places at their pleasure and liberty by sea land or fresh waters may depart and exercise all kinde of merchandizes in our empire and dominions and euery part thereof freely and quietly without any restraint impeachment price exaction prest straight custome â—oll imposition or subsidie to be demanded taxed or paid or at any time hereafter to be demaÌ„ded taxed set leuied or inferred vpon them or any of them or vpon their goods ships wares marchandizes and things of for or vpon any part or parcell thereof or vpon the goods ships wares merchandizes and things of any of them so that they shall not need any other safe conduct or licence generall ne speciall of vs our heires or successours neither shall be bound to aske any safe conduct or licence in any of the aforesaid places subiect vnto vs. 2 Item we giue and graunt to the said marchants this power and liberty that they ne any of them ne their goods wares marchandizes or things ne any part thereof shal be by any meanes within our dominions landes countreyes castles townes villages or other place or places of our iurisdiction aâ— any time heereafter attached staied arrested ne disturbed for anie debt duetie or other thing for the which they be not principall debters or sureties ne also for any offence or trespasse committed or that shall be committed but onely for such as they or any of them shall actually commit and the same offences if any such happen shall bee by vs onely heard and determined 3 Item we giue and graunt that the said Marchants shal and may haue free libertie power and authoritie to name choose and assigne brokers shippers packers weighers measurers wagoners and all other meet and necessary laborers for to serue them in their feat of marchandises and minister and giue vnto them and euery of them a corporall othe to serue them well and truely in their offices and finding them or any of them doing contrary to his or their othe may punish and dismisse them and from time to time choose sweare and admit other in their place or places without contradiction let vexation or disturbance either of vs our heires or successors or of any other our Iustices officers ministers or subiects whatsoeuer 4 Item we giue and graunt vnto the saide Marchants and their successours that such person as is or shal be commended vnto vs our heires or successors by the Gouernour Consuls and assistants of the said fellowship restant within the citie of London within the realme of England to be their chiefe Factor within this our empire and dominions may and shal haue ful power and authoritie to gouerne and rule all Englishmen that haue had or shall haue accesse or repaire in or to this said Empire and iurisdictions or any part thereof and shal and may minister vnto them and euery of them good iustice in all their causes plaints quarrels and disorders betweene them moued and to be moued and assemble deliberate consult conclude define determine and make such actes and ordinancesâ— as he so commended with his Assistants shall thinke good and meete for the good order gouernment and rule of the said Marchants and all other Englishmen repairing to this our saide empire and dominions or any part thereof and to set and leuie vpon all and euery Englishmenâ— offender or offenders of such their acts and ordinances made and to be made penalties and mulâ—ts by fine or imprisonment 5 Item if it happen that any of the saide Marchants or other Englishman as one or more doe rebell against such chiefe Factor or Factors or his or their deputies and will not dispose him or themselues to obey them and euery of them as shall appertaine if the saide Rebels or disobedients doe come and bee founde in our saide Empire and iurisdictions or any part and place thereof then wee promise and graunt that all and euery our officers ministers and subiects shall effectually ayde and assist the saide chiefe Factour or Factours and their deputies and for their power shall really woorke to bring such rebell or disobedient rebels or disobedients to due obedience And to that intent shall lende vnto the same Factour or Factours and their deputies vpon request therefore to be made prisons and instruments for punishments â—rom time to time 6 Item we promise vnto the saide Marchants and their successours vpon their request to exhibite and doe vnto them good exact and fauourable iustice with expedition in all their causes and that when they or any of them shall haue accesse or come to or before any of our Iustices for any their plaints mooued and to bee mooued betweene any our subiects or other stranger and them or any of them that then they shal be first and forthwith heard as soon as the party whâ—ch they shal find before our Iustices shal be depeached which party being heard forthwith and assoone as may be the said English marchants shall be ridde and dispatched And if any action shall be moued by or against any of the said Marchants being absent out of our saide empire and dominions then such Marchants may substitute an â—tturney in all and singular his causes to be followed as need shall require and as shall seeme to him expedient 7 Item wee graunt and promise to the saide Marchants and to their successours that if the same Marchants or â—ny of them shall bee wounded or which God forbid slaine in any part or place of our Empire or dominions then good information thereof giuen Wee and our Iustices and other officers shall execute due correction and punishment without delay according to the exigence of the case so that it shall bee an example to all other not to commit the like And if it shall chaunce the factors seruants or ministers of the saide Marchants or any of them to trespasse or offende whereby they or any of them shall incurre the danger of death or punishment the goods wares marchandizes and things of their Masters shall not therefoore bee forfaited confiscated spoiled ne seised by any meanes by vs our heires or successours or by any our officers ministers or subiects but shall remaine to their vse franke free and discharged from all punishment and losse 8 Item we graunt that if any of the English nation be arrested for any debt he shal not be laid in prison so farre as he can put in sufficient suretie and pawne neither shall any sergeant or officer leade them or any of them to prison before he shall haue knowen whether the chiefe Factor or factors or their deputies shal be sureties or bring in pawne for such arrested then the officers shal release the partie and shall set hâ—m or them at libertie 9 Moreouer wee giue graunt and promise to the saide Marchants that if any of their ships or other vessels shall bee spoyled robbed or damnified in sayling anckoring or returning to or from our saide Empires and Dominions or any part thereof by any Pirats Marchants or other person
by the saide gouernour as is saide may take their wages for their paines attendances vpon the said marchants according to the custome of the said countreis and as they haue bene accustomed to take of the said marchants before these presents by vs giuen and graunted And hereupon we haue giuen and doe giue expresse charge and commandement by vs and in our names to all our said subiects common marchants and mariners and to euery of them which shall frequent come remaine passe repaire or inhabite within the countreis aforesaid that they shall not make contract or bargaine sell or buy nor shall not cause any contract or bargaâ—ne to be made nor in the said countreis sell or buy any maner of wares goods or marchandises secretely nor openly by way of fraude barat or deceite whatsoeuer with any person or persons of what estate countrey or condition soeuer they be without he hath some of the said brokers at the bargain making to present report and to testifie the said contracts or bargains before the said gouernor or others if need require and strife or contention should grow therof betweene them nor to packe or cause to be packed any goods or marchandises belonging vnto them in packs bales or fardels coffers chests maunds dryfats or rowles without hauing some deputy present thereat nor to take or cause to be taken or set on worke in the said countreis any other brokers alnagers weighers folders or packers then the aforesaid so chosen admitted established and ordained by the saide gouernor hereto authorized in our name as it is said vnder paine of falling into and incurring of our displeasure and of forfeiture and confiscation of all such goods wares and marchandises which shal be found to haue passed by other hands or order then that or those which are before mentioned the fourth part of which forfeitures and confiscations shall be imployed to the repairing and maintenance of two chappels founded to the honour of Saint Thomas of Canterburie by our saide subiects in the townes of Bruges in Flanders and of Middleborough in Zeland the other fourth part to vs our vse the third fourth part to our said cousin of Burgundie or the natural Lord of the countrey wherein the saide goâ—ds shall be found and the fourth fourth part to him or them which shall discouer detect or finde out the saide fraude And also that none of our said subiects shall vnlade or cause to be vnladen vnder any colour nor otherwise nor vnpacke in the countreis abouesaide no kind of wares goods nor marchandises whatsoeuer which they shall bring or cause to bee brought into the couutreyes aforesaide comming out of our countrâ—yes dominions or obeysance without first and beforehand they make the gouernour or his deputies acquainted with their arriuall and craue leaue and deliuer shewe and declare their cockets that it may duely appeare that the saide goods and marchandises haue truly and lawfully payde vnto vs our rights and customes and not to vnpacke them but in the presence of the saide gouernour his lieuetenants or deputies vpon paine of forfaiture and confiscation of the saide goods in maner and forme before declared in the foresaide article And if it bee found by the visitation of the saide gouernor his lieuetenants or deputies that any goods wares or marchandises whatsoeuer be arriued and discharged in the countreis aforesaid belonging to our saide subiectes not lawfully customed and acquited towarde vs of our right and custome for which they cannot nor are not able to make any due proofe of our letters of coquet as is metioned or if they finde any other fraud we will we ordaine and we grant that the sayd gouernour his lieutenants or deputies may seaze vpon the sayd goods on our behalfe and may confiscate and forfeit the same distributing the same into foure parts in maner aforesayd And also wee will that euery one of the sayd packes fardels baskets maunds cofers tunnes bales roules and other furnitures and geare wherein the sayd marchandises shal be packed to be sent out of the said countreis shall not be laden vpon ships carts nor horses to come into our dominion without being first sealed with a seale ordayned by vs and giuen by the sayd gouernour vpon paine to be forfayted applyed and confiscated to vs and into our hand if they be found vnsigned and not sealed with the seale And for euery piece of marchandise which shall be sealed with the sayd seale they shall pay to the sayd sealer two pence of grosse money of Flanders which shall goe to the profite of the sayd gouernour And forasmuch as according to right and conscience we ought not to vse the labour trauels nor seruice of any man without waging paying and fully contenting him according to reason and equity especially when we doe appoint any person or persons to doe or cause to be done so great trauels labours busines and executions as these which are contayned in this present charter aswell for the benefit and profit of vs and our selues as for the holesome perfect good gouernment of our sayd subiects we by the good aduise and deliberation of the sayd lords of our priuie counsell haue granted and giuen and as before doe grant and giue of our sayd grace to the sayd William Obray our sayd seruant and gouernour abouenamed during our pleasure for part of his wages and fee of the sayd office one pennie of our money of England of the value of a liuer of grosse money of Flanders vpon al and singuler the goods wares and marchandises of our sayd subiects frequenting the sayd countreis to be leuyed gathered receiued and payed vnto the sayd William Obray or to his deputies vpon the sayd wares and marchandises belonging vnto our sayd said subiects buying and selling or which they shall cause to sell buy put away trucke or exchange in the countreys abouesaid aswell of the goods and marchandises which they shall bring or cause to be brought into the sayd countries as of all other goods which they shall lade and carie or cause to bee caried and conueyed out of those countreis into our dominion or elsewhere into any other part whatsoeuer And to cause the same to be gathered receiued leauied and payed we haue giuen and by these presents doe giue full power and speciall authoritie vnto the sayd William Obray and to his lieutenants and deputies aforesayd to leauy gather and cause to bee leauied and receiued the sayd money in forme and maner aboue mentioned to his profite and vse during our pleasure and to enioy and vse the same as his proper goods without any contradiction constraining and arresting if neede bee as well on land as on the water our said subiects their sayd goods and euery of them by way of law and iustice and to cause them to yeelde and pay the sayd money vpon the said goods and marchandises as is aforesayd For such is our pleasure and so will we haue it done without contradiction
the Captaine of the guard was passed by and all his guard with him part before him and part behinde him some on horsebacke and som◠on foot but the most part on foot carrying on their shoulders the money before mentioned and so we passed home There was in the Court during our abode there for the most part a foole resembling the first but not naked as was the other at the Bassas but he turned him cōtinually cried Hough very hollowly The third of May I saw the Turke go to the church he had more then two hundred and fifty horses before and behinde him but most before him There were many empty horses that came in no order Many of his Nobilitie were in cloth of golde but himselfe in white sattin There did ride behinde him sixe or seuen youches one or two whereof carried water for him to drinke as they sayd There were many of his guard running before him and behinde him and when he alighted they cried Hough very hollowly as the aforesayd fooles A letter of Mustapha Chaus to the Queenes most excellent Maiestie SErenissima prudentissima sacra Regia Maiestas domina mihi semper clementissima meorum fidelium officiorum promptam paratissimámque commendationem Generosus virtuosus Gulielmus Hareborne legatus vestrae sacrae Maiestatis venit ad portam excelsissimam potentissimi inuictissimi semper Augustissimi Caesaris Sultan Murad Can cui Deus omnipotens benedicat Et quanto honore quanta dignitate quantáque humanitate aliorum confoederatorum legati accipiuntur praefatus quoque legatus vester tanta reuerentia tantáque amplitudine acceptus collocatus est in porta excelsissima Et posthac subditi homines vestrae sacrae Maiestatis ad ditiones omnes Caesareas venire sua negocia tractare ad suam patriam redire sine impedimento vt in literis excelsissimi potentissimi inuictissimi semper Augustissimi Caesaris ad vestram sacram Regiam Maiestatem datis facile patet tranquillè pacificè possunt Ego autem imprimis diligentem operam fidele studium nunc eodem confirmando nauaui in futurum quoque vsque in vltimum vitae spiritum in negotijs potentissimi inuictissimi Caesaris vestrae sacrae Regiae Maiestatis egregiam nauabo operam Quod Deus omnipotens ad emolumentum vtilitatem vtriúsque Reipublicae secunder Amen Sacram Regiam Maiestatem foelicissim è valere exopto Datum Constantinopoli anno 1583 die octauo Maij. A letter of the English Ambassadour to M. Haruie Millers appointing him Consull for the English nation in Alexandria Cairo and other places of Egypt HAuing to appoint our Consull in Cayro Alexandria Egypt and other parts adiacent for the safe protection of body and goods of her Maiesties subiects being well perswaded of your sufficient abilitie in her Maiesties name I doe elect and make choise of you good friend Haruie Millers to execute the same worshipfull office as shall be required for her Maiesties better seruice the commodity of her subiects and my contentation hauing and inioying for merit of your trauell in the premisses the like remuneration incident to the rest of ours in such office in other parts of this Empire Requiring you all other affaires set aside to repaire thither with expedition and attend vpon this your charge which the Almighty grant you well to accomplish For the due execution whereof we heerewith send you the Grand Signiors Patent of priuilege with ours and what els is needfull therefore in so ample maner as any other Consull whosoeuer doeth or may enioy the same In ayd whereof according to my bounden duety to her Maiesty our most gracious Mistresse I will be ready alwayes to employ my selfe to the generall benefit of her Maiesties subiects for your maintenance in all iust causes incident to the same And thus eftsoones requiring and commanding you as abouesayd to performe my request I bid you most heartily well to fare and desire God to blesse you From my mansion Rapamat nigh Pera this 25 of April 1583. Commission giuen by M. VVilliam Hareborne the English Ambassadour to Richard Forster authorising him Consul of the English nation in the parts of Alepo Damasco Aman Tripolis Ierusalem c. I William Harborne her Maiesties Ambassadour Ligier with the Grand Signior for the affaires of the Leuant doe in her Maiesties name confirme and appoint Richard Forster Gentleman my Deputie and Consull in the parts of Alepo Damasco Aman Tripolis Ierusalem and all other ports whatsoeuer in the prouinces of Syria Palestina and Iurie to execute the office of Consull ouer all our Nation her Maiesties subiects of what estate or quality soeuer giuing him hereby full power to defend protect and maintaine all such her Maiesties subiects as to him shall be obedient in all honest and iust causes whatsoeuer and in like case no lesse power to imprison punish and correct any and all such as he shall finde disobedient to him in the like causes euen in such order as I my selfe might doe by vertue of her Maiesties Commission giuen me the 26 of Nouember 1582 the copie whereof I haue annexed to this present vnder her Maiesties Seale deliuered me to that vse Straightly charging and commanding all her Maiesties subiects in those parts as they will auoid her Highnesse displeasure and their owne harmes to honour his authoritie and haue due respect vnto the same aiding and assisting him there with their persons and goods in any cause requisit to her Maiesties good seruice and commoditie of her dominions In witnesse whereof I haue confirmed and sealed these presents at Rapamat my mansion house by Pera ouer against Constantinople the 20 of Iune 1583. A letter of directions of the English Ambassadour to M. Richard Forster appointed the first English Consull at Tripolis in Syria COusin Forster these few words are for your remembrance when it shall please the Almighty to send you safe arriuall in Tripolis of Syria When it shall please God to send you thither you are to certifie our Nation at Tripolis of the certaine day of your landing to the end they both may haue their house in a readinesse and also meet you personally at your entrance to accompany you being your selfe apparelled in the best maner The next second or third day after your comming giue it out that you be crazed and not well disposed by meanes of your trauell at Sea during which time you and those there are most wisely to determine in what maner you are to present your selfe to the Beglerbi Cadi and other officers who euery of them are to be presented according to the order accustomed of others formerly in like office which after the note of Iohn Blanke late Uice-consull of Tripolis for the French deliuered you heerewith is very much and therefore if thereof you can saue any thing I pray you doe it as I doubt not but you will They are to giue you there also
of his subiects Of his age and demeanour and of his seale Chap. 28. THis Emperour when hee was exalted vnto his gouernment seemed to bee about the age of fourty or fourty fiue yeeres He was of a meane stature very wise and politike and passing serious and graue in all his demeanour A rare thing it was for a man to see him laugh or behaue himselfe lightly as those Christians report which abode continually with him Certaine Christians of his familie earnestly and strongly affirmed vnto vs that he himselfe was about to become a Christian. A token and argument whereof was that hee reteined diuers Cleargie men of the Christians Hee had likewise at all times a Chappell of Christians neere vnto his great Tent where the Clearkes like vnto other Christians and according to the custome of the Graecians doe sing publiquely and openly and ring belles at certaine houres bee there neuer so great a multitude of Tartars or of other people in presence And yet none of their Dukes doe the like It is the manner of the Emperour neuer to talke his owne selfe with a stranger though he be neuer so great but heareth and answeareth by a speaker And when any of his subiects howe great soeuer they bee are in propounding anie matter of importaunce vnto him or in hearing his answeare they continue kneeling vpon their knees vnto the ende of their conference Neither is it lawfull for any man to speake of any affaires after they haue beene determined of by the Emperour The sayde Emperour hath in his affaires both publike and priuate an Agent and Secretary of estate with Scribes and all other Officials except aduocates For without the noyse of pleading or sentence giuing all things are done according to the Emperours will and pleasure Other Tartarian princes do the like in those things which belong vnto thē But be it known vnto al men that whilest we remained at the said Emperors court which hath bin ordained and kept for these many yeeres the saide Cuyne being Emperor new elect together with al his princes erected a flag of defiance against the Church of God the Romane empire and against al Christian kingdomes and nations of the West vnlesse peraduenture which God forbid they will condescend vnto those things which he hath inoined vnto our lord the Pope to all potentates and people of the Christiās namely that they wil become obedient vnto him For except Christendom there is no land vnder heauē which they stand in feare of and for that cause they prepare themselues to battel against vs. This Emperors father namely Occoday was poisoned to death which is the cause why they haue for a short space absteined from warre But their intent and purpose is as I haue aboue said to subdue the whole world vnto themselues as they were commanded by Chingis Can. Hence it is that the Emperor in his letters writeth after this maner The power of God Emperour of all men Also vpon his seale there is this posie ingrauen God in heauen and Cuyne Can vpon earth the power of God the seale of the Emperour of all men Of the admission of the Friers and Ambassadours vnto the Emperour Chap. 29. IN the same place where the Emperour was established into his throne we were summoned before him And Chingay his chiefe secretary hauing written downe our names and the names of them that sent vs with the name of the Duke of Solangi of others cried out with a loude voice rehearsing the said names before the Emperour and the assembly of his Dukes Which beeing done ech one of vs bowed his left knee foure times they gaue vs warning not to touch the threshold And after they had searched vs most diligently for kniues and could not find any about vs we entred in at the doore vpon the East side because no man dare presume to enter at the West doore but the Emperour onely In like maner euery Tartarian Duke entreth on the West side into his tent Howbeit the inferiour sort doe not greatly regard such ceremonies This therefore was the first time when we entred into the Emperours tent in his presence after he was created Emperour Likewise all other ambassadours were there receiued by him but very fewe were admitted into his tent And there were presented vnto him such abundance of gifts by the saide Ambassadours that they seemed to be infinite namely in Samites robes of purple and of Baldakin cloth silke girdles wrought with golde and costly skinnes with other gifts also Likewise there was a certaine Sun Canopie or small tent which was to bee caried ouer the Emperours head presented vnto him being set full of precious stones And a gouernour of one Prouince brought vnto him a companie of camels couered with Baldakins They had saddles also vpon their backs with certaine other instruments within the which were places for men to sitte vpon Also they brought many horses mules vnto him furnished w t trappers and caparisons some being made of leather◠and some of iron And we were demanded whether we would bestow any gifts vpō him or no But wee were not of abilitie so to doe hauing in a maner spent all our prouision There were also vpon an hill standing a good distance from the tents more then 500. carts which were all ful siluer and of gold and silke garments And they were all diuided betweene the Emperour and his Dukes and euery Duke bestowed vpon his owne followers what pleased him Of the place where the Emperor and his mother tooke their leaues one of another and of Ieroslaus Duke of Russia Chap. 30. DEparting thence we came vnto another place where a wonderfull braue tent all of red purple giuen by the Kythayans was pitched Wee were admitted into that also and alwaies when we entred there was giuen vnto vs ale and wine to drinke sodden flesh when we would to eate There was also a loftie stage built of boords where the Emperours throne was placed being very curiously wrought out of iuorie wherein also there was golde and precious stones and as we remember there were certain degrees or staires to ascend vnto it And it was round vpon the top There were benches placed about the saide throne whereon the ladies sate towarde the left hand of the Emperour vpon stooles but none sate aloft on the right hande and the Dukes sate vpon benches below the said throne being in the midst Certaine others sate behinde the Dukes and euery day there resorted great companie of Ladies thither The three tents whereof we spake before were very large but the Emperour his wiues had other great and faire tentes made of white felt This was the place where the Emperour parted companie with his mother for she went into one part of the land and the Emperour into another to execute iustice For there was taken a certaine Concubine of this Emperour which had poysoned his father
commandement to handle discusse and finally to determine the foresaid busines and with letters of credence vnto the right reuerend lord and master generall aforesayd Which ambassadours together with Iohn Beuis of London their informer and the letters aforesaid and their ambassage the said right reuerend lord and Master generall at his castle of Marienburgh the 28. of Iuly in the yeare aforesaid reuerently and honourably receiued and enterteined and in his minde esteemed them worthy to treate and decide the causes aforesayd and so vnto the sayd ambassadouurs he ioyned in commission on his behalfe three of his owne counsellers namely the honourable and religious personages Conradus de Walrode great commander Seiffridus Walpode de Bassenheim chiefe hospitalary and commander in Elburg Wolricus Hachenberger treasurer being all of the order aforesaid Which ambassadors so entreating about the premisses and sundry conferences and consultations hauing passed between them friendly and with one consent concluded an agreement and concord in manner following That is to say First that all arrestments reprisals and impignorations of whatsoeuer goods and marchandises in England and Prussia made before the date of these presents are from henceforth quiet free and released without all fraud and dissimulation insomuch that the damages charges and expenses occasioned on both parts by reason of the foresayd goods arrested are in no case hereafter to be required or chalenged by any man but the demaunds of any man whatsoeuer propounded in this regard are and ought to be altogether frustrate and voide and all actions which may or shall be commenced by occasion of the sayd goods arrested are to be extinct and of none effect Moreouer it is secondly concluded and agreed that all and singuler Prussians pretending themselues to be iniuried by the English at the Porte of Swen or elsewhere howsoeuer and whensoeuer before the date of these presents hauing receiued the letters of the foresaide right reuerende lord and Master generall and of the cities of their abode are to repayre towards England vnto the sayd hon embassadours who are to assist them and to propound and exhibite their complaintes vnto the forenamed lord and king The most gracious prince is bounde to doe his indeuor that the parties damnified may haue restitution of their goods made vnto them or at least complete iustice and iudgement without delay Also in like maner all English men affirming themselues to haue bene endamaged by Prussians wheresoeuer howsoeuer and whensoeuer are to haue recourse vnto the often forenamed right reuerend lorde the Master generall with the letters of their king and of the cities of their aboad propounding their complaints and causes vnto him Who likewise is bound to doe his indeuour that the sayd losses and damages may be restored or at the least that speedie iudgement may be without all delayes executed This caueat being premised in each clause that it may and shall be freely granted and permitted vnto euery man that will ciuilly make his suite and complaint to doe it either by himselfe or by his procurator or procurators Also thirdly it is agreed that whosoeuer of Prussia is determined criminally to propound his criminal complaints in England namely that his brother or kinseman hath beene slaine wounded or maimed by English men the same partie is to repayre vnto the citie of London in England and vnto the sayd ambassadors bringing with him the letters of the sayd right reuerend lord the master generall and of the cities of their abode which ambassadors are to haue free and full authority according to the complaints of the men of Prussia and the answers of the English men to make and ordaine a friendly reconciliation or honest recompence betweene such parties which reconciliation the sayd parties reconciled are bound vndoubtedly without delay to obserue But if there be any English man found who shall rashly contradict or contâ—mne the composition of the foresayd ambassadors then the sayd ambassadours are to bring the forenamed Prussian plaintifes before the presence of the kings Maiestie and also to make supplication on the behalfe of such plaintifes that complete iustice and iudgment may without delayes bee administred according as those suites are commenced Moreouer whatsoeuer English man against whom anie one of Prussia would enter his action shall absent himselfe at the terme the sayd ambassadours are to summon and ascite the foresayd English man to appeare at the terme next insuing that the plaintifes of Prussia may in no wise seeme to depart or to returne home without iudgâ—ment or the assistance of lawe Nowe if the sayd English man being summoned shall be found stubborne or disobedient the forenamed ambassadours are to make their appeale and supplication in manner aforesayd And in like sorte in all respects shall the English plaintifes be dealt withall in Prussia namely in the citie of Daâ—tzik where the deputies of the sayd citie and of the citie of Elburg shal take vnto themselues two other head boroughs one of Dantzik and the other of Elburg which foure commissioners are to haue in al respects the very like authority of deciding discussing and determining all criminall complaints propounded criminally by English men against any Prussian or Prussians by friendly reconciliation or honest recompense if it be possible But if it cannot friendly be determined or if anie Prussian shall not yeeld obedience vnto any such order or composition but shal be found to contradict and to contemne the same from thenceforth the said foure deputies and headboroughs are to make their appeale and supplication vnto the Master generall of the land aforesayd that vnto the sayd English plaintifes speedy iudgement and complete iustice may be administred But if it shall so fall out that any of the principall offenders shall decease or already are deceased in either of the sayd countries that then it shall bee free and lawfull for the plaintife to prosecute his right against the goods or heires of the party deceased Also for the executing of the premisses the termes vnder written are appointed namely the first from the Sunday whereupon Quasi modo geniti is to be sung next ensuing vntill the seuenth day following The second vpon the feast oâ— the holy Trinitie next to come and for seuen dayes following The third vpon the eight day after Saint Iohn Baptist next to come for seuen daies following The fourth last and peremptory terme shall be vpon the feast of S. Michael next to come and vpon seuen dayes next following And from thenceforth all causes which concerne death or the mayming of a member with all actions proceeding from them are to remaine altogether voide and extinct And if peraduenture any one of the foresayd ambassadours shall in the meane season dye then the other two shall haue authoritie to chuse a third vnto them And if after the date of these presents any cause great or small doth arise or spring foorth it must bee decided in England and in Prussia as it hath
Dante 's vlterius concedentes huiusmodi gubernatoribus per praedictos Mercatores sic eligendis quantum in nobis est potestatem authoritatem speciales omnes singulos mercatores Anglicos ad partes praedictas de caetero venientes declinantes per se vel sufficientes loca sua tenentes regendi gubernandi ac eis eorum cuilibet in suis causis querelis quibuscunque inter eos in partibus praedictis motis vel mouendis plenam celerem iusticiam faciendi quascunque quaestiones contentiones discordias debatas inter ipsos mercatores Anglicos partium praedictarum motas seu mouendas reformandi reformationemque petendi redigendi sedandi pacificandi quascunque transgressiones damna mesprisiones excessus vio lencias iniurias mercatoribus partium praedictarum per praedictos mercatores Anglicos factas seu faciendas redigendi reparandi restaurandi emendandi consimilesque restitutiones reparationes restaurationes emendationes de ipsis mercatoribus partium praedictarum seu deputatis suis requirendi petendi recipiendi Ac de communi assensu mercatorum Anglicorum praedictorum statuta ordinationes consuetudines prout pro meliori gubernatione status eorundem mercatorum Anglicorum in hac parte videbitur expedire faciendi stabiliendi omnes singulos mercatores Anglicos praefatis gubernatoribus sic eligendis vel eorum loca tenentibus seu eorum alicui aut alicui statutorum ordinationum consuetudinum praedictarum contrarios rebelles vel inobedientes iuxta quantitatem delicti sui in hac parte rationabiliter puniendi Volentes insuper omnia iusta rationabilia statuta ordinationes consuetudines per dictos gubernatores sic eligendos in forma praedicta facienda stabilienda nec non omnes iustas rationabiles ordinationes per nuper gubernatores praedictorum mercatorum Anglicorum de communi assensu eorundem mercatorum pro huiusmodi gubernatione sua in partibus praedictis iuxta priuilegia authoritates sibi per magistrum Pruciae seu alios dominos partium praedictarum concessa factas stabilitas seu per praedictos gubernatores nunc vt praemittitur eligendos iuxta priuilegia praedicta seu alia priuilegia eisdem mercatoribus Anglicis per praedictos magistrum dominos in posterum concedenda facienda stabilienda rata firma accepta haberi pro ratis firmis acceptis ibidem firmiter inuiolabiliter obseruari Damus autem vniuersis singulis mercatoribus Anglicis praedictis tenore praesentium firmiter in mandatis quod eisdem gubernatoribus sic eligendis eorum loca tenentibus in praemissis omnibus singulis acâ—alijs gubernationem regimen in hac parte qualitercunque concernentibus intendentes sint consulentes obedientes auxiliantes prout decet Data in palatio nostro Westmonasterij sub magni sigilli nostri testimonio sexto die Iunij Anno regni nostri quinto A Charter of King Henry the fourth graunted in the fift yeere of his reigne to the English Marchants resident in the partes of Prussia Denmarke Norway Sweden and Germanie for the chusing of Gouernours among themselues HEnry by the grace of God king of England and of France and Lord of Ireland to all to whom these present letters shall come sendeth greeting Know ye that whereas according as we are informed through want of good and discreete rule and gouernement sundry damages strifes oppressions and wrongs oftentimes heretofore haue bene moued and committed among the Marchants of our kingdome of England remaining in the parties of Prussia Denmarke Norway the Hans steeds and Sweden and greater hereafter which God forbid are feared to be like to fall out vnlesse we put to our helping hands for the procuring of better gouernement to be maintained among the said Marchants wee heartily desiring to preuent the perrils and dangers which are like to fall out in this case and that the sayde Marchants and others which shall trauaile out of our said Realme into the partes aforesaid may iustly and faithfully be ruled and intreated we will and graunt by the tenour of these presents to the said Marchants that they may freely and without danger assemble and meete together as often and whensoeuer they please in some conuenient and honest place where they shall thinke good and that they may choose among themselues certaine sufficient and fit persons for their gouernours in those parts at their good liking And furthermore we giue and graunt to the said Gouernours which are in such sort to be chosen by the aforesaid Marchants as much as in vs lieth speciall power and authoritie to rule and gouerne all and singular the English Marchants which hereafter shall come or repayre to the parts aforesaid by themselues or their sufficient Deputies and to minister vnto them and euery of them in their causes and quarels whatsoeuer which are sprung vp or shall hereafter fall out among them in the parts aforesaid full and speedie iustice and to reforme all maner of questions contentâ—ous discords and debates moued or to be moued betweene the English Marchants remayning in those parts and to seeke reformation to redresse appease and compound the same And further to redresse restore repayre and satisfie all transgressions damages misprisions outrages violences and iniuries done or to be done by the aforesaid English Marchants against the Marchants of those parts And to require demaund and receiue the like restitutions reparations satisfactions and amends of the Marchants of those parts or of their deputies And by the common consent of the aforesaid English Marchants to make and establish statutes ordinances and customes as shall seeme expedient in that behalfe for the better gouernement of the state of the said English Marchants and to punish with reason according to the quantitie of their fault in that behalfe all and singular the English Marchants which shall withstand resist or disobey the aforesaid gouernours so to be chosen or their deputiâ—s or any of them or any of the aforesaid statutes ordinances or customes Moreouer we doe ratifie confirme and approoue and as ratified confirmed and approoued wee command firmely and inuiolably there to be obserued all iust and reasonable statutes ordinances and customes which shal be made and established by the said gouernors so to be chosen in forme aforesaid and also all iust and reasonable ordinances made established by the late gouernours of the aforesaid English Marchants with the common consent of the sayd Marchants for this their gouernement in the parts aforesayd according to the priuileges and authorities now granted vnto them by the Master of Prussia or other Lords of the partes aforesayd or which shall be made and established by the aforesayd gouernours now as is mentioned to be chosen according to the aforesaid priuileges heretofore graunted or other priuileges hereafter to bee granted to the sayde English Marchants by the aforesayde Master and lords of the Countrey And furthermore
Lord Jesu saith Blessed motte they bee That maken peace that is tranquillitee For peace makers as Matthew writeth aright Should be called the sonnes of God almight God giue vs grace the weyes for to keepe Of his precepts and slugly not to sleepe In shame of sinne that our verry foo Might be to vs conuers and turned so For in the Prouerbs is a text to this purpose Plaine inough without any glose When mens weyes please vnto our Lord It shall conuert and bring to accord Mans enemies vnto peace verray In vnitie to liue to Goddis pay With vnitie peace rest and charitie Hee that was here cladde in humonitie That came from heauen and styed vp with our nature Or hee ascended he yaue to vs cure And left with vs peace ageyne striffe and debate Moâ—e giue vs peace so well irradicate Here in this world that after all this selfe Wee may haue peace in the land of beheste Ierusalem which of peace is the sight With his brightnes of eternall light There glorified in rest with his tuition The Deitie to see with full fruâ—â—ion Bee second person in diuinenesse is Who vs assume and bring vs to the blis Amen Here endeth the true processe of the Libel of English policie exhorting all England to keepe the sea enuiron shewing what profit and saluation with worship commeth thereof to the reigne of England GOe furth Libelle and meekely shew thy face Appearing euer with humble countenance And pray my Lords to take in grace In opposaile and cherishing the aduance To hardines if that not variance Thou hast fro trought by full experience Authors and reasons if ought faile in substance Remit to hâ—m that yafe thee this science That seth it is soth in verray fayth That the wise Lord Baron of Hungerford Hath thee ouerseene and verely he saith That thou art true and thus hee doeth record Next the Gospel God wotte it was his worde When hee thee redde all ouer in a night Goe forth trew booke and Christ defend thy right Explicit libellus de Politia conseruatiua maris A large Charter granted by K. Edward the 4. in the second yere of his reigne to the marchants of England resident especially in the Netherland for their chusing of a master and gouernor among themselues which gouernement was first appointed vnto one William Obray with expresse mention what authoritie he should haue EDward by the grace of God king of France of England lord of Ireland to al those which shal see or heare these letters sendeth greeting good wil. Know ye that whereas we haue vnderstood as well by the report of our louing and faithfull Counsellors as by the common complaint and report of all men that many vexations griefs debates discords annoyes dissentions damages haue heretofore bene done moued committedâ—â—nd happened and do daily fal out and happen among the common marchants mariners our subiects of our realmes of France England our lordships of Ireland and Wales of other our dominions seigneuries and territories because that good discretion and authority hath not bin obserued among our saide subiects which abide frequent conuerse remain inhabit passe aswel by sea as by land into y e parts of Brabant Flanders Henault Holland Zeland and diuers other countreis seigneuries belonging aswell to the high and mighty prince our most deere and louing cousin y e Duke of Burgoine of Brabant carle of Flanders c. as being in the obedience dominion of other lords which are in friendship alliance good wil with vs and that it is to be doubted that through the saide inconuenience and occasion many discommodities may ensue fal out in time to come which God forbid vnles we should prouide conuenient remedie in this behalfe for our subiects aforesaid wherefore we desiring most effectually and heartily to auoide the mischiefe of the saide inconueniences to prouide conuenient remedy for the same to the end that the said common marchants and mariners and others our subiects of our said realms dominions which at this present hereafter shal haunt and frequent y e said countreis may be iustly lawfully ruled gouerned and intreated by right equity in the countreis aforesaid and that equity reason iustice may be ministred vnto them and euery of them according as the cases shal require we being wel assured and hauing ful confidence in the discretion faithfulnes wisdome experience good diligence of our most deare welbeloued subiect Will. Obray our seruant in regard of the good faithfull and acceptable seruices which he hath done vs in our realm among our subiects in times past hoping that he wil do also hereafter we haue made ordained constituted committed and established and by the tenour of these presents of our special grace ful power authority royall we ordaine appoint commit and establish during our pleasure to be gouernor iudge warden of iustice and the appurtenances appendances therof which we haue or may haue ouer our said common subiects the marchants trauailing hereafter as wel by sea as by land and abiding in the said countries of Brabant Flanders Henault Holland Zeland and other countreis beyond the sea as is aforesaide together with the wages rights profits and emoluments heretofore accustomed as the said Will. Obray at other times hath had and receiued of our said subiects when he had vsed and exercised the said office of gouernor also with other such rights and profits as hereafter shal more plainly be declared And furthermore for our parts we haue giuen him and by these presents do giue him as much as in vs lieth during our pleasure ful power authority and special commandement to gouerne rule and cause to be gouerned and ruled with good iustice by himselfe or by his sufficient lieuetenants or deputies all aâ—d euery our foresaid subiects the common marchants mariners comming remaining frequenting passing repairing from henceforth into the said countreis of Brabant Flanders Henault Holland Zeland and other countreyes beyond the sea as it is said and to keep and cause to be kept to exercise and maintein for vs and in our place the said office of gouernour and to doe all such things which a faithfull gouernour ought to do and to take knowledge and administration of the causes of the said common marchants and mariners our subiects and of euery of them and of their causes and quarels moued or hereafter to be moued in the countreis aforesaid or within the limits borders therof and to doe them full speedy iustice And to reforme cause reformation gouerne appease and pacifie all contentions discords questions or debates between those our said subiects moued or to moued and to right redresse repaire restore and amend all transgressions domages enterprises outrages violences and iniuries committed or to be coÌ„mitted and like wise to require to aske demand and receiue restitutions reparations
restaurations and amends of our said subiects the common marchants mariners or of their factors in the couÌ„treis aforesaid And that whensoeuer and as often as it shal please the said gouernor or his deputies they may in some conueuient and honest place within the said countreis make or cause to be made somon and hold in our name iurisdictions courts and assemblies and in our said name take administration and knowledge of causes as it is aforesaide and to hold and keepe pleas for and in our behalfe and to make agreements mediatours and vmpires to iudge to make decrees and to minister iustice to ordaine appoint censure and constraine our saide subiects to sweare and take all kind of oathes which order of iustice and custome râ—quire and affoorde and to enioy our authoritie and to vse execute and accomplish by way of equitie and iustice and to doe or cause to be done all execution and exercise of law and iustice and to ordain appoint establish sire sergeants or vnder to doe the executions arrests of our said court by the commandement of the said gouernour or of his deputies or at the request of the partie or otherwise according as the case shall require by their aduise and to discharge and displace the said sergeants as shall seeme good vnto him as often and whensoeuer as it shall please him and change them and appoint and set others in their roomes and to require returne and answere of the court whensoeuer need shal be of all causes quarels and businesses in regard of the said office belonging vnto vs and to our said subiects the common marchants and mariners at all times and as often as the case shall permit and require and generally and specially to doe as much for vs and in our stead in the cases before mentioned and which hereafter shal be declared as we could doe or cause to be done could say or require if we were there present in our owne person Moreouer wee will and by the tenour of these presents wee giue and graunt vnto the saide gouernour and to our saide subiects the common marchants and mariners that as oft and whensoeuer it please them they may meet and assemble in some honest and conuenient place and by the consent of the saide gouernour to choose and appoynt among them at their pleasure freely and without danger certaine sufficient and fit persons to the number of twelue or vnder which we wil haue to be named Iusticers vnto the which Iusticers so elected by the saide gouernour and our saide subiects as it is said and to euerie of them we giue and graunt especiall power and authoritie to sitte and assist in court with the said gouernour or his lieutenants for their aide and assistance and to heare the griefs complaints and demands of our said subiects their suites pleas and the state of their causes and quarels whatsoeuer moued or to be moued vnto the ende of their cause and at the request of the saide gouernour his lieutenants or any of them to say propound and plainely to expresse and declare their opinions according to right and conscience vpon the causes brought before them and by the parties vttered and declared and well lawfully and faithfully to counsell and aduise the saide gouernour or his lieutenants to order and censure iudge and determine and ende the same iustly and equally according as the case shall permit and require And furthermore we wil that all iust and reasonable statutes lawes ordinances decrees and constitutions made and established or to be made and established in the countreys aforesaide by the consent of the said gouernour and of the saie Iusticers shal be corrected amended and made as they shall see to bee expedient in this behalfe for the better gouernment of the estate of the common marchants and mariners our saide subiects and shal be held as ratified firme acceptable and approued and from henceforth we accept admit allow and approue them for ratified and confirmed there to be firmely and inuiolably obserued kept and obeyed And also of our farther fauour and grace wee will and we grant that by the consent of our said gouernour our said subiects the common marchants and mariners may make and set downe in the said countreis by their common consent as often as they shall thinke good for their better gouernment and estate such iust and reasonable lawes statutes ordinances decrees constitutions and customes as they shal thinke expedient in this behalfe which we coÌ„mand to be kept as ratified confirmed allowed approued auailable and established Prouided alwaies that they do not nor seeke any thing preiudicial to this present power and authoritie giuen and graunted by vs to the saide gouernour in any poynt or article heerein comprised by any meanes or way whatsoeuer in which case if they shoulde doe anything or ought should happen we wil that it shal take no place force vigour strength nor vertue neither that it shal be of any effect but it shal be abolished disanulled and vtterly frustrate and as abolished disanulled and vtterly frustrated from this time forward wee holde and take it and will hereafter hold and take the same And so to doe and put in execution in our name we haue and doe giue full and absolute power speciall authority to our said seruant William Obray to his said lieutenants And likewise to the end that y e course of marchandise may be kept in good estate and that by order of iustice a firme and constant rule may be set downe among those our said subiects and marchants we haue ordained and do ordaine haue consented doe consent and by these presents haue giuen do giueful power especiall authority to our said seruant Will. Obray gouernour aforesaid that at al time and times when he shal think good he may ordaine elect chuse and appoint in the countreis aforesaid such ministers officers and seruitours as hereafter shal be named and such others as he shal think necessary and to discharge them and to change them set others in their roomes at his good will and pleasure vnto such a number as he shall thinke good and reasonable for the time being to be employed as namely correctors or brokers as many as he shal thinke good to make and to witnes the bargaines which are made or to be made betweene our said subiects and others with whom they shal haue to do or to deale in the foresaid countreis and also as many alnagers to alner and measure al kinds of marchandises which they shal buy or sel by the yard and also as many weighers to weigh the marchandise which shal be sold or bought by weight and also so many folders to fold their clothes and so many packers to pack their packs and to make their fardels maunds and baskets and other things needefull for the defence preseruation of their marchandize Al which ministers officers and seruitors so chosen elected charged admitted and established
Citie of London William Garret Alderman of our saide Citie Athonie Husie and Iohn Suthcot to be the first and present 4. Consuls of the said felowship and communalty by these presents to haue and enioy the said offices of Consuls to them the said George Barnes William Garret Anthony Husie Iohn Suthcot for terme of one whole yere next after y e date of these our letters patents And we doe likewise make ordeine and constitute Sir Iohn Gresham knight Sir Andrew Iudde knight Sir Thomas White knight Sir Iohn Yorke knight Thomas Offley the elder Thomas Lodge Henry Herdson Iohn Hopkins William Watson Will. Clifton Richard Pointer Richard Chamberlaine William Mallorie Thomas Pallie the elder William Allen Henry Becher Geffrey Walkenden Richard Fowles Rowland Heyward George Eaton Iohn Ellot Iohn Sparke Blase Sanders Miles Mording to be the first and present 24. Assistants to the saide Gouernour or gouernours and Consuls and to the said fellowship and communaltie by these presents to haue and enioy the said offices of assistants to them for terme of one whole yere next after the date of these our letters patents And further we for vs our heires and successors as much as in vs is wil graunt by these presents vnto the saide Gouernour Consuls assistans fellowship company of Marchants aduenturers aforesaid to their successors that the said gouernour or gouernours 4. Consuls 24. assistants that now by these patents are nominated and appointed or that hereafter by the saide fellowship communaltie of marchants aduenturers or the more part of them which shal be then present so from time to time to be chosen so that there be 15. at the least wholy agreed therof the said Gouernour or gouernors or one of them and 2. of the said Consuls shal be there and 12. of the residue of the said number of 15. shall be of the saide assistants and in the absence of such Gouernour that then 3. of the said Consuls and 12. of the saide assistants at the least for the time being shal may haue vse and exercise ful power and authority to rule and gouerne all and singuler the Marchants of the said fellowship and communaltie and to execute and doe full and speedie iustice to them and euery of them in all their causes differences variances controuersies quarrels and complaints within any our realmes dominions iurisdictions onely moued and to be moued touching their marchandise traffikes and occupiers aforesaid or the good order or rule of them or any of them Also wee for vs our heires and successours so much as in vs is doe likewise by these presents graunt that the said Gouernour Consuls assistants fellowship and communaltie and their successors shall and may haue perpetuall succession and a common Seale which shall perpetually serue for the affaires and businesse of the saide fellowship and communaltie And that they and their successours shall and may bee for euer able persons and capaâ— in the lawe for to purchase and possesse in fee and perpetuitie and for terme of life or liues or for terme of yeeres or otherwise lands tenements rents reuersions and other possessions and hereditaments whatsoeuer they bee by the name of the Gouernour Consuls assistants fellowship and communaltie of the Marchants aduenturers by Seas and Nauigations for the discouerie of landes territories Iles Dominions and Seigniories vnknoweâ— and before the saide last aduenture or enterprise by seas not frequented as before is specified and by the same names shall and may lawfully alien graunt let and set the same or any part thereof to any person or persons able in the lawe to take and receiue the same So that they doe not graunt nor alien the same or any part thereof into mortmaine without speciall licence of vs our heires or successours first had and obtained Also wee for vs our heires and successours haue graunted and by these presents doe graunt vnto the saide Gouernours Consuls assistants fellowship and communaltie of the saide Marchants and to their successours that they and their successours shall and may lawfully purchase vnto them and their successors for euer landes tenements and hereditaments whatsoeuer of the cleare yeerely value of threescore sixe â—ounds thirteene shillings foure pence of lawful money of England and not aboue as well of such lands tenements and hereditaments as bee holden or shall be holden of vs our heires or successours as of any other person or persons the statutes prouided against alienations into mortmaine or any of them or any article or clause in them or any of them contained or any other lawe custome statute or prouision to the contrary in any wise notwithanding And that they by the name of the Gouernour Consuls assistants fellowship and communaltie of Marchants aduenturers for the discouerie of lands territories Isles dominions and Seigniories vnknowen by the Seas and Nauigations and not before the said late aduenture or enterprise by seas frequented as aforesaid shall and may be able in the law to implead and be impleaded to answere and to be answered to defende and to be defended before whatsoeuer Iudge or Iustice temporall or spirituall or other persons whatsoeuer in whatsoeuer court or courts and in all actions personall reall and mixt and in euery of them and in all plaints of nouel disseison and also in all plaints suites quarels affaires businesses and demaunds whatsoeuer they bee touching and concerning the saide fellowship and communaltie and the affaires and businesse of the same onely in as ample manner and forme as any other corporation of this our Realme may doe Moreouer wee for vs our heires and successours haue giuen and graunted and by these presents doe giue and graunt vnto the said Gouernour Consuls assistants fellowshippe and communaltie of Marchants aduenturers aforesaide and to their successours that the saide Gouernour or Gouernours Consuls and assistants and their successors in maner forme and number afore rehearsed shall haue full power and authoritie from time to time hereafter to make ordein establish and erect all such statutes actes and ordinaunces for the gouernement good condition and laudable rule of the saide fellowship and communaltie of Marchants aduenturers aforesaid as to them shall bee thought good meete conueuient and necessarie and also to admit vnto the saide Corporation and fellowship to be free of the same such and as many persons as to them shal bee thought good meete conuenient and necessarie And that euery such person or persons as shall fortune heereafter to bee admitted into the saide fellowshippe communaltie and corporation shal from the time of his or their admittance be free of the same And also wee will and by these presents graunt for vs our heires and successours vnto the saide Gouernours Consuls assistants fellowship communaltie of Marchants aduenturers aforesaid and to their successours that the Gouernour or gouernors Consuls and assistants of the same in maner forme and number afore rehearsed and their successours for the time being shall and may
Westsouthwest sunne we set our maine sayle and lay close by the winde the winde being at Northwest and by North making but little way because the billow went so high at midnight wee cast about and the shippe caped Northnortheast making little way Friday at noone we had the latitude in 70 degrees 8 minutes and we sounded and had 29 fadomes sand and in maner stremy ground At a West sunne we cast about to the Westwards and a little after the wind came vp at West Saturday was calme the latitude this day at noone was 70 degrees and a terce we sounded heere and had nine and forty fadomes and oze which oze signified that we drew towards Noua Zembla And thus we being out of al hope to discouer any more to the Eastward this yeere wee thought it best to returne and that for three causes The first the continuall Northeast and Northerly winds which haue more power after a man is past to the Eastwards of Caninoze then in any place that I doe know in these Northerly regions Second because of great and terrible abundance of ice which we saw with our eies and we doubt greater store abideth in those parts I aduentured already somewhat too farre in it but I thanke God for my safe deliuerance from it Third because the nights waxed darke and the winter began to draw on with his stormes and therefore I resolued to take the first best wind that God should send and plie towards the bay of S. Nicholas and to see if we might do any good there if God would permitt it This present Saturday we saw very much ice and were within two or three leagues of it it shewed vnto vs as though it had beene a firme land as farre as we might see from Northwest off vs to the Eastwards and this afternoone the Lord sent vs a little gale of wind at South so that we bare cleere off the Westermost part of it thanks be to God And then against night it waxeâ— calme againe and the winde was at Southwest we made our way vntil Sunday noone Northwest and by West and then we had the latitude in 70 degrees and a halfe the winde at Southwest there was a billow so that we could not discerne to take the latitude exactly but by a reasonable gesse Munday there was a pretie gale of wind at South so that wee went West and by South the latitude this day at noone was 70 degrees 10 minutes wee had little-winde all day at a Westnorthwest sunne we sounded and had 29 fadoms blacke sandie oze then we were Northeast 5 leagues from the Northeast part of the Island Colgoieue Tuesday the wind all Westerly we plyed to the wind wards Wednesday the wind was all Westerly and calme wee had the latitude this day in 70 degrees 10 minutes we being within three leagues of the North part of the Island Colgoieue Thursday we went roome about the Westermost part of the Island seeking where we might finde a place to ride in for a Northwest wind but could find none and then we cast about againe to the seawards and the winde came at Westsouthwest and this morning we had plenty of snow Friday the winde being at Southwest and by West we plied to the windewards Saturday the winde being at South we plyed to the Westwards and at afternoone the mist brake vp and then we might see the land seuen or eight leagues to the Eastwards of Caninoz we sounded a litle before and had 35. fadoms and oze And a while after wee sounded againe and had 19. fadome and sand then we were within three leagues and a halfe of the shore and towards night there came downe so much winde that we were faine to bring our ship a trie and laide her head to the Westwards Sunday the winde became more calme and then it waxed verie mystie At noone wee cast about to the Eastwards the winde beeing at South and ranne eight houres on that boorde and then we cast about and caped West southwest we sounded and had 32. fathomes and tough oaze like clay Munday we doubled about Caninoze and came at an anker there to the intent that we might kill some fish if God would permit it and there we gace a great Nuse which Nuses were there so plentie that they would scarcely suffer any other fish to come neere the hookes the said Nuses caried away sundrie of our hookes and leads A litle after at a West Sunne the winde began to blow stormie at West southwest so that we were faine to wey and forsake our fishing ground and went close by the winde Southwest and Southwest and by West making our way South southwest September TUesday at a West Sunne we sounded and had 20. fathoms and broken Wâ—â—keshels I reckoned Canonize to be 24. leagues Northnortheast from vs. The eleuenth day we arriued at Colmogro and there we wintered expecting the approch of the next Sommer to proceede farther in our intended discouerie for the Ob which by reason of our imploiments to Wardhouse the next spring for the search of some English ships was not accordingly performed Certaine notes vnperfectly written by Richard Iohnson seruant to Master Richard Chancelour which was in the discouerie of Vaigatz and Noua Zembla with Steuen Burrowe in the Serchthrift 1556. and afterwarde â—â—ong the Samoedes whose deuilish rites hee describeth FIrst after we departed out of England we fell with Norway and on that coste lieth Northbern or Northbergen and this people are vnder the King of Denmarke But they differ in their speech from the Daâ—es for they speake Norsh And North of Northbern lie the Isles of Roste and Lofoot and these Islands pertaine vnto Finmarke and they keepe the lawes and speake the language of the Islanders And at the Eastermost part of that land is a castle which is called the Ward house and the King of Denmarke doeth fortifie it with men of warre and the Russes may not goe to the Westward of that castle And East Southeast from that castle is a lande called Lappia in which lande be two maner of people that is to say the Lappians and the Scrickfinnes which Scrickfinnes are a wilde people which neither know God nor yet good order and these people liue intents made of Deares skinnes and they haue no certaine habitations but continue in heards and companies by one hundred and two hundreds And they are a people of small stature and are clothed in Deares skinnes and drinke nothing but water and eate no bread but flesh all raw And the Lappians bee a people adioyning to them be much like to them in al conditions but the Emperour of Russia hath of late ouercome manie of them and they are in subiection to him And this people will say that they beleeue in the Russes God And they liue in tents as the other doe And Southeast and by South from Lappia lyeth a prouince called Corelia
dying and colouring Moreouer that you haue a speciall foresight in the chusing of your Tallowe and that it may be well purified and tried or els it will in one yeere putrifie consume Also that you certifie vs the trueth of the waights and measures and howe they doe answere with ours and to send vs 3. robles in money that we may trie the iust value of them Also we doe send you in these ships ten yong men that be bound Prentises to the Companie whom we will you to appoynt euery of them as you shall there finde most apt and meete some to keepe accompts some to buy and sell by your order and Commission and some to send abroad into the notable Cities of the Countrey for vnderstanding and knowledge And we will you send vs aduertisement from time to time aswell of the demeanours of our Prentises which we doe send now as also of such other as bee already there with you And if you finde any of them remisse negligent or otherwise misuse themselues and will not be ruled that then you doe send him home and the cause why And because we doe perceiue the Countrey to be large and that you haue three housholds we doe appoynt Henry Lane to be one of our Agents and to ioyne with you in all your doings and to haue like authoritie and power as you George Killingworth and Richard Gray haue not doubting but you three will so conferre together as both our Prentises and others may be appoynted and diuided euery of them to his office and to that he can best skill of and you also so diuide your selues euery of you to an house as by aduertisement one from another our businesse and trafficke may take good successe And for diuers considerations to auoyde many troubles and businesse that might happen wee haue appoynted that hee which shall abide at Colmogro which we doe thinke to bee most nicetest Henry Lane shall haue with him there such of our yong wen as can best skill in keeping of accompts after the maner of Marchants that is by Debitor and Creditor And that there shall be the place where our bookes shal be kept because it is nearer the sea side where our goods shal be discharged and our ships laden And the said Henry Lane to be charged with all such goods as we shall discharge there out of our ships according to our Inuoyces Which goods are to be sent from Colmogro to Vologhda or to Mosco or to any other place where you three or two of you do apppoynt thē to be sold so that Henry Lane be one And so frō time to time immediatly as any thing is sold doe you certifie the same to Henry Lane that he may enter it into the Bookes as appertaineth otherwise he should be too farre behinde in his Bookes at the comming of our ships when he should send vs the accompt of the whole yeere passed And we will also that you George Killingworth and Richard Gray doe in the fine of April next send either of you vnto Henry Lane a whole perfit iust accompt firmed with your owne hands of all the goods you haue solde and bought vntill that time and what remaineth vnsolde and also the accompt of all maner costs of wares and charges of you and the yong men vnder you particularly in such sort as the said accompt may bee with him in Colmogro at the fine of May at the furthest to the intent that hee may make all our accompts perfite against the comming of our ships and in any wise to keepe accompt of euery voyage by it selfe and not mingle one voyage with another at no hand And as we will haue you to keepe accompt of euery voyage by it selfe euen so wee would haue all the whole costes and charges of euery yeere put into the voyage of that yeere As the charges of all the last yeere must be put to the accompt of the third voyage and the charges of this yeere present must in the fine of April next be put to the fourth voyage Not doubting but your wisedome is such that you will not take it in euill part that wee doe appoynt Henry Lane to take the accompt of the rest For we doe it for none other cause but to keepe a good order in our bookes that his bookes and ours may by this meanes agree and hee being the yonger man may best take paines and that you doe keepe accompt of euery kinde of wares by it selfe to the intent wee may perceiue wherein is our most gaine And also in the making of your returne in any wise name in your billes of lading letters and accompts what wares doe appertaine to the first second and third voyage and that wee may knowe the same by the numbers or otherwise as you shall thinke good by your wisedomes putting the charges of the saide wares vnto them as nigh as you can And all such money as shall bee made of your goods in any place wee referre that to your discretion where it shall remaine vntill it bee employed either at Vologhda Mosco or els where And likewise wee will that Henry Lane doe make in a readinesse about the beginning of Iune euery yeere our whole accompt of the voyage in that yeere passed in such sort that wee may receiue the same by our shippes and that wee may plainely perceiue what sales are made and what remaineth of the first second third and fourth voyage and what charges haue bene layde out for the sayd voyages and what wares bee bought and laden and what they cost and for what voyage euery parcell thereof is and to send vs a copie of the same accompt in euery shippe And also forasmuch as at this time we haue sent you but small store of wares in comparison of that we haue hope will bee vttered in short space and yet neuerthelesse much more then you wrote for whereby there shall not be sufficient to make any ample returne and vnderstanding that there is great quantitie of goods stayed for our trade there by the Emperour wee haue mooued the Embassador that you may haue credite for such quantitie as shall seeme good to you to prouide for our benefite Which credite if you may by his meanes obtaine or otherwise haue we would you bought as much Wexe principally as you may get For if there be in that countrey so great quantitie as we be informed there is it will be the best commoditie we may haue for hauing that wholly in our hands we may serue our owne countrey and others Therefore seeing the Emperour doth minde that such commodities as bee in his dominions shall not passe to Rie and Reuel and Poland as they haue done but bee reserued for vs therefore we must so lay for it that it may not ly vpon their hands that haue it to sell alwayes hauing consideration in the price and time as our next dispatch may correspond Whereof you may send
of the first degree euery third yere haue recourse and in one publike house or place of assembly doe the second time make an oration of another sentence obscurer then the former and doe vndergo a more seuere examination Now there is commonly such an huge multitude of people that this last yere in the foresayd famous city of Cantam by reason of the incredible assembly of persons flocking to that publike act or commencement at the first entrance of the doores there were many troden vnder foot and quelled to death as we haue bene most certainly informed Moreouer they that sue for the highest degree are subiect vnto a most seuere and exact censure whereby they are to be examined at the Kings Court onely and that also euery third yere next insuing the sayd yere wherein graduates of the second degree are elected in ech prouince and a certaine number being prescribed vnto euery particular prouince they do ascend vnto that highest pitch of dignity which is in so great regard with the king himselfe that the three principall graduates do for honours sake drinke off a cup filled euen with the Kings owne hand and are graced with other solemnities Out of this order the chiefe magistrates are chosen for after that they haue attained vnto this third degree being a while trained vp in the lawes of the realme and in the precepts of vrbanity they are admitted vnto diuers functions Neither are we to thinke that the Chinians be altogether destitute of other artes For as touching morall philosophy all those books are fraught with the precepts thereof which for their instructions sake are alwayes conuersant in the hands of the foresayd students wherein such graue and pithy sentences are set downe that in men void of the light of the Gospell more can not be desired They haue books also that intreat of things and causes naturall but herein it is to be supposed that aswell their books as ours do abound with errors There be other books among them that discourse of herbs and medicines and others of chiualry and martiall affaires Neither can I here omit that certaine men of China albeit they be but few and rare to be found are excellent in the knowledge of astronomy by which knowledge of theirs the dayes of the new moone incident to euery moneth are truely disposed and digested and are committed to writing and published besides they doe most infallibly foretell the eclipses of the Sun and Moone and whatsoeuer knowledge in this arte we of Iapon haue it is deriued from them Leo. We doe freely confesse that Michael sithens our books intreating of the same arte are a great part of them written in the characters or letters of China But now instruct you vs as touching their maner of gouernment wherein the Chinians are sayd greatly to excell Michael That that in very deed is their chiefe arte and vnto that all their learning and exercise of letters is directed Whereas therefore in the kingdome of China one onely king beares rule ouer so many prouinces it is strange what a number of Magistrates are by him created to administer publique affaires For to omit them which in ech Towne and City haue iurisdiction ouer the townesmen and citizens there are three principall Magistrates in euery prouince The first is he that hath to deale in cases criminall and is called Ganchasu the second is the Kings Fosterer and is called Puchinsu the third is the Lieu-tenant generall for the warres named as we sayd before Chumpin These three therefore haue their place of residence in the chiefe City of the prouince and the two former haue certaine associates of their owne order but of inferiour authority appointed in diuers Cities and Townes vnto whom according to the variety of causes the Gouernours of Townes and the Maiors of Cities doe appeale Howbeit the three forenamed Magistrates are in subiection vnto the Tuâ—an that is the Uice-roy ordained in ech prouince And all these Magistrates beare office for the space of three yeeres together yet so that for the gouerning of ech prouince not any of the same prouince but strangers that is men of another prouince are selected whereof it commeth to passe that the Iudges may giue sentence with a farre more entire and incorrupt minde then if they were among tâ—eir owne kinsefolke and allies Ouer and besides all these there is an annuall or yeerely Magistrate which is called Chaien whose duety it is to make inquisition of all crimes and especially the crimes of Magistrates and also to punish common offences but concerning the faults of the great magistrates to admonish the king himselfe Of this order euery yere are sent out of the Kings Court for ech prouince one and going ouer all the Cities and Townes thereof they do most diligently ransacke and serch out all crimes and vpon them which are imprisoned they inflict due punishment or being found not guilty they dismisse them vnpunished Hence it is that all Magistrates greatly fearing to be called in question by the Chaien arâ— well kept within the limits of their callings Besides all these Magistrates there is at either Court namely in the North and in the South a Senate or honourable assembly of graue counsellours vnto the which out of all prouinces according to the neerenesse and distance of the place affaires of greater weight and moment are referred and by their authority diuers Magistrates are created howbeit the managing and expedition of principall affaires is committed vnto the Senate of Paquin Moreouer there are euery yeere certaine Magistrates appointed in ech prouince to goe vnto the king and euery third yeere all the Gouernours of Cities and of Townes do visit him at once what time triall is made of them that aspire vnto the third degree vpon which occasion there is at the same time an incredible number of people at the Kings Court. By reason of this excellent order and harmony of Magistrates placed one vnder another it can scarse be imagined what sweet peace and tranquility flourisheth thorowout the whole realme especially sithens after speedy inquisition persons that are guilty be put as the maner is there to the punishment of the bastonado neither yet are suits or actions any long time delayed Also it is not to be omitted that for the obtaining of any dignity or magistracy the way is open without all respect of gentry or blood vnto all men if they be learned and especially if they haue attained vnto the third and highest degree aforesayd Neither can it be expressed how obedient and duetifull the common sort are vnto their Magistrates and with what magnificence and pompe the sayd Magistrates come abroad for the most part of them haue fiftie or threescore Sergeants attending vpon them and going before them two and two in a ranke some of them carrying Halberds Maces and Battle-axes some trailing yron chaines vpon the ground others holding great roddes or staues of
his and their defence encounter expulse repell and resist as well by Sea as by land and by all other wayes whatsoeuer all and euery such person and persons whatsoeuer as without the speciall licence and liking of the sayd Sir Humfrey and of his heires and assignes shall attempt to inhabite within the sayd countreys or any of them or within the space of two hundreth leagues neere to the place or places within such countreys as aforesayd if they shall not bee before planted or inhabited within the limites aforesayd with the subiects of any Christian prince being in amitie with her Maiesty where the said sir Humfrey his heires or assignes or any of them or his or their or any of their associates or companies shall within sixe yeeres next ensuing make their dwellings and abidings or that shall enterprise or attempt at any time hereafter vnlawfully to annoy either by Sea or land the said sir Humfrey his heires or assignes or any of them or his or their or any of their companies giuing and graunting by these presents further power and authoritie to the sayd sir Humfrey his heires and assignes and euery of them from time to time and at all times for euer hereafter to take and surprise by all maner of meanes whatsoeuer all and euery person and persons with their shippes vessels and other goods and furniture which without the licence of the sayd sir Humfrey or his heires or assignes as aforesayd shall bee found traffiquing into any harborough or harboroughs creeke or creekes within the limites aforesayde the â—ubiects of our Realmes and dominions and all other persons in amitie with vs bring driuen by force of tempest or shipwracke onely excepted and those persons and euery of them with their ships vessels goods and furniture to detaine and possesse as of good and lawfull prize according to the discretion of him the sayd sir Humfrey his heires and assignes and of euery or any of them And for vniting in more perfect league and amitie of such countreys landes and territories so to bee possessed and inhabited as aforesayde with our Realmes of England and Ireland and for the better encouragement of men to this enterprise wee doe by these presents graunt and declare that all such countreys so hereafter to bee possessed and inhabited as aforesayd from thencefoorth shall bee of the allegiance of vs our heires and successours And wee doe graunt to the sayd sir Humfrey his heires and assignes and to all and euery of them and to all and euery other person and persons being of our allegiance whose names shall be noted or entred in some of our courts of Record within this our Realme of England and that with the assent of the sayd sir Humfrey his heires or assignes shall nowe in this iourney for discouerie or in the second iourney for conquest hereafter trauel to such lands countries and territories as aforesaid and to their and euery of their heires that they and euery or any of them being either borne within our sayd Realmes of England or Ireland or within any other place within our allegiance and which hereafter shall be inhabiting within any the lands countreys and territories with such licence as aforesayd shall and may haue and enioy all the priuileges of free denizens and persons natiue of England and within our allegiance any law custome or vsage to the contrary notwithstanding And forasmuch as vpon the finding out discouering and inhabiting of such remote lands countreys and territories as aforesayd it shall be necessarie for the safetie of all men that shall aduenture themselues in those iourneys or voiages to determine to liue together in Christian peace and ciuill quietnesse each with other whereby euery one may with more pleasure and profit enioy that whereunto they shall attaine with great paine and perill wee for vs our heires and successours are likewise pleased and contented and by these presents doe giue and graunt to the sayd sir Humfrey and his heires and assignes for euer that he and they and euery or any of them shall and may from time to time for euer hereafter within the sayd mentioned remote lands and countreys and in the way by the Seas thither and from thence haue full and meere power and authoritie to correct punish pardon gouerne and rule by their and euery or any of their good discretions and pollicies as well in causes capitall or criminall as ciuill both marine and other all such our subiects and others as shall from time to time hereafter aduenture themselues in the sayd iournâ—ys or voyages habitatiue or possessiue or that shall at any time hereafter inhabite any such lands countreys or territories as aforesayd or that shall abide within two hundred leagues of any the sayd place or places where the sayd sir Humfrey or his heires or assignes or any of them or any of his or their associats or companies shall inhabite within sixe yeeres next ensuing the date hereof according to such statutes lawes and ordinances as shall be by him the said sir Humfrey his heires and assignes or euery or any of them deuised or established for the better gouernement of the said people as aforesayd so alwayes that the sayd statutes lawes and ordinances may be as neere as conuâ—niently may agreeable to the forme of the lawes pollicy of England and also that they be not against the true Christian faith or religion now professed in the church of England nor in any wise to withdraw any of the subiects or people of those lands or places from the allegiance of vs our heires or successours as their immediate Soueraignes vnder God And further we doe by these presents for vs our heires and successours giue and graunt full power and authority to our trustie and welbeloued counseller sir William Cecill knight lord Burleigh our high treasurer of England and to the lord treasurer of England of vs for the time being and to the priuie counsell of vs our heires and successours or any foure of them for the time being that he they or any foure of them shall and may from time to time and at all times hereafter vnder his or their handes or seales by vertue of these presents authorize and licence the sayd sir Humfrey Gilbert his heires and assignes and euery or any of them by him and themselues or by their or any of their sufficient atturneys deputies officers ministers factors and seruants to imbarke and transport out of our Realmes of England and Ireland all or any of his or their goods and all or any the goods of his or their associates and companies and euery or any of them with such other necessaries and commodities of any our Realmes as to the said lord treasurer or foure of the priuie counsell of vs our heires or successours for the time being as aforesayd shall be from time to time by his or their wisedoms or discâ—etions thought meete and conuenient for the better reliefe and supportation of him the
seeke any further And these last words he would often repeate with demonstration of great feruencie of mind being himselfe very confident and setled in beliefe of inestimable good by this voyage which the greater number of his followers neuertheles mistrusted altogether not being made partakers of those secrets which the Generall kept vnto himselfe Yet all of them that are liuing may be witnesses of his words and protestations which sparingly I haue deliuered Leauing the issue of this good hope vnto God who knoweth the trueth only can at his good pleasure bring the same to light I will hasten to the end of this tragedie which must be knit vp in the person of our Generall And as it was Gods ordinance vpon him euen so the vehement perswasion and intreatie of his friends could nothing auaile to diuert him from a wilfull resolution of going through in his Frigat which was ouercharged vpon their deckes with fights nettings and small artillerie too cumbersome for so small a boate that was to passe through the Ocean sea at that season of the yere when by course we might expect much storme of foule weather whereof indeed we had enough But when he was intreated by the Captaine Master and other his well willers of the Hinde not to venture in the Frigat this was his answere I will not forsake my little company going homeward with whom I haue passed so many stormes and perils And in very trueth hee was urged to be so ouer hard by hard reports giuen of him that he was afraid of the sea albeit this was rather rashnes then aduised resolution to preferre the wind of a vaine report to the weight of his owne life Seeing he would not bend to reason he had prouision out of the Hinde such as was wanting aboord his Frigat And so we committed him to Gods protection set him aboord his Pinnesse we being more then 300 leagues onward of our way home By that time we had brought the Islands of Açores South of vs yet wee then keeping much to the North vntil we had got into the height and eleuation of England we met with very foule weather and terrible seas breaking short and high Pyramid wise The reason whereof seemed to proceede either of hilly grounds high and low within the sea as we see hilles and dales vpon the land vpon which the seas doe mount and fall or else the cause proceedeth of diuersitie of winds shifting often in sundry points al which hauing power to moue the great Ocean which againe is not presently setled so many seas do encounter together as there had bene diuersitie of windes Howsoeuer it commeth to passe men which all their life time had occupied the Sea neuer saw more outragious Seas We had also vpon our maine yard an apparition of a little fire by night which seamen doe call Castor and Pollux But we had onely one which they take an euill signe of more tempest the same is vsuall in stormes Munday the ninth of September in the afternooue the Frigat was neere cast away oppressed by waues yet at that time recouered and giuing foorth signes of ioy the Generall sitting abafe with a booke in his hand cried out vnto vs in the Hind so oft as we did approch within hearing We are as neere to heauen by sea as by land Reiterating the same speech well beseeming a souldier resolute in Iesus Christ as I can testifie he was The same Monday night about twelue of the clocke or not long after the Frigat being ahead of vs in the Golden Hinde suddenly her lights were out whereof as it were in a moment we lost the sight and withall our watch cryed the Generall was cast away which was too true For in that moment the Frigat was deuoured and swallowed vp of the Sea Yet still we looked out all that night and euer after vntill wee arriued vpon the coast of England Omitting no small saile at sea vnto which we gaue not the tokens betweene vs agreed vpon to haue perfect knowledge of each other if we should at any time be separated In great torment of weather and perill of drowning it pleased God to send safe home the Golden Hinde which arriued in Falmouth the 22 day of September being Sonday not without as great danger escaped in a flaw comming from the Southeast with such thicke mist that we could not discerne land to put in right with the Hauen From Falmouth we went to Dartmouth lay there at anker before the Range while the captaine went aland to enquire if there had bene any newes of the Frigat which sayling well might happily haue bene before vs. Also to certifie Sir Iohn Gilbert brother vâ—to the Generall of our hard successe whom the Captaine desired while his men were yet aboord him and were witnesses of all occurrents in that voyage It might please him to take the examination of euery person particularly in discharge of his and their faithfull endeuour Sir Iohn Gilbert refused so to doe holding himselfe satisfied with report made by the Captaine and not altogether dispairing of his brothers safetie offered friendship and curtesie to the Captaine and his company requiring to haue his Barke brought into the harbour in furtherance whereof a boate was sent to helpe to â—ow her in Neuerthelesse when the Captaine returned aboord his ship he found his men bent to depart euery man to his home and then the winde seruing to proceede higher vpon the coast they demanded money to carie them home some to London others to Harwich and else where if the barke should be caried into Dartmouth and they discharged so farre from home or else to take benefite of the wind then seruing to draw neerer home which should be a lesse charge vnto the Captaine and great ease vnto the men hauing els farre to goe Reason accompanied with necessitie perswaded the Captaine who sent his lawfull excuse and cause of his sudden departure vnto Sir Iohn Gilbert by the boate of Dartmouth and from thence the Golden Hind departed and tooke harbour at Waimouth Al the men tired with the tediousnes of so vnprofitable a voiage to their seeming in which their long expence of time much toyle and labour hard diet and continuall hazard of life was vnrecompensed their Captaine neuerthelesse by his great charges impaired greatly thereby yet comforted in the goodnes of God and his vndoubted prouidence following him in all that voyage as it doth alwaies those at other times whosoeuer haue confidence in him alone Yet haue we more neere feeling and perseuerance of his powerfull hand and protection when God doth bring vs together with others into one same peril in which he leaueth them and deliuereth vs making vs thereby the beholders but not partakers of their ruine Euen so amongst very many difficulties discontentments mutinies conspiracies sicknesses mortalitie spoylings and wracks by sea which were afflictions more then in so small a Fleete
euery of them that he and they and euery or any of them shall and may from time to time and at all times for euer hereafter for his and their defence encounter and expulse repell and resist aswell by sea as by lande and by all other wayes whatsoeuer all and euery such person and persons whatsoeuer as without the especiall liking and license of the sayd Walter Ralegh and of his heires and assignes shall attempt to inhabite within the sayde Countryes or any of them or within the space of two hundreth leagues neere to the place or places within such Countryes as aforesayde if they shall not bee before planted or inhabited within the limits as aforesayd with the subiects of any Christian Prince being in amitie with vs where the sayd Walter Ralegh his heires or assignes or any of them or his or their or any of their associats or company shall within sixe yeeres next ensuing make their dwellings or abidings or that shall eâ—terprise or attempt at any time hereafter vnlawfully to annoy eyther by Sea or Lande the sayde Walter Ralegh his heires or assignes or any of them or his or their or any of his or their companies giuing and graunting by these presents further power and authoritie to the sayd Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes and euery of them from time to time and at all times for euer hereafter to take and surprise by all maner of meanes whatsoeuer all and euery those person or persons with their Shippes Uessels and other goods and furniture which without the licence of the sayde Walter Ralegh or his heires or assignes as aforesayd shal be found traffiquing into any Harbour or Harbours Creeke or Creekes within the limits aforesayd the subiects of our Realmes and Dominions and all other persons in amitie with vs trading to the Newfound lands for fishing as heretofore they haue commonly vsed or being driuen by force of a tempest or shipwracke onely excepted and those persons and euery of them with their shippes vessels goods and furniture to deteine and possesse as of good and lawfull prize according to the discretion of him the sayd Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes and euery or any of them And for vniting in more perfect league and amitie of such Countryes landes and territories so to be possessed and inhabited as aforesayd with our Realmes of England and Ireland and the better incouragement of men to these enterprises we doe by these presents graunt and declare that all such Countries so hereafter to be possessed and inhabited as is aforesayd from thencefoorth shall be of the allegiance of vs our heires and successours And wee doe graunt to the sayd Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes and to all and euery of them and to all and euery other person and persons being of our allegiance whose names shall be noted or entred in some of our Courts of recorde within our Realme of England that with the assent of the sayd Walter Ralegh his heires or assignes shall in his iourneis for discouerie or in the iourneis for conquest hereafter trauaile to such lands countreis and territories as aforesayd and to their and to euery of their heires that they and euery or any of them being eyther borne within our sayde Realmes of England or Irelande or in any other place within our allegiance and which hereafter shall be inhabiting within any the Lands Countryes and Territories with such licence as aforesayd shall and may haue all the priuiledges of free Denizens and persons natiue of England and within our allegiance in such like ample maner and forme as if they were borne and personally resident within our said Realme of Eâ—gland any law custome or vsage to the contrary notwithstanding And for asmuch as vpon the finding out discouering or iâ—habiting of such remote lands countries and territories as aforesaid it shal be necessary for the safety of all men that shall aduenture themselues in those iourneyes or voyages to determine to liue together in Christian peace and ciuill quietnesse eche with other whereby euery one may with more pleasure and profit enioy that whereunto they shall atteine with great paine and perill wee for vs our heires and successors are likewise pleased and contented and by these presents doe giue grant to the said Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes for euer that he and they and euery or any of them shall and may from time to time for euer hereafter within the said mentioned remote lands and countries in the way by the seas thither and from thence haue full and meere power and authoritie to correct punish pardon gouerne and rule by their and euery or any of their good discretions and policies aswell in causes capitall or criminall as ciuil both marine and other all such our subiects as shal from time to time aduenture themselues in the said iourneis or voyages or that shall at any time hereafter inhabite any such lands countreis or territories as aforesayd or that shall abide within 200. leagues of any of the sayde place or places where the sayde Walter Ralegh his heires or assignes or any of them or any of his or their associats or companies shall inhabite within 6. yeeres next ensuing the date hereof according to such statutes lawes and ordinances as shall be by him the sayd Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes and euery or any of them deuised or established for the better gouernment of the said people as aforesaid So alwayes as the said statutes lawes and ordinances may be as nere as conueniently may bee agreeable to the forme of the lawes statutes gouernement or pollicie of England and also so as they be not against the true Christian faith nowe professed in the Church of England nor in any wise to withdrawe any of the subiectes or people of those lands or places from the alleageance of vs our heires and successours as their immediate Soueraigne vnder God And further we doe by these presents for vs our heires and successors giue and grant ful power and authoritie to our trustie and wâ—lbeloued Counsailour Sir William Cecill knight Lorde Burghleyâ— our high Treasourer of England and to the Lorde Treasourer of England for vs our heires and successors for the time beingâ— and to the priuie Cousaile of vs our heires and successors or any foure or more of them for the time being that he they or any foure or more of them shall and may from time to time and at all times hereafter vnder his or their handes or Seales by vertue of these presents authorise and licence the saide Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes and euery or any of them by him by themselues or by their or any of their sufficient Atturneis Deputies Officers Ministers Factors and seruants to imbarke transport out of our Realme of England and Ireland and the Dominions thereof all or any of his or their goods and all or any the goods of his and their associats and companies and
to beanes but is bigger and longer and much more thicke together on the stalke and when it wareth 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 Portugall to the Westerne fort with a flag of truce to whom Captaine Sampson was sent with Captaine Goring who comming to the said messenger he first asked them what nation they were they answered Englishmen hee then required to knowe if warres were betweene England and Spaine to which they answered that they knew not but if he would goe 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 resusâ—d for that he was not sent from his Gouernor Then they told him if his Gouernor did desire to take a course for the common benefit of the people and countrey his best way were to come and present himselfe vnto our noble and mercifull Gouernour sir Francis Drake whereby hee might bee assured to find fauour both for himselfe and the inhabitantes Otherwise within three dayes wee should march ouer the land and consume with fire all inhabited places and put to the sword all such liuing soules as wee shoulde chance vpon so thus much hee tooke for the conclusion of his answere and departing hee promised to returne the next day but we neuer heard more of him Upon the foure and twentieth of Nouember the Generall accâ—mpaniâ—d with the lieutenant generall and sixe hundred men marched foorth to a village twelue miles within the land called Saint Domingo where the Gouernour and the Bishoppe with all the betâ—er sort were lodged and by eight of the clocke wee came â—o it finding the place abandoned and the people fled into the mountaines so we made stand 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 homewards in which retreat the enemie shewed themselues both horse and foote though not such force as â—urst encounter vs and so in passing sometime at the gase with them it waxed late and towards night before we could recouer home to S. Iago On Munday the sixe and twentieth of Nouember the Generall commaunded all the pinnesses with the boates to vse all diligence to imbarke the Armie into such shippes as euery man belonged The Lieutenant generall in like sort commanded Captaine Goring and Lieutenant Tucker with one hundred shot to make a stand in the market place vntill our forces were wholly imbarked the viceadmiral making stay with his pinnesse certaine boats in the harbour to bring the sayd last companie aboord the ships Also the Generall willed forthwith the gallie â—ith two pinnesses to take into them 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 Praya or Playa hauing bene promised to be shewed it by a prisoner which was taken the day before The Captaines aforesayd comming to the Playa landed their men and hauing placed the troupe in their best strength Captaine Sampson tooke the prisoner and willed him to shewe that hee 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 ankered with the rest of the Fleet before the Playa comming himselfe ashore willing vs to burne the towne and make all haste aboord 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 wee established orders for the better gouernment of the Army euery man mustered to his captaine and othes were ministred to acknowledge her Maiestie supreme Gouernour as also euery man to doe his vttermost endeuour to aduance 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 archieuing of our happy enterprise In all the time of our being here neither the Gouernour for the king of Spaine which is a Portugall neither the Bishop whose authoritie is great neither the inhabitants of the towne or Island euer came at vs which we expected they should haue done to intreate vs to leaue them some part of their needfull prouisions or at the least to spare the ruining of their towne at our going away The cause of this their varcasonable distrust as I doe take it was the fresh remembrance of the great wrongs they had done to old M. William Hawkins of Plimmouth in the voyage he made 4. or 5. yeeres before when as they did both breake their promise and murthered many of his man whereof I iudge you haue vnderstood therefore it is needlesse to be repeated But since they came not at vs we left written in sundry places as also in the spittle house which building was only appointed to be spared the great discontentment scorne we tooke at this their refraining to come vnto vs as also at the rude maner of killing sauage kind of handling the dead body of one of our boyes found by them stragling al alone from whom they had taken his head and heart and had stragled the other vowels about the place in a most brutish and beastly maner In reuenge whereof at our departing we consumed with fire all the houses aswell in the countrey which we saw as in the towne of S. Iago From hence putting off to the West Indies wee were not many dayes at Sea but there beganne among our people such mortalitie as in fewe dayes there were dead aboue two or three hundred men And vntill some seuen or eight dayes after our comming from S. Iago there had not died any one man of sicknesse in all the fleete the sicknesse shewed not his infection wherewith so many were stroken vntill we were departed thence and then seazed our people with extreme hot burning and continuall agues whereof very fewe escaped with life and yet those for the most part not without great alteration and decay of their wittes and strength for a long time after In some that died were plainely shewed the small spots which are often found vpon those that be infected with the plague wee were not aboue eighteene dayes in passage betweene the sight of Saint Iago aforesaid and the Island of Dominica being the first Island of the West Indies that we fell withall the same being inhabited with sauage people which goe all naked their skinne coloured with some painting of a reddish tawney very personable and handsome strong
or impeachment to him and his during our pleasure And also we will that the sayd William Obray ouer and aboue that which is sayd shall take gather and receiue of our sayd subiects from henceforth yearely during our pleasure all such and like wages and profits as he had and receiued of our sayd subiects in the yeare 1458 when hee held and exercised the said office of gouernour without diminishing or rebating any thing thereof notwithstanding this present augmentation made increased and done vnto him of our grace and fauour and that hee shall gather take and receiue the same in such forme and manner as the other money aboue mentioned is to be gathered And to the ende that the sayd William Obray may haue and take possession season and enterance of the said office of gouernour in our name we haue and doe place him by the deliuery of these presents in possession season and entrance of the said office and of the rights profits stipends wages and moneis aforesayd to begin to exercise the sayd office of gouernour in our name the first day of May next ensuing after the date of these presents for the sayd William Obray to hold and exercise practise and vse the same during our pleasure with the sayd wages moneys rights and profites aboue mentioned without any contradiction or impeachment And all and singular our subiects the common marchants and mariners which shall be contrary rebellious and disobedient to the said gouernour so ordayned by vs to his said lieutenants to the sayd iusticers so chosen or to any of them or to any of the statutes lawes decrees sentences ordinances and customes offices gifts and grants abouesayd let them grieuously be punished by the sayd gouernour or his lieutenants in this behalfe according to the quantity of their offences and the exigencie of the cases We doe sommon commaund straitly and expresly enioine by these presents all and euery our saide subiects that vnto the sayd gouernour so by vs ordained to his lieutenants attorneis or deputies and also to the said iusticers officers and ministers in all and euerie the things aforesaid and others any waie concerning in this behalfe our said ordinances their gouernmeÌ„t and rule the circumstances and dependances theron that they giue their attendance counsayle comfort oâ—edience and aide diligently without fault or difficulty surely safely fully and peaceably without doing inferring or inflicting or suffering to be done inferred or inflicted to them or any of them in body or goods any disturbance or impeachment in any maner whatsoeuer but rather if any thing bee done vnto them contrary and to the preiudice of these presents they shall remoue and cause the same to be remooued and that which shall be hindered they shall set at free deliuerance vpon payne to fall into and to incurre our high displeasure For such is our pleasure and so will wee haue it notwithstanding anie letters falsely crept in obtayned or to be obtayned contrary hereunto And you our subiects the common marchants and mariners so behaue your selues that you may receiue commendation of vs for your good obedience knowing that such as shall be found doing or to haue done the contrary we will see them so punished without redemption that they shall bee an example to all rebellious persons We pray and most instantly require in the ayde of equitie all others our friends allies and well-willers aswell princes and potentates as their iusticers officers lieutenants deputies commissaries and subiects and euery of them in regard of equitie that they would vouchsafe and that it would please them to giue doe and lend comfort ayde assistance and prisons if neede require to our sayd gouernour his lieutenants commissaries deputies iusticers others our officers and ministers aforesayd and herein wee pray them on our behalfe and in our owne name And it may please them herein to doe so much that we may haue occasion to thanke them and to accompt our selues beholding for the same and as they would that we should do for them in the like matter or in a greater which we will willingly doe if we be required thereunto by them In witnesse whereof we haue caused these our letters to bee made patents Witnes our selues at Westminster the sixteenth of April in the second yere our reigne A declaration of the Indies and lands discouered and subdued vnto the Emperour and the king of Portingal And also of other partes of the Indies and rich countries to be discouered which the worshipfull M. Robert Thorne merchant of London who dwelt long in the citie of Siuil in Spaine exhorted king Henrie the eight to take in hand MOST EXCELLENT PRINCE EXperience prooueth that naturally all princes bee destrous to extend and enlarge their dominions and kingdomes Wherefore it is not to be marueileâ— to see them euery day procure the same not regarding any cost perill and labour that may thereby chance but rather it is to be maruelled if there be any prince content to liue quiet with his owne dominions For surely the people would thinke he lacketh the noble courage and spirit of all other The world knoweth that the desires of Princes haue bene so feruent to obtaine their purpose that they haue aduentured and prooued things to mans coniecture impossible the which they haue made possible and also things difficult haue made facill and thus to obtaine their purpose haue in maner tnrned vp and downe the whole world so many times that the people inhabiting in the farthest region of the Occident haue pursued with great distresse labours and perils to penetrate and enter into the farthest regions of the Orient and in likewise those people of the said parts of the Orient haue had no lesse labour and desire to enter and penetrate into the farthest land of the Occident and so following their purchase haue not ceased vntill they could passe no farther by reason of the great seas This naturall inclination is cause that scarsely it may be said there is any kingdome stable nor king quiet but that his owne imagination or other princes his neighbours doe trouble him God and nature hath prouided to your Grace and to your gracious progenitors this Realme of England and set it in so fruitfull a place and within such limites that it should seeme to be a place quiet and aparted from all the foresayd desire One speciall cause is for that it is compassed with the Sea by reason therof it seemes this notwithstanding their desires and noble courages haue beene most commonly like vnto others and with marueilous great labours costes and perils they haue traueiled and passed the Seas making warre not onely with Kings and dominions nigh neighbours but also with them of farre countries and so haue woonne and conquered many rich and fayre dominions and amplified this your Graces Realme with great victory and glory And also now of late your Grace hauing like courage and desire and not without iust cause to enlarge this your kingdome and
demaund your limits and tribute of the French king which at that present he restrained your Grace in person passed with a great power into France putting your Graces person to great paine and labour and without doubt victoriously you had conquered the sayd Realme of France as ye began if your aduersary had not reconciled himselfe and knowledged your Graces right and title and so promised truly to pay the tribute then due fulfill your request in all things and also desired your Grace for peace the which of your clemencie you could not refuse Now I considering this your noble courage and desire and also perceiuing that your Grace may at your pleasure to your greater glory by a godly meane with little cost perill or labour to your Grace or any of your subiects amplifie and inrich this your sayd Realme I know it is my bounden duety to manifest this secret vnto your Grace which hitherto as I suppose hath beene hid which is that with a small number of ships there may bee discouered diuers New lands and kingdomes in the which without doubt your Grace shall winne perpetuall glory and your subiectes infinite profite To which places there is left one way to discouer which is into the North for that of the foure partes of the worlde it seemeth three parts are discouered by other Princes For out of Spaine they haue discouered all the Indies and Seas Occidentall and out of Portingall all the Indies and Seas Orientall so that by this part of the Orient Occident they haue compassed the world For the one of them departing toward the Orient and the other toward the Occident met againe in the course or way of the middest of the day and so then was discouered a great part of the same Seas and coastes by the Spaniards So that now rest to be discouered the sayd North parts the which it seemeth to mee is onely your charge and duety Because the situation of this your Realme is thereunto neerest and aptest of all other and also for that you haue already taken it in hand And in mine opinion it will not seeme well to leaue so great and profitable an enterprise seeing it may so easily and with so little cost labour and danger be followed and obtayned though heretofore your Grace hath made thereof a proofe found not the commodity thereby as you trusted at this time it shall be no impediment For there may be now prouided remedies for things then lacked and the inconueniences and lets remooued that then were cause that your Graces desire tooke no full effect which is the courses to be changed followed the foresaid new courses And concerning the mariners shippes and prouision an order may be deuised and taken meete and conuenient much better then hitherto By reason wherof and by Gods grace no doubt your purpose shall take effect Surely the cost herein will be nothing in comparison to the great profit The labour is much lesse yea nothing at all where so great honour and glory is hoped for and considering well the courses truely the danger way is shorter to vs then to Spaine or Portingall as by euident reasons appereth And now to declare something of the commodity and vtilitie of this Nauigation and discouerie it is very cleere and certaine that the Seas that commonly men say without great danger difficulty and perill yea rather it is impossible to passe that those same Seas be nauigable and without anie such danger but that shippes may passe and haue in them perpetuall clerenesse of the day without any darkenesse of the night which thing is a great commoditie for the nauigants to see at all times round about them as well the safegards as dangers and how great difference it is betweene the commoditie and perils of other which leese the most part of euery foure and twentie houres the said light and goe in darkenesse groping their way I thinke there is none so ignorant but perceiueth this more plainely then it can be expressed Yea what a vantage shal your Graces subiects haue also by this light to discouer the strange lands countries and coastes For if they that be discouered to saile by them in darkenesse is with great danger much more then the coastes not discouered be daungerous to trauell by night or in darkenesse Yet these dangers or darkenesse hath not letted the Spanyards and Portingals and other to discouer many vnknowen Realmes to their great perill Which considered and that your Graces subiects may haue the same light it will seeme your Graces subiects to be without actiuity or courage in leauing to doe this glorious and noble enterprise For they being past this litle way which they named so dangerous which may be two or three leagues before they come to the Pole and as much more after they passe the Pole it is cleere that from thence foorth the seas and landes are as temperate as in these partes and that then it may be at the will and pleasure of the mariners to choose whether they will sayle by the coastes that be colde temperate or hote For they being past the Pole it is plaine they may decline to what part they list If they will goe toward the Orient they shall inioy the regions of all the Tartarians that extend toward the midday and from thence they may goe and proceede to the land of the Chinas and from thence to the land of the Cathaio Orientall which is of all the maine land most Orientall that can be reckoned from our habitation And if from thence they doe continue their nauigation following the coasts that returne toward the Occident they shall fall in with Malaca and so with all the Indies which we call Orientall and following the way may returne hither by the Cape of Buona Speransa and thus they shall compasse the whole worlde And if they will take their course after they be past the Pole toward the Occident they shall goe in the backe side of the new found land which of late was discouered by your Graces subiects vntill they come to the backe side and South Seas of the Indies Occidentall And so continuing their voyage they may returne thorow the streight of Magellan to this countrey and so they compasse also the world by that way and if they goe this third way and after they be past the Pole goe right toward the Pole Antarctike and then decline toward the lands and Islands situated between the Tropikes and vnder the Equinoctiall without doubt they shall finde there the richest landes and Islands of the world of golde precious stones balmes spices and other thinges that we here esteeme most which come out of strange countries and may returne the same way By this it appeareth your Grace hath not onely a great aduantage of the riches but also your subiects shall not trauell halfe of the way that other doe which goe round about as aforesayd The