OF CERTAINE ENGLISHMEN TO THE RIUER OF PLATE SITUATE IN 35 DEGREES
OF SOUTHERLY LATITUDE: TOGETHER WITH AN EXACT RUTTIER AND
DESCRIPTION THEREOF, AND OF ALL THE MAINE BRANCHES, SO FARRE AS
THEY ARE NAVIGABLE WITH SMALL BARKES. BY WHICH RIUER THE
SPANIARDS OF LATE YEERES HAVE FREQUENTED AN EXCEEDING RICH TRADE
TO AND FROM PERU, AND THE MINES OF POTOSSI, AS ALSO TO CHILI, AND
OTHER PLACES.
A report of a Voyage of two Englishmen in the company of Sebastian
Cabota, intended for the Malucos by the Streights of Magellan,
but perfourmed onely to the riuer of Plate in April 1527. Taken
out of the information of M. Robert Thorne to Doctor Ley
Ambassador for King Henry the eight, to Charles the Emperour,
touching the discouery of the Malucos by the North.
[Sidenote: This was the fleete wherein Cabot discouered the riuer of
Plate, 1526. Two Englishmen went with Cabot in this discouery.] In a
flote of three ships and a carauel that went from this citie of Siuil
armed by the merchants of it, which departed in Aprill last past, I and
my partner haue one thousand foure hundred duckets that wee employed in
the sayd fleete, principally for that two Englishmen, friendes of mine,
which are somewhat learned in Cosmographie, should goe in the same
ships, to bring me certaine relation of the situation of the countrey,
and to be expert in the nauigation of those seas, and there to haue
informations of many other things, and aduise that I desire to know
especially. Seeing in those quarters are ships and mariners of that
countrey, and cardes by which they saile, though much vnlike ours: that
they should procure to haue the sayd cards, and learne how they
understand them, and especially to know what nauigation they haue for
those Islands Northwards and Northeastward.
[Sidenote: The Islands of the Malucos. The New found Ilands discouered
by the English.] For if from the said Islands the sea doth extend
without interposition of land to saile from the North point to the
Northeast point one thousand seuen hundred or one thousand eight hundred
leagues, they should come to The new found Islands that we discouered,
and so we should be neerer to the said Spicerie by almost 200 leagues
then the Emperour, or the king of Portugall are.
An extract out of the discourse of one Lopez Vaz a Portugal,
touching the fight of M. Fenton with the Spanish ships, with a
report of the proceeding of M. Iohn Drake after his departing
from him to the riuer of Plate.
Vpon the relation of Pedro Sarmiento concerning the streits of Magellan,
that they might be fortified, and for that the king heard, that there
were ships in England preparing for the same streits, he commanded Diego
Flores de Valdes a noble man of Spaine, to passe thither with 23 ships,
and 3500 men to stoppe the passage of the Englishmen.
[Sidenote: Fiue ships of this fleete cast away on the coast of Spaine.]
There went in this fleete the gouernour of Chili, with 500 olde
souldiers that came out of Flanders: but this was the vnhappiest fleet
of ships that euer went out of Spaine: for before they came from the
coast of Spaine a storme tooke them, and cast away fiue of the fleete
and in them aboue 800 men, and the rest came into Cadiz. But the king
sent them word that they should proceede: and so there went out on the
voyage 16 of the shippes, for two more of their fleete were much spoyled
by the storme which they had.
In these sixeteene shippes Pedro Sarmiento was sent to bee gouernour in
the straites, and had assigned vnto him 500 men to stay there with him,
and hee carried with him, all kinde of Artificers to make him forts, and
other necessaries, with great store of ordinance and other munition.
This fleete because it was late, did winter on the coast of Brasil, in
the riuer of Ienero: and from thence they went when the winter was past,
and about the height of 42 degrees they had a sudden storme, so that
Diego Flores beat it vp and downe 22 dayes, in which time hee lost one
of the best ships he had, which had in her 360 men and 20 women, that
went to inhabit the Streits: and in this ship also was most part of the
munition which should haue bene left in the Streits, so in the ende the
storme grew to bee so great, that the ships were not able to endure it
any longer, but were put backe vnto an Island called Santa Catelina:[40]
and there he found a barke wherein were some fryers going for the riuer
of Plate: [Sidenote: M. Fenton took these fryers.] which friers told him
of two great English ships, and a pinnesse, which had taken them, but
tooke nothing from them, nor did them any harme, but onely asked them
for the king of Spaines ships.
Hereupon Diego Flores knowing that these English ships would goe for the
Streits, determined to goe thither, although it was in the moneth of
Februarie, and choosing 10 ships of the 15 that were left, hee left two
ships that were not in case to goe to sea at the Iland, and into the
other three ships which were old, and shaken with the storme hee put all
the women, and sicke men in all the fleete, and sent them to the riuer
of Ienero, and he with the other 10 returned againe for the Streits.
The three ships in which the sicke men and women were, went to Brasil,
and there they found within the port of S. Vincent the two ships before
mentioned.
[Sidenote: A fight betwixt our 2 English ships and three Spanish ships.]
They woulde haue had the English men to haue gone out of the harbour,
and thereupon they fell to fight, and because that these three ships
were weake with the storme, and the men that they had were the worst in
all the fleete, the Englishmen easily put them to the worst, and sunke
one of them, and might haue sunke another, if the Englishmen would: but
they minded not the destruction of any man: for that is the greatest
vertue that can be in a man, that when hee may doe hurt, yet he will not
doe it. [Sidenote: They victual at Spirito Santo.] So the Englishmen
went from this port to Spirito Santo, where they had victuals for their
merchandise, and so they went backe for England, without doing of any
harme in the Countrey.
[40] Santa Catherina.
The cause why these English shippes vnder the conduct of M. Fenton went
not to the streits, I know not: but some say that they were put backe
by foule weather: other some say that it was for feare of the kings
ships.
[Sidenote: Iohn Drake proceedeth on to the riuer of Plate.] But the
pinnesse of these two ships went from them, in which was Captaine Iohn
Drake: the cause why they parted I know not, but the pinnesse came into
the riuer of Plate, and within fiue leagues of Seale Island, not farre
from the place where the Earle of Cumberlands shippes did take in fresh
water, shee was cast away vpon a ledge of rockes: but the men were saued
in their boat, which were in number 18, who went ashore on the
Northside, and went a dayes iourney into the land, and met with the
Sauages which are no men-eaters, but take all the Christians that they
can, and make them slaues.
But the Englishmen fought with them and the Sauages slew fiue of them,
and tooke 13 aliue, which were with the Sauages about 15 moneths.
[Sidenote: Richard Faireweather remayneth in the riuer of Plate.] But
the Master of the pinnesse, whose name was Richard Faireweather being
not willing to indure the misery that hee was in, and hauing knowledge
that there was a towne of Christians on the other side of the riuer, he
in a night called Iohn Drake, and another yong man which was with them,
and tooke a very little Canoa, which had but two oares, and so passed to
the other side of the riuer, which is about 19 leagues broade, and were
three dayes before they could get ouer without meat: and comming to
land, they hit vpon an high way that went towardes the Christians: and
seeing the footing of horses, they followed it, and at last came to an
house where there was corne sowed, and there they met with Indians
seruants vnto the Spaniards, which gaue them meate, and clothes to couer
them, for they were all naked, and one of the Indians went to the towne,
and told them of the Englishmen: so the Captaine sent foure horsemen,
who brought them to the towne behind them.
This Captaine clothed them, and prouided lodging for them, and Iohn
Drake dieted at the Captaines table, and they were all very well
intreated, the Captaine purposing to send them for Spaine. [Sidenote:
Iohn Drake sent to the Viceroy of Peru.] But the Viceroy of Peru hauing
newes hereof, sent for them, and so Iohn Drake was sent to him, but the
other two were kept there, because they were married in the countrey, so
that I know no more of their affaires.
Vpon this comming of the Englishmen, there were prepared 50 horsemen to
goe ouer the riuer to seeke the rest of the Englishmen, and also
certaine Spaniards that were among the Sauage people, but I am not
certaine, whether they went forward or not.
A ruttier which declareth the situation of the coast of Brasil from
the Isle of Santa Catelina vnto the mouth of the riuer of Plata,
and all along vp within the sayd riuer, and what armes and
mouthes it hath to enter into it, as farre as it is nauigable
with small barks.
[Sidenote: The Isle of Santa Catelina. Rio Grande.] From the Isle of
Santa Catelina, (which is in 28 degrees of Southerly latitude) vnto Rio
Grande is fortie leagues. This riuer by another name is called Ygai. The
Island of Santa Catelina is sixe leagues in length: It hath two small
Ilands on the North side betweene the maine land and it: and on the
South side it hath a shoald of rockes, which lyeth hidden very neere
vnto the poynt of the Isle. You are to passe betweene the firme land and
the poynt of the Isle.
[Sidenote: Puerto de Biaza, or Laguna.] From Santa Catelina to the hauen
of Biaça, which by another name is called la Laguna, are twelue leagues:
it is a good hauen within: but you must stay the full sea to enter into
it, because it hath shoaldes in the mouth, and it may be knowen by a
small Island which lyeth a league into the sea which is called La Isla
de Raparo, that is The Island of succour or defence, and you must ride
there to search the chanell.
From this harbour vnto the riuer before named there is no hauen for a
ship to harbour it selfe. And Rio Grande hath many shoalds in the mouth
thereof. It is a riuer that none but very small shippes can enter into.
And this riuer diuideth the countrey of the people called Carios from
other nations which are called Guauaes. [Sidenote: Certaine Ilands 12
leagues distant from the mouth of the riuer of Plate, which are 3 in
number.] And from this riuer vnto the entrance of the mouth of the riuer
of Plate it is al a plaine land, and very low: you must saile all along
two or three leagues into the sea from the shore, vntill you come to
certain Islands[41] which lye twelue leagues from the mouth of the riuer
of Plate.
[41] Castillos and Palmarones.
From Rio Grande vnto these Islands are 68 leagues. And from these
Islands vnto the Cape of Saint Marie the coast runneth Northeast and
Southwest, somewhat inclining a poynt to the South. The Islands are
three, and may be knowen as you come from the sea by two poynts, which
shew like the eares of a conie: you may ride betweene them and the
maine.
[Sidenote: Isla de Lobos.] From Rio Grande to the Cape of Saint Marie
are 80 leagues: and the Cape may be knowne by one Island which lyeth
from it a league and an halfe into the sea. You may sayle betweene the
maine and that Island, because there is aboue 8 or 9 fathoms water. The
Cape of Saint Mary standeth in 35 degrees of Southerly latitude.
The Cape of Santa Maria vpon the poynt thereof hath a little hill which
standeth ouer against the Isle of Seales. [Sidenote: The way to enter
into the riuer of Plate.] From this coast of Santa Maria you must coast
along the land alway on the North shore, and along the same are certaine
Bayes. From the Cape vnto the riuer of Solis are tenne leagues, the
coast runneth East and West. There standeth an Island ouer against the
mouth thereof. From this riuer of Solis vnto Los tres Mogotes which are
on the maine land is three leagues. And from Los Mogotes vnto the Isles
of Saint Grauiel are other 8 or 9 leagues more; all this distance
runneth East and West. These are fiue small Islands: to ride here you
must keepe somewhat neere the maine within an harquebuze shot halfe a
league before you come at the Islands, and straightway you shall see a
crosse standing on the said land, and there is an harbour for some
winds.
From Saint Grauiel vnto the riuer of Sant Iuan going along the same
coast, I say on the North shore, are three leagues: it is very well
knowen by the broken cliffe which it hath, which is a white hill. The
entrance into this riuer is very dangerous; because it is shallow, and
none but very small shippes can enter into the same: the entrance
thereof is on the West side very neere the land, great Carackes may ride
within the harbour. From this riuer vnto the Isle of Martin Garçia are
three leagues: it is one Island alone, and you must sayle along the
coast on the North shore: and after you be come vnto the Island, I say,
ouer against the same, you shall haue three fathoms water, and on the
West side it hath a little creeke where you may ride.
He that desireth to crosse ouer the riuer of Plate vnto the riuer de
Buenos Aëres from the Isles of Saint Grauiel, must shape his course
Southwest: and the cut ouer is sixeteene leagues and vpon his arriuall
on the South shore of the riuer, hee must seeke a chanell of three
fathomes water, and straite he must goe along the coast vntill hee come
to a broken cliffe and a poynt like vnto the firme land, which is
distant from this chanell three or foure leagues: and when thou seest
this broken cliffe, keepe thee a league from it. [Sidenote: The first
Spanish colonie was planted in the riuer of Buenos Aëres.] Here vpon
this riuer of Buenos Aëres was the first Colonie that Don Pedro de
Mendoça planted. This riuer lieth very much hidden: because it is not
seene, it is very shallow at a low sea, wherefore you must come in with
the first of the flood.
From the Isle of Martin Garçia vnto certaine small Islands which are
called the Isles of Saint Lazarus is two leagues, these are shoalds: and
to goe thither you must goe hard aboord the maine, for there goeth the
chanell: all this is to be passed on the North shore, and with small
barkes, and with good heede.
From the Isle of Martin Garçia to the mouthes of the riuer are eight
leagues in passing along on this side to seeke one of the mouthes of the
riuer Parana, as it is hereafter described. But you had need first to
harbour in a bay, which is in the very cliffe or Barranca, and you must
stay for the full sea. [Sidenote: Rio Vruay.] And if you fall into the
mouth of the riuer which is called Vruay,[42] you must leaue it on the
right hand, I say on the North side. [Sidenote: Parana is the great
riuer.] And foorthwith leauing the said mouth forward toward the West,
you may enter into the first mouth although it seeme narrow; or rather
you may enter into any of the mouthes: for all of them meete together in
Parana, which is the maine riuer.
[42] River Uruguay.
[Sidenote: Rio de las Palmas.] And hee that desireth to goe from the
Isle of Martin Garçia to the riuer of Palmas, which is the best of all
these armes, or mouthes to speake more properly, is to shape his course
to the West, and comming ouer to the other shore, and sayling along the
coast Northnorthwest hee shall discouer the mouth of this riuer of
Palmas: and hee must enter hard by Los Iuncales, which lye on the South
side: and afterward within is very deepe sounding. All these mouthes of
this riuer which are 5, are full of sholds towards the East aboue the
space of two leagues. And if the course of the water were not swift
there, you could not enter into them, as I haue already sayd, and you
must passe all along with much heede and foresight.
[Sidenote: Cape Blanco on the South side of the mouth of the riuer of
Plate a very low and euen land.] And if peradventure you haue passed
Cape Saint Marie and are come ouer to Cape Blanco, consider it, that it
is so euen and smooth a land, that you can scarcely discerne it a league
from the maine, vnlesse it be a very cleare day: and after this sort the
coast lieth low vnto the riuer de Buenos Aeres. And from thence the
coast lyeth somewhat high vnto the entrance of the riuer de Palmas: all
the coast runneth as I sayd before. [Sidenote: Man-eaters vpon the south
shore.] And all along this coast are naughty people, which eate those
which they kill, and many Tygers.
From the Isle of Martin Garçia vnto Saint Saluador is nine or tenne
leagues. This is an Island which standeth two leagues within the first
mouth: where Sebastian Cabota tooke possession. And this countrey is
very well peopled by a people called Carios; and you most beware of all
these people: for they are your deadly enemies. The most Southerly mouth
of Parana called Rio de Palmas is sixteene leagues long, and it hath
many turnings, and many palme or date-trees growing neere it, whereupon
it is called The riuer of palme trees: and forthwith it entreth into the
riuer Parana, as soone as these sixteene leagues are finished. All the
other armes containe likewise sixteene leagues in length, sauing one
small or narrow arme, which is called The riuer de los Beguaes; for this
containeth fortie leagues in length. From this you must enter by the
mouth of the riuer of Palmas vnto Santo Spirito, the way is fiftie
leagues: you are to passe still along the cliffes. As you enter on the
left hand which is on the West shore vp this riuer there are many Isles,
lakes and small riuers, and many Indians which are your enemies.
From Santo Spirito vnto a people which are called Los Tenbuis is
fifteene leagues. This is by the narrow arme whereby they passe into the
riuer Parana: it is the more because it is the longer way. From the
Tenbuis by this narrow arme vpward vnto the Quiloacas, which is another
nation, are twentie leagues; and all vp this riuer is great store of
people.
From the Quiloacas, to a place where the Spaniards now haue builded a
towne, are fifteene leagues. [Sidenote: This towne perhaps may be the
towne of Santa Anna, 15. leagues.] From this towne vnto the people
called Los Mequaretas is twentie leagues. Here are many sholds which
continue thirtie leagues. All these thirtie leagues are sunken lands:
where are many Isles, flats, and nations, which are our enemies.
From the Mequaretas vnto the people called Mepenes ate these thirtie
leagues. And from hence begin the coasts of the firme land vnto the
mouth of the riuer Paraguai; sauing that there are eight leagues more of
sunken ground.
From the Mepenes vnto the month of the riuer of Paraguai are thirtie
leagues: it is a riuer that cannot be mistaken although it hath many armes
and Islands and dangers, it hath a marke two leagues beneath the mouth on
the East side, to wit, an high land, where are 7 points, which we call the
7 currents: and immediately aboue these currents there is an Island as you
passe vp the riuer ouer against the poynt aforesaid standeth the mouth of
Paraguai. [Sidenote: The towne of Piquiri or Picora 170 leagues vp the
riuer of Parana.] This mouth is very plaine to be found in seeking whereof
a man cannot be deceived. From this mouth the riuer of Parana is diuided,
which is a very great riuer: and it goeth vnto the towne of Piquiri, which
is an hundred and seuentie leagues: and it runneth all this space North
and South, and in the way are many flats and shoalds; and great store of
people, which are a bad nation, although they be diuided. [Sidenote: The
citie of Assumption, or Ascension 60 leagues from the mouth of Paraguai.]
From the place where these two riuers are diuided, that is to say, from
the mouth of Paraguai are sixtie leagues vnto the citie of Assumption.
This is a good riuer, and better to sayle then all the rest of the riuers,
which are in this countrey. [Sidenote: 200 leagues from Assumption subiect
to the Spaniard, to the citie of Xaraes.] And from this towne to Los
Xaraes[43] are 200. leagues, very well inhabited with people of diuers
nations, which serue the Spanyards.
[43] North of Lake Uberaba, in latitude 17 degrees South, and longitude
52 1/2 West.
Nauigations, Voyages, Traffiques and
Discoueries of the English Nation.