_From the original holograph in the Cecil Papers at Hatfield, vol.
xliii,
At first printed in Edward Edward’s Life of
Raleigh, vol. ii, page 420._
Right Honourable Sir,
These are to let you understand that whereas, according to your Honor’s
direction, I have been framing of a Charte out of some such of Sir
Walter’s notes and writings, which he hath left behind him,—his
principal Charte being carried with him, —if it may please you, I do
thinke most fit that the discovery of Captain Kemish be added, in his
due place, before I finish it. It is of importance, and all Chartes
which had that coast before be very imperfecte, as in many thinges
elce. And that of Sir Walter’s, although it were better in that parte
then any other, yet it was don but by intelligence from the Indians,
and this voyadge was specially for the discovery of the same; which is,
as I find, well and sufficiently performed. And because the secrecy of
these matters doth much importe her Majesty and this State, I pray let
me be so bould as to crave that the dispatch of the plotting and
describing be don only by me for you, according to the order of trust
that Sir Walter left with me, before his departure, in that behalf, and
as he hath usually don heretofore. If your Honor have any notes from
Sir Thomas Baskerville, if it may please you to make me acquaynted with
them, that which they will manifest of other particularytyes then that
before Sir Walter hath described shall also be set downe.
Although Captain Kemish be not come home rich, yet he hath don the
speciall thing which he was injoined to do, as the discovery of the
coast betwixt the river of Amasones and Orinico, where are many goodly
harbors for the greatest ships her Majesty hath and any nomber; wher
there are great rivers, and more then probability of great good to be
don by them for Guiana, as by any other way or to other rich contryes
borderinge upon it. As also, the discovery of the mouth of Orinico it
self,—a good harbor and free passage for ingresse and egresse of most
of the ordinary ships of England, above 3 hundred miles into the
contry. Insomuch that Berreo wondred much of our mens comming up so
far; so that it seemeth they know not of that passage. Nether could
they, or can possibly, find it from Trinidado; from whence usually they
have made their discoveryes. But if it be don by them the shortest way,
it must be done out of Spayne. Now, if it shall please her Majesty to
undertake the enterprise, or permitte it in her subjectes, by her
order, countenance, and authority, for the supplanting of those that
are now gotten thither, I thinke it of great importance to keepe that
which is don as secretly as we may, lest the Spaniardes learne to know
those harbors and entrances, and worke to prevent us.
And because I understand that the master of the ship with Captain
Kemish is somewhat carelesse of this, by geving and selling copyes of
his travelles and plottes of discoveryes, I thought it my dutye to
remember it unto your wisdome, that some order might be taken for the
prevention of such inconveniences as may thereby follow : by geving
authority to some Justice, or the Mayor, to call him before them, and
to take all his writinges and chartes or papers that concerne this
discovery, or any elce, in other mens handes, that he hath sold or
conveyed them into ; and to send them sealed to your Honor, as also to
take bond for his further secrecy on that behalf. And the like order to
be taken by those others, as we shall further informe your Honor of,
that have any such plots, which yet, for myne owne parte, I know not
of; or any other order, by sending for him up or otherwise, as to your
wisdome shall seeme best.
Concerning the Eldorado which hath been shewed your Honor out of the
Spanish booke of Acosta, which you had from Wright, and I have scene,
when I shall have that favour as but to speake with you I shall shew
you that it is not ours—that we meane—there being three. Nether doth he
say, or meane, that Amazones river and Orinoco is all one,—as some, I
feare, do averre to your Honor ; as by good profe out of that booke
alone I can make manifest; and by other meanes besides then this
discovery, I can put it out of all dout.
To be breef, I am at your Honor’s comandement in love and duty farther
than I can sodeynly expresse for haste. I will wayte upon you at Court,
or here at London, about any of these matters or any others, at any
time, if I might have but that favour as to heare so much. I dare not
presume of my selfe, for some former respectes. My fidelity hath never
been impeached, and I take that order that it never shall. I make no
application. And I beseech your Honor to pardon my boldness, because of
haste. My meaning is allwayes good. And so I most humbly take my leave.
This Sunday, 11th of July 1596.
Your Honor’s most ready at commandement in all services I may,