APPENDIX, NO. II. 4S 



parts six factories, and, as is reported, eight fortresses in 

 the island of Tirnati, to the great prejudice of the territo- 

 ries of your Majesty ; it is easy to perceive that if they 

 should discover this short passage and convenient harbour, 

 they might annoy us much more. On which account it is 

 much more reasonable to consider the losses which may 

 follow from not taking and fortifying this strait, than the 

 expenses which v/ould accrue from making the voyage ; for 

 whoever wishes to perform and to enjoy great achievements 

 must suffer great expenses, and go through many anxieties. 

 Finally, if your Majesty obtains the sovereignty of the seas, 

 you will also obtain that of the land, — and if not, it will be 

 difficult to preserve what we already possess; and this I 

 speak as a man who has much experience of sea affairs, 

 and well knows of how great value is the sovereignty of 

 the sea, without which it is impossible to enjoy the empire 

 of the land ; and these last reasons will be sufficient for 

 those who understand state affairs— and if there are any 

 who are negligent of their duty, let them be vigilant and 

 put themselves on their guard, for I suspect that we have 

 many public and secret enemies, who have many motives 

 for wishing ill to Spain ; and let no one say, as I think has 

 been said, that there is not money enough for such enter- 

 prises, since your Majesty is necessitous; and if there be 

 any one who alleges this, and perceives his king to be in 

 want, let him assist him with part of his riches, and not 

 to forget that it will be better to dispose of them in this 

 manner, than be deprived of all his possessions in some 

 future time by the enemy : much as he may expend in this 

 way, the man who undertakes tq carry into execution so 

 arduous an enterprise will lay out much more, for I, being 

 a seaman, am not ignorant how many dangers attend it ; he 

 alone will bear witness to it, who shall experience the vio- 

 lence of the north sea, the storms and the turbulence of its 

 waters. Certainly, sailing in company, and with such good 

 •ships as will be found for this voyage, there is no reason to 



