AD. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1572-87. 



multiplyed in this citie, that now it is one of the greatest 

 in all the Indias, and containeth above two thousand 

 houses. The countrey adjoyning is exceeding fruitful!, 

 abounding with all kinds of victuals, & with sugar and 

 cotton. From this citie of Ascension 150 leagues towards 

 the mouth of the river standeth another towne which 

 Santa Fe. they call Santa Fe, on the South side of the said river, 

 from which towne there lyeth an open high way leading 

 into the land of Peru, so that when I come to intreat of 

 Peru I wil speake of this way, and declare who first found 

 it. Also five yeeres past they have inhabited anew the 

 towne of Buenos Ayres on the South side of the river, to 

 [III. 789.] the end they might have trade from the coast of Brasill, 

 but their fortune was such, that the very first time 

 they went to Brasill, and would have returned againe 

 Two English \_q the river of Plate, they were taken by two ships of 

 'M^F^ntoT'^ England that were going for the streights of Magellan. 

 was General! '^he coast along from this river to the streights of 

 1582. Magellan hath not bene perfectly discovered, either by sea 



or lande, saving onely certaine portes which they have 

 found, sayling to the streights. Wherefore passing them 

 over, I will here intreat of the saide streights, and declare 

 who was the first finder of them, as likewise what was the 

 cause why they were sought for. The Portugales there- 

 fore having first found and conquered the East Indies, and 

 discovered the coast of China, with the Hands of the 

 Malucos, (all which places abound with gold, precious 

 stones, silkes, and other rich commodities) and bringing 

 home the foresaide riches in their ships into Portugal! : 

 there grewe by this meanes great envie betweene the 

 Portugales and their neighbours the Spaniardes ; insomuch 

 that the Councell of Spaine saide unto the Emperour 

 Charles the fift being then their king, that the Portugales 

 would be Lordes of all the riches of the world. Upon 

 which words beganne a controversie betweene the Em- 

 perour and the king of Portugal! : but they being great 

 friends before, and also kinsmen, agreed immediatly to 

 part the whole world betweene them, in such wise as I for 



254 



