I N T O D U C T I O N. 



ix 



have been always particularly attentivCj and the better to com- 

 pafs this fcheme, have carefully reftrained ftrangers from travel- 

 ing through their dominions : and though there are fome in- 

 ftances of foreigners having pafied through them, they are yet 

 fo rare^ and thofe refearches attended with fo much difficulty and 

 hazard, that it is not v\/onderful our accounts concerning the inter- 

 nal parts of thofe countries fhould be both imperfed: and uncertain^ 

 fo that all the lawful trade between Etirope and Spanijh Amei^ica 

 is entirely confined to the Spa7nards thenifelves, and under the 

 abfolute diredion of the crown. 



The eftablilhed plan upon which they carry on this trade is 

 pretty well known in general, but few people carry their en- 

 quiries far enough into its particulars : to give therefore as clear 

 an account of this matter as poffible, the Galleons, Flotaj Flotilla^ 

 Regifier-pjips, ^ndGuarda-cqflas fhall be all feparately and diftincl- 

 ly defcribed. 



Galleons are, in fadl, very large men of w^ar, of a con- 

 ftru61ion now altogether difufed except in Spain, and built after 

 fuch a manner there only becaufe it affords ampler room for the 

 ftowage of merchandize, with which commonJ}^ they are fo en- 

 cumbered as to be rendered incapable of defence. The fleet 

 which we call the galleons confifts of eight fuch men of war; 

 three of them are^very large, and are filled laCapitanay la Ad??ii- 

 rajite, and // Govemo. The refl are all confiderably lefs ; among 

 which there is an advice-frigate of forty guns. It coils the mer- 



b chantmen 



