A.D. 

 1562. 



THOMAS TISON 



seeme to nave bene some secret factour for M. Thorne 

 and other English marchants in those remote partes ; 

 whereby it is probable that some of our marchants had 

 a kinde of trade to the West Indies even in those ancient 

 times and before also : neither doe I see any reason why 

 the Spaniards should debarre us from it at this present. 



The first voyage of the right w^orshipfull and 

 valiant knight sir John Hawkins, sometimes 

 treasurer of her Majesties navie Roial, made 

 to the West Indies 1562. 



Aster John Haukins having made divers 

 voyages to the lies of the Canaries, and 

 there by his good and upright dealing 

 being growen in love and favour with 

 the people, informed himselfe amongst 

 them by diligent inquisition, of the state 

 of the West India, whereof hee had 

 received some knowledge by the instructions of his 

 father, but increased the same by the advertisments and 

 reports of that people. And being amongst other par- 

 ticulars assured, that Negros were very good marchandise 

 in Hispaniola, and that store of Negros might easily 

 bee had upon the coast of Guinea, resolved with himselfe 

 to make triall thereof, and communicated that devise 

 with his worshipfull friendes of London : namely with 

 Sir Lionell Ducket, sir Thomas Lodge, M. Gunson his 

 father in law, sir William Winter, M. Bromfield, and 

 others. All which persons liked so well of his intention, 

 that they became liberall contributers and adventurers 

 in the action. For which purpose there were three good 

 ships immediatly provided : The one called the Salomon 

 of the burthen of 120. tunne, wherein M. Haukins 

 himselfe went as Generall : The second the Swallow of 

 100. tunnes, wherein went for Captaine M. Thomas M. Thomas 

 Hampton : and the third the Jonas a barke of 40. ^^^P^on, 

 tunnes, wherein the Master supplied the Captaines 



7 



