some gold, which they brought and bought in the high country of Wiana, being able to buy no more, because they wanted the things which now we have left among them. They keep no order of marriage, but have as many wives as they can buy, or win by force of their enemies, which principally is the cause of all their wars. For bread there is infinite store of cassavi, which is as good bread as a man need to eat, and better than we can carry any thither. We spent not a bit of our own all the while we were upon the coast. It is made of a root so called, which they take and scrape, and crush all the juice out, being poison; and when it is dry it is as fine flour as our white meal maketh; which, dry as it is, without any moissture, they strew upon a round stone, having a still fire under it, and so it congealeth to a cake; and when it cometh new off, it eateth like to our new white bread. Beside, there is great store of Guinea wheat whereof they make passing good drink, which, after it is once sowed, if you cut off the ear, on the same stalk groweth

another.

For victuals, we either did not, or at least needed not to have spent any of our own; for there is great store of as good fish in the rivers, as any is in the world. Great store of fowl of divers sorts, tortoise-flesh plentiful, and tortoises' eggs innumerable. Deer, swine, conies, hares, cocks, and hens, with potatoes more than we could spend. Beside, all kind of fruits at all times of the year; and the rarest fruits of the world, the pine, the plantain, with infinite other variable and pleasant, growing to their hands, without planting or dressing. For commodities, though we had but small time to search, because we spent so much time in searching the rivers, yet we have brought examples of some which the country yieldeth in great plenty; as a kind of long hemp like unto steel hemp, fine cotton wool which the trees yield great store of, and wherewith the women make a fine thread, which will make excellent good fustians or stockings. Great store of pitch, divers sorts of sweet gums and West Indian pepper, balsamum, parrots, and monkies. Beside divers other commodities, which in good time

may

may be found out to the benefit of our country and profit of the adventurers, who as yet, having ventured much have gained little.

Now leaving the river of Coritine, passing by St. Vincent, Santa Lucia, and Matalina, we came to Dominica upon the Friday following, being the 13th of May, having lost the bark that came out with us the Wednesday before. Upon Sunday morning, the 15th of May, we came to Guadaloupe, where we watered at the southern part of the island; and having done by night we set sail, and stood away to the northward, but were becalmed all night, and until ten of the clock on Monday night; at which time, having a fair gale at east, and after at south-east, we passed along in the sight of Monserate, Antigua, and Barbuda. Upon the 9th of June, being Thursday, we made the islands of Flores and Corvo; and the 28th of June we made the Lisart, and that night came all safe to Plymouth, blessed be God!

Between the isle of Barbuda in the West Indies and England we had three mighty storms, many calms, and some contrary winds. And upon the 14th of June, 1597, there being divers whales playing about our pinnace, one of them crossed our stem, and going under rubbed her back against our keel; but by none of all these we sustained any loss. Thanks be to him that governeth all things!

CHAP. VI.

Queen pleased CAMDEN informs us, that Queen Elizabeth gave the heros in

notwithstand

ing Essex.

Sir Robert
Cecil.

the Cadiz-expedition a very gracious reception on their return, notwithstanding the dissatisfaction of Essex that more had not been accomplished in that enterprise. The Earl's ardour for glory had led him to propose some farther attempts against the enemy, which the cooler counsels of his more experienced colleagues found it prudent to reject. This drew from him on their return a paper intituled, a Censure of the Omissions in this expedition; in which he blames their not obtaining possession of the Indian fleet, their abandoning Cadiz, their not awaiting the caracs and Indian ships, and lastly, their not attacking the enemy in other ports. Under the two last heads he particularly mentions, Sir Walter.

To add to the Earl's mortification he found on his return, that Sir Robert Cecil had been appointed Secretary of State in preference to Sir Thomas Bodley, whom he had so strongly recommended for that office. Cecil was the second son of the celebrated Lord Treasurer Burleigh. Educated in a court by a parent so deeply skilled in its arts, he was crafty, insinuating, industrious; and although possessed of talents for the highest offices, he relied not on his own merit only, but availed himself of every advantage which the errors of others afforded him3. Naunton in his Fragmenta Regalia calls him his father's own son-a courtier from his cradle; and by his cousin, Mr. Francis Bacon, he is described as a gentleman who had one of the rarest and most excellent wits in England, with a singular delivery and application of the same, whether it was to use a continued speech, or negociate, or touch in writing, or make report, or

See Burchet's and Lediard's Naval Hist. 3 Robertson. ⚫ Camden, Ann. Elizab. 1596.

discretely

discretely to consider of the circumstances, and aptly to draw things to a
point; to all which were joined a very good nature, and a great re-
spect to all men, and a thorough experience of public business under
his father. Essex had recommended Bodley on account of his
knowledge of the affairs of the Low-countries; but in extolling him
had disparaged Cecil with so much bitterness, and so little reason,
that the queen (who began now, says Camden, to disapprove of his
strong recommendations) not only refused Bodley, but would not al-
low him to share the office with Cecil as was at first proposed'. In
the eye of Essex, Cecil was low and base; while the Earl's reputed
magnanimity was presumption and folly to Cecil. Thus formed to His ill-will to
be rivals and enemies, they in time headed two powerful factions
which divided the court, and contended for the supreme direction of
affairs.

Essex.

to Ralegh.

The good understanding which in the meantime subsisted between His friendship Cecil and Ralegh may be gathered from Sir Walter's letters to the former already presented to the reader. It is also pretty plain, that they agreed in their sentiments of Essex, a union which would naturally draw them closer to each other at this period. Ralegh being, however, still suspended from his post of captain of the guard, it was probably with a view of strengthening his interest, that he endeavoured about this time to reconcile Essex and Cecil. For in a letter from Rowland Whyte, Esq. to Sir Robert Sydney, dated March 4th, 1596-7, we read, Sir Walter Ralegh hath been very often very private with the Earl of Essex, and is the mediator of a peace between him and Sir Robert Cecil, who likewise hath been private with him. Sir Walter alledges how much good may grow by it-the queen's continual unquietness will turn to contentments.

The Sydney papers farther inform us, that Ralegh was among the candidates for the post of vice-chamberlain at this time vacant" and Mr. Whyte's intelligent correspondence with Sir Robert Sydney furnishes us the following additional information.-Sir Walter Ra

• Birch's Memoirs Q. Elizab. I. 90. Camden-Ann. 1596.

Collins' Sydney Letters, II. 24.. 7 Ibid, II. 27.

1597.

Ralegh a candi-
date as Vice-
; chamberlain.

oppose him.

Reconciles

Essex & Cecil.

legh is daily in court, and hope is had he shall be admitted to the execution of his office as Captain of the Guard before his going to sea. His Essex ceases to friends you know are of greatest authority and power here, and the Earl of Essex gives it no opposition, his mind being full, and only carried away with the business he hath in his head of conquering and overcoming the enemy. (April 9, 1597.)—This day, being Monday, Sir Robert Cecil went in coach with the Earl of Essex to his house, where Sir Walter Ralegh came, and they dined there together. After dinner they were very private all three for two hours, where the treaty of a peace was confirmed. It is true that Sir Walter Ralegh hath taken upon him to provide victuals for three months for 6000 men, at the allowance of ninepence a man per diem. There is imprested unto him £3000 a week for six weeks; he shall have Bridewell, Winchesterhouse, and Durham-house, to be the magazines for the victuals; he protests he shall be a loser by it, but few are of that opinion beside himself. (April 19th)-Victual is provided by Sir Walter Ralegh for 6000 foot for three months; and I observe how the Earl of Essex, and Sir Robert Cecil are in continual private counsel. Sir Walter Ralegh is still called in unto them, (St. George's Day 3).

Victuals 6000

men.

In counsel with
Essex & Cecil.

Mr. Whyte's letter of the 2d of June, 1597, informs us, that Sir Walter's suit was at length crowned with success, and that by the friendly offices of Cecil unattended by the opposition of Essex, Fully restored he was fully reinstated in the favour of his sovereign. Yesterday

with the queen.

(he writes) my Lord of Essex rid to Chatham. In his absence Sir Walter Ralegh was brought to the queen by Sir Robrt Cecil, who used him very graciously, and gave him full authority to execute his place as Captain of the Guard, which immediately he undertook, and swore many men into the places void. In the evening he rid abroad with the queen, and had private conference with her; and now he comes boldly to the privy-chamber as he was wont. Though this was done in the absence of the earl, yet is it known that it was done with his liking and furtherance.Your Lordship knows, that Sir Walter had the victualling of the land forces. I hear it is very