatly

passioned, commaunded the Prouost martiall, to cause a couple of Friers,

then prisoners, to be caried to the same place where the boy was

stroken, accompanied with sufficient gard of our soldiers, and there

presently to be hanged, dispatching at the same instant another poore

prisoner, vvith this reason wherefore this execution vvas done, and

vvith this message further, that vntill the partie vvho had thus

murthered the Generals messenger, vvere deliuered into our handes, to

receaue condigne punishment, there should no day passe, vvherein there

should not two prisoners be hanged, vntill they were all consumed vvich

vvere in our handes.

Whereupon the day following, he that had bene Captaine of the kinges

galley, brought the offendor to the townes ende, offring to deliuer him

into our hands, but it was thought a more honourable reuenge, to make

them there in our sight, to performe the execution themselues, vvhich

vvas done accordingly.

During our being in this towne, as formerly also at S. IAGO there had

passed iustice vpon the life of one of our owne companie for an odious

matter: so here likewise was there an Irish man hanged, for the

murthering of his Corporall.

In this time also passed manie treaties betweene their Commissioners and

vs, for ransome of their Citie, but vpon disagreements, we still spent

the early mornings in firing the outmost houses; but they being built

verie magnificently of stone, vvith high loftes, gaue vs no small

trauell to ruine them. And albeit for diuers daies together, we

ordained eche morning by day breake, vntill the heat began at nine of

the clocke, that two hundred Mariners did nought else but labour to fier

and burne the said houses vvithout our trenches, vvhilest the souldiers

in a like proportion stood foorth for their gard: yet did we not or

could not in this time consume so much as one third part of the towne,

vvhich Towne is here plainly described and set forth in this Map. And so

in the end, what wearied with firing, and vvhat hastened by some other

respects, we were contented to accept of fiue and twentie thousand

Duckets, of fiue shillings sixe pence the peece, for the ransome of the

rest of the towne.

Amongst other things which happened and were found at S. DOMINGO, I may

not omit to let the world know one very notable marke and token, of the

vnsatiable ambition of the Spanish king & his nation, vvich was found in

the kings house, vvherein the chiefe Gouernor of that Citie and countrey

is appointed alwaies to lodge, vvhich vvas this: In the comming to the

hall or other romes of this house, you must first ascend vp by a faire

large paire of staires, at the head of vvhich staires is a handsome

spatious place to vvalke in, somewhat like vnto a gallerie, vvherein

vpon one of the vvals, right ouer against you as you enter the said

place, so as your eye can not escape the sight of it, there is described

and painted in a very large Scutchion, the armes of the king of Spaine,

and in the lower part of the said Scutchion, there is likewise described

a globe, containing in it the whole circuite of the sea and the earth,

vvhereupon is a horse standing on his hinder part vvithin the globe, and

the other fore part vvithout the globe, lifted vp as it vvere to leape,

vvith a scroll painted in his mouth, vvherein vvas written these vvordes

in Latin _Non sufficit orbis_: which is as much to say, as the world

suffiseth not, vvhereof the meaning vvas required to be knowen of some

of those of the better sort, that came in commission to treat vpon the

ransome of the tovvne, who would shake their heades, and turne aside

their countenance in some smyling sort, without answering any thing, as

greatly ashamed thereof. For by some of our companie it vvas told them,

that if the Queene of England vvould resolutely prosecute the warres

against the Kinge of Spaine, he should be forced to lay aside that

proude and vnreasonable reaching vaine of his, for he should finde more

then inough to do, to keepe that vvhich he had alreadie, as by the

present example of their lost towne they might for a beginning perceaue

vvell inough.

Now to the satisfying of some men, who maruel greatly that such a famous

and goodly builded Citie so vvell inhabited of gallant people, very

brauely apparelled (vvhereof our souldiers found good store for their

reliefe) should afoord no greater riches then vvas found there, vvherein

it is to be vnderstood that the Indian people, which were the naturals

of this vvhole Island of HISPANIOLA (the same being neare hand as great

as England) were many yeares since cleane consumed by the tyrannie of

the Spaniards, vvhich vvas cause, that for lacke of people to vvorke in

the Mines, the gold and siluer Mines of this Island are vvholy giuen

ouer, and thereby they are faine in this Island to vse copper money,

whereof vvas found verie great quantitie. The chiefe trade of this place

consisteth of Suger and Ginger, which groweth in the Island, and of

hides of oxen and kine, vvhich in this wast countrey of the Island are

bred in infinite numbers, the soile being verie fertile: and the said

beasts are fed vp to a verie large growth, and so killed for nothing so

much, as for their hides aforesaid. Wee found here great store of strong

wine, sweete oyle, vineger, oliues, and other such like prouisions, as

excellent vvheate meale packed vp in wine pipes and other caske, and

other commodities likewise, as vvollen and linnen cloth, and some

silkes, all which prouisions are brought out of Spaine & serued vs for

great releese. There vvas but a little plate or vessell of Siluer, in

comparison of the great pride in other thinges of thys towne, because in

these hote countreyes they vse much of these erthen dishes finely

painted or varnished, vvich they call Parsellina, and is had out of the

East India, and for their drinking, they vse glasses altogether, whereof

they make excellent good and faire in the same place. But yet some plate

we founde, and many other good thinges, as theyr hosholde garniture very

gallant and rich, vvhich had cost them deere, although vnto vs they

vvere of small importance.

From S. DOMINGO we put ouer to the maine or firme land, and going all

alongest the coast, vve came at the last in sight of CARTAGENA, standing

vpon the sea side so neare as some of our barks in passing alongst,

approched vvithin the reach of their Culuerin shot, vvhich they had

planted vpon certaine platformes. The harbour mouth lay some three miles

tovvard the Westvvard of the town, vvhereinto we entered about three or

foure of the clocke in the afternoone vvithout any resistance, of

ordinance, or other impeachment planted vpon the same. In the euening

vve put our selues on land tovvardes the harbour mouth, vnder the

leading of Maister Carleill our Lieftenant generall, vvho after he had

digested vs to march forvvard about the midnight, as easily as foote

might fall, expresselye commaunding to keepe close by the sea vvash of

the shore for our best and surest vvay, whereby we vvere like to goe

through, and not to misse anye more of the vvay, vvhich once vve had

lost within an hower after our first beginning to march, through the

slender knowledge of him that tooke vpon him to be our guide, whereby

the night spent on, which otherwise must haue bene done by resting. But

as we came vvithin some tvvo miles of the towne, their horsemen which

vvere some hundred, met vs, and taking the alarum, retired to their

townevvard again vpon the first volley of our shot that vvas giuen them:

for the place where vve encountred being vvoody and bushie euen to the

water side, was vnmeet for their seruice.

At this instant vve might heare some peeces of artillerie discharged,

with diuers small shot tovvardes the harbour, vvhich gaue vs to

vnderstand, according to the order set downe in the euening before by

our Generall, that the Vice-Admirall accompanied with Captaine Venner,

Captaine White, and Captaine Crosse, vvith other sea captaines, and

vvith diuers Pinnaces and boates should giue some attempt vnto the litle

fort standing on the entrie of the inner hauen, neere adioining to the

tovvne, though to small purpose, for that the place vvas stronge, and

the entrye verie narrovve vvas chained ouer: so as there coulde be

nothing gotten by the attempt, more then the giuing of them an Alarum on

that other side of the hauen being a mile and a halfe from the place

where vve novve vvere. In which attempt the Vice-Admirall had the rudder

of his Skiffe stroken through with a Saker shot, and litle or no harme

receaued else where.

The troopes being novve in their march, half a myle behither the tovvne

or lesse, the ground we were on grew to be straight, and not aboue

fiftie paces ouer, hauing the maine sea on the side of it, and the

harbour water or inner sea (as you may tearme it) on the other side,

vvhich in this plot is plainely shewed. This straight was fortified

cleane ouer with a stone vvall and a ditch without it, the saide wall

being as orderly built vvith flanking in euery part, as can be set

dovvne. There vvas onely so much of this straight vnvvalled, as might

serue for the issuing of the horsemen, or the passing of carriage in

time of neede: but this vnvvalled part vvas not vvithout a very good

Barricado of vvine buts or pipes, filled vvith earth, ful and thick as

they might stand on end one by another, some part of of them standing

euen vvithin the maine sea.

This place of strength vvas furnished of sixe great peeces,

demi-Culuerins, and Sakers, vvhich shot directlie in front vpon vs as

vve approched. Novve vvithout this vval vpon the inner side of the

streight, they had brought likevvise tvvo great Gallies vvith their

provvesse to the shore, hauing planted in them eleuen peeces of

ordinance vvhich did beate all crosse the straight, and flanked our

comming on. In these tvvo Gallies vvere planted three or foure hundred

small shot, and on the land in the garde onely of thys place, three

hundred shot and pikes.

They in this their full readinesse to receiue vs, spared not their shot

both great and small. But our Lieftenant generall, taking the aduantage

of the darke (the day light as yet not broken out) approched by the

lovvest ground, according to the expresse direction vvhich himselfe

hadde formerlie giuen, the same being the sea vvash shore, vvhere the

vvater vvas somevvhat fallen, so as most of all their shot vvas in

vaine. Our Lieftenant generall commaunded our shot to forbeare shooting

vntill vve vvere come to the vvall side, and so vvith pikes roundlie

together vve approched the place, vvhere vve soone found out the

Barricadoes of pipes or buts, to be the meetest place for our assault,

vvhich notvvithstaning it vvas vvell tempted by vs: dovvne vvent the

buts of earth, and pell mell came our svvordes and pikes together, after

out shot had first giuen their volley, euen at the enemies nose. Our

pikes vvere somevvhat longer then theirs, and our bodies better armed,

for very fevve of them vvere armed, vvith vvhich aduantage out svvordes

and pikes grevv to hard for them, and they driuen to giue place. In this

furious entrie, the Lieutenant generall slue vvith his ovvne hands, the

chiefe Ensigne bearer of the Spaniards, vvho fought verie manfullie to

his liues end.

We follovved into the towne vvith them, and giuing them no leasure to

breath, vve vvanne the Market place, albeit they made head, and fought a

while before vve got it, and so vve being once seazed and assured of

that, they were content to suffer vs to lodge vvithin their towne, and

themselues to goe to their vviues, vvhome they had caried into other

places of the countrey before our comming thither.

At euerie streetes end they had raised verie fine Barricadoes of earth

workes, vvith trenches without them, as well made as euer vve savve any

vvorke done: at the entring whereof vvas some litle resistance, but

soone ouercome, it vvas vvith fewe slaine or hurt. They had ioyned vvith

them many Indians, vvhome they had placed in corners of aduantage, all

bovve men, vvith their Arrovves most villanously empoisoned, so as if

they did but breake the skinne, the partie so touched died vvithout

great marueill: some they slevve of our people with their arrowes, some

they likevvise mischieued to death vvith certaine prickes of small

stickes sharply pointed, of a foot and a halfe long, the one end put

into the ground, the other empoisoned, sticking fast vp, right against

our comming in the vvay, as we should approch from our landing tovvardes

the towne, vvhereof they had planted a vvonderfull number in the

ordinarie way, but our keeping the sea vvash shore, missed the greatest

part of them verie happilie.