Simancas: July 1601 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 4, 1587-1603. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1899.

Citation:

'Simancas: July 1601', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain (Simancas), Volume 4, 1587-1603, ed. Martin A S Hume (London, 1899), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/simancas/vol4/pp685-686 [accessed 3 April 2025].

July 1601



17 July. Estado, 840.	708. The Council Of State to Philip III. The Admiral of Scotland has given a memorandum of advices. containing the following :— That Raleigh, knight, and Gilbert, knight, with their companions, have asked the queen of England for permission to take and fortify the island of Santa Margarita, Raleigh to be viceroy, and that they have arranged with the governor of the island to obtain a footing there. That there are two Flemings who for the last five years have been in Teneriffe in the interests of the English. That the merchants of London have dispatched 12 ships for the East Indies, four of which have already sailed with victuals and pieces of eight struck by the English silversmiths. That three English ships were being loaded with cloths for the island of St Michaels. That there is a person who offers to capture Raleigh and bring him hither, if he is guaranteed half the ransom obtained. The same person offers to take and surrender the above-mentioned ships if he be given half their value. That the (Flemish) rebels are building ships with the Scottish arms on them, that they may come to Spain in the guise of Scottish ships. The Admiral of Scotland will be informed of those that come, and if he be so instructed, he will deliver them, if he be given half of their value. The above having been considered in Council, it was resolved that your Majesty should be informed that reports had already been received and due measures adopted with regard to the island of Santa Margarita, the Flemings in Teneriffe, and the ships for the East Indies. With respect to the proposal about Raleigh, and the capture of English and rebel ships, the Council is of opinion that, although the execution seems to present some difficulty, it will be advisable to grant what is requested, and even to hold out hopes of still greater rewards, as gain would result in any case. Your Majesty will decide as you think best.