THIS worthie knight for the ser­uice of his Prince and countrie, hauing prepared his whole fleete, and gotten them downe to Plimouth in Deuonshire, to the nūber of fiue & twenty saile of ships & pinnaces, & hauing assembled of souldiers and mariners to the number of two thousand and three hundred in the whole, embarqued them and him selfe at Plimouth afore­sayd the twelfth day of September 1585. being ac­companied with these men of name and charge, which hereafter followe.

• Maister Christopher Carleill Lieutenant Generall, a man of long experience in the warre as well by sea as land, & had formerly carried high offices [Page 2] in both kindes in many fights, which he dischar­ged alwaies verie happily, and with great good reputation.
• Anthonie Powell Sergeant Maior.
• Captaine Matthew Morgan, and Captaine Iohn Sampson Corporals of the field.

These principall officers had commandement ouer the rest of the lande Captaines, whose names hereafter follow.

• Captaine Anthonie Plat.
• Captaine Iohn Merchant.
• Captaine Edward VVinter.
• Captaine Iohn Goring.
• Captaine Robert Pew.
• Captaine George Barton.
• Captaine VVilliam Cecill.
• Captaine VValter Bigs.
• Captaine Iohn Hannam.
• Captaine Richard Stanton.
• Captaine Martine Frobusher Vizeadmirall, a man of great experience in sea faring action, and had carried chiefe charge of many ships himselfe, in sundry voyages before, being nowe shipped in the Primerose.
• Captaine Francis Knolles, Rieradmirall in the Gal­lion Leicester.
• Maister Thomas Venner Captaine in the Elizabeth [Page 3] Bonaduenture vnder the Generall.
• Maister Edward VVinter Captaine in the Aide.
• Maister Christopher Carleill the Lieutenant gene­rall, Captaine in the Tigar.
• Henrie VVhite Captaine of the sea Dragon.
• Thomas Drake Captaine of the Thomas.
• Thomas Seelie Captaine of the Minion.
• Bailie Captaine of the Barke Talbot.
• Robert Crosse Captaine of the Barke Bond.
• George Fortescute Captaine of the Barke Bonner.
• Edward Carelesse Captaine of the Hope.
• Iames Erizo Captaine of the white Lion.
• Thomas Moone Captaine of the Francis.
• Iohn Riuers Captaine of the Vantage.
• Iohn Vaughan Captaine of the Drake.
• Iohn Varney Captaine of the George.
• Iohn Martin Captaine of the Beniamin.
• Edward Gilman Captaine of the Skout.
• Richard Hawkins Captaine of the Galliot called the Ducke.
• Bitfield Captaine of the Swallow.

After our going hence, which was the fourteenth of September, in the yeare of our Lord, one thow­sand fiue hundred eighty and fiue: and taking our course towards Spaine, we had the winde for a few daies somewhat skant, and sometimes calme. And being ariued neere that part of the coast of Spaine, [Page 4] which is called the Mores, we happened to espie diuerse sailes, which kept their course close by the shore, the weather being faire and calme. The Ge­nerall caused the Vizeadmirall to goe with the Pin­naces well manned to see what they were, who vp­pon sight of the said pinnaces approching nere vn­to them, abandonned for the most parte all their shippes (being Frenchmen) laden all with salt, and bounde homewardes into France, amongst which ships (being all but of small burden) there was one so well liked, which also had no man in her, as being brought vnto the Generall, he thought good to make stay of her for the seruice, meaning to pay for her, as was accordingly performed at our returne, which barke was called the Drake. The rest of these ships being eight or nine, were dismissed without any thing at all taken from them. VVe being after­wards put somewhat further off from the shore, by the contrarietie of winde, we happened to meete with some other French ships, full laden with New­land fish, being vpon their returne homeward from the said New found land: whom the Generall after some speech had with them, and seeing plainly that they were Frenchmen, dismissed without once suf­fering any man to go aboord of them.

The day following standing in with the shore a­gaine, we discried an other tall ship of twelue score [Page 5] tunnes or thereabouts, vpon whom Maister Car­leill the Lieutenant generall being in the Tiger, vn­dertooke the chase, whom also anone after the Ad­mirall followed, and the Tiger hauing caused the said strange ship to strike her sailes, kept her there without suffering any bodie to go aboord vntill the Admirall was come vp: who foorthwith sending for the Maister, and diuerse others of their principall men, and causing them to be seuerally examined, founde the ship and goodes to be belonging to the inhabitants of S. SEBASTIAN in Spaine, but the marriners to be for the most parte belonging to S. Iohn de LVCE & the passage. In this ship was great store of drie Newland fish, commonly called with vs Poore Iohn, wherof afterwards being thus found a lawfull prize, there was distribution made into all the ships of the Fleete, the same being so newe and good, as it did very greatly bestead vs in the whole course of our voyage. A day or two after the taking of this ship, we put in with the Isles of BAYON, for lacke of fauourable wind, where we had no sooner anckered some part of the Fleete, but the Generall commaunded all the Pinnaces with the ship boates to be manned, and euerie man to be furnished with such armes as was needefull for that present seruice, which being done, the Generall put him selfe into his Galley, which was also well furnished, and row­ing [Page 6] towards the Citie of BAYON, with intent, & the fauour of the Almighty to surprise it. Before we had aduaunced one halfe league of our way, there came a messenger being an English Marchant form the Gouernour, to see what straunge Fleete we were, who came to our Generall, and conferred a while with him, and after a small time spent, our Generall called for Captaine Sampson, and willed him to go to the Gouernour of the Citie, to resolue him of two pointes. The first, to knowe if there were any warres betweene Spaine and England. The second why our Marchants with their goods were imbar­red or arrested. Thus departed Captaine Sampson with the said messenger to the citie, where he found the Gouernour and people much amazed of such a sudden accident.

The Generall with the aduise and counsell of Maister Carleill his Lieutenant generall, who was in the galley with him, thought not good to make any stand, till such time as they were within shot of the Citie, where they might be readie vpon the re­turne of Captaine Sampson, to make a sudden at­tempt if cause did require before it was darke.

Captaine Sampson returned with his message in this sort. First, touching peace or warres, the Go­uernour sayd he knew of no warres, and that it lay not in him to make any, he being so meane a sub­iect [Page 7] as he was. And as for the stay of the Marchants with their goods, it was the kings pleasure, but not with intent to endommage any man. And that the kings conter commandement was (which had bene receaued in that place some seauennight before) that English Marchants with their goods should be discharged: for the more verifying whereof, he sent such Marchants as were in the towne of our Nation, who traffiqued those parts: which being at large declared to our Generall by them, counsell was taken what might best be done. And for that the night approched, it was thought needefull to land our force, which was done in the shutting vp of the day, & hauing quartered our selues to our most aduantage, with sufficient gard vpon euery straight, we thought to rest our selues for that night there. The Gouernour sent vs some refreshing, as bread, wine, oyle, apples, grapes, marmalad and such like. About midnight the weather beginnes to ouercast, insomuch that it was thought meeter to repaire a­boord, then to make any longer abode on land, and before we could recouer the Fleete, a great tempest arose, which caused many of our ships to driue from their ancher hold, and some were forced to sea in great perill, as the barke Talbot, the barke Hawkins and the Speedewell, which Speedewell onely was driuen into England, the others recouered vs a­gain, [Page 8] the extremity of the storme lasted three daies, which no sooner beganne to asswage, but Maister Carleill our Lieutenant generall, was sent with his owne ship and three others: as also with the galley and with diuers Pinnaces, to see what he might do aboue VIGO, where he toke many boats and some Caruels, diuersly laden with things of small value, but chiefly with houshold stuffe, running into the high countrey, and amongst the rest, he found one boate laden with the principall Church stuffe of the high Church of VIGO, where also was their great Crosse of siluer, of very faire embossed worke, and double gilt all ouer, hauing cost them a great masse of money. They complained to haue lost in all kind of goods aboue thirtie thowsand Duckets in this place.

The next day the General with his whole Fleete went vp frō the Iles of BAYON, to a very good har­bour aboue VIGO, where Maister Carleill stayd his comming, aswell for the more quiet riding of his ships, as also for the good commoditie of fresh wa­tering, which the place there did afoord full well. In the meane time the Gouernour of GALLISIA had reared such forces as he might, his numbers by esti­mate were some two thowsand foot, and three hun­dred horse, & marched from BAYON to this part of the countrey, which lay in sight of our Fleete, where [Page 9] making stand, he sent to parle with our Generall, which was graunted by our Generall, so it might be in boates vpon the water: and for safetie of their persons, there were pledges deliuered on both sides, which done, the Gouernor of GALLISIA put him selfe with two others into our Vize-Admirals Skiffe, the same hauing bene sent to the shore for him: And in like sort our General in his own Skiffe, where by them it was agreed, we should furnish our selues with fresh water, to be taken by our own peo­ple quietly on the land, and haue all other such ne­cessaries, paying for the same, as the place would affoorde.

VVhen all our businesse was ended, we departed, & toke our way by the Islands of CANARIA, which are esteemed some three hundred leagues from this part of Sapin, & falling purposely with PALMA, with intention to haue taken our pleasure of that place, for the full digesting of many things into or­der, and the better funishing our store with such se­uerall good things as that affoordeth very abun­dantly, we were forced by the vile sea gate, which at that present fell out, and by the naughtinesse of the landing place, being but one, and that vnder the fauor of many Platformes, well furnished with great ordinance, to depart with the receipt of many their Canon shot, some into our ships, and some besides, [Page 10] some of them being in very deede full Canon high. But the onely or chiefe mischiefe, was the daunge­rous sea surge, which at shore all alongest, plainly threatned the ouerthrow of as many Pinnaces and boates, as for that time should haue attempted any landing at all.

Now seeing the expectation of this attempt fru­strated by the causes aforesaid, we thought it mee­ter to fal with the Isle FERRO, to see if we could find any better fortune, and comming to the Island, we landed a thousand men in a valley vnder a high mountaine, where we stayed some two or three houres, in which time the inhabitants, accompanied with a yong fellow borne in England, who dwelt there with them, came vnto vs, shewing their state to be so poore, that they were all readie to starue, which was not vntrue: and therefore without any thing gotten, we were all commaunded presently to imbarke, so as that night we put off to sea South Southeast along towards the coast of Barbarie.

Vpon Saterday in the morning, being the thir­teenth of Nouember, we fell with Cape Blancke, which is a low land & shallow water, where we cat­ched store of fish, & doubling the Cape, we put into the Bay, where we found certain Frēch ships of war, whom we entertained with great curtesie, and there left them. The after noone the whole Fleete assem­bled, [Page]

[Page 11] which was a litle scattered about their fishing, & put frō thence to the Isles of Cape Verde, sayling till the sixteenth of the same moneth in the mor­ning, on which day we descried the Island of S. IAGO, and in the euening we anckered the Fleet betwene the towne called the PRAY or PRAY and S. IAGO, where we put on shore a thousand men or more, vnder the leading of Maister Christopher Carleill Lieutenant Generall, who directed the seruice most like a wise commaunder. The place where we had first to march did affoord no good order, for the ground was mountaines and full of dales, being a maruellous stonie & troublesome passage, but such was his industrious disposition, as he would neuer leaue, vntil we had gotten vp to a faire plaine, where we made stand for the assembling of the Army. And when we were all gathered together vpō the plaine, some two litle miles from the towne, the Lieute­nant generall thought good not to make attempt till day light: because there was not one that could serue for guide or giuing knowledge at all of the place. And therefore after hauing well rested, euen halfe an houre before day, he commanded the Ar­mie to be deuided into three speciall parts, such as he appointed, whereas before we had marched by seuerall companies, being thereunto forced by the naughtinesse of the way as is aforesayd.

[Page 12] Now by the time we were thus raunged into a very braue order day light began to appeare, and being aduaunced hard to the wall, we sawe no ene­mie to resist, whereupon the Leiutenant generall appointed Captaine Sampson with thirtie shot, & Captaine Barton with other thirtie, to goe downe into the towne which stood in the valey vnder-vs, and might verie plainely be veiwed all ouer from that place where the whole Army was now arriued & presently after these Captaines was sent the great Ensigne, which had nothing in it but the plaine En­glish Crosse, to be placed towardes the sea, that our fleet might see Saint Georges Crosse florish in the enemies fortresse. Order was giuen that all the or­dinance througout the towne and vpon all the plat­formes, which was aboue fifty peeces all ready char­ged, should be shot of in honor of the Queenes Ma­iesties coronation day, being the seuententh of No­uember, after the yearly custome of England, which was so answered againe by the ordinance out of all the ships in the fleete which now was come neere, as it was straunge to heare such a thondering noise last so long to gether. In this meane while the Leiu­tenaunt generall held still the most part of his force on the hill top, till such time as the towne was quartered out for the lodging of the whole armie, which being done euerie Captaine toke his owne [Page 13] quarter, and in the euening was placed such suffici­ent gard vpon euerie part of the towne that we had no cause to feare any present enemie.

Thus we continued in the citie the space of four­teene daies, taking such spoiles as the place yelded, which were for the most part, wine, oile, meale, and some other such like things for victuall, as vineger, oliues & some other trash, as marchandise for their Indian trades. But there was not found any treasure at all, or any thing else of worth besides.

The scituation of Sainct IAGO is somwhat strange in forme like to a triangle, hauing on the East and VVest sides two mountaines of Rocke and cliffie, as it were hanging ouer it, vpon the top of which two mountains was builded certaine fortifications to preserue the towne from any harme that might be offered. From thence on the South side of the towne is the maine sea, and on the North side, the valley lying betweene the foresayd mountaines, wherein the towne standeth: the saide valley and towne both do grow very narrow, insomuch that the space betweene the two cliffes of this ende of the towne is estimated not to be aboue tenne or twelue score ouer.

In the middest of the valley cometh downe a ri­ueret, rill, or brooke of fresh water, which hard by the sea side maketh a pond or poole, whereout our [Page 14] ships were watered with very great ease and plea­sure. Somewhat aboue the towne on the North side betweene the two mountaines, the valley wageth somewhat larger then at the townes end, which val­ley is wholie conuerted into gardens and orchards well replenished with diuers sorts of fruicts, herbes & trees, as lymmons, oranges, suger canes, cochars or cochos nuts, plantens, potato roots, cocombers, small and round onions, garlicke, and some other things not now remembred, amongst which the co­chos nuts and plantens are very pleasant fruicts, the sayd cochos hauing a hard shell and a greene huske ouer it, as hath our walnut, but it farre exceedeth in greatnesse, for this cochos in this greene huske is bigger then any mans two fistes, of the hard shell many drinking cups are made here in England, and set in siluer as I haue often seene.

Next within this hard shell is a white rine resem­bling in shew very much euen as any thing may do, to the white of an egge when it is hard boyled. And within this white of the nut lyeth a water, which is whitish and very cleere, to the quantitie of halfe a pint or thereabouts, which water and white rine be­fore spoken of, are both of a very coole fresh taste, and as pleasing as any thing may be. I haue heard some hold opinion, that it is very restoratiue.

The Planten groweth in cods, somewhat like to [Page 15] beanes, but is bigger and longer, and much more thicke together on the stalke, and when it waxeth ripe, the meate which filleth the rine of the cod be­commeth yellow, and is exceeding sweet and plea­sant.

In this time of our being there, hapned to come a Portingall to the VVestermost fort, with a flag of truce, to whom Captaine Sampson was sent with Captaine Goring, who comming to the sayd Mes­senger, he first asked them what nation they were, they aunswered Englishmen, he then required to know if warres were betweene England & Spaine, to which they answered that they knew not, but if he would go to their Generall he could best resolue him of such particulars, and for his assurance of pas­sage and repassage, these Captaines made offer to ingage their credits, which he refused for that he was not sent from his Gouernor. Then they tolde him, if his Gouernor did desire to take a course for the common benefit of the people and contrie, his best way were to come & present himselfe vnto our Noble and merciful Gouernor Sir Frances Drake: whereby he might be assured to finde fauour, both for him selfe and the inhabitants. Otherwise within three daies we should march ouer the land, and con­sume with fire all inhabited places, and put to the sworde all such liuing soules as we should chaunce [Page 16] vpon: so thus much he tooke for the conclusion of his answer, and departing, he promised to returne the next day, but we neuer heard more of him.

Vpon the foure and twentieth of Nouember, the Generall accompanied with the Lieutenant gene­rall and six hundred men, marched foorth to a vil­lage twelue miles within the lande, called S. DO­MINGO, where the Gouernor and the Bishop with all the better sort were lodged, and by eight of the clocke we came to it, finding the place abandoned, & the people fled into the mountaines: so we made stande a while to ease our selues, and partly to see if any would come to speake to vs. After we had well rested our selues, the Generall commaunded the troupes to march away homewardes, in which re­treat the enemy shewed them selues, both horse & foote, though not such force as durst encounter vs: and so in passing some time at the gase with them, it waxed late and towards night, before we could re­couer home to S. IAGO.

On Munday the six & twentieth of Nouember, the Generall commanded all the Pinnaces with the boates, to vse all diligence to imbarke the Armie into such ships as euery man belonged. The Lieute­nant generall in like sort commaunded Captaine Goring and Lieutenant Tucker, with one hundred shot to make a stand in the market place, vntill our [Page]

[Page 17] forces were wholly imbarked, the Vizeadmirall making stay with his Pinnace and certaine boates in the harbour, to bring the sayd last company a­boord the ships. Also the Generall willed foorth­with the Gallie with two Pinnaces to take into thē the company of Captaine Barton, and the compa­ny of Captaine Bigs, vnder the leading of Captaine Sampson, to seeke out such munition as was hidden in the ground, at the towne of PRAY or PLAY, ha­uing beene promised to be shewed it by a prisoner, which was taken the day before. The Captaines a­foresaid comming to the PLAY, landed their men, and hauing placed the troupe in their best strength, Captaine Sampson tooke the prisoner, and willed him to shewe that he had promised, the which he could not, or at least would not: but they searching all suspected places, found two pieces of ordinance one of yron, an other of brasse. In the after noone the Generall anckered the rest of the Fleete before the PLAY, comming him selfe a shore, willing vs to burne the towne and make all haste a boorde, the which was done by sixe of the clocke the same day, and our selues imbarked againe the same night, and so we put off to sea Southwest.

But before our departure from the towne of S. IAGO, we established orders for the better gouern­ment of the armie, euery man mustered to his Cape­taine, [Page 18] and [...]the [...] ministred to acknowledge her Ma­iestie supreame Gouernour, as also euery man to do his vttermost endeuour to aduaunce the seruice of the action, and to yeeld due obedience vnto the directions of the Generall and his officers. By this prouident counsell, and laying downe this good foundation before hand, all things went forward in a due course, to the a [...]chiuing of our happie en­terprise.

In all the time of our being here, neither the Go­uernor for the king of Spaine, which is a Portingall, neither the Bishop, whose authoritie is great, nei­ther any of the inhabitants of the towne or Island e­uer came at vs (which we expectected they should haue done) to intreate vs to leaue them some part of their needefull prouisions, or at the least, to spare the ruining of their towne at the going away. The cause of this their vnreasonable distrust (as I do take it) was the fresh remembrance of the great wrongs they had done to olde Maister VVilliam Hawkins of Plimouth, in the voyage he made fower or fiue yeares before, when as they did both breake their promise, and murdered many of his men, whereof I iudge you haue vnderstood, and therefore neede­lesse to be here repeated. But since they came not at vs, we left written in sundry places, as also in the Spitle house (which building was onely appointed [Page 19] to be spared) the great discontentment and scorne we tooke at this their refraining to come vnto vs, as also at the rude maner of killing, and sauage kind of handling the dead body of one of our boyes, found by them stragling all alone, from whom they had taken his head and his heart, and had stragled the other bowels about the place, in a most brutish and most beastly maner.

In reuenge whereof at our departing we consu­med with fire all the houses, aswell in the countrey which we sawe, as in the towne of S. IAGO.

From hence putting ouer to the VVest Indies, we were not many dayes at sea, but there beganne amongst our people such mortalitie, as in few daies there were dead aboue two or three hundred men. And vntil some seuen or eight dayes after our com­ming from S. IAGO, there had not died anie one man of sickenesse in all the Fleete: the sickenesse shewed not his infection wherewith so many were stroken, vntill we were departed thence, and then seazed our people with extreme hote burning and continuall ague, whereof some verie fevve escaped vvith life, and yet those for the most part not vvith­out great alteration and decay of their vvittes and strength for a long time after. In some that dyed vvere plainely shevved the small spottes, vvhich are often found vpon those that be infected vvith the [Page 20] plague, we were not aboue eighteene daies in pas­sage betweene the sight of Sainct IAGO aforesaid, and the Island of DOMINICA, being the first Island of the VVest Indies that we fell withall, the same be­ing inhabited with sauage people, which goe all na­ked, their skin couloured with some painting of a reddish tawney, verie personable and handsome strong men, who doe admit little conuersation with the Spaniards: for as some of our people might vn­derstand them, they had a Spaniard or twaine priso­ners with them, neither doe I thinke that there is a­ny safety for any of our nation, or any other to be within the limits of their commaundement, albeit they vsed vs very kindely for those fewe houres of time which we spent with them, helping our folkes to fill and carie on their bare shoulders fresh water from the riuer to our ships boats, and fetching from their houses, great store of Tobacco, as also a kinde of bread, which they fed on, called Cassado, verie white and sauerie, made of the rootes of Cassania. In recompence whereof, we bestowed liberali re­wardes of glasse, coloured beades and other things, which we had found at Sainct IAGO, wherewith (as it seemed) they rested very greatly satisfied, and shewing some sorowfull countenance when they perceaued that we would depart.

From hence we went to another Island VVest­ward [Page 21] of it, called Sainct CHRISTOPHERS Island, wherein we spent some dayes of Christmas, to re­fresh our sicke people, and to cleanse and aire our ships. In which Island were not any people at all that we could heare of.

In which time by the General it was aduised and resolued, with the consent of the Lieutenant gene­rall, the Vizeadmirall, and all the rest of the Cap­taines to proceede to the great Island of HISPA­NIOLA, as well for that we knewe our selues then to be in our best strength, as also the rather allured thereunto, by the glorious fame of the Citie of S. DOMINGO, being the auncientest and chiefe inha­bited place in all that tract of country there abouts. And so proceeding in this determination, by the way we met with a small Frigot, bound for the same place, the which the Vizeadmirall tooke, and ha­uing duly examined the men that were in her, there was one found by whom we were aduertised, the hauen to be a barred hauen, and the shore or lande thereof to be well fortified, hauing a Castle there­vpon furnished with great store of artillerie, with­out the daunger whereof, was no conuenient lan­ding place with ten English miles of the Citie, to which the sayd Pilote tooke on him to conduct vs.

All things being thus considered on, the whole forces were commaunded in the euening to im­barke [Page 22] them selues into Pinnaces, boates, and other small barkes appointed for this seruice. Our soul­diers being thus imbarked, the Generall put him selfe into the barke Fraunces as Admirall, and all this night we lay on the sea, bearing small saile vntil our arriuall to the landing place, which was about the breaking of the day, and so we landed, being New yeares day, nine or tenne miles to the VVest­wardes of that braue Citie of S. DOMINGO: for at that time nor yet is known to vs, any landing place, where the sea surge doth not threaten to ouerset a Pinnace or boate. Our Generall hauing seene vs all landed in safetie, returned to his Fleete, bequea­thing vs to God, and the good conduct of Maister Carleill our Lieutenant generall, at which time, be­ing about eight of the clocke, we began to march, and about noone time, or towards one of the clock we approched the towne, where the Gentlemen and those of the better sorte, being some hundred and fiftie braue horses or rather more, began to pre­sent them selues, but our small shot played vpon them, which were so sustained with good propor­tion of pikes in all partes, as they finding no part of our troope vnprepared to receaue them (for you must vnderstand they viewed all round about) they were thus driuen to giue vs leaue to proceede to­wardes the two gates of the towne, which were the [Page 23] next to the seaward. They had manned them both, and planted their ordinance for that present and sudden alarum without the gates, and also some troopes of small shot in Ambuscado vpon the high way side. VVe deuided our whole force, being some thousand or twelue hundred men into two partes, to enterprise both the gates at one instant, the Lieutenant generall hauing openly vowed to Captaine Powell (who led the troope that entred by the other gate) that with Gods good fauour he would not rest vntill our meeting in the market place.

Their ordinance had no sooner discharged vp­on our neere approche, and made some execution amongest vs, though not much, but the Leiutenant generall beganne forthwith to aduaunce both his voice of encoragment and pase of marching, the first man that was slaine with the ordinaunce being verie neere vnto him selfe, and thereupon hasted all that he might to keepe them from the reaching of the ordinaunce. And notwithstanding their Am­buscadoes, we marched or rather ranne soe roundly into them, as pell mell we entered the gates with them, and gaue them more care euerie man to saue himselfe by flight, then reason to stand any longer to their broken fight, we forthwith repaired to the market place, but to be more truely vnderstood [Page 24] a place of very faire spatious square ground before the great Church, whither also came as had beene agreed, Captaine Powell with the other troope, which place with some part next vnto it we streng­thened with Barricados, & there as the most conue­nient place assured our selues, the Citie being farre too spatious for so small and wearie a troope to vn­dertake to gard. Somwhat after midnight they who had the gard of the Castle, hearing vs busie about the gates of the said Castle, abandoned the same, some being taken prisoners, and some flying away by the helpe of boates, to the other side of the ha­uen, and soe into the countrey.

The next day we quartered alitle more at large, but not in the halfe part of the towne, and so ma­king substantiall trenches, and planting all the ordi­naunce, that each parte was correspondent to o­ther, we held this towne the space of one moneth.

In the which time hapned some accidents more then are well remembred for the present, but a­mongest other thinges it chaunced that the Gene­rall sent on his message to the Spaniardes a negro boy with a flagge of white, signifying truce as is the Spaniards ordinarie maner to do there, when they approch to speake with vs, which boy vnhappily was first met withal, by some of those who had bene belonging as officers for the king in the Spanish [Page 25] galley, which with the towne was lately fallen into our hands, who without all order or reason, & con­trary to that good vsage wherewith we had enter­tained their messengers, furiouslie stroke the poore boy through the body with one of their horsemens staues, with which wound the boy returned to the Generall, and after he had declared the maner of this wrongfull crueltie, died forthwith in his pre­sence, wherewith the Generall being greatly passio­ned, commanded the Prouost martiall, to cause a couple of Friers, then prisoners, to be caried to the same place where the boy was stroken, accompa­nied with sufficient gard of our souldiers, and there presently to be hanged, dispatching at the same in­stant another poore prisoner, with this reason wher­fore this execution was done, and with this message further, that vntill the partie who had thus murthe­red the Generals messenger, were deliuered into our hands, to receaue condigne punishment, there should no day passe, wherein there should not two prisoners be hanged, vntill they were all consumed which were in our hands.

VVhereupon the day folowing, he that had bene Captaine of the kings galley, brought the offendor to the townes ende, offring to deliuer him into our hands, but it was thought a more honourable re­uenge, to make them there in our sight, to performe [Page 26] the execution them selues, which was done ac­cordingly.

During our being in this towne, as formerly also at S. IAGO there had passed iustice vpon the life of one of our owne companie for an odious matter: so here likewise was there an Irish man hanged, for the murthering of his Corporall.

In this time also passed many treaties betweene their commissioners and vs, for ransome of their Ci­tie, but vpon disagreements, we still spent the early mornings in firing the outmost houses: but they being built very magnificently of stone, with high loftes, gaue vs no small trauell to ruine them. And albeit for diuers dayes together, we ordained eche morning by day breake, vntill the heate began at nine of the clocke, that two hundred mariners did nought else but labour to fier and burne the sayd houses without our trenches, whilest the souldiers in a like proportion stood foorth for their gard: yet did we not or could not in this time consume so much as one third part of the towne. And so in the end, what wearied with firing, and what hastened by some other respects, we were content to accept of fiue and twentie thousand Duckets, of fiue shillings sixe pence the peece, for the raunsome of the rest of the towne. Amongst other things which happened and were found at S. DOMINGO, I may not omit to [Page 27] let the world know one very notable marke and to­ken, of the vnsatiable ambition of the Spanish King and his nation, which was found in the kings house, wherein the chiefe Gouernour of that Citie and countrey is appointed always to lodge, which was this. In the comming to the hall or other roomes of this house, you must first ascend vp by a faire large paire of staires, at the head of which staires is a hand­some spatious place to walke in, somewhat like vn­to a gallerie, wherein vpon one of the walles, right ouer against you as you enter the sayd place, so as your eye cā not escape the sight of it, there is descri­bed & painted in a very large Scutchion, the armes of the king of Spaine, & in the lower part of the said Scutchion, there is likewise described a globe, con­taining in it the whole circuite of the sea and the earth, whereupon is a horse standing on his hinder part within the globe, and the other fore part with­out the globe, lifted vp as it were to leape, with a scroll painted in his mouth, wherein was written these wordes in Latin NON SVFFICIT ORBIS: which is as much to say, as the world suffiseth not, whereof the meaning was required to be knowne of some of those of the better sort, that came in com­mission to treate vpon the ransome of the towne, who would shake their heads, and turne aside their countenance in some smiling sort, without aunswe­ring [Page 28] any thing, as greatly ashamed thereof. For by some of our companie it was told them, that if the Queene of England would resolutely prosecute the warres against the king of Spaine, he should be for­ced to lay aside that proude and vnreasonable rea­ching vaine of his, for he should finde more then inough to do, to keepe that which he had alreadie, as by the present example of their lost towne they might for a beginning perceaue well inough.

Now to the satisfying of some men, who maruell greatly that such a famous & goodly builded Citie so wel inhabited of gallant people, very brauely ap­parelled (whereof our souldiers found good store for their reliefe) should afoord no greater riches then was found there, wherein it is to be vnderstood that the Indian people, which were the naturals of this whole Island of HISPANIOLA (the same being neare hand as great as England) were many yeares since cleane consumed by the tyrannie of the Spa­niards, which was cause, that for lacke of people to worke in the Mines, the gold & siluer Mines of this Island are wholie giuen ouer, and thereby they are faine in this Island to vse copper money, whereof was found verie great quantitie. The chiefe trade of this place consisteth of suger & ginger, which grow­eth in the Island, and of hides of oxen and kine, which in this wast countrey of the Island are bred [Page]

[Page 29] in infinite numbers, the soile being very fertile: and the said beasts are fed vp to a very large growth, & so killed for nothing so much, as for their hides a­foresaid. VVe found here great store of strong wine, sweete oyle, vineger, oliues and other such like pro­uisions, as excellent wheate meale packed vp in wine pipes and other caske, and other commodi­ties likewise, as wollen and linnen cloth, and some silkes, all which prouisions are brought out of Spain and serued vs for great releefe. There was but litle plate or vessell of siluer, in comparison of the great pride in other things of this towne, because in these hote countreyes they vse much of these earthen di­shes finely painted or varnished, which they call Parsellina, and is had out of the East India, and for their drinking, they vse glasses altogether, whereof they make excellent good and faire in the same place. But yet some plate we found, and many other good things, as their houshold garniture very gal­lant and rich, which had cost them deare, although vnto vs they were of small importance.

From S. DOMINGO we put ouer to the maine or firme land, and going all alongest the coast, we came at the last in sight of CARTAGENA, standing vpon the sea side, so neare as some of our barkes in passing alongest, approched within the reach of their Culuerin shot, which they had planted vpon [Page 30] certaine platformes. The harbour mouth lay some fiue miles to the VVestward of the towne, wherinto we entred about three or foure of the clocke in the after noone without any resistance, or ordinance or other impeachment planted vpon the same. In the euening we put our selues on land towards the har­bour mouth, vnder the lea [...]ing of Maister Carleill our Lieutenant generall, who after he had digested vs to march forward about the midnight, as easily as foot might fall, expressely commanding to keepe close by the sea wash of the shore for our best and surest way, whereby we were like to go through, and not to misse any more of the way, which once we had lost within an hower after our first beginning to march, through the slender knowledge of him that toke vpō him to be our guide, wherby the night spēt on, which otherwise must haue bene done by re­sting. But as we came within two miles of the town, their horsemen which were some hundred, met vs, and taking the Alarum, retired to their towneward againe vpon the first volley of our shot that was gi­uen them: for the place where we encountred being woodie and bushie euen to the water side, was vn­meete for their seruice.

At this instant we might heare some peeces of artillerie discharged, with diuers small shot towards the harbour, which gaue vs to vnderstand, accor­ding [Page 31] to the order set downe in the euening before by our Generall, that the Vizeadmirall accompa­nied with Captaine Venner, Captaine VVhite, and Captaine Crosse, with other sea Captaines, and with diuers Pinnaces and boates should giue some attempt vnto the litle fort standing on the entrie of the inner hauen, neare adioyning to the towne, though to small purpose, for that the place was strong, and the entrie very narrow was chained o­uer: so as there could be nothing gotten by that at­tempt, more then the giuing them an Alarum on that other side of the hauen, being a mile or two from the place where we nowe were. In which at­tempt the Vizeadmirall had the rudder of his Skiffe stroken through with a Saker shot, and litle or no harme receaued elsewhere.

The troopes being nowe in their march halfe a mile behither the towne or lesse, the ground we were on grewe to be straight, and not aboue fiftie pases ouer, hauing the maine sea on the one side of it, and the harbour water or inner sea (as you may tearme it) on the other side. This straight was forti­fied cleane ouer with a stone wall and a ditch with­out it, the said wall being as orderly built with flan­king in euery part, as can be set downe. There was onely so much of this straight vnwalled, as might serue for the issuing of the horsemen, or the passing [Page 32] of cariage in time of neede: but this vnwalled part was not without a very good Barricado of wine buts or pipes, filled with earth, full and thick as they might stand on end one by other some part of them standing euen within the maine sea.

This place of strength was furnished of sixe great peeces, demi-Culuerins and Sakers, which shot di­rectly in front vpon vs as vve approched. Novve without this wall vpon the inner side of the straight, they had brought likewise two great gallies with their prowesse to the shore, hauing planted in them eleuen peeces of ordināce which did beat all crosse the straight, and flanked our comming on. In these two galleyes wered planted three or foure hundred small shot, and on the land in the gard onely of this place three hundred shot and pikes.

They in this their full readinesse to receaue vs, spared not their shot both great and small. But our Lieutenant generall, taking the aduantage of the darke (the day light as yet not broken out) ap­proched by the lowest ground, according to the expresse direction which him selfe had formerly gi­uen, the same being the sea wash shore, where the water was somewhat fallen, so as most of all their shot was in vaine. Our Lieutenant generall com­maunded our shot to forbeare shooting vntill we were come to the wall si [...]e, & so with pikes roundly [Page 33] together we approched the place, where we soone found out the Barricadoes of pipes or buts, to be the meetest place for our assault, which notwithstan­ding it was well furnished with pikes and shot, was without staying attempted by vs: downe went the buts of earth, and pell mell came our swordes and pikes together, after our shot had first giuen their volley, euen at the enemies nose. Our pikes were somewhat longer then theirs, and our bodies better armed, for very fewe of them were armed, with which aduantage our swordes and pikes grewe to hard for them, and they driuen to giue place. In this furious entrie, the Lieutenant generall slue with his owne hands, the chief ensigne bearer of the Spa­niards, who fought very manfully to his liues end.

VVe followed into the towne with them, and gi­uing them no leasure to breath, we wanne the mar­ket place, albeit they made head, and fought a while before we got it, and so we being once seazed and assured of that, they were content to suffer vs to lodge within their towne, and them selues to go to their wiues, whom they had caried into other pla­ces of the countrey before our comming thither.

At euerie streetes end they had raised very fine Barricadoes of earth workes, with trenches without them, as well made as euer we saw any worke done: at the entring whereof was some litle resistance, but [Page 34] soone ouercome, it was with few slaine or hurt. They had ioyned with them many Indians, whom they had placed in corners of aduantage, all bowe men, with their arrowes most villanously empoisoned, so as if they did but breake the skinne, the partie so touched died without great maruell: some they slue of our people with their arrowes, some they likewise mischieued to death with certaine prickes or small stickes sharply pointed, of a foote and a halfe long, the one end put into the ground, the other empoi­soned, sticking fast vp, right against our comming in the way, as we should approch from our landing towardes the towne, whereof they had planted a wonderfull number in the ordinarie way, but our keeping the sea wash shore, missed the greatest part of them very happily.

To ouerpasse many particular matters, as the hurting of Captaine Sampson at sword blowes in the first entring, vnto whom was committed the charge of the pikes of the Vantgard by his lot and turne, as also of the taking of Alonso Brauo the chiefe commander of that place by Captaine Go­ring, after the sayd Captaine had first hurt him with his sword, vnto which Captaine was committed the charge of the shot of the said Vantgard.

Captaine VVinter was likewise by his turne of the Vantgard in this attempt, where also the Lieute­nant [Page 35] generall marched him selfe, the sayd Captaine VVinter through a great desire to serue by land, ha­uing now exchaunged his charge by sea with Cap­taine Cecill for his band of footemen.

Captaine Powell the Sergeant maior had by his turne, the charge of the foure companies which made the battaile.

Captaine Morgan, who at S. DOMINGO was of the Vantgard, had nowe by turne his charge vpon the companies of the Riergard.

Euerie man aswell of one part as of another, came so willingly on to the seruice, as the enemie was not able to endure the furie of such hote assault. VVe stayed here sixe weekes, & the sickenesse with mortality before spoken of, still continuing among vs, though not with the same furie as at the first, and such as were touched with the said sickenesse, esca­ping death, very few or none almost could recouer againe their strength, yea many of them were much decayed in their memorie, insomuch that it was grovven an ordinarie iudgement, vvhen one vvas heard to speake foolishly, to say he had bene sicke of the Calentour, vvhich is the Spanish name of their burning ague: for as I told you before, it is a verie burning & pestilent ague. The originall cause thereof, is imputed to the euening or first night aire which they tearme La serena, vvherein they say and [Page 36] hold very firme opinion, that who so is then abroad in the open aire, shall certainly be infected to the death, not being of the Indian or naturall race of those countrey people: our people by holding their watch, were thus subiected to the infectious aire, which at S. IAGO was most daungerous and dead­ly of all other places.

VVith this incōuenience of continuall mortality, we were forced to giue ouer our intēded enterprise, to go with NOMBRE DE DIOS, and so ouerland to PANNANIA, where we shoulde haue stroken the stroke for the treasure, and full recompence of our tediouse trauailes. And thus at CARTAGENA we toke our first resolution to returne homewards.

But while we were yet there, it happened one day, that our watch called the Sentinell, vpon the Church steeple, had discouered in the sea a couple of small barkes or boates, making in with the har­bour of CARTAGENA, wherepō Captaine Moone and Captaine Varney, with Iohn Grant the Maister of the Tyger, and some other seamen, embarqued them selues in a couple of small Pinnaces, to take them before they should come neare the shore, at the mouth of the harbour, lest by some stragling Spaniards from the land, they might be warned by signes from cōming in, which fell out accordingly, notwithstāding al the diligence that our men could [Page 37] vse: for the Spanish boates, vpon the sight of our Pinnaces comming towards them, ran themselues a shore, and so their men presently hid them selues in the bushes hard by the sea side, amongest some others that had called them by signes thither. Our men presently without any due regard had to the qualitie of the place, and seeing no man of the Spa­niards to shew them selues, aboorded the Spanish barkes or boates, and so standing all open in them, were suddenly shot at by a troope of Spaniards out of the bushes, by which volley of shot there were slaine Captaine Varney, who died presently, and Captaine Moone, who died some fewe dayes after, besides some foure or fiue others that were hurt: & so our folkes returned without their purpose, not hauing anie sufficient number of souldiers, with them to fight on shore. For those men they carried were all marriners to rowe, fewe of them armed, be­cause they made accompt with their ordinance to haue taken the barks well inough at sea, which they might full easily haue done, without any losse at all, if they had come in time to the harbour mouth, be­fore the Spaniards boates had gotten so neare the shore.

During our abode in this place, as also a S. DO­MINGO, there passed diuerse curtesies betweene vs and the Spaniards, as feasting, and vsing them with [Page 38] all kindnesse and fauour: so as amongst others there came to see the Generall, the Gouernour of CAR­TAGENA, with the Bishop of the same, and diuerse other Gentlemen of the better sort.

This towne of CARTAGENA we touched in the out parts, and consumed much with fire, as we had done S. DOMINGO vpon discontentments, and for want of agreeing with vs in their first treaties touching their ransome, which at the last was con­cluded betweene vs, should be a hundred and ten thousand Duckets for that which was yet standing, the Ducket valued at fiue shillings sixe pence ster­linge.

This towne (though not halfe so bigge as S. DO­MINGO) giues as you see, a farre greater ransome, being in very deede of farre more importance, by reason of the excellencie of the harbour, and the fit situation thereof, to serue the trade of NOMBRE DE DIOS and other places, and is inhabited with farre more rich merchants. The other is chiefly in­habited with Lawyers and braue Gentlemen, being the chiefe or highest appeale of their sutes in law of all the Islands about it, and of the maine land coast next vnto it. And it is of no such accompt as CAR­TAGENA, for these and some other like reasons, which I could giue you, ouer long to be now writtē.

The warning which this towne receaued of our [Page 39] comming towards them, from S. DOMINGO, by the space of twentie dayes before our ariuall hither, was cause that they had both fortified & euery way prepared for their best defence. As also that they had caried & conueyed away all their treasure and principall substance.

The ransome of an hundred and ten thousand Duckets thus concluded on, as is aforesayd, the same being written, & expressing for nothing more then the towne of CARTAGENA, vpon the paiment of the sayd ransome, we left the sayd towne, and drewe some part of our souldiers into the Priorie or Abbey, standing a quarter of an English mile be­lowe the towne vpon the harbour water side, the same being walled with a wall of stone, which we told the Spaniards was yet ours, and not redeemed by their composition: where upon they finding the defect of their contract, were content to enter into onother raunsome for all places, but specially for the sayd house, as also the blocke house or Castle, which is vpon the mouth of the inner harbour. And when we asked as much for the one as for the other, they yeelded to giue a thousand crownes for the Abbey, leauing vs to take our pleasure vpon the blocke house, which they sayd they were not able to raunsome, hauing stretched them selues to the vttermost of their powers: and therefore the sayd [Page 40] blocke house was by vs vndermined, and so with gun pouder blowen vp in peeces.

VVhile this latter contract was in making, our whole Fleete of ships fell downe towards the har­bour mouth, where they ankered the third time, & employed their men in fetching of fresh water a­boord the ships for our voyage homewardes, which water was had in a great well, that is in the Island by the harbour mouth, which Island is a verie pleasant place as hath bene seene, hauing in it manie sorts of goodly and very pleasant fruits, as the orenge trees and others, being set orderly in walkes of great length together. Insomuch as the whole Island be­ing some two or three miles about, is cast into groundes of gardening and orchards.

After sixe weekes abode in this place, we put to sea the last of March, where after two or three dayes a great ship which we had taken at S. DOMINGO, and thereupon was called the New yeares gift, fell into a great leake, being laden with ordināce, hides, and other spoiles, and in the night she lost the com­panie of our Fleete, which being missed the next morning by the Generall, he cast about with the whole Fleete, fearing some great mischaunce to be happened vnto her, as in verie deede it so fell out, for her leake was so great, and her men were all ty­red with pomping. But at the last hauing found her [Page 41] and the Barke Talbot in her companie, which stay­ing by great hap with her, was readie to take their men out of her, for the sauing of them. And so the Generall being fully aduertised of their great extre­mitie, made saile directly backe againe to CARTA­GENA with the whole Fleete, where hauing stayed eight or tenne dayes more, about the vnlading of this ship, and the bestowing thereof and her men, into other ships, we departed once againe to sea, directing our course towards the Cape S. ANTHO­NIE, being the Eastermost part of CVBA, whither we arriued the seuen & twentieth of Aprill. But be­cause fresh water could not presently be found, we weyed anker and departed, thinking in fewe dayes to recouer the MATTANCES, a place to the East­ward of HAVANA.

After we had sailed some fourteene dayes, we were brought to Cape S. ANTHONIE againe, tho­rough lacke of fauorable wind: but thē our scarsitie was growen such, as neede made vs looke a litle better for water, which we found in sufficient quan­titie, being in deede, as I iudge, none other then raine water newly fallen, and gathered vp by ma­king pittes in a plot of marrish ground, some three hundred pases from the sea side.

I do wrong if I should forget the good example of the Generall at this place, who to encourage [Page 42] others, and to hasten the getting of fresh water a­boord the ships, tooke no lesse paine him selfe then the meanest, as also at S. DOMINGO, CARTAGENA and all other places, hauing alwayes so vigilant a care and foresight in the good ordering of his fleet, accompanying them, as it is sayd, with such won­derfull trauell of bodie, as doubtlesse had he bene the meanest person, as he was the chiefest, he had yet deserued the first place of honour: and no lesse happie do we accompt him, for being associated with Maister Carleill his Lieutenant generall, by whose experience, prudent counsell, and gallant performance, he atchiued so many and happie en­terprises of the warre, by whom also he was verie greatly assisted, in setting downe the needefull or­ders, lawes, and course of iustice, and for the due administration of the same vpon all occasions.

After three dayes spent in watering our ships, we departed now the second time from this Cape of S. ANTHONIE the thirteenth of May, and proceeding about the Cape of FLORIDA, we neuer touched anie where, but coasting alongst FLORIDA, and keeping the shore still in sight, the eight and twen­tieth of May early in the morning, we descried on the shore a place built like a Beacon, which was in deede a scaffold vpon foure long mastes, raised on ende for men to discouer to the seaward, being in [Page 43] the latitude of thirtie degrees, or verie neare there­unto. Our Pinnaces manned, and comming to the shore, we marched vp alongst the riuer side, to see what place the enemy held there: for none amongst vs had any knowledge thereof at all.

Here the General tooke occasion to march with the companies him selfe in person, the Lieutenant generall hauing the Vantgard, and going a mile vp or somewhat more by the riuer side, we might di­scerne on the other side of the riuer ouer against vs, a fort, which newly had bene built by the Spaniards, and some mile or there about aboue the fort, was a litle towne or village without walles, built of wood­den houses: we forthwith prepared to haue ordi­nance for the batterie, and one peece was litle before the euening planted, and the first shot being made by the Lieutenant generall him selfe at their Ensigne, strake through the Ensigne, as we after­wards vnderstood by a French man, which came vnto vs from them. One shot more was then made, which strake the foote of the fort wall, which was all massiue timber of great trees like mastes. The Lieu­tenant generall was determined to passe the riuer this night with foure companies, and there to lodge him selfe intrenched as neare the fort, as that he might play with his muskets and smallest shot vpon anie that should appeare: and so afterwards to bring [Page 44] and plant the batterie with him, but the helpe of marriners for that sudden to make trenches could not be had, which was the cause that this determi­nation was remitted vntill the next night.

In the night the Lieutenant general tooke a litle rowing Skiffe, and halfe a dosen well armed, as Captaine Morgan, and Captaine Sampson, with some others besides the rowers, and went to viewe what gard the enemie kept, as also to take know­ledge of the ground. And albeit he went as couertly as might be, yet the enemy taking the Alarum, grew fearefull that the whole Force was approching to the assault, and therefore with all speede abando­ned the place after the shooting of some of their pecces. They thus gone, and he being returned vnto vs againe, but nothing knowing of their flight from their fort, forthwith came a French man being a Phipher (who had bene prisoner with them) in a litle boate, playing on his phiph the tune of the Prince of Orenge his song, and being called vnto by the gard, he tolde them before he put foote out of the boate, what he was him selfe, and howe the Spaniards were gone from the sort, offering either to remaine in hands there, or else to returne to the place with them that would go.

Vpon this intelligence the Generall, the Lieute­nant generall, with some of the Captaines in one [Page 45] Skiffe, and the Vizeadmirall with some others in his Skiffe, and two or three Pinnaces furnished of souldiers with them, put presently ouer towards the fort, giuing order for the rest of the Pinnaces to fol­low. And in our approch, some of the enemie bol­der then the rest, hauing stayed behind their com­panie, shot off two peeces of ordinance at vs: but on shore we went, and entred the place without fin­ding any man there.

VVhen the day appeared, we found it built all of timber, the walles being none other then whole masts or bodies of trees set vpright and close toge­ther in maner of a pale, without anie ditch as yet made, but who intended with some more time, for they had not as yet finished all their worke, hauing begun the same some three or fower moneths be­fore: so as to say the truth, they had no reason to keepe it, being subiect both to fier and easie assault.

The platforme whereon the ordinance lay, was whole bodies of long pine trees, whereof there is great plentie, layed a crosse one on another, and some litle earth amongst. There was in it thirteene or fourreene great peeces of brasse ordinance, and a chest vnbroken vp, hauing in it the value of some two thousand pounds sterling, by estimation of the Kings treasure, to pay the souldiers of that place, who were a hundred and fiftie men.

[Page 46] The fort thus wonne, which they called S. Iohns fort, and the day opened, we assayed to go to the towne, but could not by reason of some riuers and broken ground which was betweene the two pla­ces: and therefore enforced to imbarke againe into our Pinnaces, we went thither vpō the great maine riuer, which is called as also the towne by the name of S. AVGVSTINE.

At our approching to land, there was some that began to shewe them selues, and to bestowe some fewe shot vpon vs, but presently withdrewe them selues. And in their running thus away, the Sergeant maior finding one of their horses readie sadled and bridled, tooke the same to follow the chase, and so ouergoing all his companie, was (by one layed be­hind a bush) shot through the head, & falling downe therewith, was by the same and two or three more, stabbed in three or foure places of his bodie with swords and daggers, before anie could come neere to his reskue. His death was much lamented, being in verie deede an honest wise Gentleman, and a souldier of good experience, and of as great cou­rage as anie man might be.

In this place called S. AVGVSTINE, we vnder­stood the King did keepe as is before said, one hun­dred and fiftie souldiers, and at an other place some dozen leagues beyond to the Northwardes, called [Page]

[Page 47] S. HELENA, he did there likewise kepe an hundred and fiftie more, seruing there for no other purpose, then to keepe all other nations from inhabiting any part of all that coast, the gouernement wherof was committed to one Pedro Melendez Marquesse, ne­phew to that Melendez the Admiral, who had ouer­thrown Maister Iohn Hawkins in the Bay of MEXI­CO some fifteene or sixteene yeares agoe. This Go­uernour had charge of both the places, but was at this time in this place, and one of the first that left the same.

Here it was resolued in full assemblie of Cap­taines, to vndertake the enterprise of S. HELENA, and from thence to seeke out the inhabitation of our English countrey men in VIRGINIA, distant from thence some sixe degrees Northward.

VVhen we came thwart of S. HELENA, the shols appearing daungerous, and we hauing no Pilot to vndertake the entrie, it was thought meetest to go hence alongst. For the Admirall had bene the same night in foure fadome and halfe three leagues from the shore: and yet we vnderstood, that by the helpe of a knowen Pilot, there may and doth go in ships of greater burthen and draught then anie we had in our Fleete.

VVe passed thus alongest the coast hard abord the shore, which is shallow for a league or two from [Page 48] the shore, and the same is lowe and broken land for the most part.

The ninth of Iune vpon sight of one speciall great fire (which are verie ordinarie all alongst this coast, euen from the Cape FLORIDA hither) the Ge­nerall sent his Skiffe to the shore, where they found some of our English countrey men (that had bene sent thither the yeare before by Sir VValter Ra­leigh) & brought one aboord, by whose direction we proceeded along to the place, which they make their Port. But some of our ships being of great draught vnable to enter, we ankered all without the harbour in a wild road at sea, about two miles from shore.

From whence the General wrote letters to Mai­ster Rafe Lane, being Gouernour of those English in VIRGINIA, and then at his fort about six leagues from the rode in an Island, which they call ROA­NOAC, wherein specially he shewed how readie he was to supply his necessities and wants, which he vn­derstood of, by those he had first talked withall.

The morrowe after Maister Lane him selfe and some of his companie comming vnto him, with the consent of his Captaines, he gaue them the choise of two offers, that is to say: Either he would leaue a ship, a Pinnace, and certaine boates with sufficient Maisters and mariners, together furnished witha [Page 49] moneths victuall to stay and make farther discoue­rie of the country and coastes, and so much victuall likewise that might be sufficient for the bringing of them all (being an hundred and three persons) into England if they thought good after such time, with anie other thing they would desire, & that he might be able to spare.

Or else if they thought they had made sufficient discouerie alreadie, and did desire to returne into England, he would giue them passage. But they as it seemed, being desirous to stay, accepted verie thankefully, and with great gladnesse that which was offred first. VVherupon the ship being appoin­ted & receaued into charge, by some of their owne companie sent into her by Maister Lane, before they had receaued from the rest of the Fleete, the prouision appointed thē, there arose a great storme (which they sayde was extraordinarie and verie straunge) that lasted three dayes together, and put all our Fleete in great daunger, to be driuen from their ankering vpon the coast. For we brake manie Cables, and lost manie ankers. And some of our Fleete which had lost all (of which number was the ship appointed for Maister Lane and his com­panie) were driuen to put to sea in great danger, in auoiding the coast, and could neuer see vs againe vntill we met in England. Manie also of our small [Page 50] Pinnaces and boates were lost in this storme.

Notwithstanding after all this, the Generall of­fered them (with consent of his Captaines) another ship with some prouision, although not such a one for their turnes, as might haue bene spared them before, this being vnable to be brought into their harbour. Or else if they would, to giue them passage into England, although he knewe he should per­forme it with greater difficultie then he might haue done before.

But Maister Lane with those of the chiefest of his companie he had then with him, considering what should be best for them to doe, made request vnto the Generall vnder their handes, that they might haue passage for England: the which being graunted, and the rest sent for out of the countrey and shipped, we departed from that coast the eigh­teenth of Iune.

And so God be thanked, both they and we in good safetie arriued at Portesmouth the eight and twentieth of Iuly 1586. to the great glorie of God, and to no small honour to our Prince, our countrey and our selues.

The totall value of that which was gotten in this voyage, is estimated at three score thousand poūds, whereof the companies which haue trauelled in the voyage were to haue twentie thousand pounds, the [Page 51] aduenturers the other fortie. Of which twenty thou­sand poundes (as I can iudge) will redound some sixe pounds to the single share.

VVe lost some seuen hundred and fiftie men in the voyage. The men of name that died and were slaine in this voyage, as I can presently call to my remembrance, are these.

• Captaine Powell.
• Captaine Varney.
• Captaine Moone.
• Captaine Fortescute.
• Captaine Bigges.
• Captaine Cecill.
• Captaine Hannam.
• Captaine Greenefield.
• Thomas Tucker a Lieutenaunt.
• Alexander Starkey a Lieutenaunt.
• Maister Escot a Lieutenaunt.
• Maister VVaterhouse a Lieutenaunt.
• Maister Nicholas VVinter.
• Maister Alexander Carleill.
• Maister Robert Alexander.
• Maister Scroope.
• Maister Iames Dier.
• Maister Peter Duke.

VVith some other, who for hast I can not so sud­denly thinke on.

The ordinance gotten of all sorts brasse and iron were about two hundred and fortie, whereof the two hundred and some more were brasse, and were thus found and gotten.

• [Page 52]In S. IAGO some two or three & fiftie peeces.
• In S. DOMINGO about foure score, whereof was verie much great ordinance, as whole Cannon, Di­mi-Cannon, Culuerins and such like.
• In CARTAGENA some sixtie and three peeces, and good store likewise of the greater sort.
• In the fort of S. AVGVSTINE were foureteene peeces.
• The rest was Iron ordinance, of which the most part was gotten at S. DOMINGO, the rest at CAR­TAGENA.