AD. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1586. 



and forasmuch as we have hitherto discharged the parts of 

 honest men, so that now by the great blessing and favour 

 of our good God there have bin taken three such notable 

 townes, wherein by the estimation of all men would have 

 bene found some very great treasures, knowing that S. 

 lago was the chiefe citie of all the Islands and traffiques 

 thereabouts, S. Domingo the chiefe citie of Hispaniola, 

 and the head government not only of that Hand, but also 

 of Cuba, and of all the Hands about it, as also of such 

 inhabitations of the firme land, as were next unto it, & a 

 place that is both magnificently builded, and interteineth 

 great trades of marchandise ; and now lastly the citie of 

 Cartagena, which cannot be denied to be one of the chiefe 

 places of most especiall importance to the Spaniard of all 

 the cities which be on this side of the West India : we 

 doe therefore consider, that since all these cities, with their 

 goods & prisoners taken in them, and the ransoms of 

 the said cities being all put together, are found farre short 

 to satisfie that expectation which by the generality of the 

 enterprisers was first conceived : And being further advised 

 of the slendernesse of our strength, whereunto we be now 

 reduced, as well in respect of the small number of able 

 bodies, as also not a litle in regard of the slacke dis- 

 position of the greater part of those which remaine, very 

 many of the better mindes and men being either con- 

 sumed by death, or weakened by sicknes and hurts : And 

 lastly, since that as yet there is not laid downe to our 

 knowledge any such enterprise as may seeme convenient 

 to be undertaken with such few as we are presently able 

 to make, and withall of such certaine likelihoode, as with 

 Gods good successe which it may please him to bestow 

 upon us, the same may promise to yeeld us any sufficient 

 contentment : We doe therefore conclude hereupon, that 

 it is better to hold sure as we may the honour already 

 gotten, and with the same to returne towards our gracious 

 [III. 544.] Soveraigne and Countrey, from whence if it shall please 

 her Majestie to set us foorth againe with her orderly 

 meanes and intertainment, we are most ready and willing 



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