CERTAINE VOYAGES
Navigations and traffiques both ancient and of late, to
divers places upon the coast of Brasil
: together with a
Ruttier for all that coast, and two intercepted letters
which reveale many secrets of the state of that countery: the rest of our voyages to Brasil
which have
bene either intended or performed to the River of Plate,
the Streight of Magellan, the South Sea, or farther that
way, being reserved for the generall heades next
insuing.
A brief relation of two sundry voyages made by the worshipful M. William Haukins of Plimmouth, father to
Sir John Haukins knight, late Treasurer of her Majesties
Navie, in the yeere 1530 and 1532.
OLDE M. William Haukins of Plimmouth, a man for his
wisedome, valure, experience, and skill in sea causes much
esteemed, and beloved of K. Henry the 8, and being one
of the principall Sea-captaines in the West parts of England
in his time, not contented with the short voyages
commonly then made onely to the knowne coasts of
Europe
, armed out a tall and goodly shippe of his owne
of the burthen of 250 tunnes, called the Paule of Plimmouth, wherwith he made three long and famous voyages
unto the coast of Brasil
, a thing in those dayes very rare,
especially to our Nation. In the course of which voyages
he touched at the river of Sestos
upon the coast of Guinea,
where hee traffiqued with the Negros, and tooke of them
Elephants teeth, and other commodities which that place
yeeldeth: and so arriving on the coast of Brasil
, he used
there such discretion, and behaved himself so wisely with
those savage people, that he grew into great familiarity
and friendship with them. Insomuch that in his second
voyage, one of the savage kings of the countrey of Brasil
,
was contented to take ship with him, and to be transported
hither into England
: whereunto M. Haukins agreed,
leaving behinde in the Countery as a pledge for his safetie
and returne againe, one Martin Cockeram of Plimmouth.
This Brasilian king being arrived, was brought up to
London
and presented to K. Henry the 8, lying as then
at
White-hall: at the sight of whom the King and all the
Nobilitie did not a litle marvaile, and not without cause:
for in his cheekes were holes made according to their
savage maner, and therein small bones were planted,
standing an inch out from the said holes, which in his
owne Countrey was reputed for a great braverie. He had
also another hole in his nether lip, wherein was set a
precious stone about the bignes of a pease: All his
apparel, behaviour, and gesture, were very strange to the
beholders.
Having remained here the space almost of a whole
yeere, and the king with his sight fully satisfied, M.
Hawkins according to his promise and appointment, purposed to convey him againe into his countrey: but it fell
out in the way, that by change of aire and alteration of
diet, the said Savage king died at sea, which was feared
would turn to the losse of the life of Martin Cockeram his
pledge. Neverthelesse, the Savages being fully perswaded
of the honest dealing of our men with their prince,
restored againe the said pledge, without any harme to
him, or any man of the company: which pledge of theirs
they brought home againe into England
, with their ship
fraighted, and furnished with the commodities of the
countrey. Which Martin Cockeram, by the witnesse of
Sir John Hawkins, being an officer in the towne of Plimmouth, was living within these fewe yeeres.
An ancient voyage of M. Robert Reniger and M. Thomas
Borey to Brasil
in the yeere of our Lord 1540.
I HAVE bene certainly informed by M. Anthony Garrard
an ancient and worshipfull marchant of the citie of London
, that this commodious and gainefull voyage to Brasil
was ordinarily and usually frequented by M. Robert
Reniger, M. Thomas Borey, and divers other substantial
and wealthie marchants of Southampton
, about 60. yeeres
past, that is to say in the yeere 1540.
A voyage of one Pudsey
to Baya in Brasil
anno 1542.
ALSO the worshipfull M. Edward Cotton of Southampton
Esquire gave mee more particularly to understand, how
that one Pudsey of Southampton, a man of good skill and
resolution in marine causes, made a voyage in like maner
62. yeeres agoe to Baya de todos los Santos
the principall
towne of all Brasil
, and the seate of the Portugal
vice-roy
and of the bishop, and that he built a fort not farre distant
from that place, in the foresaid yeere 1542.
A letter written to M. Richard Staper by John Whithal
from Santos
in Brasil
, the 26. of June 1578.
WORSHIPFULL sir, and welbeloved friend M. Staper, I
have me most heartily commended unto you, wishing your
health even as mine owne.
These few words may bee to let you understand, that
whereas I wrote unto you not many dayes past by the way
of Lisbon
, howe that I determined to bee with you very
shortly, it is in this countrey offered mee to marry, and to
take my choice of three or foure : so that I am about three
dayes agoe consorted with an Italian gentleman to marry
with his daughter within these foure dayes. This my
friend and father in law Signor Ioffo Dore is borne in the
citie of Genua
in Italy
: his kindred is well knowen
amongst the Italians in London
: also hee hath but onely
this childe which is his daughter, which hee hath thought
better bestowed upon mee then on any Portugal
in all the
countrey, and doeth give with her in marriage to me part
of an Ingenio which he hath, that doeth make every yeere
a thousand roves of sugar. This my mariage will be
worth to me two thousand duckets, little more or lesse.
Also Signor Ioffo Dore my father in law doeth intende to
put into my handes the whole Ingenio with sixtie or
seventie slaves, and thereof to make me factor for us both.
I give my living Lord thankes for placing me in such
honour and plentifulnesse of all things.
Also certaine dayes past I talked with the Provedor and
the Captaine, and they have certified me, that they have
discovered certaine Mines of silver and gold, and looke
every day for Masters to come to open the said Mines:
which when they be opened will inrich this countrey very
much. This place is called S. Vincent, and is distant
from you two thousand leagues, and in 24. degrees of
latitude on the South side of the Equinoctial line, & almost
under the Tropike of Capricorne. A countrey it is very
healthfull without sicknesse.
Moreover, I have talked with the Captaine and Provedor, and my father in law, who rule all this countrey,
for to have a ship with goods to come from London
hither, which have promised mee to give mee licence,
saying that nowe I am free denizen of this countrey. To
cause a ship to come hither with such commodities as
would serve this countrey, would come to great gaines,
God sending in safety the profite and gaines. In such
wares and commodities as you may ship hither from
London
is for every one commoditie delivered here three
for one, and then after the proceed may be imployed in
white sugar at foure hundred reis the rove.
I meane also to have a friend in London
to sende mee
a ship of 60. or 70. tunnes, little more or lesse, with such
commodities as I shall give advise for. This voyage is
as good as any Peru-voyage. If you and Master Osborne
will deale here, I will deale with you before any other,
because of our old friendly friendship in time past. If
you have any stomacke thereto, in the Name of God do
you espie out a fine barke of seventie or eightie tunnes,
and send her hither with a Portugal Pilot to this port of
S. Vincent in Brasil
, bordering upon the borders of Peru
.
Also I herewith write unto you in what forme and
maner you shall furnish this voyage both in commodities
and otherwise.
First you must lade in the said ship certaine Hampshire
and Devonshire
karsies: for the which you must let her
depart from London
in October, and to touch in the
Canaries, and there to make sale of the saide karsies, and
with the proceed thereof to lade fifteene tunnes of wines
that be perfect and good, and sixe dozen of Cordovan
skinnes of these colours, to wit, orenge, tawnie, yellow,
red, and very fine black. I thinke you shall not finde
such colours there. Therefore you must cause them that
shall go upon this voyage, to take saffron with them, to
cause the same skinnes to bee put into the saide colours.
Also I thinke you shall finde oyles there. Three hogsheads of sweete oyle for this voyage are very necessary,
or a hundred & fiftie jarres of oyle. Also in London
you
may lade in the said ship these parcels of commodities or
wares, as followeth:
- In primis, Foure peeces of hollands of middle sort.
- Item, One peece of fine holland.
- Foure hundred elles of osenbriges very fine.
- Foure dozen of sizzors of all sorts.
- Sixteene kintals of pitch of the Canaries.
- Twentie dozen of great knives which be made in
fardles, of a low price.
- Foure dozen of a small sort.
- Sixe peeces of bayes of the lowest sort.
- One very fine peece of bayes.
- Foure hundred elles of Manchester-cottons, most
blacke, greene, some yellow.
- Eight or tenne dozen of hats, the one halfe trimmed
with taffata, the other plaine, with the bands of
Cypresse.
- Sixe dozen of course shirts.
- Three dozen of doublets of canvas.
- Three dozen of doublets of stitched canvas.
- One peece of fine Millan-fustian barred.
- Sixe dozen of locks for doores and chests.
- Sixe thousand of all maner of fish hooks.
- Foure dozen reames of paper.
- Two dozen of glasses of divers sorts.
- Two dozen of Venice
glasses, the one halfe great, the
other middle sort.
- Two dozen of mantles of frize, of the lowest price
that can be.
- Three dozen of frize gownes.
- Foure hundred pound of tinne of the use of Portugall, most smal dishes and trenchers.
- Foure pound of silke of all colours.
- Twentie pound of spices, cloves, cinamom, pepper,
and saffron.
- Two kintals of white sope.
- Three pound of threed, white, blacke, and blew.
- Three pound of fine white threed.
- Item, halfe a dozen of Northerne karsies of divers
colours.
- Foure sorting clothes, blew, red, yellow, and
green.
- Sixe Northerne dozens of divers colours.
- One fine blew cloth of eight pound.
- One fine stamell of tenne or twelve pound.
- One fine sheeps coloured cloth of twelve pound.
- One fine blacke karsie. } { One fine stamell karsie.
- Sixe yards of blacke velvet.
- Three barrels of nailes for chests.
- Two barrels of nailes for ships and barks.
- Sixe kintals of Occom.
- Two dozen of velvet girdles without hangers.
- Foure yards of taffata red, blacke, and blew, with
some greene.
- Two dozen of leather girdles.
- Sixe dozen of axes, hatchets, and small billes to cut
wood.
- Foure mases of gitterne strings.
- Foure hundred or five hundred elles of some linnen
cloth that is of a low price to make shirts and
sheets.
- Foure tunne of yron.
These be such sort of wares as I would you should send.
If you meane to deale, or send any ship hither, have you
no doubt, but by the helpe of God I shall put all things in
good order according to your contentment and profit: for
my father in lawe with the Captaine and Provedor doe
rule this countrey.
My father in law & I shal (God willing) make a good
quantitie of sugar every yeere, which sugar we intend to
ship for London
from henceforth, if we can get such a
trustie & good friend as you to deale with us in this
matter. I pray you presently after the receit of this my
letter to write mee answere thereof, & send your letter to
M. Holder to Lisbone, & he wil convey it to me out of
hand.
- Besides the premisses send sixe yards of skarlet,
parchment lace of divers colours.
- Sixe yards of crimosin velvet.
- Sixe yards of crimosin satten.
- Twelve yards of fine puke blacke.
Here in this countrey in stead of John Whithall they
have called me John Leitoan: so that they have used this
name so long time, that at this present there is no remedie
but it must remaine so. When you write unto me, let the
superscription be unto John Leitoan.
Thus I commit you with all yours to the holy Ghost
for ever.
If you send this ship, I would have you give order that
she touch in no part of the coast of Guinie nor any other
coast, but to come directly hither to the port of S. Vincent, and from the Canaries let her be dispatched in my
name, to wit, John Leitoan.
- Also a dozen of shirts for my wearing let be sent, if
you send the ship.
- Item, sixe or eight pieces of sayes for mantles for
women, which is the most necessary thing that
can be sent.
By your assured friend
John Whithall.
A copie of the letters of the Adventurers for Brasill sent
to John Whithall dwelling in Santos
, by the Minion of
London. Anno 1580. the 24. of October in London
.
MASTER Whithall, as unacquainted wee commend us unto
you, &c. understanding by your friends, M. John Bird,
M. Robert Walkaden, and your brother James Whithall
of certaine letters that they have received of yours from
Santos
, which wee have seene and read, wherein from
time to time you doe require, and desire them to send a
good ship to Santos
, with such wares and commodities as
you did write for, whereby you did not onely promise that
they should have good intertainment, but also should sell
the saide commodities to make three of one outward at the
least in every thing, and that for to relade their ship backe,
they should have of the best, finest, & whitest drie sugars
32. pound of our weight for a ducket at the most. The
premises considered, with the great credit that they and
we doe give to your writing & promise, have caused us,
whose names be hereunder written, to joyne our selves in
company together, & to be at great charges purposely
to send this good ship the Minion of London, not onely
with such marchandizes as you wrote for, but also with
as many other things as we thought might any wayes
pleasure you, or profit the country. And we crave of you,
that we and our factors may have so much credite of you,
as we have in you and of your letters, which is to beleeve
us that we have taken this voyage upon us, with no other
minde or purpose, then to deale faithfully and truely in
the trade by sea and land, so as you shall not onely have
cause to rejoyce, and deserve thanks for our comming,
but also you wil procure the magistrates there to be
bound, as they use in Galicia
, that we may be preserved
and defended from all reprisals and imbargments of
princes or subjects for any causes or matters whatsoever,
whereby wee may bee incouraged by them, giving us this
securitie of good intertainment, to continue the trade
yeerely henceforth: and for our parts we promise upon
our credits and fidelities to commit no outrage at the sea
nor land, nor suffer any to be done in our company that
we may let, but rather to defend and protect all other
such peaceable marchants as we are, with their ships and
goods.
And to the ende that you and others shall know that
wee meane as we say, we have given order to our factours
to give you good hostages for your assurance of our good
fidelities: and further we have sent a testimoniall of our
owne true meaning in writing under the seales of this
honourable Citie of London, which we wil not discredite
by our behaviours for all the treasure that you have: and
so we have written to your magistrates of your port, and
others in
Spanish, the copy whereof we send you herewith
enclosed in
English. And if the time should fal out so
contrary to our expectations, that there should not be fine
white sugar sufficient to lade our said ship in due time at
Santos
, then we pray you direct our factours where they
may goe with the shippe in safetie to supply their want,
and helpe them to a good sure Pilot for that purpose, and
write your letters to your friends where the best sugar is
made in their favours, and helpe our factours to have a
testimoniall from Santos
, that they and you traded
together friendly, and so departed in good and perfect
amitie, and shew them that the just cause of our comming
is to trade as marchants peaceably, and not as Pirats to
commit any offence to one or other.
Also we pray you, if there be any store of waxe, or
salt-peeter, whereby the price there may yeeld us as much
profit as the white sugars at a ducket the rove, or any
other commodity of like profite, then to procure that we
may lade it without danger of lawe, be it oare of golde or
silver or whatsoever else.
Wee have sent you copper cauldrons for your Ingenios,
with iron and all other necessaries for your purpose, and
artificers to set the same: and as wee have at your request
bene at great charges in sending these men, so we pray
you let us have lawful favour in like courtesie to further
all our causes. And if any of our Mariners or passengers
in any respect of displeasure against their company, or in
hope of preferment of mariage or otherwise would procure
to tary and dwell there, and leave his charge and office,
that then you will be a meane to the Justice that such
fugitives should bee sent abord the ship as prisoners: for
as you know, without our men wee cannot bring home
our ship.
Wee have given order to our factours to use your
counsell and helpe in their affaires, and to gratifie you
for the same as to your courtesie and faithfull friendship
shall appertaine to your good liking: and in the meane
time for a token of our good willes toward you, we have
sent you a fieldbed of walnut tree, with the canopy, valens,
curtaines, and gilt knops. And if there be any commoditie else that may pleasure you or your friends, wee have
given order that they shall have the refusing of it before
any other, giving for it as it is worth.
And thus to conclude, promising to performe all the
foresaide things on our parts in every condition, we
commit you to God, who ever preserve you with all his
blessings.
Your loving friends
Christopher Hodsdon.
Anthonie Garrard.
Thomas Bramlie.
John Bird.
William Elkin.
Certaine notes of the voyage to Brasill with the Minion
of London aforesaid, in the yere 1580. written by
Thomas Grigs Purser of the said ship.
THE thirde day of November in the yeere abovesaid we
departed in the Minion of London from Harwich
, from
which time no great thing worth the knowledge or regard
of others happened until the 22. of December the next
moneth, which day for our owne learning & use wee
observed the setting of the Sunne, which was West southwest, we then being under the line Equinoctiall, where
we found the air very temperate, and the winde for the
most part Southeast and East southeast. The same day
we also observed the rising of the moone, being one day
after the full, which rose at East northeast.
The first land that wee fell with upon the coast of
Brasill was the yland of S. Sebastian, where we arrived
the 14. day of January in the yeere 1581.
The 16. day Thomas Babington, and others in our
pinnesse, went a shoare to Guaybea, where they met with
John Whithall his father and mother in lawe, who having
received letters from thence to be delivered at Santos
,
came abord, and then we weyed and set saile, and the
28. day wee arrived at the yland of Santa Catelina, neere
the entrance of Santos
.
Our course from S. Sebastian was Southwest and by
West, and betwixt the Southwest and by West, and West
southwest.
This yland of Santa Catelina seemeth at the first to be
a part of the yland of Girybia. Wee ankered at nine
fathome blacke osie ground.
Upon the yland there grow many Palmito-trees, but no
fresh water is there to be found.
The third day of February we arrived before the towne
of Santos
, and were there well received and intertained of
the Captaine, the kings officers, and all the people.
The fourth day we tooke into our ship a beefe alive,
which served for the victualling of the ship, and the
refreshing of our men, and to make us the merrier at
Shrovetide.
The eight day we delivered to M. John Whithall a
bedstead with the appurtenances, which were sent to him
from our marchants of London
.
The 18. day the captaine of Santos
came abord our
ship, by whom we had knowledge of foure great French
ships of warre, that had bene at the
river of Jenero, which
there tooke three Canoas, but were driven from thence
by their castles & forts, and were looked for here at
Santos
. Whereupon the Captaine requested us to lend
them some armour and artillery, and we lent them
twentie calivers, and two barrels of powder.
The 19. day our skiffe which we had sent to Alcatrarzas, and had bene away sixe dayes, came againe, and
brought good store of great and good fish, and tolde us
that there was good store of fish to be taken there by
the hooke, and as much wood as we could have of the
Palmito-tree.
The 20. day at night Nicholas Gale, one of our company, fell over our shippes side, and was drowned in the
port of Santos
before the towne, where our ship rode at
anker.
The 22. day two of the Canoas which the Frenchmen
tooke in the
river of Jenero, returned to Santos
, and
reported that the foure French ships were past to the
southwards, as they thought, for the Straights of Magellan, and so into the
South sea.
The 23. day the aforesaide Nicholas Gale, who fell
overbord two dayes before, was found againe, and taken
up three miles from our ship, and our company went to
his buriall in the Church at Santos
.
This day the Captaine and Justices of Santos wished
us to tary in their road till the last of April, for they had
sent a barke of Santos
to Baya at the kings charges, to
know whether we should have trade there or no, and this
barke could not returne before that time.
About this time there arrived at
Fernambuck a shippe
from Portugall, which brought newes that the Islands,
Indies, and Portugall it selfe was molested and troubled
by the Spaniards, and that the Portugales had both
English and Frenchmen to Lisbone to defend them
against Spaine.
The 25. day wee sent two of our men, namely Thomas
Michael and Simon Thorne to Baya in a barke that went
thither from Santos
.
The two and twentie day of Aprill our Master and
Thomas Babington having some talke and conference
with the Padres of Santos, they (our men being ready to
go to the
River of Jenero) tolde them, that they were
sorry for our banishment from the Church, and that the
Ministrador had written from
Rio de Jenero, that forasmuch as these twentie yeres or more the English nation
had denied the Church of Rome and her proceedings,
therefore the Ministrador commanded that none of us
should come to their Church: the Padres willed us herein
to have patience, and to take it in good part, and pro
mised to stand our friends in their word and writing, both
to the Ministrador and to the Bishop at Baya, and further
requested all our English company to have no ill opinion
of them.
The 28. of April we laded sugars into our ships.
The 21. of May we tooke in fresh victuals from Santos
.
The 10. day of June wee gratified one Iosto Thorno,
dwelling in Santos
, with some of our English victuals,
and intertained him in good sort in our ship, and this day
wee were promised to have a Pilot at Santos
to cary us
to Baya.
The 11. day we went to fish, to make provision for our
ship and men, and from that time till the eighteenth day
wee fet water, and cut wood for our fire, and trimmed our
ship of the harmes and leakes which the wormes had
made in her while wee ridde at the yland of S. Sebastian,
and in the meane time we departed from before the towne
of Santos
. Our Master sent his skiffe from the barre of
Santos
, thinking to have brought Thomas Babington and
William Euet with the Pilot, which wee had tarried for
three dayes : and as the skiffe was going, William Euet
being by the Rivers side, called to our pinnesse, and sent
a letter to our Master, which Thomas Babington had
written, wherein were no newes, but that the Ministrador
was arrived at Santos
from the
River of Jenero, and would
speake with our Master, but he willed that whatsoever
Thomas Babington did write, no credit should be given
to it. And further he wished us presently to depart for
Sant Sebastian, and there to dispatch our businesse, and
then to sende backe for Babington and himselfe to Guaybea, where he (if he were well) would give his attendance
to come abord.
As we rid two leagues a sea-bord the barre of Santos
wee broke a cable in the open sea, which happened the
15. day of this moneth.
We arrived at S. Sebastian the 15. day, and there
shifted our balast, and had in stones, and hailed our ship
a ground to stop our leakes, & caried our caske a shoare
to be hooped for water, which indeed might better have
bene done in Santos
, before the Ministrador came thither:
yet we finished all things pertaining to our ship, by the
22. of this moneth, at S. Sebastian.
The first day of July Thomas Babington came abord
with William Euet, in our pinnesse, and the rest of our
men that went for them: but there was no Pilot brought
according to promise to cary us to Baya.
The things that we observed and noted in the time of
our being at Santos
, were these.
All such wares and marchandizes as owe no custome
in
Brasill, their use is, to set a price upon the same, how
they shalbe sold: which is done by the magistrates of
the towne, according to the ordinances of their king.
But for all such marchandizes as doe owe custome
there, the marchants are to sell them according as they
may, to the greatest profit and advantage that they can.
Concerning the province of Peru
, wee learned that one
part of it by land & water is but twelve dayes journey
from the towne of Santos
, and from thence it may be
about foure or five dayes journey by water to the maine
river of Plate.
From the head of the river of Plate, and from their
chiefe townes there, they doe trade and trafique by land
into Peru
by waggons, and horses or mules.
The saide river of Plate is so full of sands and dangers,
and the fresh so fierce sometimes, that no shipping dares
to deale with it, small barks to their knowledge may go
up it, and not els.
The Portugales here cannot bee suffered to use their
Mines of treasure in these parts, upon paine of death, the
contrary being commanded by the king and the Vice-roy,
who is as their king in place of authoritie.
About twentie leagues from Santos
there is a certaine
kinde of wilde Savages, lying in the mountaines, which
are in friendship with the Portugales, and they have
continuall warres with certaine other Savages that dwell
towards the borders of Peru
, which is distant from Santos
about 400. or 500. leagues. Those Savages of Peru
have
store of gold and silver, but they knowe not the use
of it.
Looke what Savages of their enemies they take, they
sell them to the Portugales for knives, combes, axes or
hatchets, and other trifles: they will sell one for a pennieknife to a Portugal
, and after two yeeres they are worth
twentie or thirtie duckets to the Portugal
.
This people have also continuall warres with the
Spaniards : and this was tolde us by one of those Savages,
which hath dwelt among the Portugales these seven
yeeres, with his master called Sennor Manoel Veloso.
And this fellowe would willingly have come with us for
England
.
There are certaine rockes that lie off betweene the yle
of Alcatrarzas and S. Sebastian, about two leagues, which
are to be taken heed of, which a farre off in faire weather
shewe like the sailes of ships.
There are other rocks that lie off S. Catelina also five
leagues to the East and by South into the sea off the
yland.
At our comming up to Santos
we found foure fadom
and a halfe water in the shallowest place, and the like we
found within a league after we were departed from S.
Catelina, litle more or lesse, but after you have runne
in the depth of foure fadome and a halfe, about a mile
or lesse, then you shall have it deeper againe more and
more.
Before the towne of Santos
we rode in eight and tenne
fadome water.
The well governed and prosperous voyage of M. James
Lancaster, begun with three ships and a galley-frigat
from London
in October 1594, and intended for Fernambuck, the port-towne of Olinda
in Brasil
. In which
voyage (besides the taking of nine and twenty ships
and frigats) he surprized the sayd port-towne, being
strongly fortified and manned: and held possession
thereof thirty dayes together (notwithstanding many
bolde assaults of the enemy both by land and water)
and also providently defeated their dangerous and
almost inevitable fireworks. Heere he found the cargazon or freight of a rich East Indian carack; which
together with great abundance of sugars, Brasil-wood,
and cotton he brought from thence; lading therewith
fifteene sailes of tall ships and barks.
IN September 1594 the worshipfull M. John Wats, alderman, M. Paul Banning, alderman, & others of worship in
the city of London
, victualled three good ships; to wit,
The Consent, of the burthen of 240 tunnes or thereabout,
The Salomon, of 170 tunnes, and The Virgin, of 60
tunnes: and appointed for commanders in this voyage,
M. James Lancaster of London
, gentleman, admirall of
the fleet, M. Edmund Barker of London
, viceadmirall,
and M. John Audely of Poplar neere London
, rereadmirall,,
having in their sayd ships to the number of 275 men and
boyes.
Being fully furnished with all needfull provision, wee
departed from Blackwall in October following, keeping
our owne coast, untill we came into the West countrey,
where we met with such gusts and stormes, that the
Salomon spending her mast at the Range of Dartmouth,
put into harbour; but by the earnest care and industry of
the generall and others having charge, she was shortly
againe provided. Which done, having a pleasant gale
for our purpose, we put foorth from Dartmouth
the last
of November following. But contrary to our expectation,
not fifty leagues from our owne coast, we lost the Salomon
and the Virgin, by a storme of contrary winde that fell
upon us: yet being alone, in hope to meet them about the
Canaries or
Cape Blank, we kept on our course to the
Canaries, but could heare no tidings of our consorts;
which greatly grieved us.
Thence we went, bearing for the isle of Tenerif, where
in the morning early we had sight of a saile, which being
becalmed under the shore, was towing with their boat a
head, having one other at her sterne. For this saile we
manned our boat, appointing our men wel for fight, if
need should require. The Spaniards seeing our boat
come, entred theirs, and leaving the ship, sought to save
themselves by flight: but our men pursued them so fast,
that they boorded them, and brought them with their
shippe to our Generall. This ship was laden with 80
tunnes of Canary-wine, which came not unto us before
it was welcome. We kept and manned it, plying that
day, and the next night thereabout. The very next morning we had sight of one other; to whome in like maner
wee sent our boat: but their gunner made a shot at her,
and strooke off a propper yoong mans arme; yet we
inforced her to yeeld, and found 40 tunnes of wine in
her. The Spaniards having their free passage, and an
acquitance for the delivery of their wines, were all set on
shore upon Tenerif, making a quicke returne of their long
voyage intended into the West Indies.
Hence we departed toward
Cape Blank; and before
wee came thither, we met againe with the Virgin our
rereadmirall, whose men tolde us for very trueth, that the
Salomon was returned for England
: inforced so to doe,
by spending her mast the second time. Which when our
men understood, they were all in a maze, not knowing
what to doe, and saying among themselves that their force
was but small when all our strength were together, and
now we had lost the one halfe of our strength, we were
not able to performe the voyage: and therefore some of
them came to the captain, asking him what he would
now do, seeing the Salomon was lost, the one halfe of
our strength, giving him counsell to beare up for the
West Indies, and prove there to make his voyage, because
his first plat for want of strength was cleane overthrown.
The captaine hearing this new novelty, as not unacquainted with the variable pretenses of mariners, made
them this answere: Sirs, I made knowen to you all at my
comming out of England
what I pretended, and that I
meant to go for Fernambuck, and although at the present
we want one of our ships, yet (God willing) I meane to go
forward, not doubting but to meet her at the appointed
places, which are either at
Cape Blank or the islands of
Cape Verde: for I am assured that M. Barker the captaine is so resolute to performe this voyage, that his mast
being repaired, he will not faile to meet us, & it were no
wisdome for us to divert our course, till we have sought
him at those places where our appointed meeting is: for
the diverting of courses is the overthrow of most of our
actions. And I hope you will be all contented herewith:
for to go any other course then I have determined, (by
Gods helpe) I will not be drawen unto. With these
reasons and many others shewed, they rested all satisfied:
and at our comming to
Cape Blank (God be praised) we
met with the Salomon with no small joy to us all; and
there she had taken of Spaniards and Portugals 24 saile
of ships and caravels, fisher-men, and had taken out of
them such necessaries as she had need of. Of these ships
our captaine tooke foure along with him, with another
that he had taken himselfe, meaning to imploy them as
occasion should serve. At this place he understood of one
of the pilots of those ships, that one of the caracks that
came out of the East Indies, was cast away in the rode
of Fernambuc, and that all her goods were layd upon the
Arrazife which is the lower towne. Of these newes we
were all glad, and rejoyced much; for our hopes were
very good, seeing such a booty before us.
Of this good company and happy successe we were all
joyful, and had great hope of the blessing of God in
performance of our intended voyage, and so after some
parle & making frolike for joy of our meeting one with
the other (praising God for all) we plied for Maio
: where
comming to anker, our generall & the rest of the captaines
went ashore to view the place where we might in best
safety set our gally-frigat together; which frame wee
brought from England
of purpose to land men in the
country of Brasil
. Here we discharged our great prize
of wine, and set her on fire: but before our comming
thither, you shall understand we had sight of foure sailes,
which was captaine Venner in his ship the Peregrine, and
a proper Biskaine which he tooke at
Cape Blank, the
Welcome of Plymmouth & her pinnesse: all which stood
with us. But they seeing our flags, not expecting such
good fellowes as we, did beare from us all they might;
which our people tooke very unkindly, that being all
friends they would neither enquire, nor tell us any newes
of our friends, but without making any shew of kindnes
would so depart. As before I have said, the choice being
made for the place to build the gally-frigat, ashore it was
brought, where the carpenters applied their worke, still
cheered unto it by the generals good gifts bestowed
among them, and kind usage of the rest of the commanders, not without great care of the captaine for the
safety of them all, by keeping good watch: yet one
negligent fellow, which had no knowledge of the countrey,
straying from his company, was by the Portugals taken,
& very kindly used, and brought againe unto us: for
which good the generall rewarded them well with gifts
very acceptable, which they tooke as kindly. While wee
were thus busily imployed about the foresayd galley, we
descried at sea foure sailes, which we had good hope
would have proved Indies men, or some to have brought
us what wee looked for: but they proved captaine Venner
with his fleet, as aforesayd, who, seeing us at anker,
ankered also; where spending some time, and being.
acquainted with our generals determination for landing,
consorted with us, & their bils, according to the maner of
the sea, were made and signed on either part, we to have
three parts, & he the fourth, of all that should be taken,
wherby our strength was increased, to all our comforts.
Three weeks or thereabouts we stayd in this place before
the gally was finished; which done, putting men into her,
and fitting her with oares, having foureteene banks on a
side, a mast and saile, the commandement of her was
committed unto M. Wats, an honest skilfull mariner.
From thence we put againe to sea, and went for the
ile Brava
, where we watered: which done, we made no
long stay after, but bent our course as directly as we
could for the place, making our first fall with the land
to the Southward of
Cape S. Augustine; from whence
wee plied still to our desired port of Fernambuck, and
did so much, that about midnight we came before the
harbour; where some plied up and downe, holding that
the best policy, to forbeare the entring till day might give
them light, the harborow being hard, and therefore the
more perillous. Our ships being in safety well arrived,
God was praised: and the generall in his boat went from
ship to ship, willing them to make ready such men as they
could spare, with muskets, pikes, billes, bowes, arrowes,
and what weapons they had to follow him. Himselfe,
with 80 men from his owne ship, imbarked himselfe in
the gally, which caried in her prow a good sacar, and two
murdering pieces.
Our admirall spent all the night in giving directions to
every ship to have their men ready shipped in their boats,
for he intended to enter the harborow at the breake of
day, & to leave his ships without, till he had gotten the
fort and the towne: for he would not adventure the ships
in, till the harborow was gotten. Also he provided five
ships, which he brought from
Cape Blank, and put men in
them as many as could conveniently saile them, and no
more, giving them charge to enter the harborow with his
boats: for at the entrance of the harborow rode three
great Holland
ships, which our admirall doubted would
impeach his going in; and therefore he gave order to the
men of these five small ships, which were not above 60
tunnes a piece, if the Hollanders did offer any resistance,
to run aboord of them, & to set their owne ships on fire,
and scape in their boats, which they had for the same
purpose, that by this meanes they might not impeach our
entrance. But when the morning was come, we were
fallen above halfe a mile downe to the Northward, below
the harborow, which was a great inconvenience unto us:
so that before wee could get up againe, the ebbe was come
upon us, and thereby we were forced to hover before the
harborow till two of the clocke in the afternoone, in the
sight of all the towne. In this meane time, our ships rode
before the fort without the harborow, about a demycolvering shot off: in the which time passed many shot
betweene the fort and the ships, and especially betweene
the admirals ship and them: but no great harme was done
on either part. All this while our admirall kept the men
ready hovering in the gally & the boats. The Hollanders
that rode in the mouth of the harborow, seeing our resolution, layd out haulsers, and wound themselves out of the
way of us. Our admiral was very joyfull, & gave great
incouragement to all his men: for, to passe these three
great Hollanders, he held it the greatest danger of all.
About 12 of the clocke the governer of the towne sent a
Portugall aboord the admirals ship, to know what he
would have, and wherefore he came. He returned him
this answere: That he wanted the caracks goods, and
for them he came, and them he would have, and that
he should shortly see. In this processe of time, the
townes-men and inhabitants which saw so much shipping,
& perceived us to be enemies, gathered themselves
together, three or foure ensignes of men, esteemed to the
number of some sixe hundred at the least. These came
to the fort or platforme lying over against the entry of
the harborow, and there attended our landing: but before
our admirall set forward with his boats, he gave expresse
order to all that had charge of governing the boats or
galley, to run them with such violence against the shore,
that they should be all cast away without recovery, and
not one man to stay in them, whereby our men might
have no maner of retreat to trust unto, but onely to God
and their weapons.
Now was the time come of the flood, being about two
of the clocke in the afternoone, when our admirall set
forward, and entered the harborow with the small galley,
and all the rest of the boats following him, the Hollanders that rode in the mouth of the harborow, nothing
impeached him: but now the fort began to play with their
ordinance upon the galley and the boats; and one of
their shot tooke away a great piece of our ensigne out of
the galley. But our saile being set, it was no time for us
to make any stay, but with all the force we could we ranne
the galley upon the shore right under the fort, within a
coits cast of it, with such violence, that we brake her
backe; and she suncke presently: for there where we
landed, went a breach of the sea, which presently cast her
away. The boats comming after did the like. At our
arrivall, those in the fort had laden all their ordinance,
being seven pieces of brasse, to discharge them upon us
at our landing; which indeed they did: for our admirall
leaping into the water, all the rest following him, off came
these pieces of ordinance: but almighty God be praised,
they in the fort, with feare to see us land in their faces,
had piked their ordinance so steepe downewards with their
mouthes, that they shot all their shot in the sand,
although, as I sayd before, it was not above a coits cast
at the most betweene the place wee landed and the face
of the fort: so that they only shot off one of our mens
armes, without doing any more hurt; which was to us a
great blessing of God: for if those ordinances had bene
well levelled, a great number of us had lost our lives at
that instant. Our admirall seeing this, cried out, incouraging his men, Upon them, upon them; all (by Gods
helpe) is ours: and they therewith ran to the fort with all
violence. Those foure ensignes of men that were set to
defend our landing, seeing this resolution, began to go
backe, and retire into certeine bushes that were by the
same fort; and being followed, fledde thorowe a certeine
oaze which was drie, being then but the beginning of the
tide: and so abandoned the fort, and left it with their
ordinance to us. This day of our arrivall was their Goodfriday, when by custome they usually whippe themselves:
but God sent us now for a generall scourge to them all,
whereby that labour among them might be well spared.
The fort being taken with all their ordinance, the admirall
waved to the ships, willing them to wey and come in;
which they did with all speed, himselfe taking order in
leaving certeine men in keeping the sayd fort, and placed
the ordinance toward the high towne, from whence hee
suspected the greatest danger; and putting his men in
order, marched toward the low towne, which was about
some foureteene score from the fort: in which towne
lay all their merchandize and other goods. Approching
to the towne, he entered the same, the people imbarking
themselves in caravels & boats, with all the expedition
they could. The base towne, of above an hundred houses,
being thus taken, we found in it great store of merchandizes of all sorts: as Brasil-wood, sugars, Calico-cloth,
pepper, cynamon, cloves, mase, nutmegs, with divers
other good things, to the great comfort of us all. The
admirall went up and downe the towne, and placed at the
South end of the same captaine Venner and his company,
himselfe and his company in the midst of the towne, and
captaine Barker and captaine Addy at the other end of
the towne, giving great charge, that no man upon paine
of great punishment and losse of his shares, should
breake up or enter into any warehouse, without order and
direction from the admirall. And this commandement
was as well kept as ever any was kept, where so great
spoile and booty was found: for it was not knowen in all
the time of our being there, that any disorder was committed, or any lodge or warehouse broken open, or any
spoile was made, or pillaging of any thing; which is a
note much to be observed in such an action: for common
mariners and souldiers are much given to pillaging and
spoiling, making greater account of the same then of their
shares.
Order being put in all things, we kept a very sure
watch this first night, and the morning being come, our
admirall and captaine Venner, with the rest of the captaines, went about the towne, and gave order for the
fortifying of it with all expedition: so that within two
dayes it was surrounded with posts & planks, all that
part of the towne next the maine land, at least nine foot
high; for (God be thanked) we found provision in the
towne, sufficient store for it. Now it is to be understood,
that this towne is environed on the one part by the sea,
and on the backside by a river that runneth behinde it;
so that to come to it by land, you must enter it by a small
narrow passage not above forty paces over at an high
water. At this passage we built a fort, and planted in it
five pieces of ordinance, which we tooke out of the first
fort we wan at our comming into the harborow. Now
we having the towne in possession, our admirall sent
for the Hollanders by his chyrurgian, which had bene
brought up in that countrey, a man knowing their conditions, and sober and discreet of his owne cariage. At his
first comming aboord of them, they seemed to stand upon
their owne guard and defence, for they were three great
and strong ships: but he used himselfe so, that they at
the last willed him to come into the greatest of their ships,
which was above 450 tunnes. Then he declared to them
our intent of comming thither, and that they should be
there as sure from any shew of violence or injury offered
them, as if they were in their owne houses, and if they
should thinke so good, his admirall would fraight them
for England
, if they would be content with fraight reasonable, and as they should agree, and it should be at their
owne choise whether to go or not, he would not force
them, unlesse it were to their benefit and good liking.
Although this people were somewhat stubburne at the
first, as that nation is in these causes, yet being satisfied
with good words and good dealing they came aland, &
after conference had with the admirall, they were so satisfied, that they went thorow with a fraight: and then we
joyned with them, & they with us, and they served us
as truely & as faithfully as our owne people did, both at
watch and ward, by sea and all other services. Within
two dayes after our comming in, about midnight, a great
number of Portugals and Indians with them, came downe
upon us with a very great cry and noise; but God be
thanked, we were ready for them: for our admirall supposing some such assault, had provided all our muskets
with haile-shot, which did so gaule both the Indians and
the Portugals, that they made them presently retreat.
And this is to be noted, that there was both the horse and
his rider slaine both with one of these shot. Our men followed them some five or sixe score, but no further. We
lost in this conflict but onely one man, but had divers hurt.
What was lost of their part, we could not tell, for they had
before day, after our retreat, caried away all their dead.
Within three or foure dayes after our comming in appeared before the harborow 3 ships & 2 pinnesses, the
pinnesses being somewhat nere, discried our flags, and
one of them came in, which was a French pinnesse,
declaring all the rest to be French bottoms; which our
admirall willed should come in: and so they did. These
were Frenchmen of war, and came thither for purchase.
The captaines came aland, and were welcomed; amongst
whom was one captaine John Noyer of Diepe, that the
yere before had taken in our admirall at the iland of
Mona
in the West Indies, where his ship was cast away,
comming out of the East Indies. To this man our
admirall offered great kindnes, and performed it, & was
not ungratefull for his former benefit shewed unto him.
This captaine desired of our admirall to bestow upon him
his ships lading of Fernambuc-wood, which he granted
him, and also his pinnesse, and more, gave him a caravel
of about 50 tuns, & bid him lade her with wood also;
which with other benefits he gratefully received. To the
other two captaines he granted their ladings of wood, the
one captaine being of Diepe, the other of Rochel. The
captain of Diepe confessed that he met Abraham Cocke
certein moneths before, & being distressed for want of
water, gave him some, & went with him to a watering
place where he had water enough, and so departed from
him, saying that his men were very weake. The comming in of these ships did much strengthen us; for our
admiral appointed both these French and the Flemings
to keepe watch upon the river by night with their boats,
every boat having in her 12 men at the least, and the
boats well provided. This was for feare of fired ships
or barks to come downe, which our admirall had great
care unto, and caused our ships to ride by cables and
haulsers, at all advantages to shun them, if by that
meanes they should attempt to put us out of the harborow; giving commandement to us that watched in the
towne, that what fires soever we should espy or see, not
one man to start from his watch or quarter, unlesse we
were by himselfe commanded to the contrary. Now this
order put in all things, and having viewed all the goods
in the towne, and thinking our selves sufficiently fortified,
we began to unlade our ships, which came as full laden
in as they went foorth, but not with so good merchandize.
And this order was taken about the unlading of them,
and also the lading of goods out of the towne: our men
were divided into halves, and the one halfe wrought one
day, and the other halfe the other day; alwayes those
that wrought not kept the watch with their furniture in
their hands and about them, and none stept far off or
wandred from his colours, and those that wrought had
all their weapons in good order set & placed by them,
so that at an instant every one knew where to go
to his furniture: and this was very carefully looked
unto.
The third day after our comming in, came down from
the higher towne, which might be about foure miles off
upon a hill, three or foure of the principall gentlemen of
the countrey, and sayd that from the bishop, themselves,
& the rest, they would have some conference with our
admirall. This newes being brought to the admirall, he
hung downe his head for a small season; and when he
had muzed a while, he answered, I must go aboord of
the Flemings upon busines that importeth me, and therefore let them stay if they will: and so he went & sate
there with the Flemings from nine of the clocke till two
at the afternoone. In this space divers messengers went
to the admirall, to come away, for these gentlemen stayd.
To whom he gave this answere: Are they not gone yet?
And about two of the clocke he came aland, and then
they tolde him they were departed. Many of the better
sort of our men marvelled, and thought much, because
he would not vouchsafe to come and have conference with
such men of account as they seemed to be. But the
admiral made them this answere, Sirs, I have bene
brought up among this people, I have lived among them
as a gentleman, served with them as a souldier, and lived
among them as a merchant, so that I should have some
understanding of their demeanors and nature; and I
know when they cannot prevaile with the sword by force,
then they deale with their deceiveable tongues; for faith
and trueth they have none, neither will use any, unlesse
it be to their owne advantage. And this I give you
warning, that if you give them parle, they will betray
us; and for my part, of all nations in the world, it would
grieve me most to be overtaken by this nation & the
Spaniards: and I am glad it was my fortune to pay them
with one of their owne fetches, for I warrant you they
understand me better then you thinke they do. And with
this I pray you be satisfied; I hope it is for all our
goods: for what shall we gaine by parle, when (by the
helpe of God) we have gotten already that we came for,
should we venture that we have gotten with our swords,
to see if they can take it from us by words and policy?
there were no wisedome in so doing. You know what
it hath cost us, and how many men lie wounded that be
not yet hole of this other nights hurts: and therefore
from hencefoorth I give this commission, that if any be
taken, he be sent away with this order, although he come
as a friend, that if either he or any other approch us
from henceforth, he shalbe hanged out of hand: and other
course then this I will not take with them. Which course
was followed, for within 3 or 4 dayes after it was performed by two taken in the night: and after that we
were never troubled with spies; and although divers
slaves came running from their men to us, by which we
understood much of their working & pretences, yet the
admirall would enterteine few of them.
In this meane time that we began to worke, the Portugals with the country people were not idle, for seeing
us so busie, about sixe nights after our comming in, they
privily in the night cast up a trench in the sands about
a sacar shot from our ships, minding there to plant ordinance, which would have offended our ships greatly; &
they would not have bene able to have rode there to take
in their lading, which now began to go aboord of them.
The admirall hearing this, about 3 of the clocke in the
after noone marshalled our men, and he and all the rest
of the captaines marched toward them. The Portugals
& Indians perceiving our comming, began to withdraw
themselves within the trench, meaning (as it should
appeare) to fight it out there: but we made no stand,
neither did it behove us, but presently approched the
trenches with our muskets & pikes, afore their trenches
were thorowly finished : so that by Gods helpe we entered
them. And the Portugals & Indians left the place, &
left unto us 4 good peeces of brasse ordinance, with
powder and shot & divers other necessaries, and among
the rest 5 smal carts of that countrey, which to us were
more worth then al the rest we tooke, for the lading of
our goods from the towne to the waters side: for without
them we could not have told what to have done, much
of our goods being so heavie, that without carts, we were
not able to weyld them: all these things we brought
away & destroyed al those platforms that they had made,
and then we had rest with them for certaine dayes, in
which we went forward, deviding our marchandize with
captaine Venner according to our consort, and went daily
lading them abord, every ships company according as
their turnes fell out, but only the three Dutch ships : for
the goods being put into their boats their owne companies
laded themselves. And this farther good chance or
blessing of God we had to helpe us, that assoone as we
had taken our cartes, the next morning came in a ship
with some 60 Negros, 10 Portugall women, and 40 Portugals: the women and the Negros we turned out of the
towne, but the Portugals our Admirall kept to draw the
carts when they were laden, which to us was a very great
ease. For the countrey is very hote and ill for our nation
to take any great travell in.
In this towne there is no fresh water to be had, and
therefore we were every 5 or 6 dayes compelled to passe
over the river into the maine land to get fresh water,
which after the first or second time the Portugals kept
and would have defended our watering, so that we were
driven to water of force, and at severall times some of
our men were hurt, and onely two or three slaine, and
with this danger we were forced to get our water.
And as they molested us in our watering, so they slept
not in other devises, but put in practise to burne our
ships or remove them out of the harbour. For within
some 20 dayes after our comming in, they had prepared
5 Caravels and filled them with such things as would best
take fire and burne: these they brought within a mile or
little more of our ships, and there set them on fire, for
neerer they could not well come because of our watch of
boates, for as is above said, the Admirall had alwaies 6
boates that kept watch above halfe a mile from the ships
for feare of such exploytes as these, which was the cause
they could not fire them so neere the ships as they would
have done. But these fired Caravels had the tide with
them, and also the little winde that blewe was in their
favour; which caused them to come downe the streame
the faster: which our boats perceiving made to them with
as much expedition as conveniently they could, but the
tide and wind both serving them, they approched toward
the ships with great expedition. Our men in the towne
began to be in some feare of them, yet no man mooved
or started from his quarter more then if there had bene
nothing to doe. Also the masters and such as were
aboord, were somewhat amased to see 5 so great fires
to be comming downe among their ships, but they prepared for to cleere them of it, as well as they could, being
provided afore hande & judging that some such stratagems would be there used, the river being very fit therefore. But (God be thanked) who was alwaies with us
& our best defence in this voyage; by whose assistance
we performed this so great an attempt with so small
forces. Our companie in the boats so played the men
when they saw the fires come neere our ships, that casting
grapnels with yron chaines on them, as every boat had
one for that purpose, some they towed aground, and some
they brought to a bitter or anker, where they rode till
all their force was burned out, & so we were delivered
by Gods helpe from this fearefull danger. Within some
6 nights after this, which might be about the 26 day
after our comming in & abode there, about 11 of the
clocke at night, came driving downe other 3 great raftes
burning with the hugest fires that I have seene. These
were exceeding dangerous, for when our men approched
them thinking to clap their grapnels upon them, as they
had done upon the Caravels the night before, they were
prevented: for there stooke out of the rafts many poles
which kept them from the body of the rafts, that they
could not come to throw their grapnels into them: &
yet they had this inconvenience worse then al the rest
which most troubled us. There stooke out among the
poles certaine hollow trunks filled with such provision of
fire-workes that they ceased not still (as the fire came
downe to those trunks to set them on fire) to spout out
such sparkles, that our boats having powder in them for
our mens use, durst not for feare of fyring themselves
with their owne powder come neere those sparkles of the
raftes, but seeing them to drive neerer & neerer our ships,
they wet certain clothes and laid upon their flaskes and
bandelers and so ventured upon them, & with their grapnels tooke holde of them, and so towed them on ground,
where they stooke fast & were not burnt out the next
day in the morning. Diverse logs and timbers came
driving along by our ships, and burning, but with our
boats we easily defended them. And thus (God be
praysed) we escaped the second fires. A third firing was
prepared, as a Negro
gave us to understand, but this
we prevented by our departure. For this third firing
were very great preparations; and we were credibly informed of certainetie, that this firing should be such as
we should never be able to prevent, and assuredly these
fires be dangerous things and not to be prevented upon
the sudden, unlesse it be afore prepared for and foreseene.
For when it commeth upon the sudden and unlooked for,
and unprovided for, it bringeth men into a great amazement and at their wits ende. And therefore let all men
riding in rivers in their enemies countrey be sure to looke
to be provided before hand, for against fire there is no
resistance without preparation.
Also it is a practise in these hot countreys, where there
be such expert swimmers, to cut the cables of ships: and
one night it was practised to cut the Admirals cable, and
yet the boate rode by the cable with two men in her to
watch all the night, and the bwoy onely was cut, but not
the cable: but after that night, seeing then our good
watch, they never after attempted it.
While all these things passed, our ships (God be
thanked) thorow the industry of our governours, and
diligent labour of our men, began to be wholly laden,
and all the best marchandize conveyed aboord our ships,
so that our Admirall ment to depart that night, which
was the 31 day after our entrance, or else on the next
day at the farthest, and so warning was given to all men
to make themselves readie. Our Admiral being aboord
his ship ye same morning, espyed in the sands right
against the place where the ships rode, that there was a
small banke of sand newly cast up, under which he perceived now and then some people to be: presently he
tooke his boat and went to the towne and called all the
Captaines together, declaring that the enemies were about
some pretence right against the ships, consulting whether
it were best to sally out & see what they were doing, or
depart that evening according to the former determination. The Admirall was of opinion to depart that night,
saying it was but folly to seeke warres since we had no
neede to doe it: other affirmed, it were good to see what
they did, least the winde might be contrarie and the ships
not get out, and so our enemies may build upon us to
our great disadvantage. Well, said the Admiral, the
matter is not great, for there can be no danger in this
sally, for where they worke it is within Falkonshot of
the ships, and if any power should come against you,
the ships may play upon them with 40 peeces of ordinance
at the least, so that a bird cannot passe there but she
must be slaine. I am somewhat unwilling you should
go, for I have not bene well these two dayes, and I am
not strong to march upon those heavie sands: they
answered all at once, you shall not neede to trouble your
selfe for this service, for you see it is nothing and of no
danger, being so neere the ships, doubt you not we will
accomplish this service well ynough, and returne againe
within this houre. The Admirall answered: the danger
cannot be great, but yet you shall goe out strong for
feare of the worst. And so the Admirall marshalled them
275 men French and English, which were under the conduct of Edmund Barker, captaine Barker of Plimmouth,
Viceadmirall to captaine Venner, captaine Addy, and the
three French captaines all going out together, and they
were to march upon a narrow peece of ground to the
place whether they were sent unto: in the brodest part
betwixt the sea and the water on the other side, it is
not above a stones cast, for it is a bank of sand lying
betweene the river & the sea, so they needed not to feare
any comming on their backs or on their sides, and before
them could no man come, but he must passe by all the
ships which no company of men were able to do without
present death. The Admirall commanded them at their
departure to go no further then the place he sent them
to, and so he himselfe went aboord the ships and made
readie all the ordinance for feare of the worst, not knowing what might insue, although he saw no danger might
follow. Thus we marched quietly till we came to the
place we were sent unto, being right over against the
ships: out of which place came some dozen shot, which
seeing us come, discharged and ran their wayes with
such as were working within the said platforme. So that
we came into it and perceived they had begunne to lay
plankes to plant ordinance upon. Our Admiral commanded, if there were any such thing, to burne the
plankes & returne in againe, which we might have done
without hurting of any mans finger: but our leaders were
not content to have performed the service committed them
in charge, but would needes expresly & against their
order march on further to fight with certaine Ensignes
almost a mile off, cleane out of the reach of the ordinance
of all our ships, & where lay the strength of the whole
countrey. When our men began to draw neere those
Ensigns of men, the Ensignes seemed to retire with great
speed, which our men followed with such great hast that
some outrunning other some, our order was broken, and
those ensignes retyred themselves into the force of the
whole countrey, so that our formost men were in the
midst of their enemies yer they were aware, which were
slaine yer the rest could come to succour them. The
enemies incouraged by this, came also upon the rest,
which presently began to retire, & the enemies followed
them til they came within the reach of the ordinance of
our ships, where they were beaten off and left their pursuit. In this conflict were slaine captain Barker captaine
of the Salomon, captaine Cotton ye Admirals Lieutenant,
captaine John Noyer a French captaine of Diepe, and
another French captaine of Rochel, with M. John Barker
& other to the number of 35: for these were the formost
and hottest in the pursuit of the Ensignes aforesaid, and
by their forwardnes came all to perish. At our returne
into the towne the Admiral came to us much bewayling
the death of so many good men as were lost, wondering
what we ment to passe the expresse order that was given
us. With this losse our men were much danted, but our
Admirall began againe to encourage them, declaring that
the fortune of the warres was sometimes to win and
sometimes to loose. And therewithall he wished every
man to prepare & make himselfe readie: for that night
(God willing) he would depart. For all our ships were
readie and laden, and he would not stay any further
fortune. The evening being come, the ships began to
wey & go forth of the harbour, and God be thanked of
his goodnesse toward us who sent us a faire wind to go
foorth withall, so that by 11 of the clocke in the night
we were all forth in safety. The enemies perceiving our
departing, planted a peece or two of ordinance, and shot
at us in the night, but did us no harme. We were at
our comming foorth 15 sailes, that is, 3 sailes of Hollanders, the one of 450 tunnes, the other of 350 tunnes,
and the third of 300 tunnes, foure sailes of french & one
ship which the Admiral gave the french Captain, 3 sailes
of Captain Venners fleet of Plimmouth, and 4 sailes of
our Admirals fleete, all these were laden with marchandizes, and that of good worth. We stayed in this harbour
to passe all this businesse but onely 31 dayes, and in
this time we were occupied with skirmishes and attempts
of the enemie 11. times; in all which skirmishes we had
the better, onely this last excepted. To God be the
honour and praise of all, &c. The whole fleete being out
in safety, the next day in the morning the Admirall gave
order to the whole fleete to saile toward Peranjew a
harbour lying some 40 leagues to the Northward of
Fernambucke, and there to take in fresh water and to
refresh themselves: and to make provision for refreshing,
our Admirall had sent thither some 6 daies before two
French men in a smal pinnesse, which Frenchmen he
had provided from Diepe before his comming out of England
for that purpose. For both these two spake the
Indians language very perfectly: for at this port of
Peranjew and an other called Potaju some 6 leagues to
the Northward the Frenchmen have had trade for brasilwood, and have laden from thence by the Indians meanes,
who have fet it for them some 20 leagues into the country
upon their backs, 3 or 4 ships every yere. Thus we all
sailed toward Peranjew, at which place we arrived in the
night, so that we were forced to lie off & on with a stiffe
gale of wind, in which we lost the most part of our fleete,
& they not knowing this coast put off to the sea, and so
went directly for England
. Our Admirall and some 4
saile more with him put into the harborow of Peranjew,
and there watered and refreshed himselfe very well, with
hens, conies, hares and potatos, with other things, which
the two Frenchmen had partly provided before his comming: this is a very good harborow where ships may
ride and refresh very well. But, as I am given to understand since our comming from thence, the Portugals have
attempted the place and doe inhabite it, and have put
the French from their accustomed trade. Here having
watered and refreshed our selves, we put to the sea,
plying after the rest of our fleete which were gone before,
which we never heard of till our arrivall in England
at
The downes in the moneth of July, where we understood
the rest of our consorts to be passed up for London
,
Captaine Venner & his fleete to be at
Plimmouth, and
the French ships to be safe arrived at
Diepe, which to
us was very great comfort. At our setting sayle from
The downes, according as the custome is, finding the
Queenes ships there, we saluted them with certaine ordinance. The Gunner being carelesse, as they are many
times of their powder, in discharging certain pieces in
ye gunner roome, set a barrel of powder on fire, which
tooke fire in ye gunner roome, blew up the Admirals
caben, slew the gunner with 2 others outright, & hurt
20 more, of which 4 or 5 died. This powder made such
a smoke in the ship with the fire that burnt in the gunner
roome among all the fire workes, that no man at the
first wist what to doe: but recalling backe their feare,
they began to cast water into the gunner roome in such
abundance (for the Queenes ships now & also the other
ships that were in our company came presently to our
helpe) that (God be praised) we put out the fire & saved
all, & no great harme was done to the goods. By this
may be scene that there is no sure safety of things in
this world. For now we made account to be out of all
danger, where behold a greater came upon us, then we
suffered all the whole voyage. But the almightie be
praysed for ever, which delivered us out of this and many
other in this voyage. Our fire being well put out, and
we taking in fresh men (God be praysed) we came to
Blacke-wall in safety.
