INSTRUCTIONS TO EDWARD FENTON 



A.D. 

 1582. 



Instructions given by the right honourable the [Ul- 754-] 

 Lordes of the Counsell, to M. Edward Fenton 

 Esquire, for the order to be observed in the 

 voyage recommended to him for the East 

 Indies and Cathay. Aprill 9. 1582. 



Irst you shall enter as Captaine Generall, 

 into the charge and government of these 

 shippes, viz. the Beare Gallion, the 

 Edward Bonaventure, the Barke Francis, 

 and the small Frigate or Pinnesse. 



2 Item you shall appoint for the fur- 

 nishing of the vessels in the whole, to the 

 number of 200 able persons, accompting in that number 

 the Gentlemen and their men, the Ministers, Chirurgians, 

 Factors, &c. which sayd number is no way to be ex- 

 ceeded, whereof as many as may be, to be sea-men ; and 

 shal distribute them into every vessel, as by advise here 

 before your going shal be thought meete : Provided that 

 you shall not receive under your charge and governement, 

 any disordered or mutinous person, but that upon know- 

 ledge had, you shall remoove him before your departure 

 hence, or by the way as soone as you can conveniently 

 avoide him, and receive better in his place. 



3 Item, for the more and better circumspect execution, 

 and determination in any waightie causes incident in this 

 voyage, we will that you shall take unto you for assistants, 

 Captaine Hawkins, captain Ward, M. Nicholas Parker, 

 M. Maddox, M. Walker, M. Evans, Randolph Shaw, 

 Matthew Talboys, with whom you shall consult and con- 

 ferre in all causes, matters, and actions of importance, not 

 provided for in these instructions touching this service 

 now in hand. And in all such matters, so handled, 

 argued, and debated, wee thinke that convenient alwayes 

 to be executed, which you shall thinke meetest with the 

 assent also of any 4 of them, the matter having bene 

 debated, and so assented unto, in the presence of your 



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