ROBERT THORNES DECLARATION 



A declaration of the Indies and lands discovered, 

 and subdued unto the Emperour, and the king 

 of Portingal : And also of other partes of the 

 Indies and rich countries to be discovered, 

 which the worshipfull M. Robert Thorne 

 merchant of London (who dwelt long in the 

 citie of Sivil in Spaine) exhorted king Henrie 

 the eight to take in hand. 



MOST EXCELLENT PRINCE, 



Xperience prooveth that naturally all 

 princes bee desirous to extend and en- 

 large their dominions and kingdomes. 

 Wherefore it is not to be marveiled, to 

 see them every day procure the same, not 

 regarding any cost, perill, and labour, 

 that may thereby chance, but rather it is 

 to be marvelled, if there be any prince content to live 

 quiet with his owne dominions. For surely the people 

 would thinke he lacketh the noble courage and spirit 

 of all other. 



The world knoweth that the desires of Princes have 

 bene so fervent to obtaine their purpose, that they have 

 adventured and prooved things to mans conjecture im- 

 possible, the which they have made possible, and also 

 things difficult have made facill : and thus to obtaine 

 their purpose, have in maner turned up and downe the 

 whole world so many times, that the people inhabiting 

 in the farthest regions of the Occident have pursued with 

 great distresse, labours and perils, to penetrate and enter 

 into the farthest regions of the Orient : and in likewise 

 those people of the said parts of the Orient have had 

 no lesse labour and desire to enter and penetrate into 

 the farthest land of the Occident, and so following their 

 purchase have not ceased untill they could passe no 

 farther by reason of the great seas. 



i59 



A.D. 



1527. 



