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quiet course and plentiful trades of the Spanish nation； who； in my weak
judgement； by such a war were as easily endangered and brought from his
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powerfulness as any prince in Europe； if it be considered from how many
kingdoms and nations his revenues are gathered； and those so weak in
their own beings and so far severed from mutual succour。 But because
such a preparation and resolution is not to be hoped for in haste； and that
the time which our enemies embrace cannot be had again to advantage； I
will hope that these provinces； and that empire now by me discovered；
shall suffice to enable her Majesty and the whole kingdom with no less
quantities of treasure than the king of Spain hath in all the Indies； East and
West； which he possesseth； which if the same be considered and followed；
ere the Spaniards enforce the same； and if her Majesty will undertake it； I
will be contented to lose her Highness' favour and good opinion for ever；
and my life withal； if the same be not found rather to exceed than to equal
whatsoever is in this discourse promised and declared。 I will now refer the
reader to the following discourse； with the hope that the perilous and
chargeable labours and endeavours of such as thereby seek the profit and
honour of her Majesty； and the English nation； shall by men of quality and
virtue receive such construction and good acceptance as themselves would
like to be rewarded withal in the like。
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THE DISCOVERY OF GUIANA
THE DISCOVERY＇*＇ OF
GUIANA＇＋＇＇*＇ Exploration
＇＋＇ The name is derived from the Guayano Indians； on the Orinoco。
On Thursday； the sixth of February； in the year 1595； we departed
England； and the Sunday following had sight of the north cape of Spain；
the wind for the most part continuing prosperous； we passed in sight of the
Burlings； and the Rock； and so onwards for the Canaries； and fell with
Fuerteventura the 17。 of the same month； where we spent two or three
days； and relieved our companies with some fresh meat。 From thence we
coasted by the Grand Canaria； and so to Teneriffe； and stayed there for the
Lion's Whelp； your Lordship's ship； and for Captain Amyas Preston and
the rest。 But when after seven or eight days we found them not； we
departed and directed our course for Trinidad； with mine own ship； and a
small barque of Captain Cross's only； for we had before lost sight of a
small galego on the coast of Spain； which came with us from Plymouth。
We arrived at Trinidad the 22。 of March； casting anchor at Point Curiapan；
which the Spaniards call Punta de Gallo； which is situate in eight degrees
or thereabouts。 We abode there four or five days； and in all that time we
came not to the speech of any Indian or Spaniard。 On the coast we saw a
fire； as we sailed from the Point Carao towards Curiapan； but for fear of
the Spaniards none durst come to speak with us。 I myself coasted it in my
barge close aboard the shore and landed in every cove； the better to know
the island； while the ships kept the channel。 From Curiapan after a few
days we turned up north…east to recover that place which the Spaniards call
Puerto de los Espanoles （now Port of Spain）； and the inhabitants
Conquerabia； and as before； revictualling my barge； I left the ships and
kept by the shore； the better to come to speech with some of the
inhabitants； and also to understand the rivers； watering… places； and ports
of the island； which； as it is rudely done； my purpose is to send your
Lordship after a few days。 From Curiapan I came to a port and seat of
Indians called Parico； where we found a fresh water river； but saw no
people。 From thence I rowed to another port； called by the naturals Piche；
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and by the Spaniards Tierra de Brea。 In the way between both were divers
little brooks of fresh water； and one salt river that had store of oysters
upon the branches of the trees； and were very salt and well tasted。 All their
oysters grow upon those boughs and sprays； and not on the ground； the
like is commonly seen in other places of the West Indies； and elsewhere。
This tree is described by Andrew Thevet； in his France Antarctique； and
the form figured in the book as a plant very strange； and by Pliny in his
twelfth book of his Natural History。 But in this island； as also in Guiana；
there are very many of them。
At this point； called Tierra de Brea or Piche； there is that abundance of
stone pitch that all the ships of the world may be therewith laden from
thence； and we made trial of it in trimming our ships to be most excellent
good； and melteth not with the sun as the pitch of Norway； and therefore
for ships trading the south parts very profitable。 From thence we went to
the mountain foot called Annaperima； and so passing the river Carone； on
which the Spanish city was seated； we met with our ships at Puerto de los
Espanoles or Conquerabia。
This island of Trinidad hath the form of a sheephook； and is but
narrow； the north part is very mountainous； the soil is very excellent； and
will bear sugar； ginger； or any other commodity that the Indies yield。 It
hath store of deer； wild porks； fruit； fish； and fowl； it hath also for bread
sufficient maize； cassavi； and of those roots and fruits which are common
everywhere in the West Indies。 It hath divers beasts which the Indies have
not； the Spaniards confessed that they found grains of gold in some of the
rivers； but they having a purpose to enter Guiana； the magazine of all rich
metals； cared not to spend time in the search thereof any further。 This
island is called by the people thereof Cairi； and in it are divers nations。
Those about Parico are called Jajo； those at Punta de Carao are of the
Arwacas （Arawaks） and between Carao and Curiapan they are called
Salvajos。 Between Carao and Punta de Galera are the Nepojos； and those
about the Spanish city term themselves Carinepagotes （Carib…people）。 Of
the rest of the nations； and of other ports and rivers； I leave to speak here；
being impertinent to my purpose； and mean to describe them as they are
situate in the particular plot and description of the island； three parts
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whereof I coasted with my barge； that I might the better describe it。
Meeting with the ships at Puerto de los Espanoles； we found at the
landing…place a company of Spaniards who kept a guard at the descent；
and they offering a sign of peace； I sent Captain Whiddon to speak with
them； whom afterwards to my great grief I left buried in the said island
after my return from Guiana； being a man most honest and valiant。 The
Spaniards seemed to be desirous to trade with us； and to enter into terms
of peace； more for doubt of their own strength than for aught else； and in
the end； upon pledge； some of them came aboard。 The same evening there
stale also aboard us in a small canoa two Indians； the one of them being a
cacique or lord of the people； called Cantyman； who had the year before
been with Captain Whiddon； and was of his acquaintance。 By this
Cantyman we understood what strength the Spaniards had； how far it was
to their city； and of Don Antonio de Berreo； the governor； who was said to
be slain in his second attempt of Guiana； but was not。
While we remained at Puerto de los Espanoles some Spaniards came
aboard us to buy linen of the company； and such other things as they
wanted； and also to view our ships and company； all which I entertained
kindly and feasted after our manner。 By means whereof I learned of one
and another as much of the estate of Guiana as I could； or as they knew；
for those poor soldiers having been ma