THE DISCOVERIES of the World from their first original unto the year of our Lord 1555. Briefly written in the Portugal tongue by ANTONY GALVANO, Governor of Ternate, the chief Island of the Malucos: Corrected, quoted, and now published in English by Richard Hakluyt, sometimes student of Christ-Church in Oxford.  
LONDINI, Impensis G. Bishop. 1601.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, SIR Robert Cecil Knight, principal Secretary to her Majesty, Master of the Court of Wards and Liveries, the worthy Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, and one of her majesties most honourable privy Counsel.  
RIght Honourable, while I went about to publish our English Voyages and Discoveries, I was advised by master WALTER COPE, a gentleman of rare and excellent parts, to draw them into a short sum, adding that in his opinion that course would prove most acceptable to the world, especially to men of great action and employment. Although in that work then under the press I could not conveniently alter my course, yet holding his advise, as in many things else, so in this for sound and very good, I here present unto your Honour a brief Treaty most agreeable to the same. The author whereof was one Antony Galuano, a Portugal gentleman: of whose piety towards God, equity towards men, fidelity to his Prince, love to his country, skill in sea causes, experience in Histories, liberality towards his nation, vigilance, valour, wisdom and diligence in restoring & settling the decayed state of The Isles of Maluco, (where he remained six or seven years governor,) if it please your Honour to read Fernando Lopez de Castagneda, or joannes Maffeius in their Histories of The East Indies, you shall find more written in his singular commendation, than a large Epistle can well comprehend.  
The work though s●all in bulk containeth so much rare and profitable matter, as I know not where to seek the like, within so narrow and straight a compass. For herein is orderly declared, who were The first Discoverours of the world since the time of the flood: by what ways from age to age the spicery, drugs, and riches of the East were conveyed into The West: what were the causes of the alterations of those courses, as namely the changes of Empires and governments: The ceasing of all traffic for many years by The Goths invasion of the Roman Empire: The rising up of The Mahumetane sect; with their overrunning of Africa and Spain: The renewing again, after many years disturbance, of the traffic and intercourse of The East Indies; first by the Califas of the aforesaid sect: and eftsoons by The Venetians, jenowais and Florentines. Then followeth the taking of Ceuta in Barbary by john the first king of Portugal of that name in the year of our Lord 1415. whose third son Don Henry (which he had by the virtuous Lady Philippe, daughter of john of Gante, and sister to Henry the fourth, king of England) was the first beginner of all the Portugal discoveries, and continued the same for the space of forty and three years even to his dying day. By whose encouragement the kings of Portugal found out with much patience and constancy the last way of the bringing the Spicery into Europe by The Cape of Buona Sperança; and for these hundred years past have become the chief Lords of the riches of the Orient By emulation of which their good endeavours, The Antiles and The west Indies began to be discovered by The kings of Spain. The infancies of both which most important enterprises, The progress of the same from time to time, the discoveries of Islands, rivers, bay and harbours, of many rich provinces, kingdoms, and countries; The erecting of castles in sundry convenient Islands and places, with the drawing of traffic unto the same, where, when, by whom, and by whose authority is here succinctly and faithfully recorded. So that if it please your Honour at your convenient leisure to take a sea card or a map of the world, and carry your eye upon the coast of Africa from Cape de Non, lying on the main in 29. degrees of northerly latitude, and follow the shore about the Cape of Buona Sperança till you come to the mouth of The Red Sea, and passing thence along by the country of Arabia cross over to India, and doubling Cape Comory compass the gulf of Bengala, & shooting by the city of Malacca through The straight of Cincapura, coast all the south of Asia to the North-east part of China, and comprehend in this view all the Islands from The Açores and Madera in the West, to The Malucoes, The Philippinas, and japan in the East: you shall here find by order, who were the first discoverours, conquerors and planters in every place: as also the natures and commodities of the soils, together with the forces, qualities, and conditions of the inhabitants. And that which I mention of the Orient, is likewise to be understood of The Occident.  
Now touching the translation, it may please you sir, to be advertised that it was first done into our language by some honest and well affected merchant of our nation, whose name by no means I could attain unto, and that as it seemeth many years ago. For it hath lain by me above these twelve years. In all which space though I have made much inquiry, and sent to Lisbon, where it seemeth it was printed, yet to this day I could never obtain the original copy; whereby I might reform the manifold errors of the translator. For whereas a good translator ought to be well acquainted with the propriety of the tongue out of which, and of that into which he translateth, and thirdly with the subject or matter itself: I found this translator very defective in all three; especially in the last. For the supplying of whose defects I had none other remedy, but to have recourse unto the original histories, (which as it appeareth are very many, and many of them exceeding rare and hard to come by) out of which the author himself drew the greatest part of this discourse. And in very deed it cost me more travail to search out the grounds thereof, and to annex the marginal quotations unto the work, than the translation of many such books would have put me unto. Of which quotations there is yet a farther use; to wit, that such as have leisure sufficient, and are desirous to read these things more at large, (for brevity oftentimes breedeth obscurity) may fully satisfy their desires by having recourse by the help thereof to the pure fountains, out of which those waters which are drawn are for the most part most sweet and wholesome. Now if any man shall marvel, that in these Discoveries of The World for the ●pace almost of four thousand years here set down, our nation is scarce four times mentioned: He is to understand, that when this author ended this discourse, (which was about the year of Grace 1555.) there was little extant of our men's travails. And for aught I can see, there had no great matter yet come to light, if myself had not undertaken that heavy burden, being never therein entertained to any purpose, until I had recourse unto yourself, by whose special favour and bountiful patronage I have been often much encouraged, and as it were revived. Which travails of our men, because as yet they be not come to ripeness, and have been made for the most part to places first discovered by others; when they shall come to more perfection, and become more profitable to the adventurers, will then be more fit to be reduced into brief epitomes, by myself or some other endued with an honest zeal of the honour of our country. In the mean season nothing doubting of your favourable acceptation of this my labour, I humbly beseech the author of all goodness to replenish and enrich you with his best blessings, long to protect and preserve your Honour to the profitable service of her Majesty, and to the common benefit and good of the Realm. From London this 29. of October 1061.  
Your Honours chaplain, in all duty most ready to be commanded, RICHARD HAKLVYT.   

Francis de Sousa Tavares unto the high and mighty Prince Don JOHN Duke of Aueiro.  
ANtonie Galuano upon his death bed left unto me in his testament among his papers this book. And because I am certain he ordained it to be presented unto your Grace, I have thought good herein to fulfil his will & testament, though in other things I have done nothing, the fault remaining not in me. And by all reason this treaty ought to be set forth by a Portugal, seeing it entreateth of the variable ways from whence the pepper and spices came in times passed into our parts, and also of all the navigations and discoveries in the old time: In both of which things the Portugals have most travailed. In this treaty and in nine or ten books of things touching Maluco and India (which the Cardinal willed me to give to Damian de Goes, saying that he should content me, for otherwise I could not deliver them) this true Portugal occupied himself against the unfortunate and sorrowful times which he had been in (which were all ended before all our days and times:) 
Antony Galuano Captain of Maluco.  for when he received the captainship and fortresses of Maluco, all the kings and governors of all the islands about being agreed to make war against the Portugals, until such time as they might drive them all out of the country, he fought against them all▪ with only 130. Portugals, when they were all together, and strong in Tidore; and he gave them the overthrow and killed their king, and one ●ernate, the principal author of that war, and he took from them their fortress: so upon this victory they submitted themselves, and came under the obeisance and service of our king of Portugal. Herein two things happened of great admiration▪ The first, that all the kings and governors of Maluco agreed together against us, a thing that never fell out, nor yet credible to be like to happen: for they are ever at variance among themselves: 
Variance usually amon● the kings of Maluco.  The second, that the captain of Maluco with only his ordinary soldiers should have the victory against so many being all together. For sometimes it happeneth that some of the captains of Maluco with many extraordinary soldiers besides their ordinary, yea and with the aid of all the Kings and Lords of Maluco in their favour and aid went against one King only of them, and came back again with loss. So there may be reckoned three notable things done in India, I say of quality: (but of more quantity and importance there have been others:) which were the taking of Muar by Emmanuel Falcon, and the winning of Bitam by Peter Mascarenas, and this, whereof we presently treat. For all these three deeds seemed to be impossible to be achieved, considering the small quantity of soldiers which the captains had in giving the enterprise against so many; with the order and manner by them ordained how and which ways to obtain their purpose as well by their enemies as by themselves. And they could not be achieved otherwise but by using a mean and order not thought of at the first by the Portugals, nor yet ever suspected by their enemies. And, besides this, his father and four of his brethren were all slain in the king's service: And he now being the last of his lineage, carried with him into Maluco worth ten thousand crusadoes, which he spent not in idleness, nor yet in play, but only in bringing of many kings and innumerable towns unto our holy faith, and in the preserving of Maluco, employing all his power and strength that all the cloves might come unto the hands of the king's highness: which with Maluco yielded unto him every year five hundred thousand crusadoes; being all to his great prejudice, let, and hindrance. For if he had gathered cloves for himself, as the captains of Maluco have done and do, than he had come home very rich. But when he came home into Portugal in great hope (such is the simplicity of the best natures) to be rewarded for his good service, 
Good service full ill rewarded.  and to be more favoured and honoured, then if he had brought home with him an hundred thousand crusadoes, he was greatly deceived. For he found neither favour, nor yet honour, but only among the poor and miserable, to wit, in an hospital: where he was kept seventeen years until the hour of his death; and there he had allowed unto him his winding sheet to bury him in: and the brotherhood of the Covent prepared for his burial as for a poor courtier cast off by all men, leaving himself indebted in two thousand crusadoes, whereof part came out of India, and part thereof many of his friends had lent him to maintain him in the hospital: for in all these seventeen years he had not of his highness for to help himself with so much as one rial of plate, nor yet I of the books which I delivered received any thing to discharge his will with. Yet for all this, even as upon the prosperity of his victories he never made any boast, so likewise in his adversities his great stomach did nothing abate his heart. As there are good proofs that with so many and so continual disgraces as he suffered, he never unto the hour of his death left off to raise and to augment the yearly rent unto a Counto: 
A Counto is 50000. crusadoes.  which some made strange and would not give ear unto: So that even as he was extreme painful in the performance of his service, so he was the like in the things sounding unto the perfecting of the same, which was the cause that he was brought unto the state that he died in. For he could not see the quality of the time, but only those of his great service, by reason of the great charges that it stood him in. And his saying was, That he was borne, not for to say that his constellation was in the wars victorious, but in the overcoming of kings by the art of warfare, readiness in resolving, prudence in conserving, and great loyalty and patience with many services unto his king and master. In which of all these he had most contentation it cannot easily be determined. Wherefore your noble Grace may see, that this treaty and the others were made with sighs and afflictions which his inferior will might have raised up in him against his superior reason. Neither was he willing to take for his remedy that which that great Turk Zelim son to the great Mahumet did, (for he took Constantinople and died in Rome) who used to make himself drunk, because he would not remember the great estate which he lost: nor yet would he give ear unto those things which many of his friends would tell him, wishing he would settle his mind out of the kingdom: (for otherwise he should never be able to live:) whereunto he answered, that in this point he would rather be compared unto the great Timocles the Athenian, 
Or rather Themistocles.  then to be like the excellent Roman Coriolanus. Which is a goodly example of a true and faithful Portugal. (Though it were not so as I do say, yet I do hear, that the hospitals be full of the most faithful subjects to their prince and country.) Wherefore by all reason this treaty ought to be of your Grace favoured, setting apart all oversights, if there be any, in this work, of the author: I being not able to attain unto the understanding of the contrary. God prosper your Grace with long life and increase of honour.   

An excellent Treatise of ANTONY GALVANO Portugal, containing the most ancient and modern discoveries of the world especially by navigation, according to the course of times from the flood until the year of grace 1555.  
WHile I had a desire to gather together some old and some new discoveries, which have been made by sea and by land, with their just times and situations; they seemed to be two things of so great difficulty, that being confused in the authors of them, I determined once to desist from any such purpose. For touching the course of time the Herbre●es declare, that from the beginning of the world to the flood were 1656. years. The seventy Interpreters make mention of 2242. 
Augustine de C●●●t. Dei, lib. 15. cap. ●0.  And S. Augustine reckoneth 2262. In the situations likewise there be many differences. For there never sailed together in one fleet at sea from ten pilots to the number of 100 but that some of them found themselves by reckoning in one longitude and other some in another. But considering better with myself, that the difficulties are open●o, and the differences amended by others of more exact judgement and understanding therein, I purposed notwithstanding to proceed in this work of Discoveries.  
Some there be that say, that the world hath fully been discovered: and they allege this reason, that as it hath b●ene peopled and inhabited, so it might be frequented, and navigable, and the rather for that the men in that age were of a longer life, and of laws and languages almost one.  
There be others of a contrary opinion to this, 
Contrary opinions touching the discovery of the world.  holding that all the earth could not be known, nor the people conversant one with another. For though it had been so once, yet the same would have been lost again by the malice of men, and the want of justice among the inhabitants of the earth. But because the best and most famous discoveries were made by sea, 
Who were the first discoverers since the flood.  and that principally in our times, I desire to know, who were the first Discoverers since the time of the flood.  
Some affirm that they were the Greeks, others say, the Phoenicians, others also the Egyptians. The people of India agree not hereunto; affirming that they were the first that sailed by sea: namely the 
* The people of China say they were the first sailors by sea.  Tabencos, which now we call the Chinois. And they allege for the proof of this, that they be the Lords of the Indias even unto the Cape of Bona Sperança, & the island of S. Laurence, which is inhabited by them▪ and all along the sea; as also the javaes, Timores, Celebes, Maca●ares, Malucos, Borneos, Mindanaos, Luçones, Lequeos, Iapones, and other Islands being many in number, and the firm lands of Cauchin-China, Laos, Bramas, Pegu, Arracones, till you come unto Bengala: 
The inhabitants of the West Indies descended from China.  And besides this, New Spain, Peru, Brasill, the Antiles, with the rest adjoining unto them, as appeareth by the fashions and manners of the men and women, and by their proportions, having small eyes, flat noses, with other proportions to be seen. And to this day many of these islands and countries are called by the names of B●tochina, Bocho-China, which is as much to say, as the countries of China. Further it appeareth by histories, that the ark of Noah rested upon the north parts of the mountains of Armenia, which stands in 40. degrees and upwards: and that immediately thereupon Scythia was first peopled, for that it is an high land, and appeared first after the flood. And seeing the province and country of the Taben●os is one of the chiefest of all Tartary, as they report, it is to be thought that they were of the most ancient inhabitants, 
The seas between the Tropics very calm.  and men of the most ancient navigations, the seas being as calm as the rivers be in those parts lying between the Tropics, where the days and nights do not much differ, as well in the hours, as in the temperature: where there blow no outrageous winds, to cause the waters to rise or to be troubled. And by late experience it is sound, 
An high bough in steed of mast and sail.  that the small barks wherein they sail have only a great high bough in the midst of the bark, standing in steed both of mast and sail, and the master holdeth only an ●are in his hand to stir withal: and so they sail swiftly along the coast; and the rest of the passengers sit only upon certain poles, which are fastened in the bark, which they call Catamarones', and so they pass without rowing.  
It is further said, that the people of China were sometimes Lords of the most part of Scythia, and sailed ordinarily along that coast, which seemeth to reach unto 70. degrees toward the north. 
Pomponius Mela lib. 3.  Cornelius Nepos is the author of this; who particularly affirmeth, 
Plinius lib. 2. cap 67.  that in the time that Metellus the fellow Consul of Afranius, was Proconsul in France, the king of Sue●ia sent unto him certain Indians, which came thither in a ship from this country, coming by the north and by the flats of Germany. And it is probable that they were people of China, for that they from 20. 30. and 40. degrees upwards have strong ships and clynchers, that can well brook the seas, and endure the cold and intemperature of such northerly regions. As for Cambaia there is shipping also in it, and the people by report have used the seas many years: but it seemeth not that they were any of them which came into France: for that they traffic only to Cairo, and are men in deed of little traffic and less clothing.  
As for those which escaped the destruction of the flood, 
joseph. Antiovit. Iudai● lib. 1. ca 5.  they were therewith so amazed, that they durst not descend into the plains and low countries, but kept the hills. And we read of Nimrode, who 130. years after the flood built the Tower of Babel, intending thereby to save himself, if there should come any more such floods.  
Therefore it seemeth, that they which first came to be sailors were those which dwell in the east in the province of China: although others chose hold them which dwell in the west as in Syria, to have used the trade of the sea soon after the flood. But this contention about the antiquity of navigation I leave to the Scythians and Egyptians, 
justinus lib. 1.  who were at great variance and difference in this matter; for each of them challenged unto themselves the honour of the first sea travail. But omitting all jars and differences thereabouts, I will apply myself to my purposed discourse, and speak of that which histories have left in record.  
THere be some well seen in Antiquities, 
Bero●us.  which say that in the 143. year after the flood, 
The first navigation after the flood 143.  Tubal came by sea into Spain, whereby it seemeth that in those times navigations were used into our parts out of Ethiopia.  
And they also say farther, that not long after this, the Queen Semiramis went against the Indians in that river whereof they took their name, 
Diodorus Siculus lib. 2. cap. 5.  and therein gave battle unto the king Stabrobates, wherein he lost a thousand ships. Which being credible by the ancient history, proveth manifestly that in those parts, in those times were many ships, and the seas frequented in good numbers.  
In the 650. year after the flood there was a king in Spain named Hesperus, 
Berosus.  who in his time as it is reported went and discovered as far as Cape Verde, & the Island of S. Thomas, whereof he was prince: 
Gonsaluo Fernandes de Ouiedo lib. 2. cap 3. Generalis H●st.  And Gonsaluo Fernandes of Ouiedo the Chronicler of Antiquities affirmeth, that in his time the Islands of the West Indies were discovered, and called somewhat after his name Hesperides: and he allegeth many reasons to prove it, 
Plinius lib. 6. cap. 3●.  reporting particularly that in 40. days they sailed from Cape Verde unto those Islands.  
There are others that say that the like was done from this Cape unto the Islands of S. Thomas, and the Isle De Principe, and that they be the Hesperideses, and not the Anvils: And they do not differ far from reason: 
The ancient navigation was along the coast, and not far into the main Ocean.  seeing in those times and many years after they did use to sail only along the coast, not passing through the main Ocean sea: for they had neither altitude nor compass then in use, nor any mariners so expert.  
It cannot be denied, but that there were many countries, Islands, Capes Is●hmos and points which now are grown out of knowledge; 
Length of time 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of waters have much altered the situation of 〈◊〉 places.  because the names of them are found in histories. But the age of the world and force of waters have wasted and consumed them, and separated one country from another, both in Europe, Asia, Af●ica, New Spain, Peru, and other places.  
Plato saith in his dialogue of Timaeus, 
Plato in Timaeo.  that there were in ancient times in the Ocean sea Atlantic certain great Islands and countries named Atlantides greater than Africa and Europe: and that the kings of those parts were Lords of a great part of this our country: but with certain great tempests the sea did overflow it, and it remained as mud and shingle; so that in a long time after no ships could pass that way.  
It is also recorded in histories, 
Plinius lib. 4. cap. 22.  that fast by the Island of Cadiz towards the straits of Gibraltar there was a certain Island which was called Aphrodisias, well inhabited and planted with many gardens and orchards, and yet at this day we have no knowledge of this Aphrodisias, but only a bare mention of it in ancient authors. The said Island of Cadiz is further said to have been so large and big, that it did join with the firm land of Spain.  
The Islands of the Açores were sometimes a point of the mountains of Estrella, 
The Islands of the Açores sometimes joined to the firm land.  which join unto the sea over the town of Syntra: And also from Sierra Verde or the green mountain, which adjoineth unto the water, hard by the city of Sasin in the land of Cucu (which is the self same Island of Mouchin, where Algarbe is) come the Islands of Porto Santo and Madera.  
For it is held as a true and undoubted verity, 
All Islands have their roots running from the main land.  that all Islands have their roots running from the firm land, though they be never so far from the continent: for otherwise they could not stand firm.  
There are other histories which say, 
Eratosthenes apud Strabonem lib. 1. pag. 26.  that from Spain unto Ceuta in Barbary men sometimes travailed on foot upon dry land, and that the Islands of Sardinia and Corsica did join the one with the other, as also did Sicilia with Italy, and Negroponto with Graecia.  
We read also that there were found hulls of ships, 
Huls of ships and anchors ●ound on mountains f●rre within land.  anchors of iron, and other memorial of shipping upon the mountains of Sussa far within the land: where as it seemeth now no salt water or sea ever came.  
In India also, and in the land of Malabar, although now there be great store of people, yet many writers affirm that it was once a main sea unto the foot of the mountains; and that the Cape of Comarim, and the Island of Zeilan were all one thing: As also that the Island of Samatra did join with the land of Malacca by the flats of Caypasia; and not far from thence there stands now a little Island, which few years past was part of the firm land that is over against it.  
Furthermore it is to be seen, how Ptolemey in his table's dot● set the land of Malacca to the south of the line in three or four degrees of latitude, whereas now it is at the point thereof, being called ventana, in one degree on the north side, as appeareth in the Strait of Cincapura, where daily they do pass through unto the coast of Sian and China, where the Island of Aynan standeth, which also they say did join hard to the land of China: and Ptolemey placeth it on the north side far from the line, standing now above 20. degrees from it towards the north, as Asia and Europe now stand.  
Well it may be that in time past the land of Malacca and China did end beyond the line on the south side, as Ptolemey doth set them forth: because it might join with the point of the land called ventana, with the Islands of Bi●tan, Banca, & Salitres being many that ways, & the land might be all slime & oaze; And so the point of China, might join with the Islands of the Luçones, Borneos, Lequeos, Mindanaos, & others which stand in this parallel: they also as yet having in opinion that the Island of Samatra did join with java by the channel of Sunda, 
At this Isle of Bali the Hollanders were 1596. and have largely described it.  and the Islands of Bali, Aujave, çambava, Solor, Hogaleao, Maulua, Vintara, Rosalaguin, and others that be in this parallel and altitude did all join with java; and so they seem outwardly to those that descry them. For at this day the Islands stand so near the one to the other, that they seem all but one firm land; and whosoever passeth between some of them, may touch with their hand the boughs of the trees on the one and on the other side also. And to come nearer to the matter, it is not long since, that in the east the Islands of Banda were divers of them overflown and drowned by the sea: And so likewise in China about nine score miles of firm ground is now become a lake, 
Nine score miles of firm ground lately drowned in China.  as it is reported. Which is not to be thought marvelous; considering that which Ptolemey▪ and others have written in such cases; which here I omit, to return to my purpose.  
After the flood 800. years we read that the city of Troy was builded by the dardan's; and that before that time they brought out of the Indies into Europe by the Red sea, 
800. years after the flood was trade of spices by the Red sea.  spices, drugs, and many other kinds of merchandises, which were there more abundant, then now they be. Whereunto if credit may be given, we may conceive that the sea was of old haunted and frequented, seeing that then they of the East had so much and so great traffic with them of the West, that they brought their merchandise unto an haven which was named Arsinoe, 
Arsinoe, now called Suez.  being that which at this day is called Suez, standing in 30. degrees on the north part of the Arabian Gulf. It is also by authors farther written, that from this haven of Arsinoe or Suez, 
Plinius lib. 6. cap. 29.  these merchandises were carried by Caravans or great companies of carriers upon camels, asses, and mules, unto the Levant sea unto a city called Cassou, standing on the coast in 32. degrees of latitude, yielding unto every degree 17. leagues and an half, as the manner is. And there are by account from the one sea to the other 35. leagues, or 105. miles. 
Strabo lib. 17. pag. 560.  These carriers, by reason of the heat of the country, travailed in the night only, directing themselves by stars and by marks of posts and canes, which they used to stick in the ground as they went. But after that, because this course and journey had many inconveniences, they changed and altered the same twice, to find out the most commodious way.  
900. years or there about after the flood, 
900. years after the flood.  and before the destruction of Troy, 
Strabo lib. 17.  there was a king in Egypt called Sesostris, who perceiving that the former courses and passages for the carrying of merchandises by men & beasts, were chargeable to the one & most painful to the other, provided to have a way or stream cut out of the land from the Red sea unto an arm of the river Nilus which runneth unto the City Heroum; that by the means thereof ships might pass and repass with their merchandises from India into Europe, 
Plinius lib. 6. cap. 29.  and not be discharged till they came into Italy. So that this Sesostris was the first king, which built great carracks to travail this way. But this enterprise for all that took little effect. For if it had, Africa had then been made as an Island all compassed with water, being no more ground between sea and sea, than the space of 20. leagues or 60. miles.  
About this time the Grecians gathered together an army or fleet, 
Diodorus Siculus lib. 4. cap. 4.  which now is called Argonautica, whereof jason and Alceus were captains general. Some say they went from the Isle of Creta, others from Graecia. But whence soever they departed, they sailed through the Propontic sea, and Saint George's Sleeve unto the Euxine sea, where some perished, and jason thereupon returned back into Greece. Alceus' reported that he was driven with a tempest to the lake Maeotis, 
The lake Maeotis.  where he was forsaken of all his company, and they which escaped with great travail, passed through by land unto the Ocean sea of Almain, 
Shipping of great antiquity in the german sea.  where they took shipping, passing the coasts of Saxony, Friesland, Holland, Flanders, France, Spain, Italy, and so returned unto Peloponesus and Greece, discovering the most part of the coast of Europe.  
Strabo, 
Strabo lib. 1. pag 26.  alleging Aristonicus the Grammarian, showeth that after the destruction of Troy Menelaus the king came out of the straits of the Levant seas into the sea Atlantic and coasted Africa and Guinea, and doubled the Cape of Bona Sperança, and so in time arrived in India. Of which voyage of his there may be many more particulars gathered out of the histories. This Mediterrane sea was also sometimes called The Adriatic, The Aegaean, and the Herculean sea, with other names, according to the lands, coasts & Islands which it passeth by, running into the great sea Atlantic, along the coast of Africa.  
In the year 1300. after the flood Solomon caused a navy to be prepared on the Red sea, 
1. of Kings. 9  at an haven called Ezeon Geber, 
2. Chron. 8.  to sail to the East India, where by opinion stand the Islands called Tharsis and Ophir. This navy was three years on this voyage, and then returned, and brought with them gold, silver, cypress, etc. Whereby it seemeth that those places, and Islands were those, which now be called the Luçones, Lequeos, and Chinese. For we know few other parts from whence some of those things are brought, or wherein navigation was so long since used.  
It is left us also in histories, 
Herodotus lib. 4.  that a king of Egypt called Neco, desiring greatly to join the Red sea with the river Nilus, commanded the Phoenicians to sail from the strait of Mecca to the farther end of the Mediterrane sea, to see if it did make any turn back again unto Egypt. Which commandment they obeyed, sailing towards the south all along the coast and country of Melinde, Quiloa, Sofala, till they came to the Cape of Bona Esperança, finding the sea continually on the left hand: But when they had doubled the Cape, and found the coast continually on the right hand, they marveled much at it. Notwithstanding they continued their course forward toward the north all along the coast of Guiney and the Mediterrane sea, till they came back again into Egypt, whence they first went out. In which discovery they remained two years. And these are thought to be the first, that compassed by sea all the coast of Africa, and sailed round about it.  
In the year 590. before the incarnation of Christ there went out of Spain a fleet of Carthaginian merchants upon their own proper costs and charges, 
Aristoteles lib. de mirandis in natura auditis.  which sailed toward the west through the high seas to see if they could find any land: and they sailed so far, that they found at last the Islands, 
Gonzalo Fernandes de Quiedo lib. 2 cap. 3. of his general history.  which we now call the Antiles and Nova Spagna: which Gonzalo Fernandes de Quiedo saith were then discovered, although Christopher Columbus afterwards by his travail got more exact knowledge of them, and hath left us an evident notice where they be. But all these historians, which wrote of these Antiles before, as of doubtful and uncertain things, and of places undiscovered, do now plainly confess the same to be the country of Nova Spagna.  
In the year 520. before the incarnation, 
Diodorus Siculus lib. 1. cap. 3.  and after the setting out of the aforesaid army, Cambyses king of Persia took Egypt, after whom succeeded Darius the son of Histaspis, and he determined to make an end of the enterprise which king Sesostris had begun, if they had not told him that the Red sea was higher than the land of Egypt, and that by means of the salt sea coming into the river Nilus, all the province would have been lost and undone for hunger and thirst. For the fresh water of the river Nilus doth overflow the whole country, and the inhabitants have no other water than that for their drink: whereupon he left his first purpose of prosecuting that enterprise.  
Now by the way I shall not serve much from my matter, 
A digression.  if I speak a word or two of some things incident to this discourse. 
Plinius lib. 9 cap. 58. de mu●ibus Nili.  The Egyptians say that they had in their country certain vermin like unto rats, whereof many be half like earth and the other half like a vermin. One kind of them keep the water, and another kind the land. For my part I think that these be they, which break the serpent's eggs, whereof there are many in the river Nilus, which also be called Crocodiles: which in times passed by report were so enchanted, that thereby they could not hurt any person. But when they were delivered from their enchantment made by the Egyptians art, 
joannes Leo Africanus lib. 9 cap. de Nilo.  and letters, than they endeavoured to kill people, wild beasts and cattle, doing very much harm, specially those which live in the water, which oftentimes come to the land, and living altogether on land become very strong poison. The people beyond the city of Cairo use to fish for them and eat them, and they take their heads, and set them upon the walls of their city.  
Of these Crocodiles it is written, 
Plinius lib. 8. cap. 25.  that they lay themselves along by the river with their mouths open, and that there come unto them certain white birds, 
joannes Leo Africanus lib. 9  little bigger than thrusshes, which fly into the mouth of the Crocodile, and pick out the filthiness which is between his teeth, and in his jaws, wherewith he is greatly pleased; but for all that the Crocodile would close his mouth and devour the bird, if nature had not provided the bird a sharp prick as it were, growing out of his head, wherewith he pricketh the Crocodile in the mouth; which causeth him to gape wide, and so the bird flieth away without harm; yet there come by and by other of those birds, which make an end of cleansing his mouth.  
In the same river there are also many beasts like unto horses; 
Hippopotami.  and upon the land certain fowls like unto crane's, which war continually with serpents, 
Ibis.  that come thither from Arabia, and kill many of them. Which birds as also the vermin, which eat the eggs of the Crocodiles, are greatly esteemed of the Egyptians.  
But now to return to my matter, and to proceed in the discoveries; In the year 485. before the incarnation of Christ Xerxes the king of Persia commanded Sataspis his nephew to go and search, and discover India: who according to the precept undertook the voyage, and went through the strait of Gibraltar, and passed the promontory of Africa, which now we call the Cape of Bona Sperança, standing southward betwixt 34. and 35. degrees in latitude, and being weary of so great a navigation turned from thence back again, as Bartholomew Diaz did in our days.  
Before the coming of Christ 443. years Himilco and Hanno his brother Carthaginian captains governing that part of Spain, 
Plinius lib. 2. cap. 67.  which is now called Andaluzia, departed from thence each one with his navy. Himilco sailing towards the north discovered the coasts of Spain, France, England, Flanders and Germany. And some write farther, that he sailed unto Gotland, & came to the Island of Thule, or Island, standing under the circle Arctic in 24. degrees from the north pole, and continued in his navigation two years, till he came unto this Island, where the day hath in june 22. hours, and in December the night also hath 22. hours, whereby it is there wonderfully cold.  
Now the other brother Hanno took his course toward Africa and Guiney, and he discovered the Fortunate Islands, which we call the Canaries, and besides these he discovered others, 
Plinius lib. 6. cap. 31.  as the Dorcades, Hesperides, & the Gorgades, which now be called the Isles of Cape Verde. There he with his company went along the coast till they doubled the Cape of Bona Sperança, and taking their course towards the land, they went along by it unto another Cape named Aromaticum, which is now called Guardafu, standing southeast from Cape Verde in 14. degrees toward the north; and he came to the coast of Arabia standing in 16. and 17. degrees; and was five years in this voyage, before he returned back into Spain. 
The navigation of Hanno in Greek hereunto agreeth.  There be others that say, that he passed not beyond Sierra Leona, but peopled it, and afterwards discovered as far as the line. But it seemeth he made a full navigation, because he spent so much time in his travail. It is reported that the inhabitants of the Cape of Bona Sperança are great witches, and enchanters of certain snakes, which they bring to such service, 
Enchanted snakes.  and commandment, that they keep their Churches and Churchyards, gardens, orchards, barns, and cattle as well from wild beasts, as from thieves. For if they see any to do or to intend hurt, the snake winds herself to him or them, holding them as prisoners, and commanding her young ones to call their masters until they be taken. If the thieves be many, or the wild beasts of so much strength, that they dare not meddle with them, than they go unto the house of him with whom they do live: and if it be in the night time, they give so many strokes, that at the last they do awake them, to cause them to provide for their defence.  
A certain Italian called Aloisius Cadamusta writeth, that he being in the discovery of Guiney in the kingdom of Budimol lay in the house of Bisborol his sons son; and lying in his bed he heard a great noise and many blows given about the house; whereupon Bisborol rose, and went out: and when he came again, Cadamusta demanded of him, where he had been; and he answered that he had been with his Cobras or snakes which called him. In the India's there be many of these kind of snakes, and some full of poison, which notwithstanding the Indian people use to carry about their necks, and put them into their bosoms and under their arms: which at some sounds that the people make will dance, and do divers things at commandment.  
There was a Portugal that sometime told me, that beyond the Cape of Bona Sperança towards Sofala, Quiloa, and Melinde, where he had been, there were certain birds, which would come to the Black Moors at their call, 
Odericus writeth the like of one that brought multitudes of partridges to Trapezunda.  and according as the Moors did remove, so the birds would do, from one tree to another: and they used to follow them till they did light upon some tree, from whence they could not remove. And as the Negroes went up the tree they should find wax and honey thereupon, not knowing whether it grew there naturally or not. In the same country also under ground in Ant-holes they did find much honey and wax, which the Ants did make, being somewhat bitter. Upon the sea coast also they found certain fishes, which commonly went upright in the water, 
Mermaids.  having the faces and natures of women, which the fishermen of those places were acquainted with.  
In the year 355. before Christ it is said that the Spaniards sailed through the main sea till they came unto the flats of India, 
Aristotel. de mirandas in natura auditis.  Arabia, 
Strabo lib. 2. pag. 68 de Gad●tanorum longi●●●a nauiga●●●● ingentibus na●●bus.  and those coasts adjoining, whereunto they carried divers merchandises, which trade they used in great ships. And sailing to the northwest they came unto certain flats, which with the flowing of the sea were covered, and with the ebb were discovered, finding there many Tunnies of great bigness, where they commonly used to fish them to their great profit, because they were the first until that time that they had seen, and were greatly esteemed.  
The time of Alexander Magnus, as appeareth by the ages of the world, was before the coming of Christ 324. years: we all know that he was borne in Europe: but he travailed into Asia & Africa, and passed through Armenia, Assyria, Persia, & Bactria, standing northerly in 44. degrees of latitude, which is the farthest country in longitude wherein he was in all his journeys. From thence he descended into India by the mountains of Imaus, and the valleys of Paropanisus, and prepared a navy in the river Indus, and therewith passed into the Ocean sea, where he turned by the lands of Gedrosia, Caramania, & Persia, unto the great city of Babylon, leaving Onesicritus and Nearcus captains of his fleet, which afterwards came unto him by the strait of the Persian sea, and up the river of Euphrates, leaving that country and coast discovered.  
After this, Ptolemey reigned king of Egypt, who by some is reputed to have been bastard son unto Philip father of the foresaid Alexander the great. 
Plinius lib. 6. cap. 29.  This Ptolemey imitating the forenamed kings Sesostris and Darius, made a trench or ditch of an hundred foot broad and of thirty foot deep, and ten or twelve leagues in length till he came to The bitter Welles, pretending to have his work run into the sea from a mouth of the river Nilus, called Pelusium, passing now by the city Damiata. But this thing took none effect: for that the Red sea was thought to be higher by three cubits then the land of Egypt, which would have overflowed all the country, to the ruin and loss thereof.  
In the year 277. 
Strabo lib 17. pag. 560 & 561.  before the incarnation succeeded in the government of the kingdom one Philadelphus, who brought to pass that the merchandises should come out of Europe to the city of Alexandria upwards by the river Nilus unto a city named Coptus, 
Coptus. Myos-Hormos now 〈◊〉 on the Red sea.  and from thence to be conveyed by land to a haven standing upon the Red sea called Myos-Hormos; which way was travailed in the night, the pilots directing themselves by the stars, which were expert in that practice. And because water was scant that way, they used to carry it with them for all the company, till at the last to avoid that trouble they digged very deep wells, and made large cisterns for the receipt of rain water, by which the way furnished with that commodity, which at the first it wanted grew in continuance of time to be the more frequented.  
But whereas the strait way was dangerons by reason of flats and islands, the aforesaid king Philadelphus with his armies went on the side of Troglodytica, and in an haven called Berenice caused the ships to arrive which came out of India, being a place of more surety and less peril; from whence they might easily carry the wares to the city of Coptus, 
The cause of the greatness of Alexandria.  and so to Alexandria. And by this mean Alexandria grew so famous and rich, that in those days there was no city of the world comparable to it. And to speak briefly and particularly of the abundance of traffic there used, it is left written for an assured truth, 
Strabo lib. 17. pag. 549.  that in the time of king Ptolemey Auletes father unto Cleopatra, it yielded in customs unto him yéerly seven millions and an half of gold, although the traffic was not then scant twenty years old, by way of that city.  
But after that this province and country became subject to the Emperors of Rome, 
Strabo lib. 17. pag. 549.  as they were greater in power, and nearer in covetousness, so they enhanced the customs: so that within a little time the city yielded double the foresaid sum. For the traffic grew so exceeding great, that they sent every year into India 120. ships laden with wares, which began to set sail from Myos-Hormos about the middle of july, 
Plinius lib 6. cap. 23.  and returned back again within one year.  
The merchandise which they did carry amounted unto one million two hundred thousand crowns, and there was made in return of every crown an hundred. In so much that by reason of this increase of wealth the matrons or noble women of that time and place, 
Plinius lib. 12. cap. 18.  spent infinitely in decking themselves with precious stones, purple, pearls musk, amber, and the like: whereof the writers and historians of that age speak very greatly.  
Cornelius Nepos, 
Plinius lib. 2. cap. 67.  alleged by Pliny, maketh report of a king of Egypt, that reigned in his time called Ptolemaeus Lathyrus, from whom one Eudoxus fled upon occasion, and the better to avoid and escape his hands he passed through the Arabic gulf, and the sea, all along the coast of Africa and the Cape of Bona Sperança till he came unto the Island of Cadiz: and this navigation by that course was in those days as often used as now it is, if we may give credit to the histories. Which appeareth the more manifest by this, that Caius Caesar the son of Augustus going into Arabia did find in the Red sea certain pieces of those ships, which came thither out of Spain. It was a use also long after those days to pass to India by land. For so did the kings of the Sultan's, and the princes of Bactria, and other famous captains, who travailing thither and into Scythia by land, had the view of those provinces and countries, so far till they came that way unto the * West, and to the seas thereof on the north part, whereunto many merchants than did travail. Marcus Paulus Venetus writeth much hereof. 
Paulus Venetus commended.  And although at the first his book was taken for a fabulous thing, yet now there is better credit given unto it, for that by the late experiences of the travailers and merchants of these days into those parts, the names of the countries, cities and towns, with their situations, latitudes and commodities are now found true, as he and other historiographers of that time have reported.  
In the 200. year before the incarnation it is written, that the Romans sent an army by sea into India against the great Can of Cathaia, which passing through the strait of Gibraltar, and running to the northwest, found right over against the Cape Finisterre ten Islands, wherein was much tin: And they may be those which were called the Cassiterides, 
Cassiterides.  & being come to 50. degrees of latitude they found a 
* The northwest passage, though the latitude be somewhat mistaken.  Strait; and passing through it towards the west, they arrived in the Empire of India, and fought with the king of Cathay, and so came back again unto the city of Rome. Which thing howsoever it may seem either possible or not possible, true or not true, 
What histories may these be?  yet so I find it left to us recorded in the * histories of that time.  
In the 100 year after the incarnation of Christ the Emperor Trajan prepared an army by sea upon the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, 
Xiphil●nus in vita Traiani.  and departed from them, and sailed to the Islands of Zyzara, and passing the strait of Persia entered into the Ocean sea and sailed towards India all along the coast till he came to that place where Alexander had been, and there he took certain ships which came from Bengala, of whom he learned the state of that country. But because he was then in years and weary with his travail, but especially because he found there small relief for his army, he returned back.  
After that the Romans had gotten the most part of the world, there were in that age made many, and notable discoveries. But than came the Goths, Moors, and other barbarous nations, and destroyed all. For in the year 412. after the incarnation of Christ, 
Rome taken by the Goths 412.  they took the city of Rome: And the Vandals came out of Spain and conquered Africa.  
And in the year 450. the king called Atila destroyed many cities in Italy: 
The original of Venice 450.  at which time the city of Venice began. And in this age the Frankes and Vandals entered into France.  
In the year 474. the Empire of Rome was lost, and fell from the Romans to the Goths.  
And after this came the Lombard's into Italy, namely in the year 560.  
Also about this time the sect of the Arrians prevailed greatly: and at this time one Merline of England was famous for his prophecies.  
To be short, 
The sect of Mahumet began anno 611.  in the year 611. sprung up the Mahumetane sect and Morisco regiment, which by force invaded both Africa and Spain.  
By all this it may appear, that in that age all the world was in an hurly burly, and all places very tumultuous. In so much that traffic and merchandise ceased: 
Traffic and navigation cease.  for no nation durst trade one with another neither by sea nor land: nothing as than remained steadfast neither in monarchies nor kingdoms, 
Ramusius 1. vol. fol 372. pag. 2.  signiories, religions, laws, arts, sciences, nor navigations. Nor so much as the records and writings of such things did remain, but were all burnt and consumed by the barbarous cruelty and unbridled power of the Goths: who became so covetous and ambitious, that they purposed of themselves to begin a new world, and to root out the memory, and blot out the knowledge of all other nations besides.  
But they that succeeded after these times in the government of things, perceiving the great and huge loss, that the Christian world had by the want of traffic and ceasing of navigation, whereby those commodities and merchandises could not be spent, which before went ordinarily from one nation to another by the use of trade: to the end that this decay and loss might be repaired, and the treasures of the East might be imparted with the West, as it was wont in the times of quietness and peaceable living, they began to devise a way to pass to India, which was not as the former way was by the Red sea and the river Nilus, but a way of farther sailing & farther length and cost also. For they brought their ware up the river Indus, 
Ramusius 1. vol. fol. 373.  and there unladed it, carrying it by land through the country of Paropanisus by Caravans unto the province of Bactria, and then shipped it in barks on the river Oxus, 
A way by the river Oxus, the Caspian sea, Volga, and over land to Caffa.  which falleth into the Caspian sea, and so sailed over that sea unto an haven of the river Rha named Citracan or Astracan, and so upwards in the said river which now is called Volga; and as it appeareth they carried it to the city of Novogrode in the province of Resan, which now belongeth to the great Duke of Moscovia, standing toward the north in 54. degrees of latitude: & therehence they travailed over land unto the province of Sarmatia unto the river Tanais, which is the division of Europe from Asia; where they again laded it in barks, and carried it down the river, into the lake Maeotis, and to the city of Caffa, which in ancient time was called Theodosia, which then belonged to the Genowais, who came thither for those wares in their galliass or great ships.  
It is also left written, that the trade this way endured until the reign of Commodita Emperor of Armenia, who provided for a better course, and commanded this traffic of the spices to be conveyed by the Caspian sea, 
Strabo lib. 11.  and so through the kingdom of Hiberia, which now is called Georgiana, and from thence they entered by the river Phasis, now Phasso, into Pontus Euxinus, 
The mart of spices at Trapezunda. Ramusius ibidem.  and so unto the city of Trapezunda standing in 40. and odd degrees of northerly latitude. And to that place came shipping for the merchandises out of Europe and Africa.  
It is further left recorded concerning this way of traffic, 
Strabo lib. 11. Plinius lib. 6. cap. 11.  that Nicanor determined or had already begun to open above 120. miles of land, which lieth between the Caspian sea and Pontus Euxinus, that they might come and go by water with their spices, drugs, and other commodities, there used. But in the mean time this mischief happened, that Ptolemey Ceraunos' killed him, and by his death this worthy and famous enterprise ceased without effect.  
But the other way being also at last lost by reason of the wars of the Turks, 
Another way to Boghar, and so by caravans into Persia by the river Ganges.  it pleased God to open another way to these merchandises from the Isle of Samatra, the city of Malacca, and the Island of java unto Bengala, and so carrying them up the river Ganges unto the city of Agra; from whence they travailed over land unto another city standing near the river Indus named Boghar, where they discharged, because the city of 
* Or Laor.  Cabor standeth too far within the land, being the principal city of the Mogores. From thence they went forward to the great city of Samarcand standing in the country of Bactria: 
samarcand.  and there the merchants of India, Persia, and Turkey met, bringing thither their several commodities, 
Woollen cloth good merchandise for Cathay.  as clothe of gold, velvets, chamolets, scarlet, and woollen clothes, which were carried to Cathay and the great kingdom of China: wherehence they brought again gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, silk, musk, and many other things of great value, and much rhubarb. After this these merchandise, 
The way by Ormus and Balsara and so to Aleppo and Barutti.  drugs, and spiceries were carried in ships upon the Indian sea unto the straight of Ormus, and to the rivers Euphrates and Tigris; and were unladen in the city of Balsara standing in 31. degrees towards the north, and from thence they were carried over land unto the cities of Aleppo, Damascus, and Barutti standing on the same side in 35. degrees: And there the Venetian galleys or galliass, which transported pilgrims into the holy land, came and received of those goods.  
In the year 1153. in the time of Frederick Barbarossa it is written that there came to Lubec a city of Germany one canoe with certain Indians, like unto a long barge: which seemed to have come from the coast of Baccalaos, which standeth in the same latitude that Germany doth: The Germans greatly wondered to see such a barge, and such people, not knowing from whence they came, nor understanding their speech, especially because there was then no knowledge of that country, as now there is: it may be credible that though the boat was small in respect of those huge seas, yet the wind and water might bring them thither: as we see in these our days, that the Almadie which is but a small boat cometh notwithstanding from Quiloa, Mosambique, and Sofala to the Island of S. Helena, being a small spot of land standing in the main Ocean off the coast of Bona Sperança so far separated.  
In the year 1300. after the coming of Christ the great Sultan of Cayro commanded that the spiceries and drugs, 
joannes Leo Africanus.  and merchandises of India should be carried through the Red sea, 
Ramusius 1. vol. fol. 373.  as it was used before: at which time they unladed on the Arabian side, at the haven of juda, and carried them unto the house at Mecca, and the carriers of it were the pilgrims. So that each Prince used a custom to augment the honour, and increase the profit of his country. And these Sultan's had special regard to Cayro, from whence the wares were carried unto the countries of Egypt, Lybia, Africa, the kingdoms of Tunez, Tremessen, Fez, Morocco, Suz: and some of it was carried beyond the mountains of Atlas unto the city of Tombuto, 
Tombuto.  and the kingdom of the jalophos; until afterwards that the Portugals did bring it about the Cape of Bona Sperança unto the city of Lisbon, as in place convenient we purpose to show more at large.  
In the year 1344. king Peter the fourth of that name reigning in Arragon, the Chronicles of his time report, that one Don Luis of Cerda, son unto the son of Don john of Cerda, craved aid of him to go and to conquers the Isles of the Canaries, 
The Canary Islands.  standing in 28. degrees of latitude to the north, because they were given unto him by Pope Clement the sixth, which was a French man. Whereby in those days there grew a knowledge of those Islands in all Europe, and specially in Spain: for such great Princes would not begin nor enterprise things of such moment without great certainty.  
About this time also the Island of Madera was discovered by an English man called Macham: 
The Island of Madera discovered by Macham an English man.  who sailing out of England into Spain, with a woman of his, was driven out of his direct course by a tempest, and arrived in that Island, and cast his anchor in that haven, which now is called Machico after the name of Macham. And because his lover was then seasick, he there went on land with some of his company, and in the mean time his ship weighed and put to sea, leaving him there: whereupon his lover for thought died. Macham, which greatly loved her, built in the Island a chapel or hermitage to bury her in, call it by the name of jesus Chapel: and wrote or graved upon the stone of her tomb his name and hers, and the occasion whereupon they arrived there. After this he made himself a boat all of a tree, the trees being there of a great compass about, and went to sea in it with those men of his company that were left with him, and fell with the coast of Africa without sail or oar, and the Moors among whom he came took it for a miracle, and presented him unto the king of that country: and that king also admiring the accident, sent him and his company unto the king of Castille.  
In the year 1395. king Henry the third of that name reigning in Castille, the information which Macham gave of this Island, and also the ship wherein he went thither, moved many of France and of Castille to go and discover it, and the great Canary: And they which went were principally the Andaluzes, the Biscayne's, and the Guepus●oes, carrying with them many people and horses. But I know not whether the charge of that voyage was theirs or the kings. But by whom soever it was set out, 
The first discovery of the Canaries by the Christians 1405.  they seem to be the first that discovered the Canaries and landed in them: where also they took 150 of the Islanders prisoners. Concerning the time of this discovery, there is some difference among the writers: for some affirm this to be done in the year 1405.  

The first beginning of the Portugal Discoveries.  
THe Chronicles of Portugal have this record, That after the incarnation of Christ 1415. king john the first of that name king of Portugal, departed from the city of Lisbon with the Prince Don Duarte or Edward, 
The first conquest of the Portugals in Barbary 1415.  and Don Peter, and Don Henry his sons, with other Lords, and nobles of his realm, and sailed into Africa, where he took the great city of Ceuta, 
This victory was gotten by the help of the English as Walsingham writeth.  standing on the north side thereof between 35. and 36. degrees in latitude: which was one of the principal causes of the enlarging of the dominions of Portugal.  
When they were come from thence, Henry the king's third son, desirous to enlarge the kingdom & to discover strange & unknown countries, being then in Algarbe, gave direction for the discovery of the coast of Mauritania. 
john de Barros Asiae decad. 1. lib 1. cap. 2.  For in those days none of the Portugals had ever passed the Cape de Non, standing in 29. degrees of latitude. 
Cape de Non.  And for the better accomplishing of this discovery, the aforesaid Don Henry prepared a fleet, & gave commandment to the chief captains to proceed in discovery from the aforesaid Cape forward: Which they did. But when they came to another Cape named Bojador, 
Cape Bojador.  there was not one of them, that durst go farther or beyond it: at which fearful and cowardly faintness of theirs the Prince was exceedingly displeased.  
In the year 1417. king john the second reigning in Castille, and his mother Lady Katherine then using the government, one Monsieur Reuben of Bracamonte which was then Admiral of France craved the conquest of the Islands of the Canaries, with the title to be king of them, for a kinsman of his called Monsieur john Betancourt: which being granted him by the Queen, and farther also partly furnished out, he departed from Seville with a good army: But the chief or principal cause that moved him to enter into this action, was to discover and perfectly to take a view of the Island of Madera, whereof Macham before had given so much information. But for all that he went unto the Canaries, and carried with him a Friar called Mendoza to be as Bishop thereof, admitted by Pope Martin the fifth. When they were landed they won Lancerota, 
The Canary Islands conquered.  Forteventura, Gomera, and Ferro: from whence they sent into Spain many slaves, honey, wax, Camfora, or camphor, hides, Orchall, figs, Sanguis Draconis, and other merchandises, whereof they made good profit: And this army also as they report, 
Porto Santo.  discovered Porto Santo. The Island that they inhabited was Lancerota, where they built in it a castle of stone for their better defence and security.  
In the year 1418. one john Gonzales Zarco, 
john de Barros decad. 1. lib. 1. cap. 2.  and Tristam Vaz Teixera, household gentlemen unto Don Henry the king's third son, perceiving the desire that their master had to discover new countries, and willing in that course to do him some service, craved of him a bark, and licence to undertake the action: which they obtained, and sailed to the coast of Africa: where they were overtaken with a terrible tempest; but they were succoured by falling with the land, and entering into an haven called Santo, where they landed, and remained two years.  
In the year 1420. they discovered the Island of Madera, where they found the chapel and the stone and tomb, 
Ba●●os decad. 1. lib. 1. cap. 3.  whereupon the foresaid Macham had graven his name. 
The chapel built by Macham found in Madera.  There are others that write that a certain castilian perceiving the desire and favour to navigation which Don Henry had, told him that they had found the Island of Porto Santo; which being but a small thing they made no reckoning of it. Don Henry sent Bartholomew Perestrello, john Conzales Zarco, Tristam Vaz Teixera, and by the signs and likelihoods that they had received, 
Porto Santo.  they went to Porto Santo, and there remained two years: and after that, namely in the year 1420. they sailed also to the Island of Madera, where they found the memorial and monument of the aforesaid Macham the English man.  
As for Monsieur Betancourt, who entered into the conquest of the Canaries as is above mentioned, he was slain in the midst of the action, and left behind him for his heir a kinsman of his called Monsieur Menante, 
The Canary Islands sold over to a Spaniard.  who after that sold the said Islands of the Canaries unto one Peter Barba of Seville. There are other which speak otherwise, and say that Monsieur john Betancourt went into France to prepare a new army about this conquest, and left there a nephew of his; who because he heard no more of his uncle, and saw that he could not maintain the wars any longer, he sold the Canaries to Don Henry the king of Portugals third son, for a certain thing that he gave him in the Island of Madera.  
In the year 1424. they write that the said Don Henry prepared a navy and army to conquer these Islands, 
Barros decad. 1. lib. 1. cap. 12.  wherein there went as captain general, one Don Fernando de Castro; and by reason of the valiantness and warlike behaviour of the people they had the repulse: whereupon Don Ferdinando, considering the great charge, and little or no good success, he gave over the action, and returned back again. After this Don Henry resigned over these Islands to the crown of Castille, in consideration of the aides which Betancou●t had received. But the castilians agree not unto this report. For they say, that neither the kings of Portugal, nor Don Henry would render the Islands, till they came in question before Pope Eugenius the fourth; 
The Canaries came to the crown of Spain in the year 1431  who fully understanding the matter, gave the conquest of the Islands by order of judgement unto the king of Castille in the year 1431. whereupon this contention ceased touching the title of the Canaries between the kings of Portugal and of Castille.  
These Islands being in number seven, were called by the name of Fortunatae, standing in 28. degrees to the north: where the longest day is but 13. hours, and the longest night as much, lying distant from Spain 200. leagues, and from the coast of Africa 18. leagues. 
The ancient manners of the Canarians.  The people were idolaters, and did eat their flesh raw for want of fire: they had no iron, and sowed without any tool: they tilled and raised the ground with ox horns, and goat's horns. Every Island did speak a several language. They took many wives, and knew them not carnally until they had delivered them to the superiors. They had divers other Paganish customs: but now the Christian faith is planted among them.  
The commodities of these Islands are wheat, 
The commodities of the Canaries.  barley, sugar, wine, and certain birds, called Canary birds, much esteemed in Spain and other places.  
In the Island of Ferro they have none other water, but that which proceedeth in the night from a tree, 
A tree yielding abundance of water in Ferro.  compassed with a cloud, whence water issueth, serving the whole Island both men and cattle, a thing notorious and known to very many.  
In the year 1428. it is written that Don Peter the king of Portugals eldest son was a great traveler. He went into England, France, Almain, and from thence into the Holy land, and to other places; and came home by Italy, taking Rome & Venice in his way: from whence he brought a map of the world, 
A most rare and excellent map of the world.  which had all the parts of the world and earth described. The straight of Magelan was called in it The Dragon's tail: The Cape of Bona Sperança, The forefront of Africa, 
A great help to Don Henry in his discoveries.  and so forth of other places: by which map Don Henry the king's third son was much helped and furthered in his discoveries.  
It was told me by Francis de Sosa Tavares, that in the year 1528. Don Fernando the king's son and heir did show him a map, which was found in the study of Alcobaza, which had been made 120. years before, which map did set forth all the navigation of the East Indies, 
As much discovered in ancient time as now is.  with the Cape of Bona Sperança, according as our later maps have described it. Whereby it appeareth, that in ancient time there was as much or more discovered, 
Barros decad. 1. lib. 1. cap. 4.  then now there is. Notwithstanding all the travail, pains and expenses in this action of Don Henry, yet he was never weary of his purposed discoveries. At length there was a servant of his called Gilianes that first passed the Cape Bojador, 
Cape Bojador first passed. Anno 1132.  a place before terrible to all men: and he brought word that it was not so dangerous, as it was reported: for on the other side of it he went on land, and in manner of taking possession, set in the ground a cross of wood, to be as a mark and token afterwards of his discovery so far.  
In the year 1433. in the month of August Don john died, 
The death of Don john the first of Portugal.  and his son Don Duarte or Edward succeeded him in the kingdom.  
In the year 1434. Don Henry set out one Alfonso Gonsales Baldaia, 
Barros decad. 1. lib. 1. cap. 5.  and Gilianes aforesaid, and they went to another Cape, which was beyond the former, and going on land perceived the country to be inhabited: and because they were desirous to satisfy Don Henry with as much relation and knowledge as they could get, they continued their voyage, and went forward, till they came to a certain point of land, from whence they turned back again.  
In the year 1438. king Edward, 
The death of Don Duarte king of Portugal.  whom the Portugals call Don Duarte died, and Don Alphonso the prince being young, Don Peter his uncle governed the kingdom.  
In the year 1441. Don Henry sent out two ships, 
Barros decad. 1. lib. 1. cap. 6.  and the captains were in the one Tristan, and Antony Gonsales in the other Being put to sea they took a prize upon the coast, and sailed on to Cape Blanco, 
Cape Blanco.  that is the White Cape, standing in 20. degrees, and informed Don Henry of the state of that country by the Moors which they brought from thence. Whereupon he sent one Fernan Lopez de Sauado to give knowledge thereof to Pope Martin, trusting to make these things commodious to Holy Church. Upon which knowledge the Pope granted indulgences and everlasting pardon, 
I●dulgences ●●anted to encourage to this enterprise.  and all other things demanded of him, unto those which should die in this enterprise.  
After this, 
Barros decad. 1. lib. 1. cap. 7.  in the year 1443. Don Henry commanded Antony Gonsales to carry back the slaves which he had brought, and to ransom them in their country: Which he did, and the Moors gave them in truck for them again black Moors with curled hair, and some gold; so that now that place is called Rio de Oro, 
Rio de Oro, why so called.  that is, the Golden River; whereby the desire of the discovery might be the more increased.  
Not long after he sent out another named Nunnez Tristan, who came unto the Islands of Arguin, 
The Islands of Arguin.  where he took more slaves, and brought them to Portugal in the year 1444.  
Hereupon also one Lansarote, a groom of Don gilian's chamber, with others associated with him, armed out certain ships, 
The Islands of Garze.  which went coasting till they came to the Islands of Garze, where they took two hundred slaves: which were the first that were brought from thence to Portugal.  
In the year 1445. there went as captain of a bark one Gonsalo de Syntra, 
Barros decad. 1. lib. 1. cap. 9  an esquire belonging to Don Henry into those parts; and he went on land, where he was taken with six or seven more of his company, which place was therefore called after his name, 
Angra de Gonsaluo de Syntra.  Angra de Gonsaluo de Syntra. This was the first loss, which the Portugals received in their discoveries.  
In the year following Don Henry sent out three caravels, wherein went as captains Antony Gonsales, Diego Aloizio, and Gomes Perez, who had their direction, not to enter into Rio de Oro, nor to bear themselves disorderly, but to travail in peace, and to convert as many infidels as they could to Christianity. But none of these things were performed by them; for they returned without doing any memorable act.  
In the same year 1446. another esquire belonging to the king of Portugal called Denis Fernandes of the city of Lisbon, 
Barros decad. 1. lib. 1. cap. 9 & cap. 13.  entered into these discoveries, more to win fame then to reap commodity by them. And he being in his voyage came to the river of Sanaga, 
The river of Sanaga.  standing between 15. and 16. degrees of latitude towards the north, where he took certain Negroes; and not contented therewith, he went forward and discovered Cape Verde, 
Cape Verde.  standing in 14. degrees on the same side; and there he set up upon the land a cross of wood, and then returned with great contentation.  
In the year 1447. one Nunnez Tristan went forth to discover in a caravel, 
Barros decad. 1. lib. 1. cap. 14.  and he passed the aforesaid Cape Verde, and Rio Grande, 
Rio Grande.  and went passed it unto another standing beyond it in 12. degrees, where he was also taken with 18. Portugal's more: but the ship came home again in safety, conducted by four or five which escaped the hands of the Negroes.  
In this year also 1447. it happened that there came a Portugal ship through the straight of Gibraltar; and being taken with a great tempest, was forced to run westwards more than willingly the men would, and at last they fell upon an Island which had seven cities, 
The Island of seven cities.  and the people spoke the Portugal tongue, and they demanded if the Moors did yet trouble Spain, whence they had fled for the loss which they received by the death of the king of Spain, Don Roderigo.  
The boatswain of the ship brought home a little of the sand, and sold it unto a goldsmith of Lisbon, out of the which he had a good quantity of gold.  
Don Pedro understanding this, being then governor of the realm, caused all the things thus brought home, and made known, to be recorded in the house of justice.  
There be some that think, that those Islands whereunto the Portugals were thus driven, were the Antiles, or New Spain, alleging good reasons for their opinion, which here I omit, because they serve not to my purpose. But all their reasons seem to agree, that they should be that country, which is called Nova Spagna.  
In the year 1449. the king Don Alfonso gave licence unto his uncle Don Henry to inhabit the Islands of the Açores, 
Don Alfonso king of Portugal come to age.  which were long before discovered. 
Barros decad. 1. lib. 2. cap 1.   
And in the year 1458. this king went into Africa, 
The Açores first inhabited.  and there he took the town called Alcaçer.  
And in the year 1461. he commanded signor Mendez a gentleman of his house to build the castle of Arguin, 
Alcaçer taken.  whereof he gave unto him the government, 
The castle of Arguin builded.  as to his lieutenant. 
Ibidem.   
In the year 1462. there came into the realm of Portugal three Genowais of good parentage, 
Barros decad. 1. lib. 2. cap. 1.  the chief of whom was called Antony de Noli, and of the other two, the one was his brother, the other was his nephew, and each of these had his several ship, craving liberty of Don Henry to discover the Islands of Cape Verde, which was granted them. Others say, 
The Isles of Cape Verde disc●uered by three Genowais.  that the places which they discovered, were those which Antiquity called the Gorgades, Hesperideses, and Dorcades: but they named them Mayo, Saint jago, and Saint Philip, because they discovered them on those Saints days: but they are also called by some the Islands of Antonio.  
In the year following 1463. this good noble man Don Henry died, 
The death of Don Henry 1463.  leaning from Cape De Non discovered unto the mountain called Sierra Leona, 
Sierra Leona.  standing on this side the line in 8. degrees of latitude, where no man had been before that time.  
In the year 1469. the king of Portugal did let out for yearly rend the trade of Guiney unto one called Fernan Gomez, 
Barros decad. 1. lib. 2 cap. 2.  which country afterwards was called The Mine. 
The country of Guiney let out to farm.  He let it out for five years, for two hundred thousand Reyes by the year (which is of our English money 138. l. 17. ●. 9 d. ob.) and added unto his lease this condition, that every year he should discover an hundred leagues.  
In the year following, 
Ibidem.  which was 1470. this king went into Africa with his son Prince john, where they took the town of Arzila, 
Arzila taken.  and the people of the city of Tanger fled out for fear, 
Tanger taken.  and that he took also. It seemeth that good fortune followeth a courageous attempt.  
In the year 1471. Fernan Gomes gave commandment that the coast should be discovered as it lay. 
Ibidem.  Which was undertaken by john de S. Aren, and john de Scovar; 
La Mina.  and they went and found the Mine in 5. degrees of latitude.  
And the next year, 
Ibidem.  which was 1472. one Fernando da Poo discovered the Island now called after his name. 
The Isle de Fernan de Poo.  Also about this time the Islands of Saint Thomas, 
Saint Thome. Rha del Principe.  and Deal Principe were discovered, standing under the line, with the firm land also, 
Benin.  wherein is the kingdom of Benin, 
Cape de Santa Catarina.  reaching to the Cape de Santa Catarina, standing on the south side of the line in 3. degrees. The man that made this discovery was a servant of the kings, and his name was Sequeira.  
Many suppose, that than also there were those places, countries and Islands discovered, which before were never known to us since the flood.  
In the year 1480. the valiant king Don Alphonso died, 
Don john the second.  and left many things worthy of memory behind him; 
Barros decad. 1. lib. 3 cap. 2.  and his son Don john the second succeeded him. 
Castle de Mina. built.  Who in the year 1481. gave direction for the building of the castle De Mina to one Diego d'Azambuxa; who did so, and was made captain of it.  
In the year 1484. the foresaid king john sent out one Diego Caon a knight of his Court to discover: 
Barros decad. 1. lib. 3. cap. 3.  and he went to the River of Congo, 
Rio de Congo.  standing on the south side in 7. or 8. degrees of latitude; where he erected a pillar of stone with the royal arms and letters of Portugal, wherein he wrote the commandment that he had received from the king, with the time and day of his being there. From thence he went unto a river near the Tropic of Capricorn, 
Discovery near unto the Tropic of Capricorn.  setting still up pillars of stone where he thought it convenient, and so came back again unto Congo, 
An ambassador from the king of Congo.  and to the king of that country: who thereupon sent an ambassador and men of credit into Portugal.  
In the next year or the second following, one john Alonso d'Aueiro came from the kingdom of Benin, and brought home pepper with a tail: 
Pepper of Benin.  which was the first of that kind seen in Portugal.  
In the year 1487. king john sent to discover India over land. 
Barros decad. 1. lib. 3. cap. 5. Pedro de Covillan and Alfonso de Pavua sent to discover India.  In which journey went one Pedro de Couillana a servant of the kings, and Alfonso de Payva, because they could speak the Arabian tongue. They went out in the month of May, and the same year they took shipping at Naples, and arrived in the Isle of Rhodes, and lodged in the house that was provided for the Portugal knights of that order: from thence they went to Alexandria, 
Alexandria.  and so to Cayro, and thence to the haven of Toro in the company of the caravans or carriers which were Moors. 
Cairo.  There they took shipping, 
Toro.  and being on the Red sea they arrived at the city of Aden, 
Aden.  and there they separated themselves: for Alfonso de Payva went towards Aethiopia, and Pedro de Covillan into India. Who came unto the cities of Cananor and Calicut, 
Cananor.  and came back unto Goa: 
Calicut.  where he took shipping unto Sofala, 
Goa.  being on the coast of Africa in the southern latitude of 20. degrees, 
Sofala.  to see the mines that were of so great name. 
Mosambique.  From Sofala he turned back to Mosambique, 
Quiloa.  and unto the cities of Quiloa, Mombaza, 
Mombaza.  and Melinde, 
Melinde.  till he came back again unto the city of Aden: where he and Alfonso de Payva divided themselves: and thence he sailed again through the Red sea unto the city of Cayro, where he thought to have met with his companion: but there he heard that he was dead by the letters that he received from king john his master; in which letters he was farther commanded to travail into the country and dominions of Presbyter john.  
Upon this commandment he provided for his farther journey, 
The voyage of Pedro de Covillan unto the country of Prete janni.  and from Cairo went back again to the haven of Toro, and from thence to Aden, where he had been twice before: and there hearing of the fame of the city of Ormuz, he determined to go thither; and therefore went along the coast of Arabia unto the Cape Razalgate standing under the Tropic of Cancer, 
Cape Razalgate.  and from thence he went to Ormuz, 
Ormuz.  standing in 27. degrees on that side. There he learned and understood of the straight of Persia, and of that country: and entered there into the Red sea, and passed over to the realm of the Abassini, 
Abassini.  which commonly is called Presbyter john's country or Aethiopia: 
Pedro de Covillan the first Portugal that came into the East India and Aethiopia by the Red sea.  and there he was detained till the year 1520. when there came thither the ambassador Don Roderigo de Lima: This Pedro de Covillan was the first Portugal that ever knew and saw the India's and those seas, and other places adjoining thereunto.  
In the year 1490. the king sent unto Congo one Gonzalo de Sosa a gentleman with three ships, 
Barros decad. 1. lib. 3. cap 9  and in them sent home the ambassador of Congo, which was sent into Portugal, whom Diego Caon had brought from thence: who at his being in Portugal was baptized both himself and others of his company.  
The aforesaid Gonzalo de Sosa died in that journey by the way, and in his room they chose his nephew Ruy de Sosa for their captain; and so being come unto Congo, the king was very glad of their coming, and yielded himself, and the greater part of his realm to be baptised: 
A great part of the kingdom of Congo baptised.  whereof the Portugals had good cause to rejoice, seeing by them so many Infidels were converted from gentility and paganism to Christianity.   

The first beginning of the Discoveries of the Spaniards, with the continuation of the Discoveries of the Portugals.  
IN the year 1492. in the time of Don Ferdinando king of Castille, he being at the siege of Granada, dispatched one Christopher Columbus a Genua with three ships to go and discover Nova Spagna: who first had offered his service for a western discovery unto king john of Portugal; but he would not entertain him.  
He being sufficiently furnished for this enterprise departed from the town of Palos the third day of August, having with him as captains and pilots Martin Alfonso Pinzon, Francis Martinez Pinzon, Vincent Yannes Pinzon, and Bartholomew Columbus his brother, with 120. persons more in his company: 
The first that in sailing are thought to have observed latitud●s.  and some affirm that they were the first that sailed by latitudes. They took the Canaries in their way, and there refreshed themselves; taking their course thence towards Cipango: but finding the sea by the way full of weeds they were amazed, and with great fear arrived at the Antiles the tenth day of October, and the first Island that they descried was called Guanahany: 
The Isle of Guanahany first discovered.  where they went on land, and took possession of it, and named it San Saluador. This Island standeth in 25. degrees of northerly latitude. And after that they found many Islands, which they called the Princes because they were the first that they had discovered.  
The Savages of those parts call these Islands by the name of Lucaios, 
Lucaios Islands.  having in deed several names for them. And they do stand on the north side almost under the Tropic of Cancer. As for the Island of S. james or jamaica, it standeth between 16. and 17. degrees.  
Thence they went to the Island which the naturals of the country call Cuba, 
Cuba.  and the Spaniards call it Ferdinandina, because their king's name was Ferdinando, standing in 22. degrees: from whence the Indians conducted them unto another Island, which they call Hayti, and the Spaniards called it Isabella, in the memory of the Queen of Castille, which was so called, 
Hispaniola.  and they named it also Hispaniola. In that Island the Admiral ship of Columbus was cast away: of the timber and planks whereof they made a fort, wherein they left 38 men, and a captain called Roderigo de Arana, to learn the language and customs of the country. They brought from thence musters and shows of gold, pearls, and other things, which that country yielded; and ten Indians also, whereof six died, the rest were brought home and baptised.  
Hereupon there grew such a common desire of travail among the Spaniards, that they were ready to leap into the sea to swim, if it had been possible, into those new found parts. The aforesaid company of Columbus at their coming home took in their way the Isles of the Açores, and the 4. day of March in the year 1493. they entered into the bar of Lisbon: 
Contention between the kings of Spain and Portugal.  which discovery pleased not the king of Portugal. Whereupon rose a contention between those two kings.  
Christopher Columbus being arrived went presently into Castille with the news of all things, and acquainted the king Fernando, with the discontentedness of the king of Portugal: whereupon he and the Queen Isabella his wife sent straight word thereof unto Pope Alexander the 6. whereat he and the Italians were in great admiration, 
The bull of donation.  marveling that there was any more land besides that which was under the Romans. But the end of this matter was this: Alexander the Pope gave these countries by his judgement unto the kingdoms of Leon and Castille; with this condition, That they should labour to extirpate idolatry, and plant the Holy faith in those countries.  
Fernando the king having received this answer, was glad of it, and sent Christopher Columbus again on the former voyage, 
Gomara historiae general. lib. 1. cap. 17.  having made him Admiral, and given him other honours, with particular arms, and a posy written about his arms to this effect.  
For Castille and for Leon  
A new world found out Colon.  
In the year 1493. the 25. of the month of October Christopher Columbus went back unto the Antiles, 
Columbus second voyage.  and from Cadiz he took his course, having in his company 17. ships, and 1500. men in them, with his brethren Bartholomew Columbus, and Diego Columbus, with other knights, gentlemen, men of law, and religious men, with chalices, crosses, rich ornaments, and with great power and dignity from Pope Alexander; & the 10. day after their setting forth, they arrived at the Canaries; & from thence in 25. or 30. days they sailed unto the Antiles; & the first Island that they saw standeth in 14. degrees towards the north, due west from Cape Verde on the coast of Africa. They say that the distance from thence to the Canaries is 800. leagues. 
Deseada discovered.  The name they gave it was Deseada, that is the Desired or wished Island, for the great desire which the company had to come to sight of land. After that they discovered many more which they named the Virgins, 
Caribas.  which the naturals of the country call the Caribas, for that the men of that country are good warriors, and shoot well in bows. They poison their arrows with an herb, whereof he that is hurt dieth, biting himself like as a mad dog doth.  
From these Islands and others they went unto the principal Island there, which they of the country do call Boriquen, 
Boriquen of S. john de porto riceo.  and the Spaniards call it S. john, and thence to Hispaniola or Isabella, where they found all the men dead which there they had left. Here the Admiral left the most part of the people to plant it, and appointed his brethren to be governors there: and so took two ships, and went to discover the other side of the Island of Cuba, 
jamaica.  and from thence to jamaica. All these Islands stand from 16. unto 20. degrees of northerly latitude. In the mean time that the Admiral● sailed about, his brethren and they that were left with them were much troubled, because the Savages did rise against them. So that Christopher Colon went back again into Spain, to tell the king and Queen of his adventures.  
In the year 1494. and in the month of januarie there was an agreement made of the differences which were between the two kings of Spain and Portugal. For the which agreement there were sent out of Portugal Ruy de So●a, and Don john his son, and the Doctor airs de Almada: and for the king of Spain there were Don Henry Henriques, Don john de Cardenas, and the Doctor Maldonado. All these met in the town of Tordesillas, and they divided the world from the north to the south by a meridian which standeth west from the Islands of Cape Verde 300. leagues: 
The first line of partition.  so that the one half which lay unto the east should belong unto Portugal, and that which lay to the west to the king of Spain, whereby notwithstanding liberty to travel was left equal unto both.  
In the year following 1495. john king of Portugal died, 
The death of Don john the second.  and Emmanuel his cozen began to reign.  
In the year 1496. there was a Venetian in England called john Cabota, 
The great discovery of john Cabota and the English.  who having knowledge of such a new discovery as this was, and perceiving by the globe, that the Islands before spoken of stood almost in the same latitude with his country, and much nearer to England then to Portugal, or to Castille, he acquainted king Henry the seventh then king of England with the same, wherewith the said king was greatly pleased, and furnished him out with two ships and three hundred men: which departed and set sail in the spring of the year, and they sailed westward till they came in sight of land in 45. degrees of latitude towards the north, and then went strait northwards till they came into 60. degrees of latitude, where the day is 18. hours long, and the night is very clear and bright. There they found the air cold, and great Islands of ice, but no ground in an hundred fathoms sounding: and so from thence finding the land to turn eastwards they trended along by it discovering all the Bay and river named Deseado, to see if it passed on the other side: Then they sailed back again till they came to 38. degrees towards the Equinoctial line, 
This is to the south of the Chese●ian Bay.  and from thence returned into England. There he others which say, that he went as far as the Cape of Florida, which standeth in 25. degrees.  
In the year 1497. The king of Spain Don Fernando sent out Christopher Columbus with six ships, 
Columbus third voyage.  and he himself provided two ships at his own cost, 
Gomara historiae general. lib. 2. cap. 21.  and sending his brother before, he made sail from the Bay of Cadiz, carrying with him his son Don Diego Colon▪ It was then reported that he went to take the Island of Madera, because he mistrusted the French men, and therefore sent thither three ships: others say it was to the Canaries. But howsoever it was, this is true, that he and three more went unto the Islands of Cape Verde, and ran along by the line finding great calms and rain, and the first land which they came unto of the Antiles was an Island standing in 9 degrees of latitude towards the north joining fast unto the main land, which they called La Trinidada; 
Trinidada.  and so he entered into the Gulf of Paria, and came out of the mouth which they name Bocca de Dragone, or the Dragon's mouth: and they took their course hard by the coast, where they found three small Islands, which they named Los Testigos, 
Testigos.  that is to say, 
Cubagua.  The Witnesses, beyond which standeth the Island of Cubagua, where is great fishing of muscle pearls: where also, as they say, there springeth a Well of ail: and beyond that Island they came to the Isles of Frails, Roques, 
Frails, Roques, Aruba, Caraçao, etc.  Aruba, and Curaçao, with other small ones all along the Bay: and they came to the point of Cabo de Vela, and discovered along the coast almost 200. leagues, 
Cabo de Vela.  from whence they crossed over to Hispaniola, having had also sight of the Island called Beata. 
Beata.   
In this same year 1497. on the 20. day of the month of june one Vasques de Gama sailed from Lisbon by the king Emmanuels' commandment to India with 3. ships, 
Barros decad. 1. lib 4 cap. 2. and to the end of the 11. chapter.  wherein there went for captains Vasques de Gama, Paulus de Gama his brother, and Nicolas Coello with 120. men; with whom also there went one ship laden only with victuals, and in 14. days they came unto Cape Verde, unto the Island of Saint jago, where they refreshed themselves, and from thence they went along the coast beyond the Cape of Bona Sperança, 
The Cape of Bona Sperança.  whereupon they erected certain pillars of stone, and so came unto Mosambique standing in 15. degrees to the south of the line, 
Mosambique.  where they stayed not long, but went from thence to Mombaza, 
Mombaza. Melinde.  and unto Melinde: where the king of that place gave them pilots, which conducted them into India, in which discovery they found out Los Baxos do Padua, 
Los Baxos de Padua.  that is to say, the flats of Padua.  
In the year 1498. in the month of May they came to an anchor before the city of Calicut, 
Calicut.  and Panana, where they remained all the winter: and the first day of September they set sail towards the north discovering the coast all along till they came to the Island of Angediua, which standeth on that side in 15. degrees of latitude, where they came to an anchor in the beginning of October, and so they departed from Angediua in February in the year 1499. and came in sight of the coast of Africa about Melinde towards the north 3. or 4. degrees, & from thence they sailed unto the said city, and so unto Mosambique again, and to the Cape of Bona Sperança, sailing along by the coast, and then they came to the Islands of Cape Verde, and last of all to the city of Lisbon in the month of September, 
Gomara historiae general lib.  having been in the voyage 26. months.  
In the year 1499 on the 13. day of the month of November there departed from Palos one Vincent Yannez Pinson and his nephew Aries Pinson with four ships well appointed at their own coast and charges, to discover the new world under the licence of the king of Castille, and with commandment not to touch there, where the Admiral Columbus had been. And so they went to the Islands of Cape Verde, and passed the line to the southward, 
The Cape of S. Augustine.  and discovered the Cape of Saint Augustine standing on that side in 8. degrees of latitude, and there they wrote on the rinds of pine trees the names of the king and of the Queen, also the year and day when they arrived there. They fought with the people of Brasil, but got nothing, 
Rio de Maria Tambal.  they took their course all along the coast towards the west unto the river Maria Tambal, and at that time they had taken thirty and odd prisoners. 
Angla de San Lucas.  The chief places where they touched were the Cape of S. Augustine, and the angle or point of S. Luke, 
The rivers of Marannon, amazons and Rio Dolce.  and Tierra de los Humos, the Rivers of Marannon, and of the Amazons, and Rio dolce, or the Sweet river, and other places along the coast: and they came to ten degrees of latitude on the north side, where they lost two ships and their company, and remained in that voyage of discovery ten months, and 15. days.  
In the year 1500. and in the month of March one Pedro Aluarez Cabral sailed out of Lisbon with 13. ships, 
Barros decad. 1. lib. 5 cap. 2.  with commandment not to come near the coast of Africa to shorten his way; and he losing the sight of one of his ships, went to seek her, and in seeking of her lost his course, and sailed till he came within sight of the land. The General was so long in seeking his ship, that the company were weary of it, and entreated him to leave his enterprise. The next day they fell in sight of the coast of Brasil: whereupon the General commanded a bark to go to land and seek an haven: which they did, 
Puerto Seguro in Brasil.  and found a good and safe haven, and they named it Puerto Seguro, that is to say, The Safe haven, standing on the south side in 17. degrees of latitude. From thence they sailed towards the Cape of Bona Sperança, and Melinde, and crossed over to the river of Cochin, which before was not known, where they laded themselves with pepper, and at their return Sancho de Thovar discovered the city of Sofala upon the coast of Africa. 
Sofala.   
In this same year 1500. it is reported that Gaspar Cortereal craved a general licence of the king Emmanuel to discover the New found land. He went from the Island Terçera with two ships well appointed at his own cost, and he sailed unto that climate which standeth under the north in 50. degrees of latitude, which is a land now called after his name; 
Terra Corterealis.  and he came home in safety unto the city of Lisbon: And making another time this voyage, the ship was lost wherein he went, and the other came back into Portugal. Wherefore his brother Michael Cortereal went to seek him with three ships well appointed at his own cost; and when they came unto that coast, and found so many entrances of rivers, 
Many entrances of rivers in the northwest.  and havens, every ship went into her several river, with this rule and order, that they all three should meet again the 20. day of August. The two other ships did so, and they seeing that Michael Cortereal was not come at the day appointed, nor yet afterwards in a certain time, returned back into the realm of Portugal, and never heard any more news of him, nor yet any other memory. But that country is called The land of Cortereall unto this day.  
In the year 1501. in the month of March john de Nova departed from the city of Lisbon with four ships, 
Barros decad. 1. lib. 5. cap. 10.  and passed the line on the south side into 8. degrees of latitude, and he discovered an Island, 
I●●ha de Ascension.  which he called the Isle de Ascension: And he went unto Mosambique, and to Melinde, and from thence he crossed over unto the other side, where they took lading, and so came back and doubled the Cape, and found an Island called Santa Helena, 
The Isle of Santa Helena.  being but a small thing, but yet of great importance in respect of the situation thereof.  
In this same year 1501. and in the month of May there departed out of Lisbon three ships upon the commandment of Emmanuel the king to discover the coast of Brasil: and they sailed in the sight of the Canaries, and from thence to Cape Verde, 
Bezequiche.  where they refreshed themselves in the town of Bezequiche, and passed from thence beyond the line southward and fell with the land of Brasill in five degrees of latitude, 
Brasil discovered to 32. degrees.  and so went forward till they came in 32. degrees little more or less, according as they accounted it, and from thence they came back in the month of April, because it was there at that time cold and tempestuous. They were in that voyage fifteen months, and came to Lisbon again in the beginning of September 1502.  
In the y●ere 1502. one Alfonso Hoieda went to discover Terra firma, 
Gomara historiae general. lib. 2.  and followed his course till he came to his province of Vraba. 
Vraba.   
The next year following also one Roderigo Bastidas of Seville went out with two caravels at his own cost, and the first land of the Antiles that he saw was an Island which he named Isla Verde, that is, the Green Island, standing fast by the Island of Guadalupe, towards the land: and from thence they took their course towards the west to Santa Martha, and Cape De la Vela, and to Rio Grande, or the Great river, and they discovered the haven of Zamba, the Coradas, Carthagena, and the Islands of S. Barnard, of Baru, and Islas de Arenas, and went forward unto Isla fuerte, and to the point of Caribana standing at the end of the Gulf of Vraba, where they had sight of the Farrallones standing on the other side hard by the river of Darien, and from Cape De la Vela unto this place are two hundred leagues: and it standeth in 9 degrees and two parts of latitude. From thence they crossed over unto the Island of jamaica, where they refreshed themselves. In Hispaniola they graved their ships because of the holes which certain worms of the water had eaten in the planks. In that country they got four hundred marks of gold, although the people there be more warlike then in Nova Spania: for they poison their arrows which they shoot.  
In this same year 1502. Christopher Columbus entered the fourth time into his discovery with four ships at the commandment of Don Fernando to seek the Straight, 
The fourth voyage of Columbus.  which as they said did divide the land from the other side, 
Gomara historiae general. l●b. 1. cap. 24.  and he carried with him Ferdinando his son. They went first to the Island of Hispaniola, to jamaica, to the river Azua, to the Cape of Higueras, 
Cabo de Higueras.  and unto the Island Gamares, and to the Cape of Hunduras, 
Cabo de Hunduras.  that is to say, the Cape of the Depths: from thence they sailed towards the east unto the Cape Gracias a Dios, 
Cabo Gracias a Dios.  and discovered the province and river of Veragua, and Rio Grande, 
Veragua.  and others, which the Indians call Hienra. And from thence he went to the river of Crocodiles, which now is called Rio de Chagres, 
Rio de Chagres.  which hath his springs near the South Sea, within four leagues of Panama, and runneth into the North Sea: and so he went unto the Island which he called Isla de Bastimentoes, 
Isla de Bastimentoes.  that is the Isle of Victuals, 
Puerto Bello.  and then to Puerto Bello, that is the Fair haven, and so unto Nombre de Dios, 
Nombre de Dios.  and to Rio Francisco, and so to the haven of Retrete, and then to the Gulf of Cabesa Cattiva, and to the Islands of Caperosa, 
The Cape of marble.  and lastly to the Cape of Marble, which is two hundred leagues upon the coast: from whence they began to turn again unto the Island of Cuba, and from thence to jamaica, where he grounded his ships being much spoiled and eaten with worms.  
In this year also 1502 Don Vasques de Gama being now Admiral went again into India with 19 or 20. Caravels. 
Barros decad. 1. lib. 6. cap. 2.  He departed from Lisbon the tenth day of February, and by the last day of that month he came to an anchor at Cape Verde, 
The Island of Mosambique.  and from thence he went unto Mosambique, and was the first that crossed from that Island into India: and he discovered another in 4. degrees of latitude, which he called the Island of the Admiral, and there he took his lading of pepper and drugs, and left there one Vincent Sodre to keep the coast of India with five ships.  
These were the first Portugals, that with an army did run along the coast of Arabia Foelix. It is there so barren, that their cattle and camels are only maintained with dry fish brought from the sea; 
cattle and camels led with dried fish.  whereof there is such plenty and abundance, that the cats of the country do use to take them.  
In the year following, as it is reported, one Antony de Saldanta discovered the Island which in old time was called Coradis, 
Socotora.  and now Socotora, and the Cape of Guardafu, which adjoineth unto that country. 
Cape de Guardafu.   
In the year 1504 Roderigo de Bastidas obtained licence of king Ferdinando, and by the means of john de Lodesma and others of Seville armed and furnished out two ships, having for his pilot one john de Cosa of Saint Marie Port, and he went to discover that part of Tierra firma where now standeth Carthagena, 
Carthagena.  being in ten degrees and a half of northerly latitude. And it is said that they found the captain Luis de la Guerra; 
Codego.  and they together took land in the Isle of Codego, where they took six hundred persons of the Savages: And going farther along the coast they entered into the Gulf of Vraba, where they found sand mingled with gold, being the first that was brought to the king Don Ferdinando: from thence they returned to the city of Santo Domingo laden with slaves without victuals, because they of the country would not bargain with them, which grew to their great trouble and grief.  
In the later end of this year died Lady Isabella Queen of Castille: 
The death of Queen Isabella 150●.  Which Queen while she lived would not suffer any man of Arragon, Catalunia, Valencia, nor any borne in the country of Don Fernando her husband to enter into these discoveries, save those which were their servants, or by special commandment, but only the castilians, Biscayne's, & those which were of her own Signiories, by whom all the lands aforesaid were discovered.  
In the year 1505. upon our Lady day in March Francisco de Almeida Viceroy of India took his course with 22. sails towards India as now is accustomed. 
Barros decad. 1. lib. 8. cap. 3.  He came unto the city of Quiloa, 
A fort built in Quiloa.  where he built a fort, appointing one Peter Fereira to be captain thereof: and beyond Melinde he traversed to the Island of Angediua, 
Angediua possessed.  where he placed as captain one Emmanuell Passavia. 
Forts builded in Cananor and in Cochin.  In Cananor also he built another fort, giving the captainship of it to Laurence de Brito. In Cochin he did the like, where Don Alfonso de Noronia was made captain. 
A fort builded in Sofala.  This year one Peter de Anhaya did build the fortress of Sofala, whereof also himself was made captain.  
In the later end of this year the Viceroy commanded his son, whose name was Don Laurenço to make some entry upon the Islands of Maldiua, and with contrary weather he arrived at the Islands, which of ancient time were called Traganae, but the Moors called them Ytterubenero, and we call them Ceilan: 
Ceilan.  where he went on land, and made peace with the people there, and afterward came back unto Cochin, sailing along the coast and fully discovering it. In the midst of this Island there stands a rock of stone very high having the sign of the foot of a man upon the top of it, which they say to be the footestep of Adam, when he went up into the heavens, and the Indians have it in great reverence.  
In the year 1506. after the death of the Queen of Spain, king Philip and Queen joan his wife came into Spain to take possession thereof, and king Don Fernando went into Arragon being his own patrimony. 
The death of Philip the first king of Spain 1506.  In this same year the said king Philip died, and then Fernando came again to govern Spain, and he gave licence unto all Spaniards to go unto the New land, and to the A●tiles, but not to the Portugals. 
The death of Christopher Columbus.  In this year and in the month of May Christopher Columbus died, and his son Don Diego Columbus succeeded in his room.  
In the year 1506. and entering into the month of March Tristan de Acunna and Alfonso de Albuquerque went into India with 14. ships in their company, 
Barros decad. 2. lib. 1. cap. 1.  and sailed till they came to an anchor at the town of Bezequiche, 
Bezequiche is by Cape Verde.  where they refreshed themselves: and before they came to the Cape of Bona Sperança in 37. degrees they found certain Islands, which now are named the Isles of Tristan de Acunna, 
The Isles of Tristan de Acunna in 37. degrees.  where they had such a tempest that therewithal the fleet was dispersed. Tristan de Acun̄a and Alfonso de Albuquerque went unto Mosambique, and Alvaro Telez ran so far that he came to the Island of Samatra, 
Samatra discovered.  and so back again unto the Cape of Guardatu; having discovered many Islands, sea, and land never seen before that time of any Portugal. Emmanuel Telez de Meneses was also driven without the great Island of S. Laurence, and he ran along the coast thereof, and arrived at last at Mosambique, and there met with Tristan de Acun̄a, who was the first captain that wintered there; and by them it was told, that in this Island was much Ginger, Cloves, and silver: 
The Inland of S. Laurence discovered.  whereupon he went and discovered much of it within the land; but finding nothing he came back again unto Mosambique; from whence he sailed unto Melinde, and ran along that coast and entered into Brava, 
Brava.  and from thence they crossed over to the Island of Socotora, 
A fortress builded in Soc●tora.  where they built a fortress, 
Barros decad. 2. lib. 2. cap. 1.  and made one Don Antonio de Noronia captain thereof.  
In the year 1507. in the month of August Tristan de Acun̄a took shipping for India, and Alfonso de Albuquerque remained there with five or six ships to keep the coast and entry of the Straight; but being not therewith satisfied he took his course over unto Arabia, and running along that coast he doubled the Cape of Rosalgate standing under the Tropic of Cancer. 
The Cape of Rosalgate.   
In the year 1509. one Diego Lopez de Sequeira went out of Lisbon with four sails unto the Island of Saint Laurence, 
Barros decad. 2. lib. 1. cap. 3.  and continued in his voyage almost a year, 
The Isle of S. Laurence.  and in the month of May the same year he arrived in Cochin, where the Viceroy gave him one ship more: and in the beginning of the month of September he took his course unto Malacca passing between the Islands of Nicubar, 
The Islands of Nicubar.  and many others: He went also to the land of Samatra to the cities of Pedir and Pacem, 
Samatra.  and all along by all that coast unto the Island of A Poluoreira, 
The Isle of A Poluoreira.  and the flats of Capacia: and from thence he went over unto Malacca standing in 2. degrees of latitude towards the north: 
The flats of Capacia.  but in that city the people killed and took as prisoners some of his men: 
Malacca.  and thereupon he turned back again into India, having discovered in this voyage five hundred leagues. 
Rarities in Samatra.  This Island of Samatra is the first land wherein we knew man's flesh to be eaten by certain people which live in the mountains called Bacas, who use to gild their teeth. They hold opinion that the flesh of the black people is sweeter than the flesh of the white. 
In Samatra buffs, kine, and hens have flesh as black as ink.  The buffs, kine, and hens which are in that country are in their flesh as black as any ink. They say that there are certain people there called Daraqui Dara, 
People having tails like sheep.  which have tails like unto sheep; and some of their wells yield oil.  
The king of Pedir is reported to have a river in his land running with oil: which is a thing not to be marveled at, seeing it is found written, that in Bactria there is also a well of oil: it is farther said that there groweth here a tree, the juice whereof is strong poison, and if it touch the blood of a man, he dieth immediately: but if a man do drink of it, it is a sovereign remedy against poison, so serving both for life and death. 
Gold coined in Samatra.  Here also they do coin pieces of gold, which they call Drachmas, brought into the land as they say by the Romans: which seemeth to have some resemblance of truth: because that from that place forward there is no coined gold: but that which is thus coined doth run currant in the buying of merchandise and other things.  
In the year 1508. one Alfonso de Hoieda with the favour of Don Fernando purposed to go unto Tierra firma to conquer the province of Darien. 
Gomara historiae general. lib. 3. cap. 7.  He went forth at his own charges, & discovered The Firm land, where it is called Vraba, which he named Castilia del Oro, 
Castilia del oro.  that is Golden Castilia, because of the gold which they found among the sand along the coast: And they were the first Spaniards that did this. Alfonso de Hoieda went first from the Island of Hispaniola and the city of San Domingo with four ships and three hundred soldiers, 
The book of the Bachelor Anciso of these discoveries.  leaving behind him the bachelor Anciso, who afterwards compiled a book of these discoveries. And after him there went also one ship with victuals, munition, and 150. Spaniards. He went on land at Carthagena: but there the people of the country took, slew and eat 70. of his soldiers, whereupon he grew very weak.  
In this year 1508. one Drego de Niquesa prepared seven ships in the port of Beata to go unto Veragua, 
Beata is a province in the west part of H●●paniola.  and carried in them almost 800. men. When he came to Carthagena he found there Alfonso de Hoieda sore spoiled with his former loss: but then they both joined together, and went on land and avenged themselves of the people. And in this voyage Diego de Niquesa went and discovered the coast called Nombre de Dios, and went unto the sound of Darien, and called it Puerto de Misas, 
Gomara gen. hist. lib. 3. cap. 6.  which is upon the river of Pito. When they were come unto Veragua, he went on shore with his army, his soldiers being out of hope to return to Hispaniola. Alfonso de Hoieda began a fortress in Caribana against the Caribes; which was the first town that the Spaniards builded in the Firm land: 
Nuestra Sennora de la antigua builded.  and in Nombre de Dios they built another, and called it Nuestra Sennora de la Antigua. They builded also the town of Vraba. And there they left for their captain and lieutenant one Francis Pisarro, who was there much troubled. They builded other towns also, whose names I here omit. But these captains had not that good success which they hoped for.  
In the year 1509. the second Admiral Don Diego Columbus went into the Island of Hispaniola with his wife and household: 
Many gentlewomen went to dwell in Hispaniola.  And she being a gentlewoman carried with her many other women of good families, which were there married, and so the Spaniards and castilians began to people the country: for Don Fernando the king had given them licence to discover and people the towns of Hispaniola; so that the same place grew to be famous and much frequented. The foresaid. Admiral also gave order to people the Island of Cuba, 
Cuba peopled.  which is very great and large, and placed there as his lieutenant one Diego Velasques, who went with his father in the second voyage.  
In the year 1511. in the month of April Alfonso de Albuquerque went from the city of Cochin unto Malaeca. 
Barros decad. 2. lib. 5 cap 10. & lib. 6. cap. 2.  In which year and month the Chineans went from Malaeca into their own country, 
Barros decad. 2. lib. 6. cap. 5.  and Alfonso sent with them for master a Portugal called Duarte Fernandes, with letters also and order unto the king of the Mantias, which now is called Sian standing in the South. 
The Straight of Cincapura.  They passed through the straight of Cincapura, and sailed towards the north, went along the coast of Patane unto the city of Guy, 
Odia the chief city of Sian.  and from thence to Odia which is the chief city of the kingdom, standing in 14. degrees of northerly latitude. The king greatly honoured and welcomed Duarte Fernandes, being the first Portugal that he had seen, and with him he sent back ambassadors to Albuquerque. They passed over land towards the west unto the city of Tanaçerim standing upon the sea on the other side in 12. degrees, 
Tanaçerim.  where they embarked themselves in two ships, and sailed along the coast unto the city of Malacca, leaving it all discovered.  
The people of this country of Sian are people that eat of all kind of beasts, 
M. Ralph Fitch which had been in this country brought divers of these bells into England.  or vermin. They have a delight to carry round bells within the skin of their privy members: which is forbidden to the king and the religious people. It is said that of all other people of those parts they be most virtuous and honest. They commend themselves much for their chastity and poverty. They bring no heunes nor doves up in their houses. This kingdom hath in length 250. leagues, and in breadth 80. Of this only kingdom the king may bring forth into the field thirty thousand elephants, when he goeth to war, besides those which remain in the cities for the guard of them. The king much esteemeth a white elephant, and a red one also, that hath eyes like unto flaming fire.  
There is in this country a certain small vermin, which useth to cleave fast to the trunk of the elephant, and draweth the blood of the elephant, and so he dieth thereof. The skull of this vermin is so hard, that the shot of an handgun cannot enter it: they have in their livers the figures of men and women, which they call Toke●a, and are much like unto a mandrake. 
The liver of a little beast good against any wo●d of iron.  And they affirm that he which hath one of them about him cannot die with the stroke of any iron. They have also wild kine in this country, in the heads of whom they find stones, which are of virtue to bring good hap and fortune to merchants.  
After that Duarte Fernandes had been with the Mantales or people of Sian, Alfonso de Albuquerque sent thither a knight called Ruy Nunnez de Acunna with letters and embassage unto the king of the Seguys, 
Pegu.  which we call Pegu. He went in a junco of the country in sight of the Cape Rachado, and from thence went unto the city of Pera which standeth fast by the river Salano, 
Pera.  and many other villages standing all along this river, where Duarte Fernandes had been before, unto the cities of Tanaçerim and of Martavan, standing in 15. degrees toward the north, and the city of Pegu standeth in 17. This was the first Portugal, which travailed in that kingdom: 
Master Ralph Fitch saw this in Pegu also.  and he gave good information of that country, and of the people, which use to were bells in their privities even as the Mantales do.  
In the end of this year 1511. 
Barros decad 2. lib 6. cap. 7.  Alfonso de Albuquerque sent three ships to the Islands of Banda, 
The Isles of Banda and Maluco.  and Maluco. And there went as General of them one Antonio de Breu, and with him also went one Francis Serrano: and in these ships there were 120. persons. They passed through the Straight of Saban, and along the Island of Samatra, and others, leaving them on the left hand, towards the east: and they called them the Salites. 
The Salites.  They went also to the Islands of Palinibam and La Suparam; from whence they sailed by the noble Island of java, 
java.  and they ran their course east, sailing between it and the Island of Madura. 
Madura.  The people of this Island are very warlike and strong, and do little regard their lives. The women also are there hired for the wars: and they fall out often together, and kill one another, as the Mocos do, delighting only in shedding of blood.  
Beyond the Island of java they sailed along by another called Bali: 
Bali.  and then came also unto others called Aujave, çambaba, Solor, 
* Or Guliam.  Galao, Mallua, Vitara, Rosalangum, & 
* Or Aru.  Arus, from whence are brought delicate birds, which are of great estimation because of their feathers: they came also to other Islands lying in the same parallel on the south side in 7. or 8. degrees of latitude. And they be so near the one to the other, that they seem at the first to be one entire and main land. The course by these Islands is above five hundred leagues. The ancient Cosmographers call all these Islands by the name javos: but late experience hath found their names to be very divers, as you see. Beyond these there are other Islands toward the north, which are inhabited with whiter people going arrayed in shirts, 
The people of the Isles of Maluco wear such apparel.  doublets and slops like unto the Portugals, having also money of silver. The governors among them do carry in their hands red staves, 
governors carrying red staves like those of China.  whereby they seem to have some affinity with the people of China. There are other Islands and people about this place, which are red; and it is reported that they are of the people of China.  
Antony de Breu and those that went with him took their course toward the north, where is a small Island called Gumnape or Ternate, 
Ternate.  from the highest place whereof there fall continually into the sea flakes or streams like unto fire; which is a wonderful thing to behold. 
Burro.  From thence they went to the Islands of Burro and Amboino, 
Amboino.  and came to an anchor in an haven of it called Guliguli, 
Guliguli.  where they went on land and took a village standing by the river, where they found dead men hanging in the houses; for the people there are eaters of man's flesh. Here the Portugals burned the ship wherein Francis Serrano was, for she was old and rotten. They went to a place on the other side standing in 8. degrees toward the south, 
Cloves, nutmegs, and mace in 8. degrees toward the south.  where they laded cloves, nutmegs, and mace in a junco or bark which Francis Serrano bought here.  
They say that not far from the Islands of Banda there is an Island, where there breedeth nothing else but snakes, and the most are in one cave in the midst of the land. This is a thing not much to be wondered at; for as much as in the Levant sea hard by the Isles of Maiorca and Minorca there is another Island of old named Ophi●sa, and now Formentera, wherein there is great abundance of these vermin: and in the rest of the Islands lying by it there are none.  
In the year 1512. they departed from Banda toward Malacea, and on the baxos or flats of Luçapinho Francis Serrano perished in his junke or bark, from whence escaped unto the Isle of Mindanao nine or ten Portugals which were with him, 
Mindanao.  and the kings of Maluco sent for them. 
Maluco.  These were the first Portugals that came to the Islands of Cloves, which stand from the Equinoctial line towards the north in one degree, where they lived seven or eight years.  
The Island of Gumnape now called Ternate is much to be admired, for that it casteth out fire. There were some princes of the Moors and courageous Portugal's which determined to go near to the fiery place to see what it was; but they could never come near it. But Antony Galuano hearing of it, undertook to go up to it, and did so, and found a river so extreme cold, that he could not suffer his hand in it, nor yet put any of the water in his mouth: And yet this place standeth under the line, where the sun continually burneth. In these Islands of Maluco there is a kind of men that have spurs on their ankles like unto cocks. 
Monstrous men.  And it was told me by the king of Tydore, 
Batochina.  that in the Islands of Batochina there were people that had tails, and had a thing like unto a dug between their cod, out of the which there came milk. There are small hens also which lay their eggs under the ground above a fathom and an half, and the eggs are bigger than ducks eggs, and many of these hens are black in their flesh. There are hogs also with horns, and parats which prattle much, which they call Noris. There is also a river of water so hot, that whatsoever living creature cometh into it, their skins will come off, and yet fish breed in it. There are crabs which be very sweet, and so strong in their claws, that they will break the iron of a pik●axe. There be others also in the sea little and hairy, but whosoever eateth of them dieth immediately. There be likewise certain oysters, which they do call Bras, the shells whereof have so large a compass, that they do christian in them. In the sea also there are lively stones, which do grow and increase like unto fish, whereof very good lime is made: and if they let it lie when it is taken out of the water, it looseth the strength, and it never burneth after. 
The flowers of Xistus and Arbor 〈◊〉 are such.  There is also a certain tree, which beareth flowers at the sun set, which fall down as soon as they be grown. There is a fruit also, as they say, whereof if a woman that is conceived of child eateth, the child by & by moveth. There is further a kind of herb there growing, which followeth the sun, and removeth after it, which is a very strange and marvelous thing.  
In the year 1512. in the month of januarie Alfonsus de Albuquerque went back from Malaca unto Goa, 
Barros decad 2. lib. 7. cap. 1.  and the ship wherein he went was lost, and the rest went from his company. 
The Isles of Maldiua.  Simon de Andrada, and a few Portugals were driven unto the Islands of Maldiua being many & full of palm trees: and they stand low by the water: which stayed there till they knew what was become of their governor. These were the first Portugals that had seen those Islands, wherein there grow Cocos, which are very good against all kind of poison.  
In this year 1512. there went out of Castille one john de Solis borne in Lisbon, 
john de Solis.  and chief pilot unto Don Fernando. And he having licence went to discover the coast of Brasill. He took the like course that the pinson's had done: he went also to the Cape of S. Augustine, and went forwards to the south, coasting the shore and land, and he came unto The Port De Lagoa: and in 35. degrees of southerly latitude he found a river which they of Brasill call Parana-guaçu, that is, The great Water. He saw there signs of silver, and therefore called it Rio de Plata, 
Rio de Plata.  that is, The River of silver. And it is said that at that time he went farther because he liked the country well: but he returned back again into Spain, and made account of all things to Don Fernando, demanding of the king the government thereof, which the king granted him. 
Pet. Martyr. decad. 3 cap. 10.  Whereupon he provided three ships and with them in the year 1515. he went again into that kingdom; but he was there slain. These Solisses were great discoverers in those parts, and spent therein their lives and goods.  
In the same year 1512. john Ponce of Leon, which had been governor of the Isle of S. john armed two ships and went to seek the Isle of Boyuca, where the naturals of the country reported to be a Well, 
Pet. Martyr. decad. 2 cap 10.  which maketh old men young. Whereupon he laboured to find it out, 
Gomara historiae general. lib. 2. cap. 10.  and was in searching of it the space of six months, but could find no such thing. He entered into the Isle of Bimini; 
Bimini Islands.  and discovered a point of the firm land standing in 25. degrees towards the north upon Easter day, 
Florida.  and therefore he named it Florida. And because the land seemed to yield gold and silver and great riches, 
Martyr. decad. 3. cap. 10.  he begged it of the king Don Fernando, but he died in the discovery of it, as many more have done.  
In the year 1513. Vasco Nuns de Valboa hearing speech and news of The south sea, 
Pet Mart●r. decad. 3. cap. 1.  determined to go thither, although his company dissuaded him from that action. But being a man of good valour with those soldiers that he had, being 290. he resolved to put himself into that jeopardy. He went therefore from Dariene the first day of September, carrying some Indians of the country with him to be his guides, and he marched overthwart the land sometimes quietly, sometimes in war: and in a certain place called Careca he found Negroes captives with curled hair. 
The South sea discovered.  This Valboa came to the sight of the South Sea on the 25. day of the said month, and on Saint Michael's day came unto it: where he embarked himself against the will of Chiapes, who was the Lord of that coast, who wished him not to do so, because it was very dangerous for him. But he desirous to have it known, that he had been upon those seas, went forwards, and came back again to land in safety, and with great contentment, bringing with him good store of gold, silver, and pearls, which there they took. For which good service of his Don Ferdinando the king greatly favoured and honoured him.  
This year 1513. in the month of February Alfonsus de Albuquerque went from the city of Goa towards the straight of Mecha with twenty ships. 
Barro● decad. 2. lib. 7 cap. 7.  They arrived at the city of Aden and battered it, 
The straight of Mecha or of the Red sea discovered.  and passed forward and entered into the Straight. They say that they saw a cross in the element and worshipped it. 
The Isle of Camaran.  They wintered in the Island of Camaran▪ This was the first Portugal captain that gave information of those seas, and of that of Persia, being things in the world of great account.  
In the year 1514. and in the month of May there went out of Saint Lu●ar one Pedro Arias de Auila at the commandment of Don Ferdinando. 
Pet. Martyr. decad. 3. cap. 5.  He was the fourth governor of Castillia del Oro or Golden Castille: for so they named the countries of Dariene, Carthagena, and Vraba, and that country which was newly conquered. He carried with him his wife the Lady Elizabeth and 1500. men in seven ships; and the king appointed Vasco Nunnez de Valboa governor of the South Sea and of that coast.  
In the beginning of the year 1515. the governor Pedro Arias de Auila sent one Gaspar Morales with 150. men unto the Gulf of S. Michael to discover the Islands of Tararequi, Chiapes, and Tumaccus. There was a Casique Valboas friend which gave him many Canoes or boats made of one tree to row in, 
The Island of Tararequi or of pearls in the South sea.  wherein they passed unto The Island of pearls: the Lord whereof resisted them at their coming on land. But Chiapes and Tumaccus did pacify him in such order, that the captain of the Isle had them home unto his house, 
Martyr. decad. 3. cap. 10.  and made much of them, 
Gomara historia● general. lib. ●. cap. 2.  and received baptism at their hands, naming him Pedro Arias after the governors name, and he gave unto them for this a basket full of pearls weighing 110. pounds, whereof some were as big as hazel nuts of 20. 25. 26. or 31. carats: & every carat is four grains. There was given for one of them 1200. ducats. This Island of Tararequi standeth in 5. degrees of latitude towards the north.  
In this year 1515. in the month of March the governor sent one Gonsaluo de Badaios with 80. soldiers to discover new lands, and they went from Dariene to Nombre de Dios, where came unto them one Lewis de Mercado with fifty men more, which the governor sent to aid him. They determined to discover toward the South, 
Pet. Martyr. decad. 3. cap. 1●.  saying that that country was the richest. They took with them Indians to be their guides, and going along the coast they found slaves marked with irons as the Portugals do use; and having marched a good way through the countries with great travail they gathered together much gold and forty slaves to do them service: but one Casique named Pariza did set upon them and slew and took the most part of them.  
The governor hearing of these news, the same year 1515. sent forth his son john Arias de Auila to be revenged and to discover also by sea and by land: They went westward to Cape De Guerra standing in little more than six degrees towards the north, 
Cape de Guerra.  and from thence unto Punta de Borica, 
Punta de Borica.  and to Cape Blanco or the White Cape standing in 8. degrees and an half: 
Cape Blanco.  they discovered 250. leagues as they affirm, 
Panama peopled.  and peopled the city of Panama.  
In this very year 1515. in the month of May Alfonsus de Albuquerque governor of India sent from the city of Ormuz one Fernando Gomes de Lemos as ambassador unto Xec or Shaugh Ishmael king of Persia: 
Barros decad. 2. lib. 10. cap. 5.  and it is declared that they travailed in it 300. leagues, 
Osorius lib. 10. pag 277.  and that it is a pleasant country like unto France. 
An embassage to● Ishmael king of Persia.  This Xe● or Shaugh Ishmael went on hunting and fishing for trout, whereof there are many. And there be the fairest women in all the world. And so Alexander the great affirmed, when he called them The women with golden eyes. And this year this worthy Viceroy Alfonsus de Albuquerque died.  
In the year 1416. and one hundred years after the taking of Ceuta in Barba●ie, Lopez Suares being governor of India, there was a dispatch made by the commandment of the king's highness unto one Fernando Perez de Andrada to pass to the great country and kingdom of China. He went from the city of Cochin in the month of April. They received pepper, 
Pepper a principal merchandise in China.  being the principal merchandise to be sold in all China of any value: And he was farther commanded by the king Don Emmanuel to go also to Bengala with his letter and dispatch to a knight called john Coelo. This was the first Portugal as far as I know, which drunk of the water of the river Ganges.  
This year 1516. died Don Fernando king of Spain. 
The death of Fernando king of Spain.   
In the year 1517. this Fernando Perez went unto the city of Malacha, 
Osorius lib. 11. fol. 312.  and in the month of june he departed from thence towards China with eight sails four Portugals and the others Malayans. 
China discovered.  He arrived in China: And because he could not come on land without an embassage, there was one Thomas Perez which had order for it: and he went from the city of Canton, 
Canton.  where they came to an anchor: They went by land four hundred leagues, and came unto the city of 
* Or Pakin.  Pekin, where the king was for this province and country is the biggest that is in the world. It beginneth at Sailana in twenty degrees of latitude towards the north, and it endeth almost in 50. degrees. Which must be 500 leagues in length: and they say that it containeth 300. leagues in breadth. Fernando Perez was 14. months in the Isle Da Veniaga, 
〈◊〉 damn Veniaga or Tama according to Osorius.  learning as much as he could of the country, according as the king his master had commanded him. And although one Raphael Perestrello had been there in a junke or bark of certain merchants of Malaca, yet unto Fernando Perez there ought to be given the praise of this discovery: as well for that he had commandment from the king, as in discovering so much with Thomas Perez by land, and George Mascarenhas by sea, 
Foquiem.  and for coasting unto the city of Foquiem standing in 24. degrees of latitude.  
In this same year 1517. Charles, which afterward was Emperor, 
The coming of Charles the fifth into Spain.  came into Spain, and took possession thereof. And in the same year Francis Fernandes de Cordova, Christopher Morantes, 
Gomar. hist. gen. lib. 3. cap. 2.  and Lopez Ochoa armed three ships at their own proper charges from the Island of Cuba. They had also with them a bark of Diego Velasques, who then was governor: 
jucatan.  They came on land in jucatan standing in 20. degrees of latitude at a point which they called Punta de las Duennas, that is to say, The point of Ladies, which was the first place wherein they had seen Temples and buildings of lime and stone. The people here go better appareled then in any other place. They have crosses which they worship, setting them upon their tombs when they be buried. Whereby it seemeth that in times past they had in that place the faith of Christ among them. And some say that thereabouts were The seven Cities. 
The Seven cities.  They went round about it towards the north which is on the right hand: from whence they turned back unto the Island of Cuba with some examples of gold, and men which they had taken. And this was the first beginning of the discovery of New Spain.  
In the year 1518. Lopez Suares commanded Don john de Silueira to go to the Islands of Maldiua: 
Castagneda lib. 4. cap. 36. and 37.  and he made peace with them: 
Osorius lib. 11. fol. 315. pag. 2.  and from thence he went to the city of Chatigam situated on the mouth of the river Ganges under the Tropic of Cancer. 
Chatigam in Bengala.  For this river, and the river Indus, which standeth an hundred leagues beyond the city of Diu, and that of Canton in China do all fall in't the sea under one parallel or latitude. And although before that time Fernan Perez had been commanded to go to Bengala, yet notwithstanding john de Silueira ought to bear away the commendation of this discovery: because he went as captain general, and remained there longest, learning the commodities of the country, and manners of the people.  
In the said year 1518. the first day of May Diego Velasques governor of the Island of Cuba sent his nephew john de Grisalua with four ships & two hundred soldiers to discover the land of jucatan. 
Pet. Martyr. decad. 4. cap. 3. Gomar. hist. gen. lib. 2▪ cap. 14. & cap. 17.  And they found in their way the Island of 
* Or Acuzamil.  Cosumel standing towards the north in 19 degrees, and named it Santa Cruz, because they came to it the third of May. 
The Isle of Ascension.  They coasted the land lying upon the left hand of the Gulf, and came to an Island called Ascension, because they came unto it upon Ascension day▪ 
The Bay of Hunduras.  They went unto the end of it standing in 16. degrees of latitude: from whence they came back because they could find no place to go out at: and from hence they went round about it to another river, which they called The river of Grisalua standing in 17. degrees of latitude: 
●io de Grisalua.  the people thereabout troubled them sore, yet notwithstanding they brought from thence some gold, silver, and feathers, being there in great estimation, and so they turned back again to the Island of Cuba.  
In the same year 1518. one Francis Garay armed three ships in the Isle of jamaica at his own charges, 
Gomar. hist. gen. lib. 2. cap. 12. & 61  and went towards the point of Florida standing in 25. degrees towards the north, seeming to them to be an Island most pleasant, thinking it better to people Islands than the firm land, because they could best conquer them and keep them. They went there on land, but the people of Florida killed many of them, so that they durst not inhabit it. So they sailed along the coast, 
Panuco.  and came unto the river of Panuco, standing 500 leagues from the point of Florida in sailing along the coast; but the people resisted them in every place. Many of them also were killed in Chila, whom the Savages flaied and eat, hanging up their skins in their Temples in memorial of their valiantness. Notwithstanding all thi● Francis de Garay went thither the next year and begged the government of that country of the Emperor, because he saw in it some show of gold and silver.  
In the year 1519. in the month of February Fernando Cortes went from the Island of Cuba to the land which is called Nova Spania with 11. ships and 550. Spaniards in them. 
Pet. Martyr. decad. 4. cap. 6.  The first place where he went on land was the Island of Cosumel; where they immediately destroyed all the Idols, and set crosses on the altars and the images of the virgin Marie. 
Gomar. hist. gen lib. 2. cap. 18. etc.  From this Island they went and arrived on the firm land of jucatan, at the point De las Duennas, or the point of Ladies, 
Tavasco.  and went thence to the river of Tavasco, and set upon a city fast by called Potoncian environed with wood, 
Potoncian now called Victoria.  and the houses were built with lime and stone, and covered with tile: they fought there eager; and there appeared unto them S. james on horseback, which increased their courage. They called that city Victoria: and they were the first people which were subdued to the Spaniards obedience in all New Spain. From hence they went discovering the coast till they came unto a place named S. john de Vllhua, 
S. john de Vllhua  distant as they said from Mexico where the king Muteçuma was, 60. or 70. leagues: and there was a servant of his that governed that province, named Tendilli, which gave them good entertainment, although they understood not one another. But Cortes had 20. women, whereof one was called Marine borne in tha● country: They were the first that were baptised in New Spain. And from that time forward Marine and Aguilar served as interpreters. Tendilli presently gave knowledge of this unto Muteçuma, that a kind of bearded people were arrived in his country: for so they called the castilians. But he was troubled upon that news: for his Gods, (which are to be thought to be devils) had told him, that such people as the Spaniards were should destroy his law and country, and be Lords thereof. And therefore he sent gifts unto Cortes, in value 20. thousand ducats, but would not come to him.  
Because S. john de Vllhua was then no place for a navy to ride in, Cortes sent Francis de Mont●io, and the pilot Antony Alaminos in two brigandines to discover that coast; who came to a place where they might ride without danger. They came to Panuco standing in 23. degrees northward: 
Gomara historiae general. lib. 2. cap. 21. 22. 23▪ 24.  from whence they came back upon an agreement to go unto Culuacan being an haven of more safety. They set sail, but Cortes went by land westward with the most part of his men on horseback, 
Zempoallan.  and they came unto a city called Zempoallan; where they were well received. And from thence he went to another town called Chiavitztlan: 
Chiavitztlan.  with the Lord of which town as with all the country besides he made league to be against Muteçuma. And when he knew that his ships were come, he went unto them, and there builded a town, 
Villa rica de la vera Cruz.  and called it Villa rica de la vera cruz. From whence he sent unto Charles the Emperor a present, and made report of all that he had done, and how he determined to go to Mexico, and to visit Muteçuma: and besought the Emperor to give him the government of that country. And because his people should not rise in mutiny, as they began, he destroyed all his ships.  
Cortes presently went from Villa rica de la vera Cruz, leaving there 150. Spanish horsemen, and many Indians to serve them; and the villages round about became his friends. He went unto the city of Zempoallan: 
Gomara historiae general. lib. 2. cap. 61.  there he heard news that Francis Garay was on the coast with four ships to come on land: And by subtlety he got nine of his men; of whom he understood, that Garay had been in Florida, and came unto the river Panuco, where he got some gold, determining to stay there in a town which is now called Almeria.  
Cortos overthrew the idols in Zempoallan, 
Gomar. hist. gen. lib. 2. cap. 25.  & the tombs of their kings, whom they worshipped as Gods, and told them that they were to worship the true God. From thence he went toward Mexico the 16. day of August 1519. and travailed three days journey, 
Zalapan.  and came to the city of Zalapan, and to another beyond it named Sicuchimatl, 
Sicuchimatl.  where they were well received, and offered to be conducted to Mexico, because Muteçuma had given such commandment. Beyond this place he passed with his company a certain hill of three leagues high, wherein there were vines. In another place they found above a thousand loads of wood ready cut; and beyond they met with a plain country, and in going through the same, he named it Number de Dios. At the bottom of the mountain he rested in a town called Te●hixuacan, and from thence they went through a desolate country, and so came to another mountain that was very cold and full of snow, 
Zaclotan.  and they lay in a town named Zaclotan: And so from town to town they were well received and feasted till they came into another realm named Tlaxcallan, 
Tlaxcallan.  which waged war against Muteçuma, and being valiant they skirmished with Cortes; but in the end they agreed and entered into league with him against the Mexicans; and so they went from country to country till they came within fight of Mexico. The king Muteçuma fearing them, gave them good entertainment with lodging and all things necessary: and they were with this for a time contented: but mistrusting that he and his should be slain, 
Muteçuma prisoner.  he took Muteçuma prisoner and brought him to his lodging with good guard. Cortes demanded how far his realm did extend, and sought to know the mines of gold and silver that were in it, and how many king's neighbours to Muteçuma dwelled therein, requiring certain Indians to be informed thereof, whereof he had eight provided: and he joined to them eight Spaniards, and sent them two and two into four countries, 
Zuçolla.  namely into Zuçolla, 
Malinaltepec.  Malinaltepec, 
Zenich.  Tenich, 
Tututepec.  & Tututepec. They which went unto Zuçolla went 80. leagues: for so much it was from Mexico thither: They which went to Mahnaltepec, went 70. leagues, seeing goodly countries, and brought examples of gold, which the naturals of the country took out of great rivers: and all this province belonged unto Muteçuma.  
The country of Tenich and up the river were not subject to Muteçuma, but had war with him, and would not suffe● the Mexicans to enter into their territory. They sent ambassadors unto Cortes with presents, offering him their estate, and amity; whereof Muteçuma was nothing glad. They which went to Tututepec standing near the South sea did also bring with them examples of gold, and praised the pleasantness of the country, and the multitude of good harbours upon that coast, showing to Cortes a cloth of cotton wool all woven with goodly works, wherein all the coast with the havens and creeks were set forth. 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 2. cap. 48.  But this thing than could not be prosecuted by reason of the coming of Pamphilus de Naruaez into the country, 
Pamphilus de Narua●z.  who set all the kingdom of Mexico in an uproar.  
In this year 1519. the tenth day of August one Fernande de Magallanes departed from Seville with five ships toward the Islands of Maluco: 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. ●▪ cap. 2.  he went along the coast of Brasill till he came unto the river of Plate, which the castilians had before discovered. 
The discovery of Magallanes from the river of Plate forward.  From thence therefore he began his discovery, and came unto an haven which he called The port of Saint julian standing in 49. degrees, and there he entered and wintered: they endured much cold by reason of snow and ice: the people of that country they found to be of great stature, and of great strength, taking men by the legs and renting them in the midst as easily as one of us will rend an hen: they live by fruits and hunting. 
Patagones.  They called them Patagones, but the Brasilians do call them Morcas.  
In the year 1520. in the beginning of the month of September growing then somewhat temperate they went out of the port and river of Saint julian, having lost in it one of their ships, and with the other f●wer he came unto the straits named after the name of Mag●llanes standing in 52. degrees and a half. From thence one of the ships returned back unto Castille, whereof was captain and pilot one Stephen de Porto a Portugal, and the other three went forward, entering into a mighty sea called Pacificum, without seeing any inhabited land till they came in 13. degrees towards the north of the Equinoctial: in which latitude they came unto Islands which they called Los Iardines; 
Los Iardines.  and from thence they sailed to the Archipelagus of S. Lazarus, and in one of the Islands called Matan Magallanes was slain, 
Gomara hist gen. lib. 4 cap. 3.  and his ship was burnt, and the other two went unto Borneo, and so from place to place they went back until they came to the Islands of Mal●cos, 
Pet. Martyr. decade 5. cap. 7.  leaving many others discovered, which I rehearse not, because I find not this voyage exactly written.  
About this time Pope Leo the tenth sent one Paulus Centurio as ambassador to the greot Duke of Moscow to wish him to send into India an army along the coast of Tartary. 
Gomar. lib. 4. cap. 17.  And by the reasons of this ambassador the said Duke was almost persuaded unto that action, 
Ramusius 1. vol. fol. 374.  if other inconveniences had not letted him.  
In this same year 1520. in February Diego Lopes de Sequeira governor of India went towards the Straight of Mecha and carried with him the ambassador of Presbyter john, and Roderigo de Lima who also went as ambassador to him. 
Maçua.  They came unto the Island of Maçua standing in the Red sea on the side of Africa in 17. degrees towards the north: where he set the ambassadors on land, with the Portugals that should go with them. Peter de Covillan had been there before, 
Ramusius 1. vol. fol. 190.  being sent thither by king john the second of Portugal: but yet Francis Aluarez gave principal light and knowledge of that country.  
In the year 1520. the licenciate Lucas Vasques de Aillon and other inhabitants of S. Domingo furnished two ships, 
Gomara hist gen. lib 2. cap. 7.  and sent them to the Isles of Lucayos to get slaves, and finding none they passed along by the firm land beyond Florida unto certain countries called Chicora and Gualdapé, 
Chicora.  unto the river jordan and the Cape of Saint Helena standing in 32. degrees toward the north. 
Gualdapé.  They of the country came down to the sea side to see the ships, as having never before seen the like: The Spaniards went on land where they received good entertainment, and had given unto them such things as they lacked. But they brought many of them into their ships and then set sail and brought them away for slaves: but in the way one of their ships sunk, and the other was also in great hazard. By this news the Licentiate Aillon knowing the wealth of the country, begged the government thereof of the Emperor, and it was given him: whither he went to get money to pay his debt.  
About this time Diego Velasques governor of Cuba hearing the good success of Cortes, 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 2. cap. 48.  and that he had begged the government of New Spain, which he held to be his, he furnished out thither against Cortes 18. ships with 1000 men and 80. horses, whereof he sent as General one Pamphilus de Naruaez. He came unto the town called Villa rica de la vera Cruz, where he took land, and commanded those of the country to receive him as governor thereof: But they took his messenger prisoner, and sent him to Mexico where Cortes was. Which thing being known of Cortes, he wrote letters unto Naruaez not to raise any uproar in the country which he had discovered, offering him obedience if he had any commission from the Emperor; but he corrupted the people of the country with money: Whereupon Cortes went from Mexico and took Naruaez prisoner in the town of Zampoallan, and put out one of his eyes.  
Naruaez being thus taken prisoner, his army submitted themselves to Cortes, and obeyed him. Whereupon presently he dispatched 200. soldiers unto the river of Garay, and he sent john Vasquez de Leon with other two hundred unto Cosaalco, and withal sent a Spaniard with the news of his victory unto Mexico. 
The revolt of the Mexicans in absence of Cortes.  But the Indians being in the mean time risen, hurt the messenger. Which being known to Cortes, he mustered his men, and found a thousand footmen and two hundred horsemen, with the which he went towards Mexico, where he found Peter de Aluarado, and the rest which he had left there alive & in safety, wherewith he was greatly pleased, and Muteçuma made much of him. But yet the Mexicans ceased not but made war against him: and the war grew so hot that they killed their king Muteçuma with a stone, 
Muteçuma slain.  and then there rose up another king such an one as pleased them, till such time as they might put the Spaniards out of the city, being no more than 504. footmen, and forty horsemen. 
Gomar. hist. gen. lib. 2. cap. 50.  The Spaniards with great loss being driven out of Mexico, retired themselves with much ado to Tlaxcallan, where they were well received: and so they gathered together 900. Spaniards, 80. horsemen, and two hundred thousand Indians, their friends▪ and allies: and so they went back again to take Mexico in the month of August in the year 1521.  
Cortes obtaining still more and more victories defermined to see further within the country: 
Gomar. hist. gen. lib. 2. cap 60.  and for this purpose in the year 1521. and in October he sent out one Gonsalo de Sandoval with 200. footmen and 35▪ horsemen, and curtain Indians his friends unto Tochtepec and Coazacoalco, 
Tochtepec.  which had rebelled, 
Coazacoalco.  but at length yielded. And they discovered the country, and built a town 120. leagues from Mexico, and named it Medelin, and another town they made naming it Santo Spirito fewer leagues from the sea upon a river; and these two towns kept the whole country in obedience.  
This year 1521. in December Emmanuell king of Portugal died, 
Emmanuels' death.  and after him his son king john the 3. reigned. 
Osorius lib. 12. fol. 366.   
In the year 1521. there went from Maluco one of magellan's ships laden with cl●ues: 
Gomara historiae general. lib. 4. cap. 8.  they victualled themselves in the Island of Burro, and from thence went to Timor which standeth in 11. degrees of southerly latitude. 
Burro.  Beyond this Island one hundred leagues they discovered certain Islands and one named Eude, 
Timor.  finding the places from thence forward peopled. 
end.  Afterward passing without Samatra they met with no land till they fell with the Cape of Bona Sperança, where they took in fresh water and wood: So they came by the Islands of Cape Verde, and from thence to Seville, where they were notably received, as well for the cloves that they brought, as that they had compassed about the world.  
In the year 1522. in januarie one Gilgonzales armed four ships in the Island of Tararequi standing in the South sea with intent to discover the coast of Nicarag●a, 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 6. cap. 4.  and especially a straight or passage from the South sea into the North sea. And sailing along the coast he came unto an haven called S. Vincent, and there landed with 100 Spaniards and certain horsemen, and went within the land 200. leagues▪ and he brought with him 200. pesoes of gold, and so came back again to S. Vincent: where he found his pilot Andrew Nigno, who was as far as Tecoantepec in 16. degrees to the north, 
Tecoantepec.  and had sailed three hundred leagues: 
Gomara historic general. lib. 6. cap. 12.  from whence they returned to Panama, and so over land to Hispaniola.  
In the same year 1522. in the month of April the other ship of Magallanes called The Trinity went from the Island of Tidoré, 
Castagneda Historia delle Indie Orientali lib. 6. cap. 41.  wherein was captain Gonzalo Gomez de Espinosa, 
Gomar. hist. gen. lib. 4. cap. 8. & 12.  shaping their course toward Nova Spania: and because wind was scant they stirred toward the North-east into 16. degrees, 
Two Islands in 16. degrees of northerly latitude.  where they found two Islands, and named them the Isles of Saint john, and in that course they came to another Island in 20. degrees, which they named La Griega, where the simple people came into their ships, of whom they kept some to show them in Nova Spania: They were in this course four months, 
42. degrees of northerly latitude.  until they came into 42. degrees of northerly latitude, where they did see sea fishes called Seals and Tunies. And the climate seemed unto them coming newly out of the heat, to be so cold and untemperate, that they could not well abide it, and therefore they turned back again to Tidore, being thereunto enforced also by contrary winds. These were the first Spaniards which had been in so high a latitude toward the north. And there they found one Antony de Bri●to building a fortress, which took from them their goods, and sent 48. of them prisoners to Malaca.  
In this year 1522. 
Gomar. hist. gen. lib. 6. cap. 12.  Cortes desirous to have some havens on the South sea, and to discover the coast of ●oua Spania on that side, whereof he had knowledge in Muteçuma his time, (because he thought by that way to bring the drugs from Maluco and Banda, and the spiceris from java, with less travail and danger) he sent fewer Spaniards with their guides to Tecoantepec, Qua●utemallan, and other havens: where they were well received, and brought some of the people with them to Mexico: 
The South sea first searched by Cortes ●is pilots.  And Cortes made much of them; and afterwards sent ten pilots thither to search the seas there about. They went 70. leagues in the sea but found no haven. One Casique or Lord called Cuchataquir used them well, & sent with them to Cortes 200. of his men with a present of gold and silver, and other things of the country: 
Tecoentepec.  and they of Tecoantepec did the like: and not long after, this Casique sent for aid to Cortes against his neighbours which did war against him.  
In the year 1523. Cortes sent unto him for his aid Peter de Aluarado, 
Gomara hist gen. lib. 6. cap. 12.  with two hundred soldiers footmen, and forty horsemen, and the Caciques of Tecoantepec▪ and Quahutemallan asked them for the monsters of the sea which came thither the year past, meaning the ships of Gil Gonsales de Auila, being greatly amazed at the sight of them, and wondering much more when they heard, that Cortes had bigger than those: 
A witty stratagem.  and they painted unto them a mighty Carake with six masts, and sails and shrouds, and men armed on horseback. This Alvarado went through the country and builded there the city of Sant jago or Saint james, 
Saint Iago built.  and a town which he called Segura leaving certain of his people in it. 
Castagneda hist. delle Indie Orientali lib. 6. c 42.   
In the same year 1523. in the month of May Antony de Britto being captain of the Isles of Maluco sent his cozen Simon de Breu to learn the way by the Isle of Borneo to Malaca: 
Manada.  They came in sight of the Islands of Manada and Panguensara: 
Panguensara.  They went through the strait of Treminao and Taguy: 
The Islands of S. Michael.  and to the Islands of Saint Michael standing in 7. degrees, 
Borneo.  and from thence discovered the Islands of Borneo, and had sight of Pedra branca or the White stone, 
Pedra branca.  and passed through the strait of Cincapura, & so to the city of Malaca.  
In this same year 1523. Cortes went with 300. footmen and 150. horsemen and 40000. Mexicans to Panuco both to discover it better, 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 2. cap. 61.  and also to inhabit it, and withal to be revenged upon them which had killed and eaten the soldiers of Francis Garay. They of Panuco resisted him, but Cortes in the end overthrew them, and conquered the country: And hard by Chila upon the river he built a town and named it Santo Stephano deal puerto, 
Santo Stephano del puerto.  leaving in it 100 footmen, and thirty horsemen and one Peter de Vall●io for lieutenant. This journey cost him 76. thousand castilians, besides the Spaniards, horses, and Maxicans which died there.  
In this year 1523. Francis de Garay made nine ships and two brigandines to go to Panuco and to Rio de las Palmas to be there as governor: 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 2. cap. 61. & en la Conquista de Mexico.  for that the Emperor had granted unto him from the coast of Florida unto Panuco, in regard of the charges, which he had been at in that discovery. He carried with him 850. soldiers, and 140. horses, and some men out of the Island of jamaica, where he furnished his fleet with munition for the war: and he went unto Xagua an haven in the Island of Cuba, where he understood that Cortes had peopled the coast of Panuco: and that it might not happen unto him as it did to Pamphilus de Naruaez, he determined to take another companion with him, and desired the Doctor Zuazo to go to Mexico and procure some agreement between Cortes and him. And they departed from Xagua each one about his business. Zuazo came in great jeopardy, and Garay went not clear without. 
Rio de las Palmas.  Garay arrived in Rio de las Palmas on S. james his day, and then he sent up the river one Gonsaluo de Ocampo, who at his return declared that it was an evil and desert country: but notwithstanding Garay went there on land with 400. footmen and some horsemen; and he commanded one john de Grijalua to search the coast, and he himself marched by land towards Panuco, and passed a river which he named Rio montalco; 
Rio Montalco.  he entered into a great town where they found many hens, wherewith they refreshed themselves, and he took some of the people of Chila which he used for messengers to certain places: 
Chila.  And after great travail coming to Panuco they found no victuals there by reason of the wars of Cortes and the spoil of the soldiers. Garay then sent one Gonçalo de Ocampo to Sant Isteuan del puerto to know whether they would receive him or no. They had a good answer. But Cortes his men privily by an ambushment took 40. of Garayes' horsemen, alleging that they came to usurp the government of another: and besides this misfortune he lost four of his ships: whereupon he left off to proceed any farther.  
While Cortes was preparing to set forward to Panuco▪ Francis de las Casas, and Roderigo de la Paz arrived at Mexico with letters patents, 
Gomar. en la Conquesta de Mexico fol. 226.  wherein the Emperor gave the government of Nueva Spagna and all the country which Cortes had conquered to Cortes, and namely Panuco. Whereupon he stayed his journey. But he sent Diego de Ocampo with the said letters patents, and Pedro de Aluarado with store of footmen and horsemen. Garay knowing this thought it best to yield himself unto Cortes his hands, and to go to Mexico; which thing he did having discovered a great tract of land.  
In this year 1523. Gil Gonçales de Auila made a discovery, 
Gomara en la Conquista de Mex●co fol 242.  and peopled a town called San Gil de buena vista standing in 14. degrees toward the north, 
San Gil de buena Vista in the Bay of Honduras.  and almost in the bottom of the Bay called the Ascension or the Honduras. He began to conquer it because he best knew the secrets thereof, and that it was a very rich country.  
In this year 1523. the sixth day of December Peter de Aluarado went from the city of Mexico by Cortes his commandment to discover & conquer Quahutemallan, 
Gomara en la Conquista de Mexico fol. 229. & in sequentibus.  Vtlatlan, Chiapa, Xochnuxco, and other towns toward the South sea. He had with him three hundred soldiers, 170. horsemen, four field pieces, and some noble men of Mexico, with people of the country to aid him as well in the war, as by the way being long. He went by Tecoantepec to Xochnuxco, and other places above said with great travail and loss of his men: but he discovered and subdued all the country. There are in those parts certain hills that have Alum in them, 
Oil distilling out of hills.  and out of which distilleth a certain liquor like unto oil, and sulphur or brimstone, whereof the Spaniards made excellent gunpowder. 
Ibidem fol. 230.  He travailed 400. leagues in this voyage, and passed certain rivers which were so hot, that they could not well endure to wade through them. He builded a city calling it Saint Iago de Quahutemallan. 
Saint Iago de Quahutemallan.  Peter de Aluarado begged the government of this country, and the report is that it was given him.  
In the year 1523. the 8. day of December Cortes sent Diego de Godoy with 100 footmen and 30. horsemen, 
Gomara en la Conquista de Mexico fol. 233.  two field pieces, and many of his friends Indians unto the town Del Espiritu santo: 
Villa del Espiritu santo.  He joined himself with the captain of that town, 
Chamolla.  and they went to Chamolla the head city of that province, and that being taken all the country grew quiet.  
In the year 1524. in February Cortes sent one Roderigo Rangel with 150. Spaniards and many of the Tlaxcallans and Mexicans against the Zapoteeas and Nixticas and unto other provinces and countries not so well discovered: 
Gomara en la Conquista de Mexico fol. 234.  they were resisted at the first, but quickly put the people to the worst, and kept them for ever after in subjection.  
In this same year 1524. one Roderigo de Bastidas was sent to discover, 
Gomar. hist. gen. lib. 3. cap. 21.  people, and govern the country of Santa Martha: where he lost his life because he would not suffer the soldiers to take the spoil of a certain town. They joined with Peter Villa-forte, and he being sometimes his entire friend did help to kill him with daggers lying in his bed. Afterward Don Pedro de Lugo, and Don Alfonso his son were governors of that place, which used themselves like covetous tyrants; whereof grew much trouble.  
In this same year also 1524. after that the Licenciate Lucas Vasques de Aillon had obtained of the Emperor the government of Chicora, 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 2. cap. 7.  he armed for that purpose certain ships from the city of Santo Domingo and went to discover the country, and to inhabit it: but he was lost with all his company, leaving nothing done worthy of memory. And I cannot tell how it cometh to pass, except it be by the just judgement of God, that of so much gold and precious stones as have been gotten in the Antiles by so many Spaniards, little or none remaineth, but the most part is spent and consumed, and no good thing done.  
In this year 1524. Cortes sent one Christopher de Olid with a fleet to the Island of Cuba to receive the victuals and munition which Alonso de Contreras had prepared and to discover and people the country about Cape De Higueras and the Honduras; 
Gomar. hist. gen. lib. 2. cap. 65. & en la Conquista de Mexico fol. 243.  and to send Diego Hurtado de Mendoça by sea, to search the coast from thence even to Darien to find out the Straight which was thought to run into the South sea, as the Emperor had commanded. He sent also two ships from Panuco to search along the coast unto Florida. He commanded also certain brigandines to search the coast from Zacatullan unto Panama. This Christopher de Olid came to the Island of Cuba, and made a league with Diego Velasquez against Cortes, and so set sail and went on land hard by Puerto de Cavallos standing in 10. degrees to the north, and built a town which he called Triumpho de la Cruz. He took Gil Gonzales de Auila prisoner, and killed his nephew and the Spaniards that were with him all saving one child, and showed himself an enemy to Cortes, who had spent in that expedition thirty thousand Castellans of gold to do him pleasure withal.  
Cortes understanding hereof the same year 1524. and in the month of October he went out of the city of Mexico to seek Christopher de Olid to be revenged of him, 
Gomar. hist. gen. lib. 2. cap. 66. & en la Conqu●sta de Mexico fol. 246. & 251.  and also to discover, carrying with him three hundred Spanish footmen and horsemen, and Quahutimoc king of Mexico, and other great Lords of the same city. And coming to the town called La villa del Espiritu santo, he required guides of the Lords of Tavasco and Xicalanco: and they sent him ten of their principal men for guides: who gave him also a map of cotton wool, 
An excellent large map of cotton wool.  wherein was painted the situation of the whole country from Xicalanco unto Naco, and Nito, and even as far as Nicaragua, with their mountains, hills, fields, meadows, valleys, rivers, cities and towns. And Cortes in the mean time sent for three ships which were at the haven of Medellin to follow him along the coast.  
In this year 1524. they came to the city of Izancanac, 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 2. cap. 67. & 68 & en la Conquista●ie Mexico fol. 257.  where he understood that the king Quahutimoc and the Mexicans that were in his company were conspired against him and the Spaniards: for the which he hanged the king and two others of the chief: 
Mazatlan.  and so came to the city of Mazaclan, 
Tiaca.  and after that to Tiaca the head city of a province so called standing in the midst of a lake: and here about they began to find the train of the Spaniards, which they went to seek, 
Zuzullin.  and so they went to Zuzullin, and at length came to the town of Nito: from Nito Cortes with his own company and all the Spaniards that he found there departed to the shore or strand called La Ba●a de Sant Andres, 
Gomar. in the Conquest of Mexico fol. 268.  and finding there a good haven he builded a town in that place and called it Natividad de nuestra Senora. 
Natividad de Nuestra Sennora.   
From hence Cortes went to the town of Truxillo standing in the haven of the Honduras, 
Truxillo.  where the Spaniards dwelling there did entertain him well: 
Honduras.  and while he was there, there arrived a ship which brought news of the stir in Mexico in Cortes his absence: whereupon he sent word to Gonsalo de Sandoval to march with his company from Naco to Mexico by land toward the South sea unto Quahutemallan, 
Gomara in the Conquest of Mexico fol. 170. & 273.  because that is the usual plain and safest way, and he left as captain in Truxillo Fernando de Saavedra his cozen: and he himself went by sea along the coast of jucatan to Chalchicoeca now called Sant ivan de Vllhua, and so to Medellin, and from thence to Mexico, where he was well received, having been from thence 18. months, and had gone five hundred leagues travailing often out of his way, and enduring much hardness.  
In the year 1525. Francis Pizarro and Diego de Almagro went from Panama to discover Peru standing beyond the line toward the South, 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 5. cap. 1. & 2.  which they called Nueva Castillia. 
Peru.  The governor Pedro Arias would not intermeddle with this expedition, because of the evil news which his captain Francis Vezerra had brought.  
Francis Pizarro went first in a ship having with him 124. soldiers, and Almagro went after him in another ship with 70. men. He came to Rio de San ivan standing in three degrees where he got two thousand pesoes of gold; and not finding Pizarro, he went to seek him, repenting his doings by reason of a mishap that he had. But he went first to an Island called Isla del Gorgona, 
Isla del Gorgona.  and afterward to another called Isla del Gallo, 
Isla del Gallo.  and to the river called Rio del Peru standing in two degrees northward, 
Rio del Peru.  whereof so many famous countries take their name. From thence they went to Rio de San Francisco, 
Cabo de Passaos.  and to Cabo de Passaos, where they passed the Equinoctial line, 
Puerto vejo.  and came to Puerto Vejo standing in one degree to the south of the line: from whence they sailed to the rivers of Chinapanpa, 
Tumbez.  Tumbez, 
Payta.  and Payta standing in 4. or. 5. degrees, where they had knowledge of king Atabalipa and of the exceeding wealth and riches of his palace. Which news moved Pizarro speedily to return home again to Panama, and so into Spain, and to request the government of that country of the Emperor: which he also obtained. He had spent above three years before in this discovery not without enduring great travail and perils.  
In the same year 1525. there was sent out of Spain a fleet of seven ships, 
Pet. Martyr. decad. 8. cap. 9  whereof was captain general Don Garsia de Loaisa to the Islands of Maluco. 
Gomar. hist. gen. lib. 4. cap. ●2.  They went from the city of the Groin and passed by the Islands of the Canaries, and went to Brasill, where they found an Island in two degrees, 
The Isle of S. Matthew.  and named it. S. Matthew: and it seemed to be inhabited, because they found in it orange trees, hogs, and hens in caves, and upon the rinds of most of the trees there were graven Portugal letters, showing that the Portugals had been there 17. years before that time. 
Gomara in the Conquest of Mexico pag. 28.  A patache or pinnace of theirs passed the straight of Magellane having in her one john de Resaga, and ran all along the coast of Peru and Nova Spagna: They declared all their success unto Cortes, and told him, that friar Garsia de Loaisa was passed to the islands of cloves. But of this fleet the Admiral only came thither, wherein was captain one Martin Mingues de Car●houa: for Loaisa and the other captains died by the way. All the Moors of Maluco were found well affectioned to the Spaniards.  
In the same year 1525. the pilot Stephen Gomes went from the port of the Groin toward the north to discover the straight unto the Malucos by the north, 
Pet. Martyr. decade 8 pag 601.  to whom they would give no charge in the fleet of friar Garsia de Loaisa. 
Gomara historiae general. lib. 1. cap. 5.  But yet the Earl Don Fernando de Andrada, and the Doctor Beltram, and the merchant Christopher de Sarro furnished a gallion for him, and he went from the Groin in Galicia to the Island of Cuba, and to the point of Florida, sailing by day because he knew not the land. He passed the bay Angra, and the river Enseada, and so went over to the other side. It is also reported that he came to Cape Razo in 46. degrees to the north: from whence he came back again to the Groin laden with slaves. The news hereof ran by and by through Spain, that he was come home laden with cloves as mistaking the word: and it was carried to the Court of Spain: but when the truth was known it turned to a pleasant jest. In this voyage Gomes was ten months.  
In this year 1525. Don George de Meneses captain of Maluco, and with him Don Garcia Henriques sent a foist to discover land towards the north, wherein went as captain one Diego de Rocha, and Gomes de Sequeira for pilot. In 9 or 10. degrees they found certain Islands standing close together, 
The Isle of Batochina by Gilolo.  and they called them the Islands of Gomes de Sequeira, he being the first pilot that discovered them. And they came back again by the Island of Batochina.  
In the year 1526. there went out of Seville one Sebastian Cabota a Venetian by his father, 
Gomara historiae general. lib. 3. cap. 39  but borne at Bristol in England, being chief pilot to the Emperor, with four ships toward Maluco. They came to Pernambuco, and stayed there three months for a wind to double the Cape of Saint Augustine. In the Bay of Patos or of ducks the Admiral ship perished; and being without hope to get to the Isles of Maluco they there made a pinnace to enter up the river of Plate, and to search it. They ran 60. leagues up before they came to the bar: where they left their great ships, and with their small pinnaces passed up the river Parana, 
〈◊〉 Parana.  which the inhabitants count to be the principal river. Having rowed up 120. leagues, they made a fortress and stayed there above a year: and then rowed further till they came to the mouth of another river called Paragioa, 
Rio Paragioa.  and perceiving that the country yielded gold and silver they kept on their course, and sent a brigandine before; but those of the country took it: and Cabote understanding of it thought it best to turn back unto their fort, and there took in his men which he had left there, and so went down the river where his ships did ride, and from thence he sailed home to Seville in the year 1530. leaving discovered about two hundred leagues within this river, 
The fountain of the River of Plata.  reporting it to be very navigable, and that it springeth out of a lake named Bombo. It standeth in the firm land of the kingdom of Peru, running through the valleys of Xauxa, and meeteth with the rivers Parso, Bulcasban, Cay, Parima, Hiucax, with others which make it very broad and great. It is said also, that out of this lake runneth the river called Rio de San Francisco; and by this mean the rivers come to be so great. 
The biggest rivers proceed from lakes.  For the rivers that come out of lakes are bigger than those which proceed from a spring.  
In the year 1517. one Pamphilus de Naruaez went out of S. Lucar de Barameda to be general of the coast and land of Florida as far as Rio de las Palmas, 
Ramusius 3. vol. fol. 310.  and had with him five ships, 600. soldiers, 100 horses, besides a great sum and quantity of victuals, armour, clothing and other things. He could not go on land where his desire was, but went on land somewhat near to Florida with three hundred of his company, some horses, and some victuals, commanding the ships to go to Rio de las Palmas; in which voyage they were almost all lost: 
The Isle of Xamo or Malhada.  and those which escaped passed great dangers, hunger and thirst in an Island called Xamo and by the Spaniards Malhada being very dry and barren, where the Spaniards killed one another, and the people also of the country did the like. Naruaez and those which went with him saw some gold with certain Indians, and he demanded of them where they gathered it: and they answered that they had it at Apalachen. 
Apalachen.  They therefore searched this gold, and in searching came to the said town, where they found no gold nor silver: they saw many bay trees, and almost all other kind of trees with beasts, birds, and such like. The men and women of this place are high and strong, very light and so swift runners, that they will take dear at their pleasure, and will not grow weary though they run a whole day. From Apalachen they went to a town called Aute; 
Aute.  and from thence to Xamo a poor country with small sustenance. 
Xamo.  These people bring up their children very tenderly, and make great lamentation when any of them dieth; they neither weep nor lament at the death of any old body. Here the people desired the Spaniards to cure their sick folks, for they had many diseased: and certain of the Spaniards being in extreme poverty assayed it, and used prayer, and it pleased God that they did indeed recover as well those that were hurt, as those which were otherwise diseased; in so much, that one which was thought verily to be dead, was by them restored to life, as they themselves report. They affirm that they passed through many countries and many strange people differing in language, apparel, and customs. And because they played the physicians, they were as they passed greatly esteemed and held for Gods, and the people did no hurt unto them, but would give them part of such things as they had. Therefore they passed quietly, and travailed so far till they came to a people, that use continually to live in herds with their cattle as the Arabians do. They be poor, and eat snakes, lisards, spiders, ants, and all kind of vermin, and herewith they live so well contented that commonly they sing and dance. They buy the women of their enemies, and kill their daughters, because they would not have them marry with them, whereby they might increase. They travailed through certain places, where the women gave suck unto their children till they were ten or twelve years of age; and where certain men being Hermaphrodites do marry one another. These Spaniards travailed above 800. leagues; and there escaped alive in this journey not above seven or eight of them. They came upon the coast of the South sea unto a city called Saint Michael of Culuacan standing in 23. degrees and upward toward the north.  
This year 1527. when Cortes understood by the pinnace aforesaid that Don Garcia de Loaisa was passed by the Straight of Magelan toward the Islands of cloves, 
Gomar. hist. gen. lib. 2. cap. 72. and in the Conquest of Mexico fol. 28.  he provided three ships to go seek him, and to discover by that way of New Spain as far as the Isles of Maluco. There went as governor in those ships one Alvaro de Saavedra Ceron, cozen unto Cortes, a man fit for that purpose. He made sail from Civatlanejo, now named S. Christopher standing in 20. degrees toward the north on All Saint's day. They arrived at the Islands which Magelan named The Pleasures; and from thence sailed to the Islands, which Gomes de Sequeira had discovered, 
Islas de los Reyes.  & not knowing thereof, they named them Islas de los Reyes, that is to say, The Isles of the kings, because they came unto them on Twelve day. In the way Saavedra lost two ships of his company, of which they never after heard news. But from Island to Island he still sailed and came to the Island of Candiga, 
Candiga.  where he bought two Spaniards for 70. ducats, which had been of the company of friar Loaisa, who was lost thereabout.  
In the year 1528. in March Saavedra arrived at the Islands of Maluco, and came to an anchor before the Isle of Gilolo: he found the sea calm and wind at will, without any tempests: and he took the distance from thence to Nova Spagna to be 2050. leagues. At this time Martin Yniguez de Carquiçano died, and Fernando de la Torre was chosen their General, who then was in the city of Tidore, who had there erected a gallows and had fierce war with Don George de Meneses captain of the Portugals: and in a fight which they had the fourth day of May Saavedra took from him a galiotte and slew the captain thereof called Fernando de Baldaya, and in june he returned towards New Spain, having with him one Simon de Brito Patalin and other Portugals, and having been certain months at sea, he was forced back unto Tidore, where Patalin was beheaded and quartered, and his companions hanged.  
In this year 1528. Cortes sent two hundred footmen and 60. horsemen, 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 2. cap. 73.  and many Mexicans to discover and plant the country of the Chichimecas, for that it was reported to be rich of gold. This being done he shipped himself, and came into Castille with great pomp, & brought with him 250000. marks of gold and silver: and being come to Toledo where the Emperor than lay, he was entertained according to his deserts, and the Emperor made him Marquis Del Valle, and married him to the Lady jane de Zuniga daughter unto the Earl de Aguilar, and then the Emperor sent him back again to be General of New Spain.  
In the year 1529. in May Saavedra returned back again towards New Spain, 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 2. cap. 72.  and he had sight of a land toward the South in two degrees, and he ran East along by it above five hundred leagues till the end of August. The coast was clean and of good ankerage, 
Nova Guinea.  but the people black and of curled hair; from the girdle downward they did wear a certain thing plaited to cover their lower parts. The people of Maluco call them Papuas, 
Os Papuas are black people with frizzled hair.  because they be black and friseled in their hair: and so also do the Portugals call them.  
Saavedra having sailed 4. or 5. degrees to the South of the line, returned unto it, and passed the Equinoctial towards the north, and discovered an Island which he called Isla de los Pintadoes, 
Isla de los Pintadoes.  that is to say, The Isle of painted people: for the people thereof be white, and all of them marked with an iron: and by the signs which they gave he conceived that they were of China. There came unto them from the shore a kind of boat full of these men, making tokens of threatenings to the Spaniards; who seeing that the Spaniards would not obey them, they began to skirmish with slinging of stones, but Saavedra would suffer no shot to be shot at them, because their stones were of no strength, and did no harm.  
A little beyond this Island in 10. or 12. degrees they found many small low Islands full of palm trees and grass, which they called Los Iardines, 
Los Iardines.  and they came to an anchor in the midst of them, where they tarried certain days. The people seemed to descend from them of China, but by reason of their long continuance there they are become so brutish, that they have neither law, nor yet give themselves to any honest labour. They were white clothing which they make of grass. They stand in marvelous fear of fire, because they never saw any. They eat Cocos in steed of bread, breaking them before they be ripe, and putting them under the sand, and then after certain days they take them out and lay them in the sun, and then they will open. They eat fish which they take in a kind of boat called a Parao, which they make of pine wood, 
〈◊〉 wood.  which is driven thither at certain times of the year, they know not how, nor from whence, and the tools wherewith they make their boats are of shells.  
Saavedra perceiving that the time and weather was then somewhat better for his purpose, made sail towards the firm land and city of Panama, where he might unlade the cloves and merchandise which he had, that so in carts it might be carried four leagues to the river of Chagre, which they say is navigable running out into the North sea not far from Nombre de Dios, where the ships ride, which come out of Spain: by which way all kind of goods might be brought unto them in shorter time, and with less danger, then to sail about the Cape of Bona Sperança. For from Maluco unto Panama they sail continually between the tropics and the line: but they never found wind to serve that course, and therefore they came back again to Maluco very sad, because Saavedra died by the way: who if he had lived meant to have opened the land of Gastillia del Oro and New Spain from sea to sea. 
Four narrow passages from sea to sea in the West Indies.  Which might have been done in four places: namely from the Gulf of S. Michael to Vraba, which is 25. leagues, 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 4. cap. 14.  or from Panama to Nombre de Dios being 17. leagues distance: or through Xaquator a river of Nicaragua, which springeth out of a lake three or four leagues from the South sea, and falleth into the North sea; whereupon do sail great barks and crayers. The other place is from Tecoantepee through a river to Verdadera Cruz in the Bay of the Honduras, which also might be opened in a straight. Which if it were done, than they might sail from the Canaries unto the Malucos under the climate of the Zodiac in less time and with much less danger, then to sail about the Cape de Bona Sperança, or by the straight of Magelan, or by the Northwest. 
The northwest passage very beneficial.  And yet if there might be found a straight there to sail into the sea of China, as it hath been sought, it would do much good.  
In this year 1529, one Damian de Goes a Portugal being in Flanders, after that he had travailed over all Spain, was yet desirous to see more countries, and fashions, and diversities of people; and therefore went over into England and Scotland, and was in the courts of the kings of those parts: and after that came again into Flanders, and then travailed through Zealand, Holland, Brabant, Luxenburge, Suitzerland, and so through the cities of Colen, Spires, Argentine, Basill, and other parts of Alemaine, & then came back again into Flanders: and from thence he went into France through Picardy, Normandy, Champain, Burgundy, the dukedom of Borbon, Gascoigne, Languedoc, Daulphinie, the dukedom of Savoy, and passed into Italy into the dukedom of Milan, Ferrara, Lombardie, and so to Venice, and turned back again to the territory of Genoa, and the dukedom of Florence through all Tuscan: and he was in the city of Rome, and in the kingdom of Naples from the one side to the other.  
From thence he went into Germany to ulme's, and other places of the Empire, to the dukedom of Suevia and of Bavier, and the Archdukedome of Ostrich, the kingdom of Boeme, the dukedom of Morania, and the kingdom of Hungary, and so to the confines of Graecia. From thence he went to the kingdom of Poland, Prussia, and the dukedom of Livonia, and so came into the great dukedom of Moscovia. From whence he came back into High Alemayne, and through the countries of the landgrave, the dukedom of Saxony, the countries of Denmark, Gotland, and Norway, travailing so far, that he found himself in 70. degrees of latitude towards the North. He did see, speak and was conversant with all the kings, princes, nobles and chief cities of all Christendom in the space of 22. years: So that by reason of the greatness of his travel, I thought him a man worthy to be here remembered.  
In the year 1529. or 1530. one Melchior de Sofa Tavarez went from the city of Ormuz unto Balfera and the Islands of Gissara with certain ships of war, and passed up as far as the place, where the rivers Tigris and Euphrates meet one with the other. And although other Portugals had discovered and sailed through that straight, yet never any of them sailed so far upon the fresh water till that time, when he discovered that river from the one side to the other, wherein he saw many things which the Portugals knew not.  
Not long after this one Ferdinando Coutinho a Portugal came unto Ormuz, and being desirous to see the world, he determined to go into Portugal from thence over land to see Asia and Europe; And to do this the better he went into Arabia, Persia, and upwards the river Euphrates the space of a month; and saw many kingdoms and countries, which in our time had not been seen by the Portugals: He was taken prisoner in Damascus, and afterward crossed over the province of Syria, and came unto the city of Aleppo. He had been at the holy Sepulchre in jerusalem, and in the city of Cayro, and at Constantinople with the Great Turk; and having seen his court he passed over unto Venice, and from thence into Italy, France, Spain, and so came again to Lisbon. So that he and Damian de Goes were in our time the most noble Portugals, that had discovered and seen most countries and realms of their own affections.  
In the same year 1530. little more or less, 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 5. cap. 3.  one Francis Pisarro, which had been in Spain to obtain the government of Peru, turned back again to the city of Panama with all things that he desired: he brought with him four brethren, Ferdinand, john, Gonzaluo, and Francis Martin's de Alcantara: They were not well received by Diego de Almagro, and his friends; for that Pisarro had not so much commended him to the Emperor as he looked for, but omitted the discovery, wherein he had lost one of his eyes, and spent much: yet in the end they agreed, and Diegro de Almagro gave unto Pisarro 700. pezoes of gold, victuals and munition, wherewith he prepared himself the better for his journey.  
Not long after this agreement Francis Pisarro and his brethren went in two ships with the most of their soldiers and horses; but he could not arrive at Tumbez as he was minded, and so they went on land in the river of Peru; and went along the coast with great pains, because there were many b●gs and rivers in their way, wherein some of his men were drowned: They came to the town of Coaché, where they rested, 
Much gold and emeralds.  where they found much gold and emeralds, of which they broke some to see if they were perfect. From thence Pisarro sent to Diego de Almagro twenty thousand pezoes of gold to send him men, horses, munition, and victuals; and so he went on his journey to the haven named Porto Viejo: and thither came unto him one Sebastian de Benalcazar, with all such things as had sent for, which pleased and pleasured him very much.  
In the year 1531. he having this aid, 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 5. cap. 4.  passed over into a rich Island called Puna, 
The Isle of Puna.  where he was well received of the governor: yet at last he conspired to kill him and all his men: but Pisarro prevented him, and took many of the Indians, and bound them with chains of gold and silver. The governor caused those that kept his wines to have their noses, arms, and privy members to be cut off, so jealous was he. Here Pisarro found above six hundred men prisoners belonging to the king Attabalipa, 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 5. cap. 5.  who waged war against his eldest brother Guascar to win reputation. These he set at liberty and sent them to the city of Tombez, who promised to be a mean that he should be well received in those parts. But when they saw themselves out of bondage, they forgot their promise, and incited the people against the Spaniards. Then Pisarro sent three Spaniards to Tombez to treat for peace, whom they took and slew and sacrificed, and their priests wept not for pity but of custom. Pisarro hearing of this cruel fact, passed over to the main, and set upon the city one night suddenly and killed many of them, so that they presented him with gifts of gold and silver and other riches, and so became friends. This done, he builded a town upon the river of Cira, 
S. Michael of Tangarara.  and called it Saint Michael of Tangarara, which was the first town inhabited by Christians in those parts; whereof Sebastian de Benalcazar was appointed captain. 
Payta an excellent harbour in 5. degrees to the South of the line.  Then he searched out a good and sure haven for his ships, and found that of Payta to be an excellent harbour.  
In this same year 1531. there went one Diego de Ordas to be governor in the river of Maragnon, 
Gomara historiae general. lib. 3. cap. 17.  with three ships, six hundred soldiers, and 35. horses. He died by the way, so that the intention came to none effect. After that in the year 1534. there was sent thither one Hierome Artal with 130. soldiers, 
The famous river Maragnon.  yet he came not to the river, but peopled Saint Michael de Neveri, and other places in Paria. Also there went unto this river Maragnon a Portugal gentleman named Aries Dacugna, and he had with him ten ships, nine hundred Portugals, and 130. horses. He spent much, but he that lost most was one john de Barros. 
john de Barros factor of the house of India.  This river standeth in three degrees toward the South, having at the entrance of it 15. leagues of breadth and many Islands inhabited, wherein grow trees that bear incense of a greater bigness then in Arabia, gold, rich stones, and one emeraud was found there as big as the palm of a man's hand. The people of the country make their drink of a kind of dates, which are as big as quinces.  
In the year 1531. one Nunnez de Gusman went from the city of Mexico towards the northwest to discover and conquer the countries of Xalisco, 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 6. cap. 16.  Ceintiliquipac, Ciametlan, Tovalla, Cnixco, Ciamolla, Culhuacan, and other places. And to do this he carried with him 250. horses, and five hundred soldiers. He went through the country of Mechuacan, where he had much gold, ten thousand marks of silver, and 6000. Indians to carry burdens. 
Nueva Galicia.  He conquered many countries, called that of Xalisco Nueva Galicia, because it is a ragged country, and the people strong. He builded a city which he called Compostella, 
Compostella.  and another named Guadalajara, because he was borne in the city of Guadalajara in Spain. 
Guadalaira.  He likewise builded the towns de Santo Espirito, 
Santo Espirito.  de la Conception, 
De la conception.  and de San Miguel standing in 24. degrees of northerly latitude. 
San Miguel.   
In the year 1532. Ferdinando Cortes sent one Diego Hurtado de Mendoça unto Acapulco 70. leagues from Mexico, 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 2. cap. 74.  where he had prepared a small fleet to discover the coast of the South sea as he had promised the Emperor. And finding two ships ready, he went into them, and sailed to the haven of Xalisco, where he would have taken in water and wood: but Nunnez de Gusman caused him to be resisted, and so he went forward: but some of his men mutined against him, and he put them all into one of the ships, and sent them back into New Spain. They wanted water, and going to take some in the bay of the Vanderas, the Indians killed them. But Diego Hurtado sailed 200. leagues along the coast, yet did nothing worth the writing.  
In the year 1533. Francis Pisarro went from the city of tombs to Caxamalca, 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 5. cap. 6. 7. 8. 9  where he took the king Attabalipa, who promised for his ransom much gold and silver: and to accomplish it there went to the city of Cusco standing in 17. degrees on the South side Peter de Varco, and Ferdinando de Sotto, who discovered that journey being 200. leagues all causeys of stone, and bridges was made of it, and from one journey to another, lodgings made for the Yngas: for so they call their kings. Their armies are very great and monstrous. For they bring above an hundred thousand fight men to the field. They lodge upon these causeys; and have there provision sufficient and necessary, after the use and custom of Chi●●●, as it is said. Ferdinando Pisarro with some horsemen went unto Paciacama 100 leagues from Caxamalca, and discovered that province: And coming back he understood how Guascar brother to Attabalipa was by his commandment killed, 
Guascar slain.  and how that his captain Ruminaguy rose up in arms with the city of Quito. 
Gomar. hist. gen. lib 5 cap. 11.  After this Attabalipa was by the commandment of Pisarro strangled. 
Attabalipa strangied.   
In the year 1534. Francis Pisarro seeing that the two kings were gove, began to enlarge himself in his signiories, and to build cities, forts, and towns to have them more in subjection. 
Gomara historiae general. lib. 5. cap. ●8.  Likewise he sent Sebastian de Banalcazar the captain of S. Michael of Tangarara against Ruminaguy unto Quito. He had with him two hundred footmen and 80. horsemen: He went discovering and conquering 120. leagues from the one city to the other east not far from the Equinoctial line: 
Cruel snow under the line.  where Peter Aluarado found mountains full of snow, 
Gomara historiae general. lib. 5. cap. 19  and so cold, that 70. of his men were frozen to death. When he came unto Quito, he began to inhabit it, and named it S. Francis. In this country there is plenty of wheat, barley, cattle and plants of Spain, 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 5. cap. 16.  which is very strange. Pisarro went strait to the city of Cusco, and found by the way the captain Quisquiz risen in arms, whom shortly he defeated. About this time there came unto him a brother of Attabalipa named Mango, whom he made Ynga or king of the country. Thus marching forward on his journey after certain skirmishes he took that exceeding rich and wealthy city of Culco. 
Casco taken.   
In this same year 1534. a Briton called jaques Cartier with three ships went to the land of Corterealis, and the Bay of Sain● Laurence, 
The Bay of S. Laurence discovered.  otherwise called Golfo Quadrato, and fell in 48. degrees and an half towards the north; and so he sailed till he came unto 51. degrees hoping to have passed that way to China, and to bring thence drugs and other merchandise into France. The next year after he made another voyage into those parts, and found the country abounding with victuals, houses and good habitations, with many and great rivers. He sailed in one river toward the south-west 300. leagues, and named the country thereabout Nova Francia: at length finding the water fresh he perceived he could not pass through to the South sea, and having wintered in those parts, the next year following he returned into France.  
In the year 1535. or in the beginning of the year 1536. 
Gomar. hist. gen. lib. 2. cap. 74. & lib. 2. cap. 98.  Don Antony de Mendoça came unto the city of Mexico as Viceroy of New Spain. In the mean while Cortes was gone for more men to continue his discovery, which immediately he set in hand sending forth two ships from Tecoantepec which he had made ready. There went as captains in them Fernando de Grijalua, and Diego Bezerra de Mendoça, and for pilots there went a Portugal named Acosta, and the other Fortunio Ximenez a Biscaine. The first night they divided themselves. Fortunio Ximenez killed his captain Bezerra and hurt many of his confederacy: and then he went on land to take water and wood in the Bay of Santa Cruz, 
Plaia de Santa Cruz.  but the Indians there slew him, and above 20. of his company. Two mariners which were in the boat escaped, and went unto Xalisco, and told Nuns de Gusman that they had found tokens of pearls: he went into the ship, and so went to seek the pearls, he discovered along the coast above 150. leagues. They said that Ferdinando de Grijalua sailed three hundred leagues from Tecoantepec without seeing any land, 
The Isle of S. Thomas.  but only one Island which he named The Isle of Saint Thomas, because he came unto it on that Saint's day: it standeth in 20. degrees of latitude.  
In this year 1535. Pisarro builded the city de los Reyes upon the river of Lima. 
Lima builded.  The inhabitants of Xauxa went to dwell there, 
Gomar. hist. gen. lib. 4. cap. 23.  because it was a better country, standing in 12. degrees of southerly latitude. In this same year of 1535. he caused the city of Truxillo to be builded on a rivers side upon a fruitful soil, 
Lib. 5. cap. 22. Truxillo.  standing in 8. degrees on that side. He built also the city of Saint jago in Porto Viejo: 
S. jago de Porto v●ejo.  besides many others along the sea coast and within the land: where there breed many horses, asses, mules, kine, hogs, goats, sheep, and other beasts; also trees and plants, but principally rosemary, oranges, lemons, citrons, and other sour fruits, vines, wheat, barley, and other grains, radishes and other kind of herbage and fruits brought out of Spain thither to be sown and planted.  
In the same year 1535. one Diego de Almagro went from the city of Culco to the provinces of Arequipa and Chili, 
Go●ara hist. gen. lib. 5. cap. 24. Chili.  reaching beyond Cusco towards the South unto 30. degrees. This voyage was long, and he discovered much land, suffering great hunger, cold, and other extremities, by reason of the abundance of ice, which stoppeth the running of the rivers; so that men and horses die in those parts of the cold. About this time Ferdinando Pilarro came out of Spain to the city de los Reyes, and brought with him the title of Marquisate of Atanilloes for his brother Francis Pisarro, & unto Diego de Almagro he brought the government of 100 leagues over and besides that which was discovered, 
Lib. 5. cap. 25.  and named it The New kingdom of Toledo. Ferdinando Pilarro went strait to the city of Cusco: and one john de Rada went to Almagro into Chili with the emperors patents.  
Diego de Almagro having received the letters patents which the Emperor had sent him, 
Lib. 5. cap. 27.  went strait from Chili unto Cusco, to have it, seeing it did appertain unto him. Which was the cause of a civil war. They were mightily oppressed with want of victuals and other things in this their return, and were enforced to eat the horses, which had died four months and a half before, when they passed that way.  
In this same year 1535. Nunnez Dacuna being governor of India, 
The fortress of Diu.  while he was making a fortress at the city of Diu, he sent a fleet to the river of Indus, being from thence 90. or 100 leagues towards the north under the Tropic of Cancer. The captains name was Vasques Perez de San Paio: also he sent another army against Badu the king of Cambaia, 
Badu king of Cambaia.  the captain whereof was Cosesofar a renegado. They came to the bar of that mighty river in the month of December, of the water whereof they found such trial as Quintus Curtius writeth of it, when Alexander came thither.  
In this year 1535. one Simon de Alcazava went from Seville with two ships and 240. 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 4. cap. 13.  Spaniards in them. Some say they went to New Spain, others that they went to Maluco, but others also say to China; where they had been with Ferdinando Perez de Andrada. Howsoever it was, they went first unto the Canaries, and from thence to the straight of Magelan, without touching at the land of Brasill or any part at all of that coast. They entered into the straight in the month of December with contrary winds and cold weather. The soldiers would ha●● had him turn back again, but he would not. He went into an haven on the South side in 53. degrees: There the captain Simon of Alcazava commanded Roderigo de Isla with 60. Spaniards to go and discover land: but they rose up against him and killed him, and appointed such captains and officers as pleased them, and returned. Coming thwart of Brasil they lost one of their ships upon the coast, and the Spaniards that escaped drowning were eaten by the Savages. The other ship went to Saint jago in Hispaniola, and from thence to Seville in Spain.  
In this same year 1535. 
Gomara historiae general. lib. 3. cap. 39  Don Pedro de Mendoça went from Cadiz towards the river of Plate with twelve ships, and had with him two thousand men: which was the greatest number of ships and men, that ever any captain carried into the Indies. He died by the way returning homewards. The most part of his men remained in that river, and builded a great town containing now two thousand houses, wherein great store of Indians dwell with the Spaniards. They discovered and conquered the country till they came to the mines of Potossi and to the town La Plata, 
The river of Plata runneth up to Potossi.  which is 500 leagues distant from them.  
In the year 1536. Cortes understanding that his ship wherein Fortunio Ximenez was pilot was seized on by Nunnez de Guzman, 
Gomara hist gen. lib. 2. cap 74 & 98  he sent forth three ships to the place where Guzman was, and he himself went by land well accompanied, and found the ship which he sought all spoiled and rifled. When his three other ships were come about, he went aboard himself with the most part of his men and horses, leaving for captain of those which remained on land one Andrew de Tapia. 
Saint Iago Isle.  So he set sail, and coming to a point the first day of May he called it Saint Philip, and an Island that lieth fast by it he called Saint Iago. Within three days after he came into the bay where the pilot Fortunio Ximenez was killed, 
La plaia de Santa Cruz.  which he called La plaia de Santa Cruz, where he went on land, and commanded Andrew de Tapia to discover, Cortes took shipping again and came to the river now called Rio de San Pedro y San Paulo, 
Rio de S. Pedro y San Paulo.  where by a tempest the ships were separated, one was driven to the bay de Santa Cruz, 
Guajaval Rio.  another to the river of Guajaval, and the third was driven on shore hard by Xalisco, and the men thereof went by land to Mexico.  
Cortes long expected his two ships that he wanted: but they not coming he hoist sail & entered into the Gulf now called Mar de Cortes, 
Mar Vermejo or the Gulf of California.  Mar Vermejo, or the Gulf of California, and shot himself 50. leagues within it: where he espied a ship at anchor & sailing towards her he had been lost, if that ship had not succoured him. 
Gomara in the conquest of Mexico folio 290. 291. 292.  But having graved his ship, he departed with both the ships from thence. He bought victuals at a dear rate at Saint Michael of Culhuacan; and from thence he went to the haven of Santa Cruz, where he heard that Don Antonio de Mendoça was come out of Spain to be Viceroy. He therefore left to be captain of his men one Francis de Vlloa, to send him certain ships to discover that coast. While he was at Acapulco messengers came unto him from Don Antonio de Mendoça the Viceroy, to certify him of his arrival: and also he sent him the copy of a letter, wherein Francis Pisarro wrote, that Mango Ynga was risen against him, and was come to the city of Cusco with an hundred thousand fight men, and that they had killed his brother john Pisarro, and above 400. Spaniards and 200. horses, and he himself was in danger, so that he demanded succour and aid. Cortes being informed of the state of Pisarro, and of the arrival of Don Antonio de Mendoça, because he would not as yet be at obedience; First he determined to send to Maluco to discover that way a long under the Equinoctial line, because The Islands of Cloves stand under that parallel: And for that purpose he prepared 2. ships with provision, victuals & men, besides all other things necessary. He gave the charge of one of these ships to Ferdinando de Grijalua, and of the other unto one Aluarado a Gentleman. They went first to Saint Michael de Tangarara in Peru to succour Francis Pisarro, and from thence to Maluco all along near the line as they were commanded. And it is declared that they sailed above a thousand leagues without fight of land, on she one side nor yet on the other of the Equinoctial. And in two degrees toward the north they discovered one Island named Asea, 
Asea Island.  which seemeth to be one of the Islands of Cloves: 500 leagues little more or less as they sailed, 
Isla de los Pescadores.  they came to the sight of another which they named Isla de los Pescadores. Going still in this course they saw another Island called Hayme towards the south, 
Hayme Island.  and another named Apia: 
Apia Island.  and then they came to the fight of Seri: 
Seri.  turning towards the north one degree, they came to anchor at another Island named Coroa, 
Coroa.  and from thence they came to another under the live 〈…〉 and from thence unto Bufu standing in the same course. 
〈◊〉 Bufu.   
The people of all these Islands are black, and have their hair frizzled, 
Os papuas.  whom the people of Maluco do call Papuas. The most of them eat man's flesh, and are witches, so given to divilishnes, that the devils walk among them as companions. If these wicked spirits do find one alone, they kill him with cruel blows or smother him. Therefore they use not to go, but when two or three may be in a company. 
These seem to be like Ostriches.  There is here a bird as big as a Crane: he flieth not, nor hath any wings wherewith to flee, he runneth on the ground like a Dear: of their small feathers they do make hair for their idols. There is also an herb, which being washed in warm water, if the leaf thereof be laid on any member and licked with the tongue, it will draw out all the blood of a man's body: and with this leaf they use to let themselves blood.  
From these Islands they came unto others named the Guelles standing one degree towards the north, 
Guelles' Islands.  east, and west from the Isle Terenate, 
Terenate.  wherein the Portugals have a fortress: these men are haired like the people of the Malucoes. These Islands stand 124. leagues from the Island named Moro; 
Moro.  and from Terenate between 40. and 50. From whence they went to the Isle of Moro, 
Moluccae.  & the Islands of Cloves, going from the one unto the other. But the people of the country would not suffer them to come on land, saying unto them: 
Antony Galuano, the author of this book.  Go unto the fortress where the captain Antony Galuano is, and we will receive you with a good will: for they would not suffer them to come on land without his licence: for he was factor of the country, as they named him. A thing worthy to be noted, that those of the country were so affectioned to the Portugals, 
The case now is much altered.  that they would venture for them their lives, wives, children and goods.  
In the year 1537. the licenciate john de Vadillo governor of Cartagena, 
Pedro de Cieça part primera de la Cl●●onica del Peru cap 9 & cap. 107.  went out with a good army from a port of Vraba called Saint Sebastian de buena Vista, being in the gulf of Vraba, and from thence to Rio verde, & from thence by land without knowing any way, nor yet having any carriages, they went to the end of the country of Peru, and to the town La plata, 
La Pla●a.  by the space of 1200. leagues: a thing worthy of memory. For from this river to the mountains of Abibe the country is full of hills, 
The mountains of Abibe  thick forests of trees, and many rivers: and for lack of a beaten way, they had pierced sides. The mountains of Abibe as it is recorded have 20. leagues in breadth. They must be passed over in januarie, February, March, and April. And from that time forward it raineth much, and the rivers will be so greatly increased, that you cannot pass for them. There are in those mountains many herds of swine, many dantes, lions, tigers, bears, ounses, and great cats, and monkeys, and mighty snakes and other such vermin. Also there be in these mountains abundance of partridges, quails, turtle doves, pigeons, and other birds and fowls of sundry sorts. Likewise in the rivers is such plenty of fish, that they did kill of them with their staves: and carrying canes and nets they affirm that a great army might be sustained that way without being distressed for want of victuals. Moreover they declared the diversities of the people, tongues, and apparel that they observed in the countries, kingdoms, and provinces which they went through, and the great travels and dangers that they were in till they came to the town called Villa de la Plata, 
Villa de la Plata.  and unto the sea there unto adjoining. This was the greatest discovery that hath been heard of by land, and in so short a time. And if it had not been done in our days, the credit thereof would have been doubtful.  
In the year 1538. there went out of Mexico certain friars of the order of Saint Francis towards the north to preach to the Indians the Catholic faith. 
Ramusius 3. vol. fol. 356.  He that went farthest was one friar Mark de Nizza, 
friar Mark de Nizza.  who passed through Cul●acan, 
Sibola.  and came to the province of Sibola, where he found seven cities: and the farther he went, the richer he found the country of gold, silver, precious stones, and sheep bearing very fine wool. Upon the fame of this wealth the viceroy don Antonio de Mendoça, and Cortes, determined to send a power thither. But when they could not agree thereupon Cortes went over into Spain in the year 1540 where afterward he died.  
In this year 1538. began the civil war between Pisarro and Alonagro, wherein at the last Alinagro was taken and beheaded.  
In the same year 1538. Antony Galuano being chief captain in the isles of Maluco sent a ship towards the north, 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 5. cap. 34.  whereof one Francis de Castro was captain, 
Antony Galuano chief captain of Maluco author of this work.  having commandment to convert as many as he could to the faith. He himself christened many, as the lords of the Celebes, Macasares, Amboynos, Moros, Moratax, and divers other places, When Francis de Gastro arrived at the Island of Mindanao, six kings received the water of Baptism, with their wives, children and subjects: and the most of them Antony Galuano gave commandment to be called by the name of john, in remembrance that king john the third reigned then in Portugal.  
The Portugals and Spaniards which have been in these Islands affirm, that there be certain hogs in them, which besides the teeth which they have in their mouths, have other two growing out of their snouts, and as many behind their ears of a large span and an half in length. Likewise they say there is a tree, the one half whereof, which standeth towards the east is a good medicine against all poison, & the other side of the tree which standeth toward the west is very poison; and the fruit on that side is like a big pease; and there is made of it the strongest poison that is in all the world. Also they report that there is there another tree, the fruit whereof whosoever doth eat, shall be twelve hours besides himself, and when he cometh again unto himself he shall not remember what he did in the time of his madness. Moreover there are certain crabs of the land, whereof whosoever doth eat shall be a certain space out of his wits. Likewise the country people declare that there is a stone in these Islands whereon whosoever sitteth shall be broken in his body. It is farther to be noted, that the people of these Islands do gild their teeth.  
In the year 1539. Cortes sent three ships with Francis Vlloa to discover the coast of Coludean northward. 
Gomara hist gen. lib. 2. cap. 74. &. Ramusius 3. vol. fol. 339.  They vient from Acapulco, 
The bottom of the gulf of California discovered.  and touched at S. jago de buqna sperança, and entered into the gulf that Cortes had discovered, and sailed till they came in 32. degrees, which is almost the farthest end of that gulf, which place they named Ancon de Sane Andres, because they came thither on that saints day: Then they came out a long the coast on the other side, 
California doubled.  and doubled the point of California and entered in between certain Islands and the point, and so sailed along by it, till they came to 32. degrees, 
Cabo del Enganno.  from whence they returned to new Spain, enforced thereunto by contrary winds and want of victuals; having been out about a year. Cortes according to his account, spent 200000. ducats in these discoveries.  
From Cabo del Enganno to another cape called Cabo de Liampo in China there are 1000 or 1200. leagues sailing. 
The distance between America and China in 32. degrees is 1000 leagues Gomar. hist. gen. lib. 6. cap. 17.  Cortes and his captains discovered new Spain, from 12. degrees to 32. from south to the north, being 700. leagues, finding it more warm than cold, although snow do lie upon certain mountains most part of the year. In new Spain there be many trees, flowers and fruits of divers sorts and profitable for many things. The principal tree is named Metl. 
Metl an excellent tree.  It groweth not very high nor thick. They plant and dress it as we do our vines. They say it hath forty kind of leaves like woven clothes, which serve for many uses. When they be tender they make conserves of them, paper, and a thing like unto flax: they make of it mantles, mats, shoes, girdles, and cordage. These trees have certain prickles so strong and sharp, that they sew with them. The roots make fire and ashes, which ashes make excellent good lie. They open the earth from the root and scrape it, and the juice which cometh out is like a syrup. If you do seethe it, it will become honey; if you purify it it will be sugar. Also you may make wine and vinegar thereof. It beareth the Coco. The rind roasted and crushed upon sores and hurts healeth and cureth. The juice of the tops and roots mingled with incense are good against poison, and the biting of a viper. For these manifold benefits it is the most profitable tree known to grow in those parts.  
Also there be there certain small birds named Vicmalim. Their bill is small and long. They live of the dew, and the juice of flowers and roses. Their feathers be very small and of divers colours. They be greatly esteemed to work gold with. They die or sleep every year in the month of October fitting upon a little bough in a warm and close place: they revive or wake again in the month of April after that the flowers be sprung, 
The revived birds.  and therefore they call them the revived birds.  
Likewise there be snakes in these parts, which sound as though they had bells when they creep. There be other which engender at the mouth, even as they report of the viper. There be hogs which have a navel on the ridge of their backs, which assoon as they be killed and cut out, will by and by corrupt and stink.  
Besides these there be certain fishes which make a noise like unto hogs, 
Snorting fishes.  and will snort, for which cause they be named snorters.  
In the year 1538. and 1539. after that Diego de Almagro was beheaded, 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 5. cap. 35.  the Marquis Francis Pisarro was not idle. For he sent strait one Peter de Baldivia with a good company of men to discover and conquer the country of Chili. 
Chili.  He was well received of those of the country, but afterwards they rose against him and would have killed him by treason. Yet for all the war that he had with them, he discovered much land, and the coast of the sea toward the southeast, till he came into 40. degrees and more in latitude. While he was in these discoveries he heard news of a king called Leucengolma, 
This might be the temple in the lake of Titicaca.  which commonly brought to the field two hundred thousand fight men against another king his neighbour, and that this Leucengolma had an Island, and a temple therein with two thousand priests: 
Cieça cap. 103.  and that beyond them were the Amazons, whose Queen was called Guanomilla, that is to say, The goldeu heaven. But as yet there are none of these things discovered. About this time Gomez de Aluarado went to conquer the province of Guanuco: and Francis de Chavez went to subdue the Conchincos, which troubled the town of Truxillo, and the countries adjoining. Peter de Vergara went to the Bracamores, a people dwelling toward the north from Quito. john Perez de Vergara went against the Ciaciapoians: Alfonsus de Mercadiglio went unto Mulubamba. Ferdinando and Gonzaluo Pisarros went to subdue Collao, a country very rich in gold. Peter de Candia went to the lower part of Collao. Peranzures also went to conquer the said country. And thus the Spaniards dispersed themselves, and conquered above seven hundred leagues of country in a very short space, though not without great travails and loss of men.  
The countries of Brasill and Peru stand east and west almost 800. leagues distant. The nearest is from the Cape of Saint Augustine unto the haven of Truxillo: for they stand both almost in one parallel and latitude. And the farthest is 950. leagues, reckoning from the river of Peru to the straights of Magellan, which places lie directly north & south, through which country pass certain mountains named the Andes, 
The mountains of Andes.  which divide Brasill from the empire of the Ingas. After this manner the mountains of Taurus and Imaus divide Asia into two parts: which mountains begin in 36. and 37. degrees of northerly latitude at the end of the Mediterran sea over against the Isles of Rhodes and Cyprus, running still towards the East unto the sea of China. And so likewise the mountains of Atlas in Africa divide the tawny Moors from the black moors which have frizzled hair, beginning at mount Me●es about the desert of Barca, and running along under the Tropic of Cancer unto the Atlantic Ocean.  
The mountains of the Andes be high, ragged, and in some places barren without trees or grass, whereon it raineth and snoweth most commonly. Upon them are winds and sudden blasts; there is likewise such scarcity of wood, that they make fire of turfs, 
Earth of divers colours good to die withal.  as they do in Flanders. In some places of these mountains and countries the earth is of divers colours, as black, white, red, green, blue, yellow, and violet, wherewith they die colours without any other mixture. From the bottoms of these mountains spring many small and great rivers, principally from the east side, as appeareth by the rivers of the Amazons, of S. Francis, of Plata, and many others which run through the country of Brasil, being larger than those of Peru, or those of Castilia del oro. There grow on these mountains many turnips, rapes, and other such like roots and herbs. One there is like unto Aipo or Rue which beareth a yellow flower, and healeth all kind of rotten sores, and if you apply it unto whole and clean flesh it will eat it unto the bone: so that it is good for the unsound and nought for the whole.  
They say there be in these mountains tigers, lions, bears, wolves, wild cats, foxes, Dantes, Ounces, hogs and dear: birds as well ravenous as others, and the most part of them are black, as under the North both beasts & birds be white. Also there be great & terrible snakes which destroyed a whole army of the Ingas passing that way, yet they say that an old woman did enchant them in such sort that they became so gentle, that a man might sit upon one of them. The country of Peru adjoining unto the mountains of Andes westward toward the sea, and containing 15. or 20. leagues in breadth is all of very hot sand, yet fresh, bringing forth many good trees and fruits because it is well watered: where there grow abundance of flags, rushes, herbs, and trees so slender and loose, that laying your hands upon them the leaves will fall off. And among these herbs and fresh flowers the men and women live and abide without any houses or bedding, even as the cattle do in the fields: and some of them have tails. They be gross, and wear long hair. They have no beards, yet have they divers languages.  
Those which live on the tops of these mountains of Andes between the cold and the heat for the most part be blind of one eye, and some altogether blind, and scarce you shall find two men of them together, but one of them is half blind. Also there groweth in these fields, notwithstanding the great heat of the sand good Maiz, and Potatoes, and an herb which they name Coca, which they carry continually in their mouths (as in the East India they use another herb named Betele) which also (they say) satisfieth both hunger and thirst. 
An herb named Coca which satisfieth hunger and thirst.  Also there are other kinds of grains and roots whereon they feed. Moreover there is plenty of wheat, barley, millet, vines, and fruitful trees, which are brought out of Spain and planted there. For all these things prove well in this country, because it is so commodiously watered.  
Also they sow much cotton wool, which of nature is white, red, black, green, yellow, orange tawny, and of divers other colours.  
Likewise they affirm, that from Tumbez southward it doth neither rain, thunder, nor lighten, for the space of five hundred leagues of land: but at some times there falleth some little shower. Also it is reported, that from Tumbez to Chili there breed no peacocks, hens, cocks, nor eagles, falcons, hawks, kites, nor any other kind of ravening fowls, and yet there are of them in all other regions and countries: but there are many ducks; geese, herous, pigeons, partridges, quails, and many other kinds of birds. There are also a certain kind of fowl like unto a duck which hath no wings to fly withal, but it hath fine thin feathers which all the body. Likewise there are bitters that make war with the seal or sea wolf: for finding them out of the water they will labour to pick out their eyes, that they may not see to get to the water again, and then they do kill them. They say it is a pleasant sight to behold the fight between the said bitters and seals. With the beards of these seals men make clean their teeth, because they be wholesome for the toothache. There are certain beasts which those of the country call Xacoes, 
Xacoes a kind of great sheep that men ride upon.  and the Spaniards sheep because they bear wool like unto a sheep, but are made much like unto a dear, having a a saddle back like unto a camel. They will carry the burteen of 100 weight. The Spaniards ride upon them, and when they be weary they will turn their heads backward, and void out of their mouths a wonderful stinking water.  
From the river of Plata and Lima southward there breed no crocodiles nor lizards, no snakes, nor any kind of venomous vermin, but great store of good fishes breed in those rivers. On the coast of Saint Michael in The South sea there are many rocks of salt covered with eggs. On the point of Saint Helena are certain Well springs which cast forth a liquor, that serveth in stead of pitch and tar. They say that in Chili there is a fountain, the water whereof will convert wood into stone. In the haven of Truxillo there is a lake of fresh water, and the bottom thereof is of good hard salt. In the Andes beyond Xauxa there is a river of fresh water, in the bottom whereof there lieth white salt. Also they affirm by the report of those of the country, that there have dwelled giants in Peru, of whose statures they found in Porto viejo, and in the haven of Truxillo, bones and jaws with teeth, which were three and four fingers long.  
In the year 1540 the captain Ferdinando Alorchon went by the commandment of the Viceroy Don Antonio de Mendoça with two ships to discover the bottom of the gulf of California, 
Ramusius 3 vol. fol. 303.  and divers other countries.  
In this year 1540 Gonsaluo Pisarro went out of the city of Quito to discover the country of Canell or Cinamome, a thing of great fame in that country. He had with him two hundred Spaniards horsemen and footmen, and three hundred Indians to carry burdens. 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 5. cap. 〈◊〉.  He went forward till he came to Guixos, which is the farthest place governed by the Ingas: where there happened a great earthquake with rain and lightning, which sunk 70. houses. They passed over cold and snowy hills, where they found many Indians frozen to death, marveling much of the great snow that they found under the Equinoctial line. From hence they went to a province called Cumaco, 
Cumaco.  where they tarried two months because it reigned continually. And beyond they saw the Cinamome-trées, 
cinnamon trees  which be very great, the leaves thereof resembling bay leaves, both leaves, branches, roots, and all tasting of cinnamon. The roots have the whole taste of cinnamon. But the best are certain knops like unto Alcornoques or acorns, which are good merchandise. 
Wild. cinnamon in the Islands of java.  It appeareth to be wild cinnamon, and there is much of it in the East Indies, and in the Islands of jaoa or java.  
From hence they went to the province and city of Coca, 
Coca.  where they rested fifty days. From that place forwards they travailed along by a rivers side being 60. leagues long, without finding of any bridge, nor yet any ford to pass over to the other side. They found one place of this river, where it had a fall of 200. fathoms deep, 
El pongo. a mighty fall of a river.  where the water made such a noise, that it would make a man almost deaf to stand by it. And not far beneath this fall, they say they found a channel of stone very smooth, of two hundred foot broad, and the river runneth by: and there they made a bridge to pass over on the other side, 
Guema.  where they went to a country called Guema, which was so poor, that they could get nothing to eat but only fruits and herbs. From that place forward they found a people of some reason, wearing certain clothing made of cotton wool, where they made a brigandine, & there they found also certain Canoes, wherein they put their sick men, and their treasure and best apparel, giving the charge of them to one Francis de Orellana: and Gonsaluo Pizarro went by land with the rest of the company along by the rivers side, and at night went into the boats, and they travailed in this order two hundred leagues as it appeareth. When Pizarro came to the place where he thought to find the brigandine and Canoes, and could have no sight of them nor yet hear of them, he thought himself out of all hope, because he was in a strange country without victuales, clothing, or any thing else: wherefore they were fain to eat their horses, yea and dogs also, because the country was poor and barren, and the journey long, to go to Quito. Yet notwithstanding taking a good heart to themselves they went on forwards in their journey, travailing continually 18. months and it is reported, that they went almost 5. hundred leagues, wherein they did neither see sun nor any thing else whereby they might be comforted, wherefore of two hundred men which went forth at the first, there returned not back past ten unto Quito, and these so weak, ragged, and disfigured that they knew them not. Orellana went five hundred or six hundred leagues down the river, seeing divers countries and people on both sides thereof, among whom he affirmed some to be Amazons. He came into Castille, excusing himself, that the water and streams drove him down perforce. This river is named The river of Orellana, 
Rio de Orellana.  & other name it the river of the Amazons, because there be women there which live like unto them.  
In the year 1540 Cortes went with his wife into Spain where he died of a disease seven years after.  
In the year 1541. it is recorded that Don Stephan de Gama governor of India sailed toward the straight of Mecca. He came with all his fleet unto an anchor in the Island of Maçua, 
Maçua.  and from thence upwards in small shipping he went along the coast of the Abassins and Ethiopia, till he came to the Island of Suachen, 
Suachen.  standing in 20. degrees towards the north, 
Cossir.  and from thence to the haven of Cos●ir, standing in 27. degrees, 
Toro.  and so he crossed over to the city of Toro standing on the shore of Arabia, 
Suez.  and along by it he went unto Suez, which is the farthest end of the straight, and so he turned back the same way, leaving that country and coast discovered so far as never any other Portugal captain had done, although Lopez Suarez governor of India went to the haven of juda, and the haven of Mecca standing on the coast of Arabia in 23. degrees of latitude, and 150. leagues from the mouth of the straight. Don Stephan de Gama crossing over from Cos●ir to the city of Toro, 
An Island of brimstone in the Red sea.  as it is reported found an Island of Brimstone, which was dispeopled by the hand of Mahumet, wherein many crabs do breed, which increase nature: wherefore they be greatly esteemed of such as are unchaste. Also they say that there are in this strait many roses which open when women are in their labour.  
john Leo writeth in the very end of his Geography which he made of Africa, that there is in the mountains of Atlas a root called Surnag, over which if a maid chance to make water she shall lose her virginity.  
In the same year 1541. Don Diego de Almagro killed the Marquis Francis Pizarro, and his brother Francis Martinez of Alcantara in the city de los Reyes, otherwise called Lima, and made himself governor of that country.  
In the year 1540 the Viceroy Don Antony de Mendoza sent one Francis Vasquez de Coronado by land unto the province of Sibola with an army of Spaniards and Indians. 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 6. cap. 17.  They went out of Mexico, 
Sibola.  and came to Culuacan, and from thence to Sibola, which standeth in 30. degrees of latitude. They required peace with the people and some victuals, being thereof destitute. But they answered that they used not to give any thing to those that came unto them in warlike manner. So the Spaniards assaulted the town and took it, and called it Nueva Granada, because the general himself was borne in Granada. The soldiers found themselves deceived by the words of the Friars, which had been in those parts before; and because they would not return back to Mexico again with empty hands, they went to the town of Acuco, 
Acuco.  where they had knowledge of Axa and Quivira, where there was a king very rich, that did worship a cross of gold, and the picture of the queen of Heaven. They endured many extremities in this journey, and the Indians fled away from them, and in one morning they found thirty of their horses dead. 
Circuie.  From Cicuie they went to Quivira, which was two hundred leagues off, 
Quivira.  according to their account, passing all through a plain country, and making by the way certain hillocks of cow dung, because thereby they might not lose their way in their return. They had there hailstones as big as Oranges. Now when they were come to Quivira, they found the king called Tatarrax, which they sought for, with a jewel of copper hanging about his neck, which was all his riches. They saw neither any cross, nor any image of the queen of Heaven, nor any other token of Christian religion. 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 6. cap. 18. & 19  It is written of this country that it is but smally inhabited, principally in the plain and champion places, because the men and women go in herds with their cattle, whereof they have great plenty, even as the Arabians do in Barbary, and they remove from place to place, even as the season serveth, 
Sheep as big as horses.  and the pastures to feed their cattle. In these parts are certain beasts almost as big as horses, they have very great horns, and they bear wool like unto sheep, and so the Spaniards call them. They have abundance of oxen very monstrous, being camel-backed, and having long beards, and on their neck long manes like unto horses. They live with eating of these oxen and drinking of their blood, and apparel themselves with the skins of the same. The most part of the flesh that they do eat is raw, or evil roasted, for they lack pots to seeth it in. They cut their meat with certain knives made of flint stone. Their fruit are damsons, hasel-nuts, walnuts, melons, grapes, pines, and mulberries. 
Dogs carrying 50. pound weight on their backs.  There be dogs so big, that one of them alone will hold a bull, though he be never so wild. When they remove, these dogs do carry their children, wives, and stuff upon their backs, and they are able to carry fifty pound weight. I pass over many things, because the order which I follow will not permit me to be long.  
In the year of our Lord 1542. one Diego de Freitas being in the realm of Siam, and in city of Dodra as captain of a ship, there fled from him three Portugals in a junco (which is a kind of ship) towards China. Their names were Antony de Mota, Francis Zeimoro, and Antony Pexoto, directing their course to the city of Liampo, standing in 30. and odd degrees of latitude. There fell upon their stern such a storm, that it set them off the land, and in few days they saw an Island towards the east standing in 32. degrees, which they do name japan, 
japan discovered by chance.  which seemeth to be the Isle of Zipangri, whereof Paulus Venetus maketh mention, and of the riches thereof. And this Island of japan hath gold, silver, and other riches.  
In this year 1542. Don Antonio de Mendoça Viceroy of Nueva Spagna, sent his captains and pilots to discover the coast of Cape del Enganno, where a fleet of Cortes had been before. They sailed till they came to a place called Sierras Nevadas, or The snowy mountains, standing in 40. degrees toward the north, where they saw ships with merchandises, which carried on 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the images of certain birds called Alcatra●zi, and had the yards of their sails gilded, and their prowess laid over with silver. 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 6. cap. 18.  They seemed to be of the Isles of japan, or of China; for they said that it was not above thirty days sailing unto their country.  
In the same year 1542. Don Antony de Mendoça sent unto the Islands of Mindanao a fleet of six ships with four hundred soldiers, 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 4. cap. 13.  and as many Indians of the country, the general whereof was one Rui Lopez de villa Lobos, 
Ramusius 1. vol. fol. 375. pag. 1.  being his brother in law and a man in great estimation. They set sail from the haven of Natividad standing in 20. degrees towards the north, upon All Saints eve, and shaped their course towards the west. 
Saint Thomas.  They had sight of the Island of S. Thomas, which Hernando de Grijalua had discovered, and beyond in 17. degrees they had sight of another Island which they named La Nublada, 
La Nublada.  that is, The cloudy Island. From thence they went to another Island named Roca partida, 
Roca Partida.  that is, The cloven Rock. The 3. of December they found certain Baxos or states of six or seven fathoms deep. 
Baxo●.  The 15. of the same month they had sight of the Islands, which Diego de Roca, and Gomez de Sequeira, and Alvaro de Saavedra had discovered, 
Los Reyes.  and named them Los Reyes, because they came unto them on Twelve day. And beyond them they found other Islands in 10. degrees all standing round, and in the midst of them they came to an anchor, where they took fresh water and wood.  
In the same year 1542. Don Diego de Almagro was slain in Peru by the hands of one Don Vaca de Castro.  
In the year 1543. in januarie they departed from the foresaid Islands with all the fleet, and had sight of certain Islands, out of which there came unto them men in a certain kind of boats, and they brought in their hands crosses, and saluted the Spaniards in the Spanish tongue saying, Buenas dias, Matelotes, that is to say, Good morrow, companions; whereat the Spaniards much marveled, being then so far out of Spain, to see the men of that country with crosses, and to be saluted by them in the Spanish tongue, and they seemed in their behaviour to incline somewhat to our Catholic faith. The Spaniards not knowing, that many thereabout had been Christened by Francis de Castro, at the commandment of Antony Galuano, some of them named these Islands, 
●he Isles of Matelates.  Islas de las cruzes, and others named them Islas de los Matelotes.  
In the same year 1543. the first of February Rui Lopez had sight of that noble Island Mindanao standing in 9 degrees: 
Mindanao.  they could not double it nor yet come to an ancre as they would, because the christened kings and people resisted them, having given their obedience to Antony Galuano, whom they had in great estimation, and there were five or six kings that had received baptism, who by no means would incur his displeasure. Rui Lopez perceiving this, and having a contrary wind, sailed along the coast to find some aid; 
Sarangam.  and in 4. or 5. degrees he found a small Island which they of the country call Sarangam, which they took perforce, and in memory of the vizeroy who had sent them thither they named it Antonia, where they remained a whole year, in which time there fell out things worthy to be written; but because there are more histories that entreat of the same I leave them, meaning to meddle with the discoveries only.  
In the same year 1543. and in the month of August the general Rui Lopez sent ane Bartholomew de la torre in a small ship into new Spain, to acquaint the vizeroy don Antonio de Mendoça with all things. 
The relation of john Ga●etan in the first vol. of Ramusu●● fol. 376.  They went to the Islands of Syria, Gaonata, Bisaia, and many others, standing in 11. and 12. degrees towards the north, where Magellan had been, and Francis de Castro also, who there baptised many, and the spaniards called them the Philippinas in memory of the prince of Spain. 
The Philippinas.  Here they took victuals and wood, and hoist sails, they sailed for certain days with a forewind, till it came upon the skanting, and came right under the tropic of Cancer. The 25. of september they had sight of certain Islands, 
Malabrigos.  which they named Malabrigos, that is to say, The evil roads. 
Las does Hermanas.  Beyond them they discovered Las does Hermanas, that is The two sisters. And beyond them also they saw 4. islands more, 
Los Volcanes.  which they called los Volcanes. The second of October they had sight of Farsana, 
La Farsana.  beyond which there standeth an high pointed rock, which casteth out fire at 5. places. So sailing in 16. degrees of northerly latitude, from whence they had come, as it seemeth wanting wind, they arrived again at the Islands of the Philippinas. 
Six or 〈◊〉 Islands more.  They had sight of 6. or 7. Islands more, but they anchored not at them. 
An Archipelagus of Islands.  They found also an Archipelagus of Islands well inhabited with people, lying in 15. or 16. degrees: the people be white, and the women well proportioned, and more beautiful and better arrayed then in any other place of those parts, having many jewels of gold, which was a token, that there was some of that metal in the same country. Here were also barks of 43. cubits in length, and 2. fathoms and a half in breadth, and the planks 5. inches thick, which barks were rowed with ●ares. They told the Spaniards, that they used to sail in them to China, 
Pilots for China.  and that if they would go thither they should have pilots to conduct them, the country not being above 5. or 6. days sailing from thence. There came unto them also certain barks or boats handsomely decked, wherein the Master and principal men sat on high, and underneath were very black moors with frizzled hair: and being demanded where they had these black moors, they answered, that they had them from certain Islands standing fast by Sebut, where there were many of them, a thing that the Spaniards much marveled at, because from thence it was above 300. leagues to the places where the black people were. Therefore it seemed, that they were not naturally borne in that climate, but that they be in certain places scattered over the whole circuit of the world. For even so they be in the Islands of Nicobar and Andeman, which stand in the gulf of Bengala, and from thence by the space of 500 leagues we do not know of any black people. Also Vasco Nunez de Valboa declareth that as he went to discover The South sea, in a certain land named Quareca he found black people with frizzled hair, whereas there were never any other found either in Nova Spagna, or in Castilia del Oro, or in Peru.  
In the year 1544. Don Gutierre de Vargas bishop of Placenza sent a fleet from the city of Siuil unto the straights of Magellan: 
Gomara hist. gen. lib. 4. cap. 14.  which is reported to have been done by the counsel of the vizeroy Don Antony de Mendoça his cousin. Some suspe●ed that they went to Maluco, others to China, others, that they went only to discover the land betwixt the straight and the land of Peru on the other side of Chili, because it was reported to be very rich in gold and silver. But this fleet by reason of contrary winds could not passeth● straight, yet one small bark passed the same, and sailed along the coast, and discovered all the land, till he came unto Chirimai, and Arequipa, which was above 500 leagues, for the rest was already discovered by Diego de Almagro, and Francis Pizarro, and their captains and people at divers times. By this it appeareth, that from The straight to the Equinoctial line on both sides is wholly discovered.  
In the year 1545. & in the month of januarie Rui Lopez de villa Lobos, and Giraldo with the Castilians came to the Island of Moro, 
The Isle of Moro.  and the city of Camafo, where they were well received of the kings of Gilolo and Tidore, and of the people of the country (because Antony Galuano was gone) and put the captain Don George de Castro to great trouble, 
Antony Galua●o gone out of ●he Malucas.  as appeared by those things which passed between him and the Portugals, and the great expenses whereunto he put the fortress.  
In the same year 1545. Rui Lopez de villa Lobos sent from the Island of Tidore another ship towards New Spain by the south side of the line, wherein was captain one Inigo Ortez de Rotha, and for pilot one jasper Rico. They sailed to the coast of Os Papuas, 
Os Papuas.  and ranged all along the same, and because they knew not that Saavedra had been there before, they challenged the honour and same of that discovery. And because the people there were black and had frizzled hair, 
Nueva Guinea.  they named it Nueva Guinea. For the memory of Saavedra as then was almost lost, as all things else do fall into oblivion, which are not recorded, and illustrated by writing.  
In this year 1545. and in the month of june, there went a junk from the city of Borneo, wherein went a Portugal called Peter Fidalgo, and by contrary winds he was driven towards the north; where he found an Island standing in 9 or 10. degrees, that stretched itself to 22. degrees of latitude, 
The Isle of Lu●ones.  which is called The Isle of the Luçones, because the inhabitants thereof were so named. It may have some other name and harbours, which as yet we know not: it runneth from the north unto the south-west, and standeth between Mindanao and China. They say they sailed along by it 250. leagues, where the land was fruitful and well covered, and they affirm, that there they will give two Pesoes of gold for one of silver: 
〈…〉 gold.  and yet it standeth not far from the country of China.  
In the year 1553. there went out of England certain shipping, and as it appeared they sailed northward along the coast of Norway and Finmark, 
Moscow discovered by sea, by the English.  and from thence east, till they came between 70. and 80. degrees unto Moscow, for so far one of the ships went: but I know not what became of the rest: & this was the last discovery made until this time. From this land of Moscow eastward you fail unto Tartary, and at the farther end of it standeth the country and province of China. It is said that between China and Tartary there is a wall above 200. leagues in length, standing near unto 50. degrees of latitude.  
Now I gather by all the precedent discoveries, that the whole earth is in circuit 360. degrees according to the Geometry thereof: and to every degree the ancient writers allow 17. leagues & a half, which amount unto 6300. leagues yet I take it that every degree is just 17. leagues. Howsoever it be, all is discovered and sailed from the east unto the west almost even as the sun compasseth it: but from the south to the north there is great difference; for towards the north pole there is found discovered no more than 77. or 78. degrees, which come to 1326. leagues: and towards the south pole there is discovered from the Equinoctial to 52. or 53. degrees, that is, to the straight which Magellan passed through, which amounteth to about 900. leagues; and putting both these said main sums together, they amount to 2226. leagues. Now take so many out of 6300. leagues, there remaineth as yet undiscovered north and south above the space of 4000 leagues.  
FINIS.