X INTRODUCTION. 



chantmen that fail in company with this fleet a large fum of 

 money for their licences : they are in niimb.i- from twelve to 

 fixteen, and carry at leail one third part more of burden than 

 their refpeclive fchedules exprefs. The bufinefs of thefj Mps 

 is to carry all the merchandize and warlike flora's to Peru, 

 which are wanted in that country. During the time of Peace 

 the galleons fail once a year regularly, though at no fit time, 

 but according to the pleafure of the king, and the convenience 

 of the merchant. They fleer away from Caciiz, right for the 

 Canaries ; where, if the flota fails in company with them, they 

 both anchor together in the harbour of Gomera \ thence they 

 make for the Antilles ; in which longitude the flota leaves them, 

 and the galleons bear away for Carthagena. As foon as they 

 come in light before the mouth of Rio de la Hacha^ after having 

 doubled cape de la V ^la^ advice of their arrival is fent to all 

 parts, that every thing may be prepared for their reception. 

 They remain a whole month in the harbour of Carthagena^ 

 and land there whatever is defigned for the audience of 'Tierra 

 Firma, They then fail to Puerto V elo, where having flayed 

 during the fair, (which lafls five or fix Vv^eeks) landed the mer- 

 chandize intended f^r Peru, and received the treafures and 

 rich commodities fent from thence on board, they fail back to 

 Carthage?2a, and remain there till they return' to Spain, hich 

 ufually happens within the fpace of two years. When orders 

 for returning home arrive, they fail firfi to the Havana : having 



there 



