190 KINGSBRIDGE 



and night, lie assigned for each prisoner's subsistence an 

 allowance of one penny per diem out of his private means, 

 until the pleasure of Her Majesty's Privy Council should 

 be made known. His report to their Lordships of these 

 proceedings is dated 5th November, 1588, from his house 

 at Cockington, near Torbay, whither he had retired after 

 leaving the further care of the matter to Anthony Ashley, 

 the Clerk of the Council, who took up his abode with Sir 

 William Courtenay, at Ilton Castle. The orders received 

 for the execution of the prisoners having been counter- 

 manded, Ashley proceeded in a business-like way to make 

 a careful inventory of their names, offices, and quality, 

 distinguishing such as made offers of ransom, from those 

 who were unable to purchase their liberty. In his report 

 to the Council, bearing date the 12th of November, he refers 

 to the wholesale rifling of the cargo, and the injury sustained 

 by the drugs ; and adds, 



'By late examinations taken of the Spaniardes, I fynde 

 that certain besar stones and other simples was purloyned 

 out of the shippe, of which besar stones I hope to recouer 

 the most of them. I have been bould to staie this messenger 

 hitherto, thinking I should have been able to have advertised 

 some certaintie of them, but must now leave the same to 

 my return, w eh shall be as speedilie as I maie.' 



As to the prisoners, he writes, 



' X. or XII. of the best sorte are placed in a towne 

 called Kingsbridge, where order is taken for the provision 

 of their wants, and accompt kept of their expence. The 

 rest, untill yo r - Lpps. further pleasure knowen, are remaining 

 together in one house, whither they were first committed, 

 where they are safe kept, and provided of necessarie food.' 



With what eager curiosity must the good townsfolk of 



