Meta Incog- 

 nita. 



MARTIN FROBISHER ad. 



1578. 

 And now was the whole Fleete arrived safely at their 

 Port, excepting foure, besides the Shippe that was lost : 

 that is, the Thomas Allen, the Anne Francis, the Thomas 

 of Ipswich, and the Moone, whose absence was some 

 lette unto the workes and other proceedings, aswell for 

 that these Shippes were furnished with the better sorte of 

 Myners, as with other provision for the habitation. 



The ninth of August the Generall with the Captaynes 

 of his counsell assembled together, and began to consider 

 and take order for the erecting up of the house or Fort 

 for them that were to inhabite there the whole yeere, [III. 86.] 

 and that presently the Masons and Carpenters might 

 goe in hande therewith. First therefore they perused Consultation 

 the Bils of lading, what every man received into his ^J^ r fJ lg 

 Shippe, and found that there was arrived onely the East- 

 side, and the Southside of the house, and yet not that 

 perfect and entier : for many pieces thereof were used for 

 fenders in many Shippes, and so broken in pieces whilest 

 they were distressed in the yce. Also after due examina- 

 tion had, and true account taken, there was found want of 

 drinke and fuel to serve one hundreth men, which was An hundred 

 the number appoynted first to inhabite there, because men appointed 

 their greatest store was in the Shippes which were not 

 yet arrived. Then Captaine Fenton seeing the scarcitie 

 of the necessary things aforesayd, was contented, and 

 offred himselfe to inhabite there with sixtie men. Where- No habitation 

 upon they caused the Carpenters and Masons to come tnts y eere - 

 before them, and demanded in what time they would take 

 upon them to erect up a lesse house for sixtie men. 

 They required eight or nine weekes, if there were 

 Tymber sufficient, whereas now they had but sixe and 

 twentie dayes in all to remayne in that Countrey. 

 Wherefore it was fully agreed upon, and resolved by 

 the Generall and his counsell, that no habitation should 

 be there this yeere. And therefore they willed Master 

 Selman the Register to set downe this decree with all 

 their consents, for the better satisfying of her Majestie, 

 the Lords of the Counsell, and the Adventurers. 



349 



