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April 2.
Westminster. |
190. The Queen's commission to Edward Fenton to govern all ships in the voyage to be made to the southward, “as well for the discovery of Cathay and China, as all other lands and islands already discovered and hereafter to be discovered by Edward Fenton;” with power to him or his deputy to press shipping, mariners, soldiers, and other needful persons for the yoyage, to rule over his company, and punish by imprisonment and death, “if the greatness of the fault and necessity shall so deserve;” and authority for those of his company to inhabit the land so discovered according to orders given by the Privy Council, who are invested with full powers to appoint a successor in case of Fenton's death. [Two pages and a half. Copy by Richard, Madox. Brit. Mus., Sloane, 2146, fols. 70, 71.] |
April 9.
“From the
Court.” |
191. Sec. Walsyngham to Lord Treasurer Burghley. The Earl of Leicester and Walsyngham have now sent him Mr. Fenton's instructions to sign, for his speedy dispatch. Requests he will also join in signing another letter enclosed to Mr. Ughtrede, Mr. Barne, and Mr. Towerson for certain speeches to be used to the mariners of this voyage for yielding obedience to Fenton and the rest who have the chief charge. [Three quarters of a page. Domestic, Eliz., Vol. CLIII., No. 4. Fenton's Instructions “to be observed in the voyage recommended to him for the Hast Indies and Cathay,” are printed in Hakluyt, IV., p. 259, et seq.; as also an account of the voyage written by Luke Warde, captain of the Edward Bonaventure. they sailed 1 May, 1582, and returned to Plymouth 29th May, 1583.] |
| [April 9.] |
192. Imperfect copy of the instructions for Edward Fenton, from Article 16 to 24, the last in the handwriting of Rich. Madox, chaplain of the galleon Leicester, signed by Burghley, Leicester, and Walsyngham. [Four pages. Mutilated by fire. Brit. Mus., Otho. VIII., fol. 127–128.] With minute that to these instructions, “when they first came to my sight,” the following letter was Annexed:
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192. I. Earl of Leicester and Sec. Walsyngham to Edward Fenton, “captain and general of the company in the voyage to China, and those parts.” Very requisite to leave, on his return home, some fit person in China, to remain there not only as an …. such commodities as he carries with him …. and instead of them to receive other commodities of that country, to the use of all the adventurers, but also to acquaint himself with the language and condition of that people, as also with the commodities which those countries yield; Christopher Carlile, being “thought a meet man for this purpose” is nominated to be left behind, with so many of the company as may be selected by the general and his assistants. Peter Jefferey and Thos. Beynham, adventurers in good portions in this voyage, are appointed of the number of Fenton's assistants. The Lord Treasurer's signature is not to this letter by reason of his absence, but it is to be of no less force “for so it is Her Majesty's pleasure.” [One page and a quarter. Mutilated by fire. Brit. Mus. The first part in Otho, VIII., fol. 128, the conclusion in Sloane, 2146, fol. 70.] Greenwich, April, 11, 1582. |
April 22.
Netley. |
193. Henry Ughtrede, Ald. Geo. Barne, Luke Warde, Edward Fenton, Wm. Towerson, Wm, Hawkyns, Nycholas Par[ker], and John Cas[telyne] to Earl of Leicester. Find all ready and well furnished …. the travail of five or six days for …. matters to be embarked, which in …. shall be accomplished, reserving God's blessing …. favourable wind. Have agreed to leave … by the … of the owner, preferred by Captain Warde to be sold …. and have accepted in lieu thereof a bark of …. apter for the voyage, to which they crave his lordship's consent. Hope by …. to satisfy his expectation in all things. [One page. Mutilated by fire. Brit. Mus., Otho, VIII., fol. 114.] |
April 22.
Netley. |
194. Edward Fenton to Leicester. Agreement made by Sir Francis Drake for additional men, through whose liberality and the imprest allowed them, fourteen have been entertained for this voyage. If wind and weather permit, he trusts to sail within five days; leaves the report of all other matters to Drake. One thing has greatly grieved Fenton, the …. the journey of Captain Carlile, whose …. grows chiefly by placing before …. the instructions, young Mr. Hawkyns …. offended with Fenton in that he did not …. to Leicester to have them reformed. His lordship can best witness what care Fenton had …. contented, which Leicester told him he should receive …. good liking and according to an agreement … down betwixt Leicester and Drake … so as Fenton trusts Leicester will discharge him, and leave the gentleman satisfied of his … towards him, whose company Fenton most … in this voyage, loving him … and for many other good things in him. Begs him to be thankful to Drake for his good counsel to Fenton, and persuasions to his company for their obedience. [Two pages. Mutilated by fire. Brit. Mus., Otho, VIII., 129.] |
April 22.
Southampton. |
195. John Walker to Leicester. Is ever bound to his lordship for sending … Since his departure from Court he has been … has taken institution and induction into the …. “fyllacke” which Her Majesty bestowed upon him. The bishop showed … courtesy he might, and assured him of his friendship. Beseeches Leicester to be a means to Her Majesty to keep his livings until his return “from the Indians.” Is now somewhat in debt, which the profits from his poor livings during his absence will discharge, to the great quietness of his conscience. Sir Fras. Drake has used him with the greatest friendship, both in instructing him in the voyage, and in dealing liberally with him and his fellow preacher [Richard Madox], for which he beseeches Leicester to give him thanks. [One page. Mutiláted by fire. Brit. Mus., Otho, VIII., fol. 130.] |
| [April 26.] |
196. “Accidents of alteration” for the voyage to Cathay and China, in the handwriting of Rich. Madox, chaplain of the Leicester Notwithstanding the addition of the fourth bark, the ships are very deeply laden, especially the Admiral; complaint of the sailors of want of cabling and cordage. Tidings brought by Wood that Capt. Carlile was kept back by an ague, whereof very many were sorry, but especially Madox, because he had reposed so much in his good courtesy, and had determined to have remained with him wherever he had stayed. The General and Alderman Barne appointed Nicholas Parker to all Carlile's preferments, and named the ship, called in the commission the Bear galleon, the galleon Leicester, which they “thought would be more sounding and significative.” Only one box received from the Privy Council, the keys given by Sheriff Ughtrede to Capt. Warde, Capt. Hawkyns, and me [Ric. Madox]. [One page and a quarter. Brit. Mus., Sloane, 2146, fol. 71.] |
| April 29. |
197. Account of “the first weighing of anchors” of the ships in Fenton's voyage, by Richard Madox, chaplain of the Leicester. The whole company mustered by Sheriff Ughtrede at his house, and a frank promise of willing endeavour received from every man. Ughtrede's short and good pithy exhortation and delivery of the whole charge to Edward Fenton, general, in presence of Alderman Barne and Mr. Towerson. Notwithstanding the general's care, the men ever slinking with back errands to the shore, Ughtrede, the mayor of Hampton, and the whole fleet invited to dinner on board the Leicester; sermon preached by Madox; anchors weighed after dinner, and the next day the ships were riding at Cawshot. [One page and a half. Brit. Mus., Sloane, 2146, fol. 72.] |
| April 30. |
198. Inventory of the Elizabeth, signed by Edward Fenton, Luke Warde and William Hawkyns. [One page. Mutilated by fire Brit. Mus., Otho, VIII., fol. 116.] |
