Remains of Sir Walter Raleigh ...

Sir WALTER RALEIGH'S LETTERS.

Sir Walter Raleigh's Letter to M^r Se∣cretary Winwood, before his Iourney to Guiana.

Honourable SIR,

I Was lately perswaded, by two Gentlemen, my anci∣ent Friends, to acquaint your Honour with some offers of mine, made here∣tofore for a Journey to Guiana, who were of opinion, That it would be bet∣ter understood now, than when it was first propounded, which advice having surmounted my dispair, I have presu∣med to send unto your Honour the Co∣pies of those Letters which I then wrote, both to his Majestie, and to the Trea∣surer Ceuill, wherein as well the rea∣sons

that first moved me are remem∣bered, as the objections by him made are briefly answered.

What I know of the riches of that place, not by hear say, but what mine eyes hath seen, I have said it often, but it was then to no end: Because those that had the greatest trust, were resolved not to believe it, not because they doubted the Truth, but because they doubted my Disposition towards themselves; where (if God had blessed me in the enterprise) I had recovered his Majesties favour and good opinion. Other cause than this, or other suspition they never had any. Our late worthy Prince of Wales was extream curious in searching out the Nature of my offences, The Queens Majestie hath informed her self from the beginning. The King of Den∣mark at both times of his being here was throughly satisfied of my innocencie, they would otherwise ne∣ver have moved his Majestie on my behalf.

The Wife, the Brother, and the Son of a King, do not use to sue for men suspect; but Sir, since they all have done it out of their charitie,

and but with references to me alone. Your Honour (whose respect hath one∣ly relation to his Majesties service) strengthened by the example of those Princes, may with the more hardnesse do the like, being Princes to whom his Majesties good estate is not lesse dear; and all men that shall oppugne it, no lesse hatefull, then to the King himself.

It is true Sir, That his Majestie hath sometimes answered, That his Coun∣cel knew me better than he did; mea∣ning some two or three of them, And it was indeed my infelicitie; for had his Majestie known me, I had never been here where I now am: or had I known his Majestie, they had never been so long there where they now are. His Majestie not knowing of me hath been my ruine, and his Majestie mis∣knowing of them, hath been the ruine of a goodly part of his estate: but they are all of them now, some living and some dying, come to his Majesties knowledge. But Sir, how little soever his Majestie knew me, and how much soever he believed them, yet have I been bound to his Majestie both for my Life, and all that remains, of which,

but for his Majestie, nor Life, nor ought else had remained. In this respect Sir, I am bound to yield up the same life, and all I have for his Majesties service; to die for the King, and not by the King, is all the ambition I have in the world.

Walter Raleigh.

Sir Walter Raleigh's Letter to his Wife, from Guiana.

Sweet Heart,

I Can yet write unto you but with a weak hand, for I have suffered the most violent Calenture for fifteen days, that ever man did, and lived: but God that gave me a strong heart in all my adversities, hath also now strengthened it in the hell fire of heat.

We have had two most grievous sicknesses in our Ship, of which fourtie two have died, and there are yet many sick. but having recovered the land of Guiana, this 12 of November, I hope we shall recover them. We are yet two

hundred men, and the rest of our Fleet are reasonable strong, strong e∣nough I hope to perform what we have undertaken, if the diligent care at London, to make our strength known to the Spanish King by his Ambassa∣dour, have not taught the Spanish King to fortifie all the enterances a∣gainst us; howsoever we must make the adventure, and if we perish, it shall be no honour for England, nor gain for his Majestie to loose among many other, an hundred as valiant Gen∣tlemen as England hath in it.

Of Captain Bayl••••s base coming from us at the Canaries, see a Letter of Kemishes to M^r cory, & of the unnatu∣ral weather, storms & rains and winds, He hath in the same letter, given a touch of the way that hath ever been sailed in fourteen days, now hardly performed in fourtie days; God I trust, will give us comfort in that which is to come.

In passage to the Canaries, I stayed at Gomerah, where I took water in peace, because the Countrey durst not denie it me; I received there of an En∣glish race, a Present of Oranges, Lem∣mons, Quinces, & Pome-granates with∣out

which I could not have lived; those I preserved in fresh sands, and I have of them yet to my great refreshing. Your son had never so good health, having no distemper in all the heat under the Line. All my servants have escaped but Crab and my Cook, yet all have had the sickness. Crofts and March, and the rest are all well. Remember my service to my Lord Carew, and M^r Secretarie Winwood.

I write not to them, for I can write of nought but miseries: yet of men of sort, we have lost our Serjeant Major, Captain Pigott, and his Lieuetenant, Captain Edward Hastings, who would have died at home, for both his liver, spleen and brains were rotten. My sons Lieuetenant Payton and my cosin Mr. Hews, Mr. Mordant, Mr. Gar∣diner. Mr. Hayward, Captain Jennings the Merchant, Kemish of London, and the Master Chyrurgion, Mr. Refiner, Mr. Moor the Governour of the Barmoudas. our Provost Marsh. W. Steed, Lieutenant Vescie, but to mine inestimable grief, Hammon and Talb••t. By the next I trust you shall hear better of us, in Gods

hands we were, and in him we trust,

This bearer, Captain Alley, for his infirmitie of his head I have sent back, an honest valiant man, he can deliver you all that is past. Commend me to my worthy friends at Loathbury, Sr John Leigh and Mr. Bow••r, whose Ne∣phew Knevil is well, and to my cosin Blundell, and my most devoted and humble service to her Majestie.

To tell you that I might be here King of the Indi••n, were a vanitie, but my name hath still lived among them; here they feed me with fresh meat, and all that the Countrey yields, all offer to obey me. Commend me to poor Carew my son.

From Galliana in Guiana, the 14 of November.

Sir Walter Raleigh's Letter to Sir Ralph Winwood.

SIR,

AS I have not hitherto given you a∣ny Account of our proceedings and passages towards the Indes, so have I no other subject to write of, than of

the greatest misfortunes that ever be∣fell any man: for whereas, for the first, All those that Navigate between Cape de Vera and America, do passe be∣tween fifteen or twentie days at most, we found the wind so contrary, and which are also contrary to nature so many storms and rains, as we spent six weeks in the passage, by reason where∣of, and that in so great heat we wanted water: for at the Isle Prano of Cape de vero, we lost our Anchours and Cables, and our water Casks, being driven from the Island with a Hu••••••icano, and were like all to have perished. Great sicknesse fell amongst us, and carried a∣way great numbers of our ablest men both for sea and land. The 17 of No∣vember, we had sight of Guiana, and soon after came to Anchour in five de∣grees at the River Gallian••, here we staid till the fourth of December, land∣ed our sick men, set up the Barges and Shallops, which were brought out of England in quarters, washed our Ships, and took in fresh water, being sed and cherished by the Indians of my old ac∣quaintance, with a great deal of love and respect, my self being in the hands of death these 6 weeks, and was not a∣ble

otherwise to move than as I was carried in a chair, gave order to 5 small Ships to sail into Orinoque, ha∣ving Captain Kemts for their Con∣ductor towards the Mynes, and in those five Ships five Companies of 50 under the command of Captain Par∣ker, and Captain North, brethren to the Lord Mounteagle and the Lord North, valiant Gentlemen, and of in∣finite patience for the labour, hunger, and heat which they have endured, my son had the third Company Captain Thornix of Kent the fourth Company, Captain Chidlez, by his Lieutenant, the fifth: but as my Sergeant Major Captain Peggot of the Low Countreys died in the former miserable passage, so my Lieutenant Sir Warham S. Let∣ter lay sick without hope of life, and the charge conferred on my Nephew George Raleigh, who had also served long with infinite commendations; but by reason of my absence, and of Sir Warhams was not so well obeyed as the Enterprize required. As they passed up the River, the Spaniard be∣gan the War, and shot at us both with their Ordinance and Muskets, whereupon the Companies were

forced to charge them, and soon after beat them out of the Town. In the Assault, my son (more desirous of honour than safetie) was slain, with whom (to say truth) all the respects of this world have taken end in me. And although these five Captains had as weak Companies as ever followed valiant Leaders, yet were there a∣mongst them some twentie or thirtie valiant adventurous Gentlemen, and of singular courage, as of my sons Companie, Mr. Knivet, Mr. Hammon, Mr. Longwirth, Mr. Iohn Pleasington; his Officers, Sir Iohn Hamden; Mr. Simon Leak Corporall of the Field, Mr. Hammon the elder Brother, Mr. Nicholas of Buckingham, Mr. Roberts of Kent, Mr. Perin, Mr. Tresham, Mr. Mullinax, Mr. Winter and his brother, Mr. Wray, Mr. Miles Herbart, Mr. Bradshavv, Capt. Hill, and others.

Sir, I have set down the names of these Gentlemen, to the end, that if his Majestie shall have cause to use their service, it may please you to take notice of them for very sufficient Gen∣tlemen. The other five Ships staid at Trinidads, having no other Port ca∣pable for them near Guiana. The

second Ship was commanded by my Vice Admirall Capt. John Pennington, of whom (to do him right) he is one of the sufficientest Gentlemen for the Sea that England hath. The third by Sir Warham S. Leiger, an exceeding valiant and worthy Gentleman. The fourth by Sr John Fern The fifth by Captain Chidley of Devon. With these five Ships I daily attended their Arma∣do of Spain, which had they set upon us, our force divided, the one half in Orinoque, an hundred and fiftie miles from us, we had not onely been torn in pieces, but all those in the River had also perished, being of no force at all for the Sea fight; for we had resolved to have been burnt by their sides, had the Armado arrived: but belike, they staid for us at Ma••g••••t, by which they knew we must passe towards the Indies: for it pleased his Majestie to value us at so little, as to command me upon my Alleageance, to set down under my hand the Countrey, and the River by which I was to enter it; to set down the number of my men, and burthen of my Ships, and what Ordinance eve∣ry Ship carried, which being known to the Spanish Ambassadour, and by him

to the King of Spain, a dispatch was made, and letters sent from Madrid, before my departure out of the Tha∣mes; for his first letter sent by a Barque of Advise, was dated the 19 of March 1617. at Madrid, which letter I have here inclosed sent to your Ho∣nour, the rest I reserve, not knowing whether they may be intercepted or not. The second by the King, dated the second of May, sent also by a Co∣ronel of Diego de Polo••eque, Gover∣nour of Guiana, Elderedo and Trini∣dado. The third by the Bishop of Po∣rtricho, and delivered to Po••oni••que the 15 of July, at Trinidado. And the fourth was sent from the Farmer and Secretary of his Customs in the Indies. At the same time, by that of the Kings hand, sent by the Bishop, there was al∣so a Commission for the speedie levy∣ing of three hundred souldiers, and ten pieces of Ordinance to be sent frō Portricho, for the defence of Guiana, an hundred & fiftie from Nuevo Rémo de Grando, under the command of Cap∣tain Anthony Musica, and the other hundred and fiftie from Portricho, to be conducted by C. Franc. Laudio.

Now Sir, if all that have traded to

the Indies since his Majesties time knew that the Spaniards have flayed alive all the poor men which they have taken, being but Merchant men, what death and cruel torment shall we expect if they conquer us? certainly they have hitherto failed grosly, being set out thence as we were, both for number, time, and place.

Lastly, to make an Apologie for not working the Myne, (although I know his Majestie expects) whom I am to satisfie so much, as my self, having lost my son, and my estate in the En∣terprise, yet it is true, that the Spani∣ards took more care to defend the pas∣sage leading unto it, than they did the Town, which by the Kings instructiōs they might easily do, the Countreys being Aspera & Nemosa.

But it is true, that when Capt. Ke∣mish found the River low, and that he could not approach the Banks in most places near the Myne by a Mile, and where he found a discent, a volley of Muskets come from the woods upon the Boat, and slew two Rowers, and hurt fix others, and shot a vali∣ant Gentleman of Captain Thornix, of which wound he languisheth to

this day. He, to wit, Kemish, follow∣ing his own advice, thought that it was in vain to discover the Myne; for he gave me this for an excuse at his return, that the Companies of English in the Town of S. Thome were not able to de∣fend it, against the daily and nightly assaults of the Spaniards, that the pas∣sages to the Mynes, were thick and un∣passable woods, and that the Myne be∣ing discovered, they had no men to work it, did not discover it at all: for it is true, the Spaniards having two gold Mynes near the Town, the one possessed by Pedro Rodrigo de Paran, the second by Harmian Frotinio, the third of silver, by Captain Francisco, for the want of Negroes to work them: for as the Indians cannot be constrained by a Law of Charls the Fifth, so the Spani∣ards will not, nor can endure the la∣bour of those Mynes, whatsoever the Bragadochio, the Spanish Ambassa∣dor saith. I shall prove under the Proprietors hand, by the Custom-Book, and the Kings Quinto, of which I recovered an Ingot or two: I shall also make it appear to any Prince or State that will undertake it, how ea∣sily those Mynes, and five or six more

of them may be possessed, and the most of them in those parts, which never have as yet been attempted by any, nor by any passage to them, nor ever disco∣vered by the English, French, or Dutch. But at Kemish his return from Orinoque, when I rejected his counsel and his course, and told him that he had un∣done me; and wounded my credit with the King past recovery, he slew himself: for I told him, that seeing my son was slain, I cared not if I had lost an hun∣dred more in opening of the Myne, so my credit had been saved: for I protest before God, had not Capt. Whitney (to whom I gave more countenance than to all the Captains of my Fleet) run from me at the Granadoes, and car∣ried another ship with him of Captain Woldestons. I would have left my body at S. Thomes by my sons, or have brought with me out of that or other Mynes, so much Gold oar, as should have satisfied the King. I propounded no vain thing; what shall become of me I know not, I am unpardoned in England, and my poor estate consumed, and whether any Prince will give me bread or no I know not. I desire your Honour to hold me in your good opini∣no, to remember my service to my

Lord of Ar••undel and Pembrook, to take some pity on my poor Wife, to whom I dare not write for renewing her sorrow for her son; and beseech you to give a copie of this to my Lord 〈◊〉〈◊〉: for to a broken mind, a sick bodie, and weak eyes, it is a torment to write many Letters. I have found ma∣ny things of importance for discovering the state and weaknesse of the Indies, which if I live, I shall here after impart unto your Honour, to whom I shall re∣main a faithfull servant.

Walter Raleigh

Sir Walter Raleigh's Letter sent to his Wife, Copied out of his own hand writing.

I Was loath to write, because I know not how to comfort you, and God knows, I never knew what sorrow meant till now. All that I can say to you is, that you must obey the will and providence of God, and remember, that the Queens Majestie bare the losse of Prince Henry with a magnanimous

heart, and the Ladie Harrington of her son. Comfort your heart (dearest Bess) I shall sorrow for us both, I shall for now the lesse, because I have not long to sorrow, because not long to live. I refer you to Mr. Secretarie Winwoods Letter, who will give you a copie of it, if you send for it, therein you shall know what hath passed; I have writ∣ten that Letter, for my brains are bro∣ken, and it is a torment for me to write, and especially of misery. I have desired Mr. Secretarie to give my Lord Carew a copie of his Letter. I have clensed my ship of sick men, and sent them home; I hope God will send us somewhat before we return. You shall hear from me if I live, from the New found land, where I mean to make clean my ships and revictual; for I have Tobacco enough to pay for it. The Lord blesse and comfort you, that you may bear patiently the death of your valiant son

This 22. of March, from the Isle of Christophers,

yours Walter Raleigh.

Post-script.

I Protest before the Majestie of God, That as Sir Francis Drake,

and Sir John Hawkins died heart bro∣ken when they failed of their enter∣prise, I could willingly do the like, did I not contend against sorrow for your sake, in hope to provide somewhat for you and to comfort and relieve you. If I live to return, resolve your self that it is the care for you that hath strength∣ened my heart. It is true that Kemish might have gone directly to the Myne, and meant it, but after my sons death, he made them believe he knew not the way, and excused himself upon want of water in the River, and coun∣ter feiting many impediments left it unfound. When he came back, I told him he had undone me, and that my credit was lost for ever; he answe∣red, That when any son was lost, and that he left me so weak, that he resolved not to find me alive, he had no reason to enrich a companie of Rascals, who after my sons death made no account of him. He further told me that the English sent up into Guiana, could hardly defend the Spanish town of S. Thome which they had taken, and therefore for them to passe through thick woods it was impossible, and more impossible to have victuall brought

them into the Mountains And it is true, that the Governour Diego Polo••eqe, and other four Captains being slain, where∣of Wat flew one, Plessington, Wa••s ser∣vant, and John of Moroc••urs, one of his men, slew other two. I say five of them slain in the enterance of the Town, the rest went off in a whole bodie, and took more care to defend the passages to their Mynes (of which they had three within a League of the Town, besides a Myne that was about five miles off) than they did of the Town it self. Yet Kemish at the first was re∣solved to go to the Myne; but when he came to the banck-side to Land, and had two of his men slain outright from the bank, and six other hurt, and Cap∣tain Thornix shot in the head, of which wound, and the accident thereof, he hath pined away those twelve weeks.

Now when Kemish came back and gave me the former Reasons which mo∣ved him not to open the Myne, the one the death of my son, a second the weaknesse of the English, and their im∣possibilities to work and to be victual∣led; a third that it were a folly to dis∣cover it for the Spaniards; and lastly my weaknesse and being unpardoned;

and that I rejected all these his Argu∣ments, and told him, that I must leave him to himself to resolve it to the King and State, he shut up himself into his Cabbin, and shot himself with a poc∣ket Pistol which broke one of, his ribs, and finding that he had not prevailed, he thrust a long Knife under his short ribs up to the handle and died. Thus much I have written to M^r Secretarie, to whose Letters I refer you to know the truth. I did after the sealing break open the Letter again, to let you know in brief the state of that business, which I pray you impart to my Lord of Northumberland, and Silvanus Sco∣••y.

For the rest, there was never poor man so exposed to slaughter as I was; for being commanded upon mine Al∣leagiance to set down not onely the Coū-trey but the very River by which I was to enter it, to name my Ships number, men, and my Artillerie. This now was sent by the Spanish Ambassador to his Master the King of Spain, the King wrote his Letters to all parts of the Indies, especially to the Governour Palamago of Guiana, Elderado, and Trinidado, of which the

first Letter bore date 19 of March 16••7, at Ma••rill, when I had not yet left the Thames, which Letter I have sent ot Mr Secretarie. I have also other Letters of the Kings which I reserve, and one of the Councels. The King al∣so sent a Commission to leave three hundred souldiers out of his Garrisons of ••nie Regno de Granado è Portricho, with ten pieces of brasle Ordinance to entertain us; he also prepared an Ar∣my by sea to set upon us. If were too long to tell you how we were pre∣served, if I live I shall make it known; my brains are broken, and I cannot write much, I live yet, and I told you why. Witney for whom I sold all my Plate at Plymouth, and to whom I gave more credit and countenance than to all the Captains of my Fleet, ran from me at the Granadoes, and Wolleston with him, so as I have now but five Ships, and out of those I have sent some into my Fly boat, a sabble of idle Rascals, which I know will not spare to wound me, but I care not. I am sure there is never a base slave in all the Fleet hath taken the pain and care that I have done, that have slept so little, and travelled so much, my

friends will not believe them, and for the rest I care not; God in heaven blesse you and strengthen your heart.

Yours Walter Raleigh.

Sir Walter Raleigh's Letter to Mr Secretary Winwood.

SIR,

SInce the death of Kemish, it is con∣tessed by the Serjeant Major, and o¦thers of his inward friends, that he told them that he could have brought them unto the Myne within two hours March from the Riverside; but because my son was slain my self unpardoned, and not like to live, he had no reason to open the Myne either for the Spaniard or for the King; they answered, that the King (though I were not pardoned) had granted my heart under the Great Sea. He replyed, that the grant to me was to no man, non

Ens in the Law, and therefore of no force; this discourse they had, which I knew not of till after his death: but when I was resolved to write unto your Honour, he prayed me to joyn with him in excusing his not going to the Myne, I answered him I would not do it; but if my self could satisfie the King and State, that he had reason not to open it, I should be glad of it: but for my part, I must avow that he knew it, and that he might with loss have done it; other excuses I would not frame: he told me that he would wait on me presently, and give me bet∣ter satisfaction: but I was no sooner come from him into my Cabbin, but I heard a Pistol go over my head, and sending to know who shot it, word was brought me that Kemish shot it out of his Cabbin window to cleanse it; his boy going into his Cabbin, found him lying upon his bed with much bloud by him, and looking in his face saw him dead; the Pistol being but little, did but crack his rib, but tur∣ning him over found a long Knife in his bodie, all but the handle. Sir I have sent into England with my cosin Harbert (a very valiant honest Gentle∣man)

divers unworthy persons, good for nothing neither by sea nor land, and though it was at their own suit, yet I know they will wrong me in all that they can. I beseech your Honour, that the scorn of men may not be believed of me, who have taken more pains, and suffered more than the meanest Rascall in the Ship; these being gone, I shall be able to keep the Sea untill the end of August, with some four reasonable good ships. Sir, wheresoever God shall permit me to arrive in any part of Eu∣rope, I will not fail to let your Honour know what we have done, till then, and ever I rest

Your Honours servant W. Raleigh.

Sir WALTER RALEIGH'S Letter to King JAMES, at his return from GVIANA.

May it please your most excel∣lent Maiestie,

IF in my Journey outward bound, I had my men murthered at the Islands, & yet spared to take revenge, if I did discharge some Spanish Barks taken without spoil, if I so bear all parts of the Spanish Indies, wherein I might have taken twentie of their Downs on the sea coasts, and did one∣ly follow the enterprize I undertook for Guiana, where without any dire∣ctions from me, a Spanish Village was burnt, which was new set up within three miles of the Myne By your Ma∣jesties favour. I find no reason why the Spanish Ambassador should com∣plain of me. If it were lawfull for the Spaniards to murther twentie six En∣glish

men, tying them back to back, and then cutting their throats, when they had traded with them whole moneth, and came to them on the land without so much as one sword, and that it may not be lawfull to your Maje∣sties subjects, being charged first by them, to repell force by force, we may justly say, O miserable English!

If P•••••••••• and ••••e••••••m took Cam∣pe•••••• and other places in the Hondu∣ras, seated in the heart of the Spanish Indies burnt towns, and killed the Spaniards, and had nothing said unto them at this return, and my self for∣bore to look into the I••••••••as; because I would not offend, I may as justly say, O miserable Sir Walter Raleigh!

If I have spent my poor estate, lost my son, suffered by sicknesse and other∣wise a world of miseries; if I have re∣sisted with manifest hazard of my life, the Robberies and Spoils, with which my Companions would have made me rich, if when I was poor, I would have made my self rich, if when I have got∣ten my liberty, which all men and na∣ture it self do much prize, I voluntari∣ly lost it, if when I was sure of my life, I rendered it again, if I might else∣where

where have sold my ship and goods, and put five or six thousand pounds in my purse, and yet brought her into En∣gland, I beseech your Majestie to be∣lieve, that all this I have done, because it should not be said to your Majestie, that your Majestie had given libertie and trust to a man whose end was but the recoverie of his libertie, and who had betrayed your Majesties trust.

My Mutiniers told me, that if I retur∣ned from England I should be undone, but I believed in your Majesties good∣nesse more than in all their being arguments. Sure, I am the first that being free and able to enrich my self; yet hath embra∣ced povertie and perill. And as sure I am, that my example shall make me the last: but your Majesties wisdom and goodnesse I have made my judges, who have ever been, and shall ever be,

Your Majesties most humble Vassal Walter Raleigh.

Sir Walter Raleighs's Letter to his Wife, after his Condemnae∣tion.

YOu shall receive (my dear Wife) my Last words in these my Last lines; my love I send you, that you may keep when I am dead, and my counsell, that you may remember it when I am no more. I would not with my will present you sorrows (dear Bess) let them go to the grave with me, and be buried in the dust. And seing that it is not the will of God that I shall see you any more, bear my destruction patiently, and with an heart like your self.

First I send you all the thanks which my heart can conceive, or my words ex∣presse, for your many travels and cares for me, which though they have not taken effect as you wished, yet my debt to you is not the lesse; but pay it I ne∣ver shall in this world.

Secondly, I beseech you, for the love you bare me living, that you do not hide your self many days, but by your travels seek to help my miserable For∣tunes, and the Right of your poor

Child, your mourning cannot avail me that am but dust.

Thirdly, you shall understand, that my Lands were conveyed (bona fide) to my Child, the writings were drawn at Midsummer was twelve moneths, as divers can witness, and I trust my bloud will quench their malice who desired my slaughter, that they will not seek also to kill you and yours with extream poverty. To what friend to direct you I know not, for all mine have left me in the true time of tri∣all. Most sorrie am I, that being thus surprised by death, I can leave you no better Estate, God hath pre∣vented all my determinations, that great God which worketh all in all, and if you can live free from want, care for no more, for the rest is but a vanitie: Love God and begin betimes, in him you shall find true, everlasting, and endlesse comfort, when you have travelled and wearied your self with all sorts of worldly cogitations you shall sit down by sorrow in the end Teach your son also to serve and fear God whilest he is young, that the fear of God may grow up in him; then will God be an Husband to you,

and a Father to him, an Husband and a Father, that can never be taken from you.

Baylie oweth me a thousand pounds, and Arvan six hundred; in J••rnesey also have much owing me. (Dear wife) I beseech you, for my Souls sake, pay all poor men. When I am dead, no doubt you shall be much sought unto for the world thinks I was very rich; have a care to the fair pre∣tences of men, for no greater miserie can befall you in this life, than to be∣come a prey unto the world, and af∣ter to be despised. I speak (God knows) not to disswade you from Marriage, for it will be best for you, both in respect of God and the world. As for me, I am no more yours, nor you mine, death hath cut us asunder, and God hath di∣vided me from the world, and you from me. Remember your poor Child for his Fathers sake, who loved you in his happiest estate. I sued for my life, but (God knows) it was for you and yours that I desired it: for, know it, (my dear Wife) your Child is the Child of a true man, who in his own re∣spect despiseth Death and his misha∣pen and ugly forms. I cannot write

much, (God knows) how hardly I steal this time when all sleep, and it is also time for me to separate my thoughts from the world. Beg my dead body, which living was denied you, and ei∣ther lay it in S••••••b••rn or in Exceter Church by my father and mother. I can say no more, Time and Death cal∣leth me away. The everlasting God, powerfull, infinite, and inscrutable God Almightie, who is goodnesse it self, the true Light and Life, keep you and yours, and have mercy upon me, and forgive my Persecutors and false accusers, and send us to meet in his glorious kingdom. My dear Wife fare∣well, Blesse my Boy, Pray for me, and let my true God hold you both in his Arms.

Yours that was, but now not mine own Walter Raleigh.

Sir Walter Raleigh's Letter to Prince Henry, touching the mo∣del of a Ship.

Most excellent Prince,

IF the Ship your Highness intends to build, be bigger than the Victorie, then her beams, which are laid over∣thwart from side to side will not serve again, and many other of her timbers and other stuff, will not serve, where∣as if she be a size less, the timber of the old Ship will serve well to the building of a new.

If she be bigger she will be of less use, go very deep to water, and of mightie charge, our Channels decay∣ing every year, less nimble, less man∣nyable, and seldom to be used Gran∣de Navio grande satica saith the Spa∣niard.

A Ship of six hundred Tuns, will carrie as good Ordinance as a Ship of twelve hundred Tuns, and where the greater hath double her Ordinance, the less will turn her broad side twice, before the great Ship can wind

once, and so no advantage in that over-plus of Guns. The lesser will go over clear where the greater shall stick and perish; the lesser will come and go, leave or take, and is yare, whereas the greater is slow, unmanyable, and ever full of encumber.

In a well conditioned Ship, these things are chiefly required.

• 1. That she be strong built.
• 2. Swift in sail.
• 3. Stout-sided.
• 4. That her Ports be so laid, as that she may carry out her Guns all weathers.
• 5. That she hull and trie well.
• 6. That she stay well, when board∣ing, or turning on a wind is required.

To make her strong, consisteth in the care and truth of the work-man; to make her swift, is to give her a large Run, or way forward, and so after∣ward, done by act and just proportion, and that in laying out of her bowes before, and quarters behind; the Ship-wright be sure, that she neither sink nor hang into the water, but lie clear and a••ove it, wherein Ship-wrights do oft∣en fail, and then is the speed in sailing utterly spoiled.

That she be stout-sided, the same is provided by a long bearing floar, and by sharing off from above waters to the low ••••edge of the Ports, which done, then will she carry out her Ordinance all we••thers.

To make her to hull and to trie well, which i•• called a good sea-Ship, there are two things principally to be regar∣ded, the one that she have a good draught of water, the other that she be not overcharged: And this is seldom done in the Kings Ships, and therefore we are forced to lye, or trie in them with our main Course and mizen, which with a deep keel and standing streak, she would perform.

The extream length of a Ship makes her unapt to stay, especially if she be floatie and want sharpnesse of way forward. And it is most true, that such over-long Ships, are fitter for the narrow Seas in summer, than for the Ocean, or long voyages: and therefore an hundred foot by the Keel, and thir∣tie five foot broad is a good proportion for a great Ship.

It is to be noted, that all Ships sharp before, not having a long floar, will fall rough into the sea from a

billow, and take in water over head and ears; and the same quality have all narrow-quartered ships to sink after the tail. The high Charging of ships, is that that brings many ill qualities, it makes them extream Lee-ward, makes them sink deep into the seas, makes them labour sore in foul weather, and oft-times overset. Safety is more to be respected than shews, or nicenesse for ease; in sea journeys both cannot well stand together, and therefore the most necessary is to be chosen.

Two Decks and an half is enough, and no building at all above that, but a low Masters Cabbin. Our Masters and Mariners will say, that the ships will bear more well enough; and true it is, if none but ordinary Mariners served in them. But men of better sort, unused to such a life, cannot so well endure the rowling and tumbling from side to side, where the seas are ne∣ver so little grown, which comes by high Charging. Besides those high Cabbin works aloft, are very dange∣rous in sight, to tear men with their splinters.

Above all other things, have care that the great Guns be four foot clear

above water when all lading is in, or else these best pieces are idle sea: for if the Ports lie lower, and be open it is dangerous; and by that default was a goodly Ship, and many gallant Gen∣tlemen lost, in the days of Henry the Eigth, before the Isle of Wight, in a Ship called by the name of Mary-Rose.