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
Gods grace to discouer also the countrey of Cathaia and other regions very coÌ„uenient to be traded into by merchants of this realme for the great benefite and commodities of the same And forasmuch as diuers subiects of this realme vnderstanding the premises and perceiuing that now after the charge and trauel aforesaid diuers wares and merchandizes are brought by the saide fellowship into this Realme out of the dominions already discouered which bee within this realme of good estimation minding for their peculiar gaine vtterly to decay the trade of the â—ayde fellowship haue contrary to the tenor of the same letters patents in great disorder â—raded into the dominions of the said mightie prince of Russia c. to the great detriment of this common wealth And for that the name by which the saide felowship is incorporated by the letters patents aforesaid is long consisteth of very many words Therfore be it enacted by the Queenes most excellent Maiestie the Lords spiritual and temporal the commons in this present parliament assembled and by authoritie of the same that the said felowship company society corporation made or created by the said letters patents shal at al time times from henceforth be incorporated named and called onely by the name of the fellowship of English merchants for discouery of new trades and by the same name for euer shall and may continue a perpetuall body incorporate in deede and name and onely by the same name from henceforth shall implead and be impleaded answere and be answered defend and be defended sue and bee sued in whatsoeuer courts and places and shall and may by the same name bee inabled to purchase haue holde possesse reteine and enioy whatsoeuer manors landes tenements rents reuersions seruices heredicaments not exceeding a hundred marks yeerely not being holden of the Queenes maiestie her heires or successors by knights seruice in Capite and all goods merchandizes chattels and other things whatsoeuer and shall and may by the same name make and do all things as any other corporation may do and also shall haue and enioy all and singular the liberties priuiledges iurisdictions franchises preheminencâ—s powers authorities and things and may doe and execute all other matters and things in the sayd letters patents mentioned or in any wise conteined And that no part nor parcell of the maine lands Isles ports hauens roades creekes riuers armes of the seas of any Emperour king prince ruler or gouernor whatsoeuer he or they be before the said first enterprise made by the merchants of the saide corporation not knowen by the merchants and subiects of this Realme or by them not commonly by seas frequented and lying from the City of London Northwards Northwestwards or Northeastwards nor any part or parcel of the maine lands dominions isles ports roades hauens creeks armes of the Seas that now be subiect to the said high and mightie prince Lord Iohn Vasiliwich his heires or successours or to the Emperour chiefe gouernour or ruler of the said country of Russia for the time beâ—ng his heires or successors nor the countries of Armenia maior or minor Media Hyrcania Persia or the Caspian sea nor any part of them shall be sailed or traffiqued vnto visited frequented or haunted by any person being or that shalâ—â— a subiect or denizen of this realme by themselues their factor or factors or any other to their vse or commoditie by any wayes or meanes directly or indirectly other then by the order agreement consent or ratification of the gouernour Consuls and assistants of the saide fellowship and comâ—â—naltie or the more part of them and their successors for the time being vpon paine that euery person and persons offending in this behalfe shall forfeit and loose Ipso facto euery such ship and ships with the appurtenances and all such goods Merchandizes and things whatsoeuer as by any such person or persons shal be by any wayes or meanes directly or indirectly prouided caried conducted brought or exchanged in at to through or from any of the places prohibited as is aforesaide contrary to the true intent of this statute the one moitie of all which forfeitures to bee to our said souereigne Lady the Queenes Maiestie her heires and successors and the other moitie thereof to the sayde fellowship of English Merchants for discouery of newe trades and their successors to be seized and taken wheresoeuer they may be found by any person or persons to the vse of our said Souereigne Lady her heires and successors and of the said fellowship of English mercâ—hants for discouery of newe trades and of their successors or the same or the value thereof to bee demaunded or sued for by the Queenes highnesse her heires and successors or by the saide fellowship of English Merchants for discouery of newe trades or their suâ—cessors or their atturney or atturneis or by any person or persons being of the same fellowship of English Merchants for discouery of newe trades or their successors in any court of Record or in any other Court or courtes within this Realme or els where by Action of debt action of detinue bill plaint information or otherwise in which suite no essoine protection wager of lawe or iniunction shall be allowed for or on the behalfe of the partie or parties defendant Prouided alwayes that whereas diuers Subiects of this Realme being not of the fellowship aforesaid haue heretofore made aduentures to and from some of the places prohibited by the said letters patents that the said subiects their heires executors administrators and assignes or any of them shall not be impeached impleaded troubled sued nor molested for the same in their goods or persons in any maner of wise either by our saide souereigne Lady her heires or successors or the said fellowship or their successors Prouided also that it shall be lawfull for any subiect of this Realme hauing presently any shipping goods wares or ready money remayning at or in any place of or within the dominion of the said mighty prince of Russia or in any other of the places prohibited to be visited or traffiqued vnto by this statute or the said letters Patents to fetch bring and conuey the same or cause the same to be brought or conueyed from thence by sea or otherwise before the feast of S. Iohn Baptist which shal be in the yeere of our Lord God 1568. any thing conteined in this Statute or in the said letters Patents to the contraâ—y notwithstanding Prouided also that it shall be lawfull for any of the subiects of this Realme to saile to the port towne territorie or castle of Wardhouse or to any of the coastes townes hauens creekes riuers Islands and land of Norway for trade of fishing or any other trade there vsed by the subiects of this Realme any thing in this statute to the contrary notwithstanding And for the better maintenance of the Nauie and Mariners of this Realme be it prouided and inacted that it shall not be lawfull
To ende this matter let mee now I beseech you speake vnto your Lordship as in times past the elder Scipio spake to Cornelius Scipio Africanus Quò sis Africane alacrior ad tutandam Rempublicam sic habeto Omnibus qui patriam conseruauerint adiuuerint auxerint certum esse in coelo ac definitum locum vbi beati aeuo sempiterno fruantur It remaineth therefore that as your Lordship from time to time vnder her most gracious and excellent Maiestie haue shewed your selfe a valiant protectour a carefull conseruer and an happy enlarger of the honour and reputation of your Countrey so at length you may enioy those celestial blessings which are prepared to such as tread your steps and seeke to aspire to such diuine and heroical vertues And euen here I surcease wishing all temporal and spirituall blessings of the life present and that which is to come to be powred out in most ample measure not onely vpon your honourable Lordship the noble and vertuous Lady your bedfellow and those two rare iewels your generous off-springs but also vpon all the rest wheresoeuer of that your noble and renowmed family From London the 7. day of this present October 1598. Your honours most humble alwayes to be commanded Richard Hakluyt Preacher ¶ A preface to the Reader as touching the principall Voyages and discourses in this first part HAuing for the benefit and honour of my Countrey zealously bestowed so many yeres so much traueile and cost to bring Antiquities smothered and buried in darke silence to light and to preserue certaine memorable exploits of late yeeres by our English nation atchieued from the greedy and deuouring iawes of obliuion to gather likewise and as it were to incorporate into one body the torne and scattered limmes of our ancient and late Nauigations by Sea our voyages by land and traffiques of merchandise by both and hauing so much as in me lieth restored ech particular member being before displaced to their true ioynts and ligaments I meane by the helpe of Geographie and Chronologie which I may call the Sunne and the Moone the right eye and the left of all history referred ech particular relation to the due time and place I do this second time friendly Reader if not to satisfie yet at least for the present to allay and hold in suspense thine expectation presume to offer vnto thy view this first part of my threefold discourse For the bringing of which into this homely and rough-hewen shape which here thou seest what restlesse nights what painefull dayes what heat what cold I haue indured how many long chargeable iourneys I haue traueiled how many famous libraries I haue searched into what varietie of ancient and moderne writers I haue perused what a number of old records patents priuileges letters c. I haue redeemed from obscuritie and perishing into how manifold acquaintance I haue entred what expenses I haue not spared and yet what faire opportunities of priuate gaine preferment and ease I haue neglected albeit thy selfe canst hardly imagine yet I by daily experience do finde feele and some of my entier friends can sufficiently testifie Howbeit as I told thee at the first the honour and benefit of this Common weale wherein I liue and breathe hath made all difficulties seeme easie all paines and industrie pleasant and all expenses of light value and moment vnto me For to conteine my selfe onely within the bounds of this present discourse and in the midst thereof to begin wil it not in all posteritie be as great a renowme vnto our English nation to haue bene the first discouerers of a Sea beyond the North cape neuer certainly knowen before and of a conuenient passage into the huge Empire of Russia by the bay of S. Nicolas and the riuer of Duina as for the Portugales to haue found a Sea beyond the Cape of Buona Esperanza and so consequently a passage by Sea into the East Indies or for the Italians and Spaniards to haue discouered vnknowen landes so many hundred leagues Westward and Southwestward of the streits of Gibraltar of the pillers of Hercules Be it granted that the renowmed Portugale Vasquez de Gama trauersed the maine Ocean Southward of Africke Did not Richard Chanceler and his mates performe the like Northward of Europe Suppose that Columbus that noble and high-spirited Genuois escried vnknowen landes to the Westward of Europe and Africke Did not the valiant English knight sir Hugh Willoughby did not the famous Pilots Stephen Burrough Arthur Pet and Charles Iackman accoast Noua Zembla Colgoieue and Vaigatz to the North of Europe and Asia Howbeit you will say perhaps not with the like golden successe not with such deductions of Colonies nor attaining of conquests True it is that our successe hath not bene correspondent vnto theirs yet in this our attempt the vncertaintie of finding was farre greater and the difficultie and danger of searching was no whit lesse For hath not Herodotus a man for his time most skilfull and iudicial in Cosmographie who writ aboue 2000. yeeres ago in his 4. booke called Melpomene signified vnto the Portugales in plaine termes that Africa except the small Isthmus between the Arabian gulfe and the Mediterran sea was on all sides enuironed with the Ocean And for the further confirmation thereof doth he not make mention of one Neco an AEgyptian King who for trials sake sent a Fleet of Phoenicians downe the Red sea who setting forth in Autumne and sailing Southwardâ— till they had the Sunne at noonetide vpon their sterbourd that is to say hauing crossed the AEquinoctial and the Southerne tropique after a long Nauigation directed their course to the North and in the space of 3. yeeres enuironed all Africk passing home through the Gaditan streites and arriuing in AEgypt And doth not Plinie tel them that noble Hanno in the flourishing time and estate of Carthage sailed from Gades in Spaine to the coast of Arabia foelix and put downe his whole iournall in writing Doth he not make mention that in the time of Augustus Cesar the wracke of certaine Spanish ships was found â—loating in the Arabian gulfe And not to be ouer-tedious in alleaging of testimonies doth not Strabo in the 2. booke of his Geography together with Cornelius Nepos and Plinie in the place before named agree all in one that one Eudoxus fleeing â—rom king Lathyrus and valing downe the Arabian bay sailed along doubled the Southern point of Africk and at length arriued at Gades And what should I speake of the Spaniards Was not diuine Plato who liued so many ages ago and plainely described their West Indies vnder the name of Atlantis was not he I say in stead of a Cosmographer vnto them Were not those Carthaginians mentioned by Aristotle lib. de admirabil auscult their forerunners And had they not Columbus to stirre them vp and pricke them forward vnto their Westerne discoueries yea to be their chiefe loads-man and Pilot Sithens therefore these two worthy
not iudge it some part of wisdome to imitate carefully in some litle proportion though not with so many thousands the prosperous pastimes of peaceable king Edgar that Saxonicall Alexander yea prosperous pastimes these may bee iustly counted by which he also made euident to the whole world that as he wisely knew the ancient bounds and limits of this British Empire so that he could and would royally iustly and triumphantly enioy the same spite of the deuil and maugre the force of any forreine potentate And al that so highly and faithfully to the glory of God finally intended and brought to passe as the wisest and godliest Prelates and counsellors of those dayes so counted of and recorded coulde best aduise and direct him or perchance but sincerely commend and duetifully incourage him in he being of himselfe so bent as purposing first inuincibly to fortifie the chiefe and vttermost walles of his Islandish Monarchie against all forreine encombrance possible And in that fortification furthering and assuring to trust best his owne ouersight and iudgement in yeerely viewing the same in euery quarter thereof and that as it were for his pastime Imperiall also in Sommer time to the ende that afterward in all securitie hee might in Winter time vacare be at conuenient leisure on land chiefly to set foorth Gods due honour and secondly to vnderstand and diligently to listen to the causes and complaints of his commons For as Matthaeus Westmonasteriensis of him to his Imperiall commendation hath left vs a remembrance Habebat autem praeterea consuetudinem per omnes Regni prouincias transire vt intelligeret quomodo legum iura suorum statuta decretorum à principibus obseruarentur nepauperes à potentibus praeiudicium passi opprimerentur diligenter inuestigare â—olebat in vno fortiâ—udini in altero Iustitiae studens Reipub. regnÃque vtilitati consulens in vtroqueâ— Hinc hostibus circumquá que timor amor omnium erga â—um excreuerat subditorum Thus we see how in opportunitie this peaceable Edgar procured to this Empire such prosperous securitie that his true and faithfull subiects all maner of wayes that is at home and also at sea both outward and inward might peaceably safely and securely employ their wits and trauels for the marueilous enriching of this kingdome and pleasuring very many other carying forth the naturall commodities of this land abounding here aboue our necessary vses and due store reserued and likewise againe furnishing the same with all necessary and not superfluous forreine commodities â—et from farre or forrein countreys This was in deed as before is recorded a kingly prouidence Reipub. RegnÃque vtilitati consulens c. besides with great vtilitie and profite publique foreseene and by his meanes enioyed he himselfe vsed most gladly the aduantage of that securitie in ministring of iustice or causing the same to be executed all his kingdome ouer not squemishlyâ— frowningly or skornefully shunning the ragged and tattered sleeue of any suppliant holding vp to him a simple soiled bill of complaint or petition and that homely contriued or afrayde at and timerously hasting from the sickly pale face or feeble limmed suter extreemely constrained so to speake for himselfe nor parcially smoothering his owne conscience to fauour or mainteine the foule fault and trespasse vnlawfull of any his subiects how mightie or necessary soeuer they els were but diligently made search least Pauperes à potentibus preiudicium passi opprimerentur Thus did publique securitie froÌ„ forrein foâ— abroad and true loue of his owne subiects garding him at home and the heauenly spirit directing all his good purposes cause iustice and equitie in all quarters of this Albion to flourish For which his peaceable and prosperous benefits at the eternall king his hand obteined hee became not insolent or declined to tyrannicall regiment as some princes in other countreis haue made their liues Comicotragical but with all his foresaide inuincible Seaforce aboundant wealth triumphant peace with securitie and Iustice ouer all his Monarchie preuailing his heart was continually and most zealously bent to set foorth the glory laude and honour of the Almightie Creator the heauenly and euerlasting king by such principall and princely meanes as then were deemed to God most acceptable as many monuments yet to our dayes remaining do of him vndoubtedly testifie As this for one Altitonantis Dei largiflua clementia qui est rex Regum Ego AEdgarus Anglorum Basileus omniúque Regum Insularum OceanÃque Britanniam circumiacentis cunctarúmque nationum que infra eam includuntur Imperator Dominus gratias ago ipsi Deo omnipotenti Regi meo qui meum Imperium sic ampliauit exaltauit super regnum patruÌ„ meorum qui licet Monarchiam totius Angliae adepti sunt à tempore Athelstani qui primus regnum Anglorum omnes Nationes que Britanniam in colunt sibi Armis subegit nullus tamen eoruÌ„ vltra eius fines imperium suum dilatare aggressus est Mihi autem concessit propitia Diuinitas cum Anglorum Imperio omnia regna Insularum Oceani cum suis ferocissimis Regibus vsque Noruegiam maximámque partem Hyberniae cum sua nobilissima Ciuitate Dublinia Anglorum regno subiugare Quos etiam omnes meis Imperijs coâ—la subdere Dei fauente gratia coegi Quapropter ego Christi gloriam laudem exaltare eius seruitium amplificare deuotus disposui per meos fideles Fautores Dunstanum viz. Archiepiscopum Athelwoldum Oswaldum episcopos quos mihi patres spirituales Consiliatores elegi magna ex parte secundum quod disposui effeci c. And againe this in another Monument OMnipotentis Dei c. Ipsius nutu gratia suffultus Ego AEdgarus Basileus dilectae Insule Albionis subditis nobis sceptris Scotorum Cumbrorum ac Brytonum omnium circumcirca Regionum quieta pace perâ—ruens studiosus sollicitè de laudibus creatoris omnium occupor addendis Ne nunc inertia nostrésque diebus plus equo seruitus eiua tepescere videatur c. 18. mei terreni Imperij anno c. Anno Incarnationis Dominicae â—973 Ego AEdgarus totius Albionis Basileus hoc priuilegium tanta roboratum authoritate crucis Thaumate confirmaui So that by all these rehearsed Records it is most euident that the peaceable king Edgar was one of those Monarchs in whose handes if life had suffised the incredible value and priuiledge granted by God and nature vnto this British monarchie might haue bene peaceably purchased in such sort as the very blessing and fauour of the diuine Trinitie hath laid meanes for our industrie to attaine to and enioye the same by And though sundry other valiant princes and kings of this land I could recite which in times past haue either by intent gone about or by wise and valiant exploit haue meetely well prospered towards this Islandish appropriate supremacie attaining yet neuer any other reasonable meanes was vsed or by humane
citie called Matriga where the riuer Tanais dischargeth his streames into the sea of Pontus the mouth wherof is twelue miles in breadth For this riuer before it entreth into the sea of Pontus maketh a little sea which hath in breadth and length seuen hundreth miles it is in no place thereof aboue sixe paces deepe whereupon great vessels cannot sayle ouer it Howbeit the merchants of Constantinople arriuing at the foresayd citie of Materta send their barkes vnto the riuer of Tanais to buy dried fishes Sturgeons Thosses Barbils and an infinite number of other fishes The foresayd prouince of Cassaria is compassed in with the sea on three sides thereof namely on the West side where Kersoua the citie of Saint Clement is situate on the South side the citie of Soldaia whereat we arriued on the East side Maricandis and there stands the citie of Matriga vpon the mouth of the riuer Tanais Beyond the sayd mouth standeth Zikia which is not in subiection vnto the Tartars also the people called Sueui and Hiberi towards the East who likewise are not vnder the Tartars dominion Moreouer towards the South standeth the citie of Trapesunda which hath a gouernour proper to it selfe named Guydo being of the linage of the emperours of Constantinople and is subiect vnto the Tartars Next vnto that is Synopolis the citie of the Soldan of Turkie who likewise is in subiection vnto them Next vnto these lyeth the countrey of Vastacius whose sonne is called Astar of his grandfather by the mothers side who is not in subiection All the land from the mouth of Tanais Westward as farre as Danubius is vnder their iurisdiction Yea beyond Danubius also towards Constantinople Valakia which is the land of Assanus and Bulgaria minor as farre as Solonia doe all pay tribute vnto them And besides the tribute imposed they haue also of late yeares exacted of euery houshold an axe and all such corne as they found lying on heapes We arriued therefore at Soldaia the twelfth of the Kalends of Iune And diuers merchants of Constantinople which were arriued there before vs reported that certaine messengers were comming thither from the holy land who were desirous to trauell vnto Sartach Notwithstanding I my self had publikely giuen out vpon Palme Sunday within y e Church of Sancta Sophia that I was not your nor any other mans messenger but that I trauailed vnto those infidels according to the rule of our order And being arriued the said merchāts admonished me to take diligent heede what I spake because they hauing reported me to be a messenger if I should say the contrary that I were no messenger I could not haue free passage granted vnto me Thē I spake after this maner vnto the gouernors of the citie or rather vnto their Lieutenāts because the gouernors thēselues were gone to pay tribute vnto Baatu were not as yet returned We heard of your lord Sartach quoth I in the holy land that he was become a Christian and the Christians were exceeding glad therof especially the most Christian king of France who is there now in pilgrimage fighteth against the Saracens to redeeme the holy places out of their handes wherfore I am determined to go vnto Sartach to deliuer vnto him y e letters of my lord the king wherein he admonisheth him concerning the good and commoditie of all Christendome And they receiued vs with gladnes and gaue vs enterteinement in the cathedrall Church The bishop of which Church was with Sartach who told me many good things concerning the saide Sartach which afterward I found to be nothing so Then put they vs to our choyce whither we woulde haue cartes and oxen or packe horses to transport our cariages And the marchants of Constantinople aduised me not to take cartes of the citizens of Soldaia but to buy couered cartes of mine owne such as the Russians carrie their skins in and to put all our carriages which I would daylie take out into them because if I should vse horses I must be constrained at euery baite to take downe my carriages and to lift them vp againe on sundry horses backs and besides that I should ride a more gentle pace by the oxen drawing the cartes Wherfore contenting my selfe with their euil counsel I was traueiling vnto Sartach 2. moneths which I could haue done in one if I had gone by horse I brought with me from Constantinople being by the marchants aduised so to doe pleasant fruits muscadel wine and delicate bisket bread to present vnto the gouernours of Soldaia to the end I might obtaine free passage because they looke fauourablie vpon no man which commeth with an emptie hand All which thinges I bestowed in one of my cartes not finding the gouernours of the citie at home for they told me if I could carrie them to Sartach that they would be most acceptable vnto him Wee tooke our iourney therefore about the kalends of Iune with fower couered cartes of our owne and with two other which wee borrowed of them wherein we carried our bedding to rest vpon in the night and they allowed vs fiue horses to ride vpon For there were iust fiue persons in our company namely I my selfe and mine associate frier Bartholomew of Cremona and Goset the bearer of these presents the man of God Turgemannus and Nicolas my seruant whome I bought at Constantinople with some part of the almes bestowed vpon me Moreouer they allowed vs two men which draue our carts and gaue attendance vnto our oxen and horses There be high promontories on the sea shore from Kersoua vnto the mouth of Tanais Also there are fortie castles betweene Kersoua and Soldaia euery one of which almost haue their proper languages amongst whome there were many Gothes who spake the Dutch tongue Beyond the said mountaines towards the North there is a most beautifull wood growing on a plaine ful of fountaines freshets And beyond the wood there is a mightie plaine champion continuing fiue dayes iourney vnto the very extremitie and borders of the said prouince northward and there it is a narrow Isthmus or neck land hauing sea on the East West sides therof insomuch that there is a ditch made frō one sea vnto the other In the same plaine before the Tartars sprang vp were the Comanians wont to inhabite who compelled the foresayd cities and castles to pay tribute vnto them But when the Tartars came vpon them the multitude of the Comanians entred into the foresaid prouince and fled all of them euen vnto the sea shore being in such extreame famine that they which were aliue were constrained to eate vp those which were dead and as a marchant reported vnto me who sawe it with his owne eyes that the liuing men deuoured and tore with their teeth the raw flesh of the dead as dogges would gnawe vpon carrion Towards the borders of the sayd prouince there be many great lakes vpon the bankes whereof are salt pits
wardens of our heires of the Cinque Portes which for the time shall be their Ports and liberties may enter for to doe their full Iustice. So also that the sayd Barons and their heires do vnto vs and to our heirs kings of England by the yeare their full seruice of 57. shippes at their costs by the space of fifteene dayes at our somounce or at the somounce of our heires We haue granted also vnto them of our speciall grace that they haue Outfang these in their lands within the Ports aforesayd in the same maner that Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earles and Barons haue in their monours in the countie of Kent And they be not put in any Assises Iuries or Recognisances by reason of their forreine tenure against their will and that they be free of all their owne wines for which they do trauaile of our right prise that is to say of one tunne before the mast and of another behind the maste We haue granted furthermore vnto the said Barons for vs and our heires that they for euer haue this liberty that is to say That we or our heires shall not haue the wardship or mariages of their heires by reason of their landes which they holde within the liberties and Portes aforesayde for the which they doe their seruice aforesayd and for the which wee and our progenitors had not the wardships and mariages in time past But we our aforesayd confirmation vpon the liberties and freedomes aforesayde and our grants following to them of our especiall grace of newe haue caused to be made sauing alwaies in al things our kingly dignitie And sauing vnto vs and to our heires plea of our crowne life and member Wherefore we will and surely command for vs and our heires that the aforesaid Barons and their heires for euer haue all the aforesaid liberties and freedomes as the aforesaid Charters do reasonably testifie And that of our especial grace they haue outfang these in their lands within the Ports aforesaid after the maner that Archbishops Bishops Abbots Earles and Barons haue in their manours in the county of Kent And that they be not put in Assises Iuries or Recognisances by reason of their forreine tenure against their will And that they bee free of their owne wines for which they trauaile of our right price or custome that is to say of one tunne of wine before the maste and of another tunne behinde the maste And that likewise for euer they haue the libertie aforesayde that is to say That wee and our heires haue not the wardships or mariages of their heires by reason of their landes which they holde within the liberties and Portes aforesayd for which they doe their seruice aforesaid and for which wee and our predecessors the wardships and mariages haue not had in times past But our aforesayd confirmation of their liberties and freedomes aforesaid and other grants following to them of our especiall grace of new we haue caused to bee made Sauing alwayes and in all things our regall dignity And sauing vnto vs and our heires the pleas of our crowne of life and member as is aforesayd These being witnesses the reuerend father Robert of Portuens Cardinall of the holie Church of Rome frier William of Southhampton Prior pouincial of the friers preachers in England William of Valencia our vncle Roger of the dead sea Roger of Clifford Master Robert Samuel deane of Sarum Master Robert of Scarborough the Archdeacon of East Riding Master Robert of Seyton Bartholomew of Southley Thomas of Wayland Walter of Hoptan Thomas of Normannel Steuen of Pennester Frances of Bonaua Iohn of Lenetotes Iohn of Metingham and others Giuen by our hand at Westminster the fourteenth day of Iune in the sixth yeare of our reigne The roll of the huge fleete of Edward the third before Calice extant in the kings great wardrobe in London whereby the wonderfull strength of England by sea in those dayes may appeare The South fleete The Kings Shippes 25. Mariners 419. London Shippes 25. Mariners 662. Aileford Shippes 2. Mariners 24. Hoo Shippes 2. Mariners 24. Maydstone Shippes 2. Mariners 51. Hope Shippes 2. Mariners 59. New Hithe Shippes 5. Mariners 49. Margat Shippes 15. Mariners 160. Motue Shippes 2. Mariners 22. Feuersham Shippes 2. Mariners 25. Sandwich Ships 22. Mariners 504. Douer Ships 16. Mariners 336. Wight Ships 13. Mariners 220. Winchelsey Ships 21. Mariners 596. Waymouth Ships 15. Mariners 263. Lyme Ships 4. Mariners 62. Seton Ships 2. Mariners 25. Sydmouth Ships 3. Mariners 62. Exmouth Ships 10. Mariners 193. Tegmouth Ships 7. Mariners 120. Dartmouth Ships 31. Mariners 757. Portsmouth Ships 5. Mariners 96. Plimouth Ships 26. Mariners 603. Loo Ships 20. Mariners 315. Yalme Ships 2. Mariners 47. Fowey Ships 47. Mariners 770. Bristol Ships 22. Mariners 608. Tenmouth Ships 2. Mariners 25. Hasting Ships 5. Mariners 96. Romney Ships 4. Mariners 65. Rye Ships 9. Mariners 156. Hithe Ships 6. Mariners 122. Shoreham Ships 20. Mariners 329. Soford Ships 5. Mariners 80. Newmouth Ships 2. Mariners 18. Hamowlhooke Ships 7. Mariners 117. Hoke Ships 11. Mariners 208. SouthhaÌ„pton Ships 21. Mariners 576. Leymington Ships 9. Mariners 159 Poole Ships 4. Mariners 94. Warham Ships 3. Mariners 59. Swanzey Ships 1. Mariners 29. Iâ—fercombe Ships 6. Mariners 79. Patrickestowe Ships 2. Mariners 27. Polerwan Ships 1. Mariners 60. Wadworth Ships 1. Mariners 14. Kardife Ships 1. Mariners 51. Bridgwater Ships 1. Mariners 15. Kaertnarthen Ships 1. Mariners 16. Cailechesworth Ships 1. Mariners 12. Mulbrooke Ships 1. Mariners 12. Summe of the South fleete Ships 493 Mariners 9630 The North fleete Bamburgh Ships 1. Mariners 9. Newcastle Ships 17. Mariners 314. Walcrich Ships 1. Mariners 12. Hertilpoole Ships 5. Mariners 145. Hull Ships 16. Mariners 466. Yorke Ships 1. Mariners 9. Rauenset Ships 1. Mariners 27. Woodhouse Ships 1. Mariners 22. Strâ—khithe Ships 1. Mariners 10. Barton Ships 3. Mariners 30. Swinefleete Ships 1. Mariners 11. Saltfleet Ships 2. Mariners 49. Grimesby Ships 11. Mariners 171. Waynefleet Ships 2. Mariners 49. Wrangle Ships 1. Mariners 8. Lenne Ships 16. Mariners 382. Blackney Ships 2. Mariners 38. Scarborough Ships 1. Mariners 19. Yernmouth Ships 43. Mariners 1950. or 1075. Donwich Ships 6. Mariners 102. Orford Ships 3. Mariners 62. Goford Ships 13. Mariners 303. Herwich Ships 14. Mariners 283. Ipswich Ships 12 Mariners 239. Mersey Ships 1. Mariners 6. Brightlingsey Ships 5. Mariners 61. Colchester Ships 5. Mariners 90. Whitbanes Ships 1. Mariners 17. Malden Ships 2. Mariners 32. Derwen Ships 1. Mariners 15. Boston Ships 17. Mariners 361. Swinhumber Ships 1. Mariners 32. Barton Ships 5. Mariners 91. The Summe of the North fleete Ships 217. Mariners 4521. The summe totall of all the English fleete Ships 700. Mariners 14151. Estrangers their ships and mariners Bayon Ships 15. Mariners 439. Spayne Ships 7. Mariners 184. Ireland Ships 1. Mariners 25. Flanders Ships 14. Mariners 133. Gelderland Ships 1. Mariners 24. The summe of all the Estrangers Ships 38. Mariners 805.
in your said Bailiwicke Witnesse Geofry Fitz-Peter Earle of Esser at Kinefard the 5. day of April The same forme of writing was sent to the sherife of Sudsex to the Maior and communaltie of the Citie of Winchester to the Baily of Southampton the Baily Lenne the Baily of Kent the sherife of Norfolke and Suffolke the sherife of Dorset and Sommerset the Barons of the Cinque-ports the sherife of Southampton-shire the sherife of Hertford and Essex the sherife of Cornewal and Deuon Literae regis Henrici tertij ad Haquinum Regem Norwegiae de pacis foedere intercursu mercandisandi Anno 1. Henrici 3. HEnricus Dei gratia c. Haquino eadem gratia Regi Norwegiae salutem Immensas nobilitati vestrae referimus gratiarum actiones de his quae per literas vestras prudentem virum Abbatem de Lisa nobis significastis volentes desiderantes foedus pacis dilectionis libenter nobiscum inire nobiscum confoederari Bene autem placet place bit nobis quod terre nostre cōmunes sint Mercatores homines qui sunt de potestate vestra libere sine impedimento terram nostram adire possint homines Mercatores nostri similiter terrā vestram Dum tamen literas vestras patentes super hoc nobis destinetis nos vobis nostras transmittemus Interim autem bene volumus concedimus quod Mercatores tam de terra vestra quà m nostra eant veniant recedant per terras nostras Et si quid vestrae sederit voluntati quod facere valeamus id securè nobis significetis Detinuimus autem adhuc Abbatem praedictum vt de naui vestra rebus in ea contentis pro posse nostro restitutionem fieri faceremus per quem de statu nostro Regni nostri vos certificare curabimus quà m citius c. Teste me ipso apud Lamhithe decimo die Octobris Eodem modo scribitur S. Duci Norwegiae ibidem eodem die The letters of King Henry the third vnto Haquinus King of Norway concerning a treatie of peace and mutuall traffique of marchandize c HEnry by the grace of God c. vnto Haquinus by the same grace King of Norway sendeth greeting Wee render vnto your highnesse vnspeakeable thanks for those things which by your letters and by your discreete subiect the Abbat of Lisa you haue signified vnto vs and also for that you are right willing and desirous to begin and to conclude betweene vs both a league of peace and amitie And wee for our part both nowe are and hereafter shal be well contented that both our lands be common to the ende that the Marchants and people of your dominions may freely and without impediment resort vnto our land and our people and Marchants may likewise haue recourse vnto your territories Prouided that for the confirmation of this matter your send vnto vs your letters patents and wee will send ours also vnto you Howbeit in the meane while wee doe will and freely graunt that the Marchants both of our and your lands may goe come and returne to and from both our Dominions And if there be ought in your minde whereby we might stand you in any stead you may boldly signifie the same vnto vs. Wee haue as yet deteined the foresaid Abbat that wee might to our abilitie cause restitution to be made for your ship and for the things therein contained by whome wee will certifie you of our owne estate and of the estate of our kingdome so soone c. Witnesse our selfe at Lamhith the tenth of October Another letter in the same forme and to the same effect was there and then sent vnto S. Duke of Norway Mandatum pro Coga Regis Norwegiae Anno 13. Henrici 3. MAndatum est omnibus Balliuis portuum in quos ventura est Coga de Norwegia in qua venerint in Angliam milites Regis Norwegiae Mercatores Saxoniae quod cum praedictam Cogam in portus suos venire contigerit saluò permittant ipsam Cogam in portubus suis morari quamdiu necesse habuerit libere sine impedimento inde receder◠quando voluerint Teste Rege The same in English A Mandate for the King of Norway his Ship called the Cog. WEe will and commaund all bailifes of Portes at the which the Cog of Norway wherein certaine of the king of Norwaie his souldiers and certaine Marchants of Saxonie are comming for England shall touch that when the foresaid Cog shall chance to arriue at any of their Hauens they doe permit the said Cog safely to remaine in their said Hauens so long as neede shall require and without impediment also freely to depart thence whensoeuer the gouernours of the sayd ship shall thinke it expedient Witnesse the King Carta pro Mercatoribus de Colonia anno 20. Henrici 3. Confirmata per Regem Edwardum primum S. Iulij Anno Regni 18. prout extat in rotulo cartarum de Anno 18. Regis Edwardi primi REx Archiepiscopis c. salutem Sciatis nos quietos clamasse pro nobis haeredibus nostris dilectos nostros Ciues de Colonia mercandisam suam de illis duobus solidis quos solebant dare de Gildhalla sua London de omnibus alijs consuetudinibus demandis quae pertinent ad nos in London per totam terram nostram quod liberè possunt ire ad ferias per totam terram nostram emere vendere in villa London alibi salua libertate Ciuitatis nostrae London Quare volumus firmiter praecipimus pro nobis c haeredibus nostris quod praedicti ciues de Colonia praenominatas libertates liberas consuetudines habeant per totam terram nostram Angliae sicut praedictum est His testibus venerabili patre Waltero Caerleolensi Episcopo Willielmo de Ferarijs Gilberto Basset Waltero de Bello campo Hugone Disspenser Waltero Marescallo Galfrido Dispenser Bartholomaeo Pech Bartholomaeo de Saukeuill alijs Data per manum venerabilis patris Radulphi Cicistrensis Episcopi Cancellarij nostri apud Dauintre Octauo die Nouembris Anno Regni nostri vicesimo The same in English A Charter graunted for the behalfe of the Marchants of Colen in the twentieth yeere of Henry the third confirmed by King Edward the first as it is extant in the roule of Charters in the eighteenth yeere of King Edward the first THe King vnto Archbishops c. greeting Be it knowen vnto you that wee haue quite claimed and for vs and our heires released our welbeloued the Citizens of Colen and their marchandize from the payment of those two shillings which they were wont to pay out of their Gildhall at London and from all other customes and demaunds which perteine vnto vs either in London or in any other place of our Dominions and that they may safely resort vnto Fayers throughout our whole
beene accustomed in times past and from ancient times Also it is farther concluded and agreed vpon that all lawfull marchants of England whosoeuer shall haue free licence and authority with all kindes of shippes goods and marchandises to resorte vnto euery port of the land of Prussia and also to transport all such goods and marchandises vp farther vnto any other place in the sayde land of Prussia and there with all kindes of persons freely to bargaine and make sale as heretofore it hath from auncient times bene accustomed Which priuiledge is granted in all things and by all circumstances vnto the Prussians in England And if after the date of these presents betweene the sayd kingdome of England and land of Prussia any dissension or discorde which God forefend should arise then the foresayd souereigne prince and king of England and the sayd right reuerend lord the Master generall are mutually by their letters and messengers to giue certificate and intimation one vnto another concerning the matter and cause of such dissension and discord which intimation on the behalfe of the foresaid souereigne prince king of England shall be deliuered in the forenamed castle of Marienburg but on the behalfe of the sayd right reuerend lord the Master generall such intimation shall be giuen in the citie of London aforesayd vnto the Maior of the said city that then such a denunciation or intimation being made the marchants of England and the subiects of the land of Prussia may within the space of one yeere next following freely and safely returne home with al their goods marchandises if at the least in the mean while some composition friendly league betweene the two forâ—sayd countreis be not in some sorte concluded And that all the premisses may more firmely and faithfully be put in due practise aâ—d execution on both partes for the strong and inuiolable keeping of peace and tranquillity and also for the full confirmation and strengthening of all the sayde premisses the three foresayd honourable and religious personages being by the said right reuereÌ„d lord the Master general appointed as coÌ„missioners to deale in the aboue written ordination and composition haue caused their seales vnto these presents to be put and the sayd ordination also and letter in the same tenour word for word and in all points euen as it is inserted into these presents they haue mutually receiued froÌ„ the abouenamed three ambassadours of the right soueraigne king of England vnder their seales Giuen at the castle of Marienburg in the yeare of our lord aforesayd vpon the twentieth day of the moneth of August And we therefore doe accept approue ratifie and by the tenour of these presents doe confirme the composition ordination concorde and treaty aforesayd In testimony whereof we haue caused these our letters to be made patents Witnesse our selues a Westminster the 22. of October in the thirteenth yeare of our reigne By the king and his counsell Lincolne The letters of Conradus de Iungingen Master generall of Prussia written vnto Richard the second king of England in the yeere 1398 for the renouncing of a league and composition concluded betweene England and Prussia in regard of manifold iniuries offered vnto the Prussians OUr humble commendations with our earnest prayers vnto God for your Maiestie premised Most renowmed prince and mighty lord it is not we hope out of your Maiesties remembrance how our famous predecessour going immediately before vs sent certaine letters of his vnto your highnesse effectually contayning sundry complaints of grieuances iniuries and losses wherewith the marchants of his lande and Order being woont in times past to visite your kingdome with their goods and marchandises haue bene contrary to their liberties and priuiledges annoyed with manifold iniuries and wrongs Especially sithens they haue beene molested in your realme being contrary to the friendly composition made and celebrated by the hono personages master Nicholas Stocket Thomas Graa and Walter Sibil in the yeare 1388 with the assistance of their coarbiters on our part and contrary to God and all iustice oppressed with manifold damages losses and grieuances as in certaine articles exhibited vnto our predecessors aforesayd it doeth more manifestly appeare In consideration whereof being vehemently moued by the damnified parties he humbly besought your highnesse by his messengers and letters for complement and execution of iustice About the which affayres your Maiestie returned your letters of answere vnto our sayd predecessor signifying that the sayd businesse of articles concerned al the communalty of your realme and that your highnesse purposed after consultation had in your parliament to send a more deliberate auswere concerning the premisses vnto our predecessour aforesayd Howbeit he being by death translated out of this present world and our selues by the prouidence of God succeeding in his roome and also long time expecting an effectuall answere from your highnesse are not yet informed as we looked for albeit the complaints of iniuries and losses offered vnto our subiects doe continually increase But from hencefoorth to prouide a remedie and a caueat for the time to come the sayd complaynt doeth vpon great reasons mooue and inuite me Sithens therefore in regard of the sayd composition neither you nor your subiects may be iudged in the empire and sithens plaine reason requireth that the one be not inriched by the others losse as vndoubtedly our subiects should sustaine great damage by the composition aforesayd by vertue whereof your subiects doe enioy all commodities in our lande and contrariwise our subiects in your realme haue suffered as yet sundrie wayes do suffer manifold discommodities losses and iniuries Wherefore most soueraigne prince and mighty lord being reasonably mooued vpon the causes aforesayd we doe by the aduise of our counsellers reuoke and repeale the sayd composition concluded as is aboue written together with the effect thereof purely and simply renouncing the same by these prefents refusing hereafter to haue either our selues or our subiects in any respect to stand bound by the vertue of the sayd composition but from henceforth and for the times heretofore also bee it altogether voide and of none effect Prouided notwithstanding that from the time of the notice of this denunciation giuen vnto the hono Maior of your citie of London for the space of a yeare next ensuing it shall be lawfull for all marchants of your kingdome whatsoeuer with their goods and marchandises to returne home according to the forme in the foresayd compoâ—ition expressed conditionaly thaâ— our subiects may euen so in all respects be permitted to depart with the safety of their goods and liues out of your dominions this present renunâ—iation reuocation and retractation of the order and composition aforesayd notwithstanding Howbeit in any other affayres whatsoeuer deuoutly to submit our selues vnto your highnesse pleasure and command both our selues and our whole order are right willing and desirous and also to benefite and promote your subiects we wil indeuour to the vtmost of our ability
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
whatsoeuer hee or they bee that then and in such case wee will doe all that in vs is to cause restitution reparation and satisfaction to bee duely made to the said English marchants by our letters and otherwise as shall stand with our honour and be consonant to equitie and iustice 10 Item for vs our heires and successours wee doe promise and graunt to performe mainteine corroborate autenticate and obserue all and singular the aforesaide liberties franchises and priuiledges like as presently we firmely doe intend and will corroborate autentike and performe the same by all meane and way that we can as much as may be to the commoditie and profite of the said English Marchants and their successours for euer And to the intent that all and singuler the saide giftes graunts and promises may bee inuiolably obserued and performed we the said Iohn Vasiliuich by the grace of God Emperor of Russia great Duke of Nouogrode Mosco c. for vs our heires and successors by our Imperiall and lordly word in stead of an othe haue and doe promise by these presents inuiolably to mainteyne and obserue and cause to be inuiolably obserued and mainteined all and singuler the aforesayde giftes graunts and promises from time to time and at all and euery time and times heereafter And for the more corroboration hereof haue caused our Signet hereunto to be put Dated in our Castle of Mosco the 20. day of in the yeere The Charter of the Marchants of Russia graunted vpon the discouerie of the saide Countrey by King Philip and Queene Marie PHilip and Marie by the grace of God King and Queene c. To all manner of officers true Iurie men ministers aud subiects and to all other people as well within this our Realme or elsewhere vnder our obeysance iurisdiction and rule or otherwise vnto whome these our letters shall bee shewed séene or read greeting Whereas wee be credibly informed that our right trusâ—ie right faithfull and welbeloued Counsailors William Marques of Winchester Lord high Treasurer of this our Realme of England Henrie Earle of Arundel Lord Steward of our housholde Iohn Earle of Bedford Lord keeper of our priuie Seale William Earle of Pembroke William Lorde Howard of Esfingham Lorde high Admirall of our saide Realme of England c. Haue at their owne aduenture costs and charges prouided rigged and tackled certaine ships pinnesses and other meete vessels and the same furnished with all things necessary haue aduanced and set forward for to discouer descrie and finde Iles landes territories Dominions and Seigniories vnknowen and by our subiects before this not commonly by sea frequented which by the sufferance and grace of Almightie God it shall chaunce them sailing Northwards Northeastwards and Northwestwards or any partes thereof in that race or course which other Christian Monarches being with vs in league and amitie haue not heeretofore by Seas traffiqued haunted or frequented to finde and attaine by their said aduenture as well for the glorie of God as for the illustrating of our honour and dignitie royall in the increase of the reuenues of our Crowne and generall wealth of this and other our Realmes and Dominions and of our subiects of the same And to this intent our subiects aboue specified and named haue most humbly beseeched vs that our abundant grace fauour and clemencie may be gratiously extended vnto them in this behalfe Whereupon wee inclined to the petition of the foresaide our Counsailours subiects and marchants and willing to animate aduance further and nourish them in their said godlie honest and good purpose and as we hope profitable aduenture and that they may the more willingly and readily atchieue the same Of our especiall grace certaine knowledge and meere motion haue graunted and by these presents doe graunt for vs our heires and successours vnto our said right trustie and right faithfull and right welbeloued Counsailours and the other before named persons that they by the name of marchants aduenturers of England for the discouery of lands â—erritories Iles Dominions and Seigniories vnknowen and not before that late aduenture or enterprise by sea or Nauigation commonly frequented as aforesaid shal be from hâ—nceforth one bodie and perpetuall fellowship and communaltie of themselues both in deede and in name and them by the names of Marchants aduenturers for the discouerie of lands territories Iles sâ—igniories vnknowen and not by the seas and Nauigations before their saide late aduenture or enterprise by sea or Nauigation commonly frequented We doe incorporate name and declare by these presents and that the same fellowship or communalty from henceforth shal be and may haue one Gouernour of the saide fellowship and communaltie of Marchants aduenturers And in consideration that one Sebastian Cabota hath bin the chiefest setter forth of this iourney or voyage therefore we make ordeine and constitute him the said Sebastian to be the first and present gouernour of the same fellowship and communaltie by these presents To haue and enioy the said office of Gouernour to him the said Sebastian Cabota during his naturall life without amouing or dimissing from the same roome And furthermore we graunt vnto the saine fellowship and communaltie and their successors that they the saide fellowship and communaltie and their successors afâ—er the decease of the saide Sebastian Cabota shall and may freely and lawfully in places conuenient and honest assemble themselues together or so many of them as will or can assemble together as well within our citie of London or elsewhere as it shall please them in such sort and maner as other worshipfull corporations of our saide citie haue vsed to assemble and there yeerely name elect and choose one Gouernour or two of themselues and their liberties and also as well yeerely during the natural life of the said Sebastian Cabota now Gouernour as also at the election of such saide Gouernour or gouernours before his decease to choose name and appoint eight and twenty of the most sad discreete and honest persons of the saide fellowship and communaltie of Marchant aduenturers as is aboue specified and 4. of the most expert and skilfull persons of the same 28. to be named and called Consuls and 24. of the residue to be named and called Assistants to the saide Gouernour or gouernours and Consuls for the time being which shal remaine and stand in their authorities for one whole yeere then nâ—â—t following And if it shall fortune the saide Gouernour Consuls and assistants or any of them so to be elected and chosen as is aforesaid to die within the yeere after his or their election that then and so often it shall and may be lawfull to and for the said fellowship and communalty to elect and choose of themselues other Gouernour or gouernours Consuls and assistants in the place and sleade of such as so shall happen to die to serue out the same yeere And further we do make ordeine and constitute George Barnes knight and Alderman of our
haue full power and authoritie by these presents from time to time as to them shal seeme good to limite set ordeine and make mulets and penalties by fines forfeitures imprisonments or any of them vpon any offender of the saide fellowship and communaltie for any offence touching the same fellowship and communaltie and also that all acts and ordinances by them or their successours to bee made which time shalt thinke not necessarie or preiudiciall to the saide fellowship or communaltie at al times to reuoke breake frustrate annihilate repeale and dissolue at their pleasure and liberty And further wee will that if any of the saide fellowship and communaltie shal be found contrarious rebellious or disobedient to the saide Gouernour or gouernours Consuls and the said assistants for the time being or to any statutes acts or ordinances by them made or to be made that then the saide Gouernour or gouernours Consuls and the saide assistants in maner forme and number aboue specified for the time being shall and may by vertue of these presents mulet and punish euery such offender or offenders as the quality of the offence requireth according to their good discretions And further we will that none of the saide offender or offenders shall decline from the power of the saide Gouernour or gouernours Consuls and assistants in maner forme and number abouesaide for the time being so alwayes that the saide actes statutes and ordinances doe onely touch and concerne the saide Gouernour or gouernours Consuls assistants and the saide fellowship and communaltie of our before named Marchants aduenturers or the men of the same fellowship and communaltie and none other And so alwayes that such their acts statutes and ordinances hee not against our prerogatiue lawes statutes and customes of our realmes and Dominions nor contrary to the seuerall duetie of any our subiects towards vs our heires and successours nor contrarie to any compacts treaties or leagues by vs or any our progenitours heretofore had or made or hereafter by vs our heires and successours to bee made to or with any forreine Prince or potentate nor also to the preiudice of the corporation of the Maior communalties and Citizens of our Citie of London nor to the preiudice of any person or persons bodie politique or corporate or incorporate iustly pretending clayming or hauing any liberties franchises priuiledges rightes or preheminences by vertue or pretext of anie graunt gift or Letters patents by vs or anie our Progenitours heeretofore giuen graunted or made Moreouer we for vs our heires and successours will and by these presents doe graunt vnto the said Gouernors Consuls assistants fellowship and communaltie of our Marchants aforesaid that their said Gouernour or gouernours Consuls and assistants and their successors for the time being in maner forme and number aboue rehearsed shal haue full power and authority to assigne constitute and ordaine one officer or diuers officers as well within our aforesaide Citie of London as also in any other place or places of this our Realme of England or else where within our dominions which officer or officers wee will to be named and called by the name of Sergeant or Sergeants to the fellowship or communalty of the said marchants and that the said sergeant or sergeants shall and may haue full power and authoritie by these presents to take leuie and gather all maner fines forfeitures penalties and mulcts of euery person and persons of the saide fellowship and communaltie conuict and that shal be conuicted vpon or for breaking of any statutes acts ordinances to bee made by the saide Gouernour or gouernours Consuls and assistants for the time being And further wee will and also graunt for vs our heires and successours that the saide officer or officers shall haue further power and authoritie for the default of payment or for disobedience in this behalfe if neede be to set hands and arrest aswell the bodie and bodies as the goods and chattels of such offender and offenders transgressers in euery place and places not franchised And if it shall fortune any such offender or offenders their goods and chattels or any part thereof to be in any citie borough towne incorporate or other place franchised or priuiledged where the said officer or officers may not lawfully intromit or intermeddle that then the Maior shirifes baylifes and other head officers or ministers within euery such citie borough towne incorporate or place or places franchised vpon a precept to them or any of them to be directed from the gouernour or gouernours Consuls and assistants of the said fellowship in number and forme aforesaid vnder the common seale of the sayd fellowship and communaltie for the time being shall and may attach arrest the body or bodies of such offender or offenders as also take and selfe the goods and chattels of all and euery such offender or offenders being within any such place or places franchised and the same body and bodies goods and chattels of all and euery such offender and offenders being within any such place or places franchised and euery part therof so attached and seazed shall according to the tenor and purport of the sayd precept returne and deliuer vnto the sayd officer or officers of the aforesaid fellowship and communaltie And further we will and grant for vs our heires and successours by these presents that all and euery such Maior shirife baylife or other head officers or ministers of any citie borough towne incorporate or other places franchised shall not be impeached molested vexed or sued in any our court or courts for executing or putting in execution of any of the said precept or precepts And furthermore we of our ample and abundant grace meere motion certaine knowledge for vs our heires and successors as much as in vs is haue giuen and granted and by these presents doe giue and grant vnto the sayd gouernour Consuls assistants fellowship and communaltie of Marchants aduenturers and to their successors and to the Factor and Factors assigne and assignes of euery of them ful and free authoritie libertie facultie and licence and power to saile to all portes regions dominions territories landes Isles Islands and coastes of the sea wheresoeuer before their late aduenture or enterprise vnknowen or by our Marchants and subiects by the seas not heretofore commonly frequented vnder our â—anner standerd flags and ensignes with their shippe ships barke pinnesses and all other vessels of whatsoeuer portage bulke quantitie or qualitie they may be and with any Mariners and men as they will leade with them in such shippe or shippes or other vessels at their owne and proper costs and expences for to traffique descrie discouer and finde whatsoeuer Isle Islands countreis regions prouinces creekes armes of the sea riuers streames as wel of Gentiles as of any other Emperor king prince gouernor or Lord whatsoeuer he or they shal be and in whatsoeuer part of the world they be situated being before the sayd late aduenture or
enterprise vnknowen and by our Marchants and subiects not commonly frequeÌ„ted and to enter and land in the sanle without any maner of denying paine penaltie or forfeiture to be had or taken by anie our lawes customes or statutes to our vse or to the vse of our heires or successors for the same And we haue also granted and by these presents for vs our heires and successors doe graunt vnto the sayd Gouernours Consuls assistants fellowship and comminalty and to their successours and to their Factors and assignes and to euery of them licence for to reare plant erect and fasten our banners standards flags and Ensignes in whatsoeuer citie towne village castle Isle or maine lande which shall be by them newly found without any the penalties forfeitures or dangers aforesayde and that the sayd fellowship and comminalty and their successors Factors assignes and euery of them shall and may subdue possesse and occupie all maner cities townes Isles and maine lands of infidelitie which is or shall be by them or any of them newly founde or descried as our vassals and subiects and for to acquire and get the Dominion title and iurisdiction of the same Cities Townes Castles Uillages Isles and maine landes which shall bee by them or any of them newly discouered or found vnto vs our heires and successours for euer And furthermore whereas by the voyage of our subiects in this last yeere attempted by Nauigation towards the discouerie and disclosure of vnknowen places Realmes Islandes and Dominions by the seas not frequented it hath pleased Almighty God to cause one of the three shippes by them set foorth for the voyage and purpose aboue mentioned named the Edward Bonauenture to arriue abide and winter within the Empire and dominions of the high and mightie Prince our cousin and brother Lord Iohn Basiliuich Emperour of all Russia Volodomer great duke of Moscouie c. Who of his clemencie for our loue and zeale did not onely admitte the Captaine and marchants our subiects into his protection and Princely presence but also receiued and intertained them very graciously and honourably granting vnto them by his letters addressed vnto vs franke accesse into all his Seigniories and dominions with licence freely to traffique in and out with all his Subiects in all kinde of Marchandise with diuers other gracious priuiledges liberties and immunities specified in his sayde letters vnder his Signet Know yee therefore that wee of our further royall fauour and munificence of our meere motion certaine knowledge and speciall grace for vs our heires and successours haue giuen and graunted and by these presents doe giue and grant vnto the same Gouernours Consuls assistants fellowship and comunalty aboue named and to their successours as much as in vs is that all the mayne landes Isles portes hauens creekes and riuers of the said mighty Emperour of all Russia and great duke of Mosco c. And all and singuler other lands dominions territories Isles Portes hauens creekes riuers armes of the sea of al and euery other Emperor king prince ruler and gouernor whatsoeuer he or they before the said late adenture or enterprise not knowen or by our foresayd marchants and subiects by the seas not commonly frequented nor by any part nor parcell thereof lying Northwards North-eastwards or Northwestwards as is aforesayd by sea shall not be visited frequented nor hanted by any our subiects other then of the sayd company and felowship and their successours without expresse licence agreement and consent of the Gouernour Consuls and Assistants of the said felowship and communaltie aboue named or the more part of them in manner and number asoresayd for the time being vpon paine of forfeiture and losse as well of the shippe and shippes with the appurtenances as also of all the goods marchandises and things whatsoeuer they be of those our subiects not being of the sayd felowship and communalty which shall attempt or presume to saile to any of those places which bee or hereafter shall happen to bee found and â—raffiked vnto the one halfe of the same forfeiture to be to the vse of vs our heires and successors and the other halfe to be to the vse of the sayd fellowship and communaltie And if it shall fortune anie stranger or strangers for to attempt to hurt hinder or endamage the same marchants their factors deputies or assignes or any of them is sailing going or returning at any time in the sayd aduenture or for to saile or trade to or from any those places landes or coastes which by the sayd marchants their factors deputies and assignes haue bene or shall bee descried discouered and found or frequented aswell within the coastes and limites of gentility as within the dominions and Seigniories of the sayd mighty Emperour and Duke and of all and euery other Emperour King Prince Ruler and gouernour whatsoeuer he or they be before the sayd late aduenture or enterprise not knowen by any our said marchants and subiects by the seas not commonly frequented and lying Northwards Northwestwards or Northeastwards as aforesaid then wee will and grant and by these presents doe licence and authorise for vs our heires and successors the said marchants their factors deputies and assignes and euery of them to doe their best in their defence to resist the same their enterprises and attempts Willing therefore and straightly commanding and charging al and singuler our Officers Maiors Sherifes Escheators Constables Barlifes and all and singuler other our ministers and liege men and subiects whatsoeuer to bee aiding fauouring helping assisting vnto the sayd gouernour or gouernours Consuls assistants fellowship and communalty and to their successeors and deputies factors seruants and assignes and to the deputies factors and assignes of euery of them in executing and enioying the premisses as well on land as in the sea from time to time and at all times when you or any of you shall be thereunto required In witnesse whereof c. Apud Westmonasterium 6 die Feb. Annis regnorum nostrorum primo secundo Certaine instructions deliuered in the third voyage Anno 1556. for Russia to euery Purser and the rest of the seruants taken for the voyage which may serue as good and necessary directions to all other like aduenturers FIrst you shall before the ship doth begin to lade goe aboord and shall there take and write one inuentorie by the aduise of the Master or of some other principall officer there aboord of all the tackle apparell cables ankers ordinance chambers shot powder artillerie and of all other necessaries whatsoeuer doth belong to the sayd ship and the same iustly taken you shall write in a booke making the sayd Master or such officer priuie of that which you haue so written so that the same may not be denied when they shall call accompt thereof that done you shall write a copie of the same with your owne hand which you shall deliuer before the shippe shall depart for the voyage to
shoulde be taken off but no worde I could heare when I should be deliuered out of captiuitie till it was Saint George his day on which day I was had before the Marshall who declared vnto me that the Kings Maiestie had shewed his mercie and goodnesse towardes mee for his pleasure was that I should be deliuered out of prison to depart into England but no way else So after I had giuen thankes for the Kings Maiesties goodnesse shewed vnto me I desired him that he woulde be a meane that I might haue the remaynder of such thinges as were taken from me restored vnto me againe Hee made me answere that I might thanke God that I escaped with my head and that if euer there came any more of vs through the land they should not so doe The weeke before Easter they deliuered mee my Corobia againe with all thinges that were therein They tooke from mee in money nine Hungers gylderns in golde fiue shillings foure pence in Lettoes money fourtie Altines in Russe money whereof twentie and more were for tokens halfe an angell and a quarter of Master Doctour Standishes with his golde ring Your two pieces of money Master Gray that you sent to your wife and daughter with my two pieces of Boghary money Of all this I had eight Hungers gilderns deliuered mee the thirde weeke of mine imprisonment to paye for my charges which stoode mee in a Doller a weeke So that at the day of my deliuerie I had but three gyldernes left me For the rest I made a supplication to the Captaine and had the like answere giuen mee as the Marshall gaue me So that all the rest of the thinges before written are lost and no recouerie to bee had which grieueth me more for the tokens â—akes then doeth mine eight weeks imprisonment They haue also my sword my bootes my bowe and arrowes that I bought at Smolensco which cost me foure marks my sled my felt the comhold a booke of the Flowres of godly prayers and my booke wherein my charges were written Of all these I can get nothing againe not so much as my two bookes After I had remayned there fiue and thirtie dayes I was had before the Captaine vp into a great chamber to bee examined for letters and of the cause of my comming through the Countrey In the Captaines companie was one of the Lordes of Danske They demaunded of mee where my letters were I declared vnto them that I had none your Officers sayd I tooke me when I was in my bedde they searched mee and tooke all that I had from mee if there be any they shall finde them among my stuffe which they haue They asked mee then for what cause I went home ouer lande I declared vnto them that the Winter beeing a warme season and hauing intelligence that The frozen Sea was not much frozen and supposing this Sommer it would be nauigable I was onely sent to prouide a Shippe to bee sent to passe the sayde Seas to discouer Cataia which if God graunted wee might doe it woulde not onely bee a commoditie to the Realme of Englande but vnto all Christian landes by the riches that might bee brought from thence if the histories bee true that are written thereof Much other communication I had with them concerning the same voyage Then he demaunded of mee what wares wee brought into Russia and what wee carried from thence I declared the same vnto them Then they burdened mee that wee brought thither thousandes of ordinance as also of harneis swordes with other munitions of warre artificers copper with many other things I made them answere that wee had brought thither about one hundred shirtes of mayle such olde thinges newe scowred as no man in Englande woulde weare Other talke they had with mee concerning the trade of Moscouia too long to commit to writing At my comming hither heere were Ambassadours from the townes of Danske Lubeck and Hamburgh as also out of Liefland to desire this king to bee their Captaine and head in their intended voyage which was to stoppe all such shippes as shoulde goe out of England for Moscouia Whereunto the King graunted and immediatly they departed to prepare their shippes So that I am afraide that either these our enemies or the great warres that we haue with France and Scotland will be an occasion that you shall haue no shippes at Colmogro this yeere To conclude although I haue no tokens to deliuer them that the tokens token from me were sent vnto yet I will declare vnto them that I had tokens for them with the mischance And thus I commit you to Amightie God with the rest of the companie who keepe you in health to his holy will and pleasure By yours to commaund THOMAS ALCOCKE A Letter of Master Anthonie Ienkinson vpon his returne from Boghar to the worshipful Master Henrie Lane Agent for the Moscouie companie resident in Vologda written in the Mosco the 18. of September 1559. VVOrshipfull Sir after my heartie commendations prâ—mised with most desire to God of your welfare and prosperous successe in all your affaires It may please you to bee aduertised that the fourth of this present I arriued with Richard Iohnson and Robert Iohnson all in health thankes bee to God Wee haue bene as farre as Boghar and had proceeded farther on our voyage toward the lande of Cathay had it not bene for the vncessant and continuall warres which are in all these brutall and wilde countreys that it is at this present impossible to passe neither went thâ—re any Carauan of people from Boghar that way these three yeeres And although our iourney hath bene so miserable dangerous and chargeable with losses charges and expenses as my penne is not able to expresse the same yet shall wee bee able to satisfie the woorshipfull Companies mindes as touching the discouerie of The Caspian Sea with the trade of merchandise to bee had in such landes and counteyes as bee thereabout adiacent and haue brought of the wares and commodities of those Countries able to answere the principall with profite wishing that there were vtterance for as great a quantitie of kersies and other wares as there is profite to bee had in the sales of a small quantitie all such euill fortunes beeing escaped as to vs haue chaunced this present voyage for then it woulde be a trade woorthie to bee followed Sir for that I trust you will be here shortly which I much desire I will deferre the discourse with you at large vntill your comming as well touching my trauel as of other things Sir Iohn Lucke departed from hence toward England the seuenth of this present and intendeth to passe by the way of Sweden by whom I sent a letter to the worshipfull Companie and haue written that I intend to come downe vnto Colmogro to be readie there at the next shipping to imbarke my selfe for England declaring that my seruice shal not be needfull here for that you
perpetuall peace betwixt the same great Turke and the Sophie and brought with him a present in golde and faire horses with rich furnitures and other gifts esteemed to be woorth forty thousand pound And thereupon a peace was concluded with ioyfull feasts triumphs and solemnities corroborated with strong othes by their law of Alkaron for either to obserue the same and to liue alwayes after as sworne brethren ayding the one the other against all princes that should warre against them or either of them And vpon this conclusion the Sophy caused the great Turkes sonne named Baiset Soltan a valiant Prince who being fled from his father vnto the Sophie had remained in his Court the space of foure yeeres to be put to death In which time the sayd Turkes sonne had caused mortall warres betwixt the sayd Princes and much preuailed therein the Turke demanded therefore his sonne to be sent vnto him the Sophy refused thereunto to consent But now being slaine according to the Turks will the Sophy sent him his head for a present not a litle desired and acceptable to the vnnaturall father Discoursing at my first arriuall with the king of Shiruan of sundry matters and being intertained as hath bene before declared the sayd king named Obdolocan demaunding whether that we of England had friendship with the Turks or not I answered that we neuer had friendship with them and that therefore they would not suffer vs to passe thorow their countrey into the Sophy his dominions and that there is a nation named the Uenetians not farre distant from vs which are in great league with the sayd Turks who trade into his dominions with our commodities chiefly to barter the same for raw silks which as we vnderstand come from thence and that if it would please the sayd Sophy and other Princes of that countrey to suffer our merchants to trade into those dominions and to giue vs pasport and safe conduct for the same as the sayd Turke hath granted to the sayd Uenetians I doubted not but that it should grow to such a trade to the profit of them as neuer before had beene the like and that they should be both furnished with our commodities and also haue vtterance of theirs although there neuer came Turke into their land perswading with many other wordes for a trade to be had This king vnderstanding the matter liked it marueilously saying that he would write vnto the Sophy concerning the same as he did in very deed assuring me that the Sophy would graunt my request and that at my returne vnto him he would giue me letters of safe conduct and priuiledges The Turks Ambassadour was not then come into the land neither any peace hoped to be concluded but great preparation was made for warre which was like much to haue furthered my purpose but it chanced otherwise For the Turks Ambassadour being arriued and the peace concluded the Turkish merchants there at that time present declared to the same Ambassadour that my comming thither naming me by the name of Franke would in great part destroy their trade and that it should be good for him to perswade the Sophy not to fauour me as his Highnesse meant to obserue the league and friendship with the great Turke his master which request of the Turkish merchants the same Ambassadour earnestly preferred and being afterwards dismissed with great honour he departed out of the Realme with the Turks sonnes head as aforesayd and other presents The 20 day of Nouember aforesayd I was sent for to come before the sayd Sophy otherwise called Shaw Thomas and about three of the clocke at afternoone I came to the Court and in lighting from my horse at the Court gate before my feet touched the ground a paire of the Sophies owne shoes termed in the Persian tongue Basmackes such as hee himselfe weareth when he ariseth in the night to pray as his maner is were put vpon my feet for without the same shoes I might not be suffred to tread vpon his holy ground being a Christian and called amongst them Gower that is vnbeleeuer and vncleane esteeming all to be infidels and Pagans which do not beleeue as they do in their false filthie prophets Mahomet and Murtezalli At the sayd Court gate the things that I brought to present his Maiestie with were deuided by sundry parcels to sundry seruitors of the Court to cary before me for none of my company or seruants might be suffered to enter into the Court with me my interpreter onely excepted Thus comming before his Maiestie with such reuerence as I thought meete to be vsed I deliuered the Queenes Maiesties letters with my present which hee accepting demaunded of mee of what countrey of Franks I was and what affaires I had there to doe Unto whom I answered that I was of the famous Citie of London within the noble Realme of England and that I was sent thither from the most excellent and gracious soueraigne Lady Elizabeth Queene of the saide Realme for to treate of friendship and free passage of our Merchants and people to repaire and traffique within his dominions for to bring in our commodities and to carry away theirs to the honour of both princes the mutuall commoditie of both Realmes and wealth of the Subiects with other wordes here omitted He then demaunded me in what language the letters were written I answered in the Latine Italian and Hebrew well said he we haue none within our Realme that vnderstand those tongues Whereupon I answered that such a famous and worthy prince as hee was wanted not people of all nations within his large dominions to interprete the same Then he questioned with me of the state of our Countreys and of the power of the Emperour of Almaine king Philip and the great Turke and which of them was of most power whom I answered to his contentation not dispraysing the great Turke their late concluded friendship considered Then he reasoned with mee much of Religion demaunding whether I were a Gower that is to say an vnbeleeuer or a Muselman that is of Mahomets lawe Unto whom I answered that I was neither vnbeleeuer nor Mahometan but a Christian. What is that said he vnto the king of the Georgians sonne who being a Christian was fled vnto the said Sophie and he answered that a Christian was he that beleeueth in Iesus Christus affirming him to be the Sonne of God and the greatest Prophet Doest thou beleeue so said the Sophie vnto me Yea that I do said I Oh thou vnbeleeuer said he we haue no neede to haue friendship with the vnbeleeuers and so willed me to depart I being glad thereof did reuerence and went my way being accompanied with many of his gentlemen and others and after me followed a man with a Basanet of sand sifting all the way that I had gone within the said pallace euen from the said Sophies sight vnto the court gate Thus I repaired againe vnto my lodging and the said
into his dominions and that obtained to haue returned againe with speede The same your seruaunt iourneying to the sayd Citie of Arrash and there finding certaine Merchants Armenians which promised to goe to the sayd City of Georgia comming to the borders thereof was perceiued by a Captaine there that he was a Christian and thereupon demaunded whither he went and vnderstanding that he could not passe further without great suspition answered that he came thither to buy Silkes and shewed the king of Hircanes letters which hee had with him and so returned backe againe and the fifteenth of April came to Shamachi from whence I departed the sixteene of the same moneth and the one and twentie therof comming to the Sea side and finding my barke in a readinesse I caused your goods to be laden and there attended a faire winde But before I proceede any further to speake of my returne I intend with your fauours somewhat to treate of the countrey of Persia of the great Sophie and of his countrey lawes and religion This land of Persia is great and ample deuided into many kingdomes and prouinces as Gillan Corasan Shiruan and many others hauing diuers Cities townes and castles in the same Euery prouince hath his seuerall King or Sultan all in obedience to the great Sophie The names of the chiefest Cities be these Teueris Casbin Keshan Yesse Meskit Heirin Ardouill Shamachi Arrash with many others The countrey for the most part toward the sea side is plaine and full of pasture but into the land high full of mountaines and sharpe To the South it bordereth vpon Arabia and the East Ocean To the North vpon the Caspian sea and the lands of Tartaria To the East vpon the prouinces of India and to the West vpon the confines of Chaldea Syria and other the Turkes lands All within these dominions be of the Sophies named Shaw Thamas sonne to Ismael Sophie This Sophie that now raigneth is nothing valiant although his power be great and his people martiall and through his pusillanimitie the Turke hath much inuaded his countreys euen nigh vnto the Citie of Teueris wherein hee was wont to keepe his chiefe court And now hauing forsaken the same is chiefly resident at Casbin aforesaide and alwayes as the said Turke pursueâ—h him he not being able to withstand the Turke in the fielde trusting rather to the mountaines for his safegard then to his fortes and castles hath caused the same to bee rased within his dominions and his ordinance to be molten to the intent that his enemies pursuing him they should not strengthen themselues with the same This prince is of the age of fiftie yeeres and of a reasonable stature hauing fiue children His eldest sonne he keepeth captiue in prison for that he feareth him for his valiantnesse and actiuitie he professeth a kinde of holynesse and saith that hee is descended of the blood of Mahâ—met and Murtezalli and although these Persians bee Mahometans as the Turkes and Tartars bee yet honour they this false fained Murtezalli saying that hee was the chiefest disciple that Mahomet had cursing and chiding dayly three other disciples that Mahomet had called Ouear Vsiran and Abebeck and these three did slay the saide Murtezalli for which cause and other differences of holy men and lawes they haue had and haue with the Turkes and Tartars mortall warres To intreat of their religion at large being more or lesse Mahomets lawe and the Alkaron I shall not need at this present These persons are comely and of good complexion proude and of good courage esteeming themselues to bee best of all nations both for their religion and holinesse which is most erroneous and also for all other their fashions They be martial delighting in faire horses and good harnesse soone angrie craftie and hard people Thus much I haue thought good to treate of this nation and nowe I returne to discourse the proceeding of the rest of my voyage My barke being ready at the Caspian sea as aforesaide hauing a faire winde and committing our selues vnto God the 30. day of May 1563. we arriued at Asâ—â—acan hauing passed no lesse dangers vpon the Sea in our returne then wee sustained in our going foorth and remayning at the said Astracan vntill the tenth day of Iune one hundred gunners being there admitted vnto mee for my safegard vp the riuer Volga the fifteenth of Iuly I arriued at the Citie of Cazan where the Captaine entertained me well and so dismissing mee I was conducted from place to place vnto the Citie of Mosco where I arriued the twentieth day of August 1563. in safetie thankes bee to God with all such goods merchandizes and iewels as I had prouided as well for the Emperours stocke and accompt as also of yours all which goods I was commaunded to bring into the Emperours treasurie before it was opened which I did and deliuered those parcels of wares which were for his Maiesties accompt videliceâ— precious stones and wrought silkes of sundry colours and sortes much to his highnesse contentation and the residue belonging to you viz. Crasko and rawe silkes with other merchandizes as by accompt appeareth were brought vnto your house whereof part there remained and the rest was laden in your shippes lately returned Shortly after my comming to the Mosco I came before the Emperours Maiestie and presented vnto him the apparell giuen vnto me by the Sophie whose highnesse conferred with mee touching the princes affaires which he had committed to my charge and my proceedings therein it pleased him so to accept that they were much to his contentation saying vnto mee I haue perceiued your good seruice for the which I doe thanke you and will recompence you for the same wishing that I would trauell againe in such his other affaires wherein hee was minded to employ mee to whom I answered that it was to my heartie reioycing that my seruice was so acceptable vnto his highnesse acknowledging all that I had done to bee but of duetie humbly beseeching his grace to continue his goodnesse vnto your worships and euen at that instant I humbly requested his Maiestie to vouchsafe to graunt vnto you a newe priuiledge more ample then the first which immediately was graunted and so I departed And afterwards hauing penned a briefe note howe I meant to haue the same priuiledges made I repaired dayly to the Secretary for the perfecting of the same and obtained it vnder his Maiesties broade seale which at my departure from thence I deliuered vnto the custody of Thomas Glouer your Agent there The copy whereof and also of the other priuiledges graunted and giuen by the king of Hircan I haue already deliuered vnto you Soiourning all that winter at Mosco and in the meane time hauing baâ—gained with the Emperours Maiestie I sent away your seruant Edward Clarke hither over-ouer-land with aduise and also made preparation for sending againe into Persia in meete time of the yeere And committing the charge thereof vnto
heate of the Sunne in the day causeth the deepe lakes of Ladega and specially of Onega to cleaue and if there should come then a sudden thaw as oftentimes in that time of the yeere doeth then doe these lakes open and breake whereby many men are lost and both men and horse drowned although other riuers do remaine frozen a long time after In the towne of Some also there are many warehouses whereof we cannot be destitute for the reposing of our wares as also as many barkes as you wil to transport your wares from thence to S. Nicholas road and that for three pence a poods caryage so that from the Citie of Nouogrod vnto S. Nicholas road you may haue wares caried for two altines The pood commeth vnto 23. altines the tunne Prouided alwayes that you buy your wares there your selfe and send it thence for there is no hope that the natiues will bring their wares from Nouogrod to Some in hope to sell vnto vs considering the great trade that they haue at the Narue which is within 180. miles off them Written by Thomas Southam a seruant to the company An Act for the corporation of Merchants aduenturers for the discouering of new trades made in the eight yeere of Queene Elizabeth Anno 1566. WHereas diuers very good Subiects of this Realme of England in the latter ende of the reigne of the late right high and mightie prince our Soueraigne Lord king Edward the sixt at the gracious incouragement and right good liking of the said king and by his Maiesties liberall example did at their aduenture and to their exceeding great charges for the glory of God the honor and increase of the reuenues of the Crowne and the common vtilitie of the whole Realme of England set forth thrâ—e ships for the discouery by Sea of Isles lands territories dominions and Seigniories vnknowen and by the Subiects of the sayd late king not commonly by seas frequented and after that Almightie God had called to his mercie the said king who died before the finishing and sealing of his most ample and gracious letters of priuiledges promised to the said Subiects as wel in consideration of the said enterprise as for diuers other respects it pleased our late souereigne Q. Mary at the humble suites of the same subiects to graunt by her letters Patents vnder the great Seale of England bearing date at Westminster the 26. day of February in the second yeere of her raigne for the considerations mentioned in the said letters Patents to the saide subiects being specially named in the saide letters Patents and to their successors that they by the name of Merchants aduenturers of England for the discouerie of lands territories Isles dominions and Seigniories vnknowen and not before their late aduenture or enterprise by seas or Nauigations coÌ„monly frequented should be from thenceforth one body and perpetual felowship and communaltie of themselues both in deed and in name and that the same felowship and communaltie from thenceforth should and might haue one or two gouernours foure Consuls and 24. assistants of the said felowship and comminaltie of Merchants aduenturers and that they by the name of the Gouernour Consuls assistants felowship and comminaltie of Merchants aduenturers for the discouery of lands territories Isles dominions and Seigniories vnknowen by the seas and Nauigations and not before their said late aduenture or enterprise by Seas frequented should or might be able in the lawe to implead and to bee impleaded to answere and to be answered to defend and to be defended before whatsoeuer Iudge or Iustice temporall or spiritual or other persons whatsoeuer in whatsoeuer court or courts and in all actions real personal and mixt and in euery of them and in all plaints of Nouel deseison and also in all plaints sutes quarrels affaires businesse and demaunds whatsoeuer they be touching and concerning the said felowship and comminaltie and the affaires and businesse of the same only in as ample maner and forme as any other corporation of this Realme might doe giuing also and granting vnto them by the said letters Patents diuers authorities powers iurisdictions preheminences franchises liberties and priuiledges as by the same letters Patents more at large will appeare And among other things mentioned in the said letters Patents whereas one of the three ships by the said fellowship before that time set foorth for the voyage of discouery aforesaid named the Edward Bonauenture had arriued within the Empire and dominion of the high and mightie Prince Lord Iohn Vasiliwich Emperour of all Russia Volodimersky great duke of Musky c. who receiued the Captaine and Merchants of the saide shippe very graciously granting vnto them freâ—â—y to traâ—fique with his subiects in all kinde of merchandizes with diuers other gracious priuiledges and liberties therefore the said late Queene by the same letters Patents for her her heires and successors did graunt that all the maine lands Isles ports hauens creeks and riuers of the said mighty Emperour of all Russia and great duke of Moâ—co c. and all and singular other lands dominions territories Isles ports hauens creeks riuers armes of the seas of al and euery other Emperour king prince ruler or gouerner whatsoeuer he or they be before the said late aduenture or enterprise not knowen or by the aforesaid merchants and subiects of the said king and Queene by the seas not commonly frequented nor any part or parcell thereof and lying Northwards Northeastwards or Northwestwards as in the said letters patents is mentioned should not be visited frequented nor hunted by any the subiects of the said late Queene other then of the said company and fellowship and their successors without expresse licence agreement consent of the Gouerner Consuls and Assistants of the said felowship and communaltie or the more part of them in maner forme as is expressed in the saide letters patents vpon paine of for feiture and losse as well of the ship and ships with the appurtenances as also of the goods merchandizes and things whatsoeuer they be of those the subiects of the said late Queene not being of the saide fellowship and communaltie which should attempt or presume to saile to any of those places which then were or after should happen to be found and traffiqued vnto the one halfe of the same forfriâ—ure to be to the vse of the said late Queene her heires successors and the other halfe to be to the vse of the said felowship communaltie as by the same letters patents more plainly will appeare Since the making of which letters patens the said fellowship haue to their exceeding great costes losses and expences not onely by their trading into the said dominions of the saide mightie prince of Russia c. found out conuenient way to saile into the saide dominions but also passing thorow the same and ouer the Caspian sea haue discouered very commodious trades into Armenia Media Hyrcania Persia and other dominions in Asia minor hoping by
whether it incline Southerly or Northerly as at times it may do both vntill you come to the Countrey of Cathay or the dominion of that mightie Emperour And if God prosper your voyage with such good successe that you may attaine to the same doe you seeke by all meanes you can to arriue to the Cities Cambalu and Quinsay or to the one of them But if it happen that you cannot conueniently come to either of those places or shal be driuen to remaine winter in some other port or place of his dominion do you seeke by all meanes possible to winne fauour anâ— liking of the people by gifts and friendly demeanes towards them and not to offer violence or do wrong to any people or nation whatsoeuer but therein to be innocent as doues yet wilie as serpents to auoid mischiefe and defend you from hurt And when you shall haue gotten friendship through your discreete ordering of your selues towards the people doe you learne of them what you can of their Prince and shewe them one of the Queenes Maiesties letters which she sendeth with you by either of you one made of one substance and effect for ech of you particularly written in Latine whereunto her Maiestie hath subscribed and caused her signet seale to be set the effect of the same letters you haue also writteâ— in English for your owne vnderstanding thereof The same her Maiesties letters you shall procure to deliuer vnto the same mightie Prince or Gouernour with some present to be giuen such as you shall thinke meete and conâ—enient vsing your selues in all points according to the effect of the same letters and procure againe from the same Prince his letters accordingly And if God so prosper your voyage that you may this Summer passe the Streights and compasse about the Northermost land of Asia vnto the countrey of Cathay or dominion of that mightie Prince and wintering in it may obtaine from him his letters of priuiledge against the next yeeres spring you may then after your first setting foorth search and discouer somewhat further then you had discouered before your wintering so farre as you shall thinke conuenient with regard had and alwayes prouided that you may returne home hither to giue vs aduise of your proceedings the same Summer or before the sharpenes or extremitie of winter ouertake you And if it happen you cannot this summer attaine to the border of Cathay and yet find the land beyond the Ob to stretch it selfe Easterly with the sea adioyning vnto it nauigable doe you then proceed on your discouery as before said alongst the same continent so farre as you can this summer hauing care in the trauel to finde out some conuenient harborow and place where you may winter and when you thinke it conuenient put your selfe to wintering where if you happen to finde people you shall deale with them as we haue before aduised you to do with the people of Cathay c. And if you can learne that they haue a prince or chiefe gouernour do you procure to deliuer vnto the same Prince or gouernour one of the Queenes Maiesties letters as before said and seeke to obtaine againe his letters accordingly If you so happen to winter obtaine letters of priuiledge finding the countrey and people with the commodities to bee such that by vsing trade thither with the people and for the commodities it may be beneficial vnto vs as we hope you may the same wil be some good liking vnto vs notwithstanding we would haue you the next summer by the grace of God at your first setting out of your wintering harborough proceed alongest that tract of land to Cathay if you see likelihood to passe it for that is the Countrey that we chiefly desire to discouer and seeing you are fully victualed for two yeres and vpwards which you may very wel make to serue you for two yeres and a halfe though you finde no other help you may therefore be the bolder to aduenture in proceeding vpon your discouery which if you do we doubt not but you shall atchieue the Countrey of Cathay deliuer to the prince there one of her Maiesties letters bringing from thence the same princes letters answerable and so in the yeere of our Lord 1582. returne home with good newes and glad tidings not onely vnto vs the aduenturers in this voyage but also to our whole Countrey and nation which God graunt you may do Amen But if it happen that the land of Asia from beyond the riuer Ob extende it selfe Northwards to 80. degrees or neerer the poole whereby you finde it to leade you into that extremitie that small or no hope may be looked for to saile that way to Cathay doe you notwithstanding followe the tract of the same land as farre as you can discouer this Summer hauing care to finde out by the way a conuenient place for you to Winter in the which if you may discouer the same lande of Asia this Summer to extend it selfe to 80. degrees of latitude and vpwards or to 85. degrees we wish then that the same your wintering place may be in the riuer of Ob or as neere the same riuer as you can and finding in such wintering place people be they Samoeds Yowgorians or Molgomzes c. doe you gently entreat with them as aforesaide and if you can learne that they haue a prince or chiefe gouernour amongst them doe you deliuer him one of her Maiesties letters and procure thereof an answere accordingly do you procure to barter exchange with the people of the merchandise and commodities that you shall cary with you for such commodities as you shall finde them to haue c. If you so happen to winter we would haue you the next Summer to discouer into the riuer Ob so farre as conueniently you may And if you shall finde the same riuer which is reported to be wide or broad to be also nauigable and pleasant for you to trauell farre into happely you may come to the citie Siberia or to some other towne or place habited vpon or neere the border of it and thereby haue liking to winter out the second winter vse you therein your discretions But if you finde the said riuer Ob to be sholde or not such as you may conueniently trauell in with your barkes do you then the next summer returne backe through Boroughs streights And from that part of Noua Zembla adioyning to the same streights doe you come alongst the tracâ— of that coast Westwards keeping it on the starbord side and the same alwayes in sight if conueniently you may vntil you come to Willoughbies land if outwards bound you shall not happen to discouer and trie whether the said Willoughbies land ioyne continent with the same Noua Zembla or not But if you shall then proue them to be one firme and continent you may from Noua Zembla direct your course vnto the said Willoughbies land as you shall thinke
by the name of Tilney who dwelt alwayes one after another at the towne of Boston aforesayd vntill such time as the possessions of the elder brother fell vnto an heire general which was maried vnto Iohn duke of Northfolke The last knight of that name was sir Philip Tilney late of Shelleigh in the Countie of Suffolke predecessor and father vnto Thomas Tilney of Hadleigh in the Countie aforesayd Esquire vnto whom the sayd booke of late appertained In the yeere of his age 64. and in the yeere of our Lord 1556. ¶ The trauailes of one Richard surnamed Canonicus RIchardus Canonicus ad Trinitatis fanum Londini Regularis ab ipsa pueritia bonarum artium literas impensè amauit excoluit ac didicit Qui ex râ—niâ—â—o labore atque exercitatione longa talis tandem euasit orator Poeta quales ea aetas tarissimos mitriebat Ob id Richardo Anglorum time Regi charus longam cum eo peregrinationem in Palestinam ac Sytiam dum expugnaret Turcas suscepit Vnde in Angliam tum demum reuersus omnia quâ—â— pâ—â—â—sens vidit in vâ—bibus agris ac milâ—â—um castris fideli narratione tam carmine quà m prosae descripsit Neque interim omisit eiusdem Regis mores formam per omnia corporis lineamenta de signare â—â—diditque praeclaro suo operi hoc aptissimum pro titulo nomem â—â—ifceâ— Itinerarium Regis Richardi Claruit anno redemptionis nostrae 1200. sub â—oanno Anglorum Regâ— The same in English RIchard surnamed Canonicus an obseruant Frier of Trinitie Church in London was in great loue with the studies of good Artes and tooke paines in them and learned them And at last by his continuall endeuour and long exercise therein hee grewe to bee such an Oratour and Poet as fewe were in that age liuing by reason whereof hee grew in fauour with Richard then King of England and vndertooke that long voyage with him into Palestina and Syria agaynst the Turkes From whence being returned againe into England hee faithfully described both in Uerse and Prose all such things as hee had seene in the Cities fieldes and tentes of the souldiours where hee was present and omitted not to note the behauiour forme and proportion of body in the foresayd king giuing to his notable worke this most apt name for the titleâ— The Iournall of King Richard He flourished in the yeere of our Redemption 1200. vnder Iohn king of England ¶ The trauailes of Gulielmus Peregrinus GVlielmus Peregriâ—us Poeta quidem per eam aetatem excellens genere Anglus florebat literarum vt multi tunc erant amator maximus qui bona tempora melioribus impenderat studijs Hic cum acâ—episset expeditionem in Saracenos per Regem Richardum parari accinxit se ad iter illud non tantum vt miles sed etiam peregrinus Vidit ea quae in Mari Hispanico fiebant vidit quae in Syria Palestina commissa fuerunt in Sultanum Babylonie Regem ac perfidos Saracenos Omnia haec scripsit viuis depinxit coloribus ita vt quasi prae oculis totum poneret negotium idémque Argumentum cum Richardo Canonico non inâ—oeliciter Heroico pertractauit carmine opúsque iam absolutum Huberto Cantuariorum Archiepiscopo Stephano Turnhamo Capitaneo rerum bellicarum expertissimo dedicauit additâ— hoc titulo Odepoâ—icon Richardi Regis Multáque alia edidisse Poetam talem non dubito sed num extent illa eius scripta mihi non constat Hoc ramen satis constat eum fuisse in pretio Anno à salutisero virginis partu 1200. sub Anglorum Rege Ioanne The same in English VVIlliam the Pilgrime a very excellent Poet in those dayes and an Englishman borne was of great fame being much giuen to good letters as many then were and bestowed his good time in the best kinde of studies Hee vnderstanding of the preparation of king Richard against the Saracens prepared himselfe also for the same voyage not onely as a Souldiour but as a Pilgrime also He sawe those things which happened in the Spanish Seas and which were done in Syria and Palestina against the Sultan the king of Babylon and the trecherous Saracens All which things he wrote and expressed them as it were in liuely colours as if they had bene still in doing before his eyes and handled the same Argument in Heroicall verse which the forenamed Richard Canonicus did And hauing finished his worke he dedicated it to Hubert Archbishop of Canterburie and to Stephen Turneham a most expert Captaine of the warres giuing it this Title The expedition of King Richard And I doubt not but that so good a Poet as hee was published many other things but whether they be extanâ— yea or no I know not but this I know that he was a man well accounted of and flourished in the yeere after the birth of Christ 1200. vnder king Iohn The large contribution to the succour of the Holy land made by king Iohn king of England in the third yeere of his reigne 1201. Matth. Paris and Holinsh. pag. 164. AT the same time alâ—o the kings of France and England gaue large money towards the maintenance of the army which at this present went fâ—orth vnder the leading of the earle of Flanders and other to warre against the enemies of the Christian faith at the instance of pope Innocent There was furthermore granted vnto them the fortieth part of all the reuenues belonging vnto ecclesiasticall persons towards the ayd of the Christians then being in the Holy land and all such aswel of the nobility as other of the weaker sort which had taken vpon them the crosse and secretly layed it downe were compelled eft soones to receiue it now againe The trauailes of Hubert VValter bishop of Sarisburie HVbertus Walterus Sarisburiensis Episcopus vir probus ingenióque ac pictate clarus inter praecipuos vnus eorum erat qui post Richardum regem expugnandorum Saracenorum gratia in Syriam proficisce bantur Cum ex Palestina rediens audiret in Sicilia quod idem Richardus in inimicorum manus incidisset omisso itinere incoepto ad eum cursim diuertebat Quem ille statim in Angliam misit vt illic regij Senatus authoritate indicto pro eius redemptione tributo pecuniam colligeret quod industrius fecit ac regem liberauit Inde Cantuariorum Archiepiscopus factus post eius mortem Ioanni illius fratri ac successori paria fidelitatis officia praestitit Longa enim oratione toti Anglorum nationi â—ersuasit quod vir prouidus praestans fortis genere nobilissimus imperio dignissimus eiset quo salutatus a populo fuit aâ—que in regem coronatus Composuit quaedam opuscula ex immenso animi dolore demum obijsse fertur Anno salutis humanae 1205. cum sedisset annos 11. Menses octo dies sex quum vidisset ex intestinis odijs omnia in transmarinis regionibus pessùm ire regnante Ioanne The same in
causam quorundam subditorum nostrorum qui captiui triremibus vestris detinentur interpellemus rogemúsque vt quoniam nullo in celsitudinem vestram peccato suo siuè arma in eam â—erendo siuè iniquiùs praeter fas ius gentium se gerendo in suos subditos in hanc calamitatem inciderint soluti vinculis libertate donati nobis pro sua fide obsequio inseruientes causam vberiorem praebeant vestrae Celsitudinis in nos humanitatem praedicandi Deum illum qui solus supra omnia omnes est acertimus idolatriae vindicator suÃque honoris contra Gentium aliorum falsos Deos Zelotes precabimur vt vestram inuictissimam Caesaream Celsitudinem omni beatitate eorum donorum fortunet que sola summè iure merito habentur desideratissima Darae è Regia nostra Grenouici prope ciuitattem nostram Londinum quintodecimo Mensis Octobris Anno Iesu Christi Saluatoris nostri 1579 Regni verò nostri vicesimo primo The same in English ELizabeth by the grace of the most mightie God and onely Creatour of heauen and earth of England France and Ireland Queene the most inuincible and most mighty defender of the Christian faith against all kinde of idolatries of all that liue among the Christians and fasly professe the Name of Christ vnto the most Imperiall and most inuincible prince Zuldan Murad Can the most mightie ruler of the kingdome of Turkie sole and aboue all and most souereigne Monarch of the East Empire greeting and many happy and fortunate yeeres with abundance of the best things Most Imperiall and most inuincible Emperour wee haue receiued the letters of your mightie highnesse written to vs from CoÌ„stantinople the fifteenth day of March this present yere whereby we vnderstand how gratiously and how fauorably the humble petitions of one William Hareborne a subiect of ours resident in the Imperial citie of your highnes presented vnto your Maiestie for the obteining of accesse for him and two other Marchants more of his company our subiects also to come with marchandizes both by sea and land to the countreis and territories subiect to your gouernment and from thence againe to returne home with good leaue and libertie were accepted of your most inuincible Imperiall highnesse and not that onely but with an extraordinarie speed and worthy your Imperiall grace that which was craued by petition was granted to him and his company in regard onely as it seemeth of that opinion which your highnesse conceiued of vs and our amitie which singular benefit done to our aforesaid subiects wee take so thankefully and in so good part yeelding for the same our greatest thanks to your highnesse that we will neuer giue occasion to your said highnesse according as time and the respect of our affaires will permit once to thinke so great a pleasure bestowed vpon an vngratefull Prince For the Almighty God by whom and by whose grace we reigne hath planted in vs this goodnesse of nature that wee deâ—est and abhorre the least suspition of ingratitude and hath taught vs not to suffer our selues to bee ouermatched with the good demerits of other Princes And therefore at this time wee doe extende our good minde vnto your highnesse by well conceiuing and publishing also abroad how much we repute our selfe bound in an euerlasting remembrance for this good pleasure to our Subiects meaning to yeelde a much more large and plentifull testification of our thankefulnesse when time conuenient shall fall out and the same shall bee looked for at our handes But whereas that graunt which was giuen to a fewe of our Subiects and at their onely request without any intercession of ours standeth in as free a libertie of comming and going to and from all the lands and kingdoms subiect to your Maiestie both by land sea with marchandizes as euer was granted to any of your Imperiall highnesse confederates as namely to the French the Polonians the Venetians as also to the subiects of the king of the Romanes wee desire of your highnesse that the commendation of such singular courtesie may not bee so narrowly restrained to two or three men onely but may be inlarged to all our subiects in generall that thereby your highnesse goodnesse may appeare the more notable by reason of the graunting of the same to a greater number of persons The bestowing of which so singular a benefit your highnesse shall so much the lesse repent you of by howe much the more fit and necessary for the vse of man those commodities are wherewith our kingdomes doe abound and the kingdomes of other princes doe want so y t there is no nation that can be without them but are glad to come by them although by very long and difficult trauels and when they haue them they sell them much deerer to others because euery man seeketh to make profite by his labour so that in the getting of them there is profit but in the buying of them from others there is losse But this profite will be increased to the subiects of your highnesse by this free accesse of a few of our subieâ—ts to your dominions as also the losse and burden wil be eased by the permission of generall accesse to all our people And furthermore we will graunt as equall and as free a libertie to the subiects of your highnesse with vs for the vse of traffique when they wil end as often as they wil to come and go to and from vs and our kingdomes Which libertie wee promise to your highnesse shal be as ample and as large as any was euer giuen or granted to your subiects by the aforesaide princes your confederats as namely the king of the Romanes of France of Poland and the common wealth of Venice In which matter if your most inuincible Imperiall highnesse shall vouchsafe to incline to our reasonable request and shall giue order vpon these our letters that wee may haue knowledge how the same is accepted of you and whether it wil be granted with sufficient securitie for our subiects to go and returne safe and secure from all violences and iniuries of your people we on the other side wil giue order that those commodities which Almighty God hath bestowed vpon our kingdomes which are in deed so excellent that by reason of them all princes are drawen to enter and confirme leagues of amitie and good neighborhood with vs by that meanes to enioy these so great blessings of God which we haue and they can in no case want our subiects shall bring them so abundantly and plentifully to the kingdomes and dominions of your highnesse that both the former inconueniences of necessitie and losse shall most sufficiently be taken away Moreouer the signification and assurance of your highnesse great affection to vs and our nation doeth cause vs also to intreat and vse mediation on the behalfe of certaine of our subiects who are deteined as slaues and captiues in your Gallies for whom we craue that forasmuch
illius si sine testamento moreretur consul eorum cuicúnque sociorum mortui hominis dixerit debere dari illi dentur bona mortui hominis 10 Item si Angli ad Angliam pertinentium locorum mercatores interpretes in vendendis emendis mercibus fideiussionibus rebus aliquid negocij habuerint ad iudicem veniant in librum inscribi faciant negotium si voluerint literas quóque accepiant à iudice propterea quòd si aliquid inciderit videant librum literas secundùm tenorem eorum perficiantur negocia eorum suspecta si autem néque in librum inscriberentur néque literas haberent iudex falsa testimonia non admittat sed secundùm iustitiam legem administrans non sinat illos impediri 11 Item si aliquis diceret quod isti Christiani nostrae fidei Muzulmanicae maledixerint eam vituperijs affecerint in hoc negotio etiam alijs testes falsi minimè admittantur 12 Item si aliquis eorum aliquod facinus patraret fugiens non possit inueniri nullus nisi esset fideiussor pro alterius facto retineatur 13 Item si aliquod mancipium Anglicum inueniretur consul eoruÌ„ peteret illud examinetur diligenter mancipium si inuentum fuerit Anglicum accipiatur reddatur Anglis 14 Item si aliquis ex Anglis huc venerit habitandi aut mercandi gratiâ siue sit vxoratus siue sit sine vxore non soluat censum 15 Item si in Alexandria in Damasco in Samia in Tunis in Tripoli occidentali in Aegypti portubus in alijs omnibus locis vbicúnque voluerint facere Consules faciant Et iterum si voluerint eos mutare in loco prioruÌ„ consulum alios locare liberè faciant nemo illis resistat 16 Item si illorum interpres in arduis negotijs occupatus abesset donec veniret interpres expectetur interim nemo illos impediat 17 Item si Angli inter se aliquam litem haberent vellent ad suos consules ire nemo resistat illis sed liberè veniant ad Consules suos vt secundùm mores eorum finiatur lis orta 18 Item si post tempus aut datum huius priuilegij piratae aâ—t alij aliqui liberi gubernatores nauium per mare vagantes aliquem ex Anglis ceperint trans mare vel cis mare venderint secundùm iustitiam examinetur si Anglus inuentus fuerit religionem Muzulmanicam assumpserit liberè dimittatur si autem adhuc esset Christianus Anglis reddatur emptores suam pecuniam ab illo petant à quo emerant 19 Item si nostrae Caesareae Celsitudinis naues armatae exiuerint ad mare ibi inuenerint naues Anglicas merces portantes nemo impediat illas imò amicè tractentur nullum damnum faciant illis Quemadmodum Gallis Venetis caeteris nobiscum confoederatis regibus principibus priuilegium articulos priuilegijs dedimus concessimus simili modo his quòque Anglis priuilegium articulos priuilegijs dedimus concessimus contra legem diuinam hoc priuilegium nemo vnquam aliquid audeat facere 20 Item si naues magnae paruae in itinere loco vbi stant detinebuntur nemo illos audeat impedire sed poâ—ius auxilio sint illis 21 Item si latrones fures vi raperent naues illorum nauiúmque merces magna diligentia quaerantur latrones fures seuerissimè puniantur 22 Ad extremum Beglerbegij Zanziacbegi Capitanei nostri Mancipia per mare nauigantes serui Capitaneorum Iudices Teloniatores Gubernatores nauium Reiz dicti liberi Reiz omnes isti praefati secundùm tenorem huius priuilegij tenorémue articulorum eius omnia facere teneantur debeant Et donec hoe in priuilegio descriptum foedus pax illius Maiestatis ex parte sanctè seruabitur custodietur ex parte etiam nostra Caesarea custodiri obseruari mandamus Datum constantinopoli anno nostri prophetae Sanctissimi 988 in principio mensis Iunij anno autem Iesu 1580. The interpretation of the letters or priuilege of the most mightie and Musumanlike Emperour Zuldan Murad Can granted at the request of Elizabeth by the grace of the most mightie God and only Creator of heauen and earth of England France and Ireland Queene confirming a peace and league betwixt both the said Princes and their subiects WE most sacred Musulmanlike Emperour by the infinite and exceeding great power by the euerlasting and wonderfull clemencie by the vnspeakable helpe of the most mighty most holy God creator of all things to be worshipped and feared with all purenesse of minde and reuerence of speech The prince of these present times the onely Monarch of this age able to giue scepters to the potentates of the whole world the shadow of the diuine mercy and grace the distributer of many kingdoms prouinces townes and cities Prince and most sacred Emperour of Mecca that is to say of Gods house of Medina of the most glorious and blessed Ierusalem of the most fertile Egypt Iemen and Iouan Eden and Canaan of Samos the peaceable and of Hebes of Iabza and Pazra of Zeruzub and Halepia of Caramaria and Diabekiruan of Dulkadiria of Babylon and of all the three Arabias of the Euzians and Georgians of Cyprus the rich and of the kingdomes of Asia of Ozakior of the tracts of the white and blacke Sea of Grecia and Mesopotamia of Africa and Goleta of Alger and of Tripolis in the West of the most choise and principall Europe of Buda and Temeswar and of the kingdomes beyond the Alpes and many others such like most mightie Murad Can the sonne of the Emperour Zelim Can which was the sonne of Zoleiman Can which was the sonne of Zelim Can which was the sonne of Paiizid Can which was the sonne of Mehemed Can c. We most mightie prince Murad Can in token of our Imperiall friendship doe signifie and declare that now of late Elizabeth Queene of England France and Ireland the most honourable Queene of Christendom to whose marchants we wish happy successe sent her letters by her worthy seruant William Hareborne vnto our stately and most magnificent Porch replenished with iustice which is a refuge and Sanctuary to all the princes of the world by which letters her Maiestie signified that whereas heretofore certaine of her subiects had repaired to our saide stately Porche and had shewed their obedience to the same and for that cause had desired that leaue and libertie might also be granted vnto them to come and goe for traffiques sake too and from our dominions and that our Imperial commandement might be giuen that no man should presume to hurt of hinder them in any of their abodes or passages by sea or land and whereas shee requested that we would graunt to all her subiects in generall this our fauour which before
time without the consent of the Gouernour for the time being and the more part of the said Company And further wee of our more ample and abundant grace meere motion and certaine knowledge haue graunted and by these patenâ—s for vs our heires and successors doe graunt to the saide Edward Thomas Richard and William their executors and administrators that they the saide Edward Thomas Richard and Willam their executors and administrators and the said person and persons by them the said Edward and Richard to be nominated or appointed as afore is said together with such two other persons as wee our heires or successors from time to time during the sayd terme shall nominate shall haue the whole trade and trafique and the whole entire onely libertie vse and priuilege of trading and trafiquing and vsing feate of marchandise into and from the said dominions of the said Grand Signior and euery of them And when there shall be no such persons so nominated or appointed by vs our heires or successors that then the said Edward Osborne Thomas Smith Richard Staper and William Garret their executors and administrators and such persons by them so to be appointed shall haue the saide whole trade and trafique and the whole entire and onely libertie vse and priuilege of trading and trafiquing aforesaid And that they the said Edward Thomas Richard and William their executors administrators and also al such as shal so be nominated or appointed to be partners or aduenturers in the said trade according to such agreement as is abouesaid and euery of them their seruants factors and deputies shal haue ful and free authoritie libertie facultie licence and power to trade and trafique into and from all and euery the saide dominions of the saide Grand Signior and into and from all places where by occasion of the said trade they shall happen to arriue or come whether they be Christians Turkes Gentiles or other and into and from all Seas riuers ports regions territories dominions coastes and places with their ships barks pinâ—esses and other vessels and with such mariners and men as they will lead with them or send for the said trade as they shall thinke good at their owne proper cost and expenses any law statute vsage or matter whatsoeuer to the contrary notwithstanding And that it shal be lawful for the said Edward Thomas Richard and William and to the persons aforesaid and to and for the mariners and seamen to bee vsed and employed in the said trade and voyage to set and place in the tops of their ships and others vessels the armes of England with the red crosse ouer the same as heretofore they haue vsed the red crosse any matter or thing to the contrary notwithstanding And we of our further royal fauor and of our especiall grace certaine knowledge and meere motion haue graunted and by these presents doe graunt to the said Edward Osbâ—rne Thomas Smith Richard Staper and William Garret their executors and administrators by these presents that the said lands territories and dominions of the said Grand Signior or any of them shall not be visited frequented nor haunted by way of marchandise by any other our subiects during the said terme contrary to the true meaning of these patents And by vertue of our high prerogatiue royall which wee will not haue argued or brought in question we straightly charge and commaund and prohibite for vs our heires and successours all our subiects of what degree or qualitie soeuer they be that none of them directly or indirectlâ— do visite haunt frequent or trade trafique or aduenture by way of marchandise into or from any of the Dominions of the sayde Grand Signior or other places abouesayde by water or by lande other then the said Edward Thomas Richard and William their executours or administrators or such as shal be admitted and nominated as is aforesaide without expresse licence agreement and consent of the said Gouernour and company or the more part of them whereof the said Gouernour alwayes to be one vpon paine of our high indignation and of forfeiâ—nre and losse as well of the ship and shippes with the furniture thereof as also of the goods marchandizes and things whatsoeuer they be of those our Subiects which shall attempt or presume to saile trafique or aduenture to or from any the dominions or places abouesaid contrary to the prohibition aforesaid the one halfe of the same forfeiture to be to the vse of vs our heires successors and the other halfe to the vse of the said Edward Thomas Richard and William and the said companie and further to suffer imprisonment during our pleasure and such other punishment as to vs for so high contempt shal seeme meete and conuenient And further of our grace speciall certaine knowledge and meere motion we haue condescended and graunted and by these patents for vs our heires and successors doe condescend and grant to the said Edward Thomas Richard William their executors and administrators that we our heires successors during the said terme will not grant liberty licence or power to any person or persons whatsoeuer contrary to the tenor of these our letters patents to saile passe trade or trafique into or from the said dominions of the said Grand Signior or any of them without the coÌ„sent of the said Edward Thomas Richard William and such as shal be named or appointed as afore is said or the most of them And that if at any time hereafter during the said terme y e said Edward Thomas Richard and William or the suruiuors of them shal admit or nominate any of our subiects to be partners aduenturers in the said trade to the number of 12. or vnder as afore is said that then we our heires and successors at the instance and petition of the said Edward Thomas Richard and William or the suruiuors of them in our Chauncerie to be made and vpon the sight of these presents will grant and make to the said Edward Thomas Richard and William or to the suruiuors of them and to such persons as so shall be nominated or appointed by their speciall names surnames additions as is aforesaid new letters patents vnder the great seale of England in due forme of law with like agreement clauses prohibitions prouisoes and articles mutatis mutandis as in these our letters patents are conteined for and during the residue of the said terme of seuen yeres then remaining vnexpired And that the sight of these presents shal be sufficient warrant to the Lord Chancellour or Lord keeper of the great seale for the time being for the making sealing and passing of such new letters patents without further writ or warrant for the same to be required had or obtained And the said Edward Osburne Thomas Smith and Richard Staper and William Garret and such others as shal be so nominated and appointed as is aforesaid to be of their trade or companie shall yeerely during 6. of the last yeres of
lands The Lord Chancellor is called Nissangi Bassa who sealeth with a certaine proper character such licences safe conducts passeports especiall graunts c. as proceed from the Grand Signior not withstanding all letters to forreine princes so firmed be after inclosed in a bagge and sealed by the Grand Signior with a signet which he ordinarily weareth about his necke credited of them to haue bene of ancient appertayning to king Salomon the wise The Admirall giueth his voyce in the election of all Begs Captaines of Islandes to whom hee giueth their charge as also appointeth the Subbassas Bayliffes or Constables ouer Cities and Townes vpon the Sea coastes about Constantinople and in the Archipelago whereof hee reapeth great profit The Subbassi of Pera payeth him yeerely fifteene thousande ducats and so likewise either of the others according as they are placed The Ressistop serueth in office to the Uiceroy and Chancellor as Secretary and so likewise doeth the Cogie Master of the Rolls before which two passe all writings presented to or granted by the said Uiceroy and Chancellor offices of especiall credite and like profite moreouer rewarded with annuities of lands There are also two chiefe Iudges named Cadi Lesker the one ouer Europe and the other ouer Asia and Africa which in Court doe sit on the Bench at the left hand of the Bassas These sell all offices to the vnder Iudges of the land called Cadies whereof is one in euery Citie or towne before whom all matters in controuersie are by iudgement decided as also penalties and corrections for crimes ordained to be executed vpon the offenders by the Subbassi The number of Souldiers continually attending vpon the Beglerbegs the gouernours of Prouinces and Saniacks and their petie Captaines mainteined of these Prouinces The Beglerbegs Of persons GRaecia fourtie thousand Buda fifteene thousand Sclauonia fifteene thousand Natolia fifteene thousand Caramania fifteene thousand Armonia eighteene thousand Persia twentie thousand Vsdrum fifteene thousand Chirusta fifteene thousand Caraemiti thirtie thousand Giersul two and thirtie thousand The Beglerbegs Of persons BAgdat fiue and twentie thousand Balsara two and twenty thousand Lassaija seuenteene thousand Alepo fiue and twentie thousand Damasco seuenteene thousand Cayro twelue thousand Abes twelue thousand Mecca eight thousand Cyprus eighteene thousand Tunis in Barbary eight thousand Tripolis in Syria eight thousand Alger fourtie thousand Whose Sangiacks and petie Captaines be three hundred sixtie eight euery of which retaining continually in pay from fiue hundreth to two hundreth Souldiers may be one with another at the least three hundreth thousand persons Chiefe officers in his Seraglio about his person Be these CApiaga High porter Alnader Bassi Treasurer Oda Balsi Chamberlaine Killergi Bassi Steward Saraiaga Comptroller Peskerolen Groome of the chamber Edostoglan Gentleman of the Ewer Sehetaraga Armour bearer Choataraga he that carieth his riding cloake Ebietaraga Groome of the stoole There be many other maner Officers which I esteeme superfluous to write The Turkes yeerely reuenue THe Grand Signiors annual reuenue is said to be foureteene Millions and an halfe of golden ducats which is sterling fiue millions eight score thousand pounds The tribute payd by the Christians his Subiects is one gold ducat yeerely for the redemption of euery head which may amount vnto not so litle as one Million of golden ducats which is sterling three hundred threescore thousand pounds Moreouer in time of warre he exacteth manifolde summes for maintenance of his Armie and Nauie of the said Christians The Emperour payeth him yeerely tribute for Hungary threescore thousand dollers which is sterling thirteene thousand pound besides presents to the Uiceroy and Bassas which are said to surmount to twentie thousand dollers Ambassadors allowances THe Ambassadour of the Emperor is allowed one thousand Aspers the day The Ambassadour of the French king heretofore enioyed the like but of late yeeres by meanes of displeasure conceiued by Mahumet then Viceroy it was reduced to sixe crownes the day beside the prouision of his Esquier of his stable The Ambassadours of Poland and for the state of Venice are not Ligiers as these two abouesaid The said Polack is allowed 12. French crownes the day during his abode which may be for a moneth Uery seldome do the state of Venice send any Ambassador otherwise then enforced of vrgent necessity but in stead thereof keepe there their Agent president ouer other Marchants of them termed a bailife who hath none allowance of the Grand Signior although his port state is in maner as magnifical as the other aforesaid ambassadors The Spanish Ambassador was equall with others in Ianizaries but for so much as he would not according to custome folow the list of other ambassadors in making presents to y e Grand Signior he had none alowance His abode there was 3. yeres at the end wherof hauing coÌ„cluded a truce for 6. yeres taking place froÌ„ his first comming in Nouember last past 1580. he was not admitted to the presence of the Grand Signior The letters of Sinan Bassa chiefe counsellour to Sultan Murad Can the Grand Signior to the sacred Maiestie of Elizabeth Queene of England shewing that vpon her request and for her sake especially hee graunted peace vnto the King and kingdome of Poland GLoriosissima splendore fulgidissima foeminarum selectissima Princeps magnanimorum â—ESVM sectantium regni inclyti Angliae Regina Serenissima Elizabetha moderatrix rerum negotiorum omnium plebis familiae Nazarenorum sapientissima Origo splendoris gloriae dulcissima nubes pluuiarum gratissima heres domina beatitudinis gloriae regni inclyti Anglie ad quam omnes supplices confugiunt incrementum omnium rerum actionum Serenitatis vestrae beatissimum exitusque foelicissimos à Creatore omnipotente optantes mutuáeque perpetua familiaritate nostra digna vota laudes sempiterâ—as offerentes Significamus Ser. vestrae amicisimè Quia sunt anni aliquot à quibus annis potentissima Cesarea celsitudo bella ineffabilia cuÌ„ Casul-bas Principe nempe Persarum gessit ratione quorum bellorum in partes alias belluÌ„ mouere noluit ob eamque causam in partibus Polonie latâ—ones quidam Cosaci nuncupati alij facinorosi in partibus illis existentes subditos Cesaris potentissimi turbare infestare non desierunt Nunc autem partibus Persicis compositis absolutis in partibus Polonie alijs partibus exurgentes facinoâ—osos punire constiruens Beglerbego Greciae exercitu aliquo adiuncto Principi Tartarorum mandato Cesaris misso anno proximè preterito pars aliqua Regni Poloniae infestata turbata deuastaâ—a fuit Cosaci alijque facinorosi iuxtra merita sua puniti fuerunt Quo rex Polonie viso duos legatos ad CesareaÌ„ celsitudineÌ„ mittens quòd facinorosos exquirere poena perfecta punire ab annis multis ad portam Cesaree celsitudinis missum munus augere vellet significauiâ— Cesarea autem celsitudo cui Creator omnipotens tantam suppeditauit potentiam
and onely libertie vse and priuiledge of trading and traffiking and vsing feate of marchandise by and through the Leuant seas otherwise called the Mediterran seas into and from the sayd dominions of the Grand Signor and dominions of the state of Venice and by and through the sayd Grand Signiors dominions to and from such other places in the East Indies discouered as aforesayd And that they the sayd Gouernour and companie of marchants of the Leuant and euery particular and seuerall person of that companie their and euery one of their seruants factors and deputies shall haue full and free authoritie libertie facultie licence and power to trade and trafficke by and through the sayd Leuant seas into and from all and euery the sayd dominions of the sayde Grand Signor and the dominions of the state of Venice and the sayde Indies and into and from all places where by occasion of the sayd trade they shall happen to arriue or come whither they be Christians Turkes Gentiles or others And by and through the sayd Leuant seas into and from all other seas riuers portes regions territories dominions coastes and places with their ships barkes pinases and other vessels and with such mariners and men as they will leade or haue with them or sende for the sayde trade as they shall thinke good at their owne proper costes and expenses And for that the shippes sayling into the sayde Countreyes must take their due and proper times to proceede in these voyages which otherwise as wee well perceiue can not be performed in the rest of the yeere following Therefore we of our speciall grace certaine knowledge and meere motion for vs our heyres and successors doe graunt to and with the sayd Gouernour and companie of Marchantes of the Leuant that foure good shippes well furnished with ordinance and other munition for their defence and two hundred marriners English men to guide and sayle in the same foure shippes at all times during the sayde twelue yeeres shall quietly bee permitted and suffered to depart and goe in the sayde voyages according to the purport of these presents without any stay or contradiction by vs our heyres and successors or by the Lorde high Admirall or any other officer or subiect of vs our heires or successours in any wise Any restraint lawe statuâ—e vsage or matter whatsoeuer to the contrarie notwithstanding Prouided neuerthelesse that if wee shall at any time within the sayde twelue yeeres haue iust cause to arme our Nauie in warrelike manner in defence of our Realme or for offence of our enemies and that it shall be founde needefull and conuenient for vs to ioyne to our Nauie the shippes of our subiects to be also armed for warres to such number as cannot bee supplied if the sayd foure shippes should be permitted to depart as aboue is mentioned then vpon knowledge giuen by vs or our Admirall to the sayde Gouernour or companie about the fifteenth day of the moneth of March or three monethes before the saide companie shall beginne to make readie the same foure shippes that we may not spare the sayd foure ships and the marriners requisite for them to be out of our Realme during the time that our Nauie shall be vpon the seas that then the sayde compâ—nie shall forbeare to send such foure shippes for their trade of marchandise vntill that we shall retake our sayd Nauie from the sayd seruice And further our will and pleasure is and wee doe by these presentes graunt that it shall be lawfull to and for the sayd Gouernour and companie of Marchantes of the Leuant to haue and vse in and about the affaires of the sayde companie a common seale for matters concerning the sayde companie and trade And that also it shall be lawfull for the Marchants Mariners and Sea-men which shall be vsed and imployed in the sayde trade and voyage to set and place in the toppes of their ships or other vessels the Armes of England with the redde-crosse in white ouer the same as heretofore they haue vsed And we of our further Royall fauour and of our especiall grace certaine knowledge and meere motion haue graunted and by these presents for vs our heyres and successors doe graunt to the sayd Gouernour and companie of Marchants of the Leuant that the sayde landes territories and dominions of the sayde Grand Signor or the dominions of the Signiorie of Venice or any of them within the sayde Leuant or Mediterran seas shall not be visited frequented or haunted by the sayde Leuant sea by way of marchandize by any other our subiects during the saide terme of twelue yeeres contrarie to the true meaning of these presentes And by vertue of our prerogatiue Royall which wee will not in that behalfe haue argued or brought in question wee straightly charge commaunde and prohibite for vs our heyres and successours all our subiects of what degree or qualitie soeuer they bee that none of them directly or indirectly doe visite haunt frequent trade trafike or aduenture by way of marchandise into or from any of the sayd dominions of the sayd Grand Signor or the dominions of the saide Segniorie of Venice by or through the sayde Leuant sea other then the sayd Gouernour and companie of marchants of the Leuant and such particular persons as be or shall be of that companie their factors agents seruants and assignes And further for that wee plainely vnderstande that the States and Gouernours of the citie and Segniorie of Venice haue of late time set and raysed a newe impost and charge ouer and besides their auncient impost custome and charge of and vpou all manner of marchandize of our Realme brought into their dominions and also of and vpon all marchandise caried or laden from their sayd Countrey or dominions by our subiects or in the ships or bottoms of any of our subiectes to the great and intollerable charge and hinderance of our sayd subiects trading thither wee therefore minding the redresse thereof doe also by these presents for vs our heires and successors further straightly prohibite and forbid not onely the subiects of the sayde State and Segniorie of Venice but also of all other Nations or Countries whatsoeuer other then the sayd Gouernour and companie of marchants of the Leuant and such onely as be or shall be of that companie their factors agents seruantes and assignes That they or any of them during the sayde terme of twelue yeeres shall bring or cause to be brought into this our Realme of Englande or any part thereof anie manner of small fruites called corrants being the raysins of Corinth or wine of Candie vnlesse it be by and with the licence consent and agreement of the sayde Gouernour and companie in writing vnder their sayd common seale first had and obteyned vpon paine vnto euery such person and persons that shall trade and traffike into any the sayde dominions of the State and Segniorie of Venice by sea or that shall bring or cause to be brought into our saide
granted vnto Iohn Cabot and his 3. sonnes Lewis Sebastian and Sancius for the discouery of new and vnknowen lands Anno 1495. pag. 4 The signed bill of K. Henry the 7. on the behalfe of Iohn Cabot pag. 5â— 6 A briefe extract concerning the discouery of Newfoundland pag. 10 The large pension granted by K. Edward the 6. to Sebastian Cabota constituting him Grand pilote of England Anno 1549. pag. 10 A discourse written by sir Humfrey Gilbert knight to proue a passage by the Northwest to Cataya and the East Indies pag. 11 Experiences and reasons of the Sphere to prooue all parts of the worlde habitable and thereby to â—onfute the position of the fiue Zones pag. 48 A letter of M. Martin Frobisher to certaine Englishmen which were trecherously taken by the Saluages of Meta incognita in his first voyage pag. 70 Articles and orders prescribed by M. Martin Frobisher to the Captaines and company of euery ship which accompanied him in his last Northwestern voyage pag. 75 A generall and briefe description of the country and condition of the people which are founde in Meta incognita pag. 93 The letters patents of her Maiesty graunted to M. Adrian Gilbert and others for the search and discouery of a Northwest passage to China pag. 96 A letter of M. I. Dauis to M. Wil. Sanderson of London concerning his second voyage p. 108 A letter of M. Iohn Dauis to M. Wil. Sanderson of London concerning his 3. voyage p. 114 A trauerse-booke of M. Iohn Dauis contayning all the principall notes and obseruations taken in his third and last voyage to the Northwest pag. 115 A report of M. Iohn Dauis concerning his three voyages made for the discouery of the Northwest passage taken out of a treatise of his intituled The worlds hydrographical description pag. 119 A testimony of Ortelius for the credit of the history of M. Nicolas M. Antonio Zeni p. 128. A catalogue of sundry voyages made to Newfoundland to the isles of Ramea and the isle of Assumption otherwise called Natiscotec as also to the coasts of Cape Briton and Arambec THe voyage of two ships whereof the one was called The Dominus vobiscum set out the 20 of May 1527 for the discouery of the North parts pag. 129 The voyage of M. Hore and diuers other gentlemen to Newfoundland and Cape Briton in the yere 1536. pag. 129 The voyage of Sir Humfrey Gilbert to Newfoundland An. 1583. pag. 143,165 The first discouery of the isle of Ramea made by for Monsieur de la court pre Rauillon grandpre with the ship called The Bonauenture to kill and make trane-oile of the beasts called The Morses with great teeth Anno 1591. pag. 189 The voyage of the ship called The Marigolde of M. Hill of Redriffe vnto Cape Briton and beyond to the latitude of 44 degrees and a halfe Anno 1593. pag. 191 The voyage of M. George Drake of Apsham to the isle of Ramea in the yere 1593. pag. 193 The voyage of The Grace of Bristoll vp into the gulfe of S. Laurence to the Northwest of Newfoundland as far as the isle of Assumption or Natiscotec Anno 1594. pag. 194 The voyage of M. Charles Leigh and diuers others to Cape Briton and the isle of Ramea 1597. pag. 195 The patents discourses letters aduertisements and other obseruations incident to the voyages vnto Newfoundland next before rehearsed An act against the exaction of money or any other thing by any officer for licence to traffique into Newfoundland and Iseland made Anno 2. Edwardi sexti pag. 131 A letter written to M. Richard Hakluyt of the Midle Temple contayning a report of the true state and commodities of Newfoundland by M. Antony Parkhurt 1578. pag. 133 The letters patents granted by her Maiestie to sir Humfrey Gilbert knight for inhabiting some part of America 1578. pag. 135 A learned and stately Poeme written in Latine Hexamiters by Stephanus Parmenius Budeius concerning the voyage of sir Humfrey Gilbert to Newfound-landâ— for the planting of an English colonie there containing also a briefe remembrance of certaine of our principal English captâ—ines by sea pag. 138 Orders agreed vpon by the Captaines and Masters to bee obserued by the fleete of sir Humfrey Gilbert pag. 147 A briefe relation of Newfound-land and the commodities thereof pag. 152 Reckonings of the Master and Masters mate of the Admirall of sir Humfrey Gilbert in their course from cape Rase to cape Briton and to the Isle of Sablon pag. 155 The maner how the sayd Admirall was lost pag. 156 A letter of the learned Hungarian Stephanus Parmenius Budeius to master Richard Hakluyt the collectour of these voyages pag. 161. 16â— A relation of Richard Clarke of Weymouth master of the ship called The Delight which went as Admirall of sir Humfrey Gilberts fleete for the discouerie of Norumbega 1583 written in excuse of the casting away the sayd ship and the men imputed to his ouersight pag. 163 A discourse of the necessitie and commoditie of planting English colonies vpon the North paâ—tes of America pag. 165 A letter of the right honourable sir Francis Walsingham to master Richard Hakluyt then of Christ-church in Oxford incouraging him in the studie of Cosmography and furthering of new discoueries 1582. pag. 181 A letter of the right honourable sir Francis Walsingham to master Thomas Aldworth marchant and at that time Mayor of the citie of Bristol concerning their aduenture in the Westerne discouerie 1582. pag. 182 A letter written from master Aldworth marchant and mayor of the citie of Bristol to the right honourable sir Francis Walsingham concerning a voyage intended for the discouerie of the coast of America lying to the Southwest of cape Briton 1583. pag. 182 A briefe and summarie discourse vpon a voyage intended to the hithermost parts of America written by master Christopher Carlile 1583. pag. 182 Articles set downe by the committies appointed on the behalfe of the company of the Moscouian marchants to conferre with master Carlile vpon his intended discouery of the hithermost partes of America pag. 188 A letter sent to the right honourable sir William Cecil Lord Burghley Lord high Treasurer of England c. from master Thomas Iames of Bristol concerning the discouerie of the Isle of Ramea 1591. pag. 19â— A briefe note of the Morse and of the vse thereof pag. 191 Certaine obseruations touching the countries and places where master Charles Leigh touched in his voyage to cape Briton and to the Isle of Ramea anno 1597. pag. 200 A catalogue of certaine voyages made for the discouery of the gulfe of Saint Laurence to the West of Newfound-land and from thence vp the riuer of Canada to Hochelaga Saguenay and other places THe first voyage of Iaques Cartier of Saint Malo to Newfound-land the gulfe of Saint Laurence and the Grand Bay Anno 1534. pag. 201 The second voyage of Iaques Cartier by the Grand bay vp the riuer of Canada to Hochelaga Anno 1535. pag. 212
The third voyage of Iaques Cartier vnto the countries of Canada Hochelaga and Saguenay Anno 1540. pag. 232 The voyage of Iohn Francis de la Roche knight lord of Roberual with three tall ships to the countries of Canada Hochelaga and Saguenay 1542. pag. 240 Certaine notes and obseruations depending vpon the voyages next before mentioned together with an excellent Ruttier for some part of Newfoundland for The grand bay and the Riuer of Canada DIuers words of the language spoken in New France with the interpretation thereof pag. 211. and 231. A description of the riuer and hauen of Saincte Croix pag. 234 A description of the 3. saults or falles of water in the riuer of Canada pag. 235 A letter written to M. Iohn Groute student in Paris by Iaques Noel of Saint Malo the nephew of Iaques Cartier touching the dâ—scouerie of his vncle in the partes of Canada 1587. pag. 236 Part of another letter written by Iaques Noel of Saint Malo to the foresayde M. Iohn Groute student in Paris pag. 236 An excellâ—nt ruttier shewing the course from Belle isle Carpont and the Grand bay vp the riuer of Canada for the space of 230 leagues obserued by Iohn Alphonse of Xanctoigne chiefe Pilote to Monsieur Roberual 1542. pag. 237 A description of the Saluages in Canada pag. 242 A catalogue of the voyages and nauigations of the English nation to Virginia and of the seuerall discoueries thereof chiefly at the charges of the honourable sir Walter Ralegh knight THe first voyage made to the coast of Virginia by M. Philip Amadas and M. Arthur Barlow 1584. pag. 246 The second voyage made to Virginia by sir Richard Grinuile for sir Walter Ralegh Anno 1585 at what time the first colonie of English was there left vnder the gouernment of M. Ralfe Lane now knight pag. 251 The third voyage to Virginia made by a ship sent in the yeere 1586. for the reliefe of the colonie planted in Virginia at the sole charges of sir Walter Ralegh pag. 265 The fourth voyage made to Virginia with 3. ships Anno 1587. wherein was traâ—sported the second colonie pâ—g 280 The fifth voyage to Virginia made by master Iohn White in the yeere 1590. pag. 288 The letters patents discourses obseruations and aduertisements belonging to the foresaid voyages made vnto Virginia THe letters patents granted by the Queenes Maiestie to sir Walter Ralegh for the discouering and planting of new lands and countries Anno 1584. pag. 243 The names of those aswell gentlemen as others that remained one whole yeere in Virginia vnder the gouernment of M. Ralph Lane pag. 254 An extract of M. Ralph Lanes letter to M. Richard Hakluyt esquire and another Gentleman of the middle Temple from Virginia 1585. pag. 255 An account of the particular employments of the Englishmen left in Virginia by S. Richard Grinuile vnder M. Ralph Lane their generall from the 17. of August 1585. vntill the 1â— of Iune 1586. at which time they departed the countrey pag. 255 A briefâ— and true report of the commodities aswell marchantable as others which are to be found and raised in the countrey of Virginia written by M. Thomas Harriot together with Master Ralph Lane his approbation thereof in all points pag. 266 A description of the nature and maners of the people of Virginia pag. 276 The names of all â—he men women and children which safely arriued in Virginia and remayned to inhabite there Anno 1587. pag. 287 A letter of M. Iohn White to M. Richard Hakluyt written in February 1593. pag. 287 A catalogue of certaine voyages to the coast and inland of Florida THe voyage of Iohn de Verrazzano a Florentine to the coast of Florida sailing from thence Northeâ—ly to the latitude of 50. degrees Anno 1524. pag. 295 The voyage of captaine Iohn Ribault to Floridaâ— 1562. pag. 308 The voiage of captaine René Laudonniere to Florida 1564. where he fortified and inhabited two Summers and one whole winter pag. 319 A second voyage of captaine Iohn Ribault to Florida 1565. pag. 349 The voyage of captaine Dominique Gourgues to Florida 1567. where he most valiantly iustly and sharpely reuenged the bloody and inhumane massacre committed by the Spaniards vpon his countreymen in the yeere 1565. pag. 356 Diuers particulars worthy the consideration intermingled among the voyages of Florida AN Epistle Dedicatorie to sir Walâ—er Raleghâ— prefixed by master Richard Hakluyt before the history of Florida which he translated out of French 1587. pag. 301 The Prefâ—ce of master René Laudonniere before the sayd Historie pag 303 A description of the West Indies in general but more chiefly particularly of Florida pag. 304 An oration of captaine Iohn Ribault to his company pag. 312 An oration of Laudonniere to his mutinous souldiers pag. 336 A letter of the lord admirall of France vnto M. Laudonniere pag. 351 The relation of Pedro Morales a Spaniard whom sir Francis Drake brought from S. Augustines in Florida touching the state of those parts pag. 361 The relation of Nicolas Burgoignon alià s Holy whom sir Francis Drake brought also from S. Augustines pag. 361 A catalogue of certeine voyages made from Nueua Galicia and Nueua Biscaya in New Spaine to the 15 prouinces of New Mexico and to Cibola and Quiuira THe voyage of frier Marco de Niça from the towne of S. Michael in the prouince of Culiacan to the kingdome of Ceuola or Cibola situate about 30 degrees of latitude to the North of Nueua Espanna begun the 7 of March 1539. pag. 366 The voyage of Francis Vasquez de Coronado from Nueua Galicia to Cibola Acuco Tiguex Quiuira to the Westerne Ocean begun the 22 of April 1540. pag. 373 380 The voyage of Frier Augustin Râ—is to the 15 prouinces of New Mexico begun in the yeere 1581. pag. 383 389 The voyage of Antonio de Espejo from the valley of S. Bartholomew in Nueua Galicia to the foresayd 15 prouinces of New Mexico begun the 10 of Nouemb. 1582. pag. 383 390 The discourses letters c. depending vpon the former voyages to New Mexico Cibola and Quiuira A Briefe discourse of the famous cosmographer M. Iohn Baptista Ramusius concerning the three voyages of frier Marco de Niça Francis Vasquez de Coronado and that of Fernando Alarchon c. pag. 362 An extract of a letter of C. Francis Vasquez de Coronado written froÌ„ Culiacan the 8 of March 1539 to a secretary of Don Antonio de Mendoça the viceroy of Nueua Espanna pag. 362 A letter of the sayd Francis Vasquez de Coronado gouernour of Nueua Galicia to Don Antonio de Mendoça the viceroy of Nueua Espanna written from Culiacan the 8 of March 1539. pag. 363 A letter written by Don Antonio de Mendoça viceroy of Nueua Espanna to the emperour Charles the fift pag. 364 A testimony of Francis Lopez de Gomara concerning the strange crook-backed oxen the great sheepe and the mighty dogs of Quiuira pag. 308 A letter intercepted of Bartholomew del Cano written
the Patents Discourses and Aduertisements thereto belonging The Letters patents of King Henry the seuenth granted vnto Iohn Cabot and his three sonnes Lewis Sebastian and Sancius for the discouerie of new and vnknowen lands HEnricus Dei gratia rex Angliae Franciae Dominus Hiberniae omnibus ad quos praesentes literae nostrae peruenerint salutem Notum sit manifestum quod dedimus concessimus ac per praesentes damus concedimus pro nobis haeredibus nostris dilectis nobis Ioanni Caboto ciui Veneâ—iarum Lodouico Sebastiano Sancio filijs dicti Ioannis eorum ac cuiusâ— bet eorum haeredibus deputatis plenam ac liberam authoritatem facultatem potestatem nauigandi ad omnes partes regiones sinus maris orientalis occidentalis septentrionalis sub banneris vexillis insignijs nostris cum quinque nauibus siue nauigijs cuiuscúnque portiturae qualitatis existant cum tot tantis nautis hominibus quot quantos in dictis nauibus secum ducere voluetint suis eorum proprijs sumptibus expensis ad inueniendum discooperiendum inuestigandum quascun que insulas patrias regiones siue prouincias gentilium infidelium quorumcúnque in quacunque parte mundi positas quae Christianis omnibus ante haec tempora fuerint incognitae Concessimus etiam eisdem eorum cuilibet eorúmque cuiuslibet eorum haeredibus deputatis ac licentiam dedimus ad affigendum praedictas banneras nostras insignia in quacunque villa oppido castro insula seu terra firma à se nouiter inuentis Et quòd praenominatus Ioannes filij eiusdem seu haeredes eorum deputati quascunque huiusmodi villas castra oppida insulas à se inuentas quae fubiugari occupari possideri possint subiugare occupare possidere valeant tanquam vasalli nostri gubernatores locatenentes deputati eorundem dominium titulum iurisdictionem earundem villarum castrorum oppidorum insularum ac terrae firmae sic inuentorum nobis ac quirendo Ita tamen vt ex omnibus fructibus proficuis emolumentis commodis lucris obuentionibus ex huiusmodi nauigatione prouenientibus praeâ—atus Iohannes filij ac haeredes eorum deputati teneantur sint obligati nobis pro omni viagio suo toties quoties ad portum nostrum Bristolliae applicuerint ad quem omnino applicare teneantur sint astricti deductis omnibus sumptibus impensis necessarijs per eosdem factis quintam partem capitalis lucri facti siue in mercibus siue in pecunijs persoluere Dante 's nos concedentes eisdem suisque haeredibus deputatis vt ab omni solutione custumarum omnium singulorum bonorum mercium quas secum reportarint ab illis locis sic nouiter inuentis liberi sint immunes Et insuper dedimus concessimus eisdem ac suis haeredibus deputatis quòd terrae omnes firmae insulae villae oppida castra loca quaecunque a se inuenta quotquot ab eis inueniri contigem â—on possint ab alijs quibusuis nostris subditis frequentari seu visitari absque licentia praedictorum Ioannis eius filiorum suorúmque deputatorum sub poena amissioâ—s tam nauium quà m bonerum omnium quorumcun que ad ea locasic inuenta nauigare praesumentium Volentes strictissimè mandantes omnibus singulis nostris subditis tam in terra quà m in mari constitutis vâ— praesato Ioanni eius filijs ac deputatis bonam assistentiam faciant tam in armandis nauibus seâ— nauigijs quà m in prouisione commeatus victualium pro sua pecunia emendorum atque aliaâ—um omnium rerum sibi prouidendarum pro dicta nauigatione sumenda suos omnes fauores auxilia impertiant In ouius rei â—estimonium has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes Teste meipso apud Westmonasterium quinto die Martij anno regni nostri vndecimo The same in English HEnry by the grace of God king of England and France and lord of Ireland to all to whom these presents shall come Greeting Be it knowen that we haue giuen and granted and by these presents do giue and grant for vs and our heires to our wel beloued Iohn Cabot citizen of Venice to Lewis Sebastian and Santius sonnes of the sayd Iohn and to the heires of them and euery of them and their deputies full and free authority leaue and power to saile to all parts countreys and seas of the East of the West and of the North vnder our banners and ensignes with fiue ships of what burthen or quantity soeuer they be and as many mariners or men as they will haue with them in the sayd ships vpon their owne proper costs and charges to seeke out discouer and finde whatsoeuer isâ—es countreys regions or prouinces of the heathen and infidels whatsoeuer they be and in what part of the world soeuer they beâ— which before this time haue bene vnknowen to all Christians we haue granted to them and also to euery of them the heires of them and euery of them and their deputies and haue giuen them licence to set vp our banners and ensignes in euery village towne castle isle or maineland of them newly found And that the aforesayd Iohn and his sonnes or their heires and assignes may subdue occupy and possesse all such townes cities castles and isles of them found which they can subdue occupy and possesse as our vassals and lieutenants getting vnto vs the rule title and iurisdiction of the same villages townes castles firme land so found Yet so that the aforesayd Iohn and his sonnes and heires and their deputies be holden and bounden of all the fruits profits gaines and commodities growing of such nauigation for euery their voyage as often as they shall arriue at our port of Bristoll at the which port they shall be bound and holden onely to arriue all maner of necessary costs and charges by them made being deducted to pay vnto vs in wares or money the fift part of the capitall gaine so gotten We giuing and granting vnto them and to their heires and deputies that they shall be free from all paying of customes of all and singular such merchandize as they shall bring with them from those places so newly found And moreouer we haue giuen and granted to them their heires and deputies that all the firme lands isles villages townes castles and places whatsoeuer they be that they shall chance to finde may not of any other of our subiects be frequented or visited without the licence of the foresayd Iohn and his sonnes and their deputies vnder paine of forfeiture aswell of their shippes as of all and singuler goods of all them that shall presume to saile to those places so found Willing aud most straightly commanding all and singuler our subiects aswell on land as on sea to giue good
opened a gulfe betwixt the Wâ—st Indies and the extreame Northerne land but such a one that either is not to be trauelled for the causes in the first obiection alledged or cleane shut vp from vs in Europe by Groenland the South ende whereof Moletius maketh firme land with America the North part continent with Lappeland and Norway Thirdly the greatest fauourers of this voyage can not denie but that if any such passage be it lieth subiect vnto yce and snow for the most part of the yeere whereas it standeth in the edge of the frostie zone Before the Sunne hath warmed the ayre and dissolued the yce eche one well knoweth that there can be no sailing the yce once broken through the continuall abode the sunne maketh a certaine season in those parts how shall it be possible for so weake a vessel as a shippe is to holde out amid whole Islands as it were of yce continually beating on eche side and at the mouth of that gulfe issuing downe furiouâ—ly from the north and safely to passe when whole mountaines of yce and snow shall be tumbled downe vpon her Well graunt the West Indies not to continue continent vnto the Pole grant there be a passage betweene these two lands let the gulfe lie neerer vs then commonly in cardes we finde it set namely betweene the 61. and 64. degrees north as Gemma Frâ—sius in his mappes and globes imagineth it and so left by our countryman Sebastian Cabot in his table which the Earle of Bedford hath at Cheinies Let the way be voyde of all difficulties yet doeth it not follow that wee haue free passage to Cathayo For examples sake You may trend all Norway Finmarke and Lappeland and then bowe Southward to Saint Nicholas in Moscouia you may likewise in the Mediterranean Sea fetch Constantinople and the mouth of Tanais yet is there no passage by Sea through Moscouia into Pont Euxine now called Mare Maggiore Againe in the aforesaid Mediterranean sea we saile to Alexandria in Egypt the Barbarians bring their pearle and spices from the Moluccaes vp the Red sea or Arabian gulph to Sues scarcely three dayes iourney from the aforesayd hauen yet haue wee no way by sea from Alexandria to the Moluccaes for that Isthmos or litle straight of land betweene the two seas In like maner although the Northerne paâ—sage be free at 61 degrees of latitude and the West Ocean beyond America vsually called Mar del Zur knowen so be open at 40. degrees eleuation from the Island Iapan yea three hundred leagues Northerly aboue Iapan yet may there be land to hinder the thorow passage that way by Sea as in the examples aforesaid it falleth out Asia and America there being ioyned together in one continent Ne can this opinion seeme altogether friuolous vnto any one that diligently peruseth our Cosmographers doings Iosephus Molerius is of that minde not onely in his plaine Hemispheres of the world but also in his Sea card The French Geographers in like maner be of the same opinion as by their Mappe cut out in forme of a Hart you may perceiue as though the West Indies were part of Asia Which sentence well agreeth with that old conclusion in the Schooles Quic quid praeter Africam Europam est Asia est Whatsoeuer land doeth neither apperteine vnto Afrike nor to Europe is part of Asia Furthermore it were to small purpose to make so long so painefull so doubtfull a voyage by such a newfound way if in Cathayo you should neither bee suffered to land for silkes and siluer nor able to fetch the Molucca spices and pearle for piracie in those Seas Of a law denying all Aliens to enter into China and forbidding all the inhabiters vnder a great penaltie to let in any stranger into those countryes shall you reade in the report of Galeotto Perera there imprisoned with other Portugals as also in the Iaponish letters how for that cause the worthy traueller Xauierus bargained with a Barbarian Merchant for a great summe of pepper to be brought into Canton a port in China The great and dangerous piracie vsed in those Seas no man can be ignorant of that listeth to reade the Iaponish and East Indian historie Finally all this great labour would be lost all these charges spent in vaine if in the ende our trauellers might not be able to returne againe and bring safely home into their owne natiue countrey that wealth riches which they in forrein regions with aduenture of goods danger of their liues haue sought for By the Northeast there is no way the Southeast passage the Portugals doe hold as the Lords of those Seas At y e Southwest Magellans experience hath partly taught vs and partly we are persuaded by reason how the Easterne current striketh so furiously on that straight and falleth with such force into that narrow gulph that hardly any ship can returne that way into our West Ocean out of Mar del Zur The which if it be true as truely it is then wee may say that the aforesayd Easterne current or leuant course of waters continually following after the heauenly motions looseth not altogether his force but is doubled rather by an other â—urrent from out the Northeast in the passage betweene America and the North land whither it is of necessity caryed hauing none other way to maintaine it selfe in circular motion consequently the force and fury thereof to be no lesse in the straight of Anian where it striketh South into Mar del Zur beyond America if any such straight of Sea there be then in Magellans fret both straights being of like bredth as in Belognine Zalterius table of new France and in Don Diego Hermano de Toledo his Card for nauigation in that regiâ—â— we doe fâ—â—de precisely set downe Neuerthelesse to approoue that there lyeth a way to Cathayo at the Northwest from out of Europe we haue experience namely of three brethren that went that iourney as Gemma Frisius recordeth and left a name vnto that straight whereby now it is called Fretum trium fratrum We doe reade againe of a Portugall that passed this straight of â—hom Master Frobisher speaketh that was imprisoned therefore many yeeres in Lisbone to verifie the olde Spanish prouerbe I suffer for doing well Likewise Andrew Vrdaneta a Fryer of Mexico came out of Mar del Zur this way into Germanieâ— his Carde for he was a great Discouerer made by his owne experience and trauell in that voyage hath bene seene by Gentlemen of good credite Now if the obseruation and remembrance of things breedeth experience and of experience proceedeth arte and the certaine knowledge we haue in all faculties as the best Philosophers that euer were doe affirme truely the voyage of these aforesayd trauellers that haue gone out of Europe into Mar del Zur and returned thence at the Northwest do most euidently conclude that way to be nauigable and that passage free So much the more we are so
painefull trauaile and most diligent inquirie Now to be short for I haue bene ouer long by Master Butlers means who cryed on mee to write at large and of as many things as I call to minde woorthy of remembrance wherefore this one thing more I could wish the Island in the mouth of the riuer of Canada should bee inhabited and the riuer searched for that there are many things which may rise thereof as I will shew you hereafter I could find in my heart to make proofe whether it be true or no that I haue read and heard of Frenchmen and Portugals to bee in that riuer and about Cape Briton I had almost forgot to speake of the plentie of wolues and to shew you that there be foxes blacke white gray other beasts I know none saue those before remembred I found also certain Mines of yron and copper in S. Iohns and in the Island of Yron which things might turne to our great benefite if our men had desire to plant thereabout for proofe whereof I haue brought home some of the oare of both sortes And thus I ende assuring you on my faith that if I had not beene deceiued by the vile Portugals descending of the Iâ—wes and Iudas kinde I had not failed to haue searched this riuer and all the coast of Cape Briton what might haue bene found to haue benefited our countrey but they breaking their bands and falsifying their faith and promise disappointed me of the salte they should haue brought me in part of recompense of my good seruice in defending them two yeeres against French Rouers that had spoyled them if I had not defended them By meanes whereof they made me lose not onely the searching of the countrey but also forced mee to come home with greatlosse aboue 600. li. For recompence whereof I haue sent my man into Portugall to demaund iustice at the Kings hand if not I must put vp my supplication to the Queenes Maiesty her honourable councell to grant me leaue to stay here so much of their goods as they haue damnified mee or else that I may take of them in Newfound land as much â—sh as shall be woorth 600. li. or as much as the salte might haue made I pray you aduertise mee what way I were best to take and what hope there will bee of a recompence if I follow the suite many there are that doe comfort me and doe bid me proceede for that her Maiestie and the councell doe tender poore fisher men who with me haue susteined three hundred pound lossâ— in that voyage And to conclude if you and your friend shall thinke me a man sufficiâ—nt and of credite to seeke the Isle of S. Iohn or the riuer of Canada with any part of the firme land of Cape Briton I shall giue my diligence for the true and perfect discouerie and leaue some part of mine owne businesse to further the same and thus I end committing you to God From Bristow the 13. of Nouember 1578. Yours to vse and command ANTHONY PARCKHVRST The Letters Patents graunted by her Maiestie to Sir Humfrey Gilbert knight for the inhabiting and planting of our people in America ELIZABETH by the grace of God Queene of England c. To all people to whom these presents shall come greeting Know ye that of our especiall grace certaine science and meere motion we haue giuen and granted and by these presents for vs our heires and successours doe giue and graunt to our trustie and welbeloued seruaunt Sir Humfrey Gilbert of Compton in our Countie of Deuonshire knight and to his heires and assignes for euer free libertie and licence from time to time and at all times for euer hereafter to discouer finde search out and view such remote heathen and barbarous lands countreys and territories not actually possessed of any Christian prince or people as to him his heires assignes and to euery or any of them shall seeme good and the same to haue hold occupie and enioy to him his heires and assignes for euer with all commodities iurisdictions and royalties both by sea and land and the sayd sir Humfrey and all such as from time to time by licence of vs our heires and successours shall goe and trauell thither to inhabite or remaine there to build and fortifie at the discretion of the sayde sir Humfrey and of his heires and assignes the statutes or actes of Parliament made against Fugitiues or against such as shall depart remaine or continue out of our Realme of England without licence or any other acte statute lawe or matter whatsoeuer to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding And wee doe likewise by these presents for vs our heires and successours giue full authoritie and power to the saide Sir Humfrey his heires and assignes and euery of them that hee and they and euery or any of them shall and may at all and euery time and times hereafter haue take and lead in the same voyages to trauell thitherward and to inhabite there with him and euery or any of them such and so many of our subiects as shall willingly accompany him and them and euery or any of them with sufficient shipping and furniture for their transportations so that none of the same persons nor any of them be such as hereafter shall be specially restrained by vs our heires and successors And further that he the said Humfrey his heires and assignes and euery or any of them shall haue hold occupy enioy to him his heires or assignes and euery of them for euer all the soyle of all such lands countries territories so to be discouered or possessed as aforesaid and of all Cities Castles Townes and Uillages and places in the same with the rites royalties and iurisdictions as well marine as other within the sayd lands or countreys of the seas thereunto adioyning to be had or vsed with ful power to dispose thereof of euery part thereof in fee simple or otherwise according to the order of the laws of England as nere as the same conueniently may be at his and their will pleasure to any person then being or that shall remaine within the allegiance of vs our heires and successours paying vnto vs for all seruices dueties and demaunds the fift part of all the oare of gold and siluer that from time to time and at all times after such discouerie subduing and possessing shall be there gotten all which lands countreys and territories shall for euer bee holden by the sayd Sir Humfrey his heires and assignes of vs our heires and successours by homage and by the sayd payment of the sayd fift part before reserued onely for all seruices And moreouer we doe by these presents for vs our heires and successours giue and graunt licence to the sayde Sir Humfrey Gilbert his heires or assignes and to euery of them that hee and they and euery or any of them shall and may from time to time and all times for euer hereafter for
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
to the world Gods iudgements inflicted vpon them as shal be declared in place conuenient Thus after we had met with the Swallow we held on our course Southward vntill we came against the harbor called S. Iohn about 5. leagues from the former Cape of S. Francis where before the entrance into the harbor we found also the Frigate or Squirrill lying at anker Whom the English marchants that were alwaies be Admirals by turnes interchangeably ouer the fleetes of fishermen within the same harbor would not permit to enter into the harbor Glad of so happy meeting both of the Swallow and Frigate in one day being Saturday the 3. of August we made readie our fights prepared to enter the harbor any resistance to the contrarie notwithstanding there being within of â—ll-nations to the number of 36 sailes But first the Generall dispatched a boat to giue thâ—m knowledge of his comming for no ill intent hauing Commission from her Maiestie for his voiage he had in hand And immediatly we followed with a slacke gale and in the very entrance which is but narrow not aboue 2 buts length the Admirall fell vpon a rocke on the larboord side by great ouersight in that the weather was faire the rocke much aboue water fast by the shore where neither went any sea gate But we found such readinesse in the English Marchants to helpe vs in that danger that without delay there were brought a number of boates which towed off the ship and cleared her of danger Hauing taken place conuenient in the road we let fall ankers the Captaines and Masters repairing aboord our Admirall whither also came immediatly the Masters and owners of the fishing fleete of Englishmâ—n to vnderstand the Generals intent and cause of our arriuall there They were all satisfied when the General had shewed his commission and purpose to take possession of those lands to the behalfe of the crowne of England and the aduancement of Christian religion in those Paganish regions requiring but their lawfull ayde for repayring of his fleete and supply of some necessaries so farre as conueniently might be afforded him both out of that and other habors adioyning In lieu whereof he made offer to gratifie them with any fauour and priuiledge which vpon their better aduise they should demand the like being not to bee obteyned hereafter for greater price So crauing expedition of his demand minding to proceede further South without long detention in those partes he dismissed them after promise giuen of their best indeuour to satisfie speedily his so reasonable request The marchants with their Masters departed they caused foorthwith to be discharged all the great Ordinance of their fleete in token of our welcome It was further determined that euery ship of our fleete should deliuer vnto the marchants and Masters of that harbour a note of all their wants which done the ships aswell English as strangers were tared at an easie rate to make supply And besides Commissioners were appointed part of our owne companie and part of theirs to go into other harbours adioyning for our English marchants command all there to leauie our prouision whereunto the Portugals aboue other nations did most willingly and liberally contribute Insomuch as we were presented aboue our allowance with wines marmalads most fine ruske or bisket sweet oyles and sundry delicacies Also we wanted not of fresh salmons trouts lobsters and other fresh fish brought daily vnto vs. Moreouer as the maner is in their fishing euery weeke to choose their Admirall a new or rather they succeede in orderly course and haue weekely their Admirals feast solemnized euen so the General Captaines and masters of our fleete were continually inuited and feasted To grow short in our abundance at home the intertainment had bene delightfull but after our wants and tedious passage through the Ocean it seemed more acceptable and of greater contentation by how much the same was vnexpected in that desolate corner of the world where at other times of the yeare wilde beasts and birds haue only the fruition of all those countries which now seemed a place very populous and much frequented The next morning being Sunday and the 4 of August the Generall and his company were brought on land by English marchants who shewed vnto vs their accustomed walks vnto a place they call the Garden But nothing appeared more then Nature it selfe without art who confusedly hath brought foorth roses abundantly wilde but odoriferous and to sense very comfortable Also the like plentie of raspis berries which doe grow in euery place Munday following the General had his tent set vp who being accompanied with his own followers sommoned the marchants and masters both English and strangers to be present at his taking possession of those Countries Before whom openly was read interpreted vnto the strangers his Commission by vertue whereof he tooke possession in the same harbour of S. Iohn and 200 leagues euery way inuested the Queenes Maiestie with the title and dignitie thereof had deliuered vnto him after the custome of England a rod a turffe of the same soile entring possession also for him his heires and assignes for euer And signified vnto al men that from that time forward they should take the same land as a territorie appertaining to the Queene of England and himselfe authorised vnder her Maieâ—tie to possesse and enioy it And to ordaine lawes for the gouernement thereof agreeable so neere as conueniently might be vnto the lawes of England vnder which all people comming thither hereafter either to inhabite or by way of traffique should be subiected and gouerned And especially at the same time for a beginning he proposed deliuered three lawes to be in force immediatly That is to say the first for Religion which in publique exercise should be according to the Church of England The 2. for maintenance of her Maiesties right and possession of those territories against which if any thing were attempted preiudiciall the partie or parties offending should be adiudged and executed as in case of high treason according to the lawes of England The 3. if any person should vtter words sounding to the dishonour of her Maiestie be should loose his eares and haue his ship and goods confiscate These contents published obedience was promised by generall voyce and consent of the multitude aswell of Englishmen as strangers praying for continuance of this possession and gouernement begun After this the assembly was dismissed And afterward were erected not farre from that place the Armes of England ingrauen in lead and infixed vpon a pillar of wood Yet further and actually to establish this possession taken in the right of her Maiestie and to the behoofe of Sir Hâ—mfrey Gilbert knight his heires and assignes for euer the Generall granted in fee farme diuers parcels of land lying by the waterside both in this harbor of S. Iohn and elsewhere which was to the owners a great commoditie being
thereby assured by their proper inheritance of grounds conuenient to dresse and to drie their fish whereof many times before they did faile being preuented by them that came first into the harbor For which grounds they did couenant to pay a certaine rent and seruice vnto sir Humfrey Gilbert his heires or assignes for euer and yeerely to maintaine possession of the same by themselues or their assignes Now remained only to take in prouision granted according as euery shippe was taxed which did fish vpon the coast adioyning In the meane while the Generall appointed men vnto their charge some to repaire and trim the ships others to attend in gathering togither our supply and prouisions others to search the commodities and singularities of the countrey to be found by sea or land and to make relation vnto the Generall what eyther themselues could knowe by their owne trauaile and experience or by good intelligence of English men or strangers who had longest frequented the same coast Also some obserued the eleuation of the pole and drewe plats of the countrey exactly graded And by that I could gather by each mans seuerall relation I haue drawen a briefe description of the Newfound land with the commodities by sea or lande alreadie made and such also as are in possibilitie and great likelihood to be made Neuerthelesse the Cardes and plats that were drawing with the due gradation of the harbors bayes and capes did perish with the Admirall wherefore in the description following I must omit the particulars of such things A briefe relation of the New found lande and the commodities thereof THat which we doe call the Newfound land and the Frenchmen Bacalaos is an Iland or rather after the opinion of some it consisteth of sundry Ilands and broken lands situate in the North regions of America vpon the gulfe and entrance of the great riuer called S. Laurence in Canada Into the which nauigation may be made both on the South and North side of this Iland The land lyeth South and North containing in length betweene three 400 miles accounting from cape Race which is in 46 degrees 25 minuts vnto the Grand bay in 52 degrees of Septenâ—rionall latitude The Iland round about hath very many goodly bayes and harbors safe roads for ships the like not to be found in any part of the knowen world The common opinion that is had of intemperature extreme cold that should be in this countrey as of some part it may be verified namely the North where I grant it is more colde then in countries of Europe which are vnder the same eleuation euen so it cannot stand with reason and nature of the clime that the South parts should be so intemperate as the brute hath gone For as the same doe lie vnder the climats of Briton Aniou Poictou in France betweene 46 and 49 degrees so can they not so much differ from the temperature of those countries vnlesse vpon the outcoast lying open vnto the Ocean and sharpe windes it must in deede be subiect to more colde then further within the land where the mountaines are interposed as walles and bulwarkes to defend and to resist the asperitie and rigor of the sea and weather Some hold opinion that the Newfound land might be the more subiect to cold by how much it lyeth high and neere vnto the middle region I grant that not in Newfound land alone but in Germany Italy and Afrike euen vnder the Equinoctiall line the mountaines are extreme cold and seeldome vncouered of snow in their culme and highest tops which commeth to passe by the same reason that they are extended towards the middle region yet in the countries lying beneth them it is found quite contrary Euen so all hils hauing their discents the valleis also and low grounds must be likewise hot or temperate as the clime doeth giue in Newfound land though I am of opinion that the Sunnes reflection is much cooled and cannot be so forcible in the Newfound land nor generally throughout America as in Europe or Afrike by how much the Sunne in his diurnall course from East to West passeth ouer for the most part dry land and sandy countries before he arriueth at the West of Europe or Afrike whereby his motion increaseth heate with little or no qualification by moyst vapours Where on the contrarie he passeth from Europe and Afrike vnto America ouer the Ocean from whence it draweth and carieth with him abundance of moyst vapours which doe qualifie and infeeble greatly the Sunnes reuerberation vpon this countrey chiefly of Newfound land being so much to the Northward Neuerthelesse as I sayd before the cold cannot be so intollerable vnder the latitude of 46 47 and 48 especiall within land that it should be vnhabitable as some doe suppose seeing also there are very many people more to the North by a great deale And in these South parts there be certaine beastes Ounces or Leopards and birdes in like maner which in the Sommer we haue seene not heard of in countries of extreme and vehement coldnesse Besides as in the monethes of Iune Iuly August and September the heate is somewhat more then in England at those seasons so men remaining vpon the South parts neere vnto Cape Rece vntill after Hollandtide haue not found the cold so extreme nor much differing from the temperature of England Those which haue arriued there after Nouember and December haue found the snow exceeding deepe whereat no maruaile considering the ground vpon the coast is rough and vneuen and the snow is driuen into the places most declyning as the like is to be seene with vs. The like depth of snow happily shall not be found within land vpon the playner countries which also are defended by the mountaines breaking off the violence of winds and weather But admitting extraordinary cold in those South parts aboue that with vs here it can not be so great as in Swedland much lesse in Moscouia or Russia yet are the same countries very populous and the rigor of cold is dispensed with by the commoditie of Stoues warme clothing meats and drinkes all which neede not to be wanting in the Newfound land if we had intent there to inhabite In the South parts we found no inhabitants which by all lilkelihood haue abandoned those coastes the same being so much frequented by Christians But in the North are sauages altogether harmelesse Touching the commodities of this countrie seruing either for sustentation of inhabitants or for maintenance of traffique there are may be made diuers so y t it seemeth Nature hath recompenced that only defect and incommoditie of some sharpe cold by many benefits viz. With incredible quantitie and no lesse varietie of kindes of fish in the sea and fresh waters as Trouts Salmons and other fish to vs vnknowen Also Cod which alone draweth many nations thither and is become the most famous fishing of the world Abundance of Whales for which
thirtie and fourtie sayle then being accompanied with all his Captaines Masters Gentlemen and other souldiers he caused all the Masters and principall Officers of the ships aswell Engliâ—hmen as Spanyards Portugales and of other nations to repayre vnto his tent And then and there in the presence of them all he did cause his Commission vnder the great Seale of England to bee openly and solemnely read vnto them whereby were granted vnto him his hâ—irâ—s and assignes by the Queenes most excellent Maiestie many great and large royalties liberties and priuiledges The effect whereof being signified vnto the strangers by an Interpreter hee tooke possession of the sayde land in the right of the Crowne of England by digging of a Turâ—fe and receiuing the same with an Hasell wand deliuered vnto him after the maner of the law and customâ— of England Then he signâ—fied vnto the company both strangers and others that from thencefoorth they were to liue in that land as the Territories appertayning to the Crowne of England and to be gouâ—rned by such Lawâ—s as by good aduise should be set downe which in all points so neere as might be should be agreeable to the Lawes of England And for to put the same in execution presently he ordained and establâ—shed three Lawes First that Râ—ligion publiquely exercised should be such and none other then is vsed in the Church of England The second that if any pâ—rson should bee lawfully conuicted of any practise against her Maiestie â—er Crowne and dignitie to be adiudged as traitors according to the Lawes of England The third if any should speake dishonourably of her Maiestie the partie so offendâ—ng to loose his eares his ship and goods to be confiscate to the vse of the Generall All men did very willingly submit themselues to these Lawes Then he caused the Queenes Mâ—iesties Armes to be ingraued set vp and erected with great sâ—lemnitie After this diuâ—rs Engliâ—hmen made sute vnto Sir Humfrey to haue of him by inheritance their accustomed stages standâ—ngs drying places in sundry places of that land for their fish as a thing that they doe make great accompt of which he granted vnto them in fee farme And by this mâ—anes he hath possâ—ssâ—on maintained for him in many parts of that Countrey To be briefe he did let set giue and dispose of many things as absolute Gouernor there by vertue of her Maiesties leuers patents And after their ships were repaired whereof one he was driuen to leaue behind both for want of men sufficient to furnish her as also to carrie home such sicke persons as were not able to proceede any further He departed from thence the 20. of August with the other three namely the Delight wherein was appointed Captaine in M. William Winters place that thence returned immediatly for England M. Maurice Browne the Goldenhinde in which was Captaine and owner M. Edward Hays and the little Friget where the Generall himselfe did goe seeming to him most fit to discouer and approch the shore The 21. day they came to Cape Race toward the South partes whereof lying a while becalmed they tooke Cod in largenes and quantitie exceeding the other parts of Newfound land where any of them had bene And from thence trending the coast West toward the Bay of Placentia the Generall sent certaine men a shore to view the Countrey which to them as they sayled along seemed pleasant Whereof his men at their returne gaue great commendation liking so well of the place as they would willingly haue stayed and wintred there But hauing the wind â—aire and good they proceeded on their course towards the firme of America which by reason of continuall fogs at that time of the yeere especially they could neuer see till Cox Master of the Golden Hinde did discerne landâ— and presently lost sight thereof againe at what time they were all vpon a breaâ—h in a great and outragious storme hauing vnder 3. fathome water But God deliuered the Frigat and the Golden Hindâ— from this great danger And the Delight in the presence of them all was lost to their vnspeakeable griefe with all their chiefe victuall munition and other necessary prouâ—sions and other things of value not fit here to be nâ—med Whereupon by reason also that Winter was come vpon them and foule weather increased with fogs and mists that so couered the land as without danger of perishing they could not approch it Sir Humfrey Gilbert and M. Hays were compelled much against their willes to retyre homewards And being 300. leagues on their way were after by tempestuous weather sâ—parated the one from the other the ninth of September last since which time M. Hays with his Barke is safely arriued but of Sir Humfrey as yet they heare no certaine newes Upon this report together with my former intent to write some briefe discourse in the commendation of this so noble and worthy an enterprise I did call to my remembrance the Historie of Themystocles the Grecian who being a right noble and valiant Captaine signified vnto his Countreymen the Citizens of Athens that he had inuented a deuise for their common wealth very profitable but it was of such importance and secrecie that it ought not to be râ—uealed before priuate conference had with some particular prudent person of their choyse The Athenians knowing Aristides the Philosopher to be a man indued with singular wisedome and vertue made choyse of him to haue conference with Themystcles and thâ—reupon to yeelde his â—pinion to the Citizens concerning the sayd deuise which was that they might set â—n fire the Nauie of their enemies with great facilitie as he had layde the plot Aristides made relation to the Citizens that the stratageme deuised by Themystocles was a profitable practise for the common wealth but it was dishonest The Athenians without further demaund what the same was did by common consent reiect and condemne it preferring honest and vpright deâ—ling before profite By occasion of this Historie I drewe my selfe into a more deepe consideration of this late vndertaken Uoyage whether it were as well pleasing to almightie God as profitable to men as lawfull as it seemed honourable As well gratefull â—o the Sauages as gainefull to the Christians And vpon mature deliberation I found the action to be honest and profitable and therefore allowable by the opinion of Aristides if he wâ—re now aliue which being by me herein sufficiently prooued as by Gods grace I purpose to doe I doubt not but that all good mindes will endeuour themselues to be assistants to this so comâ—endable an enterprise by the valiant and worthy Gentlemen our Countrey men already attempted and vndertaken Now whereas I doe vnderstand that Sir Humfrey Gilbert his adherents associates and friends doe meane with a conuenient supply with as much speede as may be to maintaine pursue and follow this intended voyage already in part perfourmed and by the assistance of almightie God â—o plant themselues and their people in
their children with the breast and they sit continually and are wrapped about the bellies with skinnes of furre The voyage of Monsieur Roberual from his Fort in Canada vnto Sagueuay the fifth of Iune 1543. MOnsieur Roberual the kings Lieutenant generall in the Countries of Canada Saguenay and Hochelaga departed toward the said prouince of Saguenay on the Tuesday the 5. day of Iune 1543. after supper and he with all his furniture was imbarked to make the saijd voyage But vpon a certaine occasion they lay in the Rode ouer against the place before mentioned but on the Wednesday about sixe of the clocke in the morning they set sayle and sayled against the streame in which voyage their whole furniture was of eight barks aswell great as small and to the number of threescore and ten persons with the aforesayd Generall The Generall left behinde him in the aforesayde place and Fort thirtie persons to remayne there vntill his returne from Saguenay which hee appoynted to bee the first of Iuly or else they should returne into France And hee left there behinde him but two Barkes to cary the sayde thirtie persons and the furniture which was there while hee stayed still in the Countrey And for effectuating hereof he left as his Lieutenant a gentleman named Monsieur de Royeze to whom he gaue commission and charged all men to obey him and to be at the commandement of the sayd lieutenant The victuals which were left for their mayntenance vntill the sayd first day of Iuly were receiued by the sayd Lieutenant Royeze On Thursday the 14. of Iune Monsieur de l'Espiney la Brosse Monsieur Frete Monsieur Longeual and others returned from the Generall from the voyage of Saguenay And note that eight men and one Barke were drowned and lost among whom was Monsieur de Noirefontaine and one named la Vasseur of Constance On Tuesday the 19. of Iune aforesayd there came from the Generall Monsieur de Villeneusue Talebot and three others which brought sixescore pounds weight of their corne and letters to stay yet vntill Magdalentyde which is the 22. day of Iuly The rest of this Uoyage is wanting THE VOYAGES AND NAVIGATIONS OF the English nation to Virginia and the seuerall discoueries therof chiefly at the charges of the honourable Sir Walter Ralegh knight from 33 to 40 degrees of latitude together with the successe of the English colonies there planted as likewise a description of the Countrey wiâ—h the Inhabitants and the manifold commodities Whereunto are annexed the Patents letters dicourses c. to this part belonging The letters patents granted by the Queenes Maiestie to M. VValter Ralegh now Knight for the discouering and planting oâ— new lands and Countries to continue the space of 6. yeeres and no more ELizabeth by the grace of God of England France and Ireland Queene defender of the faith c. To all people to whom these presents shal come greeting Know ye that of our especial grace certaine science meere motion we haue giuen and granted and by these presents for vs our hâ—ires and successors doe giue and grant to our trusty and welbeloued seruant Walter Ralegh Esquire and to his heires and assignes for euer free liberty licence from time to time and at all times for euer hereafter to discouer search finde out and view such remote heathen and barbarous lands countreis and territories not actually possessed of any Christian prince nor inhabited by Christian people as to him his heires and assignes and to euery or any of them shall seeme good and the same to haue holde occupy enioy to him his heires and assignes for euer with all prerogatiues commodities iurisdictioÌ„s royalties priuiledges franchises and preeminences thereto or thereabouts both by sea and land whatsoeuer we by our letters paâ—ents may grant and as we or any of our noble progenitors haue heretofore granted to any person or persons bodies politique or corporate and the saide Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes and all such as from time to time by licence of vs our heires and successors shal goe or trauaile thither to inhabite or remaine there to build and fortifie at the discretion of the said Walter Ralegh his heires assignes the statutes or act of Parliament made against fugitiues or against such as shall depart remaine or continue out of our Realme of England without licence or any other statute act law or â—ny ordinance whatsoeuer to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding And we do likewise by these presentsâ— of our especial grace meere motion and certaine knowledge for vs our heires and successors giue and graunt full authoritie libertie and power to the said Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes and euery of them that he and they and euery or any of them shall and may at all and euery time and times hereafter haue take and leade in the sayde voyage and trauaile thitherward or to inhabite there with him or them and euery or any of them such and so many of our subiects as shall willingly accompany him or them and euery or any of them and to whom also we doe by these presents giue full libertie and authoritie in that behalfe and also to haue take and employ and vse sufficient shipping and furniture for the transportations and Nauigations in that behalfe so that none of the same persons or any of them be such as hereafter shall be restrained by vs our heires or successors And further that the said Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes and euery of them shall haue holde occupie and enioy to him his heires and assignes and euery of them for euer all the soyle of all such landes territories and Countreis so to be discouered and possessed as aforesayd and of all such Cities Castles Townes Uillages and places in the same with the right royalties franchises and iurisdictions as well marine as other within the sayd landes or Countreis or the seas thereunto adioyning to be had or vsed with full power to dispose thereof and of euery part in fee simple or otherwise according to the order of the lawes of England as neere as the same conueniently may be at his and their wil and pleasure to any persons then being or that shall remaine within the allegiance of vs our heires and successors reseruing alwayes to vs our heires and successors for all seruices dueties and demaunds the fift part of all the oare of golde and siluer that from time to time and at all times after such discouerie subduing and possessing shall be there gotten and obteined All which lands Countries and territories shall for euer be holden of the sayd Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes of vs our heires and successors by homage and by the sayd payment of the sayd fift part reserued onely for all seruices And moreouer we do by these presents for vs our heires and successors giue and grant licence to the said Walter Ralegh his heires and assignes and
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
and that but at the latter ende thereof and vpon none of the aforesaide causes For all foure especially three were feeble weake and sickly persons before euer they came thither and those that knew them much marueled that they liued so long being in that case or had aduentured to trauaile Seeing therefore the aire there is so temperate and holsome the soyle so fertile and yeelding such commodities as I haue before mentioned the voyage also thither to and fro being sufficiently experimented to be perfourmed twise a yeere with ease and at any season thereof And the dealing of Sir Walter Ralegh so liberail in large giuing and granting lande there as is already knowen with many helpes and furâ—herances else The least that he hath granted hath bene fiue hundreth acres to a man onely for the aduenture of his person I hope there remaines no cause whereby the action should be misliked If that those which shall thither trauaile to inhabite and plant bee but reasonably prouided for the first yeere as those are which were transported the last and being there doe vse but that diligence and care that is requisit and as they may with ease There is no doubt but for the time following they may haue victuals that are excellent good and plentie ynough some more English sorts of cattell also hereafter as some haue bene before and are there yet remayning may and shall be God willing thither transported So likewise our kinde of fruites rootes and hearbes may be there planted and sowed as some haue bene already and proue well And in short time also they may raise so much of those sorts of commodities which I haue spoken of as shall both enrich themselues as also others that shall deale with them And this is all the fruit of our labours that I haue thought necessary to aduertise you of at this present What else concerneth the nature and maners of the inhabitants of Virginia the number with the particularities of the voyages thither made and of the actions of such as haue bene by Sir Walter Ralegh therein and there imployed many worthy to be remembred as of the first discouerers of the Countrey of our Generall for the time Sir Richard Grinuâ—l and after his departure of our Gouernour there Master Ralph Lane with diuers other direcâ—ed and imployed vnder their gouernment Of the Captaines and Masters of the voyages made since for transportation of the Gouernour and assistants of those already transported as of many persons accidents and things els I haue ready in a discourse by it selfe in maner of a Chronicle according to the course of times which when time shall be thought conuenient shall be also published Thus referring my relation to your fauourable constructions expecting good successe of the action from him which is to be acknowledged the authour and gouernour not onely of this but of all things els I take my leaue of you this moneth of February 1587. The fourth voyage made to Virginia with three ships in the yere 1587. Wherein was transported the second Colonie IN the yeere of our Lord 1587. Sir Walter Ralegh intending to perseuere in the planting of his Countrey of Virginia prepared a newe Colonie of one hundred and fiftie men to be sent thither vnder the charge of Iohn White whom hee appointed Gouernour and also appointed vnto him twelue Assistants vnto whom hee gaue a Charter and incorporated them by the name of Gouernour and Assistants of the Citie of Ralegh in Virginia April OUr Fleete being in number three saile viz. the Admirall a shippe of one hundred and twentie Tunnes a Flie-boate and a Pinnesse departed the sixe and twentieth of April from Portesmouth and the same day came to an ancker at the Cowes in the Isle of Wight where wee stayed eight dayes May. THe fift of May at nine of the clocke at night we came to Plimmouth where we remained the space of two dayes The 8 we weyed anker at Plimmouth and departed thence for Virginia The 16 Simon Ferdinando Master of our Admiral lewdly forsooke our Fly-boate leauing her distressed in the Bay of Portugal Iune THe 19 we fell with Dominica and the same eneâ—ing we sayled betweene it and Guadalupe the 21 the Fly-boat also fell with Dominica The 22 we came to an anker at an Island called Santa Cruz where all the planters were set on land staying there till the 25 of the same moneth At our first landing on this Island some of our women and men by eating a small fruit like greene Apples were fearefully troubled with a sudden burning in their mouthes and swelling of their tongues so bigge that some of them could not speake Also a child by sucking one of those womens breasts had at that instant his mouth set on such a burning that it was strange to see how the infant was tormented for the time but after 24 houres it ware away of it selfe Also the first night of our being on this Island we tooke fiue great Torteses some of them of such bignes that sixteene of our strongest men were tired with carying of one of them but from the sea side to our cabbins In this Island we found no watring place but a standing ponde the water whereof was so euill that many of our company fell sicke with drinking thereof and as many as did but wash their faces with that water in the morning before the Sunne had drawen away the corruption their faces did so burne and swell that their eyes were shut vp and could not see in fiue or sixe dayes or longer The second day of our abode there we sent forth some of our men to search the Island for fresh water three one way and two another way The Gouernour also with sixe others went vp to the top of an high hill to viewe the Island but could perceiue no signe of any men or beastes nor any goodnes but Parots and trees of Guiacum Returning backe to our cabbins another way he found in the discent of a hill certaine potsheards of sauage making made of the earth of that Island whereupon it was iudged that this Island was inhabited with Sauages though Fernando had told vs for certaine the contrary The same day at night the rest of our company very late returned to the Gouernour The one company affirmed that they had seene in a valley eleuen Sauages and diuers houses halfe a mile distant from the steepe or toppe of the hill where they stayed The other company had found running out of a high rocke a very fayre spring of water whereof they brâ—ught three bottels to the company for before that time wee drank the stâ—nking water of the pond The same second day at night Captaine Stafford with the Pinnesse departed from our fleete riding at Santa Cruz to an Island called Beake lying neere S. Iohn bring so directed by Ferdinando who assured him he should there find great plenty of sheepe The next day at night our planters left Santa Cruz and
their Mines they occupie great quantitie They haue much Alume and as good as any that is in all the Leuant so that they neede none of that commoditie They haue also of their owne growing◠much Cana fistula much Salsa Perilla which is marueilous good for many kind of diseases There are in Florida many Iarrefalcons and many other kinde of hawkes which the gentlemen of Noua Hispania send for euery yere The Spaniards haue two forts there chiefly to keepe out the Frenchmen from planting there A discourse written by one Miles Philips Englishman one of the company put on shoare Northward of Panuco in the West Indies by M. Iohn Hawkins 1568. conteining many special things of that countrey and of the Spanish gouernment but specially of their cruelties vsed to our Englishmen and amongst the rest to himselfe for the space of 15. or 16. yeres together vntil by good and happy meanes he was deliuered frō their bloody hands and returned into his owne Countrey An. 1582. Chap. 1. Wherein is shewed the day and time of our departure from the coast of England with the number and names of the ships their Captaines and Masters and of our trafique and dealing vpon the coast of Africa VPon munday the second of October 1567. the weather being reasonable faire our Generall M. Iohn Hawkins hauing commanded all his Captaines and Masters to be in a readinesse to make saile with him hee himselfe being imbarked in the Iesus whereof was appointed for Master Robert Barre◠hoised saile and departed from Plimmouth vpon his intended voyage for the parts of Africa and America being accompanied with fiue other saile of ships as namely the Mynion wherein went for Captaine M. Iohn Hampton and Iohn Garret Master The William and Iohn wherein was Captaine Thomas Bolton and Iames Raunce Master The Iudith in whom was Captaine M. Francis Drake afterward knight and the Angel whose Master as also the Captaine and Master of the Swallow I now remember not And so sayling in company together vpon our voyage vntill the tenth of the same moneth an extreeme storme then tooke vs neere vnto Cape Finister which dured for the space of foure dayes and so separated our ships that wee had lost one another and our Generall finding the Iesus to bee but in ill case was in minde to giue ouer the voyage and to returne home Howbeit the eleuenth of the same moneth the Seas waxing calme and the winde comming faire hee altered his purpose and held on the former entended voyage And so comming to the yland of Gomera being one of the ylands of the Canaries where according to an order before appointed we met with all our ships which were before dispersed wee then tooke in fresh water and departed from thence the fourth of Nouember and holding on our course vpon the eightenth day of the same moneth wee came to an ancker vpon the coast of Africa at Cape Verde in twelue fadome water and here our Generall landed certaine of our men to the number of 160. or thereabout seeking to take some Negros And they going vp into the Countrey for the space of sixe miles were encountred with a great number of the Negros who with their inuenomed arrowes did hurt a great number of our men so that they were inforced to retire to the ships in which conflict they recouered but a fewe Negros and of these our men which were hurt with their enuenomed arrowes there died to the number of seuen or eight in very strange maner with their mouths shut so that wee were forced to put stickes and other things into their mouths to keepe them open and so afterward passing the time vpon the coast of Guinea vntill the twelfth of Ianuary wee obteined by that time the number of 150. Negros And being ready to depart from the Sea coast there was a Negro sent as an Ambassadour to our Generall from a King of the Negros which was oppressed with other Kings his bordering neighbours desiring our Generall to graunt him succour and ayde against those his enemies which our Generall granted vnto and went himselfe in person a lande with the number of two hundreth of our men or thereabouts and the said King which had requested our ayde did ioyne his force with ours so that thereby our Generall assaulted and set fire vpon a Towne of the said King his enemies in which there was at the least the number of eight or ten thousand Negros and they perceiuing that they were not able to make any resistance sought by flight to saue themselues in which their flight there were taken prisoners to the number of eight or nine hundreth which our Generall ought to haue had for his share howbeit the Negro King which requested our ayde falsifying his word and promise secretly in the night conueyed himselfe away with as many prisoners as he had in his custodie but our Generall notwithstanding finding himselfe to haue nowe very neere the number of 500. Negros thought it best without longer abode to depart with them and such marchandize as hee had from the coast of Africa towards the West Indies and therefore commanded with all diligence to take in fresh water and fewel and so with speed to prepare to depart Howbeit before we departed from thence in a storme that wee had wee lost one of our ships namely the William and Iohn of which ship and of her people we heard no tidings during the time of our voyage Chap. 2. Wherein is shewed the day and time of our departure from the coast of Africa with the day and time of our arriuall in the West Indies also of our trade and trafique there and also of the great crueltie that the Spaniards vsed towards vs by the Vice-roy his direction and appointment falsifying his faith and promise giuen and seeking to haue intrapped vs. ALl things being made in a readinesse at our Generall his appointment vpon the thirde day of Februarie 1568. wee departed from the coast of Africa hauing the weather somewhat tempestuous which made our passage the more hard and sayling so for the space of 52. dayes vpon the 27. of March 1568. we came in sight of an yland called Dominica vpon the coast of America in the West Indies situated in 14. degrees of latitude and 322. of longitude from thence our Generall coasted from place to place euer making trafique with the Spaniards and Indians as hee might which was somewhat hardly obtained for that the King had straightly charged all his gouernours in those parts not to trade with any yet notwithstanding during the moneths of April and May our Generall had reasonable trade and trafique and courteous entertainement in sundry places as at Margarita Coraçao and else where til we came to Cape de la vela and Rio de Hacha a place from whence all the pearles doe come the gouernour there would not by any meanes permit vs to haue any trade
their example against any other time of like occasion But because it may bee supposed that heerein wee forgette not the priuate benefite of our selues and are thereby the rather mooued to incline our selues to this composition wee doe therefore thinke good for the clearing of our selues of all such suspition to declare heereby that what part or portion soeuer it bee of this ransome or composition for Cartagena which should come vnto vs wee doe freely giue and bestowe the same wholy vpon the poore men who haue remayned with vs in the Uoyage meaning as well the Sayler as the Souldier wishing with all our hearts it were such or so much as might seeme a sufficient rewarde for their painefull indeuour And for the firme confirmation thereof we haue thought meete to subsigne these presents with our owne hands in the place and time aforesayd Captaine Christopher Carliell Lieutenant Generall Captaine Goring Captaine Sampson Captaine Powell c. But while wee were yet there it happened one day that our watch called the Centinell vpon the Church-steeple had discouered in the Sea a couple of small Barkes or Boates making in with the Harbour of Cartagena whereupon Captaine Moone and Captaine Varney with Iohn Grant the Master of the Tyger and some other Sea-men embarked themselues in a couple of small Pinnesses to take them before they should come nigh the shore at the mouth of the Harbour left by some stragling Spanyardes from the Lande they might bee warned by signes from comming in which sell out accordingly notwithstanding all the diligence that our men could vse for the Spanish Boates vpon the sight of our Pinnesses comming towardes them ranne themselues ashore and so their men presently hidde themselues in bushes hard by the Sea side amongst some others that had called them by signes thither Our men presently without any due regard had to the qualitie of the place and seeing no man of the Spanyards to shew themselues aboorded the Spanish Barkes or Boates and so standing all open in them were suddenly shotte at by a troope of Spanyardes out of the bushes by which volley of shotte there were slaine Captaine Varney which dyed presently and Captaine Moone who dyed some fewe dayes after besides some foure or fiue others that were hurt and so our folkes returned without their purpose not hauing any sufficient number of souldiers with them to fight on shore For those men they caryed were all Mariners to rowe few of them armed because they made account with their ordinance to haue taken the Barkes well enough at sea which they might full easily haue done without any losse at all if they had come in time to the harbour mouth before the Spaniards boates had gotten so neere the shore During our abode in this place as also at S. Domingo there passed diuers courtesies betweene vs and the Spaniards as feasting and vsing them with all kindnesse and fauour so as amongst others there came to see the Generall the Gouernour of Cartagena with the Bishop of the same and diuers other Gentlemen of the better sort This towne of Cartagena we touched in the out parts consumed much with fire as we had done S. Domingo vpon discontentments and for want of agreeing with vs in their first â—reaties touching their ransome which at the last was concluded between vs should be 100 and 10000 Ducats for that which was yet standing the Ducat valued at fiue shillings sixe pence sterling This towne though not halfe so bigge as S. Domingo giues as yon see a farre greater ransome being in very deede of farre more importance by reason of the excellencie of the Harbour and the situation thereof to serue the trade of Nombre de Dios and other places and is inhabited with farre more richer Merchants The other is chiefly inhabited with Lawyers and braue Gentlemen being the chiefe or highest appeale of their suites in law of all the Islands about it and of the maine land coast next vnto it And it is of no such accompt as Cartagena for these and some other like reasons which I could giue you ouer long to be now written The warning which this towne receiued of our comming towards them from S. Domingo by the space of twentie dayes before our arriuall here was cause that they had both fortified and euery way prepared for their best defence As also that they had caried and conueyed away all their treasure and principall substance The ransome of an hundred ten thousand Ducats thus concluded on as is aforesaid the same being written and expressing for nothing more then the towne of Cartagena vpon the payment of the sayd ransome we felt the said towne and drewe some part of our souldiers into the Priorie or Abbey standing a quarter of an English mile belowe the towne vpon the harbour water-side the same being walled with a wall of stone which we told the Spaniards was yet ours and not redeemed by their composition whereupon they finding the defect of their contract were contented to enter into another ransome for all places but specially for the sayde house as also the Blocke house or Castle which is vpon the mouth of the inner harbour And when wee asked as much for the one as for the other they yeelded to giue a thousand Crownes for the Abbey leauing vs to take our pleasure vpon the Blockehouse which they sayd they were not able to ransome hauing stretched themselues to the vttermost of their powers and therefore the sayd Blockehouse was by vs vndermined and so with gunne powder blowen vp in pieces While this latter contract was in making our whole Fleete of ships fell downe towards the harbour mouth where they anchored the third time and imployed their men in fetching of fresh water aboord the ships for our voyage homewards which water was had in a great wâ—ll that is in the Island by the harbour mouth which Island is a very pleasant place as hath bene seene hauing in it many sorts of goodly and very pleasant fruites as the Orâ—nge trees and others being set orderly in walkes of great length together Insomuch as the whole Island being some two or three miles about is cast into grounds of gardening and orchards After sixe weekes abode in this place we put to sea the last of March where after two or three dayes a great ship which we had taken at S. Domingo and thereupon was called The new yeeres gift fell into a great leake being laden with ordinance hides and other spoyles and in the night she lost the company of our Fleete which being missed the next morning by the Generall hee cast about with the whole Fleete fearing some great mischance to bee happened vnto her as in very deede it so fell out for her leake was so great that her men were all tyred with pumping But at the last hauing found her the Barke Talbot in her company which stayed by great hap with her they were ready to take their men out
the moisture of the cloudes vnto it selfe that no raine falleth vpon the vallies of Peru. From these mountaines issue great store of riuers into the South sea with the waters whereof drawen by certaine sâ—uces and chanels they moisten their vineyardes and corne-fields and by this meanes the land is so exceeding fruitfull Betweene these mountaines and the mountaines of Chili that stretch vnto the Streits of Magellan lyeth a plaine of 60 leagues ouer being so cold that it yeeldeth no Wheat but good store of other victuals This countrey of Peru is full of people well apparelled and of ciuill behauiour It hath many mines of gold and more of siluer as also great store of copper and tâ—â—ne-mines with abundance of saltpeter and of brimstone to make gun-pouder There are likewise cattell of all sorts among which there is a beast in shape somewhat resembling a camel but no bigger then a steere of a yeere olde they serue to carry burthens their flesh being good to eate and their wooll apt for many purposes This beast is accounted the most profitable of al others for the vse of man howbeit the Spaniards since their first comming haue replenished this countrey with horses kine sheepe and goates and likewise with plentie of wheat So that in fewe words this land hath abundance of riches and victuals and is the healthfullest place in the world There were in times past kings of this land which were mightie Monarchs whose dominions stretched 1200. leagues and their lawes were very ciuill saue that they were worshippers of the Sunne At what time the Spaniards first entred this land there were two brethren of the blood royall which stroue who should haue the kingdome the one called Guascar and the other Aâ—abalipa Nowe Guascar had possession of all the mountaines and the lands within them and Atabalipa was lord of all the sea coast and of the valleys situate betweene the said mountaines and the sea The Indians seeing the Spaniards at the first arriue vpon their shore called them Vera coche which in their language signifieth The fome of the sea Also Atabalipa the Indian prince sent vnto them to know what they did in his land and what they sought for the Spaniards made answere that they were the messengers of a great lord and that they came to speake with the prince himselfe who sent them word that they should come with a very good will and so Atabalipa stayed for them at a citie called Caxamalca being thirtie leagues distant from the sea side Whither being come they found the Indian prince sitting in a chariot of gold carried vpon mens shoulders and accompanied with aboue 60000 Indians all ready armed for the warres Then the Spaniards tolde them that they were sent from an Emperour vnto whom the Pope had giuen all that land to conuert them vnto the Christian faith Whereunto Aâ—abalipa answered that hee would gladly be friends with the Emperour because he was so great a Monarch but in no â—ase with the Pope because he gaue to another that which was none of his owne Now while they were thus in talke the Spaniards discharging their two field-peeces and their caliuers set vpon the Indians crying Sant Iago The Indians hearing the noise of the ordinance and small shot and seeing the fire thought that flames of fire had bene come downe from heauen vpon them whereupon they fledde and left their prince as a booty for the Spaniards Whom they at the first intreated very gently wishing him not to feare for that their comming was onely to seeke for golde and siluer During the time of Altabalipas imprisonment his Captaines had slaine his brother Guascaâ— and had subdued all the mountaines and plaine couâ—â—reys Upon which newes Atabalipa told the Spaniards that if they would release him hâ—e would gâ—ue them all that they should demaund This communication hauing continued a whole day â—t length a souldier named Soto sayd vnto Atabalipa what wilt thou giue vs to set thee free The prince answered I will giue whatsoeuer you will demand Whereunto the souldier replied thou shalt giue vs this house full of gold and siluer thus high lifting vp his sword and making â— stroke vpon the wall And Atabalipa sayde that if they would grant him respite to send into his kingdome he would fulfill thâ—ir demand Whereat the Spaniards much marueiling gauâ— him three moneths time but he had filled the house in two moneths and an halfe a matter 〈◊〉 credible yet most tâ—â—e for I know aboue twentie men that were there at that time who all affirme that it was aboue tenne millions of gold and siluer Howbeit for all this they let not the prince goe but thought that in killing of him they should become lords of the whole land and so the Spaniards on a night strangled him But God the righteous iudge seeing this villanous act suffered none of those Spaniards to dye by the course of nature but brought them to euill and shamefull ends Upon the newes of these great riches there came store of people out of Spaine and inhabitâ—â— many places in this countrey The king in recompence of the good seruices of the two foresayd partners appoynted Diego de Almagro gouernour of halfe the land and Francisco Piçarro of the other halfe whom also hee made a Marques But these two consorts in parting of a land belonging vnto other men fell at â—ariance and sharpe warre betweene themselues and at length Piçarro hauing slaine Almagro got all the land into his owne hands Howbeit this prosperitie of Piçarro continued not long for a bastard-sonne of Diego de Almagro to bee reuenged of â—is fathers death slew Piçarro for which acte he lost his head In this controuersie betweene these two partners were slaine also two brothers of Piçarro and the third was carried prisoner into Spaine and there dyed in prison but the fourth called Gonsaluo Piçarro rebelled with the whole countrey and became a cruell tyrant vanquishing many of the Emperours Captaines in battell and possessing the countrey in peace for two yeeres howbeit being in the ende ouercome hee lost his head like a traitour And thus dyed they all an euill death that were causes of the death of that innocent king Atabalipa And yet there are mutinies raised oftentimes by the Spaniards but the Indians neuer rebelled after they had once peace granted vnto them The Indian people of this land are parted among the Spaniards some being slaues vnto the gentlemen that conquered their land other some to others and the residue to the king and these Indians pay eche man for his tribute seuen pezos of fine golde which is about tenne ducats and a halfe There are in this countrey aboue fortie cities and townes inhabited by the Spaniards also they haue here erected nine bishopricks and one archbishopricke Now after this countrey was fully conquered and brought in good order certaine Spaniards being desirous to discouer the land on the other side of the snowy
day A full reuoluâ—ion of the Monne aboue their Horizon The colleagues of the fellowship for the discouery of the Northwest passage Free Denization granted This Patent remaiâ—ed in force fiue yeeres Authoritie to proceede at Sea against mutiners 1583. Musicians They depart from Silley Iuly Great store of whales The râ—uling of the yce together made a great roaring Yce turned into water The Land of Desolation Very blacke water Floting wood Colde by â—eason of yce They saile Northwestward aboue foure dayes Land in 64 degrees 15 min. The sound where our ships did ride was called Gilberts sound Musicians The people of the countrey came and conferred with our men Thirty seuen Canoas Their musike Great familiâ—rity with the Sauagesâ— Diuers sorts oâ— wood They may make much â—rame if they had meanes how to vse itâ— Moscouie glasse A fruit like corinths August Land in 66 degrees 40 min. Foure white beares A huge whiâ—e beare Timber sawen Fowle An image Probabilities for the passage Wee neuer came into any baâ— before or after but the waters colour was altered very blackish Faulcons Their returne September They saile from The land of desolation to England in 14. dayes Land discouered in 60. degrees Gentle and louing Sauages In 100 Canoâ—â— with diuers commodities Images trane ople and Seale skins in tan tubs A plaine champion countrey A goodly riuer A graue with a crosse layd ouer The Tartars and people of Iapon are also smal eyed Their manâ—r of kindling fire like to theirs in America A fire made of turfes Great theeues Their rude diet Their weapons Strange nets These Islanders warre with the people of the maine Copper oare Their language Muscles A strange whirlewinde Great Ilands Slings One oâ— the people taken which afteâ— dyed â— huge quantitie of yce in 63. degrees of latitudâ— The nature of foggâ—s Great heat 66. degrees 19. minutes Great hopâ— oâ— a passage 64. degr 20 min. A great â—urrent to the West Ilandsâ— They râ—nne 8. dayes Southward â—rom 67 to 57. degrees vpon the coast A harborough in 56. degrees Faire woods Store of cod A perfect hope oâ—â—he passage about 54. degrâ—es and an halfe Two oâ— our men slaine by the Sauages May. M. Dauis in the latitude of 60. deg diuideth his fleete into 2. parts The 7. of Iune Island descryâ—d 66. degrees Their commodities Their dwellings Their boats M. Iohn Roydon of Ipâ—wich They departed from Island Northwest Iuly Groneland diâ—â—couered The land of Desolation Groenland coasted from â—he 7. till the last of Iuly August The houses of Gronland Our men play at footeball with the Sauages Sweete wood found A skirmish between the Sauages and our men September The pinnesse neuer reâ—urned home Land descrâ—â—â—â— Salt kerned oâ— the rockes Isles in 64. degrees Store oâ— Whales in 67. degrees 7â— deg 12. min. The great variation of the compasse London coast Betweene Gâ—onland the Noâ—th of America aboue 40. leagues A mighâ—ie banke of yeâ— lying North and South Extreme heatâ— of the Sunne They were driuen West sixe points out of their course in 67. degrees 45. minutes Mount Raleigh The Earle oâ— Cumbeâ—lands Isles The variation of the compasse 30. deg Westward The land trendeth from this place Southwest and by South My lord Lumleys Inlet Warwicks Foreland A very forciblâ— current Westward â—â—idleys cape The lord Daâ—cies Island The fishing place betweene 54 and 55 degrees of latitude Abundance of whales in 52 degrees They arriue at Dartmouth the 15 of September The 1. voyage The 2. voyage The North parts of Americâ— all Islands The 3. voyage The ship of M. N. Zeno casâ— away vpon â—risland in Annâ— 1380. A forraine prince hapning to be in Frisland with armed men when M. Zenâ— suffered shipwracke therâ— came vnto him and spakâ— Latine Zichmni princâ— of Poâ—land or Duke of Zorani â—risland the â—ing oâ— Norâ—ayeâ— N. Zeno made â—night by Zichmni Ships laden with fish at Frisland â—or Flanders Bâ—itain England Scotland Noâ—way and Denmarke But not to bâ— proued that eâ—er any came thence A letter sent by M. N. Zeno from Fâ—island to his brother M. Antonio in Venice The end of the first letter Engâ—onâ—lâ—nâ— Pâ—eaching Fryâ—rs of Saint Thomâ—â— Winter oâ— 9. moneths Trade in summer â—ime from Trondon to S. Thomas Friers in Groneland Resâ—â—t of Fryâ—rs from Norway and Sueden to the Monastery in Engroneland called S. Tho. M. Fâ—obisheâ— brought these kinde of boats from â—hese parâ—s inâ—â— England In the Monastery of Saint Thomâ—s most of them spake the Latine tongue The end of the â— letter N. Zeno dyed in Frisland The discouerie of Estoâ—iland Westward Sixe fishermen taken Fishermen of Frisland speake Latine Sixe were fiue â—â—eres in Esâ—otiland One of the fisherâ— of Frisland reporteth of Estotiland Estotiland rich abounding with all â—he commodities of the world Abundance of golde Trade from Estotilâ—nd to Engroneland â— Skins brimstone and pitch golde corne and â—eere or ale Many cities and castles A countrey called Doâ—gio The 6 fishermen of Frisland onâ—ly saued by shewing the maner to take fish The chiefest oâ— the 6 fishers specified before and his companions In the space of 13 yeeres he serued 25 lords of Drogio He returned from Estotiland to Frisland Zichmni minded to send M. Antonio Zeno with a fleete towards thâ—sâ— parts of Esâ—otiland The 4 letter The fisherman dyed that should haue bene interpreter Certaine mariners taken in his sâ—eede which came with him from Estotiland Isle Ilose Zichmni his discouerie of the Island Icaâ—ia An Island man in Icaâ—ia The kings of of Icaria called Icari after the name of the first king of that place who as they report was sonne to Dedalus king of Scots Icarian Sâ—a The people of Icaria destrous of the Italian tongue Ten men of ten sundry nations Infinite multitudes of armed men in Icaâ—iâ— Zichmni departed from Icaria Wâ—stwards 100 men sent to discrie the countreâ— The 100 souldiers returned which had bene through â—he Island report what they saw and found M. Anâ—onio Zeno made chiefâ— captaine of those ships which went back to Frâ—sland The 5 letter Estotiland first discouered The second discouerie thereof Dâ—ogio M. Aâ—migil Wade Cape Briâ—on The Island of Penguin standeth about the latitude of 30. degrees M. Dawbneys report to M. Richard Hakluyt of the Temple They beheld the Sauges â—f Newfounland Extrâ—me famine Our men â—aâ—e one another foâ— famine The Capâ—aines Oration The English surprise a French ship wherein they returned home Haâ—kes and other foules Foules supposed â—o be storkes The French royally recompencâ—d by king Henry the 8. English Spaniards Portugals French Britons The fertility of Newfoundland Seueral sortes â— of fish Called by the Spaniards Anchunas and by the Portugals Capelinas 〈◊〉 Albioâ— Hugo Willobeius eques auratus Martinus Fâ—obisherus eques â—uratuâ—â— Antonius Ienkinsonuâ— Franciscus Dracus eques 〈◊〉 Sebastianuâ— Cabotus The coasts froÌ„ Fâ—orida Northward fiâ—â— discouâ—red bâ— the English natioÌ„ A 〈◊〉 consideration Probable confectâ—â—â— y t these lands North of Florida are
are in 44. deg and easie to passe But 5. leagues iourney to passe the 3. Saults Ten dayes iourney from the Saults to this great Lake The Saults are in the latitude of 44. deg Belle Isle Carpont in 52. degrees The Grand â—â—â— in 52. and an halfe A flatte rocke Butes The Isle of Blanc Sablon oâ— white sand The seuerall breadâ—hs of the Grand Bay Blanc Sablon in 51. deg 2. third parts The Islâ—s de la Damoâ—selle in 50 deg 3. fourth parts Many Isles good harboâ—â— Cape Tienot in 50 deg one fourth part The Isle Ascension Asâ—â—â—pâ—ion or Nâ—tiscotto The commendation of the Isle of Ascenâ—ioÌ„ From Cape Briton to the Southeast end of the Isle of Ascension is but 50 leagues The Cape of Monâ—z nostre Dame The Bay of Molues oâ— Gaspay The Bay de Chaleuâ— or of Heate The Bay of Ognedoc Greater store and betteâ— fish then in Newfoundland Fouleâ— Trees The month of the riuer of Canada twenty fiue leagues broad The 7 Iâ—les in 50 degrees and a halfe The riuer is here but 10 leagues broad The point of Ongear in 49 degrees and a quarter The Isle of Raquelle in 48 degrees and two third parts The riuer 8 leagues broad The entrance oâ— Saguenay The sea of Cathay The riuâ—r not past 4 lâ—agues ouer The Isle of Hares in 48 and one siâ—â—â—nth part Note The isle of Filbeards in 47 degreeâ— and 3. quarters The beginning of the fresh water The riuer but a quarter of a league bâ—oad The Isle of Orleans in 47. degrees and one third part Canada â— leaguâ— to the West of the Isle of Orleans The Fort of France-Roy stood in 47 degrees and one sixâ— part Why the couÌ„trey is colder in the Winter then France A second reason The variation of y â— compasse From the foâ—t of France Roy vnto y e mouth of the Grand Bay 230 leâ—gs Gold and sâ—luâ—r like to be â—ound in Canada A Bay in 42. degrees giuing some hope of a passage Trees â—edde plums Fowle Corne. Wheate to be â—owen in March The cause of the ofteÌ„ snowing in Canada Diamonts Golde foâ—â—d Iâ—qâ—es Carâ—â—er sâ—oâ—e away Iuly France prime August 1542. September 14 The proportion of their victuals The length of the winter They had women with them Their apparell So haue they of Ceuola and Quiuira and Meâ—a Incognita Their victuals They remoue from place to place Fish Beastes Fowle Their breaâ— of great Myl or Maâ—â— Drinke of Seâ—â—e oyle at their great â—eastâ— Their goâ—ernment The 5. of Iune The 6. of Iune Monsieur de Royeâ—e The 14. of Iune The 19. of Iune Maiz. The 22. of Iuly 1543. Note Free denization granted Anno 1581. A Southerly course not greatly needful for Virginia A sweet smell from the land The first riuer Iuly 13 possession taken Abundance of grapes The Isle of Wokokon Goodly Cedars Pines Cypres Sassaphras Conference with a Saâ—agâ—â— Abundance of fish The arriuall of tâ—e kings brother Trafficke with the Sauages Tinne much â—steemed White corall Perlâ—s Pitch trees The manner of making their boates 〈◊〉 Island The great kindnes of the kings brothers wife A solemne banker Their Idolâ— Skicoak a great towne A ship cast away Their weapons Oâ— Pâ—â—â—â—uaioc Roanoak sixteen miles long They land vpon the Iland of S. Iohn de Porto Rico. They land on the Iles of Caico Guanima Cyguateo They land in Florida Iuly September October The rich and manifold commodities oâ— Virginia Commoditieâ— fit to came to Virginia 2. parts of this discourse The excellencie of the seate of Chesepiâ—ok The towne of Chawanook able to make 700. men of warre An Iland in a Bay Pearles in exceeding quanâ—â—tie An enterpâ—se of speciall importance Whither M. Ralfe Lane meant to remoue Wingina changeth his name Conspiracie of the Sauages against the English * Their women A maruellous Mineral in the câ—untrey of Chaunis Temoatan A conflict begun by the Sauages The great current of the Riuer of Moraticoâ— This sails of making weares would be learned The beginning of theâ—â— haruest in Iuly The conspiracie of Pemisapan The forme of the treason The sufficiencie of our men to deale against the Sauages 10. to an hundreth The Sauages line by fishing and hunting till haruest The slaughter and surprise of the Sauages Pemisapan slaine A letter from Sir Francis Drake This ship arriued in Virginia Sir Richard Grinuils third uoyage Fifteene men more leâ—t in Virginia Fiue thousand pearles â—athred Tabacco Monardes parâ—e â— lib 1. cap. 4. The iuice of Coscushaw is poison There are iâ— kinds of Tuâ—â—â— whereof that which beareth no fruith bringeth foorth the Cochinillo In the â—nâ—fe of California they vse the like fishing Iaques Cartier voyage 2. chap. 8. This want is hereafter to be supplied “ One of the Isles of the Indies inhabited with Sauages Circumspectis to be vsed in strange places “ Musketos Bay is a harbour vpon the south side of S. Iohns Islâ—nd where we â—ake in â—resh water “ A pleasant and fruitfull countrey lying on the west end of S. Iohns Island where groweth plenty of Orenges Limons PlaÌ„tans Pines An intent to plant in the Bay of Chesepiok Edward Spicer Their mâ—aning to â—emoue 50 miles into the countrey Smerwick in the West of Ireland M. William Lane Spanish fugitiues Edward Spicer This fight was in fight of the Iland of Nauara The state oâ— the currency from the capâ— of Florida to Viâ—ginia Sandie Ilaâ—â— West of Wokokon They land â— 35 degrees A breach 2 oâ— 3 leagues into Sea Great diâ—ersity of souÌ„dings Hatorask in 36 degr a â—ercâ— They land Fresh water found in sandy hilles Captaine Spicer drowned They leaue the coast of Virginia 13. Pipes of siluer The Isle of Madêra They diâ—couer land 34. Degrees The coast trendeth to the East in 34 degrees of latitude Câ—â—rteous aâ—d 〈◊〉 They run 50. leagues farther Wilde hempe They ran along the coast 200. leagues They make hollow their Canons with fire Uines like those of Lombardie 100. â—eagues sayling A mighty riuer People clad with leathers of diuers colours The pleasantnes and riches of the land The coast trendeth to the East The description of Claudia Iland tenne leagues from the mayneâ— Claudia was mother of king Franâ—â— A passing good hauen Copper more esteemed then golde Most pleasant and fruitful lands The fashion of their houses The coast full of good hauens Their curing with Tabacco and perfumes 41 degrees 2. terces The description of a notable hauen in 41. deg and 2. â—â—â—ces 150 leagues A shew of minerall The coast running Eastward 10. leagues Here the people begin to be more sauage Beades of copper 32 pleasant Islands They ran almost to 50. degrees Other 〈◊〉 ought to be our warning The chiefe things woâ—â—â—â—e obseruâ—tion in Florida are drawen in colours by Iames Moâ—gues painter sometime liuing in the Black frâ—eâ—s in London A â—â—liâ—â—â—â—â— or 〈◊〉 meâ—◠〈◊〉 â—gâ—uâ—a Meanes to raise benefit in new discoueries vsed by the