SPANISH LETTERS INTERCEPTED a.d. 



1590. 



all linnen cloth is very deere in these parts. Wines also 

 are very deere : for they are sold for 90 and 100 deminas 

 a pipe. When the Frigats departed from hence in August 

 last 1589. Cochinilla was sold at that instant for 50 pesos 

 the quintall ; and now it is sold for ^§ pesoes. And 

 since that newes came from Spaine in a caravel of S. 

 Lucar, that it was solde there for 72 ducates the quintall, 

 there are laden in this Fleet 14000 Arovas of Cochinilla, 

 and 7000 Arovas more were laden in the Frigats which 

 departed before the Fleet. There is laden in the Fleet 

 great quantitie of treasure, more then hath bene sent 

 to Spaine these many yeres, both for the Kings and the 

 Vice-royes account. And the marchants and gentlemen 

 of all these provinces doe send great quantitie to supply 

 the Kings wants : for that his majestie hath written to 

 the Vice-roy and to the gentlemen of these countreyes 

 to ayde him with much money towardes the maintenance 

 of his warres against France and other places, & therefore 

 they have sent good store : God send it well to Spaine. 

 There are likewise laden aboord the Fleet to the number 

 of 1 00000. hides, and great store of other kindes of this 

 countrey commodities. So that the Fleet goeth very 

 richly laden. Quicke silver is here very deere, for here 

 is almost none to bee had for any money to worke in the 

 gold mynes : for without Quicke silver wee cannot refine 

 our gold. And no man upon paine of death may bring 

 any from Spaine hither ; but all must come for the Kings 

 account : and so the King doeth sell it here : there is 

 exceeding great gaine therein. And thus I rest : From 

 Mexico, the 30 of May 1590. 



Bartholomew Cano. 



[A letter 

 167 



