|
1583.
Feb. 7.
From my house in Redcross St. |
21. Sir Humphrey Gylberte to Sec. Sir Francis Walsingham.
As it hath pleased his Honor to let Gylberte understand that her
Majesty of her especial care had of his well doing and prosperous
success, hath wished his stay at home from the personal execution
of his intended discovery, as a man noted of no good hap by sea,
for which he is much bound to her Majesty, and knows not how to
deserve, but by continual prayers and his most faithful and forward
service during life, to satisfy the objections of his stay, it may
please his Honor to be advertised, that in his first enterprise he
returned with great loss, because he would not himself do nor
suffer any of his company to do anything contrary to his word
given to her Majesty and Walsingham; for if he had not far preferred his credit before his gain, he need not to have returned so
poor as then he did. This his last stay at Hampton, hath proceeded
by south-west winds of God's making and sending, and therefore
not his fank or negligence If guilty of delay the principal charge
is his own, and no loss to any other, his adventures being for the
most part in wares. The outrage of this winter hath been a
common hindrance to all men of this realm, south ward bound:
ships driven from the Azores to this coast, without spreading a
sail—a thing never hearal of before; impossible for him to have
performed his journey this winter. Seeing her Majesty is to have
a fifth of all gold and silver to be gotten, without any charge
to her Majesty, trusts her Highness will not deny him liberty to
execute that which resteth in hope, so profitable to her Majesty and
Crown. "The great desire I have to perform the same, hath cost
me first and last, the selling and spending of a thousand marks
land a year of my own getting, besides the scorn of all the world,
for conceiving so well of a matter that others held so ridiculous,
although now by my means better thought of. If the doubt be
my want of skill to execute the same, I will offer myself to be
opposed by all the best navigators and cosmographers within this
realm. If it be cowardliness, I seek no other purgation thereof
than my former service done to her Majesty. If it be the suspicion
of daintiness of diet or sea sickness, in those both I will yield
myself second to no man living, because that comparison is rather
of hardiness of body than a boast of virtue. But how little
account soever is made, either of the matter or of me, I trust her
Majesty, with her favour for my 28 years' service, will allow me
to get my living as well as I may honestly (which is every subject's
right), and not to constrain me, by idle abode at home, to beg my
bread with my wife and children, especially, seeing I have her
Majesty's grant and license under the Great Seal of England for
my departure, without the which I would not have spent a penny
in this action; wherein I am most bound to her Majesty for her
great favour, which of all things I most desire." Protests no
man living shall serve her more faithfully. 2 pp. [Dom. Eliz.,
Vol. 158. No. 59.] There is a petition in this Volume [No. 50]
from Lady Gylberte, touching the manor of Minster in the isle of
Sheppeg perchased of Lord Cheney by Sir Humphrey Gylberte,
and conceyed by him to Sir Edward Hobby, being "the only stay
that is left her to live by in her husband's absence." |
| Feb. 28. |
22. Articles of Agreement between Sir Humphrey Gylberte, of
Compton, co. Deven, and Sir George Peckham, of Denham, co.
Bucks and George Peckham his second son. Whereas her Majesty
by Letters Patent bearing date 11 June 1578, hath granted to said
Sir Humphrey, his heirs and assigns for ever, free liberty to discover
lands not possessed by any Christian Prince or people, and to
occupy and enjoy the same with all commodities, jurisdictions, &c.,
said Sir Humphrey in consideration that said Sir George hath
disbursed divers sums of money as a principal adventurer with
said Sir Humphrey, as also for divers other good considerations,
doth covenant with said Sir George Peckham and George his son,
their heirs and assigns, that they shall for ever enjoy free liberty
by virtue of said Letters Patent, to discover any lands, &c., not
discovered, and inhabited by any Christian Prince or people by
the assignment of said Sir Humphrey, &c., and also to enjoy to
their own use all that river and port called by Master John Dee,
Dee River, which river, by the description of John Verarzamus a
Florentine, lyeth in septentrionall latitude about forty-two degrees,
and hath his mouth lying open to the south, half a league broad or
thereabouts, and entring within the said bay between the east and
the north, encreaseth his breadth, and continueth twelve leagues or
thereabouts, and then maketh a gulf of twenty leagues compass or
thereabouts, and containeth in itself five small islands, newly named
the Cinq Isles, and the said gulf and five isles, and all other isles
lying within said river or gulf, together with fifteen hundred
thousand acres of ground within the supposed continent, lying next
adjoining upon said river, gulf, and five isles, at the choice of said
Peckham, &c., to hold the same for ever by soccage tenure of said
Sir Humphrey so as the said fifteen hundred thousand acres extend
not along the sea coast westward towards the River of Norumbeage
above three score English miles at the most, with full power to
people and manure the same, with all jurisdictions, privileges, &c.,
both by land and sea, paying to said Sir Humphrey, &c., for every
1,000 acres after the first seven years, which the same shall be
actually manured, five shillings and two-fifths of all gold, &c.
Said Peckham and George his son not to be charged with any
contribution towards any wars, other than defences, and that only
by Act of Parliament, of which assembly said Peckham, and all
who bear the name of an associate with him, shall be as principal
members, and said Sir Humphrey doth covenant and grant to
and with said Peckham, &c., free liberty to trade in said lands,
to have the execution of all laws, and to save them harmless
concerning the payment of gold and silver ore and other duties to
her Majesty, her heirs and successors, by said Letters Patents
reserved, and to finish assurance of the premises unto said Peckham,
&c., for ever within three months after the first return of said Sir
Humphrey or his assigns, consorts, adventurers, or associates from
said voyage of discovery now intended. Said Peckham and George
his son covenant that they shall do their best endeavour to obtain
her Majesty's leave, that all who adventure with them to said
countries, and whose names shall be entered in a register book,
may freely pass, there to remain or to return at their pleasure.
And that they will not defer the execution of justice within their
liberties, against any who conspire against the person of said Sir
Humphrey, &c., or commit any capital offence, or protect from
justice any person, his lands or goods, contrary to the laws to be
established in said countries. Also that if they shall do any
manner of act whereby said Sir Humphrey, his heirs, &c., shal
lose the benefit of his said Letters Patent, or publicly maintain
any person as shall go about to destroy the right or person of said
Sir Humphrey, &c., or seek the subversion of the Commonwealth of
said Sir Humphrey his heirs or successors, their countries or
territories that from thenceforth these presents to become void and
of none effect. [Close Roll, 25 Elizabeth, Part 8.] |
| April. |
23. "A Discourse upon the intended voyage to the hithermost
parts of America written for the better instruction of the
merchants in the same by Capt. Carleill." After touching upon the
early voyages to Muscovy and other parts he says, but who shall
look into the quality of this voyage to the hithermost parts
of America shall find it hath as many points of good moment
as may almost be wished for, it is not any long course for
it may be performed to and fro in four months after the first
discovery, that one wind sufficeth to make the passage which
is upon the high sea without danger on any other coasts and the
outward or homeward voyages very well stored with goodly
harbours, and as the bordering neighbours are commonly the aptest
to fall out with us so these parts being somewhat further remote
are the liker to take or give less occasion of disquiet. [In margin.
This is spoken upon the opinion which by some is conceived that
Ireland is not suffered to grow to that perfection which it might be
least one day revolting by chance from the Crown, it might prove
an overstrong party to be so near an enemy.] But when it is considered that they are our own kindred and esteemed our own country
nation which have the government, meaning by those who shall be
there planted who can look for any other than the dealing of most
loving and most assured friends. Two points of importance concerning the matter of trade. Answer to the objection that it is
not for the merchants' purse to continue the charges of transporting
and planting, and that since these hundred men which are now to
be planted cost 4,000l. it is then to be thought that the charge of a
far greater number will be also a far greater sum of money. In
the margin. The ore of metal brought by Mr. Frobisher caused
a great supply to be furnished the year following. Sir Francis
Drake's only passage thro' the islands of Molucca was the chiefest
occasion of the preparation thither which cost not less than thirteen
or fifteen thousand pounds. The right examination of this point
must be the contrary sequel of the common proverb "Nothing
venture. nothing have," so, on the other side by venturing many
great good profits are found out to the wonderful benefit of the
Commonwealth, therefore would wish that those who are well able
to spare what is required of each one towards the undertaking of
this adventure be willing to employ the same. Instances the
voyages of Jaques Cartier and others and that it is credibly
reported that the French by last year's voyage got fourteen or
fifteen hundred for every one hundred. 11 pp. [Dom. Eliz., Vol. 155,
No 87.] Printed in Haklayt III., 228–234., but with many
variations. |
|
24. Points set down by the Committees appointed in the behalf
of the Company to confer with Mr. Carleill upon his intended discovery and attempt in the northern parts of America. This
document has been erroneonsly assgned to the year 1574? in the
first volume of this Calendar. It is printed in Haklag III. 234–5.
but with considerable variations. [Col. Papers, Vol. I., No. 1.] |
| 1583? |
25. Certain questions to be demanded of Davy Ingram, sailor,
dwelling at Barking, co. Essex. What he observed in his travels
on the north side of the River of May, where he remained three
months or thereabouts. How long he travelled there. Whether
that country be fruitful and what kind of fruit there be. What
kind of beasts and cattle he saw. What kind of people and how
apparelled. The buildings. Whether any quantity of gold, silver,
pearl, or other jewels, and whether he saw a beast far exceeding an
ox in bigness. Ingram's answers to these questions are the same in
substance as those contained in his examination in the "Reports
of the country Sir Humphrey Gylberte goes to discover." He
sayeth that upon his life he offereth to go to the place to approve
the same true. With marginal notes that Sir H. Gylberte's man
reports their houses to be built in like manner, and brought hides of
the beast above referred to from the place he discovered. Endorsed,
"Questions to be asked of David Ingram concerning his knowledge
of a discovery." 2 pp. [Dom. Eliz., Vol. 175, No. 95.] |
|
26. "Reports of the country Sir Humphrey Gylberte goes to
discover." Since the "fragment" of this Report was abstracted in
the first volume of this Calender, the missing portion has been discovered bound up erroncously in Dom. Elis., Vol. 185, No. 88,
which has been restored to this document to which it belongs. The
date is most probably 1583 instead of 1580 and it is entitled as
above. It will be seen that the first part of these "Reports" are
David Ingram's Answers to the Questions demanded of him in
the preceding Abstract. [Col. Papers, Vol. I., No. 2.] |
| 15 May. |
27. Indenture between Sir George Peckham of Denham, co.
Bucks, and William Rowsswell of Forde, co. Devon., Sir Humphrey
Gylberte's Letters Patent of 11 June 1578, and the Indenture
between Sir Humphrey and Sir George Peckham of 6 June
1582 (see ante, No. 15) are recited. Said Sir George in consideration of a sum of money with him adventured by said Rowsswell as a principal Adventurer in said voyage [now intended by
said Sir Humphrey], and for other considerations, doth covenant
with said Rowsswell, his heirs and assigns, that they shall for ever
enjoy full power and free liberty, by virtue of said Letters Patent
and assignment of the premises, to hold and enjoy one hundred
thousand acres of ground, parcell of said five hundred thousand acres
of ground to said Sir George granted as aforesaid, with power to
make choice of the same, before any other that shall adventure
with said Sir George under said Grant, as also to inhabit, people,
and manure the same, together with all prerogatives, &c., in as
ample manner as said Sir George might have enjoyed the same,
holding the same by soccage tenure, and paying to her Majesty and
said patentee in all things as Sir George payeth rateably. And
turther paying to said Sir George yearly on first of January one
steel target, and one good arming sword in the name of a Chiefage
only. And grants to said Rowsswell and to his heirs, and to ten of
his assigns and factors serving with him or them, and to their
heirs males for ever, free liberty to trade to and from any of the
said countries to be discovered by said Patentee or said Sir George,
their heirs, deputies, or assigns. [Close Roll, 25 Eliz., Part 8.] |
| July 7. |
28. Articles of Agreement between Sir Humphrey Gylberte of
Compton, co. Devon, and Sir Philip Sydney of Penshurst, co. Kent.
Whereas her Majesty by Letters Patents, bearing date 11 June 1578,
hath granted to said Sir Humphrey, his heirs and assigns for ever,
free liberty to discover lands not possessed by any Christian Prince
or People, and to occupy and enjoy the same with all commodities,
jurisdictions &c. Said Sir Humphrey for the more speedy execution
of Her Majesty's said grant, the enlargement of Her Dominions,
and the better encouragement of said Sydney and his associates,
doth covenant with said Sydney, his heirs and assigns, that
said Sydney, his heirs, assigns, associates, adventurers, and people
shall for ever enjoy free liberty to discover anything not before
discovered or inhabited by said Sir Humphrey, his heirs or
assigns, and to enjoy to their own use such lands so discovered
as shall amount unto thirty hundred thousand acres, with
power to inhabit, people, and manure the same, together with
all jurisdictions, privileges, and emoluments whatsoever for governing,
peopling, &c., the same, holding same of said Sir Humphrey, his
heirs, and assigns in free soccage, paying for every thousand acres
after the first seven years which the same shall be actually possessed
and manured, fifteen pence and two-fifths of gold, silver, pearl, and
precious stones, also one halfpenny sterling yearly to be levied for
ever out of every acre after the first ten years that any one farm
shall be possessed and manured, which money shall be yearly
employed towards the maintenance of a Navy and Soldiers for the
general defence of those countries, said moneys to be kept in a
treasure house appointed for that purpose, and to be employed by
the consent of the Chiefest Governor and of the more part of
thirteen Councillors, for martial and marine causes to be chosen by
the people. Also that the sixtieth part of all lands of every temporal
man and the fortieth part of the lands and revenues of every
spiritual person be yearly allowed for the maintenance of maimed
soldiers, and learning, and to such other uses as the Chief Governor
and Councillors shall think meet. Also the said Sydney, &c., to
enjoy free liberty to trade, to have the execution of all laws within
the precinct of thirty hundred thousand neres of ground, as also upon
the sea coasts so far as said land shall extend, said Sir Humphrey
to save said Sydney harmless concerning payment of the ore of gold
and silver and all other duties, services, and demands by said Letters
Patent reserved, and to finish further assurance of the premises
within three months next after the next return of said Sir Humphrey or his assigns, consorts, adventurers, or associates from the said
voyage of discovery. Said Sydney covenants that he shall do his
best endeavour to obtain her Majesty's leave that all who adventure
with said Sir Humphrey, Sir Thomas Gerrard, Sir George Peckham,
the said Philip Sydney, or any of them, unto said countries, whose
names shall be entered in a register book, and shall be willing to
travel into any of the said remote countries, may freely pass there
to remain or return at their pleasure. And said Sydney covenants
that he and his heirs, &c., shall not defer the execution of justice
within their liberties, against any conspiring against Sir Humphrey,
or committing any capital offence, or protect from justice any person,
his lands or goods, contrary to the laws to be established in the
before mentioned remote countries. Also that if said Sydney, or
his heirs, &c., do anything tending to the subversion of said Sir
Humphrey, his heirs, principal Governor, &c., or commit piracy, or
open hostility against any Christian Prince or People whereby said
Letters Patents be made void, or maintain any person as shall openly
go about to destroy the right, title, or person of said Sir Humphrey,
his heirs, &c., or the subversion of his Commonwealth, that then
this present grant, and all covenants therein contained, to become
void and of none effect. [Close Roll, 25 Elizabeth, Part 7, No.
1153.] |
| July. |
29. Articles indented between Sir Philip Sidney, of Penshurst,
co. Kent, and Sir George Peckham, of Denham, co. Bucks. Whereas
Sir Philip Sidney, by Letters Patent enrolled in Chancery [see preceding Number], is authorised to discover and inhabit certain parts
of America not yet discovered, and out of those countries to have
and enjoy for ever thirty hundred thousand acres of ground, with
all commodities, &c., &c., both by sea and land, with power to
lead in the said voyage, to travel thitherward or to inhabit there.
Now said Sir Philip Sidney, for the more speedy execution of her
Majesty's said grant, the enlargement of her dominions, and the
encouragement of said Sir George Peckham and his associates in
so worthy and commendable an enterprise, doth covenant with said
Peckham that he will make good and sufficient assurance in the law
of the said xxxm [should be xxxcm, i.e., 3,000,000] acres to said
Peckham, his heirs or assigns, as he can or may convey, with all
privileges thereunto belonging. And said Sir Philip is contented
that all sums of money and commodities received of any adventuring towards said discovery shall be paid to said Peckham,
his heirs or assigns, towards furnishing a supply of shipping and
other necessaries without account. 12 pp. [Dom. Eliz., Vol. 161,
No. 44.] |
| Nov.? |
30. Minute of a letter touching the discovery in America, for
Mr. Secretary. "Is informed by Anthony Brigham of a very good
inclination in Mr. Secretary to the Western discoveries if he may
be sufficiently authorized, and have a Society without joining with
any other than he makes choice of. Is of opinion he will do well
to hearken to such offer as Sir Philip Sidney and Sir Geo.
Peckham will make, who have sufficient authority under her
Majesty's Letters Patent to perform the effect of his desire, no
whit mistrusting but that this voyage will prove profitable to the
adventurers in particular and generally beneficial to the whole
realm. 1 p. [Dom Eliz., Vol. 165, No. 35.] |
