ALL dutiful offices vnto you, and euery one of you, with due respect, and fashion an­swerable, premised and per­formed, &c. When I consi­dered, with what great con­tentment you reade the Re­ports of Iapon, and China, contained in the yearly letters and missiues of the Iesuite Friers, (folke of other nations, and inha­biting in remote countries, and of a sect corrupt in religion, which produceth, as the Prophet Dauid [Page 2]speaketh, Psal. 144.12. Strange children, whose mouth talketh of vanitie, and their right hand is a right hand of iniquitie: as well witnesseth our owne late feare­full experience in their powder treason, and the ruine of many noble Personages, and families, in this westerne world, by their meanes.) It gaue me occasion to assure my selfe, that you will with no lesse content, reade, and consider also these newes, written by an English man borne, a Minister of the Gospell, and dwelling amongst you: Newes, I say, of things verie strange, pleasant and profita­ble, both to your priuate selues, and also to the pub­like State; and such as many yeeres past haue been greatly desired, & yet neuer vnto this day knowne, nor scant hoped for: comprized in two principall heads. The former whereof is of the complement of the Art of Nauigation. The other is of the great and mightie Empire of Cataia, &c.

1 Nauigation (as you know better then I can report) is an art more excellent and eminent, then any other of the like kind in vse and practise a­mongst vs; whether you consider the dignitie, the necessitie, or the vtilitie thereof.

The dignitie of Nauigation will most euident­ly appeare, if you consider from whence it taketh his originall, namely, from Arithmetique, Geo­metrie, & Astronomie, the three most glorious of the seuen Liberall Sciences, which three ancient­lie and truly were called Acröamatica, and were the studies of Kings & greatest Princes. All which said three Liberall Sciences must necessarily con­curre, both in the making vp, & also in the practise [Page 3]of Nauigation, so as no one of them can bee mis­sing in any case: which happeneth in no other practique science or discipline whatsoeuer in vse amongst vs; and therefore Nauigation (as a glori­ous Queene, attended vpon by many honorable Ladies) is of great dignitie, as wel for the ofspring, as also for the practise of the same.

The necessitie thereof is most apparent: for without it the nations of the world dwelling farre asunder, neither should nor could euer at any hand by traffique or commerce be partakers of o­thers commodities, manners, learning, policies or religion; without which how miserable mankind should be, or haue been, your wisdomes can easi­lie conceiue, and specially the Insulani, which without this Art should dwell alone sauage, and barbarous, and in great want of things needfull both for their bodies and soules, and should also want all means to vent their owne excellent com­modities, to the vse & benefit of others. Nay ma­ny goodly and great Ilands of the world as well as small, should not to this day haue been replenish­ed with people, but haue remained void and de­solate, as doe S. Hellens, and the Hollanders, Mauri­cius, and others and mankind thereby haue been diminished; and Gods glorie left without witnes­ses in those places.

Nauigation doth likewise liuely shew it selfe vnto the least view or consideration of the wise, to be a science and practise of singular profit: seeing that without it the life of man can hardly be pre­serued. For there is no Countrie, no Prouince, no [Page 4]Citie euerie way sufficient, well to sustaine it selfe, but euery one of them hath need of others helpe and succour. All which for the most part be sup­plied by Nauigation, and without it, cannot well and commodiously be had. Yea, and the Philo­sopher is of mind: That it behooueth cities and kingdomes to haue shipping in store, and in rea­dinesse for Nauigation, if they meane to enioy their liberties, and to rule ouer others. For clearing of all which, let these few examples heere recited, serue in the stead of many arguments.

Of the Kingdome of Israel vnder Salomon, it is thus written, 1. King. 10.22. For the King had on the sea a Nauie of Tharsis, with the Nauie of Hy­ram: once in three yeeres came the Nauie of Tharsis, and brought gold and siluer, and Iuorie, and Apes, and Peacocks.

It seemeth that this Nauie of Tharsis (of great ships for the sea, as one interpreteth it) was only for the trade to the Isles of Cittim, in the Pelopone­sian sea, and other townes vpon the coasts and Ilands of the Mare Mediterraneum.

For of the shippes of the red sea; that went to Ophir for gold, the Scripture speaketh otherwise, 1. King. 9.26. viz. Also King Salomon made a Na­uie of ships in Asiongabar, which is besides Elot, and the brinck of the red sea in the land of Edom. 27. And Hyram sent with the Nauie his seruants that were mariners, and had knowledge of the sea, with the seruants of Salomon. 28. And they came to Ophir, and set from thence foure hundred and twentie Talents of gold, and brought it to [Page 5]King Salomon. The effect of these Nauies you may reade, 1. King. 10.23. And so King Salomon excee­ded all the Kings of the earth, both in riches and wisdome. vers. 26. Then Salomon gathered toge­ther Chariots and horse-men: and he had a thou­sand and foure hundred chariots, & twelue thou­sand horse-men, whom he placed in the Chariot-cities, and with the King at Ierusalem. vers. 27. And the King gaue siluer in Ierusalem as stones, & gaue Cedars as the wild fig-trees, which grow abun­dantly vpon the plaine, &c.

Tyrus also flourished exceedingly by Nauigati­on: it is euident in that the prophane Authors do attribute the inuention of ships and sayling vnto that nation, I meane the Phoenicians, citizens of Ty­rus, and other sea townes adioyning thereunto, as witnesseth Tibullus, Eleg. 7. as he is cited by Polydor Virgil, Dererum inuent. lib. 3. cap. 15.

The holy Scriptures also are euident records hereof. Esay the Prophet speaketh thus, chap. 22.8. Who hath decreed this against Tyrus (that crow­neth men) whose merchants are Princes, whose chapmen are the Nobles of the world. And Eze­chiel chap. 27.3. declareth the glorious estate ther­of. And vers. 25. The shippes of Tharsis were the chiefe in thy Merchandize, and thou wast reple­nished and made verie glorious in the middest of the sea. vers. 27. Thy riches, thy faires, thy mer­chandize, thy Mariners and Pilots, thy Calkers, and the occupiers of thy Merchandize, and all the [Page 6]men of warre that are in thee, shall fall in the mid­dest of the sea, in the day of thy ruine.

Call to remembrance that old Carthage also, a renowmed ofspring of Tyrus, which only by Na­uigation and trading by sea, grew so mightie, that three seuerall times it tooke occasion to stand out with Rome for the Soueraigntie, in three seuerall warres, great, doubtfull, and lamentable. In the first of which, it is reported, that the Carthagine­ans were beaten in a battel at the sea, & so brought in order. In the second warre, which happened some fortie yeeres after, they were growne againe so strong, that besides many battels by land, e­uen in Italie fifteene yeares together, they fought with the Romans a great battell by sea; in which likewise they had the worst, as witnesseth Tit. Liu. Dec. 3. lib. 2. and at length being enforced by the Romans to yeeld, their citie had been vtterly ra­ced to the ground, had they not redeemed the same with teares, and a yeerelie tribute of two hundred Euboian talents; and withall concluded with the Romans, neuer after to haue and keepe moe ships for warre, then ten, &c. as writeth Appi­on in Lybico. Yet neuerthelesse the Carthagineans, within fiftie yeeres after that, grew againe so ex­ceeding mightie by sea and land, that they vnder­tooke a third warre against the Romans, in which they were ouercome by sea and by land, and their noble Citie, which had stood seuen hundred yeares in great estate, was raced vnto the ground: (so that Nauigation which was at the first the cause of their greatnes, was also at the last the occa­sion [Page 7]of their ruine, being ouermastred by the Ro­mans in strength at sea, as well witnesse the spee­ches of Hanno, and Cato Censorinus, in Appion [...]ae bello Lybico; whereby may be seene the great vtili­tie of Nauigation.

Consider also the Cities of Greece, as Athens, Corinth, and the residue vpon the sea coast; yea, and the very small Islands of the Aegëan sea; as Samos and such like: how much they encrea­sed in renowne and riches by their shipping and Nauigation, and the vtilitie thereof will plainelie appeare. That I say nothing of the Greeke and Roman Empires, in whom their Naualia are not the least memorable in ancient stories.

Neither may I here forget the sea forces, and sea seruices of the now florishing and menacing Empire of the Turks, which are not vnknowne to the world: Reade M. Hakluyte (who hath excel­lentlie well deserued of our whole Nation, in his worthie works of our English Voiages.) vol. 2. part. 2. pag. 78. where you shall find specified 268. vessels for y^e war that besieged the Rhodes: besides the Nauie that lay attending in other places to cut off al succours of Christians, &c. and elsewhere in those his volumes.

Consider further the Venetians, and the Ge­nowaies, how by Nauigation they haue suppor­ted, and increased their great Estates.

Then turne your eies vpon Spaine, Portugall, and Holland now of late yeeres, how as they haue been better furnished with shipping, so haue they [Page 8]had their riches, honours, and Estates increased euen to wonderment.

Looke ouer the world, vnto the great Empire of China, which at this present doth abound with shipping, both for the Inland seas and riuers, to trade at home amongst themselues with easinesse and speede; and also for the vaste Ocean, for tra­ding with forraine nations; whereby infinite numbers of that people are set a worke, and their riches and renowne is growne vnto the world, ve­rie admirable, as witnesseth Master Hackluit in his workes of our English Voiages, vol. 2. par. 2. pag. 77. 92. and vol. 3. pag. 837. 858. Reade al­so Arthus de India orientali. pag. 466. 468. Also reade Pantogia. pag. 56. 61. 64. 65. 112. &c.

Lastly, let vs returne home vnto our owne Countrie, this Realme of England, and we shall find the estate thereof much encreased, and sup­ported by Nauigation. By Nauigation we reade that Edgar, (that I may vse his owne words in his stile) Anglorum Basileus, omniumque Regum, Insula­rum, Oceanique Britanniā circumiacentis; cunctarum­que nationum, quae infra eam includuntur, Impera­tor, & Dominus; who raigned anno dom. 959. kept his seas from Piracy, and his land from for­raine inuasions. For euery yeere he rigged 4000. saile of shippes, and diuiding them into foure companies, put them to sea, vpon the foure quar­ters of his kingdome, for the same purpose. By Nauigation, our Armies haue been transported into other lands for seruice there: So Iohn King of England, with a Nauie of 500. ships, transported [Page 9]his Armie into Ireland, ann 1206. So our Armie and forces were transported by Sir Francis Drake Knight, vnto S. Domingo, and Carthagena, in the West Indies, anno 1585. and into Portugale, anno 1589. By Nauigation many strong battels haue been fought at sea by our nation, and honorable victories obtained: as the battell at Sluce, by King Edward the third, anno 1340. the French Fleet be­ing of 400. saile. As also the battell fought at Hareflew in France, by King Henrie the fifth, against the French Nauie of 500. ships, anno 1414. As was also that most renowmed victorie gotten, from and of that vaunted inuincible Spanish Armada, anno 1588. And that ouer the Nauie Royall of the King of Spaine, gotten in the Bay of Cadiz, anno. 1596. By Nauigation, the Spanish Fleet, that came to waft ouer King Philip from Douer into the Low-countries, anno 1556. was compelled by a few ships of the Nauie Royall of this Land, vnder the con­duct of the Right Honorable, the Lord William Howard, Baron of Effingham, then Lord high Ad­mirall of England, (and father to the now Right Honorable, and renowmed Lord Charles Howard, Earle of Nottingham, and Lord high Admirall al­so of England,) to strike their sailes, and vaile their bonnets, and performe such honorable acknow­ledgements, as were done at sea, to the Emperiall Crowne of this Land. The like also was done by ten ships of the Nauie Royall of our late Queene Elizabeth of famous memorie, vnder the conduct of the aforesaid Charles Howard, now the Right Honorable Earle of Nottingham, Lord high Ad­mirall [Page 10]of England, vnto the great Spanish Fleet of 130. ships, conducting the Emperours Sister, the spouse of Spaine, thorow the narrow Seas, into Spaine; vnder whose worthie, and happie conduct also, the two honorable victories ouer the Spanish Armadaes, last before mentioned, were obtained, to his immortall fame and glorie. By Nauigation, the Northerne seas vnto Rusland, and Moscouia, were happily discouered, anno 1553. and a happie trade of Merchandize opened thither, which con­tinueth vnto this day. By Nauigation, the East and West Indies haue bin sailed vnto, by our Eng­lish nation; the bottome of the Mediterranean seas searched, and the great Emperour of the Turkes at his Seragno, or Port in Constantinople, Royally sa­luted, to his great content; since which time, nei­ther he, nor his Successors, haue been so forward as before, to make warre vpon the Christians: Yea and by Nauigation, the huge conuexitie of the whole world, within little more then these 30. yeares last past, hath been by our English nation twice sailed about. Once, by the worthie Sir Fran­cis Drake Knight, and the second time, by the wor­thie Thomas Candish Esquire, both passing tho­row the Straits of Magellan, into the South sea, and so coasting from thence the Westerne shore of the New world, vnto California, passed from thence vnto the Moluccan Ilands, and from thence by Iaua, and by the Cape, De bona Esperanza, and returned againe aliue into this Realme of England, with riches and renowne. A voyage neuer yet before this day performed (for any thing I know [Page 11]to the contrarie) by any other, of what nation soe­uer, but only by Magellan the Portugale, who first found his so called Straits; anno 1520. as Arthus reporteth, pag. 411. but perished himselfe before he returned againe into Spaine. So that whatsoe­uer may be said of the increase of our wealth, and riches, I cannot tell, but this I am sure of, that our Estate (through the goodnesse and protection of the Almightie, to whom be all praise and honor for the same for euermore,) hath been mightily defended, and secured by our Nauigation, in such sort, that as in former times, so now at this pre­sent day, our glorie and honor shineth with great brightnes, in the middest of the mightie Empires, and great Kingdomes of Europe. Neither haue the ancient Kings of this Land neglected the acknow­ledgement thereof. But as in ancient times, the Kings of the Latins stamped a ship vpon their mo­ney, in remembrance of the great benefits that their Land had receiued of Saturnus, which from the sea had arriued amongst them, as witnesseth Ouid, Fast. lib. 1. in these words:

Euen so, the ancient renowmed Kings of this Land, coyned their gold, on the one side with a ship vpon the sea, testifying thereby, the great commodities that came vnto their Land by Naui­gation.

All which examples rightly and duely consi­dered, do liuely manifest the great vtilitie of Na­uigation.

So that we may conclude, that Nauigation is the most excellent Art of all others of like pra­ctise, both for the dignitie, necessitie, and vtilitie thereof.

And yet neuerthelesse this most excellent Art, by which so much good commeth, and so many excellent and memorable things haue been, and are daily performed, is yet very imperfect, stan­ding vpon no warrantable and sufficient grounds and rules whereby it may be dulie practised. As witnesseth Sir Humfrey Gilbert Knight, who saith of himselfe in these words, viz. I haue deuised to amend the errors of vsuall sea Chards, whose common fault is to make the degrees of Longi­tude in euery Latitude of one like bignesse. And haue also deuised therein a sphericall Instrument, with a Compasse of variation, for the perfect knowing of the Longitude. And a precise order to pricke the sea Chard, &c. Engl. voiag. vol. 3. pag. 24.

And M^r. Thomas Digges, that excellent Mathe­matician, in his Preface to the Reader, of his Stra­tiaticos, hath these words, viz. First therefore, by Demonstrations Mathematicall, finding the great imperfections in the Art of Nauigation, & grosse errors practised by the Masters and Mariners of this our age: I sought by reason to perswade with some of them, to alter and reforme their Chards, Instruments, and erroneous Rules, shewing them infallible Demonstrations of their errors. And a little after: By proofe I found, and those masters themselues could not but confesse, that experience [Page 13]did no lesse plainly discouer the errors of their Rules, then my Demonstrations.

And M^r. William Burrowes, sometime Control­ler of the Royall Nauie, of our late Queene Eliza­beth of famous memorie, in his Epistle wherein his Mappe of Russia was to her dedicated, hath these words; viz. It is so, that there are Rules vsed in Na­uigation, which are not perfectly true, amongst which, the straight lines in the sea Chards repre­senting two and thirtie points of the Compasse or winds, are not holden to be the least: &c. but no­ted of such talkers for principall, to condemne the occupiers thereof for ignorant, &c.

And M^r. Richard Polter, one of the late foure principall masters of his Maiesties Nauie Royall, in his booke called the path-way to perfect sailing, printed at London, anno 1605. deliuereth a great number of absurdities, in the said Art of Nauiga­tion.

And M^r. Edward Wright, a verie learned Ma­thematician, hath (not long since) published a booke likewise of the errors in the Art of Naui­gation; which booke I haue seene, but neuer read the same, &c.

So that this noble Art of Nauigation, although it be so excellent, is yet neuerthelesse imperfect, and founded vpon no sufficient Rules of Art, whereby it may be generally practised as it ought.

And although it may be obiected, that not on­ly Sir Humfrey Gilbert, and Richard Polter, & other, haue attempted the reformations of these imper­fections, but also that M. Edw. Wright hath lately [Page 14]perfected the same, so that all errors and absurdi­ties are by him reformed. I answere & freely con­fesse, that the said M. Wright hath exceedingly wel deserued of Nauigation, and specially in that pro­iection of the sea Mappe by him deuised, (accor­ding to which, the Mappe commonly annexed to the volumes of our English Discoueries, and the great quarter Maps published at Amsterdam by Io­docus Hondius, anno 1602. are framed): but yet I am assured, that his reformation will be found to fall far short of perfection, when his trauels shall come to strict examination, not because he wan­teth either learning, or diligence therein, but a good foundation whereon to raise his worke, that is, the knowledge of the magnetical poles hereaf­ter mentioned: so that the said Art, although it be by his industrie and trauels very much amended, yet is it far from being perfected.

This excellent and profitable Art of Nauigati­on (but very vnperfect, for any thing that is yet publikely knowne to the contrarie) I presume I haue by the great blessing of Almightie God in Christ Iesus our Sauiour, not without exceeding paines and labours in and about the same, brought to very good perfection, and furnished it with all the Complements therof, and am able at this pre­sent, by his grace, to enforme any of you (of com­petent knowledge and capacity for the same) how he may practise the same, with as great facility, and expedition, as now is done, and with so great cer­taintie make his conclusions, of Latitude, Longi­tude, and variation, as is possible to be done in any [Page 15]other Mathematicall practise, in vse amongst vs, depending vpon continued obseruation. And this is the first end and maine purpose of all my labours taken in and about my mentioned Complement.

And for as much, as many learned men here­tofore, haue professed thus much, with many o­ther things touching this Art, all which for the most part, are vanished away like smoke, and quite gone as though they had neuer been: by reason whereof, you may easily be induced, to hope for no better successe at my hands, of these my pro­mised Complements. I haue therefore thought good, for your better satisfaction and content­ment, to set downe in order, some few of the chiefest heads in these my trauels, proposed and concluded, together with some Corrolaries from them deduced, as followeth, &c.

1 That (although a great learned man and his followers, absolutely denie that there is any fixed pole magneticall, yet neuer thelesse) there are two fixed poles magneticall, which are the maine grounds of the Art of Nauigation, and without which the said Art cannot be well and sufficiently practised: the one Arctique, because it is within the Arctique circle, the other Antarctique, for the like reason; much different from the poles of the world, and also from all and euerie the fancied magneticall poles heretofore published.

2 That these magnetical poles are vpon the super­ficies of the Globe of the earth, and haue a magne­ticall [Page 16]axis, passing betweene them thorow the Centre of the said earth.

3 What is the Longitude of either of the said magneticall poles, from the ancient first meridian of the world, passing by the Canarie Ilands, or the meridian of any other place, whose Longitude from the said first meridian is knowne. And also what Latitude either of the said magneticall poles hath from the Equinoctiall.

4 That vpon these poles magnetical, as vpon their Centres, are to be conceiued and described (for the Art of Nauigation) vpon the superficies of the Globe of the earth, an Aequator, parallels, and me­ridians magneticall, much differing from those of the world.

5 That there is one common meridian or great circle, passing thorow both the poles magneticall, and poles of the world, diuiding the superficies of the earth, into two seuerall Hemispheres.

6 That in this common meridian, is the begin­ning of Longitude, to be accounted in the Art of Nauigation.

7 What is the difference of Longitude of this said common meridian, either Eastwards, or West­wards from the meridian of the Canaries, or from any other place, whose longitude from the said Ilands is knowne.

8 That the North and South of the Compasse varie for the most part from the North and South of the world, the greatest variation being of 180. degrees, which lesseneth vntill it come to nothing.

9 That in euery parallel of the world, and in equal spaces in euery of them, this variation altereth, in some places encreasing, in some places decreasing, and in some places directing in selfe to the pole of the world; In some places of equall space, it alte­reth swifter, and in some places it altereth slower; in some places it varieth to the Eastwards, and in some places to the Westwards, as is alreadie well knowne. And now all these places are giuen and knowne, where they be in euerie of the said paral­lels, and also the causes thereof.

10 That in euery parallel of the world, betweene the Equinoctiall and the poles magneticall, as also in the said Equinoctiall, there be many seuerall places wherein the Compasse hath equall varia­tions.

11 That the said places of equal variation in euery of the said parallels, be not equally distant from the common meridian, but vnequally; and the dif­ference of this said inequalite, is more, or lesse, in different parallels.

12 That the longitude of all and euery the said pla­ces of equall variation, may easily be found out, [Page 18]and described vpon the Globe and Chard with helique or tortuous lines, some of them tending from the Arctique pole of the world, vnto the An­tarctique pole magnetical: and contrariwise, some of them tending from the Antarctique pole of the world, to the Arctique pole magneticall, crossing as well the Equinoctiall and Equator magneticall, as also almost all the parallels of both kinds.

13 That all the Rumbs described or supposed to be described by a ship sailing vpon the sea, except the meridians and parallels, be spirall lines, passing from the equinoctiall to the poles magnetical, and not to the poles of the world, as hath been hither­to falsely supposed.

14 That all the said spirall lines or Rumbs may be described vpon the Globe for Nauigation, and al­so vpon the sea Chards in plano, as well those after M. Edw. Wright his proiection, as vpon others of two other proiections, not heretofore vsed in Na­uigation, yet beautifull to the eye, and conuenient for the practise of the said Art of Nauigation.

15 That the Globes, and one sort of sea Chards may be made, without any Rumbs described vp­on them, and yet serue as well and as readilie to all purposes for the vse of Nauigatiō, as those Globes and Chards may do, that haue the Rumbs or say­ling lines described vpon them.

16 That the Globes and Chards thus described, do [Page 19]giue the longitudes and differences of longitudes of and betweene verie many places, and also the trendings of diuers coasts somewhat otherwise then the ordinarie Globes and Mappes doe offer them; yet neuerthelesse trulie and as they bee indeed.

17 These Globes and Chards thus described; to find out by obseruation, as well at sea as at land, the magnitude of the variation of the Compasse for the place where such obseruation shall bee made, readily, and iustly, the Latitude of the place being first knowne, &c.

18 The variation of the Compasse and the Lati­tude of the place being giuen, to find out by Arith­meticall calculation the true Longitude of the same place.

19 Contrariwise the Latitude and Longitude of any place being giuen, to find out thereby the true variation in or at that place, and that also by Arithmeticall calculation.

20 Foure diuers other waies and meanes to find out at all times the Longitude of the place where­in you make obseruation, (or to pricke the Chard as it is commonly called) with as much ease and expedition, and with farre more certentie then now is or can be vsed in our moderne Nauigatiō.

21 A fift way, the height of the pole of the world [Page 20]being giuen, &c. to find out at all times the Longi­tude most certenlie without any regard had to the Rumbe wherein you haue sailed, or the number of leagues you haue run, or the variation of the Compasse: by Arithmeticall calculation.

22 A sixt way, the height of the pole being giuen, &c. without any regard of the things last before mentioned, to performe the same by mechanicall practise speedily.

But here it is to be vnderstood, that as euery one of these seuerall waies before mentioned of fin­ding the Longitude is warrantablie true, if the things required in them (vz. variations and eleua­tions, and other things to be found by obseruati­on) be true; so likewise if the said things required, be faultie; that then the longitudes also from them deriued will bee answerablie faultie in their pro­portions.

And secondly, that seeing Nauigation stan­deth wholly vpon obseruation, and all obseruati­ons for the same at sea, be made by very small in­struments, as namely the sailing Compasse, Astro­labe, and such like, so that the variations and eleua­tions and such like, found by such obseruations, be seldome true; and that therefore true longitudes are seldome to be found; yet neuerthelesse how­soeuer it fall out it is certaine.

23 That by these seuerall waies assisting each other in the hand of a Nauigator, the longitudes may be found sufficiently true for the precise practise of [Page 21]Nauigation, according as I haue proposed. And because the mysterie of finding the longitudes ac­cording to these proiects depēdeth vpon the mag­netical poles, (for the finding out of which poles, I haue been enforced, to vse the obseruations of other men, wherein, if they haue failed, and I my selfe also haue done the like, in relying vpon them,) it may come to passe, that the longitudes cannot be by these my poles found out so exact­ly as is to be wished for, before such time as the places of the said poles be first, yet more truelie, found. Therefore if it shall happen to appeare, that the places of the said poles, by me found out, be yet defectiue (which defect neuerthelesse I am well assured will bee very little); I haue deuised a way,

24 How any man hauing some knowledge and practise in the Mathematicals, may by his owne obseruations exactly find out the true longitude and latitude of the said poles, (farre easier and with greater speed then I haue done, or could doe, be­fore I had found the same another way,) and may also fit the same most commodiously, vnto the Art of Nauigation, and it vnto them as I haue done.

25 How (besides this Globe and Chard) all other the instruments commonlie vsed in the Art of Nauigation, as the Compasse, the Astrolabe, the Quadrant, the Crosse-staffe, & the Trauers boord, may be excellentlie well amended and perfected.

26 And besides these mentioned premises, many other propositions and conclusions do occurre in this my Complement, both strange and profita­ble; of which in this place I may not speake.

The other part of these my Newes compre­hendeth amongst diuers other, these things fol­lowing, viz.

• 1 The great Empire of Cataia, where it lieth, and the great riches of the same.
• 2 The way by land from the confines of the Cas­pian sea, vnto the same.
• 3 A new Geographicall description of the Caspi­an sea, and of the Easterne and Northerne Tarta­ria, and of the Empire of Cataia, as it now lieth, far differing from the vsuall descriptions now extant amongst vs, with the longitudes and latitudes of Cambalu, and Quinsay, &c.
• 4 That the Tartarian Empire vnder the great Ta­merlane, far surpassed in greatnesse any of the Em­pires that euer haue been, or be, or are likely to be in ages to come.
• 5 That there is greater hope then euer was here­tofore, of a free and safe passage by sea, Northerly from Europe to Cataia.
• 6 That I haue added the longitude of 50. or 60. degrees of good discouerie, vnto the alreadie [Page 23]knowne longitude, comprehended betweene the Westerne coast of America, vnder the latitude of 67. degrees, on the one side, and the Vaygatz, or Ile Van Oranges, vpon the North of Noua Zemla, on the otherside; but how and where the same is added, shall be said elsewhere. And if two seuerall obseruations, made by two seuerall Nauigators, of as great knowledge and iudgement in their Art and facultie, as any other of our age, had bin true; (as in all likelihood they seemed to me to be, and will so seeme also to other men, vntill they be dis­proued) I might with the safety of my credit, haue affirmed, that I had fully discouered that passage.
• 7 That the residue of that passage yet vndiscoue­red, is lesse by much, then it hath been thought to be.
• 8 The straits of Anian where they be; and of what largenesse.
• 9 The fittest and most commodious way to be at­tempted, for the discouery of the said passage.
• 10 That there is no doubt, but our nation may be entertained into a very rich trade of Merchandize, with the Cataians, &c.

These be some part of these my Newes, so long hidden from the world, and so greatly desired of our nation, but with little hope: for the reuealing whereof, (as I trust) it hath pleased our most gra­cious God, to make me (his most vnworthy ser­vant) [Page 24]his instrument. And these benefits will en­sue thereof, viz.

• 1 That the Art of Nauigation may in short time, be brought vnto the highest perfection, so,
• 2 That not only the feare conceiued in the Regi­ment of the sea, printed at London, anno 1606. pag. 73. that they are likely to perish, which happen to fall vnder the North-pole of the world, (and by like reasō vnder the pole magneticall,) vnlesse they be holpen by a clock, made and rectified before hand for that purpose; is cleerely taken away, and remoued. But also,
• 3 That our Voyages and Discoueries, may be per­formed with more certaintie and readines, & ther­fore with greater gaine, and with lesse losse of liues and goods, then vsually hath been.
• 4 That the Art of Nauigation requireth profes­sors of greater skill and practise in the Mathema­ticals, then are now commōly to be found among them; in which notwithstanding they may easily, and in short time, attaine a good sufficiencie for their profession.
• 5 That the discouerie of Cataia by any supposed Northerne Passage, further then hath bin alreadie discouered, cannot be safely and commodiously attempted, much lesse performed, without the knowledge of this my Complement, and Naui­gators [Page 25]of very good skill and practise in the Ma­thematiques.
• 6 That this Complement taketh nothing away from the ordinary practise of Nauigation, nor al­tereth any thing in the same, saue only it addeth a Globe of a new description, and a Map or two, af­ter M. Wrights mentioned Proiection, rectified, and one other sea Map or two, of other Proiecti­ons; & some other few Instruments, with the vses of thē. In the residue, men are left to their own or­dinarie proceedings, although they may amend, or alter all, if they please, which verily is requisite.
• 7 That diuers opinions and doctrines of diuers learned men (whom for honors sake I will not heere name) are hereby cleared, or confuted.
• 8 That the worlds general Geographie may bee hereby very much amended, & may in short time be brought to the highest degree of perfection: so that the studious of that Art, and of the Apode­miques of the ancient, meane, and moderne ages, may receiue therby great light and contentment.
• 9 The benefits of planting the Gospell amongst those Ethnique and Idolatrous nations of Cataia, and others by the way; the setting of our people aworke, the increase of Nauigators and men of seruice for other employments, the bringing in of great Treasures into this Land, the turning of the trade of the Esterne world, which the great [Page 26] Turke on the one side, and the Spaniard and Por­tugale on the other side, haue now gotten almost all into their owne hands, besides many other ac­cidentary benefits, I leaue to your wisdomes con­sideration.

Gods mercy, in reuealing this Complement vn­to me, I for my part, account a blessing so rare and precious, (not so much for the strangenes and dif­ficultie therof, as for the generall and continuall vse and benefit thereof vnto mankind,) that if Ar­chimedes in his daies had gotten it, he would haue runne once againe out of his bathing tubbe, with his ioyful crie, I haue found, I haue found. If Tha­les Milesius had attained it, he would haue offered one oxe for a sacrifice of thankfulnesse, as he is re­ported to haue done, for the finding out of the 2.3.4.5. Propos. of the fourth booke of Euclid. If Pythagoras had found it, he would haue offered an Hecatomben, or a sacrifice of an hundred oxen, as it is said he did, for the finding of the 47. and 48. Propos. of the first book of Euclid. How can I then, (far inferiour vnto the meanest of them in natures endowments, and humane learning,) chuse (vn­lesse I should proue most vnthankfull vnto God,) but offer vnto his Maiestie an Hecatomben of the calues of my lips, and say with the Prophet Dauid, Psal. 34.1. Benedicam Dominum in omni tempore, sem­per laus eius in ore meo: and Psal. 71.19. Benedictum nomen Maiestatis suae in aeternum.

And sith our good God hath bestowed his bles­sing vpon me, not for mine owne sake alone, but also for the benefit of his Church; fitting it is ther­fore, [Page 27]that I should employ the same vnto that end. I am willing in his name, and in his feare to do it, and to impart the first fruits thereof vnto you, for the honor and benefit of the Kings Maiestie, and his Subiects of this his Imperiall Monarchie of Great Britaine, for whom it hath been long time reserued. Engl. Voiag. vol. 3. pag. 144.

And to this end I offer and tender vnto you, and euery one of you, my selfe and my seruice, vpon meete and reasonable conditions; so that if you misse thereof, the fault shall be your owne, and not mine.

And this I protest vnto you, in holines and sin­ceritie, that I verily beleeue, that if you misse of the same at my hands, being now growen into yeeres and hastening vnto my graue, that neither this age present, nor ages to come, are likely to haue the same. For as by conference with other men, I haue gotten nothing that hath furthered me in these my trauels; but haue relied my selfe wholly vpon mine owne collections, gathered out of such few printed books, as I could get: for histories and the reports of Trauellers, are the treasurie of these My­steries; as saith Ptol. in his Geogr. lib. 1. c. 2. (sauing that the Worshipfull Iohn Wood, Doctor of Diui­nitie, and Parson of S. Dionis Backchurch in Lon­don, a Gentleman exceeding willing to further our Countries good, and my very kind friend, whom I once entreated to procure me, from his acquain­tance, that haue trauelled to the East Indies, and o­ther places, some certaine obseruations, (which yet hitherto he could not do,) hath imparted vnto [Page 28]me, certaine books of the East Indies, out of which I haue gotten some light, touching the situation of those Easterne countries.) So likewise haue I not communicated vnto any man, any thing of these my Conclusions, which may giue light for the finding out of this my Complement, or any Northerne Passage vnto our desired Cataia: this Epistle only excepted. And further I am assured, that this secret lieth so inclosed and locked vp in the manifold darke retraits of natures Cabbinet, that it is plainly impossible for any wit of man, e­uer at any time to bring the same to light, vnlesse it shall please the only wise and all-seeing God, to blesse him extraordinarily for the same. Let the Assayes and worthie attempts, of many excellent and greatlearned men, some dead, some liuing, all failing of their end and purpose herein, be cleare and sufficient testimonies vnto you of the truth hereof.

I assure my selfe that these strange Newes, and such confidence in professing of the same, wil pro­duce diuers effects in the harts and in the mouthes of many that shal reade or heare the same; vn­to some few whereof, I addresse the residue of this my Epistle.

Some sicke of a Prosopoleptique affection, which in this age raigneth far and neere, will pre­sently bee drawen (without any respect of the worke it selfe) into admiration of the Author, as a man rarely qualified, and graced with extraordi­narie ornaments of learning, &c. and following their opinions of supposed singularitie, will enter [Page 29]into a strict inquirendum, who is this? who may this bee? These shall receiue answere from my night neighbour the Owle, from the tree of her watch, in this Pöem.

Some (forgetting that God for the greater ad­uancement of his owne glorie, and encourage­ment of other, doth oftentimes by meane and weake instruments bring to passe his great and maruellous works) will for the meanenesse of the Author disable the worke, and either of contempt demand with the Poet:

Or else of malice depraue it, as the Athenians did the doctrine of the blessed Apostle S. Paul, Act. 17.18.

Thus was that worthie Columbus vsed whilest he tendred the discouerie of the West Indies (be­fore he had yet discouered the same) as you may reade in our English voiag. vol. 3. pag. 167. In which notwithstanding hee fullie satisfied the world. And so haue I, in times past, been vsed. For a learned Gentleman demanding of me in the presence of diuers other, whether I thought it possible to find out the longitudes of places by ce­lestiall obseruation, without the helpe of any Ec­clips? And I plainely answering, that I thought it possible, tooke hereupon occasion, to reprooue openly, the vanity of them that will rashlie affirme things meerely impossible, such as he said he took that to be, by the generall confession of all learned men, &c. And I now for my part, desirous to cleere my selfe from that imputation, and to giue you some hope of the certentie of this my promi­sed Complement, will heare deliuer some reason, why I thinke so, by the demonstration of this fol­lowing problem.

Problem.

Of two places giuen, either vnder the equino­ctiall, or vnder any one parallel of the world, or not much different; of which two places, the lon­gitude of one is knowne; and the longitude of the other is not knowne: by celestiall obseruation, to be made (in conuenient time, and in that place of the twaine, whose longitude is not knowne) of the Moones visible accesse, vnto the meridian of [Page 31]the same place; to find out the difference of Lon­gitude betweene the said two giuen places, and al­so the longitude of the other place, at all such times, without respect of any ecclips.

For the finding of these premises, you must con­sider that the Moone being caried about the earth, by the force of the primum mobile, from the me­ridian of any place, passeth within the space of 24. houres and same 48. minuts of an houre, little more or lesse, ouer all the meridians of the world, (which are the whole longitude of 360. degrees) before she be brought againe vnto the meridian of y^e same place, during which time of 24. houres, and 48. minuts quasi, she proceedeth forwards in her owne proper motion secundùm successum signorum: onely the said 48. minuts quasi: o­therwise she should be brought vnto the same me­ridian againe, in the space of 24. houres, as the Sun is. And hereby it is manifest that the greatest dif­ference of longitude betweene any two places, is alwaies comprised within 48. minuts quasi, of the Moones progresse in her proper motion: the diur­nall reuolation of 24. houres being alwaies whol­ly reiected.

This being so, I say, that only by these 48. mi­nuts quasi, and a celestiall obseruation to be made, may be found, both the difference of longitude betweene the two giuen places, and also the lon­gitude of that other place, whose longitude is not knowne.

For the minutes of time which the Moone spendeth in her owne proper course, during the [Page 32]time that she is carried by the violence of the hea­uens, from the meridian of any one place, vntill she be brought vnto the same meridian againe, be­ing giuen: together with the minuts of time which the Moone in her owne proper motion lost, whi­lest she was carried from the meridian of the one place, vnto the meridian of the other place: the former part of the problem, viz. the difference of longitude betweene the said two places may bee found. Fiat enim.

As the whole number of minutes wherein the Moone proceedeth in her proper motion, during the time that she is caried, from the meridian of that giuen place, whose longitude is knowne, vntil she be brought thither againe, (which whole num­ber of minutes is alwaies 48. quasi;) is in propor­tion, vnto the whole longitude of 360. degrees; so is the number of the minutes, wherein the Moone proceedeth in her proper motion, whiles she is ca­ried from the meridian of either of the giuen pla­ces, (rightly applied,) to the meridian of the other place; vnto the difference of longitude betweene the said two giuen places.

The most conuenient time for obseruation is in a faire calme starrie night, and especially when the Moone shall be in, or neere either of the Tro­piques.

The manner of proceeding in this worke is thus.

• First, in the place of obseruation, find the true meridian line precisely, and obserue the Moone, vntill you see her centre directly in the same meri­dian: [Page 33]And at that very moment of time, (by the height of some fixed starre, taken, or otherwise) find out the true houre and minute of the night.
• Secondly, by most exact tables made, or to bee made, deliuering the true houre and minute wherein the Moone in her apparent motion commeth euery day to the meridian of that giuen place, whose longitude is knowne. Find out the number of minutes of time which the Moone ac­complished, whilest she was carried from the me­ridian of that giuen place, vntill she come thither againe. And this number is alwaies the first in the rule of proportion; as the whole longitude of 360. degrees is alwaies the second.
• Thirdly, by the same tables seeke out the houre and minute of time, wherein the moone was last, or shall be next, (respecting the time of your ob­seruation) in the meridian of that place whose longitude is knowne, being also the place for which the tables are or should be composed.
• Fourthly, compare the houre and minutes of time found by obseruation, and the houre and mi­nute of time found by the tables, and so shall you haue the difference of time; which is alwaies the third number in the rule of proportion; hauing therefore your three numbers, proceed according to the nature of the worke, and your quotient shall be the difference of longitude betweene the two giuen places, which was the thing first to bee found.

The latter part of the problem may thus bee found.

This difference being found, must either be ad­ded vnto the longitude of the place giuen, or sub­tracted from the same, or else be subtracted from the whole longitude, as the worke requireth. And so also shall be had the longitude of the second place, where the obseruation was made; which was secondlie to be found out.

Example 1. The difference of longitude be­tweene London and the grand Bay in Newfound land, supposed to bee in the same latitude, is thus found. Vpon the 13. day of Februarie, 1607. af­ter the old stile, the Moone (suppose) was found in her apparent motion to be in the Meridian of Lon­don at 11. of the clocke at night, by the tables of her daily approch to that meridian, and that shee should be there againe the next night, at 11. of the clocke and 48. minuts: The verie same night by obseruation made at the said grand Bay, the Moone was seene in the meridian there, at 10. of the clocke at night and 50. minuts; so that from the time, that she had been in the Meridian of London, vnto the time that she came vnto the Meridian of the grand Bay, she had proceeded forwards in her owne proper motion 9. minuts of time. There­fore by the rule of proportion; If 48. minuts of time giue 360. degrees of longitude; what shall 9. minuts of time giue? It is answered in the quo­tient, gr. 67. m 30. the degrees of the difference of longitude betweene the said two places; which was first to be found.

If from this number you subtract the longitude of London gr. 23. m. 30. the remainder is gr. 44. [Page 35]m.o. subduct them from 360. the whole longi­tude, and the remander will be 316. degrees; be­ing the longitude of the grand Bay, which was se­condly to be found out.

Example 2. Suppose that the Cities of London and Moscowe bee in the same parallel. Now the difference of longitude betweene them, is thus found out. Vpon the 22. day of December, after the old stile, anno. 1607. the Moone in her appa­rent motion was found by tables in the Meridian of London at 2. of the clocke after midnight. And the minuts of her progresse in that whole reuolu­tion of longitudes were 48. Also at Moskowe that very same night she was seene, by obseruati­on there, at 1. of the clocke, and 52. minuts after midnight; so that she was yet to proceed in her owne proper motion 8. minutes of time, before she should come againe to the Meridian of Lon­don. Therefore if 48. minuts of time giue 360. degrees of longitude, what shall 8. minutes giue? It is answered, 60. which is the difference of lon­gitude betweene the said Cities, the thing first to be found. This done, adde these 60. degrees vnto the longitude of London, viz. gr. 23. m. 30. the pro­duct will be gr. 83. m. 30. the longitude of Mos­kowe; which was secondlie to be found.

There is no doubt but the longituds may bee found this way, for,

• First, the Meridian line may precisely bee had by obseruation. And
• secondly, so may the houre and minute of time, the houre being 15. degrees of a great circle, and the minute of an houre of 15. [Page 36]minutes of a degree. And yet the eleuations of the pole and altitudes of the celestiall lights, are found out euen vnto one of those minuts of a de­gree, and lesse. And therefore one minute of time, (being 15. of them) may also be found. For in an instrumēt, the semidiameter of whose Equinocti­all circle shall be. 6. foote, one minute of time shall be almost one third of an inch. And the semidia­meter being three foote, one minute of time shall be one sixth part of an inch almost.
• Thirdly, tables also may bee had deliuering ex­actly the houre and minute, wherein the Moone in her apparent motion, commeth euery day to the Meridian of that place, for which the tables be, or are to be made; for indeede all these three things haue in former times been had, otherwise there could haue been at this day no theoriques of the planets or tables of the celestiall motions a­mongst vs.

This way also of finding the longitude is suffici­ent good, and may come often into practise, be­cause the proportion of 48. minuts of time or thereabouts (which make some 12. degrees and 30. minuts quasi, of a great circle) is sufficientlie great to the whole longitude of 360. degrees. For if 48. minuts of time, giue 360. degrees of longi­tude, then shall 24. giue 180. degrees, and 12. shall giue 90. degrees, and 6. shall giue 45. degrees. and 3. shall giue 21. degrees and an halfe. And 1. minute shall giue 7. degrees and an halfe, &c. And the difference of longitude in any one parallel that shall bee lesse then 7. degrees and an halfe, [Page 37]may otherwise bee found out, these former being first had.

Moreouer, it is certaine that in places of diuers latituds, yea euen in one and the same Meridian, (and therefore much more in diuers) the Moones parallaxes in longitude, doe not happen in one and the same moment of time, neither are of one and the same magnitude, but in some places they happen sooner, in some places later. In some pla­ces they be greater, and in some places they be les­ser, the reconciling of which differēces, especiallie in places of diuers Meridians, and latitudes, bree­deth much combrance and difficultie euen to the skilfull Mathemat. in seeking the longitudes without ecclipses. But by this taking of two pla­ces vnder the Equinoctial or vnder the same paral­lel, all sensible difference that may happen in 12. houres and an halfe, either in the time, or in the magnitudes of the parallaxes, with all incombran­ces and impediments following the same, are sufficiently auoided. Whereby it is euident, that at all times (fit for obseruation) whensoeuer the Moone may beseene in the meridian of the place of obseruation, (which doubtlesse is verie often, so that a ship need not stay long in any port for the same) so often the longitude of that place may be found, especially if the giuen places haue great difference of longitude.

But in this worke great regard must be had, that the instruments which are vsed for the same, bee apt and large, and verie good, and with great dili­gence and exactnes managed.

And if the longitude of some few places, were either thus, or rather by Ecclipses found, as of Ter­nate, Iapon, Macao, Bantam, or Malacca, Goa, Aden, Mozambique, Cape de bona Esperanza, Cap. Verde, Fer­nambuco, the straits of Magellan, Panama, California, Virginea, Cap. Raso, Tercera, Bergen in Norway, Col­mogro, Moscua, Astracan, and Tripoli in Syria, &c. which might easilie be done either by the Naui­gators resorting vnto them, or by other learned Christians inhabiting there, I beleeue that the worlds Geographie, and the Art of Nauigation, would thereby be much amended.

There is yet another way to find sometimes the longitude of such places as are vnder either of the Tropiques, or betweene them, as certainly as by Ecclipses, viz. In the very moment of time, when the Moone shall be seene in the Zenith, (for then she hath in the place of obseruation, no parallax of longitude) or very neere vnto the Zenith, (and the better) she being neere vnto either of the Tro­piques, and in the meridian) find out by one ob­seruation, the houre and minute of time, and by another obseruation at the same moment, find (by the staffe) the distance between the Centre of the Moone, & some notable fixed Star in, or neere vn­to the Eccliptique. Then secondly, gather by the magnitude of the Moons diurnal motion, secundū successum signorum, (which you may find by the E­phemerides, for that day,) the houre and minute of time of her last, or next coniunction with the same fixed Starre. Thirdly, by the helpe of the same time of coniunction, collect also by supputation, [Page 39]the houre and minute of time wherin the Moone shall be next, or was last, in the point of ☌, or ☍ or other aspect with the Sunne, (all which serue for that place of obseruation, wherin the Moone was seene in the Zenith.) And fourthly, compare this time of ☌. or ☍. or other aspect so found, with the time of the ☌. or ☍. or other aspect which you shall find in the Ephemerides for that day also, and belongeth vnto the Radical place of the said Ephe­merides, and the difference of those two times in houres and minutes, will giue the difference of longitude, betweene the place where the obser­uation is made, and the Radicall place of the Ephe­merides, very sufficiently.

Thus, I hope, I haue shewed sufficient reason, why I thinke the longitude may bee found, by celestiall obseruation, without respect of any Ec­clipse. And therefore also haue cleered my selfe from the Gentlemans imputation in this behalfe, and withall giuen you some hope of the certaintie of this my promised Complement; wherein some things stand vpon the obseruations, relations, and credible concurring testimonies of approued Au­thors, and generally receiued opinions; and these be of sufficient warrantize, vntill they be dispro­ued: And some things are from these former, con­cluded by Mathematicall Demonstrations, which seldome faile. And therefore these humors of pre­iudication may perceiue, that it is better, and more commendable, to forbeare (at least for a time) to extenuate or depraue the reputations of men, for affirming the possibilitie of such things, as they the [Page 40]said humors haue yet neuer seene, much lesse exa­mined; then otherwise.

Some will maruell, and some will mislike that I should take this course for the publishing of these my Newes. To these I answere, that diuers reasōs do necessarily require the same at my hāds.

First it is needfull that there should bee some publique notice giuen thereof, whereby it may be publiquely knowne, as Innes haue their signes, and Tauerns their Iuies. It is an old saying and holden true:

Secondly, I held it necessarie to be published at the first in this manner, to preuent the practises of many euill disposed men, which vse with all cele­rity to impart vnto strangers, they care not whom, (so they may gaine a few pence thereby,) yea and to transport into other coūtries, whatsoeuer com­meth into their hands, euen the food and clothing of their poore neighbours, without remorse or compassion: yea and the secrets of their countries estate, without respect; being thereby guiltie of no lesse crime then prodition, if they do the same without the allowance of the supreme Magistrate. Mali ciues, mali homines, and like enough one day to heare,

And so doubtlesse will do with this my Com­plement, if it shall come into their power, by rea­son whereof, our neighbour nations shall know the vse thereof, as soone as your selues, and wil no [Page 41]doubt (as much as in them lieth) preuent you of the honor and benefit thereof. Whereas my de­sire is, that our nation may haue the first fruits of the same.

And also I resolued of this manner of pub­lishing hereof, to reserue vnto my selfe, as the only Author of the said Complement (next and imme­diately after God) the credit and estimation ther­of, if it shall happen to find any. For many there be, that will forget, not only to giue vnto others their due, but contrariwise, will subtract from o­thers their right; and not contented so, will arro­gate the same vnto themselues, or deriue it vnto o­thers. Into which foule fault, I feare me, Iodocus Hondius, a man otherwise well deseruing of Geo­graphie, is likely one day to fall, ouer head and eares; hauing in times past, waded so far into that puddle; as appeareth, first, by the Inuectiue of M. Edward Wright, against him the said Iodocus Hondius, published in the Preface of his booke of of errors of Nauigation, printed at London, 1599.

And secondly, by the great quarter Maps of the said Iod. Hondius, printed at Amsterdam, anno 1602. in which Maps he hath translated the discouerie of the Vaygatz, (made by our English, and first, by Stephen Burrowes, anno 1556. vnder the commission of King Philip and Queene Marie, bearing that date. And againe the second time, by Arthur Pet, anno Dom. 1583. vnder the commission of Queene Elizabeth of famous memorie, bearing that date. By which Discoueries, it might iustly haue been inserted into their Maps, by the name of fretum [Page 42]Reg. Angliae, &c.) from the Imperiall crowne of England, vnto the house of Nastaw, intituling it, Fretum Nassouicum; whereas, that otherwise truly noble house of Nastow, neuer did any thing for the first discouering of the same. This fault is great, and doubtlesse offensiue vnto our whole nation, if it consider thereof. I could wish him, in good friendship, to be better aduised hereafter, of falling into the like excesse.

Lesse by much is the ouersight (in that kind,) committed by that learned Petrus Plantius, who in his generall Map published in London, anno Dom. 1595. & vnder the Imperiall Armes of the crowne of England, neere vnto Quiuira vpon the We­sterne shore of America in his said Mappe, hath left out Noua Albion, without making any mention of the same, smothering thereby as much as in him lay, first the renowme of that worthie Sir Francis Drake Knight, who first discouered the same, anno Dom. 1578. besides whom, neuer any man hath sailed further that way, for any thing that is pub­likely knowne▪ and secondly, empayring in that point, for his power, the memorie of that worthie action of our nation, and the extent of the Empe­riall crowne of England, vnto whose right, the said Drake tooke possession of that countrie, as lawful­ly he might do, not finding there, the Banners, or Ensignes of any Christian Prince, nor the said country in the possession or occupation of any Christian people, as he the said Plantius right wel knew.

This omission of his therefore, in this case, is [Page 43]worthie of blame; but yet he did not transport the same, by word, or by writing, vnto the King of Spaine, or vnto any other Prince, or Potentate, as Iod. Hondius hath done the other.

And of this kind of derogators, and arrogators, and transporting kind of men, there wanteth no store at any time, in euery Common-wealth. Of which kind of men, I my poore selfe in mine own particular, haue in times past receiued wrong, vn­willing any more to endure the like; or else with griefe, to reclaime my losses, by the way of chal­lenge; as in old time did the Pöet Virgil, vpon the Court gates of Augustus Caesar, his verses, with these verses.

Further, because these newes are generall, and doe concerne all the subiects of this Imperiall Crowne of great Britaine, I supposed that if I should haue dedicated the same to any special per­son, I should thereby haue giuen iust offence vnto many vertuous minds, in cutting off from them al occasion to helpe forward the finishing of this my concluded complement; and therefore I haue reason to publish these my Conclusions after this fashion.

Lastlie, seeing it is not likelie (for many reasons as my case now standeth) that I shall be able, du­ring my life, to make vp this my complement into a volume for record, I thought it best in this sort to make it known, to the end that you, for your parts, [Page 44]might without any trauell or expenses, sufficiently consider of the thing it selfe, and also of the vse and benefit thereof, and so take occasion to entertaine, or reiect the same. And that I, for my part, might discharge my conscience towards God in thank­fulnesse, and towards his Church, especially my Countrie, and your selues, in loue and seruice.

Thus therefore hauing finished my Nauigati­on, and being returned from Cataia, and arriued at home, I will there rest for this time, and (omit­ting all other narrations, and exhortations) Ieaue you to the Apostles rule, Rom. 14.5. Vnusquisque abundet suo sensu: Euery one of you (in this behalfe) to doe so, as his owne wisdome shall thinke it best. And so with my dutie vnto you, and euerie one of you respectiuely performed, I bid you heartily Farewell.