Four dozen reames of paper.
Two dozen of glasses of diuers sorts.
Two dozen of Venice glasses, the one halfe great, the other middle sort.
Two dozen of mantles of frize, of the lowest price that can be.
Three dozen of frize gownes.
Foure hundred pound of tinne of the vse of Portugall, most smal dishes
and trenchers.
Foure pound of silke of all colours.
Twentie pound of spices, cloues, cinamon, pepper, and saffron.
Two kintals of white sope.
Three pound of threed, white, black, and blew.
Three pound of fine white threed.
Item, halfe a dozen of Northerne karsies of diuers colours.
Foure sorting clothes, blew, red, yellow, and green.
Sixe Northerne dozens of diuers colours.
One fine blew cloth of eight pound.
One fine stamell of tenne or twelue pound.
One fine sheeps coloured cloth of twelue pound.
One fine blacke karsie. One fine stamell karsie.
Sixe yards of blacke veluet.
Three barrels of nailes for chests.
Two barrels of nailes for ships and barks.
Sixe kintals of Occom.
Two dozen of veluet girdles without hangers.
Foure yards of taffata red, blacke, and blew, with some greene.
Two dozen of leather girdles.
Sixe dozen of axes, hatches, and small billes to cut wood.
Foure mases of gitterne strings.
Foure hundred or fiue hundreds elles of some linnen cloth that is of a
low price to make shirts and sheets.
Foure tunne of yron.
These be such sort of wares as I would you should send. If you meane to
deale, or send any ship hither, haue you no doubt, but by the helpe of
God I shall put all things in good order according to your contentment
and profit: for my father in lawe with the Captaine and Prouedor doe
rule this countrey.
My father in law and I shal (God willing) make a good quantitie of sugar
euery yeere, which sugar we intend to ship for London from henceforth,
if we can get such a trustie and good friend as you to deale with vs in
this matter. I pray you presently after the receit of this my letter to
write mee answere thereof and send your letter to M. Holder to Lisbone,
and he wil conuey it to me out of hand.
Besides the premisses send sixe yards of skarlet, parchment lace of
diuers colours.
Sixe yards of crimosin veluet.
Sixe yards of crimosin satten.
Twelue yards of fine puke blacke.
Here in this countrey in stead of Iohn Whithall they haue called me Iohn
Leitoan: so that they haue vsed this name so long time, that at this
present there is no remedie but it must remaine so. When you write vnto
me, let the superscription be vnto Iohn Leitoan.
Thus I commit you with all yours to the holy Ghost for euer.
If you send this ship, I would haue you giue order that she touch in no
part of the coast of Guinie nor any other coast, but to come directly
hither to the port of S. Vincent, and from the Canaries let her be
dispatched in my name, to wit, Iohn Leitoan.
Also a dozen shirts for my wearing let be sent, if you send the ship.
Item, sixe or eight pieces of sayes for mantles for women, which is the
most necessary thing that can be sent.
By your assured friend Iohn Whithall.
A copie of the letters of the Aduenturers for Brasill sent to Iohn
Whithall dwelling in Santos, by the Minion of London, Anno 1580.
the 24. of October in London.
Master Whithall, as vnacquainted wee commend vs vnto you, etc.
vnderstanding by your friends, M. Iohn Bird, M. Robert Walkaden, and
your brother Iames Whithall of certaine letters that they haue receiued
of yours from Santos, which wee haue seene and read, wherein from time
to time you doe require, and desire them to send a good ship to Santos,
with such wares and commodities as you did write for, whereby you did
not onely promise that they should haue good intertainment, but also
should sell the saide commodities to make three of one outward at the
least in euery thing, and that for to relade their ship backe, they
should haue of the best, finest, and whitest drie sugars 32. pound of
our weight for a ducket at the most. The premises considered, with the
great credit that they and we doe giue to your writing and promise, haue
caused vs, whose names be hereunder written, to ioyne our selues in
company together, and to be at great charges purposely to send this good
ship the Minion of London, not onely with such marchandizes as you wrote
for, but also with as many other things as we thought might any wayes
pleasure you, or profit the country. And we craue of you, that we and
our factors may haue so much credite of you, as we haue in you and of
your letters, which is to beleeue vs that we haue taken this voyage
vpon vs, with no other minde or purpose, then to deale faithfully and
truely in the trade by sea and land, so as you shall not onely haue
cause to reioyce, and deserue thanks for our comming, but also you wil
procure the magistrates there to be bound, as they vse in Galicia, that
we may be preserued and defended from all reprisals and imbargements of
princes or subiects for any causes or matters whatsoeuer, whereby wee
may bee incouraged by them, giuing vs this securitie of good
intertainment, to continue the trade yeerely henceforth: and for our
parts we promise upon our credits and fidelities, to commit no outrage
at the sea nor land, nor suffer any to be done in our company that we
may let, but rather to defend and protect all other such peaceable
marchants as we are, with their ships and goods.
And to the ende that you and others shall know that wee meane as we say,
we haue giuen order to our factors to giue you good hostages for your
assurance of our good fidelities: and further we haue sent a
testimoniall of our owne true meaning in writing vnder the seales of
this honourable Citie of London, which we wil not discredite by our
behauiours for all the treasure that you haue: and so we haue written to
your magistrates of your port, and others in Spanish, the copy whereof
we send you herewith enclosed in English. And if the time should fal out
so contrary to our expectations, that there should not be fine white
sugar sufficient to lade our ship in due time at Santos, then we pray
you direct our factours where they may goe with the shippe in safetie to
supply their want, and helpe them to a good sure Pilot for that purpose,
and write your letters to your friends where the best sugar is made in
their fauors, and helpe our factours to haue a testimoniall from Santos,
that they and you traded together friendly, and so departed in good and
perfect amitie, and shew them that the iust cause of our comming is to
trade as marchants peaceably, and not as Pirates to commit any offence
to one or other.
Also we pray you, if there be any store of waxe, or salt-peeter, whereby
the price there may yeeld vs as much profit as the white sugars at a
ducket the roue, or any other commodity of like profite, then to procure
that we may lade it without danger of lawe, be it oare of golde or
siluer or whatsoeuer else.
We haue sent you copper cauldrons for your Ingenios, with iron and all
other necessaries for your purpose, and artificers to set the same: and
as wee haue at your request bene at great charges in sending these men,
so we pray you let vs haue lawful fauour in like courtesie to further
all our causes. And if any of our Mariners or passengers in any respect
of displeasure against their company, or in hope of preferment of
mariage or otherwise would procure to tary and dwell there, and leaue
his charge and office, that then you will bee a meane to the Iustice
that such fugitives should be sent abord the ship as prisoners: for as
you know, without our men wee cannot bring home our ship.
Wee haue giuen order to our factours to vse your counsell and helpe in
their affaires, and to gratifie you for the same as to your courtesie
and faithfull friendship shall appertaine to your good liking: and in
the meane time for a token of our good willes towards you, we haue sent
you a fieldbed of walnut tree, with the canopy, valens, curtaines, and
gilt knops. And if there be any commoditie else that may pleasure you or
your friends, wee haue giuen order that they shall haue the refusing of
it before any other, giuing for it as it is worth.
And thus to conclude, promising to performe all the foresaide things on
our parts in euery condition, we commit you to God, who euer preserue
you with all his blessings.
Your louing friends: Christopher Hodsdon.[25],
Anthonie Garrard, Thomas Bramlie, Iohn Bird,
William Elkin.
[25] For a very curious account of the family of "Hodsdon" or "Hudson,"
consult the "Life of Henry Hudson" in the publications of the Clarendon
Historical Society for 1883.
Certaine notes of the voyage to Brasil with the Minion of London
aforesaid, in the yere 1580. written by Thomas Grigs Purser of
the said ship.
The thirde day of Nouember in the yeere abouesaid we departed in the
Minion of London from Harwich, from which time no great thing worth the
knowledge or regard of others happened vntil the 22. of December the
next moneth, which day for our owne learning and vse wee obserued the
setting of the Sunne, which was West southwest, we then being vnder the
line Equinoctiall, where we found the aire very temperate, and the
winde for the most part Southeast and East southeast. The same day we
also obserued the rising of the moone, being one day after the full,
which rose at East northeast.----
The first land that wee fell with vpon the coast of Brasill was the
yland of S. Sebastian, where we arriued the 14. day of Ianuary in the
yeere 1581.[26]
[26] South West of Rio de Janeiro.
The 16. day Thomas Babington, and others in our pinnesse, went a shoare
to Guaybea, where they met with Iohn Whithall his father and mother in
lawe, who hauing receiued letters from thence to be deliuered at Santos,
came abord, and then we weyed and set saile, and the 28. day wee arriued
at the yland of Santa Catelina, neere the entrance of Santos.
Our course from S. Sebastian was Southwest and by West, and betwixt the
Southwest and by West, and West southwest.
This yland of Santa Catelina seemeth at the first to be a part of the
yland of Girybia. Wee ankered at nine fathome blacke osie ground.
Vpon the yland there grow many Palmito-trees, but no fresh water is
there to be found.
The third day of February we arriued before the towne of Santos, and
were there well received and intertained of the Captaine, the kings
officers, and all the people.
The fourth day we tooke into our ship a beefe aliue, which for the
victualling of the ship, and the refreshing of our men, and to make vs
the merrier at Shrouetide.
The eight day we deliuered to M. Iohn Whithall a bedstead with the
appurtenances, which were sent to him from our marchants of London.
The 18. day the captaine of Santos came abord our ship, by whom we had
knowledge of foure great French ships of warre, that had bene at the
riuer of Ienero, which there tooke three Canoas, but were driuen from
thence by their castles and forts, and were looked for here at Santos.
Whereupon the Captaine requested vs to lend them some armour and
artillery, and we lent them twentie caliuers and two barrels of powder.
[Sidenote: The yle of Alcatrarzas or Pelicanes.] The 19. day our skiffe
which we had sent to Alcatrarzas, and had bene away sixe dayes, came
againe, and brought good store of great and good fish, and tolde vs that
there was good store of fish to be taken there by the hooke, and as
much wood as we would haue of the Palmito-tree.
The 20. day at night Nicholas Gale, one of our company, fell ouer our
shippes side, and was drowned in the port of Santos before the towne,
where our ship rode at anker.
The 22. day two of the Canoas which the Frenchmen tooke in the riuer of
Ienero, returned to Santos, and reported that the foure French ships
were past to the southwards, as they thought, for the Straights of
Magellan, and so into the South sea.
The 23. day the aforesaid Nicholas Gale, who fell ouerboard two days
before, was found againe, and taken vp three miles from our ship, and
our company went to his buriall in the Church at Santos.
This day the Captaine and Iustices of Santos wished vs to tary in their
road till the last of April, for they had sent a barke of Santos to Baya
at the kings charges, to know whether we should haue trade there or no,
and this barke could not returne before that time.
About this time there arriued at Fernambuck[27] a shippe from Portugall,
which brought newes that the Islands, Indies, and Portugall it selfe was
molested and troubled by the Spaniards, and that the Portugales had both
English and Frenchmen to Lisbone to defend them against Spaine.
[27] Pernambuco.
The 25. day wee sent two of our men, namely Thomas Michael and Simon
Thorne to Baya in a barke that went thither from Santos.
The two and twentie day of April our Master and Thomas Babington hauing
some talke and conference with the Padres of Santos, they (our men being
ready to go to the Riuer of Ienero) tolde them, that they were sorry for
our banishment from the Church, and that the Ministrador had written
from Rio de Ienero, that forasmuch as these twentie yeres or more the
English nation had denied the Church of Rome and her proceedings,
therefore the Ministrador commanded that none of vs should come to their
Church: the Padres willed vs herein to haue patience, and to take it in
good part, and promised to stand our friends in their word and writing,
both to the Ministrador and to the bishop at Baya, and further requested
all our English company to haue no ill opinion of them.
The 28. of April we laded sugars into our ship.
The 21. of May we tooke in fresh victuals from Santos.
The 10. day of Iune we gratified one Iosto Thorno, dwelling in Santos,
with some of our English victuals, and intertained him in good sort in
our ship, and this day wee were promised to haue a Pilot at Santos to
cary vs to Baya.
[Sidenote: Leaks in the Minion made by wormes.] The 11. day we went to
fish, to make prouision for our ship and men, and from that time til the
eighteenth day wee fet water, and cut wood for our fire, and trimmed our
ship of the harmes and leakes which the wormes had made in her while wee
ridde at the yland of S. Sebastian, and in the meane time we departed
from before the towne of Santos. Our Master sent his skiffe from the
barre of Santos, thinking to haue brought Thomas Babington and William
Euet with the Pilot, which wee had tarried for three dayes: and as the
skiffe was going, William Euet being by the Riuers side, called to our
pinnesse, and sent a letter to our Master, [Sidenote: Whose name
was Stephen Hare.] which Thomas Babington had written, wherein were no
newes, but that the Ministrador was arriued at Santos from the Riuer of
Ienero, and would speake with our Master, but he willed that whatsoeuer
Thomas Babington did write, no credit should be giuen to it. And further
he wished vs presently to depart for Sant Sebastian, and there to
dispatch our businesse, and then to sende backe for Babington and
himselfe to Guaybea, where he (if he were well) would giue his
attendance to come abord.
[Sidenote: Their departure from Santos.] As we rid two leagues a
sea-bord the barre of Santos, wee broke a cable in the open sea, which
happened the 15. day of this moneth.
We arriued at S. Sebastian the 15. day, and there shifted our balast,
and had in stones, and halled our ship a ground to stop our leakes, and
caried our casks a shoare to be hooped for water, which indeed might
better haue bene done in Santos, before the Ministrador came thither:
yet we finished all things pertaining to our ship, by the 22 of this
moneth, at S. Sebastian.
The first day of Iuly Thomas Babington came abord with William Euet, in
our pinnesse, and the rest of our men that went for them: but there was
no Pilot brought according to promise to cary vs to Baya.
The things that we obserued and noted in the time of our being at
Santos, were these.
All such wares and marchandizes as owe no custome in Brasill, their vse
is, to set a price vpon the same, how they shalbe sold: which is done by
the magistrates of the towne, according to the ordinances of their King.
But for all such marchandizes as do owe custome there, the marchants are
to sell them according as they may, to the greatest profit and aduantage
that they can.
Concerning the prouince of Peru, wee learned that one part of it by land
and water is but twelue dayes iourney from the towne of Santos, and from
thence it may be about foure or fiue dayes iourney by water to the maine
riuer of Plate.[28]
From the head of the riuer of Plate, and from their chiefe townes there,
they do trade and trafique by land into Peru by waggons, and horses or
mules.
The said riuer of Plate is so full of sands and dangers, and the fresh
so fierce sometimes, that no shipping dares to deale with it, small
barks to their knowledge may go vp it, and not els.
The Portugales here cannot be suffered to vse their Mines of treasure in
these parts, vpon paine of death, the contrary being commanded by the
king and the Vice-roy, who is as their king in place of authoritie.
About twentie leagues from Santos there is a certaine kinde of wilde
Sauages, lying in the mountaines, which are in friendship with the
Portugales, and they haue continuall warres with certaine other Sauages
that dwell towards the borders of Peru, which is distant from Santos
about 400. or 500. leagues. Those Sauages of Peru haue store of gold and
siluer, but they knowe not the vse of it.
Looke what Sauages of their enemies they take, they sell them to the
Portugales for kniues, combes, axes or hatchets, and other trifles: they
will sell one for a pennie-knife to a Portugal, and after two yeeres
they are worth twentie or thirtie duckets to the Portugal.
This people haue also continuall warres with the Spaniards: and this was
tolde vs by one of those Sauages, which hath dwelt among the Portugales
these seuen yeeres, with his master called Sennor Manoel Veloso. And
this fellowe would willingly haue come with vs for England.
[28] Paraguay is probably meant. The river of that name, which
ultimately flows into the Sea as Rio de la Plata, is about 700 miles
distant from Santos.
[Sidenote: The yle of Alcatrarzas or Pelicanes dangerous for rocks.]
There are certaine rockes that lie off betweene the yle of Alcatrarzas
and S. Sebastian, about two leagues, which are to be taken heed of,
which a farre off in faire weather shewe like the sailes of ships.
There are other rocks that lie off S. Catelina also fiue leagues to the
East and by south into the sea off the yland.
At our comming vp to Santos we found foure fadom and a halfe water in
the shallowest place, and the like we found within a league after we
were departed from S. Catelina, litle more or lesse, but after you haue
runne in the depth of foure fadome and a halfe, about a mile or lesse,
then you shall haue it deeper againe more and more.
Before the towne of Santos we rode in eight or tenne fadome water.
A letter of Francis Suares to his brother Diego Suares dwelling in
Lisbon, written from the riuer of Ienero in Brasill in Iune 1596.
concerning the exceeding rich trade newly begunne betweene that
place and Peru, by the way of the Riuer of Plate, with small
barks of 30. and 40. tunnes.
Sir, we set saile from Lisbon the fourth of April 1596. and arriued here
in this riuer of Ienero the twentie seuenth of Iune next ensuing. And
the same day the Visitadores did visit our ship with great ioy, thinking
that those commodities which wee brought with vs, had bene for the
marchants of this countrey: but it prooued to the contrary.
[Sidenote: Wine solde at an excessiue rate.] The pilot brought with him
in the sayd shippe two pipes of wine which were taken from him, and
solde by the Iustice for foure and twenty reals euery gallon. But I
solde mine for two and thirty and sixe and thirty reals the gallon. If I
had brought any great store of wine, I should haue made a great gaine of
it: for I should haue gotten eight reals for one.
The next day in the morning we went all on shore, and gaue God thanks
for our prosperous voyage, and good successe which he had sent vs. And
because the gouernour of this countrey was gone from this Towne to
another house of his, three leagues vp into the riuer beyond the place
where we rode at anker, I desired the captaine of our shippe after
dinner, that we might take the shippe boat, and goe to the place where
the gouernour did lie. And so going vp the riuer, we met with a canoa
which was comming downe the riuer, and going aboard our shippe; which
canoa was laden with fresh victuals, and in the same was one Portugall,
which met vs, and tolde vs that the gouernour of that captaine shippe
had sent vs a present, which we receiued very thankefully, and sent it
aboord. And we went vp the riuer, to the place where the gouernour did
dwell; and comming to the place where we landed, hard by the riuers
side, the gouernour came thither and receiued vs very courteously. So we
remained at his house two days, talking of many matters of Portugall:
then we departed from him, and came downe the riuer.
Three dayes after, I hired a ware-house by my selfe, and landed my
commodities. And now I am selling them as fast as I can; and sell them
very well, and to great profit: for I haue sold all our hats. I would I
had brought forty or fifty dozen, by reason of the great vtterance of
them vp into Peru, and into the new kingdome of Granada, by the way of
the riuer of Plate. [Sidenote: A rich trade from the riuer of Ienero by
the riuer of Plate into Peru, etc.] For here is passage euery three or
foure moneths with barks of thirty and forty tunnes a piece, which are
laden with sugars, rice, taffataes, hats, and other kindes of
commodities of this countrey, which are caried vp the sayd riuer of
Plate in the sayd barks, and thence are conueyed vp into Peru. And these
barks are but tenne or twelue days going vp the sayd riuer to Peru. And
within foure and fiue moneths after, the sayd barkes come downe this
riuer againe laden with reals of plate, and bring downe from those
places no other commodities but treasure. [Sidenote: The shortnesse of
the returne of the voyage to Peru.] It is a woonderfull thing to behold
the great gaine and profit which is gotten in this riuer and in this
countrey. I am ashamed to write it, fearing that I shall not be
beleeued. For the imployment of one hundred ducats in spaine, being
brought hither, will yeeld twelue hundred and fifteene hundred ducats
profit. This trade hath beene vsed but within this yeere. [Sidenote: The
rich trade was begunne in the yere 1595.] For wee can goe vp to the
mines of Potosi, which are the best and the richest mines in all
Peru.[29] If the merchants of Spaine and Portugall did know this trade,
they would not send nor venture so much merchandise to Cartagena as
they doe. For vp this riuer is a great deale the neerer way, and the
easier to go to Peru. For the Peruleros or merchants of Peru, which
dwell there, come downe to this harbour and riuer of Ienero, and bring
with them fifteene thousand and twentie thousand ducats in reals of
plate and gold, and imploy it heere in this riuer in commodities: and
when heere are no commodities to be had for money in this place, then
these merchants of Peru, are constrained to go to Baia and Fernambuc,
and there to imploy their money. [Sidenote: The voyage of Angola in
Africa.] I would I had brought good store of silks, and not these kinde
of commodities which I did bring. For here is more profit to be had a
great deale then in the voyage of Angola. For heere with fiue hundred
ducats in fiue moneths space a man may get sixe thousand ducats. And
this is no fable, but most true, and a great deale more then I can
expresse. For a rapier Which doeth cost in Spaine foure and twenty and
sixe and twenty reals, is sold heere for forty and fifty ducats: a
bridle for a horse is solde for fifteene ducats; a lock of a doore and
the key is solde for ten ducats: a pound of beniamin is solde for
fifteene ducats: a yard of veluet is solde for twenty and fiue and
twenty ducats: taffataes are solde for sixe and seuen ducats the vare:
an ownce of muske, is solde for forty ducats: and all kinde of
commodities after this rate. [Sidenote: Gaine of ten thousand ducats for
the laying out of one thousand.] So one thousand ducats of Spanish
commodities will gaine tenne thousand ducats. Thus I hope in God to make
more profit and gaine this voyage, then in two voyages to Angola: for I
haue solde most of my hats for two duckets and a halfe and for three
ducats. The rest I will cary to Angola, to helpe to sell the rest of my
commodities, which I cannot sell in this riuer. And I haue solde an
hundred cubits of broad cloth for fiue hundred and fiue hundred and
fifty and sixe hundred reys the cubit. [Sidenote: A trade of buying
Negros in Angola.] If I would haue solde all my cloth for ready money
tolde downe for foure hundred and fifty and fiue hundred reyes, the
merchants would haue bought it all of me: but I would sell no more,
because I meant to exchange it in Angola for Negros. Howbeit with ready
money in hand in Angola a man shall buy better Negros, and better
cheape. The captaine of our ship solde all his cloth for ready money for
fore hundred and fifty reys the cubit, and thought that he had made a
good market, but he hath deceiued himselfe. I solde six broad clothes
for fiue hundred and fifty reys the cubit: and I was offered thirty
thousand reys for a cloth. Vineger is solde for two and thirty, sixe and
thirty, and forty reals a iarre, by reason there is great store of
limmons and orenges in the countrey: but in Angola it is more woorth.
Oliues are solde for halfe a reall a piece: wherefore I hope to sell the
hogshead for twenty thousand reys. In taffataes and veluets there will
be gotten two hundred and fifty and three hundred for one hundred. If I
had brought great store, I could haue solde it all at this rate. I haue
already gotten great store of reals of plate: for it is tolde mee that
money is a good commodity in Angola. But I must imploy some in meale,
which is in the grinding. All the rest of my money I will send you by
billes of exchange, and some part I wil imploy in sugars: for I haue
sent order to Baia for that purpose. For from this place there is no
shipping that doth go that way. So these letters I do send by the way of
Fernambuc, and haue directed them to my cousin: for I do determine to
settle my selfe here in this countrey. There is come downe from Peru, by
this riuer of Plate, a merchant called Alonso Ramires, and he hath
brought downe with him ten or twelue thousand ducats in reals of plate,
and is come downe to this place to build him a ship to returne into
Spaine; and there is come in his company a bishop. And thus Iesus Christ
send you long health.
Your louing brother Francis Suares.
[29] By Peru, Bolivia is here meant, Potosi can be reached from Rio de
la Plata by ascending the river Paraguay to its junction with the
Pilcomayo, and thence ascending that river.
The well gouerned and prosperous voyage of M. Iames Lancaster,
begun with three ships and a galley-frigat from London in October
1594, and intended for Fernambuck, the porte-towne of Olinda in
Brasil. In which voyage (besides the taking of nine and twenty
ships and frigats) he surprized the sayd port-towne, being
strongly fortified and manned; and held possession thereof thirty
dayes together (notwithstanding many bolde assaults of the enemy
both by land and water) and also prouidently defeated their
dangerous and almost ineuitable fireworks. Heere he found the
cargazon or freight of a rich East Indian carack; which together
with great abundance of sugars, Brasil-wood, and cotton he
brought from thence; lading therewith fifteene sailes of tall
ships and barks.
In September 1594 the worshipfull M. Iohn Wats, alderman, M. Paul
Banning, alderman, and others of worship in the city of London,
victualled three good ships; to wit, The Consent, of the burden of 240
tunnes or thereabout, The Salomon, of 170 tunnes, and the Virgin, of 60
tunnes: and appointed for commanders in this voyage, M. Iames Lancaster
of London, gentleman, admirall of the fleet, M. Edmund Barker of London,
viceadmirall, and M. Iohn Audely of Poplar neere London rereadmirall,
hauing in their sayd ships to the number of 275 men and boyes.
Being fully furnished with all needfull prouision, wee departed from
Blackwall in October following, keeping our owne coast, vntill we came
into the West countrey, where we met with such gusts and stormes, that
the Salomon spending her mast at the Range of Dartmouth, put into
harbour; but by the earnest care and industry of the generall and others
hauing charge, she was shortly againe prouided. Which done, hauing a
pleasant gale for our purpose, we put foorth from Dartmouth the last of
Nouember following. But contrary to our expectation, not fifty leagues
from our owne coast, we lost the Salomon and the Virgin, by a storme of
contrary winde that fell vpon vs: yet being alone, in hope to meet them
about the Canaries or Cape Blank, we kept on our course to the Canaries,
but could heare no tidings of our consorts, which greatly grieued vs.
Thence we went, bearing for the isle of Tenerif, where in the morning
early we had sight of a saile, which being becalmed vnder the shore, was
towing with their boat a head, hauing one other at her sterne. For this
saile we manned our boat, appointing our men wel for fight, if need
should require. The Spaniards seeing our boat come, entred theirs, and
leauing the ship, sought to saue themselues by flight: but our men
pursued them so fast, that they boorded them, and brought them with
their shippe to our Generall. This ship was laden with 80 tunnes of
Canary-wine, which came not vnto vs before it was welcome. We kept and
manned it, plying that day, and the next night thereabout. The very next
morning we had sight of one other; to whome in like maner wee sent our
boat: but their gunner made a shot at her, and strooke off a propper
yoong mans arme; yet we inforced her to yeeld, and found 40 tunnes of
wine in her. The Spaniards hauing their free passage, and an
acquaintance for the deliuery of their wines, were all set on shore vpon
Tenerif, making a quicke returne of their long voyage intended into the
West Indies.
Hence we departed toward Cape Blank; and before wee came thither, we met
againe with the Virgin our rereadmirall, whose men tolde vs for very
trueth, that the Salomon was returned for England; inforced so to doe,
by spending her mast the second time. Which when our men vnderstood,
they were all in a maze, not knowing what to doe, and saying among
themselues that their force was but small when all our strength were
together, and now we had lost the one halfe of our strength, we were not
able to performe the voyage: and therefore some of them came to the
captain, asking him what he would now do, seeing the Salomon was now
lost, the one halfe of our strength, giuing him counsell to beare vp for
the West Indies, and proue there to make his voyage, because his first
plat for want of strength was cleane ouerthrown. The captaine hearing
this new nouelty, as not vnacquainted with the variable pretenses of
mariners, made them this answere: Sirs, I made knowen to you all at my
comming out of England what I pretended, and that I meant to go to
Fernambuck, and although at the present we want one of our ships, yet
(God willing) I mean to go forward, not doubting but to meet her at the
appointed places, which are either at Cape Blank or the islands of Cape
Verde: for I am assured that M. Barker the captaine is so resolute to
performe this voyage, that his mast being repaired, he will not faile to
meet vs, and it were no wisdome for vs to diuert our course, till we
haue sought him at those places where our appointed meeting is: for the
diuerting of courses is the ouerthrow of most of our actions. And I hope
you will be all contented herewith: for to go any other course then I
haue determined (by Gods helpe) I will not be drawen vnto. With these
reasons and many others shewed, they rested all satisfied: and at our
comming to Cape Blank (God be praised) we met with the Salomon with no
small ioy to vs all; and there she had taken of Spaniards and Portugals
24 saile of ships and carauels, fisher-men, and had taken out of them
such necessaries as she had neede of. Of these ships our Captaine tooke
foure along with him, with another that he had taken himselfe, meaning
to imploy them as occasion should serue. At this place he vnderstood one
of the pilots of those ships, that one of the caracks that came out of
the East Indies, was cast away in the rode of Fernambuc, and that all
her goods were layd vpon the Arracife which is the lower towne. Of these
newes we were all glad, and reioyced much; for our hopes were very
good, seeing such a booty before vs.
[Sidenote: A gally-frigat carried out of England in pieces.] Of this
good company and happy successe we were all ioyful, and had great hope
of the blessing of God in performance of our intended voyage, and so
after some parle and making frolike for ioy of our meeting one with the
other (praising God for all) we plied for Maio: where coming to anker,
our generall and the rest of the captaines went ashore to view the place
where we might in best safety set our gally-frigat together; which frame
wee brought from England of purpose to land men in the country of
Brasil. Here we discharged our great prize of wine, and set her on fire:
but before our coming thither, you shall vnderstand we had sight of four
sailes, which was captaine Venner in his ship the Peregrine, and a
proper Biskaine which he tooke at Cape Blank, the Welcome of Plymmouth
and her pinnesse: all which stood with vs. But they seeing our flags,
not expecting such good fellowes as we, did beare from vs all they
might; which our people tooke very vnkindly, that being all friends,
they would neither enquire, nor tell vs any newes of our friends, but
without making any shew of kindness would so depart. [Sidenote: The
gally-frigat set vp.] As before I haue said, the choice being made for
the place to build the gally-frigat, ashore it was brought, where the
carpenters applied their worke, still cheered vnto it by the generals
good gifts bestowed among them, and kind vsage of the rest of the
commanders, not without great care of the captaine for the safety of
them all, by keeping good watch: yet one negligent fellow, which had no
knowledge of the countrey, straying from his company, was by the
Portugals taken, and very kindly vsed, and brought againe vnto vs: for
which good the generall rewarded them well with gifts very acceptable,
which they tooke as kindly. While wee were thus busily imployed about
the foresayd galley, we descried at sea foure sailes, which we had good
hope would haue prooued Indies men, or some to haue brought vs what wee
looked for: but they proued captaine Venner with his fleete, as
aforesayd, who, seeing vs at anker, ankered also; where spending some
time, and being acquainted with our generals determination for landing,
consorted with vs, and their bils, according to the maner of the sea,
were made and signed on either part, we to haue three parts, and he the
fourth, of all that should be taken, whereby our strength was increased,
to all our comforts. Three weeks or thereabouts we stayd in this place
before the gally was finished; which done, putting men into her, and
fitting her with oares, hauing fourteene banks on a side, a mast and
saile, the commandement of her was committed vnto M. Wats, an honest
skilful mariner.
From thence we put againe to sea, and went for the ile Braua, where we
watered: which done, we made no long stay after, but bent our course as
directly as we could for the place, making our first fall with the land
to the Southward of Cape S. Augustine; from whence wee plied still to
our desired port of Fernambuck, and did so much, that about midnight we
came before the harbour; where some plied vp and downe, holding that the
best policy, to forebeare the entring till day might giue them light,
the harborow being hard, and therefore the more perillous. [Sidenote:
The 29 of March.] Our ships being in safety well arriued, God was
praised: and the generall in his boat went from ship to ship, willing
them to made ready such men as they could spare, with muskets, pikes,
billes, bowes, arrowes, and what weapons they had to follow him.
Himself, with 80 men from his owne ship, imbarked himselfe in the gally,
which carried in her prow a good sacar, and two murdering pieces.
Our admiral spent all the night in giuing directions to euery ship to
haue their men ready shipped in their boats, for he intended to enter
the harborow at the breake of day, and to leaue his ships without, till
he had gotten the fort and the towne: for he would not aduenture the
ships in, till the harborow was gotten. Also he prouided fiue ships,
which he brought from Cape Blank, and put men in them as many as could
conueniently saile them, and no more, giuing them charge to enter the
harborow with his boats: for at the entrance of the harborow rode three
great Holland ships, which our admirall doubted would impeach his going
in; and therefore he gaue order to the men of these fiue small ships,
which were not aboue 60 tunnes a piece, if the Hollanders did offer any
resistance, to run aboord of them, and to set their owne ships on fire,
and scape in their boats, which they had for the same purpose, that by
this meanes they might not impeach our entrance. But when the morning
was come, we were fallen aboue halfe a mile downe to the Northward,
below the harborow, which was a great inconuenience vnto vs: so that
before wee could get vp againe, the ebbe was come vpon vs, and thereby
we were forced to houer before the harborow till two of the clocke in
the afternoone, in the sight of all the towne. In this meane time, our
ships rode before the fort without the harborow, about a demy-coluering
shot off: in the which time passed many shot betweene the fort and the
ships, and especially betweene the admirals ship and them: but no great
harme was done on either part. All this while our admirall kept the men
ready houering in the gally and the boats. The Hollanders that rode in
the mouth of the harborow, seeing our resolution, layd out haulsers, and
wound themselues out of the way of vs. Our admirall was very ioyfull,
and gaue great incouragement to all his men: for, to passe these three
great Hollanders, he held it the greatest danger of all. About 12 of the
clocke the gouernor of the towne sent a Portugall aboord the admirals
ship, to know what he would haue, and wherefore he came. He returned him
this answere: That he wanted the caracks goods, and for them he came,
and them he would haue, and that he should shortly see. In this processe
of time, the townes-men and inhabitants which saw so much shipping, and
perceiued vs to be enemies, gathered themselues together, three or foure
ensignes of men, esteemed to the number of some sixe hundred at the
least. These came to the fort or platforme lying ouer against the entry
of the harborow, and there attended our landing: but before our admirall
set forward with his boats, he gaue expresse order to all that had
charge of gouerning the boats or galley, to run them with such violence
against the shore, that they should be all cast away without recouery,
and not one man to stay in them, whereby our men might haue no maner of
retreat to trust vnto, but onely to God and their weapons.
Now was the time come of the flood, being about two of the clocke in the
afternoone, when our admirall set forward, and entered the harborow with
the small galley, and all the rest of the boats following him, the
Hollanders that rode in the mouth of the harborow, nothing impeached
him: but now the fort began to play with their ordinance vpon the galley
and the boats; and one of their shot tooke away a great piece of our
ensigne out of the galley. But our saile being set, it was no time for
vs to make any stay, but with all the force we could we ranne the galley
vpon the shore right vnder the fort, within a coits cast of it, with
such violence, that we brake her backe; and she suncke presently: for
there where we landed, went a breach of the sea, which presently cast
her away. The boats comming after did the like. At our arriuall, those
in the fort had laden all their ordinance, being seuen pieces of brasse,
to discharge them vpon vs at our landing; which indeed they did: for our
admirall leaping into the water, all the rest following him, off came
these pieces of ordinance: but almighty God be praised, they in the
fort, with feare to see vs land in their faces, had piked their
ordinance so steepe downewards with their mouthes, that they shot all
their shot in the sand, although, as I sayd before, it was not aboue a
coits cast at the most betweene the place wee landed and the face of the
fort: so that they only shot off one of our mens armes, without doing
any more hurt; which was to vs a great blessing of God: for if those
ordinances had bene well leuelled, a great number of vs had lost our
liues at that instant. Our admirall seeing this, cried out, incouraging
his men, Vpon them, vpon them; all (by Gods helpe) is ours: and they
therewith ran to the fort with all violence. [Sidenote: The fort of
Fernambuck taken.] Those foure ensignes of men that were set to defend
our landing, seeing this resolution, began to go backe, and retire into
certeine bushes that were by the same fort; and being followed, fledde
thorowe a certaine oaze which was drie, being then but the beginning of
the tide: and so abandoned the fort, and left it with their ordinance to
vs. This day of our arriuall was their Good-Friday, when by custome they
usually whippe themselves: but God sent vs now for a generall scourge
to them all, whereby that labour among them might be well spared. The
fort being taken with all their ordinance, the admirall waued to the
ships, willing them to wey and come in; which they did with all speed,
himselfe taking order in leauing certeine men in keeping the sayd fort,
and placed the ordinance toward the high towne, from whence hee
suspected the greatest danger; and putting his men in order, marched
toward the low towne, which was about some fourteene score from the
fort: in which towne lay all their merchandize and other goods.
Approching to the towne, he entered the same, the people imbarking
themselues in carauels and boats, with all the expedition they could.
The base towne, of aboue an hundred houses, being thus taken, we found
in it great store of merchandizes of all sorts: as Brasil-wood, sugars,
Calico-cloth, pepper, cynamon, cloues, mase, nutmegs, with diuers other
good things, to the great comfort of vs all. The admirall went vp and
downe the towne, and placed at the South end of the same captaine
Venner and his company, himselfe and his company in the midst of the
towne, and captaine Barker and captaine Addy at the other end of the
towne, giuing great charge, that no man vpon paine of great punishment
and losse of his shares, should break vp or enter into any ware-house,
without order and direction from the admirall. And this commandement was
as well kept as euer any was kept, where so great spoile and booty was
found: for it was not knowen in all the time of our being there, that
any disorder was committed, or any lodge or ware-house broken open, or
any spoile was made, or pillaging of any thing; which is a note much to
be obserued in such an action: for common mariners and souldiers are
much giuen to pillaging and spoiling, making greater account of the same
then of their shares.
Order being put in all things, we kept a very sure watch this first
night, and the morning being come, our admirall and captaine Venner,
with the rest of the captaines, went about the towne, and gaue order for
the fortifying of it with all expedition: so that within two dayes it
was surrounded with posts and planks, all that part of the towne next
the maine land, at least nine foot high; for (God be thanked) we found
provision in the towne sufficient store for it. Now it is to be
vnderstood, that this towne is enuironed on the one part by the sea, and
on the back-side by a riuer that runneth behinde it; so that to come to
it by land, you must enter it by a small narrow passage not aboue forty
paces ouer at an high water. At this passage we built a fort, and
planted in it fiue pieces of ordinance, which we tooke out of the first
fort we wan at our comming into the harborow. Now we hauing the towne in
possession, our admirall sent for the Hollanders by his chyrurgian,
which had bene brought vp in that countrey, a man knowing their
conditions, and sober and discreet of his owne cariage. At his first
comming aboord of them, they seemed to stand vpon their owne guard and
defence, for they were three great and strong ships: but he vsed
himselfe so, that they at the last willed him to come into the greatest
of their ships, which was aboue 450 tunnes. Then he declared to them our
intent, of comming thither, and that they should be there as sure from
any shew of violence or iniury offered them, as if they were in their
owne houses, and if they should thinke so good, his admirall would
fraight them for England, if they would be content with fraight
reasonable, and as they should agree, and it should be at their owne
choise whether to go or not, he would not force them, vnlesse it were to
their benefit and good liking. Although this people were somewhat
stubburne at the first, as that nation is in these causes, yet being
satisfied with good words and good dealing they came aland, and after
conference had with the admirall, they were so satisfied, that they went
thorow with a fraight: and then we ioyned with them, and they with vs,
and they serued vs as truely and as faithfully as our owne people did,
both at watch and ward, by sea and all other seruices. Within two dayes
after our comming in, about midnight, a great number of Portugals and
Indians with them, came downe vpon vs with a very great cry and noise;
but God be thanked, we were ready for them: for our admirall supposing
some such assault, had prouided all our muskets with haile-shot, which
did so gaule both the Indians and the Portugals, that they made them
presently retreat. And this is to be noted, that there was both the
horse and his rider slaine both with one of these shot. Our men followed
them some fiue or sixe score, but no further. We lost in this conflict
but onely one man, but had diuers hurt. What was lost of their part, we
could not tell, for they had before day, after our retreat, caried away
all their dead. Within three or foure dayes after our comming in
appeared before the harborow 3 ships and 2 pinnesses, the pinnesses
being somewhat nere, discried our flags, and one of them came in, which
was a French pinnesse, declaring all the rest to be French bottoms;
which our admirall willed should come in: and so they did. These were
Frenchmen of war, and came thither for purchase. The captaines came
aland, and were welcomed; amongst whom was one captaine Iohn Noyer of
Diepe, that the yere before had taken in our admirall at the iland of
Mona in the West Indies, where his ship was cast away, comming out of
the East Indies. To this man our admirall offered great kindnes, and
performed it, and was not vngratefull for his former benefit shewed vnto
him. This captaine desired of our admirall to bestow vpon him his ships
lading of Fernambuc-wood, which he granted him, and also his pinnesse,
and more, gaue him a carauel of about 50 tuns, and bid him lade her with
wood also; which with other benefits he gratefully receiued. To the
other two captaines he granted their ladings of wood, the one captaine
being of Diepe, the other of Rochel. [Sidenote: Abraham Cocke going for
the riuer of Plate, met withall.] The captain of Diepe confessed that he
met Abraham Cocke certein moneths before, and being distressed for want
of water, gaue him some, and went with him to a watering place where he
had water enough, and so departed from him, saying that his men were
very weake. The comming in of these ships did much strengthen vs; for
our admiral appointed both these French and the Flemings to keepe watch
vpon the riuer by night with their boats, euery boat hauing in her 12
men at the least, and the boats well prouided. This was for feare of
fired ships or barks to come downe; which our admirall had great care
vnto, and caused our ships to ride by cables and haulsers, at all
aduantages to shun them, if by that meanes they should attempt to put vs
out of the harborow; giuing commandement to vs that watched in the
towne, that what fires soeuer we should espy or see, not one man to
start from his watch or quarter, vnlesse we were by himselfe commanded
to the contrary. Now this order put in all things, and hauing viewed all
the goods in the towne, and thinking our selues sufficiently fortified,
we began to vnlade our ships, which came as full laden in as they went
foorth, but not with so good merchandize. And this order was taken about
the vnlading of them, and also the lading of goods out of the towne: our
men were diuided into halues, and the one halfe wrought one day, and the
other halfe the other day; alwayes those that wrought not kept the watch
with their furniture in their hands and about them, and none stept far
off or wandred from his colours, and those that wrought had all their
weapons in good order set and placed by them, so that at an instant
euery one knew where to go to his furniture: and this was very carefully
looked vnto.
The third day after our comming in, came down from the higher towne,
which might be about foure miles off vpon a hill, three or foure of the
principall gentlemen of the countrey, and sayd that from the bishop,
themselues, and the rest, they would haue some conference with our
admirall. This newes being brought to the admirall he hung downe his
head for a small season; and when he had muzed a while, he answered, I
must go aboord of the Flemings vpon busines that importeth me, and
therefore let them stay if they will: and so he went and sate there with
the Flemings from nine of the clocke till two at the afternoone. In this
space diuers messengers went to the admirall, to come away, for these
gentlemen stayd. To whom he gaue this answere: Are they not gone yet?
And about two of the clocke he came aland, and then they tolde him they
were departed. Many of the better sort of our men maruelled, and thought
much, because he would not vouchsafe to come and haue conference with
such men of account as they seemed to be. But the admiral made them this
answere, Sirs, I haue bene brought vp among this people, I haue liued
among them as a gentleman, serued with them as a souldier, and liued
among them as a merchant, so that I should haue some vnderstanding of
their demeanors and nature; and I know when they cannot preuaile with
the sword by force, then they deale with their deceiuable tongues; for
faith and trueth they haue none, neither will vse any, vnlesse it be to
their owne aduantage. And this I giue you warning, that if you giue them
parle, they will betray vs; and for my part, of all nations in the
world, it would grieue me most to be ouertaken by this nation and the
Spaniards: and I am glad it was my fortune to pay them with one of their
owne fetches, for I warrant you they vnderstand me better then you
thinke they do. And with this I pray you be satisfied; I hope it is for
all our goods: for what shall we gaine by parle, when (by the helpe of
God) we haue gotten already that we came for, should we venture that we
haue gotten with our swords, to see if they can take it from vs by words
and policy? there were no wisedome in so doing. You know what it hath
cost vs, and how many men lie wounded that be not yet hole of this other
nights hurts: and therefore from hencefoorth I giue this commission,
that if any be taken, he be sent away with this order, although he come
as a friend, that if he or any other approch vs from henceforth, he
shalbe hanged out of hand: and other course then this I will not take
with them. Which course was followed, for within 3 or 4 dayes after it
was performed by two taken in the night: and after that we were neuer
troubled with spies: and although diuers slaues came running from their
men to vs, by which we vnderstood much of their working and pretences,
yet the admirall would enterteine few of them.
In this meane time that we began to worke, the Portugals with the
country people were not idle, for seeing vs so busie, about sixe nights
after our comming in, they priuily in the night cast vp a trench in the
sands about a sacar shot from our ships, minding there to plant
ordinance, which would haue offended our ships greatly; and they would
not haue bene able to haue rode there to take in their lading, which now
began to go aboord of them. The admirall hearing this, about 3 of the
clocke in the after noone marshalled our men, and he and all the rest of
the captaines marched toward them. The Portugals and Indians perceiuing
our comming, began to withdraw themselues within the trench, meaning (as
it should appeare) to fight it out there: but we made no stand, neither
did it behoue vs, but presently approched the trenches with our muskets
and pikes, afore their trenches were thorowly finished: so that by Gods
helpe we entered them. And the Portugals and Indians left the place, and
left vnto vs 4 good peeces of brasse ordinance, with powder and shot and
diuers other necessaries, and among the rest 5 smal carts of that
countrey, which to vs were more worth then al the rest we tooke, for the
lading of our goods from the towne to the water side: for without them
we could not haue told what to haue done, much of our goods being so
heauie, that without carts we were not able to weyld them: all these
things we brought away and destroyed al those platforms that they had
made, and then we had rest with them for certaine dayes, in which we
went forward, deuiding our marchandize with captaine Venner according to
our consort, and went daily lading them abord, euery ships company
according as their turnes fell out, but only the three Dutch ships: for
the goods being put into their boats their owne companies laded
themselues. And this farther good chance or blessing of God we had to
helpe vs, that assoone as we had taken our cartes, the next morning came
in a ship with some 60 Negros, 10 Portugal women, and 40 Portugals: the
women and the Negroes we turned out of the towne, but the Portugals our
Admirall kept to draw the carts when they were laden, which to vs was a
very great ease. For the countrey is very hote and ill for our nation to
take any great trauell in.
In this towne there is no fresh water to be had, and therefore we were
euery 5 or 6 dayes compelled to passe ouer the riuer into the maine land
to get fresh water, which after the first or second time the Portugals
kept and would haue defended our watering, so that we were driuen to
water of force, and at seuerall times some of our men were hurt, and
onely two or three slaine, and with this danger we were forced to get
our water.
And as they molested vs in our watering, so they slept not in other
deuises, but put in practise to burne our ships or remoue them out of
the harbour. For within some 20 dayes after our comming in, they had
prepared 5 Carauels and filled them with such things as would best take
fire and burne: these they brought within a mile or little more of our
ships, and there set them on fire, for neerer they could not well come
because of our watch of boates, for, as is abouesaid, the Admirall had
alwaies 6 boates that kept watch aboue halfe a mile from the ships for
feare of such exploytes as these, which was the cause they could not
fire them so neere the ships as they would haue done. But these fired
Carauels had the tide with them, and also the little winde that blewe
was in their favour; which caused them to come downe the streame the
faster: which our boats perceiuing made to them with as much expedition
as conueniently they could, but the tide and wind both seruing them,
they approched toward the ships with great expedition. Our men in the
towne began to be in some feare of them, yet no man mooued or started
from his quarter more then if there had bene nothing to doe. Also the
masters and such as were aboord, were somewhat amased to see 5 so great
fires to be comming downe among their ships, but they prepared for to
cleere them of it, as well as they could, being prouided afore hande and
iudging that some such stratagems would be there vsed, the riuer being
very fit therefore. But (God be thanked) who was alwaies with vs and our
best defence in this voyage; by whose assistance we performed this so
great an attempt with so small forces. Our companie in the boats so
played the men when they saw the fires come neere our ships, that
casting grapnels with yron chaines on them, as euery boat had one for
that purpose, some they towed aground, and some they brought to a bitter
or anker, where they rode till all their force was burned out, and so we
were deliuered by Gods helpe from this fearefull danger. Within some 6
nights after this, which might be about the 26 day after our comming in
and abode there, about 11 of the clocke at night, came driuing downe
other 3 great raftes burning with the hugest fires that I haue seene.
These were exceeding dangerous, for when our men approched them,
thinking to clap their grapnels vpon them, as they had done vpon the
Carauels the night before, they were preuented: for there stooke out of
the rafts many poles which kept them from the body of the rafts, that
they could not come to throw their grapnels into them: and yet they had
this inconuenience worse then al the rest which most troubled vs. There
stooke out among the poles certaine hollow trunks filled with such
prouision of fire workes that they ceased not still (as the fire came
downe to those trunks to set them on fire) to spout out such sparkles,
that our boats hauing powder in them for our mens vse, durst not for
feare of frying themselues with their owne powder come neere those
sparkles of the raftes, but seeing them to driue neerer and neerer our
ships, they wet certaine clothes and laid vpon their flaskes and
bandelers and so ventured vpon them, and with their grapnels tooke holde
of them, and so towed them on ground, where they stooke fast and were
not burnt out the next day in the morning. Diuerse logs and timbers came
driuing along by our ships, and burning, but with our boats we easily
defended them. And thus (God be praysed) we escaped the second fires. A
third firing was prepared, as a Negro gaue vs to vnderstand, but this we
preuented by our departure. For this third firing were very great
preparations: and we were credibly informed of certainetie, that this
firing should be such as we should neuer be able to preuent, and
assuredly these fires be dangerous things and not to be preuented vpon
the sudden, vnlesse it be afore prepared for and foreseene. For when it
commeth vpon the sudden and vnlooked for, and vnprouided for, it
bringeth men into a great amazement and at their wits ende. And
therefore let all men riding in riuers in their enemies countrey be sure
to looke to be prouided before hand, for against fire there is no
resistance without preparation.
Also it is a practise in these hot countreys, where there be such expert
swimmers, to cut the cables of ships: and one night it was practised to
cut the Admirals cable, and yet the boate rode by the cable with two men
in her to watch all the night, and the bwoy onely was cut, but not the
cable: but after that night, seeing then our good watch, they neuer
after attempted it.
While all these things passed, our ships (God be thanked) thorow the
industry of our gouernours, and diligent labour of our men, began to be
wholly laden, and all the best marchandize conueyed aboord our ships, so
that our Admirall went to depart that night, which was the 31 day after
our entrance, or else on the next day at the farthest, and so warning
was giuen to all men to make themselues readie. Our Admiral being aboord
his ship the same morning, espyed in the sands right against the place
where the ships rode, that there was a small banke of sand newly cast
vp, vnder which he perceiued now and then some people to be: presently
he tooke his boat and went to the towne and called all the Captaines
together, declaring that the enemies were about some pretence right
against the ships, consulting whether it were best to sally out and see
what they were doing, or depart that euening according to the former
determination. The Admirall was of opinion to depart that night; saying
it was but folly to seeke warres since we had no neede to doe it: other
affirmed, it were good to see what they did, least the winde might be
contrarie and the ships not get out, and so our enemies may build vpon
vs to our great disaduantage. Well, said the Admiral, the matter is not
great, for there can be no danger in this sally, for where they worke it
is within Falkonshot of our ships, and if any power should come against
you, the ships may play vpon them with 40 pieces of ordinance at the
least, so that a bird cannot passe there but she must be slaine. I am
somewhat vnwilling you should go, for I haue not bene well these two
dayes, and I am not strong to march vpon those heauie sands: they
answered all at once, you shall not need to trouble your selfe for this
seruice, for you see it is nothing and of no danger, being so neere the
ships, doubt you not we will accomplish this seruice well ynough, and
returne againe within this houre. The Admirall answered: the danger
cannot be great, but yet you shall goe out strong for feare of the
worst. And so the Admirall marshalled them 275 men French and English,
which were vnder the conduct of Edmund Barker, captaine Barker of
Plimmouth, Viceadmirall to captaine Venner, captaine Addy, and the three
French captaines all going out together, and they were to march vpon a
narrow peece of ground to the place whether they were sent vnto: in the
brodest place betwixt the sea and the water on the other side, it is
aboue a stones cast for it is a bank of sand lying betweene the riuer
and the sea, so they needed not to feare any comming on their backs or
on their sides, and before them could no man come, but he must passe by
all the ships which no company of men were able to do without present
death. The Admirall commanded them at their departure to go no further
then the place he sent them to, and so he himselfe went aboord the ships
and made readie all the ordinance for feare of the worst, not knowing
what might insue, although he saw no danger might follow. Thus we
marched quietly till we came to the place we were sent vnto, being right
ouer against the ships: out of which place came some dozen shot, which
seeing vs come, discharged and ran their wayes with such as were
working within the said platforme. So that we came into it and perceiued
they had begunne to lay plankes to plant ordinance vpon. Our Admiral
commanded, if there were any such thing, to burne the plankes and
returne in againe, which we might haue done without hurting of any mans
finger: but our leaders were not content to haue performed the seruice
committed them in charge, but would needes expresly and against their
order march on further to fight with certaine Ensignes almost a mile
off, cleane out of the reach of the ordinance of all our ships, and
where lay the strength of the whole countrey. When our men began to draw
neere those Ensigns of men, the Ensignes seemed to retire with great
speed, which our men followed with such great hast that some outrunning
other some, our order was broken, and those ensignes retyred themselues
into the force of the whole countrey, so that our formost men were in
the midst of their enemies yer they were aware, which were slaine yer
the rest could come to succour them. The enemies incouraged by this,
came also vpon the rest, which presently began to retire, and the
enemies followed til they came with the reach of the ordinance of our
ships, where they were beaten off and left their pursuit. In this
conflict were slaine captain Barker captaine of the Salomon, captaine
Cotton the Admirals Lieutenant, captaine Iohn Noyer a French captaine of
Diepe, and another French captaine of Rochel, with M. Iohn Barker and
other to the number of 35: for these were the formost and hottest in the
pursuit of the Ensignes aforesaid, and by their forwardnes came all to
perish. At our returne into the towne the Admiral came to vs much
bewayling the death of so many good men as were lost, wondering what we
ment to passe the expresse order that was giuen vs. With this losse our
men were much danted, but our Admirall began againe to encourage them,
declaring that the fortune of the warres was sometimes to win and
sometimes to loose. And therewithall he wished euery man to prepare and
make himselfe readie: for that night (God willing) he would depart. For
all our ships were readie and laden, and he would not stay any further
fortune. The euening being come, the ships began to wey and go forth of
the harbour, and God be thanked of his goodnesse toward vs who sent vs a
faire wind to go foorth withall, so that by 11 of the clocke in the
night we were all forth in safety. The enemies perceiuing our departing,
planted a peece or two of ordinance, and shot at vs in the night, but
did vs no harme. We were at our comming foorth 15 sailes, that is, 3
sailes of Hollanders, the one of 450 tunnes, the other of 350 tunnes,
and the third of 300 tunnes, four sailes of French and one ship which
the admiral gaue the French Captain, 3 sailes of Captain Venners fleet
of Plimmouth, and 4 sailes of our Admirals fleete, all these were laden
with marchandizes, and that of good worth. We stayed in this harbour to
passe all this businesse but onely 31 dayes, and in this time we were
occupied with skirmishes and attempts of the enemie 11. times; in all
which skirmishes we had the better, onely this last excepted. To God be
the honour and praise of all, &c. [Sidenote: Peranjeu 40. leagues
northward of Fernambuck.] The whole fleete being out in safety, the next
day in the morning the Admirall gaue order to the whole fleete to saile
toward Peraniew[30] a harbour lying some 40 leagues to the Northward of
Fernambucke, and there to take in fresh water and to refresh themselues:
and to make prouision for refreshing, our Admirall had sent thither some
6 daies before two French men in a smal pinnesse, which Frenchmen he had
prouided from Diepe before his comming out of England for that purpose.
For both these two spake the Indians language very perfectly: for at
this port of Peraniew and an other called Potaju some 6 leagues to the
Northward the Frenchmen haue had trade for brasil-wood, and haue laden
from thence by the Indians meanes, who haue fet it for them some 20
leagues into the country vpon their backs, 3 or 4 ships euery yere. Thus
we all sailed toward Peraniew, at which place we arriued in the night,
so that we were forced to lie off and on with a stiffe gale of wind, in
which we lost the most part of our fleete, and they not knowing this
coast put off to the sea; and so went directly for England. [Sidenote:
Peranjeu a very good harbour.] Our Admirall and some foure saile more
with him put into the harborow of Peraniew, and there watered and
refreshed himselfe very well, with hens, conies, hares and potatos, with
other things, which the two Frenchmen had partly prouided before his
comming: this is a very good harborow where ships may ride and refresh
very well. But, as I am giuen to vnderstand since our comming from
thence, the Portugals haue attempted the place and doe inhabite it, and
haue put the French from their accustomed trade. Here hauing watered and
refreshed our selues, we put to the sea, plying after the rest of our
fleete which were gone before, which we neuer heard of till our
arriuall in England at The downes in the moneth of Iuly, where we
vnderstood the rest of our consorts to be passed vp for London, Captaine
Venner and his fleete to be at Plimmouth, and the French ships to be
safe arriued at Diepe, which to vs was very great comfort. At our
setting sayle from The downes, according as the custome is, finding the
Queenes ships there, we saluted them with certaine ordinance. The Gunner
being carelesse, as they are many times of their powder, in discharging
certain pieces in the gunner roome, set a barrel of powder on fire,
which tooke fire in the gunner roome, blew vp the Admirals caben, slew
the gunner with 2 others outright, and hurt 20 more, of which 4 or 5
died. This powder made such a smoke in the ship with the fire that burnt
the gunner roome among all the fire workes, that no man at the first
wist what to doe: but recalling backe their feare, they began to cast
water into the gunner roome in such abundance (for the Queenes ships now
and also the other ships that were in our company came presently to our
helpe) that (God be praised) we put out the fire and saued all, and no
great harme was done to the goods. By this may be seene that there is no
sure safety of things in this world. For now we made account to be out
of all danger, where behold a greater came vpon vs, then we suffered all
the whole voyage. But the almightie be praysed for euer, which deliuered
vs out of this and many other in this voyage. Our fire being well put
out, and we taking in fresh men (God be praysed) we came to Blacke-wall
in safety.
[30] Probably the mouth of the River Pirangi, in the province of Ceara.
A speciall letter written from Feliciano Cieça de Carualsho the
Gouernour of Paraiua in the most Northerne part of Brasil, 1597,
to Philip the second king of Spaine, answering his desire
touching the conquest of Rio Grande, with the relation of the
besieging of the castle of Cabodelo by the Frenchmen, and of the
discouerie of a rich siluer mine and diuerse other important
matters.
[Sidenote: The king of Spaines resolution to proceed in the discouerie
and conquest of Rio Grande.] I receiued your Maiesties letter bearing
date the ninth of Nouember 1596. whereby I vnderstande that your
Maiestie doth determine to proceede in the discouerie and conquest of
Rio Grande according to the relation which was sent your Maiestie by Don
Francisco de Sousa, Gouernour generall of this realme of Brasilia:
together with a copie of a letter, which your Maiestie sent vnto vs,
bearing date the two and twentieth of March 1596. Moreouer I receiued
another letter from your Maiestie bearing date the 15 of March 1597.
Both which letters were to one effect. It may please your Maiestie to
vnderstand that there are diuerse Gentlemen in these countreys of as
good abilitie as my selfe, which seeke to liue at home onely for their
ease and pleasure, and are not wont to hazard nor venture their bodies,
liues, and goods so often times in your Maiesties seruice as I haue done
and commonly doe; and can keepe their goods and riches, and not spend
nor wast them as I haue done, and dayly doe so wilfully: yet
neuerthelesse being spent in your Maiesties seruice, I am very glad
thereof. For I and they are alwayes readie at your Maiesties
commandement.
[Sidenote: The Captaineship of Paraiua standeth in sixe degr. 45 min. of
Southerly latitude.] And as concerning your Maiesties commandement in
commanding me that I should put to my helping hand in the conquest of
Rio Grande: although this Captaineship of Paraiua and countrey where I
doe gouerne doth want abilitie for that purpose, yet nevertheless your
Maiestie shall always finde me readie to doe your Maiestie the best
seruice I can: for it is very well knowen how forward I haue bene
alwayes and am in this conquest, and still doe put to my helping hand,
as partly your Maiestie doth vnderstand by a letter which I wrote to
your Maiesty by my sonne, bearing date the 19 of March 1596 wherein your
Maiestie may vnderstand what good seruice I haue alreadie done therein,
and always will be readie to my power to doe the like in furthering of
the said enterprise.
It may please your Maiestie to vnderstand that the third of Iuly there
was brought vnto me a Frenchman a prisoner, who presented himselfe vnto
me. And I examining of him, he tolde me that he came running away from
certaine French ships men of warre, which came vpon this coast: and he
tolde me that he had serued your Maiestie in the warres of France.
[Sidenote: The castle of Cabodelo besieged by the French.] Likewise he
told me that he left me seuen great ships Frenchmen of warre riding at
an anker in Rio Grande, and that there were 13 French ships of warre
more, which had giuen battery to the castle of Cabodelo, and landed 350
soldiers all in white armour and the battery continued from Friday vntil
the Munday following both by sea and land, and great store of Frenchmen
were slaine, and two Captaines of the French. On our side the Captaine
of the castle was slaine, and other two Portugals hurt: other harme they
had none. There were but twentie Portugals in the castle, and fiue
pieces of ordinance. They ment to haue kept the castle, and to haue
traded with the Indian people. So seeing they could not take the castle,
they hoysed sayles, and went from thence to Rio Grande: and being
altogether they are in number 20 saile at an anker in Rio Grande. And
some of them determine after they be new trimmed and drest, and haue
taken in fresh victuals, and stayed there vntill Easter, then to depart
from thence to the Honduras, and so to burne and spoyle some townes
thereabout.
I certified Manuel Mascarenhas of these informations by my letters,
requesting him to send me with all expedition those souldiers which were
in Fernambuck to ayde me, and to defende this Captaineship from the
enemie. But the Friers of The Couent would not consent thereunto nor
suffer them to be sent vnto me. [Sidenote: The countrey of Petiguar
rebelleth against the Portugals.] So I was forced to make shift with
those souldiers only which I had in my gouernment and tooke them with
me, and marched to the place where the enemies were entrenched, vpon
Whitsunday in the euening about three of the clock, hauing in my company
a Negro of the countrey of Petiguar, which was our guide, he brought vs
where the enemies campe was; and presently I did assault them and slew
great score of them, burning the villages and countrey of these rebels,
which did ioine with the Frenchmen, and tooke many of them prisoners. So
they told me that there were ten great French ships of warre which were
at an anker in Rio Grande.
[Sidenote: A rich siluer mine found at Copaoba within sixe dayes iourney
of Paraiua.] Likewise I was informed, that there is a Frenchman called
Daurmigas, which hath discouered and found great store of siluer in a
place called Copaoba.[31] The siluer hath bene tried and melted, it is
very good and fine siluer, and there is great quantite. The man which
told me of this hath beene in the mine, and hath seene it tried and
melted. And I haue bene myselfe once in the place: it is but 6 dayes
iourney from this Captaineship.
[31] Perhaps Caproba.
Furthermore this Frenchman told me that one Monsieur Mifa a French
Captaine, and a kinsman of the gouernour and Vice-admirall of Diepe in
Normandie, had one of his armes strooken off at the siege of the castle
of Cabodelo; who is departed from Rio Grande, with determination to come
backe hither againe the next yeere in the moneth of Ianuarie following,
and to inhabite in this countrey of Paraiba, which is 20 leagues from
Fernambuck, because of the great store of siluer, which they haue
alreadie found here.
Moreouer I am enformed that a noble man of France called The earle of
Villa Dorca doth intend to come vpon this coast with a great fleete from
Rochel. It were good that your Maiestie would send into France to knowe
the certainetie thereof.
[Sidenote: All the Canibals of Petiguar ioyne with the Frenchmen against
the Portugals.] The Frenchman likewise told me that all the Canibals of
Petiguar have ioyned themselues in companie with certaine Frenchmen,
which were cast away in two ships vpon this coast. The one of these
ships which were cast away was one Rifoles, and the other ship was this
mans. And those Frenchmen which came vpon this coast did ioyne
themselues with those Canibals which did rebell, and did diuide
themselues into two squadrons. So I sent presently to Manuel Mascarenhas
that he should send me aide and munition. But he sent me word againe,
that he had none to spare, and that he did purpose with all speede to
goe himselfe to Rio Grande; and that he was not able to furnish himselfe
so well as he could wish, nor to bring his souldiers into the field, for
lacke of shot, powder, and other munition, which he did want.
Hereupon once more the 29 of Iuly I with my souldiers marched to the
enemies campe, and there ioyning battell with the Indian rebels, which
ioyned with the Frenchmen that were their leaders, I did set vpon them,
and slew great store of them, and tooke fourteene of them prisoners.
They doe report the very same newes, which the other Frenchmen did tell
me as touching the ships which were in the harbour of Rio Grande; and
how their pretence was to haue come and haue taken vs, and spoyled the
countrey.
But now being put to flight and hauing received the overthrow, they can
get no victuals to victuall their shippes: which hath bene the cause
that they are mightily hindred in their intent, and dare not come any
more to attempt vs. And the Indians are so dismayed, that in haste they
will haue no more helpe nor aide of the Frenchmen. So by these meanes of
necessitie the Indians must submit themselues vnto vs, considering they
are quite spoyled and ouerthrowen for a long time. Likewise they haue
enformed me touching the siluer mines which are found, that it is most
true. For those French shippes which were in Rio Grande haue laden great
store of the oare. Wherefore I certified Manuel de Mascarenhas of the
Frenchmens newes, and howe euery thing did stand wishing him to make
readie foure ships and three hundred souldiers, and so to take the
harbour of Rio Grande, being now cleered and voyde of the enemie: and to
search out the situation of the place, and where were best to fortifie
and to build some fortes for the defence of this riuer, where neede
shall require. Hereunto Mascarenhas sent me word, that when he went
himselfe, and found it true which hath beene reported touching the
siluer mines, that then he would send both men and ships. Therefore your
Maiestie must giue order, that the rest of the Gouernours shall ayde and
assist me in these warres: otherwise of my selfe I am not able to doe
more then I haue alreadie done in defending of this countrey against our
enemies which are many.
It may please your Maiestie to be aduertised, that from time to time I
haue written vnto Don Francisco de Sousa Gouernor general of this
realme, who is in Baia, as concerning these Frenchmen of warre: but he
will not answere me to any purpose because I do write vnto him for such
things as I doe want, which are shot, powder, men, and munition
requisite for your Maiesties seruice and safegard of this captaineship.
For here are neither shot, powder, nor any thing els to defend vs from
our enemies; nor any that wil put to their helping hands for the defence
of this countrey, and the service of your Maiestie. And therefore it
were needful that your Maiesty should committ the charge and gouernement
into the hands of Diego Sierua, with expresse charge that all the
captaines and commanders vpon paine of death obey him and be readie at
all times to aide and assist him in your seruice. Otherwise this
countrey cannot be kept and maintained, hauing so great warres
continually as we haue, and are troubled withall. For this Diego Sierua
is a very good souldier, and hath good experience; and is fit to gouerne
this countrey. Your Highnesse is also to send his Commission with
expresse commandment to follow these wars; otherwise this countrey
cannot be kept, but daily they will rebell. For here are none that will
serue your Maiestie so iustly as he will do: who will haue a great care
in any thing which shal concerne you Maiesties seruice touching the
estate of this countrey. For the Gouernour Sousa doth spend your
Maiesties treasure in building his owne ingenios or sugar milles.
And those Captaines which your Maiestie intendeth to send hither must
bring with them shot, powder, and all kind of weapons, furniture, and
munition for the defence and safegarde of this countrey, and for the
conquest of Rio Grande. For there is no kind of munition in al this
countrey to be had, if occasion should serue. It were also good that
your Maiestie should send order for the building of a couple of Forts or
Castles at Cabadelo, for they be very needefull for the defence of the
enemie, which dayly doth warre against this Captaineship. [Sidenote: The
countrey of Paraiua in danger dayly to be lost.] For that man which
shall gouerne this countrey, if he be no more fortunate then I haue bene
hitherto, shall not misse one time or another, but he shall lose all the
countrey. If Don Francisco de Sousa had sent me those two hundred and
fiftie souldiers which I did send for, which were in garison in the
castle of Arrecife, which doe nothing but spend your Maiesties victuals
and treasure, and had not sent them to Baiha, where there was no neede,
these warres of Petiguar had bene ended long agone, and had saued your
Maiesty a great deale of charges which you had spent in folowing of this
conquest of Rio Grande. I have chosen one Captaine Iohn de Matas Cardoso
to be Gouernour of Cabodelo, who is a very sufficient man.
[Sidenote: A great controuersie touching the gouernment of the Indian
townes.] Furthermore, it may please your Maiestie to vnderstand, that
the chiefest Friers of this Monasterie of S. Antonie haue complained on
me to the lord Gouernour generall, and haue caused great strife and
debate betweene him and me touching the gouernment and rule of these
Indian townes. For the Friers would command and gouerne both the Indians
and their townes as well in Ecclesiasticall as Temporall causes, as
touching the punishment of the bodies of such as are offenders. But I
haue resisted them in your Maiesties name, and haue alleaged, that none
but your Maiestie must rule and gouerne them and their countrey, and
that the townes appertaine to your Maiestie, and not vnto the Friers.
But the Gouernour hath written a letter vnto me, signifying that he hath
pronounced a sentence against me in the Friers behalfe, which is this.
The King our master hath sent a decree and certaine statutes touching
the good gouernment and orders to be executed and kept in those Indian
townes: and that vpon sight hereof I shall presently banish all the
Mamalukes and white men which dwell in any of those Indian townes with
all speede, and that none of them from hence forward shall enter into
the said villages, without commandement and consent of the said Friers.
So this sentence was presented vnto me by the Reuerend father Custodio,
Prior of Sant Anton of Brasil, with a further postcript of the gouernour
importing these words: I doe likewise charge and commaund you the
Gouernour of Paraiua, that presently vpon sight hereof you shall restore
those villages and houses which you haue burned and destroyed in the
last warres, and likewise the towne of S. Augustine, and that you shall
build them againe at your owne proper cost and charges: for the Friers
alleage that these townes were giuen them, by a decree sent them from
Pope Pius Quintus, that the said Friers should gouerne and rule them.
On the other side I haue pronounced another sentence against the said
Friers in your Maiesties name, and for your Maiestie, alleaging that
those townes, villages, and subiects appertaine and belong vnto your
Maiestie, and that in temporall causes I am to punish those offenders,
which shall rebell against your Maiestie: and as touching
ecclesiasticall causes that the Vicar of this Cathedrall church shall
rule, gouerne and instruct them in the Christian religion. So we both
haue appealed vnto your Maiestie herein, and your Maiestie may peruse
all our writings, and then determine that which shall be best and most
profitable for your Maiesties seruice and enlargement of your crowne.
For through these broyles the inhabitants of this Pariaua forsake their
houses and dwelling places, and so do some of the Friers, because they
cannot be suffered to rule and gouerne.
Also the Indians haue complayned against me, because I haue burned their
villages in this last rebellion. Wherefore if your Maiestie doe not send
some order for this countrey and see into these cases, it will breed
great dissension and rebellion among vs, and we shall be readie to cut
one anothers throat before it be long.
Thus I thought good, according to my humble bounden dutie, and for the
seruice of your Maiestie and quietnesse of this realme, to certifie your
Maiestie the truth of the whole matter; hoping in short time that your
Maiestie will send some good order to qualifie these broyles: for there
is great hatred and malice among vs. Iesus Christ preserve and keepe the
royall person of your Maiestie with long health, as it pleaseth him.
From the Captaineship of Paraiua this present 20 of August. 1597.
Feliciano Cieça de Carualsho.
A special note concerning the currents of the sea betweene the Cape
of Buena Esperança and the coast of Brasilia, giuen by a French
Pilot to Sir Iohn Yorke knight, before Sebastian Cabote; which
Pilot had frequented the coasts of Brasilia eighteene voyages.
Memorandum, that from Cabo de buena Esperança vnto Brasilia the Sunne
hath the like dominion ouer the tides there, as the Moone hath ouer our
tides here.
And that whensoeuer the Sunne is in any of these signes he gouerneth the
tides as followeth.[32]
The Sunne being in {Taurus, Gemini, Cancer} the tide hath his course
Northwest.
The Sunne being in {Leo, Virgo, Libra} no current.
The Sunne being in {Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorne} the tide hath his
course Southeast.
The Sunne being in {Aquarius, Pisces, Aries} no current.
[32] It may be as well to point out that the truth as to the currents of
the South Atlantic is as follows:--
From the Cape of Good Hope the current flows North along the West Coast
of Africa till it reaches a point somewhat North of the Congo, when it
turns to the West. North of Ascension it divides. One portion, the South
Equatorial Current, flows North West into the Gulf of Mexico, while the
other subdivides, and whilst part flows South West down the coast of
South America, the remainder returns by the South of Tristan d'Acunha to
the Cape of Good Hope.
A ruttier or course to be kept for him that will sayle from Cabo
Verde to the coast of Brasil, and all along the coast of Brasil
vnto the riuer of Plate: and namely first from Cabo Verde to
Fernambuck.
The ship that goeth from Cabo Verde to Brasil, must goe Southsoutheast:
and when she is within 5 or 6 degrees of the Equinoctial she must go
Southeast and by South. And if she haue the ternados, that is thundrings
and lightnings, then thou must go altogether South, or that way and by
that boord that doth profit thee most. And take this for aduise, that
hauing the general winds, and if the wind be at South or Southeast, then
go Southwest, or westsouthwest. [Sidenote: Ye that will sayle to Brasil,
must not come within 60 or 70 leagues of the coast of Guinea.] And if
the winde be South, then goe Southwest, and by this way but little, for
it is not a way for thy profit, because the more thou goest this way,
the more will be thy trouble, because thou mayest not come neerer the
coaste of Guinea then 60 or 70 leagues vnto the sholde called Os baixos
de Santa Anna. And being this distance from the same, thou shall cast
about the other way towards Brasil, and the wind will be large.
Thou shalt vnderstand that the ship that keepeth this course to
Fernambuck, and goeth in October or after, and chanceth to goe to
windward of the Isle of Fernando de Loronha, when thou commest to 8
degrees, or 8 and 1/2, [Ed: Of Southerly latitude] then thou
shalt go West and beare with the land. Thou must take this for a
warning, that if going West in 8 degrees thou see land, then looke to
the Northward, and thou shalt see certaine white cliffes. Then I aduise
thee that thou goe well to the Southward. And this is to bee vnderstoode
from October forward, for then the time is most subiect to Northeast,
and Eastnortheast winds. And if thou find thy selfe in the sayd height
aboue mentioned, and seest cliffes, and seest a cape to the Southward,
and seest no more land to the South, then make accompt that thou art at
Capiguoari: and from thence to Fernambuck thou hast sixe leagues, and
hast a good port.
Thou shalt take this for a warning, that if in 8 degrees and a halfe
thou see land lying all flat, thou mayest goe neerer it, and be bold
till thou come in tenne or twelue fadomes: And then thou shalt see a
great grosse land along the sea-coast which is called Capitagua: And
being East and West with this land, and, as I haue sayd, in tenne or
twelue fadomes water; and the time being from October to Februarie, then
thou needest not to feare any thing: but looke to the South and thou
shalt see the cape of S. Augustine: and looke to the North and thou
shalt see a point, and to the Southeast a point called Punta de Olinda,
where Aponiquay standeth. And the land from the cape to the poynt called
Punta Olinda lieth North and South.
I aduise thee that if thou be East and West with the cape of Saint
Augustine, thou shalt see within the land an high hill, hauing as it
were a saddle vpon it like to a camel: And thou shalt see to the
Southwards three hills along the sea, and then presently thou shall see
the coaste to lie Northeast and Southwest.
[Sidenote: The height of the cape of S. Augustine, of Olinda and
Fernambuck.] Thou shalt vnderstand that from this cape of Saint
Augustine, to the towne of Olinda, thou hast nine leagues to the North.
And this cape standeth in eight degrees and two third parts, and Olinda
standeth in eight degrees and a quarter, and Fernambuck standeth in
eight degrees. And this course is to be vnderstood to be obserued and
kept, if thou depart from Lisbon in October or Nouember.
[Sidenote: In what height they shall seeke land that depart from Lisbon
in February or March.] Take this aduise, that if thou depart in February
or March from Lisbone, then thou shalt goe to beare with the land in
nine degrees, because that from March forwards raigne most commonly
Southeast and Southwest windes. And if by this height and course thou
bring thyselfe nigh to the shore, feare not to bring thy ship into 18 or
20 fadomes, for all the coast is cleane: and there are no more dangers,
but such as the sea doth breake vpon.
[Sidenote: How to know the cape of S. Augustine.] And if after thy fall
with the land thou haue occasion to goe to the Northward, and so going
seest certaine sholdes, doubt not to come for the North, and thou shalt
see the cape of Saint Augustine, which lyeth as it were sloaping to the
seaward, and hath as it were a Whales head, and hath vpon it a round
hill, with many hilles round about it. And if thou come along the sea
coast much about the depth aboue mentioned, thou shalt see a little
Island called Saint Alexio: And from this Island to the cape of Saint
Augustine are foure leagues, and it standeth in eight degrees and three
quarters.
The course that a man must keepe to the bay called A Bahia de Todos
os Santos, that is to say, The bay of all Saints, which lieth on
the foresayd coast of Brasil.
If thou goe for Bahia de Todos os Santos, thou must keepe the course
which I haue already set downe, and shalt obserue the time from March
forwards, as also from October forwards. [Sidenote: The height of Bahia
de Todos os Santos in 13 degrees and one third part.] Thou shalt
vnderstand that the Bahia de Todos os Santos standeth in 13 degrees and
1/3: and if thou goe in October or after October, then goe to fall with
the land in 12 degrees or 12 and a halfe.
And take this for a warning, that when thou seest a white land, and long
bankes of white sand, which shew much like linnen cloth when it is in
whiting, then thou must go along from the North to the South vntill this
white land doe end: and thou needest not to feare to goe along the
coast, for there are no sholds. Before thou be cleane past the white
land or white sands, thou shalt haue sight of an Island that standeth
along the bay, I say on the Northside of the bay, which is called
Tapaon:[33] and here the land lieth West and by South.
[Sidenote: The situation of the Isle of Tapaon.] When thou art so farre
shot as Tapaon, thou shalt see a certaine great tree which is round, and
standeth neere the sea vpon the very point of the entrance into Bahia on
the Northside.
[Sidenote: When a man may beare in with Bahia.] And marke well that if
thou looke to the Southward, and seest no white grounds such as I wrote
of before, but that they be all behind thee to the Northward; then when
thou seest none to the Southward, thou mayest bee bold to beare in with
Bahia. And if when thou goest into Bahia to the Northwest, and seest the
sea to breake, feare nothing: for it is the breach of a certaine banke,
whereon thou shalt haue alwayes 5 or 6 fadomes water: and this be sure
of.
Thou shalt vnderstand that if thou come for this place from March to the
end of April, I would wish thee not to fall to the Southward of 13
degrees and a halfe. [Sidenote: The distance of O morro de San Paulo
from Bahia.] And falling with the land, and not seeing the white sands,
thou shalt striue to goe to the Northward. And seeing the land in 13
degrees and a halfe, thou shalt haue sight of an hill along the sea: And
if thou be nigh the land, and cannot make it certaine what land it is:
thou shalt marke if it bee a round high hill along the sea, that it is O
morro de San Paulo, or, The hill of Saint Paul: and it lieth blacke and
bare on the top. And from thence to Bahia is tenne leagues.
[33] Itaparica.
[Sidenote: Rio de Tinsare a very good riuer.] And here along this hill
on the Northwest side there is a great riuer called Tinsare: and it is a
very good riuer. And in the entrance of Bahia there are sixe or seuen
fadomes water in the chanell. And I aduise thee that being in the height
of 13 degrees and a halfe, thou come not neere the land, for it hath a
bay very dangerous.
And if thou goe from Bahia to Fernambuck, then I aduise thee that thou
take good heede of the coast on the Northeast and Southwest, and thou
shalt goe East, if the winde will suffer thee to goe East: and so goe
thirtie or forty leagues off to the sea.
[Sidenote: The height of the bay called A Enseada de Vazabaris.] I
aduise thee that thou beare not in with the land of Fernambuck, but in
the height of 9 or 10 degrees, because that in 11 degrees thou shalt
fall with the bay called A Enseada de Vazabaris. Also if thou come from
Portugal and fallest with the land in eleuen degrees, beare not in with
it, neither come neere it, for thou mayest hurt thy selfe in so doing:
but thou shalt shunne it, and goe to the Southward. For if thou lie to
the North thou shalt bring thy selfe into some trouble.
[Sidenote: Baia de todos Santos in 13 degrees.] This Bay of All Saints
standeth in thirteene degrees. And from thence to Fernambuck thou hast a
hundreth leagues: and the coast lyeth Northeast and Southwest. And from
thence to Rio das Ilhas,[34] that is, the riuer of the Islands the coast
runneth Northeast and Southwest, I meane taking a quarter of the North
and South.
[34] At the mouth of the Caxoeira River.
The course for Baia das Ilhas, that is, The bay of the Islands,
which lie on the sayd coast of Brasil, and the marks for the
finding of them.
[Sidenote: Baia das Ilhas lieth in 15 degrees lacking a quarter.] If
thou goe for Baia das Ilhas thou must looke for it in fifteene degrees
lacking a quarter.
If thou be minded as I sayd to goe for these Isles, if it bee from March
forward, thou shalt fall with the land in 15 degrees and a halfe, and
though it be in 15 degrees and 2/3, it is all the better.
And if thou haue sight of certaine high hilles, that seeme to reach to
the skie, these hilles are called As Serras Raiemores. Then hauing sight
of these hilles, thou shalt goe along the coast; and feare nothing, for
there are no sholdes along to the North. And when thou seest the
Islands, thou mayest make accompt they be these which thou seekest, for
there are no other on al this coast, and thou shalt see a round hil
along the sea. Thou shalt vnderstand that on the North side of this hill
is the going in of the riuer. But if it chance that thou finde thy selfe
in a time that will not suffer thee to goe in, then goe along the
Islands giuing them a bredth off. And thou mayest well come to an ankor
hard aboord them, for all is cleane ground. And thou shalt finde eight
or nine fadomes, and from thence thou mayest goe into the riuer hard
aboord the shore. And if it chance that thou goe from the North to the
South all along the great Island, thou must keepe thy selfe from the
land: and when thou hast brought it Eastnortheast, then thou mayest
ankor two cables length from the shore: for all is cleane ground.
[Sidenote: In what height a man must fall with this place in time of the
Northeast winds.] If thou chance to arriue on this coast in the time of
the Northeast windes, thou shalt seeke to fall with the land in
foureteene degrees. And if thou see a lowe land, thou mayest make
accompt it is the land called Ciemana, and then thou shalt see Mangues:
And also thou shalt come along this coast to the South: and when thou
seest an ende of the lowe land, then thou shalt finde an high land along
the sea like the other that I haue made mention of before, that is, all
sandie along the sea coast.
And thou must vnderstand, that where the high land beginneth, there is a
little riuer called Rio das Contas, but enter not into it: it hath for a
marke to be knowen by as it were a white mouth. And from thence to the
Islands thou hast nine leagues. And at the ende of this high land to the
Southward of it thou shalt find a great bay within the land, and then
thou shalt looke to the Westsouthwest, and shalt see another high land,
which lieth as it were in the middest of the bay, and thou shalt there
see certaine white houses which are the Ingenios or houses wherein they
make sugar of Lucas Giraldo. From thence thou shalt see the Isles being
so farre shotte as Rio de Contas. And thou shalt see within the land a
round hill which is like Monte de laude, and it hath another copple[35]
on the South side.
[35] Summit.
The course to sayle to Porto Seguro, that is to say, The safe
hauen, lying on the foresayd coast of Brasil, and the markes to
know the same by.
[Sidenote: To auoide Os baixos dos Abrolhos.] If thou goe for Porto
Seguro and goest in the time of the Southeast windes, which is from
March forwards, I aduise thee that thou fall not in more degrees then
sixteen and a halfe, because of the sholdes called Os baixos dos
Abrolhos, which are very dangerous, and stretch very farre into the sea.
And also going West from them, that thou keepe thy lead going and be
often sounding. And if thou chance to see the land, and an high hill and
long withall, much like to The pike, it is the hill that is called Monte
Pasqual. And from thence thou must goe to the North, and when thou hast
brought it Southwest of thee, then thou mayest beare with the land, but
with great care to looke about thee.
Marke when thou seest the land and commest to see a red cliffe, then
looke to the Southward, and thou shall see a great smooth coast along
the sea, and then on the North side thou shalt descrie Porto Seguro.
[Sidenote: The place of comming to an ankor before Porto Seguro, which
standeth in 16 deg. and one third.] And going along the coast thou shalt
see the towne of Porto Seguro standing vpon the toppe of an hill; which
hill is a white rocke: and on the North side of the sayd rocke there is
a very hie land. I aduise thee that when thou art East and West with the
sayd land, I meane with this rocke, that then thou looke to the
Northward, and thou shalt see certaine rocks lying two leagues off into
the sea, whereon the sea doth breake, and to the Southward of them thou
mayest come to an ankor against the towne, and hast a good place to ride
in thirteen fadomes in sight of the towne.
[Sidenote: A dangerous riuer in 16 degrees.] And if it be thy chance to
arriue in the time of the Northeast winds, and commest in the height of
fifteene degrees and two third parts, and seest not certaine hilles,
then thou must goe along the coast being in 16 degrees, and vnder the
first hie land that thou shalt descrie, thou shalt see certaine sandie
bayes along the sea coast: And if thou haue sight of a riuer in this
height,[36] put not thy selfe into it, neither beare with the land, for
it hath many sholdes. And off them lie certaine sunken grounds, called
Os Baixos de Santo Antonio. And from hence to the Southward lyeth Porto
Seguro.
[36] Santa Cruz.
I aduise thee that going along the coast to the Southward, and seeing
such sholdes, and the sea to breake vpon them, as the other which I last
spake of, thou shall runne along them a sea boord of them: and when thou
art at the ende of them, then the towne will beare West of thee: and
then thou mayest goe to thine ankoring place as is abouesayd, giuing
these sholds a good birth.
The course to the hauen named Baia do Spirito Santo, that is to
say, The bay of the holy Ghost, lying on the sayde coast of
Brasil, and the markes thereof.
[Sidenote: Monzoins are certaine set winds with which the tides set.]
Thou shall vnderstand that the ship that goeth for Spirito Santo,[37]
when it hath doubled the sholdes called Os Baixos dos Abrolhos, and hath
brought it selfe in 20 or 19 degrees and a halfe, then it may hall with
the land in 18 or 19 degrees and a halfe, and in twentie. And the sayd
shippe must goe in this height, because on this coast there are no
Monçoins.
[37] A bay to the North of Victoria.
[Sidenote: Marks on the North side of Spirito Santo.] If thou chance to
come in the height of 19 degrees 1/2 and seest lowe land to the
Northwest off thee, then thou art on the North side of Spirito Santo,
and thou mayest make accomp that it is the land lying ouer Criquare, and
ouer the riuer called Rio dolce, that is the riuer of sweete or fresh
water. If thou come along the land thou shalt find certaine high hilles:
but trust not the first that thou seest only. [Sidenote: The situation
of la Sierra de Mestre Aluaro.] For besides the rest thou shalt see a
round hie hill which is at the capes end, which is called la Sierra de
mestre Aluaro.
[Sidenote: Rio dos Reyes magos.] Take heede that going for this land
thou looke to the North and thou shalt see a riuer called Rio dos Reyes
Magos: that is, The riuer of the three kings. And comming to the
Southward thou shalt see presently the mouth of the bay to open. At the
end of this hill on the South side, thou hast a point of a rocke, which
is called A punta do Tubaron. And on the South side of the bay it hath
two or three blacke hie hilles, and in the middest of the bay thou shalt
goe in westward.
I aduise thee that in going in thou take heede of a sholde which lieth
in the mouth of the bay: thou must leaue it to the Southward of thee,
and then plie to double a certaine Island which lieth within, and thou
must leaue it to the Northward of thee: and when it beareth on the North
or Northeast; thou mayest come to an ankor: for all is cleane ground.
[Sidenote: A Sierra de Gusriparim in 20 degrees.] And if thou chance to
come by this course, and fallest in 20 degrees, and seest many hilles,
and one among the rest very high and craggie: it is called A Sierra de
Guariparim, that is, the hill of Guaraparim, and seest another hill on
the North side, which is called A Sierra de Pero Cam: both these lie on
the South side of Spirito Santo. And from these hils thou shalt see a
little hill named Guaipel. And when thou seest these hilles, thou shalt
see three little Islands together, lying to the Southward: And then from
these thou shalt see another rockie, bare and round Island: and to the
land off this Island thou shalt see a great bay. If thou wilt thou
mayest ankor here safely. And if thou wilt go in, thou shalt bring thy
selfe East and West with the hill, and so thou mayest go in. And thou
shalt leaue a lowe land to the North of thee, which is called A Ilha de
Repouso, that is, the Isle of rest: and this Isle lieth along the coast:
and thou mayest be bold to ride betwixt it and the maine, giuing it a
breadth off.
From these three Islands to Spirito Santo are 12 leagues: and running
Northwards to come to Spirito Santo, thou shalt see another Island, and
shalt go a seaboord of it, and by and by the mouth of the bay will open
toward thee. And this bay standeth in 20 degrees.
The course from the bay de Spirito Santo to the bay of S. Vincent,
and the markes thereof. Also the course from Saint Vincent to the
riuer of Plate.
Sailing from Spirito Santo for Saint Vincent, thou mayest goe along the
coast, keeping seuen or eight leagues off, and must goe to seeke Cabo
Frio, that is, The cold cape. And as thou commest toward Cabo Frio, thou
hast a very great bay called Bahia de Saluador, that is, The bay of our
Sauiour. And from thence thou hast twelue leagues to Cabo Frio.
And before thou commest to Cabo Frio, thou hast two small Islands. Thou
mayest go safely either a sea boord of them, or else betweene them.
Thou shalt vnderstand that Cabo Frio hath as it were an Island in the
midst of the face or shew thereof, that doth cut off the cape.[38] Thou
mayest ride safely on the West side thereof for all is cleane ground.
Understand that Cabo Frio standeth in 23 degrees: and from it to Rio de
Ienero are twelue leagues, And this riuer of Ienero hath in the mouth
thereof 3 or 4 Islands. And if thou wilt go into this riuer de Ienero,
thou mayest well goe in betweene two Islands which stand in the entrance
of the riuer on the South side: neere vnto this riuer there is a great
hill seeming to bee a man with long haire.
And take this for aduice, that if thou be in the height of this riuer,
thou shalt see certaine high hilles within the land, which be like vnto
organs. And when thou seest these organs, then make accompt thou art
right against the riuer: and comming neere the land thou shalt see a
certaine Island very round, which lieth to the Southward, and is hie and
bare in the top. Thou must know that the mouth of this riuer standeth in
23 degrees and one third part. And from this riuer to Angra, that is to
say, The open hauen, thou hast 15 leagues. Goe not neere the land there,
except necessitie compell thee.
I aduise thee, that from this riuer that I spake of, I meane from the
entrance thereof, thou must goe Westsouthwest, and Southwest, and West
and by South. And thou shalt see a great Island called Isla de San
Sebastiano, and to the Southward thereof another small Island very high,
called the Island of Alcatrarzas, that is to say, The Island of
Pellicanes: but come not neere it, for it hath dangerous shoalds. And
from hence thou mayest go West, and so thou shalt fall right with the
mouth of Saint Vincent, and thou shalt see an Island.[39] And if thou
meane to goe into Saint Vincent thou must leaue this Island to the
Westward. And vnderstand that Saint Vincent lieth in foure and twentie
degrees. And when thou art in the mouth of this bay, or art neere the
mouth of it, then thou shalt see many other Islands, and one among the
rest to the seaward. And hauing these sights, thou hast the best markes
that bee for these Islands, that I haue told thee of: and this Island
lieth Northwest and Southeast with the mouth of S. Vincent.
[38] Papagayos Island.
[39] Saint Amaro.
From San Francisco to Boca de Ouerniron are 26 leagues, and the coast
lieth North and South. Also thou must marke that the riuer of San
Francisco hath a great entrance, and 3 small Islands, and to seaward it
hath a good road; and the main is high and craggie.
From this Boca de Ouerniron to Ilha de Aruoredo thou hast no great
markes be obserued: but this Boca is a very great bay, and this bay is
deepe within the Island, and is a good road, and hath many islands, and
standeth in 28 degrees. And to the North of this Island vnder the point
there is a good road: and there is no other road hereabout but this, and
it is vnder the Island.
From hence thou shalt haue sight of the Isle called Santa Catharina,
which is a great Island about eight or nine leagues long, and lieth
North and South. And hard by euen with this Iland is Porto de Patos,
which standest in 29 degrees. And from Porto de Patos to Porto de Don
Roderigo are ten or eleuen leagues: and the coast lieth North and South.
And from Porto de Don Roderigo to Laguna are 5 leagues. And this is a
good harbour for all winds, except the Northeast wind.
From the Laguna to the riuer called Rio de Martin de Sousa are 42
leagues. And the coast is something high, and lieth Northeast and by
North, and Southwest and by South: and it hath an Island 2 leagues into
the sea, where ships may ride well. And from the Riuer of Martin de
Sousa to Rio de San Pedro are 52 leagues, and the coast lieth Northeast
and Southwest.
From this riuer of San Pedro there lieth a point of sand a good league
off and more, and it lyeth on the Southwest side of the port. And from
thence to Cabo de Santa Maria are 42 leagues: and the coast lieth
Northeast and Southwest, and all is lowe land.
Also on the Southeast side of Cabo de Santa Maria there lyeth an Isle
two leagues off into the sea, and it hath a good harborough betwixt it
and the mayne. And note that the mayne is lowe land.
The cape of Santa Maria standeth in 35 degrees, and at the point thereof
it hath an Island a league into the sea.
Hereafter followeth a Ruttier from the sayd riuer of Plate to the
Streight of Magelane.
The cape of Santa Maria is in 35 degrees. From thence to the Cape de
Santo Antonio, which is on the other side of the riuer, are 30 leagues
Northnortheast, and Southsouthwest. And this is the broadest place of
the riuer. And this cape is in 36 degrees and a halfe, and it is a
blacke grosse land. And thou must marke that 25 leagues a seaboord the
mouth of the riuer there lie certaine sands, which he called Baixos de
los Castellanos.
He that falleth with the Cape of Santa Maria must take good heede to go
Southeast vntill he be in 36 degrees, and from thence Southsoutheast
vntill 36 degrees and a halfe, giuing the sayd sholds de los Castellanos
a breadth: and also taking heede of the flats of the cape. And when he
findeth 40 or 45 fadomes, and russet sand, then he must goe Southwest
and by South, vntill he be in 40 degrees: where hee shall finde great
store of weeds, which come from the coast, and a man may goe 20 leagues
from the shore in this sounding.
[Sidenote: Cabo de Arenas Gordas.] From the Cape de Santo Antonio to the
cape de Arenas Gordas are eight and forty leagues, and the coast lieth
Northeast and Southwest, and by East and by West: [Sidenote: Rio de S.
Anna.] and in the first eighteene leagues is the riuer called Rio de
Santa Anna, which hath at the entrance certaine flats and sholds, giue
them a good breadth, and come not nigh them by much, but keepe thy selfe
in forty fadomes to goe surely.
[Sidenote: Cape de S. André.] From the cape de Arenas Gordas to the cape
of Sant André are one and thirty leagues: it lieth Northeast and by
East, and Southwest by West: I meane when thou art in the middest with
an equall distance from them both. And between both the capes are many
bayes and riuers, but all full of sandie sholdes.
[Sidenote: Baia Anegada.] From the cape of Sant Andres to the bay called
Anegada, that is, The sunken bay, are 30 leagues Eastnortheast, and
Westsouthwest. It standeth in 40 degrees, rather lesse then more.
[Sidenote: Punta de Tierra Ilana.] From the bay called Baia Anegada to
The point of the plaine land are 25 leagues Northnortheast, and
Southsouthwest. [Sidenote: Baia sin fondo.] This point lyeth in 41
degrees and a halfe, And from this point to Baia sin fondo, that is to
say the bottomlesse bay, are 35 leagues Eastnortheast and Westsouthwest
This bay standeth in 42 degrees and a halfe, rather lesse then more.
[Sidenote: Cabo redondo. Puerto de los leones.] And from Baia sin fondo
to Cabo Redondo, and Puerto de los leones, are 37 leagues Northnortheast
and Southsouth west, somewhat to the North and South. And if thou meane
to go out from thence with a compasse about after the maner of a halfe
circle or an arch, so thou mayest passe through the Baia sin fondo along
the shore: for there is water enough.
Note that from the riuer of Plate to this place is neuer a good harbour
for great shipping.
[Sidenote: Puerto de los leones in 44 degrees and better.] From this
place to Puerto de los leones the coast is cleane, and a man may come
nigh vnto the land: And it is a lowe land with white cliffes. This
harbour is in 44 degrees. [Sidenote: Take good heede of these little
rocks.] And as a man goeth thither, after he bee in 43 degrees or more,
hee must haue a care to looke out for certaine small rockes which lie
neere the land, and lie North of the harbour.
[Sidenote: Cabo de Matas.]
From this harbour to Cabo de Matas, or the cape of shrubs, are 30
leagues North and South, halfe a point to the East, and to the West: and
betwixt them there is a great bay very long: And to the Northwest 18
leagues from Cabo redondo is a riuer lying East and West: [Sidenote: Rio
de Camarones.] and it is called Rio de Camarones, or, The riuer of
shrimps. You shall know when you fall with this riuer, by seeing many
white spots vpon the water, and they are small shrimps.
[Sidenote: Cabo redondo in 45 degrees and a halfe large.] From this
riuer to Cabo redondo the coast lieth Northwest and by North, and
Southeast and by South. This cape is in 45 degrees and a halfe large.
[Sidenote: Cabo Blanco and Barancas Blancas in 47 degrees.] From this
sayd cape to Cabo Blanco and Barancas Blancas that is to say, to The
white cape and white cliffes are 32 leagues lying North and by East and
South and by West: and they stand in 47 degrees.
From this Cape the coast lyeth towards the North side Northwest about
three leagues all full of white cliffes steepe vp: and the last cliffe
is the biggest both in length and height, and sheweth to be the saile of
a ship when it is vnder saile. These white cliffes are 6 in number, and
this Cape hath in the face thereof a certaine round land that sheweth to
bee an Island afarre off: and it hath certaine poynts of rockes hard by
it. And two Cables length from the land is 25 fathomes water. Aboue
these white cliffes the land is plaine and euen: and it hath certaine
woods. There is much people in the countrey: of whom I wish thee to take
good heed.
From this Cape the land lyeth North and South; which is the first fall
of the Cape: and in the face thereof it hath a poynt of rocks, which
shewe themselues. [Sidenote: A good harbour.] And on the South side of
this Cape is a good harbour and road, and there is a Bay in the middest.
[Sidenote: The port of Saint Iulian.] From Cabo and Blanco to Puerto de
San Iulian are 37 leagues, and the coast lyeth North and by East and
South and by West. This harbour of S. Iulian hath in the entrance
certaine high hilles, which afarre off seeme to be towers. On the South
part of the entrance the chanell is deepest in the middest: and thou
must borrow neerer the North side then to the South. Within the harbour
are two Islands: thou must come to an anker hard to them. This hauen
lyeth in 49. degrees. [Sidenote: Islas de Ascensaom.] And betweene Cabo
Blanco and this The Islands of Ascension, and they be eight. [Sidenote:
Morro de Santo Yues, in 50 degrees large.] From this said harbour to the
hill of S. Yues are 35 leagues; the coast lyeth Northeast and Southwest:
it is a low land and euen and hath onely one hil, and it is a plaine
from one part to the another, and hath certaine cliffes to seaward, and
to the Southward, and to the South side it hath certaine little copples:
it standeth in 50 degrees large.
From the hill of S. Yues to Rio de Cruz are 8 leagues, Northeast and
Southwest: and on the Northside of the riuer it hath a very dry land,
and in the toppe it is plaine and lyeth two leagues broad layd out along
North and South, and the downefall on both sides hath as it were
saddles. This Cape hath many poynts of rockes lying 4 leagues into the
sea: and when thou hast sight of this land, it is goode for thee to
keepe from it a good bredth off. And going from thence thou mayest runne
in sight of the land in 25 fathoms.
[Sidenote: Rio de Galegos and the marks thereof.] From Rio de Cruz to
Rio de Galegos are 25 leagues, Northeast and Southwest; and it standeth
in 52 degrees and 1/6 of a degree. It hath a certaine high land: and in
the highest of the sayd land it is plaine, and to the Northeast it is a
pike vp, and hath certaine white cliffes: and on the toppe and something
downewarde it is blacke: at the foote of this high land to the Eastward
thereof it hath certaine steps like a lather: and to the sea it hath a
sharpe poynt that lyeth into this Cape almost halfe a league. To the
Southward of this Cape where the lather is, there is a little Bay, which
is the entrance of Rio de Galegos, it ebbeth and floweth here 12
fathomes. A man must haue a great care how he goeth in here for the
cause abouesaid: but he must keepe himselfe out and not anker in it.
From Rio de Galegos to the Streits of Magelan the coast lyeth
Northnorthwest and Southsoutheast: 8 leagues vnto Cabo de la virgin
Maria, which is the entrance into the Streit: and 4 leagues before a man
come to this Cape there are white cliffes with certaine blacke spots in
them; and they be caused with the falling downe of the water. [Sidenote:
Ciudad de Nombre de Iesus called by M. Candish Port Famine because he
found al the Spaniards famished, and the towne it selfe vtterly
abandoned and ruined.] Here is water inough, and thou mayest come to an
anker hard aboord the shore, and hast a good defence for a Southwest
wind. And the Cape it selfe is the highest land of all, and is like to
Cape Saint Vincent in Spaine: and it hath on the east side a ledge of
rockes, and a poynt of sand, with diuers sands which shewe themselues at
a lowe water: thou must take great heede heere and giue them a good
breadth halfe a league or a quarter of a league off, vntill thou bring
the Cape Westnorthwest, and then thou mayest stirre away Southwest. And
when thou commest to the lower land and into tenne or twelue fathoms,
then art thou ouer against la Purificacion. [Sidenote: Where Nombre de
Iesus stood.] And halfe a league within the land the citie of Nombre de
Iesus was builded, East and West with the sayd cape right against a
cliffe, which commeth from the sayd Cape, and goeth within the Streits.
This Cape standeth in 52 degrees iust.
[Sidenote: Southwest winds raigne much here in Sommer.] And this is to
be taken for a warning, that he that commeth neere this Cape, and
passeth by it as I haue said with the wind at Northeast, or any other
wind off the sea inclining to the Southeast, must not come to anker, but
presently be sure to passe by: because in Sommer this place is much
subiect to Southwest winds, which blow right in: and they put a man from
his tackle, and make him to loose his voyage. [Sidenote: From March
forward the winds are fauorable for the Streits.] And from March
forwards there blow favourable winds from the sea to goe from this Cape
to enter into the Streits, from this said Cape the Streits go in to the
Northwest 14 leagues: and the chanell waxeth narrower and narrower vnto
the first Streit which runneth Eastnortheast, and Westsouthwest. And
comming out of the mouth thereof a man must keepe himselfe a poynt to
the Northward, because there be rocks and shoalds. [Sidenote: The
Indians about Cape de San Gregorio in the Streits are very trecherous.]
And if you see beds of weeds, take heed of them, and keepe off from
them: and after you be past this Streight you must stirre Westsouthwest
8 leagues vnto Cabo de San Gregorio, which is a high white cliffe, and
is a good road for any wind from the Northwest to the Southwest. But men
must beware and not trust the Indians of this Cape: for they be subtill
and will betray a man.
From this Cape beginneth the second Streit which is called Nuestra
Sennorà de Gracia, and lyeth Eastnortheast and Westsouthwest 3 leagues.
And comming out of this Streit thou shalt see 3 little Islands, lying
West off this Streit: thou mayest go betweene them, for there is no
danger: prouided alwayes that thou keepe well off from the bayes on both
sides, lest thou bee imbayed. [Sidenote: Rincones.] And from these
Islands thou must keepe forwards in the channell Westsouthwest two
leagues: and then the coast lyeth North and South vnto 53 degrees and a
halfe, vnto a place called Punta de Santa Anna: [Sidenote: La Ciudad del
Don Philippe: which is now vtterly ruined.] and to the Northwest
thereof, in a corner or nooke (which is one of the rincones or nookes)
was the towne builded called La Ciudad del Don Philippe. Thou must come
to an anker to the Northward thereof, after thou art past the castle and
a great tree.