LINSCHOTEN'S LARGE TESTIMONY a.d. 



1589-91. 



Flores de Quiniones was sicke of the Neapolitan disease, 

 and was brought to land, whereof not long after he died 

 in Sivillia. He brought with him the Kings broad seale 

 and full authoritie to be Generall and chiefe commaunder 

 upon the Seas, and of all Fleetes or ships, and of all 

 places and Islands, or lands wheresoever he came : where- 

 upon the governour of Tercera did him great honour, and 

 betweene them it was concluded, perceiving the weaknesse 

 of their ships, and the danger of the Englishmen, that 

 they would send the shippes emptie with souldiers to 

 convey them, either to Sivill or Lisbon, where they could 

 first arrive, with advise unto his Majestie of all that 

 had past, and that he would give order to fetch the 

 silver with good and safe convoy. Whereupon the said 

 Alvaro Flores stayed there, under colour of keeping the 

 silver, but specially because of his disease, and for that 

 they were afFraide of the Englishmen. This Alvaro 

 Flores had alone for his owne part above 50000 Duckats 

 in pearles which he shewed unto us, & sought to sell 

 them or barter them with us for spices or bils of ex- 

 change. The said two ships set sayle with 3 or 4 hundred 

 men, as well souldiers as others that came with them 

 out of India, and being at sea had a storme, wherewith 

 the Admiral burst and sunke in the sea, & not one 

 man saved. The Vice-Admirall cut downe her mast, 

 and ranne the ship on ground hard by Setuval, where it 

 burst in pieces, some of the men saving themselves by 

 swimming, that brought the newes, but the rest were 

 drowned. 



In the same moneth there came two great ships out 

 of the Spanish Indies, and being within half a mile of 

 the Road of Tercera, they met with an English ship, 

 which, after they had fought long together, tooke them 

 both. About 7 or 8 moneths before, there had beene 

 an English shippe in Tercera, that under the name of 

 a Frenchman came to traffike in the Island, there to lade 

 woad, and being discovered was both ship and goods 

 confiscated to the kings use, and all the men kept 



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