PART I.

I. Sir George Peckham’s true Report of the late discoueries. continued.

The second Part or Chapter sheweth, that it is lawfull and necessarie to

trade and traffique with the Sauages: And to plant in their Countries: And

diuideth planting into two sorts.

And first for traffique, I say that the Christians may lawfully trauell

into those Countries and abide there: whom the Sauages may not iustly

impugne and forbidde in respect of the mutuall societie and fellowshippe

betweene man and man prescribed by the Law of Nations.

For from the first beginning of the creation of the world, and from the

renewing of the same after Noes flood, all men haue agreed, that no

violence should be offered to Ambassadours: That the Sea with his Hauens

should be common: That such as should fortune to be taken in warre, should

be seruants or slaues: And that strangers should not be driuen away from

the place or Countrey whereunto they doe come.

If it were so then, I demaund in what age, and by what Law is the same

forbidden or denied since? For who doubteth but that it is lawfull for

Christians to vse trade and traffique with Infidels or Sauages, carrying

thither such commodities as they want, and bringing from thence some part

of their plentie?

A thing so commonly and generally practised, both in these our dayes, and

in times past, beyond the memorie of man, both by Christians and Infidels,

that it needeth no further proofe.

And forasmuch as the vse of trade and traffique (be it neuer so

profitable) ought not to be preferred before the planting of Christian

faith: I will therefore somewhat intreate of planting, (without which,

Christian Religion can take no roote, be the Preachers neuer so carefull

and diligent) which I meane to diuide into two sortts.

(M1) The first, when Christians by the good liking and willing assent of

the Sauages, are admitted by them to quiet possession.

The second, when Christians being vniustly repulsed, doe seeke to attaine

and mainteine the right for which they doe come.

And though in regard of the establishment of Christian Religion, eyther of

both may be lawfully and iustly exercised: (Whereof many examples may be

found, as well in the time of Moyses and Iosua, and other rulers before

the birth of Christ, as of many vertuous Emperours and Kings sithence his

incarnation:) yet doe I wish, that before the second be put in practise, a

proofe may be made of the first, sauing that for their safetie as well

against the Sauages, as all other foreigne enemies, they should first well

and strongly fortifie themselues: which being done, then by all fayre

speeches, and euery other good meanes of perswasion to seeke to take away

all occasions of offence.

As letting them to vnderstand, how they came, not to their hurt, but for

their good, and to no other ende, but to dwell peaceably amongst them, and

to trade and traffique with them for their owne commoditie, without

molesting or grieuing them any way: which must not be done by wordes onely

but also by deedes.

For albeit, to maintaine right and repell iniury, be a iust cause of

warre: yet must there hereof be heedefull care had, that whereas the

Sauages be fearefull by nature, and fond otherwise, the Christians should

doe their best endeuour to take away such feare as may growe vnto them by

reason of their strange apparell, Armour, and weapon, or such like, by

quiet and peaceable conuersation, and letting them liue in securitie, and

keeping a measure of blamelesse defence, with as little discommoditie to

the Sauages as may bee: for this kinde of warre would be onely defensiue

and not offensiue.

And questionlesse there is great hope and likelyhoode, that by this kinde

of meanes we should bring to passe all effects to our desired purposes:

Considering that all creatures, by constitution of nature, are rendred

more tractable and easier wonne for all assayes, by courtesie and

mildnesse, then by crueltie or roughnesse: and therefore being a principle

taught vs by naturall reason, it is first to be put in vse.

For albeit as yet the Christians are not so thoroughly furnished with the

perfectnesse of their language, eyther to expresse their mindes to them,

or againe to conceiue the Sauages intent: Yet for the present

opportunitie, such policie may be vsed by friendly signes, and courteous

tokens, towards them, as the Sauages may easily perceiue (were their

sences neuer so grosse) an assured friendship to be offered them, and that

they are encountered with such a nation, as brings them benefite,

commoditie, peace, tranquilitie and safetie. To further this, and to

accomplish it in deedes, there must bee presented vnto them gratis, some

kindes of our pettie marchandizes and trifles: As looking glasses, Belles,

Beades, Bracelets, Chaines, or collers of Bewgle, Chrystall, Amber, Iet,

or Glasse, &c. For such be the things, though to vs of small value, yet

accounted by them of high price and estimation: and soonest will induce

their Barbarous natures to a liking and a mutuall societie with vs.

Moreouer, it shall be requisite eyther by speeche, if it be possible

either by some other certaine meanes, to signifie vnto them, that once

league of friendship with all louing conuersation being admitted betweene

the Christians and them: that then the Christians from thenceforth will

alwayes be ready with force of Armes to assist and defend them in their

iust quarrels, from all inuasions, spoyles and oppressions offered them by

any Tyrants, Aduersaries, or their next borderers: and a benefite is so

much the more to be esteemed, by how much the person vpon whom it is

bestowed standeth in neede thereof.

For it appeareth by the relation of a Countreyman of ours, namely Dauid

Ingram, (who trauelled in those countries xi. Moneths and more) That the

Sauages generally for the most part, are at continuall warres with their

next adioyning neighbours, and especially the Cannibals, being a cruell

kinde of people whose foode is mans flesh, and haue teeth like dogges, and

doe pursue them with rauenous mindes to eate their flesh, and deuoure

them.

And it is not to be doubted, but that the Christians may in this case

iustly and lawfully ayde the Sauages against the Cannibals. So that it is

very likely, that by this meanes we shall not only mightily stirre and

inflame their rude mindes gladly to embrace the louing company of the

Christians, proffering vnto them both commodities, succour and kindnesse:

But also by their franke consents shall easily enioy such competent

quantity of Land, as euery way shall be correspondent to the Christians

expectation and contentation, considering the great abundance that they

haue of Land, and how small account they make thereof, taking no other

fruites thereby then such as the ground of it selfe doeth naturally

yeelde. And thus much concerning the first sort of planting, which as I

assuredly hope, so I most heartily pray may take effect and place.

(M2) But if after these good and fayre meanes vsed, the Sauages

neuerthelesse will not bee herewithall satisfied, but barbarously will goe

about to practise violence eyther in repelling the Christians from their

Ports and safe-landings, or in withstanding them afterwards to enioy the

rights for which both painfully and lawfully they haue aduentured

themselues thither.

Then in such a case I holde it no breach of equitie for the Christians to

defend themselues, to pursue reuenge with force, and to doe whatsoeuer is

necessarie for the attaining of their saftie: For it is allowable by all

Lawes in such distresses, to resist violence with violence: And for their

more securitie to increase their strength by building of Forts for

auoyding the extremitie of iniurious dealing.

Wherein if also they shal not be suffered in reasonable quietnesse to

continue, there is no barre (as I iudge) but that in stoute assemblies the

Christians may issue out, and by strong hand pursue their enemies, subdue

them, take possession of their Townes, Cities, or Villages, and (in

auoyding murtherous tyrannie) to vse the Law of Armes, as in like case

among all Nations at this day is vsed: and most especially to the ende

they may with securitie holde their lawfull possession, lest happily after

the departure of the Christians, such Sauages as haue bene conuerted

should afterwards through compulsion and enforcement of their wicked

Rulers, returne to their horrible idolatrie (as did the children of

Israel, after the decease of Ioshua) and continue their wicked custome of

most vnnaturall sacrificing of humane creatures.

And in so doing, doubtlesse the Christians shall no whit transgresse the

bonds of equitie or ciuilitie, forasmuch as in former ages, (yea, before

the incarnation of Christ) the like hath bene done by sundry Kings and

Princes, Gouernours of the children of Israel: chiefly in respect to begin

their planting, for the establishment of Gods worde: as also since the

Natiuitie of Christ, mightie and puissant Emperours and kings haue

performed the like, I say to plant, possesse, and subdue. For proofe

whereof, I wilt alledge you examples of both kindes.

Wee reade in the olde Testament, how that after Noes flood was ceased,

restauration of mankinde began onely of those fewe of Noes children and

familie as were by God preelected to bee saued in the Arke with him, whose

seede in processe of time, was multiplyed to infinite numbers of Nations,

which in diuers sortes diuided themselues to sundry quarters of the earth.

And foreasmuch as all their posteritie being mightily encreased, followed

not the perfect life of Noe their predecessour, God chose out of the

multitude a peculiar people to himselfe, to whom afterwardes being vnder

the gouernment of Moyses in Mount Sinay, hee made a graunt to inherite the

Land of Canaan, called the Land of promise, with all the other rich and

fertile Countries next adioyning thereunto. Neuerthelesse, before they

came to possession thereof, hauing bene afflicted with many grieuous

punishments and plagues for their sinnes, they fell in despayre to enioy

the same.

But being encouraged and comforted by their rulers, (men of God) they

proceeded, arming themselues with all patience, to suffer whatsoeuer it

should please God to send: and at last attaining to the Land, they were

encountered with great numbers of strong people, and mighty Kings.

(M3) Notwithstanding, Iosua their Leader replenished with the Spirite of

God, being assured of the iustnesse of his quarrell, gathered the chiefe

strength of the children (M4) of Israel together, to the number of 40000.

with whom he safely passed the huge riuer Iordon, and hauing before sent

priuie spies for the discouerie of the famous citie Ierico, to vnderstand

the certaintie of the Citizens estate, he forthwith came thither, and

enuironed it round about with his whole power the space of seuen dayes.

In which respite, perceiuing none of the Gentiles disposed to yeeld or

call for mercie, he then commanded (as God before had appointed) that both

the citie Ierico should be burned, yea, and all the inhabitants, as well

olde as young, with all their cattell should be destroyed, onely excepted

Rahab, her kindred and familie, because shee before had hid secretly the

messengers of Iosua, that were sent thither as spies. As for all their

golde, siluer, precious stones, or vessels of brasse, they were reserued

and consecrated to the Lords treasurie.

(M5) In like maner he burned the citie Hay, slew the inhabitants thereof,

and hanged vp their King. (M6) But for so much as the Gebionites (fearing

the like euent) sent Ambassadours vnto Iosua to entreate for grace,

fauour, and peace: hee commaunded that all their liues should bee saued,

and that they should be admitted to the children of Israel. Yet

vnderstanding afterwards they wrought this by a pollicie, he vsed them as

drudges to hewe wood and to carie water, and other necessaries for his

people. (M7) Thus beganne this valiant Captaine his conquest, which he

pursued and neuer left till hee had subdued all the Hethites, Cananites.

Peresites, Heuites, and Iebusites, with all their princes and Kings, being

thirtie and one in number, and diuers other strange nations, besides whose

lands and dominions he wholy diuided among Gods people.

(M8) After that Iosua was deceased, Iuda was constituted Lord ouer the

armie, who receiuing like charge from God, pursued the proceedings of the

holy captaine Iosua, and vtterly vanquished many Gentiles, Idolaters, and

aduersaries to the children of Israel, with all such Rulers or Kings as

withstoode him, and namely Adonibezek the most cruell tyrant: whose

thumbes and great toes he caused to be cut off, for so much as hee had

done the like before vnto seuentie Kings, whom being his prisoners, he

forced to gather vp their victuals vnderneath his table. In this God

shewed his iustice to reuenge tyrannie. (M9) We reade likewise, that

Gedeon a most puissant and noble warriour so behaued himselfe in following

the worthy acts of Iosua and Iuda, that in short time he not only

deliuered the children of Israel from the hands of the multitude of the

fierce Madianites, but also subdued them and their Tyrants, whose landes

he caused Gods people to possesse and inherite.

I could recite diuers other places out of the Scripture, which aptly may

be applyed hereunto, were it not I doe indeuour my selfe by all meanes to

be briefe. Now in like maner will I alledge some fewe Inductions out of

the autenticall writings of the Ecclesiasticall Historiographers, all

tending to the like argument. And first to begin withall, we doe reade:

That after our Sauiour Iesus Christ had suffered his passion, the Apostles

being inspired with the holy Ghost, and the knowledge of all strange

languages, did immediatly disperse themselues to sundry parts of the

world, to the preaching of the Gospel. Yet not in so generall a maner, but

that there remayned some farre remote Countries vnvisited by them, among

the which it is reported that India the great, called the vttermost India,

as yet had received no light of the word. (M10) But it came to passe, that

one Metrodorus, a very learned and wise Philosopher in that age, being

desirous to search out vnknowen lands, did first discouer the same finding

it wonderfull populous and rich, which vpon his returne being published,

and for certaine vnderstood, there was another graue Philosopher of Tyrus

called Meropius, being a Christian, who did resolue himselfe (following

the example of Metrodorus) to trauaile thither, and in a short time

assisted but with a fewe, in a small Vessel arriued there, hauing in his

company two yong youths, Edesius and Frumentius, whom (being his

schollers) he had thoroughly instructed both in liberall Sciences, and

christian Religion. Now after that Meropius somewhile staying there, had

(as hee thought) sufficient vnderstanding of the Indians whole estate: He

determined to depart, and to bring notice thereof vnto the Emperour, whom

he meant to exhort to the conquest of the same.

But by misfortune he was preuented, for being in the middest of his course

on the Sea homeward, a sore tempest arose, and perforce droue him backe

againe, to an unknowen Port of the said land: where he by the most cruell

barbarous Indians on the sudden was slaine with all his company, except

the two young (M11) schollers aforesayde, whom the barbarous Indians, by

reason they were of comely stature and beautifull personages, tooke, and

forthwith presented them to their King and Queene: which both being very

well liked of, the King courteously entreated, and ordeined Edesius to be

his Butler, and Frumentius his Secretarie, and in few yeeres by reason of

their learning and ciuill gouernment, they were had in great fauour,

honour, and estimation with the Princes. But the King departing this life,

left the Queene his wife with her yong sonne to gouerne, and gaue free

scope and liberty to the two Christians, at their best pleasure to passe

to their natiue soyles, allowing them all necessaries for the same. Yet

the Queene who highly fauoured them was very sorrowfull they should

depart, and therefore most earnestly intreated them to tarie and assist

her in the gouernment of her people, till such time as her yong sonne

grewe to ripe yeeres, which request they fulfilled.

(M12) And Frumentius excelling Edesius farre in all wisedome, ruled both

the Queene and her subiects at his discretion, whereby he tooke occasion

to put in practise priuily, that the foundation of Christian religion

might be planted in the hearts of such as with whom he thought his

perswasion might best preuaile, and that soonest would giue eare vnto him:

which being brought to passe accordingly, hee then with his fellow Edesius

tooke leaue of the Queene to returne to his natiue countrey. And so soone

as he was arriued there, he reuealed to the Emperour Constantine, the

effect of all those euents: who both commending his deedes and wholy

allowing thereof, by the aduise and good liking of Athanasius then Bishop

of Alexandria, did arme and set forth a conuenient power for the ayde of

Frumentius, in this his so godly a purpose. And by this meanes came the

Emperour afterwards by faire promises, and by force of armes together,

vnto the possession of all the Indians countrey. (M13) The author of this

storie Ruffinus receiued the trueth hereof from the very mouth of Edesius

companion to Frumentius. Moreouer Eusebius in his Historie

Ecclesiasticall(1) in precise termes, and in diuers places maketh mention

how Constantine the great not onely enlarged his Empire by the subduing of

his next neighbours, but also endeauoured by all meanes to subiect all

such remote Barbarous and Heathen nations, as then inhabited the foure

quarters of the worlde. For (as it is written) the Emperour thoroughly

ayded with a puissant armie of valiant souldiers whom he had before

perswaded to Christian religion, in proper person himselfe came euen vnto

this our country of England, then called the Island of Britaines, bending

from him full West, which he wholy conquered, made tributarie, and setled

therein Christian faith, and left behinde him such Rulers thereof, as to

his wisedome seemed best. From thence hee turned his force towardes the

North coast of the world, and there vtterly subdued the rude and cruell

Nation of the Scythians, whereof part by friendly perswasions, part by

maine strength, hee reduced the whole to Christian faith. Afterwards he

determined with himselfe to search out what strange people inhabited in

the vttermost parts of the South. And with great hazard and labour, making

his iourney thither, at last became victour ouer them all euen to the

countrey of the Blemmyans, and the remote Æthiopians, that now are the

people of Presbyter Iohn, who yet till this day continue and beare the

name of Christians.

In the East likewise, what Nation soeuer at that time he could haue notice

of, he easily wonne and brought in subiection to the Empire. So that to

conclude, there was no region in any part of the world, the inhabitants

whereof being Gentiles, though vnkowen vnto him, but in time he ouercame

and vanquished.

This worthy beginning of Constantine, both his sonnes succeeding his

roome, and also diuers other Emperours afterward to their vttermost

endeauour followed and continued, which all the bookes of Eusebius more at

large set foorth. (M14) Theodoretus likewise in his Ecclesiasticall

historie maketh mention how Theodosius the vertuous Emperour imployed

earnestly all his time, as well in conquering the Gentiles to the

knowledge of the holy Gospel, vtterly subuerting their prophane Temples

and abominable Idolatry, as also in extinguishing of such vsurping tyrants

as with Paganisme withstoode the planting of Christian religion. (M15)

After whose decease his sonnes Honorius and Arcadius were created

Emperours, the one of the East, the other of the West, who with all the

stout godlinesse most carefully imitated the foresteps of their Father;

eyther in enlarging theyr territories, or increasing the christian flocke.

Moreouer, it is reported by the sayd author, that Theodosius iunior the

Emperour, no whit inferior in vertuous life to any of the aboue named

Princes, with great studie and zeale pursued and prosecuted the Gentiles,

subdued their tyrants and countries, and vtterly destroyed all their

idolatry, conuerting their soules to acknowledge their onely Messias and

Creator, and their Countries to the enlargement of the Empire. To be

briefe, who so listeth to read Eusebius Pamphilus, Socrates Scholasticus,

Theodoritus Hermia, Sozomen, and Euagrius Scholasticus, which all were

most sage Ecclesiasticall writers, shall finde great store of examples of

the worthy liues of sundry Emperours, tending all to the confirmation of

my former speeches.

And for like examples of later time, (yea euen in the memorie of man) I

shall not neede to recite any other then the conquest made of the West and

East Indies by the Kings of Spaine and Portugall, whereof there is

particular mention made in the last chapter of this booke. Herein haue I

vsed more copy of examples then otherwise I would haue done, sauing that I

haue bene in place, where this maner of planting the Christian faith hath

bene thought of some to be scarce lawfull, yea, such as doe take vpon them

to be more then meanely learned. To these examples could I ioyne many moe,

but whosoeuer is not satisfied with these fewe, may satisfie himselfe in

reading at large the authors last aboue recited. Thus haue I (as I trust)

prooued that we may iustly trade and traffique with the Sauages, and

lawfully plant and inhabite their Countries.

The third Chapter doeth shew the lawfull title which the Queenes most

excellent Maiestie hath vnto those countries, which through the ayde of

Almighty God are meant to be inhabited.

(M16) And it is very euident that the planting there shal in time right

amply enlarge her Maiesties Territories and Dominions, or (I might rather

say) restore to her Highnesse ancient right and interest in those

Countries, into the which a noble and worthy personage, lineally descended

from the blood royall, (M17) borne in Wales named Madock ap Owen Gwyneth,

departing from the coast of England, about the yeere of our Lord God 1170.

arriued and there planted himselfe and his Colonies, and afterward

returned himselfe into England, leauing certaine of his people there, as

appeareth in an ancient Welsh Chronicle, where he then gaue to certaine

Ilands, beastes, and foules sundry Welsh names, as the Iland of Pengwin,

which yet to this day beareth the same.

There is likewise a foule in the saide countreys called by the same name

at this day, and is as much to say in English, as Whitehead, and in trueth

the said foules haue white heads. There is also in those countreis a fruit

called Gwynethes which is likewise a Welsh word. Moreouer, there are

diuers other Welsh wordes at this day in vse, as Dauid Ingram aforesaid

reporteth in his relations. All which most strongly argueth, the sayd

prince with his people to haue inhabited there. And the same in effect is

confirmed by Mutezuma(2) that mightie Emperour of Mexico, who in an

Oration vnto his subiects for the better pacifying of them, made in the

presence of Hernando Cortes, vsed these speeches following.

(M18) My kinsmen, friends, and seruants, you doe well know that eighteene

yeres I haue bene your King, as my fathers and grandfathers were, and

alwayes I haue bene vnto you a louing Prince, and you vnto me good and

obedient subiects, and so I hope you will remaine vnto mee all the dayes

of my life. You ought to haue in remembrance, that either you haue heard

of your fathers, or else our diuines haue instructed you, that wee are not

naturally of this countrey, nor yet our kingdome is durable, because our

forefathers came from a farre countrey, and their King and Captaine, who

brought them hither, returned againe to his naturall Countrey, saying that

he would send such as should rule and gouerne vs, if by chance he himselfe

returned not, &c.

These be the very wordes of Mutezuma set downe in the Spanish Chronicles,

the which being thoroughly considered, because they haue relation to some

strange noble person, who long before had possessed those countreys, doe

all sufficiently argue the vndoubted title of her Maiestie: forasmuch as

no other Nation can truely by any Chronicles they can finde, make

prescription of time for themselues, before the time of this Prince Madoc.

(M19) Besides all this, for further proofe of her highnesse title sithence

the arriuall of this noble Briton into those parts (that is to say) in the

time of the Queenes grandfather of worthy memory, King Henry the seuenth,

Letters patents were by his Maiestie granted to Iohn Cabota an Italian, to

Lewis, Sebastian and Sancius, his three sonnes, to discouer remote,

barbarous and heathen Countreys, which discouery was afterwardes executed

to the vse of the Crowne of England, in the sayde Kings time, by Sebastian

and Sancius his sonnes, who were borne here in England: in true testimony

whereof there is a faire hauen in Newfoundland, knowen, and called vntill

this day by the name of Sancius hauen, which proueth that they first

discouered vpon that coast from the height of 63 vnto the cape of Florida,

as appeareth in the Decades.

And this may stand for another title to her Maiesty: but any of the

foresayd titles is as much or more then any other Christian Prince can

pretend to the Indies, before such time as they had actuall possession

thereof, obtained by the discouery of Christopher Columbus, and the

conquest of Vasques Nunnes de Balboa, Hernando Cortes, Francisco Pizarro,

and others. And therefore I thinke it needlesse to write any more touching

the lawfulnesse of her Maiesties title.

The fourth chapter sheweth how that the trade, traffike, and planting in

those countreys is likely to proue very profitable to the whole realme in

generall.

Now to shew how the same is likely to prooue very profitable and

beneficiall generally to the whole realme: it is very certaine, that the

greatest iewell of this realme, and the chiefest strength and force of the

same, for defence or offence in marshal matter and maner, is the multitude

of ships, masters and mariners, ready to assist the most stately and

royall nauy of her Maiesty, which by reason of this voyage shall haue both

increase and maintenance. (M20) And it is well knowen that in sundry

places of this realme ships haue beene built and set forth of late dayes,

for the trade of fishing onely: yet notwithstanding the fish which is

taken and brought into England by the English nauy of fishermen, will no

suffice for the expense of this realme foure moneths, if there were none

els brought of strangers. And the chiefest cause why our English men doe

not goe so farre Westerly as the especiall fishing places doe lie, both

for plenty and greatnesse of fish, is for that they haue no succour and

knowen safe harbour in those parts. But if our nation were once planted

there, or neere thereabouts; whereas they now fish but for two moneths in

the yeere, they might then fish as long as pleased themselues, or rather

at their comming finde such plenty of fish ready taken, salted, and dried,

as might be sufficient to fraught them home without long delay (God

granting that salt may be found there) whereof Dauid Ingram (who trauelled

in those countreys as aforesayd) sayth that there is great plenty: and

withall the climate doth giue great hope, that though there were none

naturally growing, yet it might as well be made there by art, as it is

both at Rochel and Bayon, or elsewhere. Which being brought to passe,

shall increase the number of our shippes and mariners, were it but in

respect of fishing onely: but much more in regard of the sundry

merchandizes and commodities which are there found, and had in great

abundance.

Moreouer, it is well knowen that all Sauages, aswell those that dwell in

the South, as those that dwell in the North, so soone as they shall begin

but a little to taste of ciuility, will take maruelous delight in any

garment, be it neuer so simple; as a shirt, a blew, yellow, red, or greene

cotton cassocke, a cap, or such like, and will take incredible paines for

such a trifle.

For I my selfe haue heard this report made sundry times by diuers of our

countreymen, who haue dwelt in the Southerly parts of the West Indies,

some twelue yeeres together, and some of lesse time; that the people in

those parts are easily reduced to ciuility both in maners and garments.

Which being so, what vent for our English clothes will thereby ensue, and

how great benefit to all such persons and artificers, whose names are

quoted in the margent,(3) I do leaue to the iudgement of such as are

discreet and questionlesse; hereby it will also come to passe, that all

such townes and villages as both haue beene, and now are vtterly decayed

and ruinated (the poore people thereof being not set on worke, by reason

of the transportation of raw wooll of late dayes more excessiuely then in

times past) shal by this meanes be restored to their pristinate wealth and

estate: all which doe likewise tend to the inlargement of our nauy, and

maintenance of our nauigation.

To what end need I endeuour my selfe by arguments to proue that by this

voyage our nauie and nauigation shalbe inlarged, when as there needeth

none other reason then the manifest and late example of the neere

neighbours to this realme, the kings of Spaine and Portugall, who since

the first discouery of the Indies, haue not onely mightily inlarged their

dominions, greatly inriched themselues and their subiects: but haue also

by iust account trebled the number of their shippes, masters and mariners,

a matter of no small moment and importance?

(M21) Besides this, it will prooue a generall benefit vnto our countrey,

that through this occasion, not onely a great number of men which do now

liue idlely at home, and are burthenous, chargeable, and vnprofitable to

this realme, shall hereby be set on worke, but also children of twelue or

fourteene yeeres of age, or vnder, may bee kept from idlenesse, in making

of a thousand kindes of trifling things, which wil be good merchandize for

that countrey. (M22) And moreouer, our idle women (which the Realme may

well spare) shall also be imployed on plucking, drying, and sorting of

feathers, in pulling, beating, and working of hempe, and in gathering of

cotton, and diuers things right necessary for dying. All which things are

to be found in those countreys most plentifully. And the men may imploy

themselues in dragging for pearle, woorking for mines, and in matters of

husbandry, and likewise in hunting the whale for Trane, and making casks

to put the same in: besides in fishing for cod, salmon, and herring,

drying, salting and barrelling the same, and felling of trees, hewing and

sawing of them, and such like worke, meete for those persons that are no

men of Art or Science.

Many other things may bee found to the great reliefe and good employments

of no small number of the naturall Subiects of this Realme, which doe now

liue here idlely to the common annoy of the whole state. (M23) Neither may

I here omit the great hope and likelyhood of a passage beyond the Grand

Bay into the South Seas, confirmed by sundry authors to be found leading

to Cataia, the Molluccas and Spiceries, whereby may ensue as generall a

benefite to the Realme, or greater then yet hath bene spoken of, without

either such charges, or other inconueniences, as by the tedious tract of

time and perill, which the ordinary passage to those parts at this day

doeth minister.

And to conclude this argument withall, it is well knowen to all men of

sound iudgement, that this voyage is of greater importance, and will be

found more beneficiall to our countrey, then all other voyages at this day

in vse and trade amongst vs.

The fift chapter sheweth, that the trading and planting in those countreis

is likely to proue to the particular profit of all aduenturers.

I must, now according to my promise shew foorth some probable reasons that

the aduenturers in this iourney are to take particular profit by the same.

It is therefore conuenient that I doe diuide the aduenturers into two

sorts: the noblemen and gentlemen by themselues, and the Merchants by

themselues. For, as I doe heare, it is meant that there shall be one

societie of the Noblemen and Gentlemen, and another societie of the

merchants. And yet not so diuided, but that eche society may freely and

frankely trade and traffique one with the other.

And first to bend my speech to the noblemen and gentlemen, who doe chiefly

seeke a temperate climate, wholesome ayre, fertile soile, and a strong

place by nature whereupon they may fortifie, and there either plant

themselues, or such other persons as they shall thinke good to send to bee

lords of that place and countrey: to them I say, that all these things are

verie easie to be found within the degrees of 30 and 60 aforesaid, either

by South or North, both in the Continent, and in Islands thereunto

adioyning at their choise: but the degree certaine of the eleuation of the

pole, and the very climate where these places of force and fertility are

to be found, I omit to make publike, for such regard as the wiser sort can

easily coniecture: the rather because I doe certainly vnderstand, that

some of those which haue the managing of this matter, knowe it as well or

better then I my selfe, and do meane to reueale the same, when cause shall

require, to such persons whom it shall concerne, and to no other: so that

they may seat and settle themselues in such climate as shall best agree

with their owne nature, disposition, and good liking: and in the whole

tract of that land, by the description of as many as haue bene there,

great plentie of minerall matter of all sorts, and in very many places,

both stones of price, pearle and christall, and great store of beasts,

birds and fowles both for pleasure and necessary for vse of man are to be

found.

(M24) And for such as take delight in hunting, there are Stagges, Wilde

bores, Foxes, Hares, Cunnies, Badgers, Otters, and diuers other such like

for pleasure. Also for such as haue delight in hauking, there are haukes

of sundry kinds, and great store of game, both for land and riuer, as

Fezants, Partridges, Cranes, Heronshawes, Ducks, Mallards, and such like.

(M25) There is also a kinde of beast much bigger then an Oxe, whose hide

is more then eighteene foote long, of which sort a countreyman of ours,

one Walker a sea man, who was vpon that coast, did for a trueth report in

the presence of diuers honourable and worshipfull persons, that he and his

company did finde in one cottage aboue two hundred and fortie hides, which

they brought away and solde in France for fortie shillings an hide: and

with this agreeth Dauid Ingram, and describeth that beast at large,

supposing it to be a certaine kinde of Buffe; (M26) there are likewise

beasts and fowles of diuers kinds, which I omit for breuities sake, great

store of fish both in the salt water and in the fresh, plentie of grapes

as bigge as a mans thumbe, and the most delicate wine of the Palme tree,

of which wine there be diuers of good credit in this realme that haue

tasted: and there is also a kind of graine called Maiz, Potato rootes, and

sundry other fruits naturally growing there: so that after such time as

they are once settled, they shall neede to take no great care for

victuall.

And now for the better contentation and satisfaction of such worshipfull,

honest minded, and well disposed Merchants, as haue a desire to the

furtherance of euery good and commendable action, I will first say vnto

them, as I haue done before to the Noblemen and Gentlemen, that within the

degrees abouesayde, is doubtlesse to bee found the most wholesome and best

temperature of ayre, fertilitie of soyle, and euery other commoditie or

merchandize, for the which, with no small perill we doe trauell into

Barbary, Spaine, Portugall, France, Italie, Moscouie and Eastland. All

which may be either presently had, or at the least wise in very short time

procured from thence with lesse danger then now we haue them. And yet to

the ende my argument shall not altogether stand vpon likelihoods and

presumptions, I say that such persons as haue discouered and trauelled

those partes, doe testifie that they haue found in those countreys all

these things following, namely:

Of beasts for furres: Marterns, Beauers, Foxes, blacke and white,

Leopards.

Of wormes: Silke wormes great and large.

Of Birds: Hawkes, Bitters, Curlewes, Herons, Partridges, Cranes, Mallards,

Wilde geese, Stocke dooues, Margaus, Blacke birds, Parrots, Pengwins.

Of Fishes: Codde, Salmon, Seales, Herrings.

Of Trees: Palme trees yeelding sweet wines, Cedars, Firres, Sasafras,

Oake, Elme, Popler, and sundry other strange Trees to vs vnknowen.

Of fruites: Grapes very large, Muskemellons, Limons, Dates great,

Orrenges, Figges, Prunes, Raisins great and small, Pepper, Almonds,

Citrons.

Of Mettals: Golde, Siluer, Copper, Lead, Tinne.

Of Stones: Turkeis, Rubies, Pearls great and faire, Marble of diuers

kindes, Iasper, Christall.

Sundry other commodities of all sorts: Rosen, Pitch, Tarre, Turpentine,

Frankincense, Honny, Waxe, Rubarbe, Oyle Oliue, Traine oyle, Muske codde,

Salt, Tallow, Hides, Hempe, Flaxe, Cochenello and dies of diuers sorts,

Feathers of sundrie sorts, as for pleasure and filling of Featherbeds.

And seeing that for small costs, the trueth of these may be vnderstood

(whereof this intended supply will giue vs more certaine assurance) I doe

finde no cause to the contrary, but that all well minded persons should be

willing to aduenture some competent portion for the furtherance of so good

an enterprise.

Now for the triall hereof, considering that in the articles of the

societie of the aduenturers in this voyage, there is prouision made, that

no aduenturer shall be bound to any further charge then his first

aduenture: and yet notwithstanding keepe still to himselfe his children,

his apprentises and seruants, his and their freedome for trade and

traffique, which is a priuiledge that aduenturers in other voyages haue

not: and in the said articles it is likewise prouided, that none other

then such as haue aduentured in the first voyage, or shal become

aduenturers in this supply, at any time hereafter are to be admitted in

the said society, but as redemptionaries, which will be very chargeable:

therefore generally I say vnto all such according to the olde prouerbe,

Nothing venture, nothing haue. For if it do so fall out, according to the

great hope and expectation had, (as by Gods grace it will) the gaine which

now they reap by traffique into other farre countries, shal by this trade

returne with lesse charge, greater gaine, and more safety: Lesse charge, I

say, by reason of the ample and large deepe riuers at the very banke,

whereof there are many, whereby both easily and quietly they may transport

from the innermost parts of the main land, all kind of merchandize, yea in

vessels of great burden, and that three times, or twise in the yere at the

least. (M27) But let vs omit all presumptions how vehement soeuer, and

dwel vpon the certainty of such commodities as were discouered by S.

Humfrey Gilbert, and his assistants in Newfound land in August last. For

there may be very easily made Pitch, Tarre, Rosen, Sope ashes in great

plenty, yea, as it is thought, inough to serue the whole realme of euery

of these kindes: And of Traine oyle such quantity, as if I should set

downe the value that they doe esteeme it at, which haue bene there, it

would seeme incredible.

It is hereby intended, that these commodities in this abundant maner, are

not to be gathered from thence, without planting and setling there. And as

for other things of more value, and that of more sorts and kindes then one

or two (which were likewise discouered there) I doe holde them for some

respects, more meete for a time to be concealed then vttered.

Of the fishing I doe speake nothing, because it is generally knowen: and

it is not to be forgotten, what trifles they be that the Sauages doe

require in exchange of these commodities: yea, for pearle, golde, siluer,

and precious stones. All which are matters in trade and traffique of great

moment. But admit that it should so fall out, that the aboue specified

commodities shall not happily be found out within this first yeere: Yet it

is very cleere that such and so many may be found out as shall minister

iust occasion to thinke all cost and labour well bestowed. For it is very

certaine, that there is one seat fit for fortification, of great safety,

wherein those commodities following, especially are to be had, that is to

say, Grapes for wine, Whales for oyle, Hempe for cordage, and other

necccessary things, and fish of farre greater sise and plenty, then that

of Newfound land, and of all these so great store, as may suffice to serue

our whole realme.

Besides all this, if credit may be giuen to the inhabitants of the same

soile, a certaine riuer doth thereunto adioyne, which leadeth to a place

abounding with rich substance: I doe not hereby meane the passage to the

Molluccaes, whereof before I made mention.

And it is not to be omitted, how that about two yeeres past, certaine

merchants of S. Malo in France, did hyre a ship out of the Island of

Iersey to the ende that they would keepe that trade secret from their

Countreymen, and they would admit no mariner, other then the ship boy

belonging to the said ship, to goe with them, which shippe was about 70.

tunne. I doe know the shippe and the boy very well, and am familiarly

acquainted with the owner, which voyage prooued very beneficiall.

To conclude, this which is already sayd, may suffice any man of reasonable

disposition to serue for a taste, vntill such time as it shall please

almighty God through our owne industrie to send vs better tydings. In the

meane season, if any man well affected to this iourney, shall stand in

doubt of any matter of importance touching the same, he may satisfie

himselfe with the iudgement and liking of such of good calling and

credite, as are principall dealers herein. For it is not neccessary in

this treatise, publikely to set forth the whole secrets of the voyage.

The sixth Chapter sheweth that, the traffique and planting in those

countries, shall be vnto the Sauages themselues very beneficiall and

gainefull.

Now to the end it may appeare that this voyage is not vndertaken

altogether for the peculiar commodity of our selues and our countrey (as

generally other trades and iournies be) it shall fall out in proofe, that

the Sauages shall hereby haue iust cause to blesse the houre when this

enterprise was vndertaken.

First and chiefly, in respect of the most happy and gladsome tidings of

the most glorious Gospel of our Sauiour Iesus Christ, whereby they may be

brought from falshood to trueth, from darknesse to light, from the hie way

of death to the path of life, from superstitious idolatrie to sincere

Christianity, from the deuill to Christ, from hell to heauen. And if in

respect of all the commodities they can yeelde vs (were they many moe)

that they should but receiue this onely benefit of Christianity, they were

more then fully recompenced.

But hereunto it may bee obiected, that the Gospel must bee freely

preached, for such was the example of the Apostles: vnto whom although the

authorities and examples before alledged of Emperors, Kings and Princes,

aswel before Christs time as since, might sufficiently satisfie: yet for

further answere, we may say (M28) with S. Paul, If wee haue sowen vnto you

heauenly things, doe you thinke it much that we should reape your carnall

things? And withall, The workman is worthy of his hire. These heauenly

tidings which those labourers our countreymen (as messengers of Gods great

goodnesse and mercy) will voluntarily present vnto them, doe farre exceed

their earthly riches. Moreouer, if the other inferiour worldly and

temporall things which they shall receiue from vs, be weighed in equall

ballance, I assure my selfe, that by equal iudgement of any indifferent

person, the benefits which they then receiue, shall farre surmount those

which they shall depart withall vnto vs. And admit that they had (as they

haue not) the knowledge to put their land to some vse: yet being brought

from brutish ignorance to ciuilitie and knowledge, and made then to

vnderstand how the tenth part of their Land may be so manured and

employed, as it may yeeld more commodities to the necessary vse of mans

life, then the whole now doeth: What iust cause of complaint may they

haue? And in my private opinion, I do verily thinke that God did create

land, to the end that it should by culture and husbandry yeeld things

necessary for mans life.

But this is not all the benefit which they shall receiue by the

Christians: for, ouer and beside the knowledge how to till and dresse

their grounds, they shal be reduced from vnseemly customes to honest

maners, from disordered riotous routs and (M29) companyes to a well

gouerned common wealth, and withall, shalbe taught mechanicall

occupations, arts, and liberall sciences: and which standeth them most

vpon, they shalbe defended from the cruelty of their tyrannicall and

bloodsucking neighbors the Canibals, whereby infinite number of their

liues shalbe preserued. And lastly, by this meanes many of their poore

innocent children shall be preserued from the bloody knife of the

sacrificer, a most horrible and detestable custome in the sight of God and

man, now and ever heretofore vsed amongst them. Many other things could I

heere alledge to this purpose were it not that I doe feare lest I haue

already more then halfe tired the reader.

The seuenth Chapter sheweth that the planting there, is not a matter of

such charge or difficultie, as many would make it seeme to be.

Now therefore for proofe, that the planting in these parts is a thing that

may be done without the ayde of the Princes power and purse, contrary to

the allegation of many malicious persons, who wil neither be actors in any

good action themselues, nor so much as afoord a good word to the setting

forward thereof: and that worse is, they will take vpon them to make

molehilles seeme mountaines, and flies elephants, to the end they may

discourage others, that be very well or indifferently affected to the

matter, being like vnto Esops dogge, which neither would eate Hay

himselfe, nor suffer the poore hungry asse to feede thereon:

I say and affirme that God hath prouided such meanes for the furtherance

of this enterprise, as doe stand vs in stead of great treasure: for first

by reason that it hath pleased God of his great goodnesse, of long time to

hold his merciful hand ouer this realme, in preseruing the people of the

same, both from slaughter by the sword, and great death by plague,

pestilence, or otherwise, there are at this day great numbers (God he

knoweth) which liue in such penurie and want, as they could be contented

to hazard their liues, and to serue one yeere for meat, drinke and

apparell only, without wages, in hope thereby to amend their estates:

which is a matter in such like iourneyes, of no small charge to the

prince. Moreouer, things in the like iourneyes of greatest price and cost

as victuall (whereof there is great plentie to be had in that countrey

without money) and powder, great artillery, or corselets are not needefull

in so plentifull and chargeable maner, as the shew of such a iourney may

present: for a small quantitie of all these, to furnish the Fort only,

will suffice vntill such time as diuers commodities may be found out in

those parts, which may be thought well worthy a greater charge. Also the

peculiar benefit of archers which God hath blessed this land withall

before all other nations, will stand vs in great stead amongst those naked

people.

Another helpe we haue also, which in such like cases is a matter of

marueilous cost, and will be in in this iourney procured very easily (that

is to say) to transport yeerely as well our people, as all other

necessaries needfull for them into those parts by the fleet of merchants,

that yeerely venture for fish in Newfound-land, being not farre distant

from the countrey meant to be inhabited, who commonly goe with emptie

vessels in effect, sauing some litle fraight with salt. And thus it

appeareth that the souldier, wages, and the transportation may be defrayed

for farre lesse summes of money then the detractors of this enterprise

haue giuen out. Againe, this intended voyage for conquest, hath in like

maner many other singular priuiledges wherewith God hath, as it were, with

his holy hand blessed the same before all others. For after once we are

departed the coast of England, wee may passe straight way thither, without

danger of being driuen into any the countries of our enemies, or doubtfull

friends: for commonly one winde serueth to bring vs thither, which seldome

faileth from the middle of Ianuarie to the middle of May, a benefite which

the mariners make great account of, for it is a pleasure that they haue in

a few or none of other iourneyes. Also the passage is short, for we may

goe thither in thirtie or fortie dayes at the most, hauing but an

indifferent winde, and returne continually in twentie or foure and twentie

dayes at the most. And in the same our iourney, by reason it is in the

Ocean, and quite out of the way from the intercourse of other countreyes,

we may safely trade and traffique without peril of piracy: neither shall

our ships, people, or goods there, be subiect to arrest or molestation of

any Pagan potentate, Turkish tyrant, yea, or Christian prince, which

heretofore sometimes vpon slender occasion in other parts haue stayed our

ships and merchandizes, whereby great numbers of our countrymen haue bene

vtterly vndone, diuers put to ransome, yea, and some lost their liues: a

thing so fresh in memorie as it neede no proofe, and is well worthy of

consideration.

Besides, in this voyage we doe not crosse the burnt line,(4) whereby

commonly both beuerage and victuall are corrupted, and mens health very

much impayred, neither doe we passe the frozen seas, which yeelde sundry

extreame dangers but haue a temperate climate at all times of the yeere,

to serue our turnes. And lastly, there neede no delayes by the way for

taking in of fresh water and fewell, (a thing vsually done in long

iournies) because, as I sayd aboue, the voyage is not long, and the fresh

waters taken in there, our men here in England at their returne home haue

found so wholesome and sweete, that they haue made choise to drinke it

before our beere and ale.

Behold heere, good countreymen, the manifold benefits and commodities and

pleasures heretofore vnknowen, by Gods especiall blessing not onely

reueiled vnto vs, but also as it were infused into our bosomes, who though

hitherto like dormice haue slumbred in ignorance thereof, being like the

cats that are loth for their prey to wet their feet: yet if now therefore

at the last we would awake, and with willing mindes (setting friuolous

imaginations aside) become industrious instruments to our selues,

questionlesse we should not only hereby set forth the glory of our

heauenly father, but also easily attaine to the end of all good purposes

that may be wished or desired.

And may it not much encourage vs to hope for good successe in the countrey

of the Sauages, being a naked kinde of people, voyde of the knowledge of

the discipline of warre, seeing that a noble man, being but a subiect in

this realme (in the time of our king Henry the second) by name Strangbow,

then earle of Chepstow in South Wales, by himselfe and his allies and

assistants, at their owne proper charges haue passed ouer into Ireland,

and there made conquest of the now countrey, and then kingdome of

Lynester, at which time it was very populous and strong, which History our

owne chronicles do witnesse: And why should we be dismayed more then were

the Spanyards, who haue bene able within these few yeeres to conquer,

possesse, and enioy so large a tract of the earth, in the West Indies, as

is betweene the two tropikes of Cancer and Capricorne, not onely in the

maine firme land of America, which is 47. degrees in latitude from South

to North, and doth containe 2820. English miles at the least, that the

king of Spaine hath there in actuall possession, besides many goodly and

rich Islands, as Hispaniola, now called S. Domingo, Cuba, Iamaica, and

diuers other which are both beautifull and full of treasure, not speaking

any whit at all, how large the said land is from East to West, which in

some places is accounted to be 1500. English miles at the least from East

to West, betweene the one Sea and the other.

(M30) Or why should our noble nation be dismaid, more then was Vasques

Nunnes de Valboa, a priuate gentleman of Spaine, who with the number of

70. Spaniards at Tichiri, gaue an ouerthrow vnto that mighty king

Chemaccus, hauing an armie of an hundred Canoas and 5000. men, and the

said Vasques Nunnes not long after, with his small number, did put to

flight king Chiapes his whole armie.

(M31) Likewise Hernando Cortes, being also but a priuate gentleman of

Spaine, after his departure from the Islands of Cuba and Acuzamil, and

entring into the firme of America, had many most victorious and triumphant

conquests, as that at Cyntla, where being accompanied with lesse then 500.

Spanish footmen, thirteene horsemen and sixe pieces of Ordinance only, he

ouerthrew 40000. Indians. The same Cortes with his sayd number of

Spanyards, tooke prisoner that mighty Emperour Mutezuma in his most chiefe

and famous citie of Mexico, which at that instant had in it aboue the

number of 50000. Indians at the least, and in short time after obtained

not onely the quiet possession of the said citie, but also of his whole

Empire.

(M32) And in like maner in the Countrey of Peru, which the king of Spaine

hath now in actuall possession, Francisco Pysarro, with the onely ayd of

Diego de Almagro, and Hernando Luche, being all three but priuate

gentlemen, was the principall person that first attempted discouerie and

conquest of the large and rich countrey of Peru, which through the ayd of

the almighty, he brought to passe and atchieued in the Tambo of Caxamalca,

(which is a large place of ground, enclosed with walles) in which place he

tooke the great and mightie prince Atabalipa prisoner, midst the number of

60000. Indians his subiects, which were euer before that day accounted to

bee a warlike kind of people, which his great victorie it pleased God to

grant vnto him in the yeere of our Lord God 1533. he not hauing in his

company aboue the number of 210. Spaniards, whereof there were not past

threescore horsemen in all: after the taking of which prince Atabalipa, he

offered vnto Pyzarro for his ransome, to fill a great large hall full of

gold and siluer, and such golde and siluer vessels as they then vsed, euen

as high as a man might reach with his arme. And the sayd prince caused the

same hall to be marked round about at the sayd height, which ransome

Pyzarro granted to accept. And after when as this mighty prince had sent

to his vassals and subiects to bring in gold and siluer for the filling of

the hall, as aforesaid, as namely to the cities or townes of Quito,

Paciacama and Cusco, as also to the Calao of Lima, in which towne, as

their owne writers doe affirme, they found a large and faire house, all

slated and couered with gold: and when as the said hall was not yet a

quarter ful, a mutinie arose amongst the Spanyards, in which it was

commonly giuen out, that the said prince had politikely offered this great

ransome vnder pretence to raise a much more mightie power, whereby the

Spanyards should be taken, slaine and ouerthrowen: wherevpon they grew to

this resolution, to put the sayd prince to death, and to make partition of

the golde and siluer already brought in, which they presently put in

execution. And comming to make perfect Inuentorie of the same, as well for

the Emperour then king of Spaine, his fift part, as otherwise, there was

found to be already brought in into the sayd hall, the number of 132425.

pound weight of siluer, and in golde the number of 1828125. pezos, which

was a riches neuer before that nor since seene of any man together, of

which there did appertaine to the Emperour for his fift part of golde

365625. pezos, and for his fift part of, siluer 26485. pound waight, and

to euery horseman eight thousand pezos of gold, and 67. pound waight of

siluer. Euery souldier had 4550. pezos of gold and 280. pound waight of

siluer. Euery Captaine had some 30000. some 20000. pezos of gold and

siluer proportionally answerable to their degrees and calling, according

to the rate agreed vpon amongst them.

Francis Pizarro as their generall, according to his decree and calling

proportionally, had more then any of the rest, ouer and besides the massie

table of gold which Atabalipa had in his Letter, which waighed 25000.

pezos of gold: neuer were there before that day souldiers so rich in so

small a time, and with so little danger And in this iourney for want of

yron, they did shoe their horses, some with gold, and some with siluer.

This is to be seene in the generall historie of the West Indies, where as

the doings of Pizarro, and the conquest of Peru is more at large set

forth.

To this may I adde the great discoueries and conquests which the princes

of Portugall haue made round about the West, the South, and the East parts

of Africa, and also at Callicut and in the East Indies, and in America, at

Brasile and elsewhere in sundry Islands, in fortifying, peopling and

planting all along the sayd coastes and Islands, euer as they discouered:

which being lightly weyed and considered, doth minister iust cause of

yncouragement to our Countreymen, not to account it so hard and difficult

a thing for the subiects of this noble realme of England, to discouer,

people, plant and possesse the like goodly lands and rich countreys not

farre from vs, but neere adioyning land offring themselues vnto vs (as is

aforesayd) which haue neuer yet heretofore bene in the actuall possession

of any other Christian prince, then the princes of this Realme. All which

(as I thinke) should not a little animate and encourage vs to looke out

and aduenture abroad, vnderstanding what large Countreys and Islands the

Portugals with their small number haue within these few yeeres discouered,

peopled and planted, some part whereof I haue thought it not amisse,

briefly in particular to name both the Townes, Countreys, and Islands, so

neere as I could vpon the sudden call them to remembrance: for the rest I

doe referre the Reader to the histories, where more at large the same is

to be seene. First, they did winne and conquere from the princes of

Barbary the Island of Geisera and towne of Arzila, not past an 140. mile

distant from their Metropolitane and chiefe citie of Fesse: and after that

they wonne also from the said princes the townes of Tanger, Ceuta,

Mazigan, Azamor, and Azaffi, all alongst the Sea coasts. And in the yeere

of our Lord, 1455. Alouis de Cadomosta(5) a Gentleman Venetian, was hee

that first discouered for their vse Cape Verd, with the Islands adioyning,

of which he then peopled and planted those of Bonauista and Sant Iago

discouering also the riuer Senega, otherwise called Niger, and Cape Roxo

and Sierra Leone, and in few yeeres after they did discouer the coast of

Guinea, and there peopled and built the castle of Mina: then discouered

they further to the countreys of Melegettes, Benin, and Congo, with the

Islands of Principe, da Nabon, S. Matthewe, and S. Thomas vnder the

Equinoctiall line, which they peopled, and built in the said Island of S.

Thomas the hauen towne or port of Pauosan. After that, about the yeere of

our Lord, 1494. one Bartholomew Dias was sent forth, who was the first man

that discouered and doubled that great and large Cape called de Bon

Esperanze, and passing the currents that run vpon the said coast, on the

Southeast part of Africa, betweene the said maine land and the Island of

S. Laurence, otherwise called of the ancients, Madagascar, he discouered

to the harbor named the Riuer of the Infant. (M33) After that since the

yeere of our Lord God, 1497. and before the ful accomplishment of the

yeere of Christ, 1510. through the trauailes and discoueries of Vasques de

Gama,(6) Peter Aluares, Thomas Lopes, Andrew Corsale, Iohn de Empoli,

Peter Sintia, Sancho de Toar, and that noble and worthy gentleman Alonzo

de Albuquerque,(7) they did discouer, people, and plant at Ceffala, being

vpon the East side of Africa, in the twenty degrees of latitude of the

South Pole, and direct West from the Island of S. Laurence (at which port

of Ceffala, diuers doe affirme that king Salomon did fetch his gold) as

also vpon the said East side of Africa, they did afterward discouer

people, and plant at Mozambique, Quiola, Monbaza, and Melinde, two degrees

of Southerly latitude, and so vp to the Streight of Babell-Mandell at the

entring of the red sea, all vpon the East coast of Africa, from whence

they put off at the Cape Guarda Fu, and passed the great gulfe of Arabia

and the Indian Sea East to Sinus Persicus, and the Island of Ormus, and so

passing the large and great riuer Indus, where he hath his fall into the

maine Ocean, in 23. degrees and an halfe, vnder the tropike of Cancer, of

Septentrional latitude, they made their course againe directly towardes

the South, and began to discouer, people, and plant vpon the West side of

the hither India at Goa, Mangolar, Cananor, Calecut and Cochin, and the

Island of Zeilam.(8)

And here I thinke good to remember to you, that after their planting vpon

this coast, their forces grewe so great that they were able to compel all

the Moores, the subiectes of the mightie Emperour of the Turkes to pay

tribute vnto them, euer as they passed the gulfe of Arabia, from the port

of Mecca in Arabia Foelix, where Mahomet lieth buried, or any of the other

portes of the sayd land, euer as they passed to and from the hauens of

Cochin, Calecut, and Cananor, and by their martiall maner of discipline

practised in those partes, the great and mightie prince the Sophie

Emperour of the Persians, and professed enemie to the Turke, came to the

knowledge and vse of the Caliuer shot, and to interlace and ioyne footemen

with his horsemen, sithence which time the Persians haue growen to that

strength and force, that they haue giuen many mighty and great ouerthrowes

to the Turke, to the great quiet of all Christendome.

(M34) And from the Island of Zeilam aforesayd they all discouered more

East in passing the gulfe of Bengala, and so passed the notable and famous

riuer of Ganges, where hee hath his fall into the maine Ocean, vnder the

tropike of Cancer, and to the Cape of Malaca, and vnto the great and large

Islands of Sumatra, Iaua maior, Iaua minor, Mindanao, Palobane, Celebes,

Gilolo, Tidore, Mathin, Borneo, Machian, Terenate, and all other the

Islands of Molucques and Spiceries, and so East alongst the coasts of

Cathaia, to the portes of China, Zaiton and Quinsay, and to the Island of

Zipango and Iapan, situate in the East, in 37. degrees of Septentrionall

latitude and in 195. of longitude. These are their noble and worthie

discoueries. Here also is not to bee forgotten, that in the yeere of our

Lord. 1501, that famous and worthy gentleman Americus Vespucius did

discouer, people, and plant to their vse the holdes and forts which they

haue in Brasill, of whom (he but being a priuate gentleman) the whole

countrey or firme land of the West Indies, is commonly called and knowen

by the name of America.

I doe greatly doubt least I seeme ouer tedious in the recitall of the

particular discoueries and Conquests of the East and West Indies, wherein

I was the more bold to vrge the patience of the Reader, to the end it

might most manifestly and at large appeare, to all such as are not

acquainted with the histories, how the king of Portugall, whose Countrey

for popularity and number of people, is scarce comparable to some three

shires of England, and the king of Spaine likewise, whose natural Countrey

doth not greatly abound with people, both which princes by means of their

discoueries within lesse then 90. yeeres past, haue as it appeareth both

mightily and marueilously enlarged their territories and dominions through

their owne industrie by the assistance of the omnipotent, whose aid we

shall not need to doubt, seeing the cause and quarrell which we take in

hand tendeth to his honour and glory, by the enlargement of the Christian

faith.

To conclude, since by Christian dutie we stand bound chiefly to further

all such acts as do tend to the encreasing the true flock of Christ by

reducing into the right way those lost sheepe which are yet astray: And

that we shall therein follow the example of our right vertuous

predecessors of renowned memorie, and leaue vnto our posteritie a diuine

memoriall of so godly an enterprise: Let vs I say for the considerations

alledged, enter into iudgement with our selues, whether this action may

belong to vs or no, the rather for that this voyage through the mighty

assistance of the omnipotent God, shall take our desired effect (whereof

there is no iust cause of doubt.) Then shal her Maiesties dominions be

enlarged, her highnesse ancient titles iustly confirmed, all odious

idlenesse from this our Realme vtterly banished, diuers decayed townes

repaired, and many poor and needy persons relieued, and estates of such as

now liue in want shail be embettered, the ignorant and barbarous idolaters

taught to know Christ, the innocent defended from their bloodie tyrannical

neighbours, the diabolicall custome of sacrificing humane creatures

abolished.

All which (no man doubteth) are things gratefull in the sight of our

Sauiour Christ, and tending to the honour and glory of the Trinitie. Bee

of good cheere therefore, for he that cannot erre hath sayd: That before

the ende of the world, his word shall bee preached to all nations. Which

good work I trust is reserued for our nation to accomplish in these parts:

Wherefore my deere countreymen, be not dismayed: for the power of God is

nothing diminished, nor the loue that he hath to the preaching and

planting of the Gospel any whit abated. Shall wee then doubt he will be

lesse ready most mightily and miraculously to assist our nation in this

quarell, which is chiefly and principally vndertaken for the enlargement

of the Christian faith abroad, and the banishment of idlenes at home, then

he was to Columbus, Vasques, Nunnes, Hernando Cortes, and Francis Pizarro

in the West: and Vasques de Gama, Peter Aluares, et Alonso de Albuquerque

in the East: Let vs therefore with cheerefull minds and couragious hearts,

giue the attempt, and leaue the sequell to Almightie God: for if he be on

our part, what forceth it who bee against vs: Thus leauing the correction

and reformation vnto the gentle Reader, whatsoeuer is in this treatise too

much or too little, otherwise vnperfect, I take leaue and so end.

II. A letter of Sir Francis Walsingham to M. Richard Hakluyt then of

Christchurch in Oxford, incouraging him in the study of Cosmographie, and

of furthering new discoueries, &c.

I vnderstand aswel by a letter I long since receiued from the Maior of

Bristoll, as by conference with Sir Iohn Pekham, that you haue endeuoured,

and giuen much light for the discouery of the Westerne partes yet

vnknowen: as your studie in those things is very commendable, so I thanke

you much for the same; wishing you do continue, your trauell in these and

like matters, which are like to turne not only to your owne good in

priuate, but to the publike benefice of this Realme. And so I bid you

farewell. From the Court the 11. of March. 1582.

Your louing Friend,

FRANCIS WALSINGHAM.

III. A letter of Sir Francis Walsingham to Master Thomas Aldworth

merchant, and at that time Maior of the Citie of Bristoll, concerning

their aduenture in the Westerne discouerie.

After my heartie commendations, I haue for certaine causes deferred the

answere of your letter of Nouember last till now, which I hope commeth all

in good time. Your good inclination to the Westerne discouerie I cannot

but much commend. And for that sir Humfrey Gilbert, as you haue heard long

since, hath bene preparing into those parts being readie to imbarke within

these 10. dayes, who needeth some further supply of shipping then yet he

hath, I am of opinion that you shall do well if the ship or 2. barkes you

write of, be put in a readinesse to goe alongst with with him, or so soone

after as you may. I hope this trauell wil prooue profitable to the

Aduenturers and generally beneficiall to the whole realme: herein I pray

you conferre with these bearers M. Richard Hackluyt, and M. Thomas

Steuenton, to whome I referre you: And so bid you heertily farewell.

Richmond the 11. of March. 1582.

Your louing Friend,

FRANCIS WALSINGHAM.

IV. A letter written from M. Thomas Aldworth merchant and Maior of the

Citie of Bristoll, to the right honourable Sir Francis Walsingham

principall Secretary to her Maiestie, concerning a Westerne voyage

intended for the discouery of the coast of America, lying to the Southwest

of Cape Briton.

Right honourable, vpon the receit of your letters directed vnto me and

deliuered by the bearers hereof M. Richard Hakluyt and M. Steuenton,

bearing the date the 11. of March, I presently conferred with my friends

in priuate, whom I know most affectionate to this most godly enterprise,

especially with M. William Salterne deputie of our company of merchants:

whereupon my selfe being as then sicke, with as conuenient speede as he

could, hee caused an assembly of the merchants to be gathered: where after

dutifull mention of your honourable disposition for the benefite of this

citie, he by my appointment caused your letters being directed vnto me

priuately, to be read in publike, and after some good light giuen by M.

Hakluyt vnto them that were ignorant of the Countrey and enterprise, and

were desirous to be resolued the motion grew generally so well to be

liked, that there was eftsoones set downe by mens owne hands then present,

and apparently knowen by their own speach, and very willing offer, the

summe of 1000. markes and vpward: which summe if it should not suffice, we

doubt not but otherwise to furnish out for this Westerne discouery, a ship

of threescore, and a barke of 40. tunne, to bee left in the countrey vnder

the direction and gouernment of your sonne in law M. Carlile, of whom we

haue heard much good, if it shall stand with your honors good liking and

his acceptation. In one of which barks we are also willing to haue M.

Steuenton your honours messenger, and one well knowen to vs as captaine.

And here in humble maner, desiring your honour to vouchsafe vs of your

further direction by a generall letter to my selfe, my brethren, and the

rest of the merchants of this city, at your honors best and most

conuenient leisure, because we meane not to deferre the finall proceeding

in this voyage, any further then to the end of April next comming, I

cease, beseeching God long to blesse and prosper your honourable estate.

Bristol. March 27. 1583.

V. A briefe and summary discourse vpon the intended voyage to the

hithermost parts of America: written by Captaine Carlile in April, 1583.

for the better inducement to satisfie such Merchants of the Moscouian

companie and others, as in disbursing their money towards the furniture of

the present charge, doe demand forthwith a present returne of gaine,

albeit their said particular disbursements are required but in very

slender summes, the highest being 25. li. the second at 12. li. 10. s. and

the lowest at 6. pound fiue shilling.

When the Goldsmith desireth to finde the certaine goodnesse of a piece of

golde, which is newly offered vnto him, he presently bringeth the same to

the touchstone, where by comparing the shewe or touch of this new piece

with the touch or shew of that which he knoweth of old, he forthwith is

able to iudge what the value is of that, which is newly offered vnto him.

After the example whereof I haue thought it good to make some briefe

repetition of the particular estate of many other forren voyages and

trades already frequented and knowen vnto vs, whereby we may be the better

able to conceiue and iudge what certaine likelihood of good there is to be

expected in the voyage, which is presently recommended vnto your knowledge

and resolution.

And first to lay downe that of Moscouia, whose beginning is yet in the

remembrance of many: It is well knowen, that what by the charges of the

first discouery, and by the great gifts bestowed on the Emperour and his

Nobilitie, togither with the leud dealing of some of their seruants, who

thought themselues safe enough from orderly punishment, it cost the

company aboue fourescore thousand pounds, before it could be brought to

any profitable reckoning. And now that after so long a patience and so

great a burthen of expences, the same began to frame to some good course

and commoditie: It falleth to very ticklish termes, and to as slender

likelihood of any further goodnesse, as any other trade that may be named.

For first the estate of those Countreys and the Emperours dealings, are

things more fickle then are by euery body vnderstood.

Next, the Dutchmen are there so crept in as they daily augment their trade

thither, which may well confirme that vncertainty of the Emperours

disposition to keepe promise with our nation.

Thirdly, the qualitie of the voyage, such as may not be performed but once

the yeere.

Fourthly, the charges of all Ambassadours betweene that Prince and her

Maiesty, are alwayes borne by the merchants stocke.

And lastly, the danger of the king of Denmarke, who besides that presently

he is like to enforce a tribute on vs, hath likewise an aduantage vpon the

ships in their voyage, either homewards or outwards whensoeuer he listeth

to take the opportunitie.

The badde dealings of the Easterlings are sufficiently knowen to be such

towards our merchants of that trade, as they doe not onely offer them many

iniuries ouerlong to bee written, but doe seeke all the meanes they can,

to depriue them wholy of their occupying that way: and to the same purpose

haue of late cleane debarred them their accustomed and ancient priuiledges

in all their great townes.

The traffique into Turkie, besides that by some it is thought a hard point

to haue so much familiaritie with the professed and obstinate enemie of

Christ: It is likewise a voyage which can not be made but at the deuotion,

and as it were in the danger of many states, who for sundry respects are

apt to quarell with vs vpon sudden occasions, and the presents to be giuen

away in Turkie this yeere, cost little lesse then two thousand pounds.

As for the trades into all the parts of Italie, it may easily be

considered by euery one of iudgement, that the same stand in the like

termes touching the passages, as that of Turkie, and that many times our

shippes being taken in the way by the Gallies of Alger, our poore Mariners

after the losse of their goods and trauell, are set at such excessiue

ransoms before they can bee freed of their slauerie, as for the most part

they are no way able to discharge. As for example, at this instant there

are some prisoners, poore ordinarie Mariners, for whose releasing there

must be payed two hundred Duckets the man, for some three hundred, yea,

foure or fiue hundred Duckets the man for some of them. And how enuiously

the Venetians doe already oppose themselues against our frequenting into

their parts, may appeare by the late customs which they haue imposed as

well vpon our English merchandize which we bring them, as also vpon such

their merchandize which we fetch from them.

The trade into Barbarie groweth likewise to worse termes then before

times, and when it was at the best, our merchants haue bene in danger of

all their goods they had there, whensoever it happened the king to die.

For vntill a new were chosen, the libertie of all disordered persons is

such, as they spoile and wrong whom they list, without any redresse at

all.

(M35) Touching Spaine and Portugall, with whom wee haue very great trade,

and much the greater, by meanes of their venting a good part of our wares

in their Indies, as also of the prouision they haue from the same,

wherewith are made many of our returnes from them againe: It falleth out

that twise the yeere ordinarily we send our Fleetes into those parts: So

that whensoeuer the king of Spaine listeth to take the opportunitie, hee

may at these seasons depriue vs not onely of a great number of our very

good ships, but also of our honestest and ablest sort of Mariners that are

to bee found in our whole Realme againe, which is a matter of no small

consequence: for it is to bee noted, that when hee shall take a quarrell

in hand, though it be but his owne particularly, yet hath he the meanes to

put in hazard as well those our shippes which are in his owne Countreys of

Spaine and Portugall, as also all others which shall bee bound to any the

partes of all Italie or of Turkie either. And further whosoeuer hee bee

that is but meanely affected in Religion, as of necessitie becommeth euery

ordinarie man and good Christian to be, cannot but be agrieued in his

heart to consider, that his children and seruants whom hee desireth to

haue well brought vp, are in these trades of Spaine and Portugall, and all

Italie, forced to denie their owne profession, and to acquaint themselues

with that which the Parents and Masters doe vtterly deny and refuse, yea

which many of them doe in their owne hearts abhorre as a detestable and

most wicked doctrine.

But who shall looke into the qualitie of this voyage, being directed to

the latitude of fortie degrees or thereaboutes, of that hithermost part of

America, shal find it hath as many points of good moment belonging vnto

it, as may almost be wished for.

(M36) 1 As first it is to be vnderstood, that it is not any long course,

for it may be perfourmed too and fro in foure moneths after the first

discouerie thereof.

2 Secondly, that one wind sufficeth to make the passage, whereas most of

your other voyages of like length, are subiect to 3. or 4. winds.

3 Thirdly, that it is to be perfourmed at all times of the yeere.

4 Fourthly, that the passage is vpon the high sea, wherby you are not

bound to the knowledge of dangers, on any other coast, more then of that

Countrey, and of ours here at home.

5 Fiftly, that those parts of England and Ireland, which lie aptest for

the proceeding outward or homeward vpon this voyage. are very well stored

of goodly harbours.

6 Sixtly, that it is to bee accounted of no danger at all as touching the

power of any foreine prince or state, when it is compared with any the

best of all other voyages before recited.

7 And to the godly minded, it hath this comfortable commoditie, that in

this trade their Factours, bee they their seruants or children, shall haue

no instruction or confessions of Idolatrous Religion enforced vpon them,

but contrarily shall be at their free libertie of conscience, and shall

find the same Religion exercised, which is most agreeable vnto their

Parents and Masters.

As for the merchandising, which is the matter especially looked for,

albeit that for the present we are not certainely able to promise any such

like quantitie, as is now at the best time of the Moscouian trade brought

from thence: So likewise is there not demanded any such proportion of

daily expences, as was at the first, and as yet is consumed in that of

Moscouia and other.

(M37) But when this of America shall haue bene haunted and practised

thirtie yeeres to an ende as the other hath bene, I doubt not by Gods

grace, that for the tenne shippes that are now commonly employed once the

yeere into Moscouia, there shall in this voyage twise tenne be imployed

well, twise the yeere at the least. And if for the present there doe fall

out nothing els to bee found then the bare Fishing, yet doubt I not after

the first yeeres planting but by that matter only to serue halfe a dozen

of your best sorts of ships, although my supply of people doe not follow

me so substantially, as in all reason may be well looked for.

(M38) But when it is asked what may be hoped from thence after some

yeeres, it is first to be considered, that this situation in fourtie

degrees, shall bee very apt to gather the commodities either of those

parts which stand to the Southward of it, as also of those which are to

the Northward.

In the Northerlie may be expected not onely an especiall good fishing for

Salmon, Codde, and Whales, but also any other such commodities, as the

Easterne Countreys doe yeeld vs now: as Pitch, Tarre, Hempe, and thereof

cordage, Masts, Losshe hides, rich Furres, and other such like without

being in any son beholding to a king of Denmarke, or other prince or state

that shall be in such sort able to command our shippes at their pleasure,

as those doe at this day, by meanes of their strait passages and strong

shipping.

As for those partes which lie West and to the Southwardes, it may well bee

hoped they will yeeld Wines with a small helpe, since the grapes doe growe

there of themselues alreadie very faire and in great abundance. Oliues

being once planted, will yeelde the like Oyle as Spaine, Prouince and

Italie. The Countrey people being made to know, that for Waxe and honie,

we will giue them such trifling things as they desired of vs, and shewing

them once the means how to prouide the same, the labour thereof being so

light, no doubt but in short time they will earnestly care to haue the

same in good quantitie for vs. (M39) Besides, what great likelihoode there

is of good meanes to make Salt, which may serue for the fishing of those

partes, may well appeare vnto them, who can iudge the qualitie of such

places as are required to make the same in.

Thus much for the beginning, because they may bee had with an easie kinde

of trauell: but when it may haue pleased God to establish our people there

any such time as they may haue planted amongst them in sundry partes of

the Countrey, and that by gentle and familiar treating them, they bee made

to see what is better for them then they doe as yet vnderstand of, and

that in so many sorts of occasions as were infinite to be set downe: It is

to bee assuredly hoped, that they will daily by little and little forsake

their barbarous and sauage liuing, and growe to such order and ciuilitie

with vs, as there may be well expected from thence no lesse quantitie and

diuersitie of merchandize then is now had out of Dutchland, Italie, France

or Spaine. And as the bordering neighbours are commonly the aptest to fall

out with vs, so these parts being somewhat remote, are the liker to take,

or giue lesse occasion of disquiet. But when it is considered that they

are our own kindred, and esteemed our own countrey nation which haue the

government, meaning by those who shall be there planted, who can looke for

any other then the dealing of most louing and most assured friends?

There are further to be considered these two poynts of good importance,

concerning the matter of trade. The one is, that by the good prospering of

this action, there must of necessitie fall but a very liberall vtterance

of our English Clothes into a maine Country, described to bee bigger then

all Europe, the larger part whereof bending to the Northward, shall haue

wonderfull great vse of her sayde English Clothes, after they shall come

once to knowe the commoditie thereof. The like will bee also of many other

things, ouer many to bee reckoned, which are made here by our Artificers

and labouring people, and of necessitie must bee prouided from hence.

The other is, if there be any possible meanes to finde a sea passage or

other fresh water course, which may serue in some reasonable and

conuenient sort, to transport our Merchandize into the East Indian Sea,

through any of these Northerly partes of America, it shall be soonest and

most assuredly perfourmed by these who shall inhabite and first grow into

familiaritie with the Inland people.

What minerall matter may fall out to bee found, is a thing left in

suspence, vntill some better knowledge, because there be many men, who

hauing long since expected some profits herein, vpon the great promises

that haue bene made them, and being as yet in no point satisfied, doe

therevpon conceiue that they be but wordes purposely cast out for the

inducing of men to bee the more ready and willing to furnish their money

towards the charge of the first discouerie.

But nowe to answere some others who begin with an other objection, saying:

That it is not for the Marchants purse to continue the charges of

transporting and planting: and that once these hundred men which are nowe

to bee planted will cost foure thousand pound: It is then to bee thought,

that the charge of a farre greater number, will bee also a farre greater

summe of money.

Whereunto I answere, that in all attempts vnknowen, especially such a one

as this is, wherewith wee are presently in hand, the first charges are

commonly aduentured in more desperate kinde, then those that followe vpon

some better knowledge: and therewith it falleth out, that whereas one

aduentureth in the first enterprise, an hundred for that one will of

themselues bee willing and desirous to aduenture in the next, if there bee

neuer so little more appearance, that the intended matter is by some

knowledge of our owne, found true in some poynts of our first presumption.

The examples are many, and may easily bee remembred by those who be

Merchants, euen in their ordinarie and dayly trades, as well as in

extraordinarie attempts, which of late yeeres haue fallen into those

termes of some likelyhood, as is aforesayde.(9) So then no doubt, but when

certaine reports shall bee brought by them who directly came from thence,

that such a Countrey and people they haue themselues seene, as is by vs

spoken of, but that then there will come forwarde a greater number of

those, who haue nowe neither heard any thing of the matter, as also of

others, who presently make such friuolous scruple, and will not otherwise

be satisfied, then by the report of Saint Thomas. I speake not this by the

Marchants whom for their fredoms of trade I would not haue pressed to any

further charge then this first preparation, but rather as such as haue

great affection to hazard the changing of their estates, and would be well

content to goe in the voyage if they might onely be assured that there is

such a Countrey, and that their money should not be wasted to nothing in

the preparations.

The right examination of this point must bee the contrary sequell of the

common Prouerbe that is vsed, Nothing venture, nothing haue: so on the

other side by venturing, many great good profites are found out, to the

wonderfull benefite of Common weale, and to those especially in priuate,

who take on them the hazard of their life and trauell, or substance in the

first attempts: and therefore I would wish that they, who (God be thanked)

are well able to spare that which is required of each one towardes the

vndertaking of this aduenture, be well content and willing to imploy the

same, since the sequell in good and substantiall reasons doth promise, not

onely a great commoditie in particular to the Marchant, who shall here at

home exercise the trade of Marchandise: but also to an infinite number of

other, who presently liue in poore estate, and may by taking the

opportunitie of this discouerie, alter the same to a far better degree.

Wherefore to make some conclusion vpon this point of the Marchants

misdoubt, who suspecteth lest this first disbursement without returne of

present gaine, should not be all his charge, but that afterwards he might

yet further be vrged to continue the like again, as hath happened in the

discouery of the Moscouian trade: It may suffice to consider, that this is

not an action which concerneth onely the Marchants particularly, but a

great deale more the generall sort of people throughout all England: And

that when such relation shall be returned, as that it may bee found a

matter worthy the following, the whole generalitie will not refuse to

contribute towards the furtherance thereof, rather then it should sinke,

for want of any reasonable supply.

But as it is a very little time, since I haue beene throughly resolued to

trie my fortune in the matter, so it is more then time the preparation

were in hand already, and therefore no fit time now to make any number of

ignorant men to vnderstand with reason the circumstance that belongeth to

a matter of so great consideration and importance.

To those who haue any forward mindes in well doing to the generalitie of

mankind, I say thus much more, that Christian charitie doth as greatly

perswade the furtherance of this action, as any other that may be layed

before vs, in as much as thereby wee shall not onely doe a most excellent

worke, in respect of reducing the sauage people to Christianitie and

ciuilitie, but also in respect of our poore sorte of people, which are

very many amongst vs, liuing altogether vnprofitable, and often times to

the great disquiet of the better sort. For who knoweth not, how by the

long peace, happie health, and blessed plentifulnesse, wherewith God hath

endued this Realme, that the people is so mightily encreased, as a great

number being brought vp, during their youth in their parents houses,

without any instruction how to get their liuings after their parents

decease, are driuen to some necessitie, whereby very often for want of

better education they fall into such disorders, and so the good sort of

people, as I sayde before, are by them ordinarily troubled, and themselues

led on to one shamefull ende or other, whereas if there might bee found

some such kinde of imployment as this would be, no doubt but a greater

part of them would be withheld from falling into such vile deedes: and

insteade thereof, prooue greatly seruiceable in those affaires, where they

might be so imployed.

(M40) This I speake of mine owne experience, hauing seene diuers come ouer

to the warres of the lowe Countreys during my residence in the same, who

here had bene very euill and idle liuers, and by some little continuance

with vs, haue growen to be very industrious in their facultie, which I can

assure you, was a more painefull maner of liuing then in this action is

like to fall out, and withall to a purpose of farre lesse value, in

respect of their particular recompence, then with an assured kind of good

hope is looked for in this.

Thus you see in euery point that may bee wished for in a good action and

voyage, there is matter and reason enough to satisfie the well disposed.

But nowe to growe somewhat neerer the quicke, and to shewe you some

greater appearance, then hath bene yet spoken of touching the trade which

is the onely subiect wherewith I doe meane to intermeddle at this time,

because my addresse hereby is chiefly to men of such like facultie: you

may vnderstande by that which followeth, the circumstance of a little

discourse, which doeth concerne these matters, very directly.

In the yeere 1534. Iames Carthier, of S. Malo made his first discouerie of

those partes of America, which lie to the Westwardes, and as it were on

the backside of Newfoundland. In which voyage his principall intention was

to seeke out the passage, which hee presumes might haue bene found out

into the East Indian Sea, otherwise called the passage to Cathaya, but

this yeere he went no higher then the Island of the Assumption in the

great bay of S. Laurence, and so returned backe into France.

The next yeere following hee went with greater prouision into the Grand

bay againe, where he keping the Northerly shoare, ran vp the great Riuer

that comes downe from Canada and other places, vntill at last with his

small pinnesses, (hauing left his great shipping by the way) be arriued at

Hochelaga towne, being three hundreth leagues within the entrance of the

Grand bay. In which trauaile he had spent so much of the yeere, that it

was nowe the moneth of October, and therefore thought it conuenient for

the better enforming himselfe at large in this discouerie, to winter it

out in those partes, which he did at a place called by himselfe Holy

Crosse. This winter fell out to bee a very long and hard winter, as many

times the like happeneth with vs in these partes, and the sauage people,

who for the most part make but a slender kinde of prouision, euen as it

were from hande to mouth, fell into some scarcitie of victuals; yet did

they not refuse to serue the Frenchmen, with any thing they had all the

winter long, albeit at somewhat higher prices towardes the ende when the

neede was most, as with our selues the like happeneth at such times.

But when the French had their wants serued all the yeere and that as yet

they sawe not any appearance of their intended matter, which was the

discouerie of the passage, and yet imagining by the signes, wherewith the

willing people endeuoured to declare their knowledge in that poynt, that

some good matter might bee had from them, if they might haue beene well

vnderstoode, they resolued with themselues to take some of the

sufficientest men of that countrey home into France, and there to keepe

them so long, as that hauing once atchieued the French tongue, they might

declare more substantially their minde, and knowledge in the sayde

passage, concluding this to be the meane of least charge, of least

trauaile, and of least hazard.

And when they came to bethinke themselues, who might bee meetest for it,

they determined to take the King, as the person who might bee best

infourmed of such partes as were somewhat remote from his owne Countrey,

as also that for the respect of him, the people would bee alwayes readie,

and content to doe them any further seruice, when it should happen them to

returne thither againe about the discouerie.

Thus the poore king of the Countrey, with two or three others of his

chiefe companions comming aboorde the French shippes, being required

thither to a banquet, was traiterously caryed away into France, where hee

liued foure yeeres, and then dyed a Christian there, as Theuet the French

Kings Cosmographer doeth make mention. (M41) This outrage and iniurious

dealing did put the whole Countrey people into such dislike with the

French, as neuer since they would admit any conuersation or familiaritie

with them, vntill of late yeeres, the olde matter beginning to grow out of

minde, and being the rather drawen on by gifts of many trifling things,

which were of great value with them, they are as (I sayde) within these

two or three yeeres content againe to admit a traffique, which two yeeres

since was begunne with a small barke of thirtie tunnes, whose returne was

found so profitable, as the next yeere following, being the last yeere, by

those Marchants, who meant to haue kept the trade secret vnto themselves,

from any others of their owne Countrey men, there was hired a shippe of

fourescore tunnes out of the Isle of Iersey, but not any one Mariner of

that place, sauing a shipboy. This shippe made her returne in such sorte,

as that this yeere they haue multiplyed three shippes, to wit, one of nine

score tunnes, another of an hundreth tunnes, and a third of fourescore

tunnes: which report is giuen by very substantiall and honest men of

Plimmouth, who sawe the sayd shippes in readinesse to depart on their

voyage, and were aboord of some of them.

Here is at this instant in the towne a man of Guernsey, Lewis de Vike, who

reporteth to haue credibly heard, that by this last yeeres voyage the

Frenchmen got foureteene or fifteene hundreth for euery one hundreth: But

how soeuer it be, it carrieth good likelyhood of some notable profite, in

asmuch as they doe so greatly, and thus suddenly encrease the burthen and

number of their ships this present yeere.

(M42) Nowe if in so little as two yeeres time this voyage of the Northerne

partes bee growen to such good passe as hath beene declared vnto you: it

is worth the thinking on to consider what may be hoped for from the

Southerne part, which in all reason may promise a great deale more. And

so, as one who was neuer touched with any indirect meaning, I presume to

wish and perswade you to some better taking of this matter to heart, as a

thing which I do verely thinke will turne to your greater and more assured

commodity, then you receiue by any other voyage, as yet frequented of so

short and safe a course as this hath: dealing herein no otherwise with you

for your seuerall small summes, then I doe with myselfe, both for more of

mine owne, then is required of any one of you: besides the hazard and

trauaile of my person, and the totall imployment of my poore credit, which

(I thanke God) hath hitherto passed cleare and vnspotted in matters of

greater importance and difficultie, then is like to fall out in this

matter betweene you and me.

VI. Articles set downe by the Committies appointed in the behalfe of the

Companie of Moscouian Marchants, to conferre with M. Carlile, vpon his

intended discouerie and attempt into the hithermost parts of America.

The names of the Committies.

Master Alderman Hart.

Master Alderman Spencer.

Master Hoddesden.

Master William Burrough.

Master Slany.

Master Towerson.

Master Staper.

Master Iohn Castelin.

Master Leake.

First the Committies are well perswaded, that the Countrey whereunto this

action is intended, is very fruitfull, inhabited with sauage people of a

milde and tractable disposition. And that of all other places which are

vnfrequented at this day, it is the onely most fit and most commodious for

vs to intermeddle withall.

The conuenientest manner of attempting this enterprise is thought to bee

thus: That there should be one hundreth men conueyed thither to remaine

there one whole yeere: who with friendly intreatie of the people, may

enter into better knowledge of the particular estate of the Countrey, and

thereby gather what commoditie may be hereafter, or presently looked for.

(M43) The charge to transport these hundreth men, to victuall them, and to

furnish them of munition and other needefull things, will not be lesse

then foure thousand poundes: whereof hath bene very readily offered by the

Citie of Bristoll one thousand poundes, the residue being three thousande

poundes, remaineth to bee furnished by this Citie of London, or any others

who will aduenture their money in this first preparation.

The Committies thinke it conuenient that a Priuilege should be procured by

Master Carlile from her Maiesty, by vertue whereof these conditions and

Articles following may be effectually prouided for.

First, that they who shall disbursse their money for the first preparation

shall be named Aduenturers, and shall haue the one halfe of all such

landes, territories, townes, mines of gold and siluer, and other metals

whatsoeuer, as shall bee found, gotten, obtained, as conquered by this

discouery: yeelding to her Maiestie the fift part of all such gold and

siluer, as shall happen to be had out of any mines that so shall be found.

That those parties which doe employ themselues personally in the present

discouerie, shall be named Enterprisers, and shall haue the other halfe,

of all the Lands, Territories, Townes, Mines of Gold and Siluer and other

mettals, yeelding to her Maiestie the fift part of the Gold and Siluer as

the Aduenturers do: The same to bee distributed by the Generall, with the

consent of the greatest part of twelue discreet persons to bee chosen out

of the whole number of the Enterprisers.

Also, that all trade of Merchandise which shall be vsed to and from those

partes, which by this discouerie shall bee found out, shall apperteine

onely to the Aduenturers which first shall disbursse their money for this

discouery, which prohibition to all other her Maiesties subiects, and

other Marchants to deale in the sayd parts, without the consent of the

first Aduenturers, vpon losse of shippe and goods, and punishment of their

persons, that so shall aduenture in trade of merchandise: or otherwise by

imprisonment at the Companies pleasure.

That no person shall hereafter aduenture in this discouerie as Aduenturers

for the profits mentioned in the first Articles, but such onely as doe

disbursse their money in the first preparation: and they shall not

aduenture hereafter any greater summe, then ratably according to their

proportion of this their first aduenture.

Also, the profite which by this discouerie shall be attained vnto, either

by lande which may bee conquered, or otherwise gotten: as also such

profite which by this discouerie shall bee obtained by mines, or otherwise

gotten, that eche one shall haue his part rate and rate, like, according

to the proportion of their first aduenture, and not otherwise.

The Aduenturers in this first preparation shall at their owne free will

and libertie, choose whether they will supply hereafter any further charge

or not: if there doe fall out any such occasion to require the same. And

yet withall shall for euer holde to them the freedome of the trade which

shall growe in any of these partes: notwithstanding their sayd refusall to

beare any further charge.

That in the Patent which is to bee obteined, be graunted, that all her

Maiesties subiects may transport themselues thither that shall be

contented to goe. And that the Patentee or his assignes may shippe thither

from time to time, so many and such persons, men, women, and children, as

they shall thinke meete. And the same persons to inhabite or remaine there

at their pleasure, any lawe to the contrary notwithstanding, with expresse

prohibition, as is mentioned in the third article, against all others,

which shall go thither without the licence of the patentee or his assignes

first obteined.

That it shall not be lawful for any of her Maiesties subiects, or any

other to inhabite or traffique within one hundred leagues any way of the

place, where the Generall haue setled his chiefest being or residence.

VII. A relation of the first voyage and discouerie of the Isle Ramea, made

for Monsieur de La Court Pre Ravillon and Grand Pre, with the ship called

the Bonauenture, to kill and make Traine oyle of the beasts called the

Morses with great teeth, which we haue perfourmed by Gods helpe this yeere

1591.

(M44) For the performance of our said voyage, we departed from S. Malo

with the fleete that went for Canada, and kept companie with the ships

called The Soudil and the Charles halfe the way, and then lost them, a

violent wind arising at Northwest, which separated vs.

After which we had faire wether, and came to the coast of Cape Rase, and

had no further knowledge thereof, because the winde was at the Southwest

but a scarce gale: and we came to the sounding Southwest of the Isles of

S. Peter about 10. leagues, where we found 20. fathoms water, and we

sayled Northwest one quarter of the North, and came within 12. leagues of

Cape de Rey.

The next day being the 6. of May 1591. we were come to Cape de Rey, and

saw a ship Southwest of vs, and stayed there that night.

The next day being the seuenth of the sayd moneth, we came to the Isles of

Aponas, where we put foorth our boat, because we had not past 8. leagues

to our hauen, which we kenned very clearly, although the coasts lay very

low: and because the night approched, and the wind grew very high, we

sought not to seeke our port, because it is very hard to find it when the

wind is lofty, because of the shoalds that are about it. And we thought to

keepe our course vntill the next morning between the Isle of Biton and the

Isle of Aponas. But there arose so great a tempest at the Southwest, that

without the helpe of God we had bene in great danger among these Isles.

And we trauersed vp and downe eleuen dayes, making our prayers vnto God to

ende the tempest and to send vs faire weather, that we might obteine our

hauen: which of his goodnesse he gaue vs. The last of May we ranged the

Isle Ramea on the Northnorthwest side, vnto the contrary part of the land,

where it trendeth to the Southsoutheast: and seeing no land on the West

side, wee ranged the sayd land to the East one quarter to the North at the

least 15. leagues, and being from the shore some eight leagues, we found

15 fathoms water, and passed betweene the Isle of Duoron and the Isle of

Ramea, where goeth a chanel of 3. leagues bredth; in the midest whereof

you shall haue 7. 8. and 9. fathoms water. And the lowe poynt of the Isle

Ramea, and the Isle Duoron lie Northnortheast, and Southsouthwest. And

take heede you come not neere the low point of the Isle Ramea by a great

league, for I haue sounded it at 3. fathoms water. The Isle is marked. And

the harbour of the Isle Ramea lyeth Northeast and Southwest, one quarter

to the East and West. And if you would enter the sayd harbour, keepe you a

league off the shoare: for often times there is great danger.

(M45) And that you may know the sayd hauen, to the Eastnortheast of the

sayde Isle there are high lands appearing to them that are without on all

sides like a number of Islands, but in very deede they are all firme land:

and if you come on the South and Southwest side, you shall see a hill

diuided into 3. parts, which I called The three hillockes, which is right

within the hauen. (M46) And for another better marke of the sayd harbour,

you shall see an Isle like vnto a Floure de lice, distant from the sayd

hauen 6. leagues at the least: and this Isle and the sayd hauen lie

Northeast and Southwest, a quarter to the North and South. And on the sayd

Isle there is good pebble (M47) stone to drie fish vpon: But to the West

thereof there is a very faire countrey: and there is a banke of sande,

which runneth the length of a cable, hauing not past one fathom water vpon

it. From the sayd Isle along the firme land the coast lyeth East and West,

and you shall see as it were a great forrest running eastward: and the

Easterne Cape is called Cape du Chapt, and is great and red toward the

Sea. And betweene the sayd lands you shall see as it were a small Island,

but it ioyneth to the firme land on the Southwest part: and there is good

shingle to drie fish on. (M48) And you must coast the shore with boates

and not with ships, by reason of the shallowes of the sayd coast. For I

haue seene without Cape du Chapt in faire weather the ground in two

fathoms water, neere a league and an halfe from shore, and I iudged by

reason of the highnesse of the land, that there had bene aboue thirtie

fathoms water, which was nothing so: and I haue sounded comming neere the

shore, in more or lesse depth. (M49) The coast stretcheth three leagues to

the West from Lisle Blanche or the white Isle, vnto the entrance of a

riuer, where we slewe and killed to the number of fifteene hundred Morses

or Sea oxen, accounting small and great, where at full sea you may come on

shoare with boates, and within are two or three fathoms water. From thence

the coast trendeth foure leagues to the West 1/4 to the Northwest vnto the

Isle Hupp, which is twentie leagues in circuit, and is like the edge of a

knife: vpon it there is neither wood nor grasse: there are Morses vpon it,

but they bee hard to be taken. From thence the coast trendeth to the

Northwest and Northnorthwest: which is all that I haue seene, to wit, the

two sides and one ende of the Isle. And if I had had as good lucke as my

Masters, when I was on the Northwest side with my shippe, I would haue

aduentured to haue sayled South-southeast, to haue discouered the Easterne

shoare of the sayd Isle.

(M50) In your returne to the East, as you come from the hauen of Cape du

Chapt vnto the sayde hauen are sandes and sholds. And three good leagues

from Cape du Chapt there is a small Island conteining about a league of

ground: where there is an hauen toward the Southeast: and as you enter

into the sayd hauen on the starreboord side; a dented Cape all of redde

land. (M51) And you cannot enter into the sayd hauen but with the flood,

because of a barre which lieth halfe a league without the poynts of the

sayd hauen. The tydes are there at Southeast and Northwest; but when the

wind is very great, it bloweth much into the hauen at halfe flood. But

ordinarily it floweth fiue foote and an halfe. (M52) The markes to enter

into the sayd hauen are to leaue the Isle Blanche or White Island at your

comming in on the starreboord; and the poynt of the hauen toward the West

hath a thick Island, which you shall see on the other side, and it hath a

little round Buttresse, which lyeth on the East side of the Island. There

are also two other buttresses more easie to be seene then hidden: these

are not to the East but to the West, and they haue markes on them. Here

you shall not haue aboue two fathom and an halfe at a full sea vpon this

barre. And the sounding is stone and rough ground. (M53) At your entring

in, when you shall finde white sand which lyeth next the Southeast of the

Cape, then you are vpon the barre: and bee not afrayd to passe vp the

chanell. And for markes towarde the West athwart the barre, when you haue

brought an Island euen, which lyeth to the westward without, with the

thicke part of the high land which lyeth most to the West, you shall bee

past the barre: and the chanell runneth due North. (M54) And for your

anchoring in the sayd hauen, see that you carefully seeke the middest of

the sayd Thicke land, which lyeth in the bottome of the sayd hauen: for

you must anchor betweene two bankes of sand, where the passage is but

narrow. And you must anker surely: for there goeth a great tyde: for the

Sea runneth there as swiftly. There is good ground and ankorage here: and

you shall ride in three fathom water. And within the sayde hauen there is

nothing to hurt you, for you are free from all winds. (M55) And if by

chance you should be driuen Westward of the sayd hauen, you may seeke an

entrance, which is right ouer against the small Island named before, which

is called The Isle of Cormorants; and you may enter in there as at the

other hauen at a full sea: And you must passe vpon the West side, and you

shall finde on the Barre at a full sea fourteene foote water, and great

depth when you are entred in: for the Sea runneth very swiftly in that

place: and the entrie thereof lyeth Southeast and Northwest.

Right ouer against you on the other side, you may passe with boates at a

full sea. And all these entrances make all but one hauen, which is good

within. I say this, because I haue passed into the maine Sea by the one

and the other passage. And the said Isle is not past two leagues ouer in

the middest. It is but two bankes of sande, whereof one is like to that of

S. Malo, which let the Sea from passing through the middest of all the

Isle: But the two endes are high mountaines with Islands altogether cut

and separated with streames and riuers.

To anker in the sayd harbour, you must not ride farther then fiue or sixe

cables length from the sayd hauen.

VIII. A letter sent to the right Honourable Sir William Cecil Lord

Burghley, Lord high Treasurer of England &c. From M. Thomas Iames of

Bristoll, concerning the discouerie of the Isle of Ramea, dated the 14 of

September. 1591.

Right Honourable, my humble duetie to your good Lordship done, I thought

good humbly to aduertise your honour of the discouery of an Island made by

two smal shippes of Saint Malo; the one 8 daies past being prised neare

Silley by a ship of which I am part owner, called the Pleasure, sent by

this citie to my Lord Thomas Howard, for her Maiesties seruice. Which

prise is sent backe to this Port by those of the sayd shippes, with

upwards of fortie tunnes of Traine. The Island lyeth in 47. degrees, some

fiftie leagues from the grand Bay, neere Newfoundland: and is about

twentie leagues about, and some part of the Island is flat Sands and

shoulde: and the fish commeth on banke (to do their kinde) in April May

and Iune, by numbers of thousands, which fish is very big: and hath two

great teeth: and the skinne of them is like Buffes leather: and they will

not away from their yong ones. The yong ones are as good meat as Veale.

And with the bellies of fiue of the saide fishes they make a hogshead of

Traine, which Traine is very sweet, which if it will make sope, the king

of Spaine may burne some of his Oliue trees. Humbly praying your Lordship

to pardon herein my boldnes, betaking your Honour to the keeping of the

Almightie. From Bristoll this 14 of September. 1591. Your Honours most

humbly at commandement. THOMAS IAMES.

IX. A briefe note of the Morsse and the vse thereof.

In the first voyage of Iaques Carthier, wherein he discouered the Gulfe of

S. Laurence and the said Isle of Ramea, in the yeere 1534. as you may

reade in pag. 250 of this present volume,(10) he met with these beasts, as

he witnesseth in these words. About the said Island are very great beasts

as great as oxen, which haue two great teeth in their mouthes like vnto

Elephants teeth, and liue also in the sea. Wee sawe one of them sleeping

vpon the banke of the water, and thinking to take it, we went to it with

our boates, but so soone as he heard vs, he cast himselfe into the sea.

Touching these beasts which Iaques Carthier saith to be as big as Oxen,

and to haue teeth in their mouthes like Elephants teeth: True it is that

they are called in Latine Boues Marini, or Vaccæ Marinæ, and in the

Russian tongue Morsses, the hides whereof I haue seene as big as any Oxe

hide, and being dressed I haue yet a piece of one thicker then any two Oxe

or Buls hides in England. The Leather dressers take them to be excellent

good to make light targets against the arrowes of the Sauages; and I hold

them farre better then the light leather targets which the Moores vse in

Barbarie against arrowes and lances, whereof I haue seene diuers in her

Maiesties stately Armorie in the towre of London. The teeth of the sayd

fishes, whereof I haue seene a dry flat full at once, are a foote and some

times more in length: and haue bene sold in England to the combe and knife

makers, at 8 groats and 3 shillings the pound weight, whereas the best

Iuory is solde for halfe the money: the graine of the bone is somewhat

more yellow then the Iuorie. One M. Alexander Woodson of Bristoll my old

friend, an excellent Mathematician and skilful Phisition, shewed me one of

these beasts teeth which were brought from the Isle of Ramea in the first

prize, which was half a yard long or very little lesse: and assured mee

that he had made tryall of it in ministering medicine to his patients, and

had found it as soueraigne against poyson as any Vnicornes horne.(11)

X. The voyage of the ship called the Marigold of M. Hill of Redrife vnto

Cape Briton and beyond to the latitude of 44 degrees and an halfe, 1593.

Written by Richard Fisher Master Hilles man of Redriffe.

(M56) The ship called the Marigold of 70 tunnes in burthen furnished with

20 men, wherof 10 were mariners, the Masters name being Richard Strong of

Apsham, the Masters mate Peter Langworth of Apsham, with 3 coopers, 2

butchers to flea the Morsses or sea Oxen (whereof diuers haue teeth aboue

a cubit long and skinnes farre thicker then any buls hide) with other

necessary people, departed out of Falmouth the 1 of Iune 1593 in consort

of another ship of M. Drakes of Apsham, which vpon some occasion was not

ready so soone as shee should haue bene by two moneths. (M57) The place

for which these two ships were bound was an Island within the streightes

of Saint Peter on the backe side of Newfoundland to the Southwest in the

latitude of fortie seuen degrees, called by the Britons of Saint Malo the

Isle of Ramea, but by the Sauages and naturals of the Continent next

adioyning Menquit: On which Isle are so great abundance of the huge and

mightie Sea Oxen with great teeth in the moneths of April, May and Iune,

that there haue bene fifteene hundreth killed there by one small barke, in

the yeere 1591. The two English shipps aforesayde, lost companie before

they came to Newfoundland: and neuer came after together in all their

voyage.

The ship of M. George Drake fell first with New-foundland, and afterward

very directly came to the Isle Ramea, though too late in the yeere to make

her voyage: where shee found a shippe of Saint Malo three parts fraighted

with these fishes: the men whereof enquiring whence our shippe was and who

was the Master thereof, being answered that shee was belonging to Master

George Drake of Apsham, fearing to bee taken as good prize being of a

Leaguer towne, and at that time out of league with England, fled so

hastily that present night that they left three and twentie men and three

Shallops behinde them, all which our men seazed vpon and brought away as

good prises home.

Here our men tooke certaine Sea-Oxen, but nothing such numbers as they

might haue had, if they had come in due season, which they had neglected.

The shippe called the Marigolde fell with Cape Saint Francis in

Newfoundland the eleuenth of Iulie, and from thence wee went into the Bay

Rogneuse, and afterward doubled Cape Razo, and sayling toward the straight

of Saint Peter (which is the entrance betweene Newfoundland and Cape

Briton,) being vnacquainted with the place, beate vp and downe a very long

time, and yet missed it, and at length ouer shot it, and fell with Cape

Briton.