SIR FRANCIS DRAKE a.d. 



1586. 

 knowen of some of those of the better sort, that came in 

 commission to treate upon the ransome of the towne, who 

 would shake their heads, and turne aside their counten- 

 ance in some smyling sort, without answering any thing, 

 as greatly ashamed thereof. For by some of our com- 

 pany it was tolde them, that if the Queene of England [HI. S+^-l 

 would resolutely prosecute the warres against the king of 

 Spaine, hee should be forced to lay aside that proude 

 and unreasonable reaching vaine of his : for hee should 

 finde more then inough to doe to keepe that which hee 

 had alreadie, as by the present example of their lost 

 towne they might for a beginning perceive well inough. 

 Now to the satisfying of some men, who marvell 

 greatly that such a famous and goodly builded Citie 

 so well inhabited of gallant people, very brave in their 

 apparell (whereof our souldiers found good store for their 

 reliefe) should afoord no greater riches then was found 

 there : herein it is to be understood that the Indian 

 people, which were the naturals of this whole Island of 

 Hispaniola (the same being neere hand as great as 

 England) were many yeeres since cleane consumed by 

 the tyrannic of the Spanyards, which was ye cause, that 

 for lacke of people to worke in the Mines, the golde 

 and silver Mines of this Island are wholy given over, 

 and thereby they are faine in this Island to use Copper 

 money, whereof was found very great quantitie. The 

 chiefe trade of this place consisteth of Sugar and Ginger, 

 which groweth in the Island, and of Hides of oxen and 

 kine, which in this waste countrey of the Island are 

 bredde in infinite numbers, the soyle being very fertile : 

 and the sayd beasts are fedde up to a very large grouth, 

 and so killed for nothing so much, as for their Hides 

 aforesayd. Wee found heere great store of strong wine, 

 sweete oyle, vineger, olives, and other such like pro- 

 visions, as excellent Wheate-meale packed up in wine- 

 pipes and other caske, and other commodities likewise, as 

 Woollen and Linnen cloth, and some Silkes : all which 

 provisions are brought out of Spaine, and served us for 



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