| Feb.? |
187. Instructions [for Martin Frobisher] to be observed in the voyage for the East Indies and Cathay. Indorsed, “Capt. Frobisher, the first draught” [in the handwriting of Thos. Atye, secretary to the Earl of Leicester], with corrections by Lord Burghley, and marginal notes in other hands. The same in substance as were afterwards given to Edward Fenton, who sailed general of this voyage To be capt.-general of the galleon [Leicester], Edward Bonaventure, the bark Francis, and the small pinnace. To appoint 190 able persons for furnishing the vessels [altered to 180, but afterwards increased to 200, as printed in Hakluyt]. To have as assistants E. F. to consult in all matters of importance, [in the margin] Fenton, Warde, Carlile, Parker, Shawe, Beynham, Mathew Talbois, and Madox the minister [in the printed copy, Capt Hawkyns, Capt. Warde, Nicholas Parker, Madox, Walker, Evans, Randolph Shawe, Mathew Talbois. A paragraph in this article as to consultation when the ships are in harbour is erased.] Particular notes to be kept of all consultations, for which Captain Carlile is appointed registrar. [Madox the minister is named in Hakluyt.] Power to punish mutiny or any other offence; that which concerns life, by the verdict of 12 honest men of the company. [Art. 6, not to remove the vice-admiral and other officers named in Hakluyt, is destroyed by fire.] Succession of the general in case of death. Inventories to be made of tackle, munition, and the furniture of every ship at departure and return, for the Earl of Leicester and the Governor of the Company. To use all diligence to depart from Southampton before the last of February next. [Altered to this present month, “of April,” added by Hakluyt] Not to pass to the north-eastward of 40° latitude at the most, “because we will that this voyage shall be only for trade and not for discovery of the passage by the North-east to Cataya,” [this passage was afterwards altered, “but shall take your right course to the isles of the Moluccas for the better discovery of the North-west passage.” See Hakluyt.] “otherwise than if without hinderance of your trade, and within the said degree you can get any knowledge touching that passage, whereof you shall do well to be inquisitive as occasion in this sort may serve.” Course of the ships and keeping company. Not to spoil nor take anything from any of the Queen's friends, or allies, or any Christians without paying justly for it; nor use violence except in self-defence. To deal like good and honest merchants, and especially to be careful in the performance of their word and promise. Settlement of a trade in fit places; some few men and women of those parts to be brought home, leaving some of his company as pledges “to learn the tongue and secrets of the country.” [There is an addition to this article in Hakluyt, that the hostages should not be of more value than the persons received.] No person to keep to his own private use any stone, pearl, gold, silver, or other commodity; penalties. [Art. 16 in Hakluyt is omitted.] Books of accounts to be kept by the general and the factors. No one to make charts or description of the voyage unless deputed by the general, and which he should have on his return, leaving no copy. All the ships to come home together and none to unlade without special order. To agree, with the advice of his assistants and masters of the ships, upon some written orders for those going with him in this voyage, for their better government both at sea and land. [Here follows an article, of which a few words only are legible, not
printed in Hakluyt.] Reverence and respect to be paid to the ministers appointed to go the voyage. The whole direction of the voyage and government of the people to be at his disposition, except in the course by the Straits of Magellan, the passage by the northward of 40° latitude and the displacing of the captains. Capt. Carlile to have the chief charge of all enterprises on land. [Hakluyt adds, “Capt. Carlile upon occasion was not in this voyage;” and a last article 24 requiring all to observe these instructions. Nine pages. Mutilated by fire. Otho, VIII., fols. 87–92. See Fenton's instructions, dated April 9, 1582. Printed in Hakluyt, IV., 259–263.] |
