Majesty to strike their Top-sails and in remembrance of his Honourable Friend Sir Christopher Hatton he changed the name of his Ship from the Pelicane to the Golden Hind Which being ended with a Sermon and Prayers and Thanksgiving for her Majesty c. we continued our course into the said Frete and came into a narrow Strait exceeding dangerous it lyeth W. N. W. and E. S. E. and having lost it we came to a large Sea the night following we had an Island in sight equal to Fogo in height and burning like it It hath formerly been reported as truth that the Seas have a continual current from East to West in this Streight but we found it otherwise the Ebbings and Flowings being as orderly here as on other Coasts Aug. 24. We fell with 3 Islands bearing Triangle wise one from another in one of them being large and Fruitful our General with some of his men landed taking possession of it in Her Majesties name and called it the Elizabeth Island In the other 2 which were not so large we found good store of strange Birds which could not fly at all nor run so fast as to escape us they are less than a Goose and bigger than a Mallard short and well set together having no Feathers but in stead thereof a sort of hard and matted Down their Beeks are like the Bills of Crows they lodge and breed on Land where making earths as Coneys do in the Ground they lay their Eggs. They feed on the Sea where they swim incredibly swift In one day we killed 3000 of them These 2 Islands our General named the one St. Bartholomew's the other St. George's In the Island of St. George we found the Body of a man so long dead before that his bones fell asunder being moved out of the place they lay in From these Islands to the entry of the South Sea the Frete is very crooked And though it be true that Magellane reporteth of this passage that there are many fair Harbors and store of fresh Water yet when any contrary Winds arise it is extremely dangerous The Land on both sides is high and Mountainous having on the North and West the Continent of America on the South and East nothing but Islands among which lye innumerable Fretes into the South Sea the Mountains are prodigious for height being still encreased with congealed Clouds and frozen Meteors which are scarce ever diminished by the heat of the Sun Yet the plain grounds are fruitful the Grass plenteous Herds many of very strange sorts the Trees for most part always green the Air temperate as ours When we approached the entrance of the South Sea we were so shut up to the Northward and had such large and open Fretes to the South we knew not what way to pass without further discovery and that our General Anchored the Fleet under an Island went with some others in a Boat to find the passage which having done they returned meeting with a Canow under the same Island which was made of the Bark of diverse Trees having a Prow and Stern standing up and Semicircle wise yielding inward the Body of most excellent Workmanship so that our General concluded that it was not contrived by the Art nor for the use of such rude people as these it had no other caulking in the Seams but stitching with thongs made of Skins and yet kept out the Water The People are of a low stature but compact they paint as the others do Within the Island they had a mean Cottage of Poles covered with the skins of Beasts Their Vessels and Cups are of Barks of Trees Their working-tools they use are knives made of huge and monstrous Mussel shels which after they have broke off the thin and brittle substance of the Edge they grind upon stones till they have put such an Edge on them that they will cut the hardest Wood yea the hardest Bones Sept. 6. We got free of these Islands and entred the South Sea at the Cape whereof our General intended to have gone ashore and there after a Sermon Preached to have left a Monument of her Majesty Engraven in Mettal but could not conveniently By all our observations we conluded that this Strait was 150 Leagues in length the bredth in some places more in others less and in the end found it to be no Strait but only Islands When our General saw that our men were not able to endure the cold he intended to have returned toward the Line lest our men by the excessive cold might contract some grievous distemper but it pleased God to thwart his design For the 2d day after we entred Mare Pacificum a Furious storm with contrary Winds arose whereby we were in great Jeopardy of our lives In the time of this storm Sept. 15. the Moon was Eclipsed in Aries and darkned about 3 points for 2 hours but our storm continued 52 days And Sept. 30th in the night the storm encreasing the Marigold was separated from us whom we never met again altho our General had ordered that if any of our Fleet lost our Company we should meet again on the Coasts of Peru in 30 deg or thereabout From Sept. 7. when the storm began till Oct. 7. we could not recover Land being driven to 37 deg of South Lat. and this day toward night entred a Harbor on the aforesaid Streight toward the South Sea hoping to shelter till the storm were over but had not been there 3 hours till by violence of the storm our Admiral lost an Anchor by the violence of the Flaw and also lost sight of our Vice-Admiral the Elezabeth which we never saw more for she arrived in England June 20. next year So that now our Admiral was left alone and altho our General sought the rest of his Fleet carefully yet could by no means find them Thus parted from our friends we were driven back into 55 deg South Lat. among the Islands aforesaid And after we had been there 2 days and alittle refresht our selves of a sudden a Tempestuous storm arose whereby we were in extreme hazard of our lives and expected to be swallowed up every moment But it pleased God of his infinite mercy when all our hopes were gone miraculously to deliver us Being thus delivered we were necessitated to seek for some place of refuge both to provide necessaries and refresh our men We returned among the said Islands where we hoped for better rest and the rather because we found the People of that Country travelling from one place to another with whom we trafficked for several commodities and had respite for 3 days being in continual fear of the imminent dangers the troubled Seas and blustering Winds threatned us which accordingly happened for we were assaulted by a more vehement storm leaving behind us our Anchor and a great part of our Cable driven betwixt Wind and Water till we fell with the uttermost part of the Land towards the South Pole when we
discovered how far the same reacheth South ward from the Coast of America aforenam'd The uttermost Cape of these Islands lyes in 56 deg where no Mainland nor Island is to the South but the Atlantick and South Sea met It was hitherto dreamed that these Islands were a Main and that it was Terra Incognita and truly it might be so called before this time for before this it was never discovered that we heard of And here we may refute that error held by many that it is impossible to return out of Mare del Zur into the Ocean by reason of the supposed Eastern Current and Levant Winds for neither did we meet with such Current nor had such Winds to carry us through but always in our passage found it easier to return into the West Ocean than to go forward into Mare del Zur whereof we had much experience being glad oft times to alter our course and fall a stern again with frank Wind further in one Afternoon than we could fetch up again in a whole day with a reasonable gale They are no less mistaken in alledging the narrowness of the Frete for we found the quite contrary As we reached the utmost part of these Islands Oct. 28. our storm ceased Here we found the night in the latter end of Octob. not above 2 hours long so that it seems when the Sun is in the Tropick of Caprioorn they have little or no night The Inhabitants Manners Apparel c. are the same with those aforementioned before we entred the Streights Our General called these Islands Elizabethides Oct. 30. We departed thence steering our course North-west to coast along Peru being the appointed place for our Fleet to reassemble the next day we came to 2 Islands wherein were great store of Birds whereof we were sufficiently furnished with Victuals Thence steering still North-west we found our selves like to have been deceived in taking our rules by the common Maps which set down the Coast of Peru to lye 12 deg Northwards from the supposed Streight when it is quite contrary and therefore we altered our Course That part of Peru all along to the height of Lima being 12 deg South of the Line is mountainous and barren except a few places Inhabited by the Spaniards and some others Being thus fallen with the Land we Coasted along till we came to 37 deg and finding no convenient place nor likelyhood of hearing of our Ships we ran off with an Island in sight called by the Spaniards Mucho where we Anchored Nov. 25. and found it to be a fruitful Island well stored with all necessaries as Sheep and other Cattel Maiz a kind of Grain they make Bread of Potatos and such other Roots besides it is plenteous of Gold c. The Inhabitants are such Indians as by the cruelty of the Spaniards were driven from the Main With them our General intended to Traffick for Victuals and Water and for that end the same night we arrived he and some others went ashore to whom the People shewed respect making a present to our General we also presented them such things as we had signifying that we came to Traffick and recruit our selves with fresh Water and they promised to furnish us with such things as they could afford The next day our General repaired to the shore and sent 2 of his men with their Baricoes to the Watering place assigned who having past half of the way were traiterously slain by the People who having likewise set an ambush for our General and the rest of our men that were in the Boat behind the Rocks suddenly wounded most of our men before they could free themselves our General besides several wounds on the face and head had one passing through his Nose into the Basis Cerebri But the worst of all was we had none to cure our men save a Surgeons Boy yet it pleased God they were all cured The cause of this barbarity of these Islanders was their hatred to the Spaniards whom they suspected us to be Our General tho he might have revenged this with small loss yet valuing the loss of one of his more than 100 of theirs he desisted committing his cause to God The weapons this People use in their Wars are Arrows of Reeds with heads of Stones very brittle and indented and Darts of a great length headed with Iron or Bone The same day that this happened we departed thence and because we were nownear the appointed place of meeting and partly because our men were crasie we set in for some convenient place in the Main and coming to the Bay called Philips-Bay in about 32 deg we dropt Anchor and sent our Boat to discover if the place could furnish us with such things as we needed they after long Travel could see no appearance of relief either as to Victuals or Water seeing nothing save huge heads of wild Buffs but in their return they espied an Indian fishing in his Canow whom they brought aboard Who being courteously entertained after we had shewed him what we had and made him understand what we needed we sent him away with our Boat and his own Canow to land him where he would who at his landing willed our men to stay till his return and anon met 2 or 3 of his friends to whom he shewed his gifts which gave such content that a little after he with their Governour and others came to us bringing with them Hens Eggs Hogs and such like and that they might remove suspicion of evil they sent it in a Canow by it self and their Governor entrusted himself to our men and came to our General By him we understood we could not be relieved here but he offered to conduct us to a Harbor not far distant to the Southward where we might have all necessaries which our Gen. accepted of and Dec. 4. departed hence and next day came to an Anchor in that Harbor It is called by the Spaniards Valperizo and the Town adjoyning St. James of Chinly it is in 35 deg 40 min. here we had all necessaries in abundance amongst other things we found in the Town diverse store-houses of the Wines of Chinly and in the Harbor a Ship called the Captain of Morial or the Grand Captain of the South Admiral to the Islands of Salomon laden mostly with the said Wines and besides some fine Gold of Baldivia c. We spent sometime in refreshing our selves and easing this Ship of her burden and Dec. 8. being furnished with necessaries we departed returning back to the Line with our Indian Pilot whom our General rewarded to his own content and set him ashore again where he desired Being thus provided our General was for seeking after our Ships And considering that we could not conveniently run in with our Ship to every Harbor and that our Boat could not carry men enough to encounter the violence of the Spaniards if we happen'd to meet them we determined as we went toward the Line to seek out a
and the Main being very narrow and full of bushes We had scarce setled there when our 2 men with the Troup of Symerons came in sight of our Ship whom we brought aboard Our Captain desiring they would put him in a way to procure Gold they told him if they had known of it before they could have given him store of it as having taken a great quantity from the Spaniards which they sunk into the River which now they could not do because the Rivers in which it was thrown were very high and that the Spaniards in these rainy months use not to carry their Treasure by Land This answer satisfied us of their honest meaning towards us Therefore our Captain resolved for these 5 months to stay a Shore and so Sept. 24. we built houses for our aboad that time and a Fort Triangle wise 13 foot high But after 14 days repose here our Captain purposing to go to Cartagena with 3 Pinnaces left his Brother to govern those left behind with the Symerons to finish the Fort begun Oct. 7. Thus we set Sail and came that night to an Island which he called Spurkite from great store of Birds in that shape The next day we were clear of these Islands and about 4 days after near the Island of St. Bernards we chased 2 Frigates ashore and recovering one of the Islands we stayed there 2 days to wash our Pinnaces and catch Fish Oct. 16. Thence we went towards Tolou and landed in a Garden where certain Indians delivered us their Bows and Arrows and gave us such fruit as the place yielded for which we requited them Our Captains design in taking those places was to learn the true state of the Country and the Fleets Thence we went towards Charesha the Island of Cartagena where we let fall our Grappers betwixt the Island and the Main over against the goodly Garden Island Our Captain would not suffer us to land there knowing it would have proved dangerous and within 3 hours after passing by the Point of the Island we had a volly of 100 shot from them and yet but one of our men was hurt Oct. 17. This evening we departed to Sea and the next morning we took a Bark which we easily boarded for that the Captain with most of the Passengers had gone ashore She had in her great store of Sope and Sweet-meats bound from St. Domingo to Cartagena Oct. 18. The next day we set all the men ashore save a young Negroe we kept but kept the Bark and in her bare to the mouth of Cartagena Harbor and Anchored That Afternoon some Horsemen came down with the Scrivano aforementioned to the point and held up a Truce Flag desiring safe conduct to our Ship which granted the Scrivano came a board and thanking our Captain for former courtesies he promised that night to procure us store of Victuals whatever displeasure he might incur thereby But we found this only a device of the Governor 's to delay time till they were of sufficient strength to entrap us and therefore we put to Sea Oct. 20. The next day in the Afternoon we took 2 Frigates come from Cartagena the one of 50 the other of 12 Tuns having only ballast in them we kept the Frigats but set the men ashore in the great Frigats Gundelow The next morning they came down to the Wester Point with a Truce Flag our Captain manned one Pinnace and rowed ashore when we were near the shore the Spaniards fled into the Wood as afraid of us but indeed 't was only to draw us on as we reached the Land our Captain leaped ashore in their sight but made no stay when he was come aboard again we haled off and rode a while They came forth again and sent a youth to demand what was our intent to stay thus upon the Coast Our Captain answered for Traffick he sent him again to shew him that 't was prohibit to Traffick with Foreign People for any thing except Powder He answered he was come to exchange his commodities for Gold and Silver and was purposed to effect it However he gave this Messenger a Shirt for his reward We heard no answer all that day but kept in our Frigats keeping good watch all night The next morning the wind turned Easterly and we-saw two Sails which were sent from Cartagena to fight us coming to us whereupon our Captain went to encounter them and approaching them we saw many men aboard them The Spaniards on the Shore thought to recover their Frigats being left unmanned while we were busied with the other But our Captain prevented it for leaving John Oxnam to treat those two Ships he made speed to his Frigats and caused the Spaniards consult to save their lives by flight leaving several of their weapons behind them And seeing he could not man them he burnt the one and sunk the other This done he returned to John Oxnam who all this while lay silent by the Men of War and the wind blowing from Sea we were forced to bear into the Harbor before them they supposing we fled but as soon as we felt smooth Water getting the wind we fought them at advantage so that they were willing to press no nigher and as they let fall their Anchors we droped ours in the wind of them They seeing no gain to be had of us retired to the Town but we by reason of bad weather Rode there 4 days Octob. 27. A Frigat came from Sea and seeing us ran her self ashore unhanging her Rudder and throwing away her Sails when we were come up to her a party came down to the point of the Main whom we by our shot caused quickly retire into the Woods Whereupon we went to Sea with intent to ride at the Rock called Las Serenas 2 Leagues off but through tempest were forced to return into the Harbor But the Spaniards had a new device for they sent forth a Party against us who at our encountring them fled with intent to draw us after them having an ambush set for us besides 2 Pinnaces well mann'd came towards us and attacqued us boldly and seeing us bear from them they concluded of Victory But our Captain Commanding his other Pinnace to be brought a head of him and to let fall their Grappers each a head the others environed both the Pinnaces as for a close fight We as well as they spent Powder apace but had but one of out men wounded what they had we knew not but their Pinnaces were shot through in diverse places and the Powder of one of them took fire whereupon we bore towards them which they seeing betook themselves to their old Sanctuary Nov. 3. Thus seeing little hopes off success in this place our Captain thought it best to go Eastward towards Rio Grand to furnish our selves with Victuals being now scarce of them and 2 days after we came to the Villages of store where before we had furnished our selves sufficiently but now found nothing
Anthony but being to stand for the Havana we plyed to the Windward several days at which time we took a small Bark in which were 200 Hides and a Pump which we set in our Frigat The Bark as not useful for us we gave them again and afterwards came to Cape St. Anthony where we refreshed our selves and took 250 Turtles by night which we powdered and dried for our use There were at this time belonging to the several Plantations of the Spaniards above Two Hundred Frigates some of 120 some of 12 but most of 30 or 40 Tuns most of which during our abode in those parts we took and some of them twice or thrice and yet never burnt or sunk any of them unless Men of War sent against us or set to entrap us The Men we used very civilly either immediately dismissing them or if we kept them any time providing for them as for our selves and sheltered them from the Rage of the Symerons We set Sail from this Cape of St. Anthony and performed our Voyage very prosperously For whereas our Captain intended to touch at New-found-land there to have Watered being very scarce of it it pleased God to give us such store of Rain Water that we were sufficiently furnished and within 23 days we past from the Cape of Florida to the Isles of Silley and so arrived at Plimouth on Sunday about Sermon-time August 9th 1573. Sir Francis Drake His Voyage about the WORLD CAptain Francis Drake having in a former Voyage in the year 1572. and 73. had some view of the South Atlantick and thereupon conceiving a desire of being better acquainted with it tho he was crossed in his design for several years partly through secret envy and partly by his serving here for his Prince and Country at length in the year 1577. By Gracious commission from his Soveraign and by help of divers Friends Adventurers he fitted himself with 5 Ships viz. the Pelican Admiral burthen 100 Tuns Captain General Francis Drake the Elizabeth Vice-Admiral burthen 80 Tuns Captain Jo. Winter the Marigold a Bark of 30 Tuns Captain Jo. Thomas the Swan a Fliboat of 50 Tuns Captain Jo. Chester and the Christopher a Pinnace of 15 Tuns These Ships he Mann'd with 164 able Men and furnished them with all necessaries not forgetting ornaments and delights having with him several expert Musicians he likewise made some Pinnaces but carried aboard in pieces for to be set up when occasion served Thus furnished we set Sail from Plimouth Nov. 15. 1557. at 5 a Clock in the Afternoon but meeting with contrary Wind we were forced to put in at Falmouth The next day there arose such a Storm that the Admiral and Marigold were fain to cut their main Mast And therefore when the Storm was over we returned to Plimouth to repair our damages which done we put to Sea again Dec. 13. When we were out of sight of Land we easily conjectured whither our General intended by his course and his appointing Mogadore our place of meeting if any of our Ships should be parted from the Fleet. The first Land we had sight of was Cape Cantine in Barbary on Christmas-day in the Morning The shore is White sand the In-land mountainous in 32 deg 30 min. North lat Coasting from hence 18 Leagues Southward we arrived at the Island Mogadore before named It is under the King of Fess in 31 deg 40 min. a mile off the shore making a good Harbor between the Land and it It is uninhabited but a League in Circumference overgrown with shrubs not unlike our Privet full of Doves and much frequented by ravenous Birds At the South side of it are 3 hollow Rocks under which are store of wholesom but ugly Fish We sent a Boat to sound the Harbor and finding it safe we brought in our Ships Dec. 27. and continued there till the end of the Month setting up one of our Pinnaces The Inhabitants perceiving us gave us signs of their desire to be brought aboard to whom our General sent a Boat in which two of the Moors were received one of ours being left ashore as a Pledge We entertained them very courteously that they might thereby understand that we came in peace offering to traffick for their Country commodities To this they agreed promising to bring such things as they had to exchange for ours It is a Law among them to drink no Wine notwithstanding privately they taste it liberally as we found At their return they restored our Pledge The next day they brought with them Camels in shew loaden with Wares and therefore according to order our General being then ashore in the Island we shut off a Boat Our Boat being come to Land John Fry one of our men mistrusting no danger stept out of the Boat but was presently laid hold of and carried away The cause of this was a desire the K. had to know whence our Fleet was whether it were a forerunner of the K. of Portugals but he having declared who we were was immediately sent back with a present to his Captain But in the mean time our Captain resenting it landed his Company and marched into the Country without resistance wherefore having provided some Wood and viewed an old Fort built by the K. of Portugal now ruined by this K. we departed Dec. 13. for Cape Blank so that when Fry return'd we were gone yet the K. sent him home to England in an English Merchant Till Jan. 4th we had Foul weather yet we reached Cape de Guerre where we took 3 Spanish Fishermen and carried with us to Rio del Oro under the Trop of Cancer where we took a Carvel from thence we Sailed to Cape Barbas and took another Carvel and Jan. 16. to Blank This Cape lyeth in 20 deg 30 min. on the North side resembling the Corner of a Wall the Land betwixt it and Barbas is low and Sandy Here we observe the South Guards called the Crosiers 9 d 30 m. above the Horizon We took a Spanish Ship riding here all her men having fled save two and carried her with the rest into the Harbor 3 Leagues within the Cape Here being a plentiful place our General purposed to stay a while to refresh his men During our aboad he was visited by the People of the Country who brought down a Woman a Moor with an Infant hanging by her dry dug having scarce life in her to be sold as a Cow and Calf but our General would not deal in such goods They also brought Ambergreece and Gums to exchange for Water of which they are very scarce our General gave them Water but would take nothing for it as also some of our Victuals their manner of eating whereof was Inhuman Having trimmed our Ships and discharged the Spaniards save one we took with us we departed for the Islands of Cape de Verde intending there to take in Water for that from thence we intended straight for Brazil without touching Land And having the
Wind at N. E. and E. N. E. Trade Winds being usual in those places we Coasted Bonavista and the next day Jan. 28. we came to Anchor in the West part of the Island Maio in 15 deg being high Land save only the Northwest part a League from the Sea very low and is Inhabited by the Portuguese Landing here we found a great many ruinous Houses with a poor naked Chappel The Springs and Wells were stopped up and we could have no Water for our use wherefore we marched up to seek some or at least to see if the People could be prevailed with to help us In this Journey we found the soil very fruitful full of Fig-Trees and in the Valleys where their Cottages were Vineyards bearing ripe Grapes tho now in Winter the Sun scarce ever withdrawing himself from them There were also Coco Trees no branches sprouting forth but at the Top with several others We found good Water in several places but being far off the Road we could not carry it to our Ships The People would not come near us keeping themselves close in their Houses This Island hath great store of Goats Hens and Salt made Naturally by the Suns heat so that of the product thereof they keep continual Traffick with the adjacent Islands We departed thence Jan. 30. Next day we passed St. Jago 10 Leagues West in the same Latitude inhabited by Portugals and Moors The Portugals being formerly sole Lords of that Country used that rigor towards their Slaves that they were forced to try some means of help and thereupon fled to the Mountainous parts where by continual escapes encreasing to a great number they now live in that terror of their oppressors that they endure no less bondage in mind than formerly in Body besides the damages in their goods and Cattel they suffer dayly from them On the South-west of this Island we took a Portuguese laden with Wine Wollen and Linnen Cloath c. bound for Brazil As we passed by in sight of 3 of their Towns they shot off 3 great Pieces which we answered Twelve Leagues South of St. Jago lies that Island called by the Portuguese Fogo the Burning Island in which riseth a steep Hill 6 Leagues high within the bowels of which is a constant fire which breaketh out with violence 4 times an hour Herein is engendered a great quantity of Pumice stones which being by the Vehemency of the Fire carried up into the Air fall down upon the Hill and many times into the Sea The rest of the Island is fruitful and Inhabited by Portugals Two Leagues to the South of this Island lies a pleasant Island full of Trees which are always green whence it is called the Brave Island being a Storehouse of many Fruits as Figs Coco's Plantons Oranges c. full of pleasant streams of Water But there is no convenient Road for Ships For after long sounding we could find no ground at any hand neither was it ever known that any line would fetch ground in any place about the Island So that the Top of Fogo burneth not so high in the Air but that the root of Brava is buried as low in the Seas The only Inhabitant of this Island is an Hermite as we suppose for we saw but one House built as it seems for such purpose and he was so delighted in his solitary life that he would by no means abide our coming but fled leaving behind him a Cross with a Crucifix and such other Idolatrous trash Here we dismissed the Portugals taken at St. Jago and gave them for their Ship our new Pinnace with Provision to carry them home Having thus taken in fresh Water we departed Feb. 2. and fell with the Coast of Brazil Apr. 5. 1578. during which Voyage where we saw nothing but Sea and Air as we beheld the wonderful Works of God in his creatures so likewise we did tast the goodness thereof for relief of our necessities We often had adverse Winds and sometimes Calms and also terrible Lightnings and Thunder yet with a mixture of comforts for it pleased God that whereas we were but badly furnished with Water when we were within 4 degrees of the Line on this side and past it so many on the other we had every day some rain whereby our want of Water was much supplied This was also observable that notwithstanding the badness of the passage and Storms we sometimes had yet not one of us lost our company save only the Portugal prize for one day but next day found us again Among the many strange creatures we saw we took particular notice of a flying Fish as big as the ordinary Pilchards its fins are of the length of its whole body resembling and supplying the use of Wings for therewith when it is chased by bigger Fish and cannot escape by Swimming it lifteth it self above the Water and flyeth a pretty height sometimes lighting on Boats or Barks The Quils thereof are proportionable set together with a thin Film so that they would serve for a longer or higher flight but that the dryness of them is such that unless moistned every 10 or 12 strokes they grow stiff and unfit for motion The encrease of this Creature is wonderful which if it had not been so their kind could not have been continued they being a prey to so many Creatures And when they flee into the Air in shunning one hazard they commonly incur another by some ravenous Foul. When we came within 3 Leagues of Brazil in 31 deg 30 min. South latitude having 12 Fathom Water we were descried by the Inhabitants and we saw huge fires made by them in several places which custom though it be universal among Christians and Heathens yet is differently used by them to wit for a sacrifice to Devils with many other conjurations casting up heaps of sand c. that if any Ships stay upon their Coast their ministring Spirits may make wrack of them which the Portuguese have found to their loss But this devilish intent of theirs was of no effect to us for though we had great Storms yet we sustained no damage but the separating our Ships And seeing we could find no Harbor thereabout we coasted along Southward till April 14 in the morning we passed by Cape St. Mary in 35 deg near the mouth of the River Plate and running within it 6 or 7 Leagues we came to Anchor under another Cape which our General after called Cape Joy because the second day after our Anchoring here the Christopher we had lost in the former storm came to us again The cares our General took besides the main care of effecting our Voyage were these to keep our whole Fleet together to get fresh Water for our men and to refresh them when wearied And therefore at our departure from Cape Verde the next place of meeting if we should be dispersed or for Watering was appointed to be the River of Plate The Country thereabout is temperate of a sweet Air
went a little from us and pierced hie Leg with an Arrow till the Blood streamed hereby signifying his unfeigned Love They were in all that conversed with us about 50. In the Southermost part of this Bay there is a fresh Water River wherein are a great many Islands of which some have such store of Seals as would mantain an Army of men others are in like sort replenished with Foul. We could not perceive that People had any Boats or Canows to come to these Islands Their Victuals for ought we saw they eat raw They go all Armed with Bows an Elve long with Arrows of Reeds and headed with Flint-stone Artificially cut and fastened This Bay by reason of plenty of Seals we called Seal Bay for we killed 200 in one hour And being now well provided we Sailed thence June 3. towards the Pole Antarctick June 12. we Anchored in a little Bay and stayed 2 days discharging our Caunter the Christopher which we laid up here June 14. We departed and kept our course till the 17th then we Anchored in a Bay in 50 deg 20 min. distant not above a degree off the mouth of the Streights through which lay our way to the South Sea Here our General altered his course and steered Northward to seek after our Ship we had lost because that if we entred the Streight without them it would go hard with them And next day being June 19. towards night within a few Leagues of St. Julian we found her and because both Ship and men were distressed by weather our General bare into St. Julian June 20. that he might repair her and refresh them It standeth in 49 deg 3 min. South Lat. and hath on the South side of the Harbor picked Rocks and in the Harbor many Islands Being come to Anchor our General with some of his Company rowed further in a Boat to find out a place for Watering At his landing 2 of the Inhabitants by Magellane called Patagous or Pentagours from their huge stature and strength visited him seeming to rejoyce at his arrival taking great pleasure in seeing Mr. Oliver Master Gunner of the Admiral shoot an English Arrow trying to shoot with him but were far short of him Another of these came up and checkt his fellows for their familiarity with us and dealt with them to become our Enemies which our General and his men not suspecting used them as before and one Robert Winter shooting an Arrow at length his Bow-strings broke which they seeing fearing that more than our other weapons took courage and coming behind them while they suspecting nothing were going towards their Boat shot at him who had the Bow that he might not string it again and wounded him in the Shoulder whereupon he turning about was with another Arrow shot through his Lungs yet he fell not And the Master Gunner discharging his Calliver which miscarried was slain outright In this extremity our General behaving himself Wisely and Couragiously ordered his men to shift from place to place encroaching upon the Enemy and to use their Targets and other weapons for their defence and to break as many Arrows as they could come by knowing that their Arrows being spent they could have them at their pleasure And he himself shooting off the Calliver dispatched the beginner of the quarrel who had killed our Master Gunner whereby the courage of his partners was abated so that they were glad to save themselves by flight Our General chose rather to depart than take revenge that he might save one of his men who was dangerously wounded who notwithstanding dyed 2 days after he was carried aboard Our Gunners Body being left ashore that night our General next day with his Boat well manned went ashore to fetch it which they found lying where it was left but stript of his outer Garment and an Arrow stuck in his right Eye Both these Bodies were decently interred in one Grave Magellane rightly termed them Giants for they differ from the common sort of men in Stature Bigness Strength of Body and Hideousness of Voice but they are not so monstrous or Giant like as reported there being some English men as tall as they But the Spanish cruelties have made them more monstrous in mind than they are in Body and inhospitable to Strangen Notwithstanding the terror they conceived of us so quench't their heat that they forgot revenge and seeming to repent of the wrong done us suffered us to do what we would for 2 months space without molestation To this evil received of them a greatr was devised among our selves but it was detected and prevented in time which if it had taken our General and his faithful Friends had been murthered to the final frustrating of our whole design This Plot had been contrived at Plimouth and was discovered to our General there yet our General gave no credit to it as being a person he had such affection to And therefore afterward he not only continued his favour to this suspected person but used him as his bosom friend And he was often offended at them who discovered the Treachery to him But at length perceiving his lenity did no good and that his Ambition was not allyed he resolved to call his practices in question before it were too late And therefore assembling his Captains he had him before them where the Gentleman knowing himself Guilty shewing great remorse for his unkind dealing besought them to execute justice upon him Whereupon they all adjudged him worthy of death This judgments was held ashore in one of the Islands of that Port which in memory of that was called the Island of True Justice and Judgment He desired to receive the Sacrament before his death which was granted And John Fletcher Preacher of the Fleet administred it to him Our General likewise communicating with him afterwards they dined together as lovingly as ever they had done and took their farewel as they had only been going a Journey After dinner the sentence was executed upon him he shewing great remorse for that heinous crime and great signs of devotion at his death Afterwards we buried him setting a Mill-stone we found there broke in two at his head and feet and engraved thereod the names of our men that were buried and a memorial of our Captains name in Latine After he was executed our General discharging the Mary our Portugal Prize being leak defaced her and having Watered and Trimmed our Ships and reduced our Fleet to 3 Ships besides our Pinnaces we departed this Port Aug. 3. and set our course for the Streight S. W. Aug. 20. We fell with the Cape near which is the entrance into the Streight by the Spaniards called Capo Virgin Maria appearing at 4 Leagues distance with steep gray Cliffs full of black Stars against which the Sea beating represents the spouting of Whales the highest Cape being like Cape Vincent in Portugal At this Cape our General caused his Fleet in homage to our Soveraign Lady the Queens
and straight the leaves whereof are like our Broom among these Trees were a multitude of Worms no bigger than Flies which by night did cast great light There was here also a great number of Bats of the Bigness of a Hen with flie wonderfully swift but their flight is short and when they light they hang by the Boughs with their Backs downwards There was here likewise a Kind of Cray Fish of such size that one would satisfie 4 men being very wholesom Food They do not live in the Sea but dig themselves caves under the roots of Trees lodging by Companies when we came to take them they climbed up Trees to hide themselves This Island we called Crab Island Dec. 12. We put to Sea and on the 16 had sight of Celebes or Sillebis but having a bad Wind and being entangled with Islands and other difficulties and dangers we could not recover the North of Sillebis or continue or course further West but were necessitated to steer Southwards finding that course very dangerous by reason of the many Shoals and Jan. 9. when we thought we were past all danger and had a prosperous Gale of Wind of a Sudden when we were sailing with full Sail in the beginning of the first night Watch our Ship was laid fast on a desperate Shoal where we expected nothing but present death Notwithstanding having first recommended our selves to God by prayer we endeavoured to use the means and in the first place plying our Pumps we found the leak nothing encreased which was some tho small encouragement to us Our next Essay was for good ground and anchor-hold to Seaward of us whereon to hale by which means if by any our General told us there was some hope left but when we sounded we found that even a Boats length from the Ship we could not find ground so that our hopes quite vanished and nothing but present death or at least a lingring death was before us In those fears and perplexities we spent this night next morning we tryed to see if we could now find any Anchor-hold but this succeeded no better than the former But it pleased God miraculously to deliver us so that we got clear of it This Shoal is 3024 Leagues in length lyes in 1 deg betwixt 56 and 57. min. South Lat. This was the greatest danger we met with in our whole Voyage Yet we were tossed with several storms for 3 weeks after Jan. 12. being not able to bear Sail we dropt our Anchors upon a Shoal in 3 deg 30 min. Jan. 14. We again anchored at an Island in 4 deg 6 min. South Lat. After this we had foul Weather so that we were weary of the Coast of Celebes The farthest Cape of Celebes is in 5 deg South Lat. Jan. 20. We were forced to run with a small Island not far thence and sought for a place where we might anchor when suddenly a storm arose out of the Southwest whereby we were in fear of being cast away on a Lee shore and had if the merciful Goodness of God had not wrought our delivery Having escaped this danger we continued our course till 26 day when the winds arising we could bear no sail till Feb. 1. At which time we saw very high land and would willingly have got in there but that the weather was so bad Feb. 3. We saw a little Island but could not fetch it Feb. 6. We saw 5 Islands one to the East and 4 to the West of us at the biggest of which we anchored and watred Feb. 8. we departed thence and descried 2 Canows who having seen us before came willingly to us conducting us to their Town not far off named Baratina it is in 7 deg 13 min. South Lat. The People are Gentiles of handsom Body comely Stature civil Demeanor just in dealing and courteous to Strangers The men go naked save their Heads and Secret parts having Pendules at their Ears Their Women are covered from the middle to the Foot wearing Bracelets upon their Arms for most part of Horn or Brass each at least weighing 2 Ounces With this People Linnen Cloath is the best Merchandise as also Margareta's and such other things Their Island is rich and Fruitful abounding in Gold Silver Tin Sulphur c. Fruits are likewise plentiful as Nutmegs Ginger Long-Pepper c. Here we spent 2 days and departed Feb. 10. In 8 deg 4 min. Feb. 12. we espied a green Land to the Southward and a little after 2 Islands on the same side and one more on the North all which we past Feb. 14. we saw other big Islands and Feb. 15 past between 4 or 5 big Islands in 9 deg 40 min. Feb. 18. we anchored in a little Island and departed next day Feb. 22. we lost sight of some Islands on our Star-Board side After this we steered Westward seeing nothing considerable till Mar. 9. in the morning we espied Land some part thereof very high in 8 deg 20. min. and bearing farther North Mar. 10. we anchored we first took in Water and afterwards sent our Boat ashore and traffiqued with the People of the Country and next day brought our Ship nearer the Town our General sent Linnen and Woollen Cloath and some Silks as a Present for the King in requital whereof he returned Rice Cocoes Hens and other Victuals This Island we found to be Java the middle whereof is in 7 deg 30 min. South Lat. Mar. 13. Our General with others went ashore and complemented the King with his Musick shewing him likewise the manner of our exercising Arms we were courteously received and dismissed with promise of more supplies In this Island there is one Chief but many Under-Governors whom they call Raias who live in great love Marc. 14. we received Victuals from 2 of them and on the 15. three of these petty Kings visited our General who were highly satisfied with what they saw and with our entertainment and on their return related what they saw to Raia Donan the Chief King who next day came aboard us bringing Victuals with him for our relief Few days past but one or more of these Kings visited us so that we were acquainted with most of them and our General always entertained them to the utmost of his Power especially with our Musick wherewith they were extremely delighted The People of this place as also their Princes are a loving and just dealing People which we found in our traffiquing with them Taking our leaves of them Marc. 26. we set our course W. S. W. directly towards the Cape of good Hope and May 21. we espied a part of the Main of Africa We coasted along till June 15. and past the Cape within shot of it July 15. we fell with Land again about Rio de Sesto Jul. 22. we came to Sierra Leona and watered in the Mouth of Tagoine and put to Sea again here we had Oisters and plenty of Lemmons Aug. 15. we were under the Tropick of Cancer having the Wind
purpose to destroy strangers This Island yields much Canadoe Wine diverse sorts of Grain Conies and Partridges There is another Island 20 Leagues from this called the Tenereffe a very high Land Sept. 28. We departed towards the West Indies taking our course S. W. and by W. on the 29. we sailed S. W. and by S. the 30. S. W. the first of October W. and by S. the 13. W. in the height of 16 deg The 25 of this Month the Hope and Adventure fell foul on each other about ten at Night they of the Adventure were forc'd to cut their Misson and throw it over-board Octob. 27. We espied Martinino an Island inhabited by a barbarous People called Canibals 10 Miles from this Island is another called Dominica where is much Tobacco the people traffiqued with us in exchange for their Tabacco The Weapons they use are Bows and Arrows made of Reeds with sharp Pieces of Braseil on the ends they wear their Hair long cut round by their Shoulders Octob. 30. we came to Gordelowpa distant from this ten Leagues where are many Rivers issuing from the Mountains with great force into the Sea From whence we sailed toward the River Della-Hatch N. W. and by N. and Nov. 7. we descried three Islands of the Trigonies viz. Mononalla Rotmido and Savoa Nov. 10. we set sail for John de Portrizo W. and by N. These Islands belong to Virginia in some of their Harbours 1000 Ships may ride at Anchor Novem. 12. we Anchored within 4 Miles of Portrizo against a great Fort where was placed a Piece of Ordnance which plyed us divers times with shot This day Sir John Hawkins died The same night also as Sir Francis Drake Sir Thomas Baskerfield and others sate at supper Sir Nicholas Clifford Capt. Stratford and Mr. Brut Browne were wounded with the same Piece of Ordnance from the Fort and as Sir Francis Drake was drinking a Cup of Beer his Stool was struck from under him but he received no hurt Sr. Nicholas Clifford died instantly of his Wounds The same night also we went against the Town and Anchored Nov. 13. Our General called a Council Next Night 500 Men went with Shot and Fire-works to burn the 5 Men of War which rode within the Harbor one of which held 400 Tun the rest smaller In this Ship was planted much Ordnance besides small shot which played on our Men and also great store of shot from the shore Tho we were no Gainers by this assault as having lost a Ship and several Men yet it was a valiant attempt All those that were in that great Ship were slain and drowned save 4. we took up They told us that by reason they had notice of our coming our design was marred they told us also that this Town had in it 3000000 of the King of Spains Treasure and that they kept our Men they had taken in the Little Francis whereupon our General wrote to the Governor to use them civilly This Town stands on a small Island encompassed with the Sea on one side and a great River on the other Nov. 15. Sir Jo. Hawkins and Sir Nich. Clifford were thrown over Board the same day we espied a Spanish Carvel coming towards St. Jo. de Portricho and our General sent off some men to take her but those in the Castle perceiving it shot off a Piece whereby they had warning and ran ashore Nov. 16. We departed thence and sailing 36 Leagues came to St. Jermans Bay there we landed some Companies to Guard the Carpenters that built out Pinnaces Near this is a House called an Ingeneroide where Sugar is made This day Captain Brut died Nov. 23. John Standly was had before a Court Marshall Nov. 22. Sir Tho. Baskerfield took 2 men of this Island a Negroe and Clemeronne Nov. 24. the Ship the John of Frollony of Plimouth was burnt in the Bay the same day we departed for Crusao distant from St. Jermans 150 Leagues stayed but three or four Hours Nov. 29. we espied the Main Land called the West-Indies N. N. E. from us we sailed along the Coast to Della Hatch and the same day anchored within 10 Leagues of it Dec. 2. We sailed to the Town all that day and entred it at one a Clock at Night the Enemy had Fled leaving about 12 Souldiers in the Town who gave us a Volley and then all Fled save 2 we took Prisoners They had carried all away so that we found nothing in the Town Dec. 3. The Spaniards parlyed with us for a certain Sum to ransom the Town and on the 4th they brought Pearl c. but less in value than we compounded for our General refused it and ordered to burn the Town which was accordingly done at our departure Dec. 16. the Governor came to Parly our Men went to seek for Victuals and met with the Governor We took more Prisoners and found some of their Goods and carried them away At our departure we lest the Town all on Fire save a Religious House not finished and another House the Treasury used to be kept in In it we found some of their Treasure and Merchandise This Country yieldeth store of Cattle and Fowl The People are Indians and Negroes they are wild and savage People save those the Spaniards keep in Subjection and War against the Spaniards There is a Mountain 10 Leagues hence whereon Snow remaineth constantly Dec. 19. we came to Sancta Martha the Inhabitants had Fled to the Mountains but we pursued them into the Woods and found some Treasure the same day we took the Governors Deputy Dec. 20. we departed leaving it on Fire we were told that we were within 3 Leagues of a Gold Mine On Christmass day we sailed to Nombre de Dios and on the 27th anchored before it this day the Serj. Major died We landed our Men a Mile from the Town and marched towards it the Enemy gave us a Bravadoe of shot and fled into the Woods their Goods and Treasure being sent before They had but 3 Pieces of Ordnance and one of them broke with a shot We found some Treasure in the Woods Our General had notice of the Governors going to Panama and Sir Tho. Baskerfield went with 500 Men to surprize him in this journey we were in great Hazard of our Lives we went but 9 Miles and could get no farther being stopt by a Fort the Enemy had on the Top of a Rock through which we behoved to march the Passage was so narrow that but one man at once could go up so that we were forced to retire with loss Several both Commanders and Soldiers were hurt Returning to Nombre de Dios we saw it all on Fire and thereupon hasted to our Ships In this March a Pair of Shoes were sold for 30 s. and a Bisket Cake for 10 s. our want was so great Jan. 5. We departed and on the 10th came to Scoday it is N. and by W. from Nombre de Dios the same day we
chased a Spanish Frigat and on the 11th brought it to our General The same day our General commanded all our sick Men to be carried ashore and to be lookt to in best sort we could Jan. 22. We departed back towards Nombre de Dios and came to Porta Vella Jan. 27. on which day Sir Francis Drake died whose Death was much lamented His Interment was thus His Corps being laid in a Coffin of Lead he was let down into the Sea the Trumpets in doleful manner sounding all the while and all the Cannons in the Fleet were discharged We stayed here till Feb. 8. In this Harbor they were beginning to build Houses again The day before we departed the Enemy took 6 of our Men. Feb. 18. we departed hence we took our course for Gemico North and by West Feb. 2. we descried some Islands called Gourdanes distant from Porta Vella 200 Leagues and West from Gemico To the East they are high Land to the West low we sailed to the Cape of Corenthus Feb. 27. we passed the Shoals to the West of this low Land one of our Ships being in danger and Mar. 1. we saw 20 of the Kings Men of War and afterwards fought with them 2 Hours and worsted them we plyed the Vice-Admiral so hard that if she had not fled she had sunk and another that was with her her Powder took Fire Next day we sailed to Cape St. Anthony Thirteen of them following us when they came nigh us we sent 2 Ships to them but they made away May 4. we came to St. Anthony distant from Cape Corenthus 18. Leagues thence to Havana 80 Leagues thence to the Gulf. The same day we saw Cape Florida N. W. and by N. from us and afterwards entred the Gulf in Length 100 Leagues and passed it next night March 9. we past the Barmuthies April 8. 1596. we came to the Islands of Flowers and Cores inhabited by Portugals here we watered and in short time after arrived at England A Brief RELATION Of the Spanish Invasion TO conclude we shall give you a Brief account of the defeat of the Spanish Armado being this worthy Gentlemen served in Her Majesties Fleet set out against it The King of Spain being importuned by the Pope and some English Fugitives to attempt a conquest of England entred into consultation about the manner of it The Marquess of St. Cruce who was to command the Armado and the Prince of Parma were for first surprizing some Sea Port Town in Holland or Zealand But others alledged that it would be easier to seize some Port in England which latter was approved of And in order thereto he set forth the Armado being in all 130 Ships containing 57808 Tun wherein were 845 Mariners 19295 Souldiers and 2088 Galley Slaves and were provided with 220000 of Bullets and great Shot of Powder 4200 Kintals each Kintal 100 l. weight of Lead for Bullets 1000 Kintals of Match 1200 Kintals 7000 Musquets 10000 Halberts and Partizans with store of Murthering Pieces Double Cannon and Field Pieces with all other Provisions necessary for accomplishing their design The Marquess of Sancta Cruce dying Don Lodovicos Peros Duke of Medina Sidonia was made General in his Place Joh. Martinez de Richalde was Admiral Don Francisco Bovadille Mareschal Don Martin Alcaron was Vicar-General for the Inquisition attended with 100 Jesuites Cardinal Allen was appointed Superintendent of Ecclesiastical Affairs in England The Prince of Parma also built flat bottomed Ships in Flanders for carrying of Horses with Bridges fitted to ship and unship the Horses he set men at work to make the River navigable from Antwerp to Gaunt and Bridges and laded 300 Boats with Munition and Victuals 200 more not so big as the former lay ready at Newport Haven and 37 Men of War at Dunkirk with all other Provisions requisite to carry on the design He had lying near Newport under the Command of Camillo 30 Companies of Italians 2 of Walloons and 8 of Burguignons At Dyxmew he mustered 80 Companies of Netherlanders 60 of Spaniards and 60 of High-Dutch and 700 Fugitive English commanded by Sir William Stanley who were in great contempt Nor was Stanley nor the Earl of Westmorland and others who offered their service heard but barred all access and rejected as Traiters to their Countrey At Conick also he had 4000 and at Watene 900 Horse commanded by the Marquess of Guast To this Land service came the Duke of Pastrana the King of Spain's supposed Base Son the Marquess of Bourgon one of Duke Ferdinands Sons with others of like Quality Pope Sixtus Quintus was very forward in this design dispersing his Indulgences and Pardons to all that contributed thereto and promised likewise to give a Million of Gold the one half presently the other when any notable Haven in England should be won but with this Proviso that England should be held as Feudatory to the See of Rome Queen Elizabeth hearing of these great Preparations having first represented her case to God and implored his Protection she provided what force she could The Charge of her Navy she committed to Charles Howard of Effingam Lord Admiral of England Her Vice-Admiral was the Famous Sir Francis Drake who were sent to the West of England She appointed Henry Lord Seimour second Son to the Duke of Somerset to lye upon the Coasts of Flanders with 40 Ships to prevent the Prince of Parma's joyning his strength with the Armado She ordered the Land-forces to be mustered appointing Duilley Earl of Leicester Lieut. 20000. whereof were disposed along the South Coast She had also 2 Armies one consisting of 1000 Horse and 22000 Foot encamped near the Mouth of the Thames where the Enemy purposed to land the other led by the L. Hunsdon consisting of 34000 Foot and 2000 Horse which were to guard her Person Arthur Lord Grey Sir Francis Knolles Sir Rich Bingham and Sir Roger Williams were appointed to consult for Managing the Land service They advised that all commodious landing Places should be manned and fortified and that the Trained Bands throughout the Coast shires should meet upon signal given to hinder the Enemies Landing And in case they should land that they should lay all the Countrey about Waste that the Enemy might have no Food but what they brought from their Ships and that they should continually busy the Enemy with Alarms but not hazard a Battle till greater Force were got together Some also suggested that the Papists at home were more to be feared than the Spaniards abroad whereupon some of them were imprisoned Directions also were sent to the Deputy of Ireland how to demean himself in this imminent danger In the midst of these Preparations the King of Spain to cast a mist over her Majesties Eyes importuned for a Peace and at last prevailed so far that a Treaty of Peace was entred upon our Queen notwithstanding Resolving to treat with her Sword in her Hand And in Febr. she sent her Commissioners into Flanders