SIK FEANCIS DKAKE'S
MEMORABLE
SEEVICE DONE AGAINST THE SPANIAKDS
IN 1587. WRITTEN BY ROBERT LENG, GENTLEMAN,
ONE OF HIS CO-ADVENTURERS AND FELLOW- SOLDIERS.
NOW FIRST EDITED,
FROM THE ORIGINAL MS. IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM, TOGETHER WITH AN APPENDIX OF ILLUSTRATIVE PAPERS,
BY CLARENCE HOPPER.
PRINTED FOR THE CAMDEN SOCIETY, M.DCCC.LXIII.
INTRODUCTION.
OF all the expeditions undertaken by Sir Francis Drake that of 1587 — when he was reluctantly dispatched by his perplexed sove- reign to Spain, to curb the gigantic preparations of Philip the Second for the invasion of this country — must be acknowledged as the most happy in its conceptions, and the most brilliant in its results.
In less than two months from the time of his departure from Plymouth, the intrepid admiral completely swept from the coasts of Gallicia, Portugal, and Andalusia every description of craft, from the formidable galley to the humble trawl, bearing the flag of, or politically connected with, the dynasty of Spain.
Drake's achievements in that brief space of time are absolutely unparalleled in the annals of naval warfare. In his rapid progress he annihilated the tunny fishery, upon the annual success of which the Spanish nation almost exclusively depended during Lent and other seasons of abstinence. To a devoted Catholic nation such a loss, in that age, was a serious if not irreparable calamity. In the harbour of Cadiz he destroyed ten thousand tons of shipping, besides warlike stores and provisions of incalculable value, which had been laboriously gathered from the widely-spread dominions of Philip, and from other countries in alliance with the crown of Spain, to furnish supplies for the renowned, and so-called " Invincible," Armada.
The signal discomfiture and loss inflicted upon the Spaniards
4 INTRODUCTION.
necessitated a postponement of their long-meditated invasion of our shores; whilst England, by the activity, courage, and skill of Drake, gained an additional twelvemonth for making preparation to resist her formidable and implacable foes ; but that which was of infinitely greater importance, her gallant sea-captain had fairly tested the vaunted superiority of the large Spanish galleys, and taught his followers to despise them. In a few hours he demonstrated their unfitness to cope with the lighter vessels of Britain. Such a lesson was not lost upon his countrymen in the following year, when Drake saw the fulfilment of his boast, that four of the Queen's ships were more than a match for the new-fangled and unwieldy argosies of Spain.
This terrible visitation on the coasts of the Spanish monarch Drake, who appears to have been as witty as he was bold, was wont jocosely to term " the singeing of King Philip's beard"
From Cadiz Sir Francis directed his course towards the Azores, where his customary good fortune attended him. Off the island of Terceira he fell in with and captured a stupendous and richly -laden carrack, returning from a lengthened voyage to the East Indies. As well from the commodities as from the journal, charts, and other papers and documents found on board that prize, our merchants learned for the first time the immense commercial resources of the East. It was, in fact, the capture of this magnificent vessel that suggested the first idea of establishing the East India Company. The name of Drake, although he did not live to see the company incorporated by royal charter, is thus identified with the most superb acquisition of the British crown.
Successful and brilliant as were the results of this memorable expedition, it is very remarkable that fewer details of it are generally known than of any other in which Drake had a share. With the
INTRODUCTION. 5
exception of the brief account in Hakluyt, and a briefer one contained in a contemporary tract preserved in the Grenville Library, and asserted to be unique, entitled "Neives out of the Coasts of Spain." 4° Land., 1587, (which no doubt was written by Captain Thomas Fenner, vice-admiral in succession to Captain Burrough,) nothing further with respect to this expedition has been published.
As the present relation contains the fullest particulars, both with respect to the attack upon the previously conceived impregnable harbour of Cadiz, and the fortunate seizure of the treasure-laden San Philippe, it necessarily constitutes an equally important and interesting addition to our naval history.
Of Robert Leng, the author of the following pages, nothing whatever is known.
It is not improbable that he was one of the volunteer soldiers to whom Drake makes allusion in his letter to the Council under date of March 3, 1587 : " There are here at this presente [in Plymouth] a great nomber of goode and serviceable soldyers, which voluntarilie have resorted hither to serve in this action, as this bearer, Captaine Marchaunte, who hath scene the trayninge of them, can geive your Lordships to understande." (Add. MS. 9294, fol. 136.) And again in his letter to Walsingham of the 2nd of April following: " If your .honor did now se the flett under sayell, and knew with what resollu- cyon men's mynds dow enter into this accyon, as your honor would rejoyce to se them, so ye would judge a small force would not devyd them. I asure your honor, uppon my credytt, ther are many suffycyent men in this accyon, yeat there hath dyvers start from us within this tow dayes past, and we all thinck by some practys of some adversaryes to the accyon, by letters written ; they are most maryners; we have soldyers in their place." (Dom. Corresp. S. P. 0.)
In spite of these cowardly desertions, there were many stout and
6 INTRODUCTION.
valiant hearts left behind, to accompany the naval hero to the scene of his successes, amongst whom we may number the penman of this narrative.
Seaman, soldier, or gentleman-adventurer, allured to sea by the brilliant reputation of Drake, this was manifestly his primary voyage. His plain, straightforward, and sailor- like story, which differs in no essential particular from what is known of the expedi- tion, is a guarantee for his accuracy and faithfulness. He fills in a picture of which before we possessed only the bare outline.
Unpretending, whether in his capacity of soldier or writer, he reminds the reader that he is " wanting in both learning and skill in arms ;" nevertheless a history such as this, coming to us fresh from the pen of one of the devoted followers of Drake, can scarcely fail, from its terseness and simplicity, to be attractive to most readers.
Leng's unbounded admiration of his commander is an additional proof (were it needed) of the singular estimation in which that greatest of sea-captains was held by his men, and the entire narrative tends (indirectly at least) to show how unjust were the prejudices which the peace-party in the divided Court of Elizabeth, at the most critical juncture in her reign, entertained against him.
Drake, by virtue of a commission, was no sooner despatched upon his errand, than (with the vacillating policy of the Queen's advisers) a missive was hastened after him, urging a more moderate routine of hostilities, and doubtless considerably qualifying the previous instructions.
Sir James Croft, the Comptroller of the Eoyal Household, than whom no one entertained a stronger prejudice or exhibited more determined animosity against Drake for his audacious proceedings in the Indies, fearing a repetition of his conduct upon the Spanis coast, which would inevitably destroy all hope of effecting a treaty
INTRODUCTION. 7
of peace, actually carried his opposition so far as to publicly accuse the Admiral of defrauding her Majesty of treasure, in jewels and bullion, to an almost fabulous amount, and corrupting with his ill- gotten spoils not a few officers in her navy. It is scarcely necessary to add that this desperate scheme of the Comptroller for preventing the sailing of Drake, even for an hour, utterly failed. No credence whatever was attached to his extraordinary accusation ; it passed unheeded alike by the Council and the public.
To have traced this original commission and instructions, under the Queen's hand would have been important, as manifesting the full extent of authority committed to the commander of the expedi- tion ; but unfortunately research has been without avail to discover any record of the same, none appearing to exist other than the date quoted in the " Agreement with the Merchant Adventurers," and a kind of abstract to be found in a letter from Burroughs to Drake dated 30 April, 1587, in these words: "As I take it, the substaunce of the scope that is given you [Drake] is this, for that by information the kinge of Spaine is preparinge a greate armie by sea, parte at Lisbone and other in Andolozia, and within the streightes, all which was judged should meete at Lisbone, and the same to come for Eng- land or some parte of her Mates domynions, her Mates pleaseur is by advise of her highnes counsaile that you, with these shippes now under your charge, should come hether to this cape and uppon this coaste, and seeke by all the best meanes you can to impeache there purpose and stoppe theare meetinge at Lisbone (if it might be), whereof the manner how is referred' to your discression. This is the effect of your instruccions as I remember, &c. * * * I doe not finde by your instruccions any advice to lande, but I remember a speciall caviatt and advice given you to the contrarie by the Lord Highe Admirall."
8 INTRODUCTION.
The despatch sent after the captain of the fleet, advocating a milder and more temperate course of action, never reached him : adverse winds enforced the messenger to come home, and the govern- ment, unable to punish the humble bearer of their letters, in its eagerness to appease foreign policy, threw the entire odium of the matter upon Drake, avowing its intention, on his return, to call him to account for that which, in its own estimation, was little else than an act of daring and unauthorised piracy.
The Editor has been fortunate enough to discover, not only the bill of lading of the San Philippe, but also various statements of the actual amount of treasure which Drake and his companions brought home with them in the summer of 1587, together with some few other unpublished papers bearing upon the same expedi- tion. Two letters, moreover, from Sir Francis himself, affording his own description of the attack, the which are already in print (but in tracts so rare and curious that it may well excuse their re-production), must not pass unnoticed. These he has thrown into an Appendix, as illustrative of the text ; and trusts that they will be considered useful and interesting adjuncts to the modest and un- varnished narration of Robert Leng.
CLARENCE HOPPER.
Denmark Road, Camberwell, September 1, 1862.
Anno Domini 1587. Annoque Regni Regine Elizabethe
xxix° .
The true Discripcion of the last voiage of
that worthy Captayne, Sir Frauncis
Drake, knight, with his service
done against the Spanyardes ;
collected by Roberte
Leng, gentleman,
one of the said
voiage.
ALTIOR FORTUNA VIRTUS.
CAMD. SOC.
To the Right Honorable Arthur,
Lord Grey of Wilton, and
Knight of the most honorable
Order of the Garter, Roberte
Leng wysheth increase
of honor and all
happynes.
£
Consyderinge, (Eight honorable,) that the loue of our country serves for a touchstone to trye the pretious nature of true nobility e, whome truth hath puryfied in her burninge fornace ; I was incyted by the zeale I beare you to present yow with theise fewe crookeed lynes, the pythe whereof discribes the true voiage of that worthy knight, Sir Frauncis Drake, in whose company my self, being one of the least yett in affeccion agreable to the best, earnestly desyerd to patronage this copye under your honors proteccion ; knowing that wysdom wynckes att small faultes, where the foolyshe make all faultes. Thus, hopeinge of your favorable acceptaunce, I comytt your honor's happy enterpryces to the guidinge of the Allmightye.
Your honor's to comaunde,
EGBERT LENG.
Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem
Testa din.
« [Hor. Epist. lib. i. Epist. ii. 69.]
TO THE READER.
IT is imagined by the Poetes, gentle reader, that Minarva the goddesse of Learninge was paynted with a speare and a shelde, thereby intendinge that, as she favored learninge, soe she guided the course of warr. Off whome althoughe my selfe am not worthye to be protected, (being soe sacred and syncere a goddesse,) wantinge both learninge and skyll in armes : yett herein am I bold- ened, by the courtesye of your favors, to shadowe my accions, and the full effect of theise my enterprices under your frendly judgementes; which I hope you will not misinterprett, consyderinge yt contayneth the excellent prowesse of soe martiall a man, whose worthye actes may commende him for pollycye a secondeVlisses, for martiall affayres an other Hector, and for profitable goverment a new Licurgus : which shyninge vertues (to illustrate soe blessed a comon welth,) may neyther by right be obscured nor hindred to sett fourth the comfort- able brightnes thereof. Theise causes, friendly reader, (rather then my owne devyse,) make me presume to present unto your discretions this true discourse, warranted with the sayinge of that mirror Alex- ander, who lyked the rude poemes of wytlesse Cherillus because they contayne the happynes of Homer.
Your lovinge frend,
Ko: LENG.
THE PEEFACE.
WHEKEAS yt hath bene th'order of all antiant orators, in the behalfe of the honor and credytt of every of there severall provinces and country es, to regester, imbooke, or incronicle all such worthy e persons, both for prowesse and pollycye, as by there valyant actes have deserved perpetuall remembraunce of there worthynes : soe I have thought good (thoughe farr inferior in learninge or eloquence to any of theise learned orators, yett not behynd them in good will), to sett fourth in particularytyes the most noble actes and attemptes of our valyant and fortunate Champyon, Sir Frauncis Drake, knight. The which he hath done of late with his courragious company to his and there great honor, the comodytye and credytt of there countrye; the lyke never in any age done by any subject, which, to them that have not sene them or bene att the doeinge thereof, might seame most incledible or att the least most invincible : and which were great obsurdytye for us his frendes and countrymen to drowne in the syncke of oblivion, whereby our poster [it]ye shoulde condem, eyther our ignoraunce in disablynge us, or our folly in not discribinge the worthynes of his magnanimtye, for th'incouragement and credytt of them and country hereafter. My selfe, amongst the least, being loth that soe valiant a man shoulde be forgotten, havinge bene in this his last voiage and sene his worthynes therein, have boldely taken upon me (thoughe unlearned) to sett downe in this my booke his particuler and most valyant actes and exploites, as truly as my remembraunce will geve me leave : more respectinge to have his name to be had in famous remembraunce, then eyther comendacions to my selfe (which my desertes cannot obtayne,) or the feare of the envious reporte of the malitious, who had rather have all men deade men, lyke them selves, then that they shoulde lyve in future
14 THE TRUE DESCRIPTION OF THE
remembraunce of our posterytye ; th'effect whereof as breeffly as I can gather hereafter followeth.
On the fyrst day of Aprill, beinge Satterday, our Generall, Sir Frauncis Drake, havinge stayed att Plymouth 8 dayes fully to furnishe his flete ; the next day followinge, beinge Sonday, and the seconnde day of the same mounth, we all put out to sea, in number 25 sayle: videlicet, the Elizabeth-Bonaventor, admirall; the Golden Lyon, vize-admirall ; the Dreade-naughte, reare admirall; and the Raynebowe: theise 4 the Queen Majesties shipps, the rest beinge marchaunt shipps and pynnisses. And soe, kepinge our course towardes Portugall, on Monday the 3. day in the forenone, (havinge a faire wynde,) we had in chasse two sayles, who in shorte space we brought under our lee ; who, being 2 men of war of Lyme, our generall comaunded them to attende his flete for better assystaunce in his voiage, to whose courteous comaundement they willingly obayed ; and on Wednesday next, the 5. of the same mounth, we discried the lande of Galizia, and costinge towardes the North Cape within 2 dayes followinge we were dryven by extremitye of wether to sea, where for the space of T dayes in a tempest we were tossed, in which saide tempest we lost a lytle pynnisse called the Martigo, and all our flete severally disperced; but, (God be thanked !) by the carefull advice and comaundement of our Generall, within one day and a night after we were all gathered together againe. And kepeinge our course towards the South Cape, on the 17. day of Aprill, we sayled by yt : dyverse of our small barkes and pynnisses shoreinge in, and chasseinge within there bayes there small barkes and carvells, and Avhere we tooke one ; and so from thence we bore on to the Estwardes, and on Wednesday in th'afternone, the 19. of the same mounth, we arryved within the rode att Cales, where we founde a great flete of shippes rydeing. Soe sone as we were discried, 2 of there gallyes made towardes us, and, judging what we were, they made haste into shore againe, not offeringe to shoote one shott att us ; yett, before they coulde retorne, our Admirall with
VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, A.D. 1587. 15
others of our flette shott them thorowe, and slew ten of there men : presently there came fourth from the towne ten other gallyes, and foughte with us, but we applyed them soe well with our great ordenaunce, that two of them were fayne to be hay led up that night. In the meane tyme the marchaunt ryall and the rest of the marchaunte shipps, our flete, made staye of dyverse of there shipps, which had cutt there cables, and hoiste there sayles, to have gotten over to Porte Ryall, St. Mary Porte, and to other harbors nighe there unto. Some escaped, but most of them were stayed, whome when we boorded, moste of there men leaped into the rode and swym to shore. The same night our generall, havinge, by Godes good favor and sufference, good opportunitye to ponishe the enemye of Godes true Gospell and our dayly adversarye, and further willinge to discharge his expected dutye towardes God, his prynce, and country, begun to synck and fyer dyverse of there shipps. Amongst which there was one argocye sunck, (sore against all our wills,) which had in her as yt was reported 36 brasse peces.
The next day the Gallyes made dy vers bravadoies upon us ; the towne and other there fortes also played upon us all the day longe, but did us lytle hurte ; savinge that the master gunner of the Golden Lyon had his legg broke with a shott from the towne. The same day and nyght following our generall (to performe and fynishe his good service, and knowing there noe place of stay,) begun to burne afreshe, amongst which there was one shipp of the Marques de S1* Cruses burnte, which was thought to be a shipp of fyftene hundred tuns, and had in her 500 tuns of iron : we did burne in the whole aboute 30 sayle all of great burthen, soe that I judge we spoyled him 7000 tons of shippinge: we burned and brought away with us 500 tuns of breade, we also burned 400 tuns of wheate, we also spoyled him 2000 tuns of wyne, besydes great quantitye of oyle. And all our shipps well furnished with wyne, bread, oyle, and other necessaryes.
This great provicion of shippinge and victualls (as the Spanyardes saide,) were prepared against Englande. But the Allmightye God, knowinge and seeinge his wycked intent to ponishe, molest, and
16 THE TRUE DESCRIPTION OF THE
treble his lytle flock, the children of Israel, hath raysed up a faith- full Moyses for the defence of his chosen, and will not suffer his people utterly to fall into the hands of there enimyes. Our good God did soe mercyfully and favorably assyste our happye generall and leader, in this shorte tyme of service, as was most marvelous : for the 21. day in the morninge, by 2 of the clock, we came out of the rode, and, when we were a lytle out, we fell becalmeed, and ten gallyes followed us, and fought with us all that forenone; but whether for lack of powder and shott, or by reason of the heat of the day, I know not, or some of them shott thorowe, which was most lykelest as we judged, they lay a looife of for the space of three howers ; never after durst come within our shott. Which our generall seeing, that afternone sent to the captayne of thoise galleyes, to knowe yf he had any Ynglyshe men in the gallyes as slaves there, as also to will him to delyver unto him 5 Ynglyshe men whom they had taken with a carvell att our comynge into Gales, by reason she was soe farr behynde us, the which carvell we had taken the day before : and he wolde delyver soe many Spanyardes or Portugalls for them. Att which tyme he sent his bote to our generall, presentinge him with suckett,* and such other novelltyes as they had, certyfyinge him that they had none, but onely thiose whome they had taken with the carvell, who were lyvinge, and in the towne att Gales : to satysfye which, yf yt pleased him to stay untyll the next day, they wolde make his request knowne unto the governors of the towne, and wold retorne to him againe with answere. But, as by our generall's judgment he perceaved there dissymulacion and there intent to defarr tyme, for to accomplyshe some other there devellish practyse, (and fyndinge the wynde for his purpose and large,) that night bore out to the sea ; not makeinge any accompt of there true meaninge or dealinges towardes him in retorne ; after which tyme of departure, we tooke att sea a flyebote of Dunkyrke, which was sent to Englande, as hereafter shall appere.
Within fewe dayes after, our Ajax, his myride beinge moved to
* Suclcet, a kind of sweetmeat.
VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, A.D. 1587. 17
spende some further tyme in his prynces service with his courragious company to aggravatt the honor of his fame, on the 4. day of May, by tymes in the morning, was landed by his appointment 1000 men, (18 antient,) who with bolde courrage marched thorowe there corne and vyneyeardes, for the space of fyve myles, towardes the towne of Lawgust. And where we see afarr of about 400 horsmen bravely horssed, but very yll manned ; for they never durst come within muskett shott of us, having noe great shott on shore. But when we came within muskett shott of the towne, we found yt stronger then was certyfyed us, eyther by reporte, or expectacion : for yt hath on the lande syde, where we ment to make our entraunce, strong walles and fortes of late buylte. And we might also per- ceave in the towne att least 3000 men, who, with their great ordenaunce and other their small shott, shott att us and over us; att which tyme certayne of our men were hurte. To revenge which our admyrall with a shott from his shipp made to the horse- men, slewe one of there horsses under them, and with dyvers of our shott from our shipps and pynnisses hurte and slewe dyvers of there men. After which we marched back againe, stayinge att least two howers, expectinge there comyng for combatt, but none came; whereupon that afternone we, noe further proceedinge againste them, retyred to our shipps againe. And the next day, being the 5. of May, our generall sayled towardes the south capes, Cape Saker and Cape St. Vincent, where we landed about 800 men, all muskett, small shott, and pykemen: meaninge to satysfye his valyant mynde in doeinge some worthye exploytes upon our enimyes lande. When we had landed our men, and in order, marching by his direccion from our landing towardes a forte called Avelera, upon which was a flagg, and from which forte, when they see us so boldly to approch them, they fledd unto there great forte or castle Cape Saker, which forte, called Avelera, with certayne brass peces we tooke: which with certayne of our men was kept. All the rest of our men marched towardes the mayne forte or castle, the walles whereof were esteemed 30 foote hye, and ten foote brode. And on the est,
CAMD. SOC. C
18 THE TRUE DESCRIPTION OF THE
south, and west yt is all a mayne rock, without passage; att least 30 fawthem highe, and 15 brasse peeces there within planted. And as we marched a long by them, they shott att us, but did us noe hurte. And then and there by the comaundement of our generall 30 muskett shott went and skyrmished with them in the castle, and, when they had contynewed sometyme in skyrmishing with them and spente moste of there powder and shott, they all retorned to our mayne battle againe: having noe man slayne, but some a lytle hurte. Upon which our generall somraoned the captayne of the said castle to parly, comaunding him to yelde yt upp, which he then utterly denyed. Whereupon our generall sent for woode from our shipps to sett on fyer th'uttermost gate. And he him selfe to see the same acte performed, with great industry, carryed of the said woode and other provicion in person, and did helpe to sett yt on fyer; whylest the vauntgarde of our mayne battle skyrmished with them in there faces on the walles. Duringe which tyme of our feight with them we had two of our men slayne outright, and dyvers sore hurte. In which tyme the captayne of the castle being sore wounded, and they all within to the number of 20040 (240 ?) wounderfully daunted with our bolde enterpryces, put out there flagg of trusse, and yelded : when we entred, and fynding within the said castle the foresaide number of 20040 (240 ?) persons, our gene- rall most favorably lycenbed them to departe.
The same day, they of the Cape St. Vincent, (being a Fryery,) and in effect as stronge as the foresaid castle with another strong forte nere unto yt, (after somons by our generall geven,) sent there keyes unto our generall ; them selves flying away and leavyng behynde them dyvers great brasse peces. And the next day after, being the 6. of May, we departed to our shipps, who ridd in the harbor, under the castle ; leaving the said castle and the other fortes all on fyer. And in which harber we lay without resystaunce of the enimye untyll the tenth day in the mornin-ge, from whence we put out and hoisted sayles towardes Castcales, beinge aboute 40 leages distaunt from our former harber ; and where we rode att
VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, A.D. 1587. 19
anker most of that day in contempt of the said towne of Castcales, the castle, and eight of the Kinges gallies. And which towne and castle shott att us, but (thanckes be to God,) we were by his providence allwayes shelded from perell ; we lay att anker that day within seight of Lyshborne, which ys the chefest cittye in all Portugall, and where we tooke one carvell, which our generall sent that afternone to a great forte or castle called Sc Julyans, where the Marques de Santa Cruses was as leavetenaunt for the Kynge; willing him to send all such Ynglyshmen as were captyves in the gallyes there, and he wolde delyver soe many Spanyardes or Portugalls for them ; as also to knowe, yf the Kyng his master did deter myne to make warres this yere against Englande : which yf he did, that then he was there to waste him for England. But the Marques sent him this worde againe, that (as he was a gentleman,) there was none. And further sent this worde unto our generall, that the Kyng was not provided this yere ; when our generall sent to knowe yf he wolde have three yers warninge. Yett, notwithstandinge, to knowe ho we God worketh with his elect and howe the enimyes of his truth are not ashamed stoutly to stande in there arrogancye and errors, styll mayntayninge there causes withe falshoode and lyes ; but they have there rewarde with there master and author thereof : for we founde letters upon a Portugall whome we had then taken, and which he had wrytten to his frendes, that the kynge had made proclamacion in the country, that he wolde to Englande this yere, and wolde not leave one a lyve of mankynde above the age of 7 yeres.
But, as the hen doth gather together her chickens, noryshinge and defendinge them from the fury of sarpentes, even soe our good God with the wynges of his marcye (his mightye name therefore be praysed !) hathe and doth noryshe and defend us, as instrumentes of his truth. That night towardes evenninge we weaed anker, and from Castcales put out to sea, retorninge to our former harber Cape Saker ; where we moored our shipps, furnishinge them with freshe water and ballest, as also refreshinge our men on shore for the space
20 THE TRUE DESCRIPTION OF THE .
of 6 dayes. In wliicli tyme of our staye there came a neeger to our shipps, who was hastely pursued by Spanyardes on horseback, makeing greate scearch for him on shore. And which neeger beinge brought on boorde our generall, he certyfied him that there was come to Lawgust [Lagos] ten of the kynges gaily es, unto which place our generall the next day say led, beinge distant about 4 leages ; and when we were come soe nere them, soe as our great ordenaunce wolde reach them, we gave them our brode sydes, when they for rescue nedd under the rockes : where, for lack of water and further daunger, we coulde not come nere them. They also shott att our shippes, but did us noe harme. And as we sayled a longe the shore, our . pynnisses chasseed within there bayes there small vessells and fysherbotes, soe that they run them selves on shore, and sunck them selves. That night our admirall with the rest of our fleete put roomer * to sea, and the next day in the morning, beinge the 19. of May, put into the same place againe ; where we landed about 400 men, nere unto Algaferra, who sett on fyer a fysher vyllage, and soe retorned to our shipps againe.
We have burnt, sunck, and spoyled a great number of small vessells, carvells, and fysherbotes, some loden with orees [oars ?] for the kynges gallyes, some with hoopes, pypebordes, fyshernettes and such lyke trashe.
Nowe, after all this tyme of service againste the Kynge of Spayne, even att his doore and under his nose, our generall determyning to travell (to accomplyshe his intent,) to the Ilandes of Tercera, ap- pointed Captayne Parker, captayne of the flyebote of Dunkyrke, Captaine Kyman, captayne of the French man, which we brought from Cales, and other 3 small barkes for England; in whome was sent all our syck, lame, and deszeased men, who on Monday the 22 of May parted from us. And that night, about midnight, there arose a great tempest, which contynewed untyll Thursday the 25 ; in which tempest we were all sore tossed, our admirall beinge in
* An old nautical term, " To go or put roomer," to tack about before the wind. Per- haps derived from the French remuer.
VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE,
great daunger. The next day, beinge Fryday, the 26. of May, William Burrousse, then supposed captayne of the Golden Lyon, seinge us all sore distressed, and understandinge that our generall wolde goe for the ilandes, he, without leave takeing of our gene- rall, put roomer for Englande. And soe we, havvinge lost in the forsaid tempest all our marchaunt shipps, were left onely in number 9 sayles, who alltog[eth]er willingly sayled towardes the said ilandes of Tercera; who, after 16 dayes spent att the sea, on the 8. day of June, beinge Thursday in the forenone, we discryed the Islande Saynte Michells, under whiche ilande towardes night we escryed a great sayle; which our generall judged to be a man of warr. And, for that two of our pynnisses were farr a starne our flette, he comaunded the Raynebowe to lye a lee and come a stayes; which done, in the morninge by day we discryed a great sayle, who by our judgment made towardes us, and we, havinge a prettye gale of wynde, with all spede made towardes her; but by that tyme we had sayled towardes her aboute one leage, we might perceave her to be a mighty shipp, which was then called a carract, having out her Portugall flagg, a reade crosse: which she tooke in, and put out three or four tymes to the end we shoulde discrye our selves. But we, knoweinge what she was, wolde put out noe flag untyll we were within shott of her, when we hanged out flages, streamers, and pendentes, that she might be out of dout to knowe who we were : which don, we hay led her with cannon shott, and havinge shott her thorowe dyvers tymes, she shott att us, sometymes att one, sometymes att an other. Then we begun to applye her whotelye, our flyebote and one of our pynnisses lyinge thwarte her hawsse, att whom she shott, and threwe fyer workes, but did them noe hurte : for that her ordenaunce lay soe hye over them. Then she, seeinge us redye to lay her on boorde, all of our shippes applyinge her soe hotely and resolutly , determyned to make shorte with her : sex of her men beinge slayne, and dyvers sore hurte, they yelded unto us ; whome when we boorded, we founde to be the Kynge of Spaynes owne shipp come from the Est Indyes, called by his owne name
22 THE TRUE DESCRIPTION OF THE
Phillipp, and the greatest shipp in all Portugall, rychly loden, to our happye joy and great gladnes. There were also in her 400 neegers, whome they had taken to make slaves in Spayne and Portugall, whome our generall with the captaine and his company, to the number of 20040, (240?) put into our flyebote to goe whether they lyst. And further delt most favorably with them, giving them most lyberally : and soe about ten of the clock they departed from us, and as we thought to the Hand Ste Michells, and we in lyke sorte made our course for Englande: which fortunate lande 011 Sonday, the 25. of June, before day, we discried, fallinge with the ilande Gyllye, and nere the rockes. And on Monday the 26. we arryved att Plymouth, where we all, to our great com fortes, gave thanckes to God for our prosperous voiage, safe retorne, and his great benefyttes.
Whence theise benyfyttes procede is rather to be referred unto the devyne providence of the Allmightye, who, with the eternitye of his power, ruleeth the earth, then the hidden misterye of his wyll to be scearched into. The auntient Romauns renowmed for there prowesse Allmightye God hath heretofore (beinge hathen men) plenty fully powered [on] them the benyfyttes of his grace, as amongst them Scipio, amongst the Carthaginians the valiant Hanniball, amongst Gretians Achilles, and amongst the Trojans Hector ; who, being both barberous and rude men, were taught by the lawes of nature to preferr the honor of there country before the respect of there lyves. And, as the wyse philosopher Solon was wounte to say, noe man is borne for him selfe but for his countryes cause ; soe hath this faythfull generall consyderately performed the office of a Christian captaine in scourginge the enimyes of the truth, in enrychinge his country, in gevinge generall and evident example of vertue to all such as valiant courrage shall here after army mate or styre up to doe the lyke. There are many bostinge salivators, who, carpinge att shadowes att home, doe seeke to wyn credytt from laborious and venterous captaynes, and, lyke drones, repayer to the hyve to suck the hony from the paynefull bees ; but this
VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, A.D. 1587. 23
•
valiant Captayne, leavinge carped service to them that seeke the gaynes thereof, hath (to the glory e of God, for that all we doe must be referred to that sacred purpose,) abayted the courrage of the prowde enimye, discovered many secrett practyzes intended to his sacred and swete prynces, who lyke a faithfull mother norisheth her children, defendes them from the bloodye myndes of enimyes, and, lyke a carefull pastoresse, feedeth her shepe and defendes them from the teeth of tearing wolves, who sytt barking att the mone, on the mountes of Albion, whose tounges the two-edged sworde of our Jehova I wyshe to cutt of, and lett his brasen rodd bruse the bones of thoise secrett wolves, that coutch them safely in the woodes of Saba, and lurcke in the wynter amongst the braunches of our ceeders, whiche Jehova send prosperytye to his lytle England and adde more ages to Elizabeth.
FINIS quod Ho. LENG.
APPENDIX
OF LETTERS AND EXTRACTS FROM STATE PAPERS CONNECTED WITH THE EXPEDITION.
CONTENTS OF APPENDIX.
No. PAGE
I. — Drake's Agreement with the Merchant Adventurers ,;«,. , . . 26
II. — A list of the Merchant Adventurers . . , . . ,, .27
III. — Instructions from the Council despatched after Drake's departure . . 28
IV. — Walsingham to Stafford. Countermand of the original Instructions . 29
V. — Sir F. Drake to Mr. John Fox. Account of the Attack upon Cadiz . 30
VI. — R. T. to Dr. Gifford. Another relation of the spoiling of Cadiz . . 34
VII. — Advices of Sir F. Drake's proceedings before Cadiz (sent out of France) . 35
VIII. — John Wrothe to Lord Burghley. Foreign opinion upon Drake's movements 38
IX. — Stafford to Walsingham. Announcement of Drake's success . . 38
X. — Spanish Correspondence (taken in the voyage) relative to the English
Expedition . . . <Ji . . 1'1'i .39
XI. — Drake to Master W. Touching his progress .^-i - -tj '! 'Mr . 42 XII. — Lo. Treasurer and Lo. Comptroller to Andreas de Loo. Explanation of
the conduct of the Government in reference to Drake's Voyage . . 43
XIII. — Lord Burghley to Andreas de Loo. Disclaiming Drake's authority for his
depredations . . . . . . . .44
XIV. — Request of the Merchant Adventurers for an equitable share in the Spoil . 45 XV. — News of Drake after the Attack before Cadiz . . . .46
XVI. — Letters to M. Giacopo Mannucci. State of alarm on the Continent, and
probable results consequent upon Drake's continuing his aggressions . 47 XVII. — Report of Gilbert Tison. Grief of the Spaniards at the loss of the Carrack.
Escape of the West-Indies' fleet . . . . . .48
XVIII. — Commissioners (for ordering the contents of the Carrack) to the Council . 49
XIX. — Valuation of the Goods contained in the San Phillippe . . .50
XX. — Contents of a Casket found in the San Phillippe . . . .52
XXI.— The Partition of the Spoil . ..... 53
CAMD. SOC.
26 APPENDIX.
I. — [DRAKE'S AGREEMENT WITH THE MERCHANT ADVENTURERS.]
[Lansdowne MS. 56, fol. 175.]
Whereas it hath pleased her most Excellent Matie to grant unto me, Sir Frauncis Drake, knyght, hir commission, bearinge date the fiftenth day of March in the nyne and twenty yere of hir Mat1es raigne, for a service to be don by me the said Sir Frauncis with fowre of her Maties shippes and two. pynacies ; and whereas Thomas Cordell, John Wattes, Pawle Banninge, Symon Boreman, Hewghe Ley, Robert Flycke and their partners, mer- chaunts of London, have also prepared at their own proper costes and charges tenne merchaunte ships and pinnaces, also for hir Maties service ; wherefore I, the said Sir Frauncis Drake, doe by virtue of my saide commission covenant, promisse, and graunte to and with the said Thomas Cordell, John Wattes, Pawle Bannynge, Symond Boreman, Hewghe Ley, Roberte Flycke, and their partners, for the better performance of the pretended service, to consorte with the saide merchauntes shippes, which I do also receive under my goverment; and that whatsoever commoditie in goodes, money, treasure, marchaundizes, or other benefitt whatsoever shall happen to be taken by all or any of the foresaide shippes or their company, either by sea or lande, that the same shalbe equally devided accordinge to their proporcions (that is to say), man for man, and tonne for tonne, to be devided at the sea presently after the possession therof ; or so sone as winde and weather will permit ; provided always, that whatsoever pillage shalbe had either by sea or land, shalbe devided indifferently, viz. — the one half to the company in hir Maties shippes, and the other half to the company of the merchauntes shippes ; and for the better satisfyinge of both parties, there shalbe meet men putt abord of either fleet to have speciall care thereof ; and for the performance herof, I, the said Sir Frauncis Drake, have hereunto sett my hande and scale. Yeven the eightene day of March, 1586, and in the nyne and twentie yere
VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, A.D 1587. 27
of the raigne of our soveraigne ladie Elizabeth, by the grace of God Quene of England, Fraunce, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. Vera copia et examinata per me
RICH. MAY, Not. Pub. (In dorso) 18 Martij, 1587.
The compact betwixt Sir Franc. Drak and the companye of certen merchantes as cowncill.
II. — [A LIST OF THE MERCHANT ADVENTURERS.]
[8. P. O. Domestic Corresp.] The Names of the Suertyes to be bounde to her Matie for L ml It.
Thes are parteners, Sr Francis Drake, knyghte.
and interested in rni ~, , ,,
the prise. Thomas Cordell, mercer.
Rycharde Barratte, mercer. Paule Bannynge, grocer. Heughe Lee, grocer. William Garraway, draper. Roberte Sadler, habardasher. Symon Boreman, haberdasher. Jhon Stockes, fyshemonger. Jhon Wattes, clothwoorker. Edward Holmden, grocer. Androwe Bannynge, grocer. Francis Terrell, grocer. Robarte Flycke, draper. George Barnes, habardasher. Rogar Howe, habardasher. Johne Jackson, clotheworker. Jeames Lancastar. Robarde Barrette. Anthony Dassell, skynner.
(Indorsed) 31 Oct. 1587.
The names of the suerties to be bownde for the 50,000" to her Matie.
28 APPENDIX.
III. — [INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL DESPATCHED AFTER DRAKE'S DEPARTURE.]
[S. P. O. Domestic Corresp.]
After our harty comendations, Whereas uppon sundry advertisementes and intelligences, receaved at divers tymes this last winter, very provably reported as well out of Spayn as from other cuntryes, of great numbers of shippes and other provisions for the sea, prepared by the said K., with intent (as it was given out) to employ the same in some attempt, ether against this realme or the realme of Ireland : Hir Matie did thinke it very convenient, both for hir honnour and for necessary defence, to have some strength of shipping at sea, to prevent or withstand such entreprises as might be attempted against hir H. said realmes or dominions, to sett forth to the seas under your charge certayn of hir own shippes, with further authority given you to take and calle into your company as well certayn shippes sett out by some of the marchantes of the city of London, as also such other shippes of this realme as you should finde abroad at sea, and to employ them as you should see cause for hir Maties service.
Since your departure, hirMatle being otherwise advertised, that nether the said preparations were so great as was reported, and further, that they are of late dissolved ; divers shippes as well of the East cuntryes as also of Holland and Zeland, who had been before stayd uppon pretence to furnish the said preparations, being discharged and licenced to return home ; a and perceaving also, by some other matter that hath proceaded from the said K. of Spayn and his ministers, that he is desirous that the unkindenes and jarres happened of late yeares between hir Matie and him might be in some honorable sort compounded ; hir Matie, being for hir part loth for those considerations to exasperate matters further then they are, or to give cause to the world to conceave, by anie thing that may procead from hir or anie of hir ministers or subiectes, that the present alteration between the said K. and hir is mainteyned or nourished by hir, otherwise then forced thereunto for hir own defence, hath comanded us to signify unto you in hir name, that hir expresse will and pleasure is, you shall forbeare to enter forcibly into anie of the said K's portes or havens, or to offer
• The paragraph commencing here with the words " and perceaving" and terminating with " hir own defence " has been specially marked in the original.
VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, A.D. 1587. 29
violence to anie of his townes or shipping within harborough, or to doe anie act of hostillity uppon the land. And yet, not withstanding this direction, hir pleasure is that both you and such of hir subjectes as serve there under you should doe your best indevour [as well by force as other- wise,]* to gett into your possession (avoyding as myche as may lye in you the effusyon of Christian blood,) such shipping of the said King's or his. subjectes, as you shall finde at seas : ether going from thence to the East or West Indies, or returning from the said Indyes into Spayn, and such as shall falle into your handes to bring them into this realme without break- ing bulke, untill her H. pleasure shall be further made knowen unto you in that behalfe.
(In dorso,} 1587, 9 Apr.
M. to Sr FRA. DRAKE.
IV. — [COUNTERMAND OF THE ORIGINAL INSTRUCTIONS.]
[S. P. O. For. Corresp. France.] Walsingham to Sir Ed. Stafford, 21 April, 1587.
Sir Frances Drake, as I doubt not but you have heard, is gon fourth to the seas, with fewer of her Mates shippes and two pinnaces, and betwene twenty and thirtye merchauntes shippes. His Commission is to impeach the joyning together of the K. of Spaynes fleete out of their severall portes, to keepe vittalls from them, to followe them, in case they should be come forward towardes England or Ireland, and to cutt off as many of them as he could, and impeach their landing ; as also to set uppon such as should ether come out of the West or East Indias into Spayne, or go out of Spayne thether ; but now, uppon knowledge reseavid that the K. doth dissolve his preparacions, havinge alreadye dischardged th'Easterlings, there is new order sent unto Sir Frauncis Drake to take a milder course, for that he was before particularlye directed to distresse the shippes within the havens themselves.
a The words here included in brackets are struck out.
30 APPENDIX.
V. — [SiR FRANCIS DRAKE'S OWN ACCOUNT OP THE ATTACK.]
[Harl. MS. 167, fol. 104, and printed at the end of Thomas Greepe's Exploites of Sir Fr. Drake, a poem, 4°. Bl. L. London, 1587.]
To my very lov[inge friend Mr. Jno. Fo]xe, preacher, hast and post hast.
Mr. Foxe, whereas we have had of late [suche happy successe] against ye Spanierds, I doe assure my selfe that you have faithfully remembred us in your good prayers, and therefore I have not forgotten briefly to make you partaker of ye somme thearof.
The 19th of April we aryved with [in] Gales roade, where we found much shipping; but, among ye rest, 32 shippes of exceeding great bur- then, laden, and to be laden, with provision and prepared to furnishe ye Kinges navye, intended with all speed against England ; the which, when we had boarded and thearout furnished our shippes with such provision as we thought sufficient, we burned ; and, although for ye space of 2 dayes and nights that we continewed thear we were still endangered, both with thundering shott from the to\vne, and assaulted with the roaring canons of 12 galleys, we yet sonck 2 of them and one great argousey, and still avoided them with very smale hurt ; so that at our departure we brought away 4 shippes of provision, to the great terror of our enemyes and honor to ourselves, as it might appear by a most courteous letter, written and sent to me wth a flagge of truice by D. Pedro, generall of ye galleys. But whereas it is most certayn that the K. doth not only make speedy preparation in Spaine, but likewise expecteth a very great fleet from the Straights and divers other places to joine with his forces to envade Eng- lande, we purpose to sett aparte all feare of danger, and by God's further- ance to proceed by all good meanes that we can devise to prevent their coming ; wherefore I shall desier you to continew a faithfull remembrancer of us in your prayers, that our present service may take that good effect as God may be glorified, his church our Q. and contreye preserved, and the enemy of the truth utterly vanquished, that we may have continewall peace in Israeli. From aboord her Maties good shipp the Elizabeth- Bonadventure, in very great hast, this 27 of April, 1587.
VOYAGE OP SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, A.D. 1587. 31
Written by the hande of your obedient sonne in the Lorde, William Spenser, and subscribed with Sr Fr. owne hand in this sort,
Your loving frend, and faithfull sonne in Christ Jesus,
FRANCIS DRAKE.
[An addition written with Sir Francis' owne hand.]
Our enemyes are many, but our Protector comandeth ye whole world: let us all pray continewally, and our Lorde Jesus will helpe in good tyme mercifully.
Your ever,
FR. DRAKE.
[ Upon the back of this document) which is a copy only, appears another in the same handwriting with the foregoing, but slightly imperfect at the commencement, the first line or ttvo being almost illegible. It is evidently a narrative of the attack in the harbour of Cadiz by one of the actors in the a/air, and tallies most minutely in its detail with the account of Robert Leng.~]
The 19. of April one hour afore sonne sett he entred the harb[our]
whear he was at his the towne with vj galleys, but the same retorned sone
In the road thear were about 60 shippes besides other small vessells [that] rode under their forteresses, whearof about 20 Fre[nch] shippes fled to Porte Koyall and some Spanierdes whose flight we could not hinder by reason of the schalles [shallows ?].
At our entry with our shott we sunck one argozey of about 1,000 tonne that caryed 30 brasse peeces and was very ritchly laden. Thear were before night about 38 shippes undertaken, and we victors of the roade, for the galleys retired to their forteresses. Thear came presently from S* Mary Porte 2 galleys and other 2 from Porte Royall, but in vayne, for their chiefest gaine was expence of pouder and shott.
Of 20 hulkes Hollanders confiscate to the Kinge whose goodes were sould to his use 14 were fyered, the other 6 scaped to Porte Eoyal ; we fyered a carrick belonging to the Marquize of Sancta Grace of 1,400
32 APPENDIX.
tonne. We fyred also 5 great Biscayns, whearof 4 weare lading and takinge in of victuals to the Kinges use for Lisbone, and the fivth, bey[ng] a shipp of 1,000 tonne, was laden for the Indies with iron spikes, nayles, iron hoopes, and horseshoes.
Also 3 flyboates of 300 tonne laden with biscuict, whearof one was halfe unladen before in the harborow and thear fyered ; the other two we tooke away with us.
Some 10 barckes more laden with wyne, raysins, figges, oyle, wheat, and such lyke we fyered.
Thear were by supposition 38 barckes fyered, sonck, and brought away, which amounted unto 13,000 tonne of shipping. Thear ridd at Porte Royall in sight of us by estimation above 40 sayle, beside those that fled out of Gales Roade. During our aboade they gave us small rest by reason of their shott from the galleys, forteresses, and shoar, whear continewally they placed new ordinance at places convenient to offende ; which notwith- standinge, we continewally fyered their shippes as the flood came inn, to the end to be cleared of them ; the sight of which terrible fyers were to us very plesant, and mitigated the burthen of our continewall travayle, whearin we were busied for 2 nights and one day in dischardging, fyering, and lading of provisions], with reservation for good, laudable, and guardable defence of the ennemy.
It pleased God by the general's great care and paynes day and night to finish this happy action in her Mat1es service in one day and 2 n[ights], and came out againe the Fryday in the morning without the loss of any one man at the action, or any hurte but only the master gunner of the Golden Lyon, whose legge was broken with a great peece from the towne ; but the man like to doe well, God be thancked.
In a small carvell that was taken the night before were 5 of our men without the generall's knowledge, because he hasted the enterprize with all expedition, which was very needful, because the sonne was not above one houre high at our approach. This carvell beyng far asterne came in very late, so as the galleys intercepted her with much shott and many musketts, but they would never strike, and so was taken, which was all the losse that we sustayned.
Tenne galleys came forth after us, but as to make sport with their ordinance ; at length the winde skanted, and we cast about for the shoare,
VOYAGE OP SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, A.D. 1587. 33
and came to ankor within one league of Gales, whear the gallyes suffered us to ryde quietly. Thre of those galleys after some sporte departed the same day to Sfc Lucar to fetch other thre galleys and one galliace that were thear, as we understood, by advertisement of some of our prisoners. There were also 3 flybotes at Malega laden with bread and bound for Gales, and so for Lisbone, we understand of great provision and forces, provided within the straights ; but we doubt not but God, as he has given us this happy victory to the daunting of the enemy, will also blesse this armye, and thearwith dayly cutt theyr forces shorter, fo his great annoy and to the honor of our Prince and contry, which God for ever continew,
We have now tryed by experience the galleys' fight, and I assure you that her Matie8 4 shippes will make no accompt of 20 of them, in cace they might be alone and not driven to guard others.
Thear were never galleys that had more fitte place for their advantage in fight, for, upon the shot that they receaved, they had present succour from the towne, which the[y] used sundry tymes ; we riding in a narrow gutt, the place yealding no better, in that we were driven to mainteyn the fight untill we had fyered their shippes, which could not be conveniently done but upon the flood, for they might drive cleane [off.]
We rest victualed with bread and drinck for 6 monthes in our shippes, and have besides twoe flyeboates full laden with bread sufficient for a good army for thre monthes.
We all remayn in great love with our generall and in unitye throughout the whole fleet.
It may seem strange or rather miraculous that so great an exploict shold be performed with so small losse ; the place to endomadge us beyng so convenient, and their force so great, as appeared, from whom were shot at us at the least 200 culverine and canon shott; but in this as in all others our actions heartofore, though dangerously attempted yet happely performed, our good God hath and dayly doth make his infinite power manifest to all papistes apparantly, and his name be by us his servants continewally honored.
GAMD. SOC.
34 APPENDIX.
VI. — [ANOTHER KELATION OF THE SPOILING OF CADIZ.]
[Lansd. MS. 96, Art. 24.]
Good cosen Gifford, lo here a full amendes that I wrote nott newes to yowe but to Dr Stillinges in my other ; after whiche 3 houres, I send these partyculers ; for I wrote onely to him in generall, that Draecke had played his pagent, and retorned home : here the maner howe.
The 29. of Aprill last he discov[er]ed him selfe before Calz in Spayne, where, the wynde and wether failinge him, as God would, he could nott in twoe dayes after enter the ry ver, but upon Saterday he did : in this meane tyme they prepared ther selfes, planted artilerye upon ther bridge, and furnyshed ther gallies. The marchants strangers, beinge very many in numbre, abandoned all ther shipps, so as 22 of them wer sonke and takinge with- oute any resistance, whereof he caryed onely e away withe him vj. whiche he spoyled upon the seas, and after sonke them also ; his spoyle he gott is small, or nothinge woorthe to England, greate losse to the awnners, whiche were all Spaynerdes and Italy ans, of Venis, Luca, Florenteze, Genua, save one shipp of a Frenchman's woorthe some viij or 10,000 A, the whole losse in generall (for Don Diego, who wrote the newes, wrote also the particu- lers), dothe not surmount to above 170,000 A; whereof the Kinges parte is leste of all, not vijm, A in vitailles, for gallies he lost none, but Don Marquis del Ste Cruce lost his owne princely barke, estemed at the valewe of 18,000 A, whiche warmeth him, who, for feare of lossinge his honor before, well [was?] always hinginge backe frome inedlinge or matchinge withe Englishe pirates. The rest be most of it the said 4 states of Italics, who vowethe and swearethe the robberye and arrest of all Englishe shipps they can come by in Italy or els wher: this, cominge upon the necke of the infamye of murderinge the Scottishe Quene, will hasten hir ruyne no doute. Sure all reporte they fought most valyantly, withe what losse onlye them selfes knowe ; but the fight was reasonable longe, and God gave to the gaUies duringe a marvelouse calme, to ther great advantage and the ennymies spoyll, yet was it nott noted that any of Draeckes shipps were sonke presentlye, thouge most of them banged vylye, and no doute many of ther men slayne and hurte. But when Draecke see ther pretence prevented and provyded for, and the towne forewarned of ther comynge, he perceyved they had had advertissement, and so retyred. Ther pretence to have taken
VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, A.D. 1587. 35
that have ( sic) ther, and so to have in those strayttes joyned with Mores, Infydells, and other, to have all traffycke frpme Spaine, ether from the Indyans, or from Mare Mediterranean, a dyvelshe device, yf it had taken successe. Here Waid and the Embassadour swearethe, that some of the pryvie counsell at home be trayters, and bewrayed the mater, and so have overthrowen the realme. God be praysed, he spedd no better; ether this or nothing will maike seeke revenge. These newes beinge so trewe, so particular, and so freshe, I doute nott but I have maid yowe amendes, good cosen; yea, I suppose as yett yowre pinces (sic) ther have not these particulers, and therefore use them as yowrs, but rede them not in the Hall, tyll Mr D. Styllinges have redde his, whiche be onely but 3 houres older. Adieu, once again, good cosen ; comend me most effectually to yowre mother and syster, I trust all thre my frendes, this Corpus Christi even.
Your cosen,
R. T.a (Addressed,) A. Monsr,
Monsr Docter Giffort,
Au semynarie des Anglois, Reme.
VII. — [ADVICES OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE'S PROCEEDINGS BEFORE CADIZ (SENT OUT OF FRANCE).]
[S. P. O. For. Corresp. France.]
Advis de ce qui est passe a Calez, en la conte d'Andalowste: farmee d1 Angle- terre, commandee par Francois Dracq, y estant arrive le xxixe jour du moys d'Apvril,*1587.
Le Mecredy 29 Apvril, sur les cinq heures du soir, 1'armee d'Angleterre feust descouverte, venant droict a Caliz, ou Don Pedro de Acugna estoit avec sept galleres: Tun desquelles il envoya pour recognoistre quelz vaisseaulx ce pouvoient estre, et ladite gallere sestant approchee a la portee du canon rut tire par les Anglois, ce qui la feit retourner dans le port, a quoy Ton cogneust que c'estoit ennemis. L'alarme se donna incontinent par toute la ville, qui se mit ez arrnes, faisant retirer dans la
8 Query Robert Throckmorton ? The families of Gifford and Throckmorton were allied by marriage.
36 APPENDIX.
forteresse les femmes et toutes personnes in[capables] a la deffendre, et pour la confusion a quoy ils se trouverent, vingt sept femmes et enfans se trouverent estouffez en la presse, et a 1'entree de ladite forteresse.
Le gouverneur et les principaulx de la ville meirent incontinent le meilleur nombre de les gens aux advenues les plus dangereuses, et ou 1'ennemy pour- roit plustost desembarquer : et pendant que chacun se mettoit ez armes dans ladite ville, fust despesche" au Due de Medina Sidonia a St. Lucar, et a toutes les villes et lieux circonvoisins, pour leur demander secours. Ce pendant ung nombre defl gens a cheval et de pied feirent ung - corps de garde au pont, le lieu le plus commode pour desembarquer : autre nombre fut envoye pour empescher que 1'ennemy ne rompit ung pont par lequel debvoit entrer le secours. Les ennemys, estans entrez dans le porty commencerent a mettre a fondz tous les navires qui se trouverrent devant eulx ; entre autres ung grand navire Genevoye charge de marchandise, fort riche, cinq autres d'Espaigne chargez et appareillez pour aller aux Indes, et ung grand gallion Biscain du port de 700 tonneaulx ; et tous lesditz vaisseaulx se perderent ; car 1'ennemy mettoit le feu a tous, apres en avoit tire ce que bon luy sembloit.
A 1'encontre de ladite arme"e fust prise dans le port par une gallere une barque, ou estoient quatre ou cinq Anglois, desquelz feust sceu que ladite armee estoit venue en tierze jours d'Angleterre a Caliz, avec deliberacion de saccager la ville. Don Pedro da Acugna ce pendant faisoit tout le debvoir avec ses galleres d'endomager 1'ennemy, 1'artillerye du quel, estant de plus grande ported que celle des galleres, les contraignit de se retirer.
Toute la nuict se passa en grande trouble et confusion dans la ville, et 1'ennemy ayant trouve lesdites galleres dans le port, et voyant la resist- ance que Ton se preparoit de luy fere, ne luy fit aucun effort de mettre gens a terre ; et prins pour meilleure party saccager et brusler les vais- seaulx, qui peut aborder, en quoy Dieu fit une grande grace a ce peuple, car la peur et la confusion 1'avoit laisse merveillesement troubled
Les villes et lieux circonvoisins toute la nuict furent marches leur secours, et une partie y entra sur la dianne, et le reste sy acheminant et y entrant d'heure en heure.
Lejeudy, le jour estant venu, les galleres se meirent autre fois en debvoir d'attacquer 1'ennemy, auquel demeura tant d'avantage pour la quantite et force de son artillerye, que les galleres feurent contrainctes de se retirer.
VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE) A.D. 1587. 37
L'ennemy envoya force barque pour mettre le feu aux vaisseaulx, qu'il pouvoit aborder ung grand gallion du Marquis de Ste Croix, du port de 800 tonneaux, charge* de vins, et fut aborde par 1'ennemi cinq autres vaisseaulx Biscains, six ou sept Turques, chargees en partie de munitions de guerre et victuailles, et tous feurent saccagez; puys apres 1'ennemy mit le feu dedans.
Le dit jeudy, au matin, 1'ennemi feyt contenance de voulloir entre- prendre de rompre le pont, par lequel il voyoit entrer le secours ; toutes fois voyant deux galleres, et quelques vaisseaulx ordonnez pour le deffen- dre, ne fit aucun effort.
Sur le midy Tarmac se mit en tresbon ordre, et montrerent & leur contenance voulloir fere a la voille: mais le vent ne le servit pas, et sur- gireit ; autres fois cependant 1'artillerye des galleres et de la forteresse ne cessa de tirer pour endommager ; mais la scienne portait trop d'avantage a 1'autre, de sorte qu'il n'en fut aucunement offence, et fit tousjours retirer les galleres.
Le jeudy, en tout le jour, entrerent dans Caliz trois mil hommes de pied de differendz endroictz, et trois cens chevaulx ; la plus grande partie estans conduictz par le Due de Medina Sidonia, qui entra sur le midy, et la ville fut asseure". La nuict estant leve"e, les gardes feurent assisse"s et renforcees, nonobstant que Ton cogneust bien que 1'ennemy se voulloit retirer ; et sur le minuit estant leve" ung vent de terre 1'arme'e se feit & la voille les galeres, en suiverent. Et, & la mesme heure, le Due de Medina Sidonia depescha ung basteau leger pour suivre ladite armee, jusques & ce que Ton peut tirer certitude de la routte que Ten prenoit, qui est ce qui c'est passe jusques au vendredy matin premier jour de May.
L'on estime qu'il peut emporter deux mil neuf cens pippes de vins, dix mil quintaulx de buiscuitz, dix mil charges de froment, et quelque quan- tite d'autres victuailles, et munitions de guerre ; grand nombre d'armes et d'artillerye, qu'il a tire" de dix neuf vaisseaulx, qu'il a brusl£ dans le port.
Aucuns estiment le dommage, que a faict ladite arme'e, importer de trois ou quatre cens mil escuz ; autres disent beaucoup davantage, ce qui ne se peut encores estimer en si peu de temps : Ton presume que ladite armee prendra la routte des Isles de Carrie, la Madere, ou la Tirsera, et qu'elle y fera tout 1'effort et dommage qu'il pourra d'en . . . chercher les flottes qui viennent des Indes, sur lesquelz Drac droict avoir son principal desseing.
38 APPENDIX.
Eelladon des Navires de VArmee de Francois Dracq.
Deux cappitaines grandz vaisseaulx, et fort bien faictz pour la guerre ; chacun du port de 500 tonneaulx ou environ.
Deux amirailles de la mesme forme et port que les deux premiers.
Ung grand navire de la mesme sorte, du port de 400 tonneaux.
Deux gallions fort bien faictz pour la guerre, du port de 200 tonneaulx.
Sept navires de 150 tonneaulx, a peu pres tous bien arme's, et pourveus de fort bonne artillerie.
Treize fregottes, fort belles, du port de 50 tonneaulx ou environs.
Les grandz navires maynant de service pour chacun deux ou trois bar- ques, fort legers, pour desembarquer 30 ou 40 personnes k chacune fois.
Qui sont en tout vingt sept vaisseaulx, sans les barques sur lesquelles deux Anglois pris prissoniers ont diet ny avoir pas davantage de iiijm hommes, compris les mariniers.
VIII. — [FOREIGN OPINION UPON DRAKE'S MOVEMENTS.]
[S. P. O. For. Corresp. Venice.] 'Mr. John Wrothe to Lord BurgUey, dated Venice, May 7, 1587.
The settinge oute of Sir Francesse Dracke to the sea is marvelouslie aproved in these parts, and affirmed to bee the onelie meanes of hinderinge the prosperouse successes of the Spaniard's attempts ; the whiche is onelie maintained with the richesse and trade of the Indies, the whiche if her M. cann finde meanes to intercepte or lett, then no doute the Spaniarde will be constrained to come to a verie reasonable compositione.
IX. — [ANNOUNCEMENT OF DRAKE'S SUCCESS.]
[S. P. O. For. Corresp. France.] Sr Ed. Stafford to Walsingham, May 17, 1587.
There is a couriar come hether yesternight out of Spayne with newes of Sr Francis Drake's successe, which althoughe I thinke you have allredie, yet woolde I not leave to write ytt, as we heare ytt heere.
VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, A.D. 1587. 39
Theie write that he hathe beene in the baie of Gales, where he hathe sounke and carried awaie twoe and twentie shippes ; that he had a great fight for the winning of the bridge and the towne, and that he verie valiantly assailed ytt, and verie hardly missed ytt, and that nowe he is retyred backe to the Cape. More, itt is said, that the Marquis of Ste Crux is at Lisbone, where is a preparation of great forces, and that he will be readie to come forthe the eleventhe of the next monethe.
X. — [TRANSLATIONS OF SUNDRY CORRESPONDENCE TAKEN IN THE VOYAGE, RELATING TO THE ENGLISH EXPEDITION.]
[Lansdowne MS. 53, fol. 21 &c.]
Peter Arnaulte in Antwarpe the xxvih of Marche, 1587, unto afreere in Civile (Seville).
In Englande there be many shippes made readie, as also in Denmarke, and all for the warres in Spaine ; of their successe the tyme will give us knowledge ; yf you do upon any occasion sell any comodities for time, let the prise be raised muche more then for readie money ; for that the gallions are subiecte to mysfortune, and yf they shoulde miscarye with their golde, (which God forbidde!) we should hardly recover that which is owing us, &c.
The said Peter Arnaulte the xxth of Apr ill, 1587, unto the aforesaid.
That which doth give us discontent is, that it is certaynely knowne that there are gone many shipps of warre out of Englande, and in lyke manner from Hollande and Zealande, being (as they say) above 60 sayles ; yt is feared they are gone to meete the fleete which is looked for from the Indies ; the which, bringing so great ritches as they doe, yt must needes encourage theym greatly to sett upon theym; which God forbidde ! And it is the more to be feared and suspected, for that there dothe not appeare upon all the coast of France or England any shippes of warre; although yt be certainly knowne that there are many gone fourth. God guide all, and give us peace and bread, of the which there is great want.
40 APPENDIX.
Francisco de Benito de Maiora, in the port St. Mary, the xxixth of Aprill, at nym of the clock at night, unto the President and others the Kinges Officers of the Contractacion House of the Indies in Civile (Seville).
The procuringe of the remeadie of this towne and gevinge advise to Shearies and S* Lucar, of the confusion wherein the English armye hath put us, hath bene cause that this poste departed not three houres sooner, as otherwise he might have done. That which passeth is, about fower of the clock we hearde a great noise of ordynaunce in the bay, and sawe many sayles of shippes entering in. I wolde have gone to have seene what it was, but within two houres, which might be about sixe of the clock, there came in hither the Galliota, which brought tenne men verie soare hurt. The people of this towne are in armes ; there are in the baye two or three shippes sett on fire, but what they are we know not ; this is all that as yet we can learne,
The President aforesaid, Antonio de Guevarra, and Ochoa de Vigenca, in Civile, the last of Aprill, to the Marques of Aimounte, in Leape.
Presently there came a post from the Port S* Mary with a letter, the coppie whereof goeth herewith, by the whiche your honnour may under- stande, ther remayned in the Bay of Cadix an Englishe armye, beinge 40 great shippes, shootinge to the cittie, and burning shippes &c. : yt hath beene thought good to lett your honour understand thereof, to th'ende yf yow shall thinke good to seeke prevencion; to the which effecte we dis- patched this post. It doth importe verie muche the Kinges service, that this advise be given to John Martiniz de Recalde, which is at the Cape with certayne shippes of warre : and therefore yt is convenient, it please yow, to dispatche a barke presently with a coppie of this letter, and an other from your honour, that he may repaire to Lixbone ; and in the barke let there goe a man sufficient to delyver him the said dispatches, in anie place where he maie fynde him, and what in this shalbe done, it may please your honour to advertize us.
The Marques of Aimonte, in Leape, the 1st of May, 1587, unto John Marti- nez de Recalde ; with the coppies of the aforesaid letters, to be delivered him at sea, where he may befounde.
At the present wryting hereof, I receaved a letter from the president
VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, A.D. 1587. 41
and other the Kinges Maties officers of the Contractacion House of the Indies in Civile, the coppie whereof goethe herewith ; as also the coppie of an other letter wrytten unto them from the Port S* Mary, and for that it is convenient for the Kinges service that your woorship should have advise therof, to th'end you might repayre with your shippes to Lixbone. I wryte this that there takinge councell of the Cardynall, and the Marques of Sta Cruse, yow may repaire to that which maie be most for the Kinges service ; and onlie to that effecte I did comaunde to dispatch this barque from Aimonte.
Gregorio Gomiz, gallego in Lixbone, the ixth of Maie > 1587, unto Domingo Martinis, in Anger.
The newes which I have to advertize your woorship of is, that, as it is comonly reported, there are fower fleetes of shippes gone out of Englande ; of the which one beinge of xxviij verie great shippes, xvij barkes, and one great galliassa, verie well appointed with ordenance, arryved in the Bay of Cadiz, where they pretended to have landed and sacked the cittie ; but (as God wolde) there weare tenne gallies that defended them, which th'enemy seeing, he ancored hard by the shipps he founde in the baye, beinge aboute xxix sayles ; and amongst theym Don Farnando his shippe, which came from th'Indies, bought by the Marques de S1* Cruse ; and of th'aforesaid nomber they caryed with them two verie great shippes, with above 1,500 pypes of wyne and 4,000 quintalles of biskett, and burned the rest. It is said they indamaged the K. above fyve hundrethe thow- sand duckettes, in 4,000 pypes of wines, 20,000 kintalles of byskett, 30,000 hannegas a of wheate and other provicions, which they burned and destroyed ; and more, they burned other two shippes, which weare laden for Brasill. Their fortune was so good, that the time served them at their pleasure to go into the bay and fourth againe; but whither they went from hence yt is not knowne. I wishe you to looke well to your- selves in that islande, lest they shoulde pretend to goe thither. As yet we have none order from Madrild touchinge this matter ; I knowe not whether there shall go any shippes of warre for that yslande or noe; God healpe
a Hannega or rather fanega, a Spanish measure of corn weighing about Icwt. or some- what more than an English bushel,
CAMD. SOC. F
42 APPENDIX.
us ! for we are in great daunger venturinge by sea. Trulie I am in great feare of the shippe that did wynter in the Indies, for that I have in her a thowsand duckettes adventure ,' God dely ver her from her enemyes ! I have not assured any parte thereof, and at this present I do not fynde that will assure yt at any prize.
XL — [LETTER OF DRAKE TOUCHING HIS PROGRESS.]
[Printed in " Newes out of Spain/' Bl. L. 4° 1587, in the Grenville Collection.]
Maister W.a you shal understand that, since the departure of Captaine Crosse, we have continued about Cape Saker, where we landed, and the better to have the benefite of the water, as also to ride in harborough at our pleasure, we assaulted the same castle and three other strong holdes, which we tooke, some by force and some by submission.
"We have taken, at severall times, of shipping, barkes, and carvels above an hundreth, laden with hoopes, gallyoares, pipe staves, timber, and other provisions of the King of Spaines, for the furnishing of his forces intended against England, which we burned, and have consumed all the fisher boates and nettes thereaboutes, to their great hinderance.
Thence we came before the haven of Lishbon, ancouring neere unto Cast Gales, where the Marques of S. Cruse was with his gallies, and seeing us chase his ships ashore, to take and carrie away his barkes and carvels, was content to suffer us there quietlie to tarrie and likewise to depart, and never charged us with one cannon shot.
Thus, for want of time, I leave the discourse of everie particular event unto Captaine Parker, who hath beene an eie witnesse and an actor in all our services past. From Cape Saker abourd hir Maiesties good shippe the Elizabetha-Bonaventure, the 21. of May, 1587.
Your loving friend,
Fr. DRAKE.
a Walsingham?
VOYAGE OP SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, A.D. 1087. 43
XII. — [EXPLANATION OF THE CONDUCT OF THE GOVERNMENT IN REFERENCE TO DRAKE'S VOYAGE.]
[S. P. O. For. Corresp. Flanders.]
Extract from Letter to Andreas de Loo, signed by the Lo. Treasurer and Mr. Comptroller, 14 June, 1587.a
And whereas yt may be objected, that the employment of Sir Francis Drake upon the cost of Spaine hath moved the Duke [of Parma], (upon like jealosie conceaved thereby of the soundnes of her Mates disposition to the said peace,) to proceed as he doth ; yt may be answeared, and that both with honor and truth, that her Matie hearing sondrie waies, espetially by intercepting of divers Spanish letters, which are extant and to bee seen, that the King of Spaine had prepared a great navie to sea, with a full determination to have assayled this realme and the realme of Ireland, could do no lesse but to use all meanes to impeach the same by keping the said preparacion, being made in sondrie ports of Spaine, from joyning together; for which purpose only the said Drake was sett forth. And yet, after her Matie was enformed that the said preparations were in some part staied, and did also find a disposition in the duke, upon your returne, that he was verie well bent to proceed to some good conclusion of peace, she caused an expresse messinger to be sent by sea unto the said Drake with letters, by the which he was expresly comaunded not to enter into anie of the King's ports, or to attempt anie act of hostilitie by land; but only to explore the truth of the preparations, and to impeach the amassing of the same from port to port. And for that the partie sent with the said letter could never, by reason of contrary wynd, recover Sir Francis Drake, but was constreyned to returne back without meeting with the said Drake, whereby it was not delivered, her Matie since his returne hath caused him to be verie carefully examined upon the matter, with intent to have severely punished him: in case it had not been found (as it was) that he had done his uttermost endevor for the finding of the said Drake, and that he was impeached by contrary wynds. And for the better mani-
a This is a draught or copy with corrections and interlineations added in Burghley's hand.
44 APPENDIX.
festing of her Males disposition therein, we can assure you that her highnes, understanding of some attempts of the said Drakes by land con- trary to her speciall direction, is greatly offended with him for the same, and meaneth at his retorne to carie him to his aunsweare for, which sheweth most apparantly the continuance of her Mates good disposition towards the peace, wherein we can assure you, yf there shalbe found there the like correspondencie and inclination, there was never greater hope of sound and spedy proceeding in the said treatie then at this pre- sent.
XIII. — [LETTER OF LORD BURGHLEY DISCLAIMING DRAKE'S AUTHORITY FOR HIS DEPREDATIONS.]
[S. P. O. For. Corresp. Flanders.] Burghley to Andreas de Loo, 18 July, 1587.
Whan I had wrytten thus far and had red it over, being ready to sign it, I bethought myself that you wold thynk I had not answered on[e] great scruple mentioned in your letter by the duke remembred : which was, that he mislyked greatly the actions of Sir Fr. Drake, doutyng that they might alienat the Kinges mynd from the inclyning to peace: wherunto this answer ought to satisfye you, to be delivered if hereafter the duke shall reiterat that scruple. Trew it is, and I avow it uppon my faythe, hir Ma^ did send a shipp expressly, with a messadg by letters chargyng hym not to shew any act of hostillite, befor he went to Gales; which messynger by contrary wyndes cold never come to the place wher he was, but was constrayned to come home: and, hearing of Sir Fr. Drake's actions, hir Ma^ comaunded the party that retorned to have been punished, but that he acquitted himself by the oth of hym self and all his company.
And so unwyttyng, yea unwyllyng to her Ma^, those actions war comitted by Sir Fr. Drake, for the which hir Maty is as yet greatly offended with him. And now for his bryngyng home of a rych shipp, that came out of the Est Indias, I assure we (szc) the Q. knoweth not as yet of what vallew hir ladyng is ; but, consideryng the great losses that hir sub-
VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE,
jectes had, both by arrest of all their goodes in Spayne, and by takyng of ther persons, and oppressing of them to ther ruyn and deth, it can not be that this shipp nor many mo the lyk can satisfye ther former losses : and therfor, untill a peace may be made and fynished, hir Ma^ can not inhibit hir subjectes to sek ther helpes by reprisalls : nether can hir Ma^ leave to kepe hir shippes armed, or to send them to the partes of Spayn, as long as she shall certenly understand the contynuall preparations that the K. maketh, both out of Spayn and Itally, to have an army on the seas, with manifest intention to come to the invasion of hir contrees. And hereunto we add as an evill sign of inclynation to peace, in that we heare that dyvers of rebells ar lately gon out of France to the D. of Parma, accompanyed with the B. of Koss disguised, to practise with the D. to offend this realm by the way of Scotland.
XIV. — [REQUESTS OF THE MERCHANT ADVENTURERS FOR
AN EQUITABLE SHARE IN THE SPOIL.] [S. P. O. Dom. Corresp.]
The spoiles of bread, wyne, oile, &c., which was taken at Gales, shold have byn sent home as merchaundize ; but, the Quenes shippes beinge victuled at their goeinge forth for not above 3 monethes, the same was deteyned to supplie their necessitie, whereas the merchauntes shipps were furnished for 9 monethes victules, to their treble charge, so that they require to have recompence accordinglie of the gooddes now sent home.
And further, whereas there was a pynace sent forth to meete Sir Fraunces Drake, which hath taken a pryze worth 5,000n and better, the saide mer- chauntes desire to have there shares thereof accordinge to equitie, so shall they be incoraged to sett forward the like services hereafter.
There be certen thinges concealed, which will secretlie be devided amonges theym that have least deserved, whereof a dilligent care for th'ex- aminacion is to be hadd.
(7w dorsOj) The requests of the Merchant Adventurers with Sir Francis Drak. 15 June, 1587.
46 APPENDIX.
XV. — [NEWS or DRAKE AFTER THE ATTACK UPON CADIZ.]
[S. P. O. For. Corresp. Spain.]
This shalbe to geve your honor to understand, that the armye which is mayd in Lyshbona ys as this ; they have xxiiij shipps, of the wich xv ar Portinggalls, and eight Biskins, and one of the Duck of Florence: the which shipps ar allredy with ther provicion on bord, and ther saylls a crosse. Butt at my coming a way they did want marry ners, for ther staying was for the marryners of the shipps which Sir Frances Draycke burnd in Cay 11s, and the souldiers to com out of Napells : the which was reported ther should corn the third of Napells, and iiij galliasses, and xxx galles : the report was they weare all aryved at Calls. And so they maid ther accompt to be in Lichbona, to go fourth all together upon S* James' day to meate with Sr Fraunces Draycke, and to wayte for ther Inges (Indies) fleete. Your honor shall understand, that this armye above written it was reported before Sir Fraunces Drayckes arry ving in Cayles, that they should goe for Ireland, and to carry with them the Iryshe Busshoppe, which is in Lichbona, for to proclayme him governor of Ireland under the Poppe.
Further to lett your honor understand, Sir Frances Draycke arryved in Gaskaylles, which ys with in the sight of Lichbona, upon Whitsound Wed- nesday, after the Portinggaylles accompte, whiche maide all the people to avoyde the towne, both men, wemen, and children ; and carryed with them all ther substance. So the cardinall was enformed by fyshermen of the same towne, that Sir Frauncis Drayckes stayinge was for the wantonye, for the wynning of the countrye ; and, presently upon the same, the cardi- nall sent for all his noblemen for to sitt in counsell of Sir Frauncis being ther. And that present day they mayd xxiiij Portinggall gentlemen captaynes, and mayd proclamacion aboute the cittie for souldyers, and some of the said captaynes were sent upp into the countrye to mayke souldyers in a readines; so, before my coming away, they had armed twooe portes with Portinggalles, which is Gaskalles and Penniche.
More to geve your honor to understand, that they have maid in Lich- bona, since Sir Frauncis Drayckes arryvinge in Caylls, many peces of ordnaunce of coper, and of bells which weare broughte out of Flaunders, and before these weare made they weare not halffe provyded of ordnaunce
VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, A.D. 1587. 47
for ther shipping. Sir Frauncis Draycke haith so touched them in ther shipping and castells, that they were allmost unprovyded both of pro- vicion and ordnaunce.
Allso to geve your honor to understande, that the report ys in all gentle- mens mowthes in the courte of Portinggaylle, that the Poppe, and the King of Spayne, and the King of Fraunce, the Ducke of Florence, with all the power they ar hable to mayke, [intend] to congquor England this next yeare, and saythe the Prince of Parme shall com Generall, and that the Poppe haith graunted him to be Kinge of England, and to ayde and assyst him with all the power he is hable to mayke.
(Endorsed,) July, 1587.
Keporte of the Spanishe Preparations.
XVI. — [STATE OF ALARM ON THE CONTINENT AND PROBABLE KESULTS CONSEQUENT UPON DRAKE'S CONTINUING HIS AG- GRESSIONS.]
[Harl. MS. 296, fol. 44.]
Pompeio Pellegrini to M. Giacopo Mannucci, in London ; dated Florence, 3 July, 1587 (partly in cipher).
The attempts of Sir Fr. Drake* upon those coastes [the coasts of Spain] do make them all to tremble, and yf, upon his entrynge into the porte of Calisf he had ymedyatly landed, he had undowtedly and without contrast b put that rytch towne to sacke, and made a grete booty e, whiche they all expected, for the succors came not in sixtene howers after; nevertheles, he wrytes that the dommage hathe byn more then a million of crownes ; thus mutche he wryteth.
* The words here denoted by italics were originally written in cipher. b qu, contest.
48 APPENDIX.
[Harl. MS. 296, fol. 46.]
Another Letter, signed B. C., but endorsed "from Mr. Standen" addressed to M. Jacopo Mannucci, in London ; under date of Aug. 28, 1587, from Italy (partly in cipher}.
If the flete of the Peru shoulde lykewise fall in Dracke's clowches, we Englishe Catholickes here shoulde not be able to shewe our faces, for I thincke they woulde stone us to dethe in the stretes ; sutche a generall mislyke is growen here of our nation within these two monethes, aboute these matters ; for that Italic, more than any other countrey, is damnified by that, and the stop of that navigation, whiche, folowinge in this maner, will ruyne many a familie that nowe floweth in welthe, and sutche as a, whyle agone lawghed at the abasement of Spayne, &c.
XVII.— GRIEF OF THE SPANIARDS AT THE LOSS OF THE CARRACK. — ESCAPE OF THE WEST INDIES' FLEET.
[S. P. O. Domestic Corresp.] Report of Gilbert Tisont who came from Lisbone the 3d of September, 1587.
The losse of the carracke, which Sr Fra. Drake did take, breed mar- vailous greif, and with dread did the marques departe forth; for yt was given him to understand, that there were 3 fleetes of English men of warre ; Sr Fra. Drake having onlie the charge of the principall fleete. So that yt was not feared onlie, but certainlie resolved upon, that the West Indies fleete (notwithstanding the wastage of the Marques) would be inter- cepted. But about the same time that order cam from the Court of Spaine to dispatch that fleete to the Groine, allso came the newes, that 9 West Indies men were arrived at S1 Lucar, but the rest of their fleete, being about 25 or 26 saile more, were not harde of; for theise ix. shippes were seperated from the other by fowle weather, and did not at all touch at the Ilandes : neither knewe of the Marques being there. There was great joye of the cominge of those ix. shippes, and the captaines and souldiers made there-
VOYAGE OP SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, A.D. 1587. 49
fore a triumph ; now expecting royall payment, whereof before they did despaire.
And for that the newes was come certaine that Sir Fra. Drake was retired home, (whom they imagine worketh by a familiar,) they allso confirme them selves in hope of the safe arivall of all the rest of the Indies fleete, to the K. his settled inrichinge for many yeres to performe his in- tent with all.
At the cominge awaie of this partie he meett with iiij great shippes putting into Lisborne, which he understoode to be Indies men, whether East or West he knewe not.
XVIII. — [LETTER OF THE COMMISSIONERS (FOR ORDERING THE CONTENTS OF THE CARRACK ST. PHILIP) TO THE COUNCIL.]
[Lansd. MS. 115, Art. 93.]
Our dewtyes unto your honors humblie remembred, wee doe in like manner signifie, that on Mondaye laste we began the service for discharge and view of the goods in this carrocke according to your honors' instruc- tions ; whereof yet wee ar able to make verye smale certificate, neither wolde wee have byn at this tyme herewith troblesome unto your honors, but that Sir Fraunces Drake, the bringer hereof, hath acquaynted us with some occations for which hee accoumpteth his presence and speedie repayre unto the courte verye necessarye, havinge lefte with us in his steede Mr. Thomas Fenner, a gentleman knowen to your honors, verye sufficient ; as also one other gentleman of his companye, named Mr. Stallenge, whome wee fynd bothe honeste and discreate, who giveth us great helpe to under- stand the Spanishe. By Sir Francis Drake wee sende unto your honors a booke of the loadinge of the shipp, as also the certificate of such quantitie as in this smale tyme hath byn landed by ourselves or by Sir Frauncis before our comynge : and therewith also wee have sentt a note of suche percells of golde as heitherto wee have founde, which percells of golde hee hath thoughte good nowe to carrye with him to presente unto her Matie. The reste of our tyme shalbe imployed with all diligence untill wee have taken a full inventorie of all that is in the bulcke of the shipp, whereof
CAMD. SOC. G
50 APPENDIX.
wee have yet moved or veiwed verie little : and will not buisye our selves miche in breakinge open of chestes untill wee heere agayne from your honors ; for wee conceave here wilbe travayle otherwyse to occupie us a longe tyme, and in the ende chieflye for committinge the pepper into castes and canvas bags, whiche muste be provided ; for it seemeth to lye all abroade in the ship. By your honors' nexte advertisementes, which wee humbly desyre with your convenient speede, wee expecte your good directions what strength shalbe appoynted for whaftinge so miche as your pleasures shalbe to have sentt upp by sea : for the transportation whereof wee will provide bar ekes heere accordingly e. And so referringe the farder satisfyinge of your honors touchinge the state of the shipp and goods unto Sir Francis Drake's owne reporte, wee humblye comende your honors to the preservation of the Almightie. From the carrocke, (yet named S* Philippi,) in the roade neere Salteashe, the xiiijth of July, 1587.
Your honors' to comaunde,
JOHN GILBERTE. THOMAS GEORGES. FRA. GODOLPIITN.
EDWA. CARTE. JOHN HAWKYNS. HENRY BILLINGSLEY.
(In
14 July, 1587.
Commissioners for the orderinge of the goods within the prize at Plim- mouthe to the Lords of the Counsell.
XIX.— [THE GOODS OP THE SAN PHILLIPPE.]
[Lansd. MS. 115, No. 89.]
An Estimate of the Valewe of the Goodes taken in the shippe named the S* Phillip, taken by Sr Fraunces Drake, Knight, and unladen at Saltashe in Julye and Auguste, 1587.
Firste, the pepper, by the bills of ladinge, dothe apeare ta be 4,073 cwt., whereof muche is decayed, and may £ s. d. be esteemed at . . . . . . 40,000 0 0
There is discharged neere 440 balles of annelle of 1 cwt. the peece, valewed at xs the Ib. w* . . 22,000 0 0
VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, A.D. 1587. 51
There are neere 115 packes of course callico and pin- £ s, d. tadoes esteemed at 50U the packe . . . 5,750 0 0
There are about 400 fardelles of synamon, wch may waye 80lb the peece, at v8 per Ib. wl . . 8,000 0 0
There maye be in all 20 pipes of cloves, which may waye 4 cwt. a pipe, at iiijs per Ib. we . . 1,600 0 0
There is by the invoize a hundreth tonne of Ibonie wood, which may be worthe 10U the tonne, which is . 1,000 0 0
There are about 110 chestes, which have in theim callico, sylke, some spice, and divers other kindes of merchandize, which may be worthe 10011 every cheste . '.v ' . 11,000 0 0
There is in the shipp and discharged certaine silke vellett, benjamyn, waxe, lacrie, to the vallewe of by estiina- cion . . . ,;.*:- .;-.:• . •.;•>„. 2,000 0 0
There is loden 15 pipes of salltpeeter, which waye nere 8 cwt. a pype, vallewed at 2411 a pipe, which is . . 360 0 0
There was founde in the shippe neere 1,400U in ryalles of plate, a chaine of gold worth 5001', plate of golde and silver, and some jewelles worth by estimacion 2,00011 -. 8,900 0 0
The shippe with her ordenaunce and furniture maye be worth ....... 2,000 0 0
£97,610 0 Oa
• This must have been the first rough estimate or valuation of this richly-cargoed prize, for we find among the Domestic Correspondence ( S. P. O.), under date of Oct. 8, 1587, another and apparently more comprehensive estimate of " all the merchandise discharged out of the Sl Phillippe in the Ryver of Saltashe."
Among the articles therein enumerated are starched calico cloth, broad unstarched calico, calicos in papers, calico-lawn es, coarse calico towels, painted pintados, calico diapers, fine white china silk, stitched calicos called " boultelles," fine calico called " canekens," coloured buckrams, coloured " sipres," quilts, turkey carpets, striped coarse carpets, coloured tinsel taffetas, changeable silks, and cruel boratos, white sarcenets, bales of indigo blue, tons of dry and wet pepper, kintals of cinnamon and cloves, mace and benjamin, china packed in barrels, lacquerie, saltpetre, beeswax, nutmegs, ebony, &c.
The grand total, as given therein, is valued at £108,049 13 11, a prodigiously large amount as compared with our present rate of currency.
52 APPENDIX.
XX. — CONTENTS OF A CASKET FOUND IN THE SAN PHILLIPPE.]
[S. P. O. Domestic Corresp.]
A Note or Inventory e of a smale Casket with divers Jewells, veiwed by us in the Towne of Saltashe, the xjth of July e, 1587, contayening asfolloweth: —
Sixe forcks of golde.
Twelve haftes of golde for kny ves, to saye, sixe of one sorte and sixe of another.
One chayne of golde with longe lincks and hookes.
One chayne of golde, with a tablet, havinge a picture of Christe in golde.
One chayne, with a tablet of cristall, and a crosse of golde.
One chayne of golde of esses, with fower diamondes and fower rubyes, sett in a tablet.
One chayne of smale beadestones of golde.
One smale chayne of golde, with roughe lincks, and a tablet hanging unto it, with the picture of Christe and our Ladye.
Two pendens of golde for the eares.
Three braceletts of golde, eiche with a crosse of sondrye fashion.
A girdle of christall garnished with golde.
A payer of beades of benjamyn garnished with golde.
Three ringes of golde with stones.
One rounde hoope of golde inameled with blacke.
One smale ringe of golde with a pearell.
Three heads and three rings of golde for walkinge staves.
One boole of golde and sixe spones of golde.
Two pomaunders, the one with a smale chayne of golde and garnished with golde.
One pomaunder garnished with golde and a pearell hanging to the same.
One smale box with some muskte in it.
A certayne quantitye in peeces of amber greece.
One hundred eightye and nyne smale stones, which wee esteeme to be gar net ts.
VOYAGE OF SIR FRANCIS DRAKE, A.D. 1587. 53
Thirtye-nyne aggetts, smale and greate. Eleaven other stones of a greene cullor, with spotts of read. One blood stone.
One white clothe, in the which there goeth diverse smale stones, thougth to be of smale valew.
The saide caskett, garnished with golde, with two keyes and a smale chayne of golde to the same.
The which caskett and Jewells before rehearsed Sir Frauncis Drake hath taken charge to dely ver unto her Ma116 with his owne handes at this presente.
JOHN GILBERTE. THOMAS GORGES. FRA. GODOLPHIN.
EDWA. CABYE. JOHN HAWKINS. HENRY BILLINGSLEY.
XXI. — [THE PARTITION OF THE SPOIL.]
[S. P. O. Domestic Corresp.]
Right honourable, my dutye considered, &c.
According to the valewacion of the goodes of the carricke, the ton- nedge and account, with a note of LXXXU for tenne enseignes, signified unto your L., yt may be understood (under your honors' correccion) as followeth, —
The tonnedge of her Mates \
shippes and the rest . 4,975 tonnes V 7,623 partes.
The men for the service 2,648 men )
HerMates shipping, 2,100 tonns, and 1,020 men, ys • • • • 3,120
The L. Admyrall, 175 tonns, and 115 men, ys -<• • • • 290
Sir Francis Drake, 600 tonns, and 619 men, ys * • • • • 1,219
The Marchauntes, 2,100 tonns, and 894 men, ys 2,994
54 APPENDIX.
The goodes, as by the valewacion therof, amounteth £ 9. d. to the some of . . . . . . 108,049 13 11
Wherof, according to the said proporcion, ther ys dewe
unto her Matie ; . . . . . 44,223 8 2
The charges in the said account mencionede, after the rate 1,524 411
Eesteth, the same being disductede, as appereth . 42,699 3 3
And abatinge from the rest of the shippes over and above her Maties, 400 tonns, which ys supposede they may be over ratede, ther maye remayne, shippinge and men . . 7,223 partes.
Whereof by the said proporcion her Matie ys to have . 46,672 8 10 The charges therof, after the rate . . . 1,608 13 I
Resteth dewe, by this accompte as appereth . 45,063 15 9
So that the differens yeldeth unto her Matie . . 2,364 12 6
(Indorse,) 24 Oct. 1587.
Stallenges* paper of the Phillip, with a note of the porcion dew to her , being set thereon.
* The Mr. Stallenge mentioned at p. 49.
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