A letter sent to the right Honorable Sir William Cecill
Lord Burghley, Lord high Treasurer of England &c.
From M. Thomas James of Bristoll, concerning the
discoverie of the Isle of Ramea, dated the 14 of
September. 1591.
RIGHT Honourable,
my humble duetie to your good Lordship done, I thought good humbly to advertise your
honour of the discovery of an Island made by two smal
shippes of Saint Malo; the one 8 daies past being prised
neare Silley, by a ship of which I am part owner, called
the Pleasure, sent by this citie to my Lord Thomas
Howard, for her Majesties service. Which prise is sent
backe to this Port by those of the sayd shippes, with
upwards of fortie tunnes of Traine. The Island
lyeth in
47. degrees, some fiftie leagues from the grand Bay, neere
Newfoundland
: and is about twentie leagues about, and
some part of the Island is flat Sands and shoulde: and
the fish commeth on banke (to do their kinde) in April
May & June, by numbers of thousands, which fish is very
big: and hath two great teeth: and the skinne of them is
like Buffes leather: and they will not away from their
yong ones. The yong ones are as good meat as Veale.
And with the bellies of five of the saide fishes they make a
hogshead of Traine, which Traine is very sweet, which
if it will make sope, the king of Spaine may burne some
of his Olive trees. Humbly praying your Lordship to
pardon herein my boldnes, betaking your Honour to the
keeping of the Almightie.
From Bristoll, this 14 of
September. 1591.Your Honours most humbly at commandement.
THOMAS JAMES.