A.D. 



1590. 



THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



Certaine Spanish Letters intercepted by shippes of 

 the worshipfull Master John Wattes written 

 from diverse places of the islandes and of the 

 maine land as well of Nueva Espanna, as of 

 Tierra Firma and Peru, containing many 

 secrets touching the aforesaid countreys, and 

 the state of the South Sea, and the trade to the 

 Philippinas. 



A letter sent from Havana in Cuba from the 

 general of the fleete John de Orimo to the 

 king of Spaine the 18 of October 1590, 

 touching the building of certaine excellent 

 Frigats, &c. 



r may please your majestie that at the 

 date hereof one of the Frlg^ates was 

 lanched : and three more will be ready 



against the fleete depart from hence. 

 They are very bigge and excellent of 

 sayle, which will carie 150 men a piece 

 with souldiers and manners. And having 

 good ordinance, there are fewe or none of our enemies that 

 can offend us. For wee shall both leave and take at all 

 [III. 558.] times when we list. But it behooveth your majestie to 

 send both souldiers and mariners to man the Frigats. For 

 we have great want of souldiers and mariners, with tackling, 

 ankers, powder, shot, calivers, and all kinde of furniture 

 for them. For these things are not here to bee had for 

 money: and likewise to send some great ordinance for 

 the Zabras. For the merchants ships are so weake and 

 so unprovided, that they have almost none to defend 

 themselves. Also we shall be constrained to give the 

 carena againe unto al the ships ; for they are very weake 

 by reason of the long voyage : and the mariners and 

 souldiers are wearie with their long travelling and keeping 

 of them here. Thus if it would please your majestie to 



158 



