LANCASTER his alarums, honourable Assaults, and supprising of the Blockhouses and Storehouses belonging to Fernand Buck in BRASILL. With his brave attempt in Landing in the mouth of the Ordinance there, which were Cannons culverin, Cannon periall and Sacres of brass, with other sundry his most resolute and brave attempts in that COUNTRY. From whence he laded of their spoils and rich commodities he there found fifteen good Ships, which was Sinemon, Sugar, Pepper, Cloves, Mace, Calloco-cloth and Brassel-wood with other commodities. With the names of such men of worth having charge within this most honourable attempt lost their lives. Published for their eternal HONOUR. by a Well-willer. Imprinted at London by A. I. for V V Barley and are to be sold at his shop in Gratious-streat near unto Leadenhall gate. To the most resolute and valiant minded Captain james Lancaster all increase of valour with your most worthy hearts desire and prosperous success in all your Attempts. IT hath been [right] worthy Captain, their custom in elder times amongst some foreign nations which held honour in regard by all signs and shows of toy to welcome home such Adventurers that for their countries honour and Princes benefit had any way adventured, not only doing them all the public honour they could, but invested them with titles of all honour, (such Customs) albeit among the vulgar sort, it be devyed, yet doubtless those good minds which honour arms, and their Country adventures, attribute unto them honourable praise as they deserve. Amongst many other (valorious Captain) that honour your worthy deeds desirous to register your noble actions amongst the best deserving, as they worthily merit, though my slender skill be not such as may deserve to register so notable and worthy exploit by you performed: yet have I boldly attempted to set down the same, that our Countrymen specially such as stand upon terms of being what they are not, envying the virtues and well deserving. Adventurer might blush to behold what you have performed, through God's sufferance and your politic and most valiant resolution: whilst they lie sweeting one their easy beds, of which I humbly crave pardon who intends well unto all men but especial bend my devotion, unto such skilful adventures at sea, for that my profession is such, who am, and ever willbe ready in all true zealous affection and do you all the best service I can or may, when and where it shall stand with your good pleasure for to command me. Your devoted wellw●iller. H. R. To the Reader. NO tale of Robin-hood I sing. ne old wives stories write: Nor idle toys to marvel at, vain people to delight, But works of worth most rare & true to you I do present: which to the bravest minds may be, a worthy precedent. here Cavallers of high esteem, that Londoners contemn: may know what worthy minds they bea● and serve like valiant men. As Lancaster his last attempt, that he in Brassill made: May witness well unto his fame, if you the same will read: Rare are his acts, peruse them then, whose manhood doth excel: His haughty deeds done to our foes, the same at large doth tell. Record may we his worthiness▪ and write but what is true: And you that saw the wealth he brought, give Lancaster his due▪ If London-mercha●nts dare to do, such actions as he did▪ Then why should not then acts be told, why should his fame be hid. Amongst the chiefest Cavilers, give Lancaster his place: Who by his worthy policy, the foe man hath disgraced He is the man whose courage great. was never seen to quail: He is the man that foremost was, where we did foes assail Brave Lancaster for worthiness, in this attempt of thine: The foeman doth commend thy worth, whose virtues so doth shine: Then Cavaliers of highest prize, and Citizens of fame: Extol his praise which hath deserved, and bravely gained the same: And gallant Brutes which yet are bound, your masters to obey: When time shall make you free again, think then what I now say. Learn by this man of worth to guide, yourselves in every place: By land or sea to gain renown, and enemies to disgrace▪ your Country then your honour shall, for Prince do service good: and men that see your worthiness, for you will spend their blood. He is a lamp to light you one, Fame's palace to attain: whereby your names shall ever live, if Fame you seek to gain. Learn by his worth that valiantly▪ hath ventured life and limb: To shame of dastard Coward base, in place where he hath been. His deeds at large do but peruse, and then you all shall say: an act of more resolve hath not, been complisht at the sea. H R. Finis. THE most honourable Attempts and fortunate success of our worthy Citizen and brave minded General jemes Lancaster, and his Associates, THAT a Prophet is not esteemed in his own Country, it hath been often said, and not so commonly said, but true said: as is manifest in our ungrateful Countrymen which hold Honours Champions in account longer than the present occasion of use serveth for them. Which maketh us so common a by word amongst other Nations for our ungratefullnes: If we could aswell imitate in good actions such noble Strangers as have lived in elder time as follow, their vanities and manners in all vicieus' exercises, we might well be noted for the most only people of the whole earth: Then might that most excellent Histories which now declare the noble and bountiful minds of the Romans' be shut up, and our Histories fill the ears of all Nations with reports of our now living and brave minded adventures, but those times be past, such men live not to recompense their worthiness nor those of learning to give them their due. If Room the abject of earth now for her vice, hath been fur●shed with such noble Citizens that gained both for their valour and bounty such eternal p●arses, not ●nly for hazarding in many perils their goods, but their own persons, arming at nothing but honour: esteeming the goods gotten as things transitory. Why should not our thri●e famous City of London the only wonder of the earth for beauty, government and wealth, hold their honour in like account? The Romans' exalted all men of worth for their virtues not regarding their parentage, making the ig-noble and base horn tribunes Senators and Viceroy's in their territories, h●●●ring them with all titles of nobility and honour, and after their victories, caused them in triumphs, to ride throughout their Cities erecting Trophies, in memory of their actions. Through which, they encouraged the noble minded, and moved the most basest groom to adventure. If such were the manners and conditions, of our minded countrymen how flourishing an estate might we boast of: But we, forgetting virtue, esteem wealth, not valour, (not men) before money, but money far before men: Yet are there some of worship, patrons of this famous and most renowned City, who esteeming their countries benefit, have by their great charge, enriched the Commonwealth: And ofther careful love to their country, enlarge● the Navy of our Land, by their most bountiful expenses, so that through a number of worshipful Citizens, our eneimies are weakened, our strength increased, our eneimies impoverished, and our Land enriched, all for our countries honour, where at they aim as is daily s●●e by the great adventures they make. And I could recite, but time causeth me to admit them, and their worshipes' names in this place, not doubling but in time, some of good learning for honour of our Land▪ will register their names to eternal honour, unto such I commend them, to recount unto you, this latest and most rare exploit of a most resolute and brave Gentleman a Citizen of this most famous City upon our enemies the spaniards▪ wherein as he got fame by this most resolute & brave attempt, purchasing there by his countries honour & benefit of our commonweal, and that his virtues being a Citizen of this famous City of London though by birth of gentility might not be obscured, I have set down his proceedings in this action, that our brave minded youths in time to come seeing what hath hath bendone, by men of our time, may 〈…〉 to the virtues & endeavouring to deserve like him, honour in his ●●ntry, & remain a terror to all enemies. In September now last past 1594 these worshipful, grave citizens, and fathers of ●●London●●, and most faithful subjects to our Prince, and Country, the worshipful, john Wats, Alderman, master Paul Baning Alderman, master Suit Salter, master Boreman and others of worship in this most famous City, desirous for their countries honour and benefit to employ their substance, victuled and equiped for all needful things is so hard and dangerous a voyage appertaining three good Ships, videl, the Consent of the burden of 240. tons or there about the Solomon of 170. tons or there about, and the Virgin 60, tons or there about, appointing for Commanders in this voyage james Lancaster of London Gentleman, General of the Fleet, Mun Barker of London Vice-admiral, and john Awdley of Poplar near London their Rear-admiral, having in their company john Wats the Son of Alderman Wats a proper and forward Gentleman full of resolution. And Simon Boreman son of M. Boreman Owner of the Solomon, a toward and likely youth. These forenamed ships fully equipped and furnished with all needful provision most royally, departed from Blackwallrood near London, in October last passed, keeping our own Coast close aboard, where they met with fowl weather, such gusts and storms that the Solomon spending her Mast not far from Darkmouth; they put into harbour and by the care and earnest industry of the General and other having charge were shortly again provided, which done, the careful General loath to make longer stay than was needful having a pleasing gale for their purpose: put from Darckmouth the last of November following, applying as wind served for their desired place. But contrary to our expect, (as God by many favours trieth his heople) not fifty leagues from our own Coast we lost the Solomon and the Virgin, yet being alone, in hope to meet them about grand Canaries or capeblanck we kept our course for the place, and as God sent us favourable winds plied until we came to the Canaries, but could hear no tidings of our Consorts, which greatly cumbered us: Thence went we bearing for Timreef, where in the morning early we had sight of a sail who being becalmed under the shore, was towing with their boat a head, having one other at her stern, for this sail we mand our boat appointing our men well for fight if need should serve them, but the cowardly Portugals seeing our boat come, entered theirs, and leaving the ship sought to save themselves by flight, but our men being full of courage, heartened on with the brave imb●ld●ing speech of our General, and in hope of some better good by getting the men, pursued them so fast and with such eager desire, that they boarded them and brought them with their ship to our General. This was laden with Canary wine, which came not unto us before it was well, (and better welcome.) This ship we maned and kept, plying that day and the next night there about, the very next morning we had sight ● one other, but not so much worth as the first was, which had eighty tons of wine the other but forty. To her in like manner we sent our Boat, but their Gunner being ● drunken Fleming standding on his terms, made a shot at her, and shot a proper yo●ngmans arm, it we enforced them to strike, and to take that part their Counreymen did. A lamentable tale it were to discover the pitiful looks of the poor Portugals, who trusting to our Lady ha● no hope of her son for comfort Well, wéeing possessed with this good liquor, a substance which must unite the life, (praised God for it) and that other good relief we found amongst them being therewith well refreshed. The Portugals having their free passage, and an acquittance for delivery of their wines▪ were all set a shore, on Tenereefe making a quick return o● their long voyage, who were bound for Margareta, in the Indies. The men having their disharge, and all things out that might ●o● us a●y good, we left the place plying for Capeblanck: but before we come thither, we met again with the Virgin there are admiral, who haling us told us for very truth the Solomon was gone for England, enforced so to do by spending her m●●t, which we found contrary, for coming to Capeblanck we met the Solomon who had fished with the Can●●ookes the best ●ish and other commodities he found in rifling twenty four ships and caravels. Of this good company we were all joyful, and had great hope of the blessing of God in performance of our intended voyage, and so after some parley and making frolic for joy of our meeting▪ one with the other praising God f●r all, we plied for Mayeo, where coming to anchor, our General and the r●st of the Cap●anes went a shore to vein the place where we might in best safety set our galley together, which frame we brought from England▪ of purpose to land men in the Country. Here we discharged our great prize of wine and set her on fire, but before our coming thither, you shall understand we had sight of four sails which was Captain Venard in his ship the Proustite▪ and a proper ●iskane which he took at Capeblanck, the Welcome of Plimmought and her pins, all which stood with us. But they seeing our flags expecting such good fellows as we, did bear from us all the might, which our people took very unkindly that being all friends they would neither inquire, nor tell us any news of our friends but without making any show of kindness so to departed. From Capeblanck we took likewise with us three ships viz. one dainty carvel and one Canter, with one other Bark for to serve us in the Country drawing little water for divers purposes. As before I have said, the choice being made for the place to build the Galley, a shore it was brought, where the carpenters did their true intents, and faithfully applied their work▪ still chéered unto it by the generals good gifts bestowed amongst them, and kind usage of all the rest commanders, not with out great care of the Captain for the safety of them all by keeping good watch, yet one negligent fellow which had no knowledge of the Country straying from his company, was by the Mooers taken, and very kindly used, and brought a gain unto us, for which good, the general rewarded them well with gifts very acceptabell▪ which they took as kindly. While we were thus busily employed about the fores●yd galley we descry●d at sea 4 sails, which we had good hope would have proved Indieses men or some to have brought us what we looked for▪ but they proved, Captain Venard with his fleet as a foresaid, who seeing us at anchor came in unto us, a●cored also, where spending some time, and being acquainted with ●ur generals determination, for landing consorted with us, and their b●lis according, to the manner of the sea were made, and signed, of other part, whereby our strength was increased to all our comforts, three weeks or there about we stayed in this place, before the Galley was finished which done putting men into her, and fitting her with oars, having 14 banks on a side, a mast and sail, the commandment of her was committed unto master Wats an honest skilful mariner. From thence we put again to sea and hope of like success, and went for the isle Dett Bravo where we watered, which done we made no long stay after, but bend our course as directly as we could for the place, but before we came thither we lost our carvel and one of the other prizes, our own ships being all well and in good safety, which thanks to god, the comfort of all that build faithfully upon him, by whose sufferance we recovered the place, making our first fall with the land to the southward of Cape Augustine from whence we applied still to our de●●red Port of Farnand buck, and did so much, that about midnight, we came before the harbour where some plied up & down, holding that the best policy, to forbear the entering till day might give them light, the harbought being hard and therefore the more perilous. Our Ships being in safety well arrived, God was praised, and the General in his boat went from ship to ship, willing them to make ready such men as they could spare, with muskets, pikes bills, bows, arrows and what weapons they had to follow him: Himself, with fourscore men from his own ship, embarked himself in the Galley which carried in her prow a good Sacare. The Inhabitants which saw so much shipping, dreading what did follow, were gathered together by estimatien to the number of 1000 men and from their platform being oppisite with the harboughts mouth well planted with Cannon periall and Sacars of brass plied upon us with them, our ships riding within Sacar-shot in the very face of them, yet did they not hurt any ship but our Gunners borrowed little of them, but paid them well whatsoever they sent amongst us▪ and with such sound payment, that two shot from the admiral by God's help and the Gunners good industry, beat their wateh-house about their ●ares. This beginning made the faint hearted swades to quail that their hearts were in counsel with their heels, which should be t●e best member, in the end by general consent, they agreed▪ to see a little more, entreating their heels to be ready to make shift for them. But our General otherwise employed his men being shipped rowed to the shore, all the night appointed with his companies, and encouraging his m●n in the very face of the Platform and mouth of their Ordinance landed, leaping to the waste in water, in the breach of the shore, his men following him leaving their Gallye which beat so on the shore as she did little other service, a notable policy of the General, if he had been matched with cowards▪, which the General little regarded making that a trial, and encouraging his men, cried still Saint George brave gallants this is our own. The white livored Cravius as they be proud cowards not respecting the advantage they had of our people being so wet, which easily they might have foiled, like harmless honestmen trusting to their old friendly heels their chiefest comfort, leaving the General in possession of all, saved themselves some in boats, which lay ready at the back side the house, others for the best prize, made our men judges who was the best footmen, flying so fast as a hare from the eager greygound having not so much kindness to bid them welcome, nor honesty to bid them farewell, the day of our arrival was their Good-Fryday, when by custom they usual whip themselves, but God sent us now for a general scourge for them all, whereby that labour amongst them might be well spared, for small leisure they had to do that foppery. The General waved the ships willing them to way and to come in, which they did with all speed, himself taking order with his Associates of what they had in possession, and turning the Ordinance bent them that way they expected any annoyance from the towneward, made choice of a place convenient for to build a baracad●, which strongly they fortified, brought the Ordinance from the Fort and placed them in theirs, what they could best use, the rest they sent a board, their ships keeping good and careful watch: Now it is to be remembered, that in this 〈…〉 they ●ound three great Hulcks which came thither ●● in Syaine to being those goods home which was there left, now two rears since, by a Ca●●ck which was cast away. Our General having in possession the Town with all the goods in the Storehouses, sent for the Flemings and demanded what they did there: they answered for these goods they came sent from Spain by the honours for them, & so after some words between them agreed for their fraught home to England unto which they yielded. When these things were thus to our comfort accomplished, the General thought it small policy to make longer stay, than was needful, and therefore took order from every ship one to work, the other to watch for their security. The first service was done, we unladed our wine prize giving to every ship equal portions, then making ready every ships hold, they broke the prize making it to serve for a Lighter to lad and with her the Welcomes Pinnace for the more expedition in their lading, so earnestly applying themselves as no oportuniti was lost in porfourmance thereof, our wlling minds holding it no trouble: watching by night, nor hard labour by day: but so vigilaunt they were in all there actions as was requisite they should in so perilous a place, otherwise, they had enjoyed their good fortunes but a small time, such was the policy of those base rogues, who in the night at one time fired i●. Caruills apollic●e to their cost learned in England, but performed like themselves, for the Caruills with the fire taking like harmless boats a quite contrary way ran a shore consuming themselves without any anjoyance to our ships as they intended they should have done. This device sorting to no better effect, they made rafts with old masts and grappling them together and planting them full of light wood heath and such, fired them and sent them amongst our ships, for this devise our General ordained from every ship two boats to be ready a head each ship having in each one of them a graplet to throw on the rafts which sunk them all and never had an advantage to do us harm, these devices qualing by sea, every night they gave us bra●ad●●●, one the shore bringing some few naked men with vows and arrows before our sense, which shot often without doing ha●●●e, all which was to draw us within compass of their ambushment, which they had laid in hope we should have pursued them flying but our Generals and Captains had more foresight then to venture themselves and us against naked wretches When they law that all their devise was by policy frustrate thinking we would be careless of their doing they began in the night to build a new Fort in such a place as would have greatly annoyed us if they had gone forward with it: But our General having intelligence of the same by some of the country people, would not seem unto them any way discontent but secretly in the evening quietly gathering his companies issued upon them, put them from their work, took four pieces of brass Ordinance and s●aying threescore of their men put the the rest unto flight and returned with loss of one man, bringing with him to our fort their Ordinance which they intended should have done us the mischief, this their devices sorting to such ill success, ever pretending, but never accomplishing any thing that ever did hurt us, our men with such care employed themselves as was joyful to see them. In this painful travel of fours we had sight o●a small man of war of Deep in France who had plied up and down two months yet durst not put in until they had sight of Saint George which continually we bore in our tops, this little Frenchman coming in saluted our admiral as he could after the sea manner, and hoisting his boat came aboard to our General acquainting him with his extremity wanting victuals, who like himself, py●tying his distress and weighing the want himself had endured in his last long voyage, with that noble Gentleman Captain Raymond gave him wine, bread, pease and such victuals as he had to their great relief. This Frenchman reported that he not long before met with Captain Abraham Cock who being distressed for water he received with one hogshead having but two in all, and brought him to a p●ace where they both watered. Not long after his arrival, we had sight of three sails more which we hoped had been India men, but proved Frenchmen. The Generell of this Fleet was that same which brought our▪ General from Mona, after the loss of his ship, to our General was heartily welcome as was most manifest by the entertainment he gave both him and his whole complanie wherein showing himself a most brave and grateful Gentleman far unlike such shaving people which never think of friendship longer than they reap commodity, catch by all means they can, from such as carry gentle and willing minds to deserve well to do good unto them that seek their favour. Such unthankful wretches I have oftentimes seen to beg for relief w●ere their piteous moans have been scorned. But to out matter the General in this time being possessed with s●ch wealthy commodities ●s he could not tell where to bestow after he had fraughted his own three men of war, three flemish hulcks of great burden, three western ships viz. the Perygrine the Welcome and their prize with two spanyards which he found in the road gave frankly unto his good friend the Captain what he would take of all such commodities as they had, which was clones, mace▪ pepper, Sinemon and Calocowcloth Sugar and braffellwood whereof they had such store that every night during the keeping their fort a shore they burned by estimation above two tons. With these commodities the french man lading his three ships and the Deep man one, and yet the General to show his further thankfulness unto him, gave him freely one other ship which came into the harbought full laden with Negers and other commodities, of which he took his pleasure, this favour the frenchman took in very thankful manner, and with diligence had purveyed to be gone with the Fleet, who being near ready to lean the harbought, intelligence was given them by some of the country people that the Governor had provided for making a new sort, opposite of the mouth of the harbourt, where perils were most incident, and where men should he most busied in doing their labour to keep them from the danger of the bar, which tidings nothing pleased him nor any of his company, wherefore summoning the chief of each ship, upon conference had of the dangers so bad a guest might there breed being there planted it was concluded to make such power as they could & to drive them from their labour, so to raze their fortification, this being with advise plaited and a general liking of the devise, care was likewise taken for performing the same, and every thing for the purpose accordingly fitt●ed: which done, the General that had been often by flags of truce summoned to parley with their Governor, which continually he refused, scorning to have familiarity with any his Prince's enemies, aswell to avoid suspect of evil tongues as for his own reputation, was for this cause envy of the General the more, which doubtless would gladly have been better acquainted with him if possibly he might, and for the better bringing his devilish practices to effect, he first began this new fortification, which he imagined our General would not endure, nor suffer him to perform, but working by policy, he ambushed his people seeking thereby his overthrow, whom God defended in despite of what he could or might do, as the sequel shall manifest, for he whose hope was neither in pope, saint or help of men, determining as you have heard to effect this new resolved work, ranged his companies and in most warlike and brave manner like a conqueror marched on to their fort, where with such courage he assailed the defendants as made them believe there should few escape, which made them play their old parts, and trusting to their best friends, their nimble heels tournned their backs and departed: Whose dastardly minds our men disdaining with eager pursuit followed spoiling many, but they that thought on no manhood but policy, con●aide themselves into a wood, closely followed of our people, into which, they were no sooner entered, but in fight of our people was placed xvij. Ensigns that made on towards them, and looking behind them they were backed with so many besides those runaways in the wood. This sight caused our people to stand and better to consider for their safeties what to do, who knowing that delay bread dangers desirous to show their resolution in maintaining that honour which most valiantly they had already obtained, rather were desirous to adventure their good fortunes with the sword, then to lose what they had so honourably gained: subjecting themselves unto so mercelesse enemies. And héeron resolving like Englishmen, who was as yet never known to forsake the seildes where ten hath been to one the enemy approaching one both sides, there was no remedy but to look to themselves: which our General and his valiant associates seeing, placing their companies as they could best one such a sudden, both for defending themselves and annoying the enemy like men no whit discomforted, beholding their huge numbers which were of horse and foot, spaniardes and the Country people 5000 bravely and with great courage began the assault applying their small shot so long as their powder lasted, which fiinshed throwing from them their shot betook him to their hand weapons with which they did such wundrous spoil as the spaniards persuaded them that they fought not against men, but some of a more horish condition. A sore and cruel battle was there beer begun, and continued with so few to such a multitude as seldom hath been seen in the enemy's country, whose valiant hearts were never dared, nor for no extremity, although thorough their hot and earnest labour in such a broil and in a country so contagious, many were distressed for want of drink, yet minded they what they had in hand more than their bellies, playing the parts of men, and brave Englishmen defending and annoying the enemy with such courage that the enemies wundred thereat, evermore cheering themselves, and the General cheering all, crying out to the terreur of the enemy Saint George, God for S. George England's defence. But in this glory when their hopes were such to escape all dangers, through the mighty hand of our God which caused so many to fall before Samson with the jaw bone: behold a marvelous terror unto our men. The French Captain our generals great▪ Amico, leading threescore of his Countrymen was stain, at whose fall his ●ollowers being discomforted began to fly, showing theirin right parts of themselves: which our men perceiving, and knowing no cause, made shift for themselves, as these cowards did, and recovered their boats and their ships in good safety, backed from the raging pursuit of the enemy by our ships. In this conflict also was slain Captain Barker, Captain Cotton two most brave and resolute Gentlemen and much lamented. 〈…〉 finished, 〈…〉 that could 〈◊〉, our General thought that he had done most honourably, and generally the whole company, bewailing the loss of his good friend the french gentleman slain, cried out of cowardice of th●se base grooms his followers, persuading himself that if they had stood with them the honour of this comrie had been theirs, so great was all their hopes in his mercy, that in so many perils since they came from their own country had so mightily preserved them. Then laboured our men to cloy that Ordinance we left in our Fort, which we cam● full of spykes, stones & other trumperle making them unserviceable. The General seeing what was done, and that there was no means to withstand so great a multitude least armed with foolish hardiness he should end ●●●ger the honour he had gained, (than which) he rather would choose to die, seeing it would be hot abiding there, the enemy planting so near him commanded the whole Fleet to make ready, bring their ancours aboard and upon the first of the ebb to go out, which with such expedition was done, that their was no show of any idle hands. At this push, behold one other most marvelous favour of God toward us, the winds which long before blew great & vehemently into the harbought mouth, had altered her place and fitted our turns so that being ready to set sail we had a fair top sale gale which carried us clear off the harbought and the bar, without receiving any damage from the enemy, which shot frankly at us a long time never hitting any one hull, but one, of our Flemings a great bulk which was as fair a mark as a Church which wind lasted not long, nor found we the like, in seven weeks after: thus being delivered from the hands of our enemies having in our companies of english, french and dutch the number of fifteen sails laden all deep with their commodities: The General commanded the whole Fleet to beat for Peren-Iew where he determined to water and to take such other provision as we could there get, sending the little Frenchman of Deep which sailed well to purchase what he could for us, with this place we fell about the midst of night, our General coming to ancour in the offine, put out his lights that they might be thereby advertised what to do not notwithstanding some put into ●●● ha● bought others overshot it, and we in the admiral riding a soute and most better rough, were feign to shift for ourselves, and put into the sea, where we lost our Fleet & never met them after until our arrival in the downs, where it was said unto one General, to his and all our comforts, that the Solomon with one ●…sh bulk was come unto London, The Peryg●ine the Welcome with their pinnace and one other bulk laden were at Plymouth, and one of the spanish ships which we laded for our own use arrived at Breast in Britain, the other by mischance coming foul of another ship was broken down to the water which our men left in the sea, the frenchmen with th●u five ships are as we hear all arrived in safety▪ our ship with the Virgin and one other bulk being the last that came home, whose long stay made our friends greatly to doubt of our well doings. But praise to his ho●●e name that bath so preserved us all, and sent us with such happy fortune amongst our friends with no great loss, though some we had, amongst which, that oft their lives and most lamented was Captain Venard whom we buried royally in the country, the other our Master Chiurgion Randall Starkey a man of singul●●●●ll and as good government as may be required, who of the disease called the ●●u● died & was there buried, and almost all our Chiurgions▪ one only excepted, of wh●se help God be glorified, we had little noode, until our arrival in the downs, where a most sore and grievous mischance befell us, thorough the ne●ligence of our master Gunner, whose careless doings made us all full hea●●e, a●ter a most troublesome and hard adventures to be at our own doors when every man made ●●co●ing to solace him with his friends, then by such a casual hap to be spoiled as we were, for the Gunnor himself was slain with two others, and twenty others gre●●sl●●y h●●t. A worthy ●●rour for all men of government taking charge, how so carelessly they demain themselves, looking with more care unto the charge unto them committed, especially such as have the command of powder and such like substance which is not to be ●ested withal, the proof thereof hath been to often soon, to the great damage of the worshipful Owners. God g●…●his may be the la●●▪ But especially Captain Randolph Cotton whose courage in midst of all broils never quailed: this brave and worthy minded Gentleman albeit he had endured most hard and ●r●●l crosses in his last adventure to the sea, accompanying that most renew●ed and forward Gentleman Thomas Candish Esquire, who held him for his virtues in great account: The remembrance of whose death; with grée● he often times bewailed, and the many cares and troubles of that most unfortunate voyage not yet exiled out of his mind, deffrous to make once again trial of his fortunes: arming his never conquered mind for the same, reseluing ●ther to gain fame which before wealth he prized, not like those penny fathers which care not who lose so they gain, expecting but opportunity and such company, as he wished, rested so, until our generals arrival at Darckmouth where he made his abode, with whom having conference, and knowing his pretended voyage was for these confines of Fernand buck, & that his determination was to land, thought this a time fitting his mind, wherefore without any desire to see his best friends, kin or allies, which commonly draw men from many attempts, he not only adventured his money in the action but his body, with whose good company the General was well pleased, and all the rest of his compéeres, having great hope of his valour▪ which not only showed in his manly countenance, but specially induced there unto by the rare reports of his forward attempts in many other actions where he had charge aswell by sea as by land. An instance of which was manifested by those that acccompaned that most rare and famous Captain and Navigator john Va●es, whereby his good counsel in times of extremities, and valiant courage in all times of service, he gained by courtesy the sole love and general liking of all the company. All which good parts conjoining in this worth Gentleman, moved the General with consent of his friends & compheres, to elect him for their principal leader for their land service as one whose skill and most worthy resolution they wholly under God relied upon▪ which was every way answerable to what they expected, so that therein they were not deceived at all, as his gebat care in performing that charge was unto him committed did manifest, For what many men accounted great pain and most troublesome labour he held and esteemed as mere pleasure, such diligent care he had in keeping on shore, such vigilant watch and ward both for his companies security as his own, as was necessary and most convenient to be used in a place of such danger. Besides his hard labour in building three Baracadoes where he framed his hands which in such labours had been usually accustomed to toil and take pain, whereby he might draw on others and the better to encourage them to their business and careful industry, Ever, and in every attemt showing both valour and resolution in his actions as well seen at the supprizing of their enemies first begun fort, where giving a most courageous onset, put them from their work and supprizing their Ordinance, and with no small honour most valiantly brought it unto to their Fort. This worthy and most valiant Gentleman as he was forward to accomplish those actions which to such valiant and resolute exploits belonged, so was he a unto his followers as well of resolute assaults as of careful industry a spectacle in his enterprises, never damited or receceiving foil until the fatal time of his death, which hononorably he received. Thus showing himself a most woothy leader and faithful subject to his Prince and Cimtrey, leading his companies to this venturous and rare exploit, environed with the extremity of those base and cowardly peasants, who taking him at a vantage was most butcherly murdered without regard either of his virtues or valour. But the cruel tyranny of those detestable wretches shall nor can blemish his deserved fame nor oblivion extinguish his resolute actions, whereby he woorhyly deserved such memory as tongue or pen can or may render for requital aswell of his virtuous behaviour, careful industry and resolution in all his actions, With whom there died that valiant Captain Mun Barker, both which as long as they lived so encouraged our people, that there was no fear amongst them, but every one resolved to fight it out whose death was greatly lamented amongst us all, This Battle finished, and all men come aboard the ships that Thus good Reader I have truly discoursed unto you the troubles of this our voyage which to the glory of God and our countries worthy deserved commendations I have here explained, that you which behold the wonders God hath done for us and our Country may with us and we with you praise him, and heartily desire that never worse success befall any of our nation▪ that as we have done fight and adventure in such hazard for our Prince and Country whose life and honour God ever maintain to the terror of all domestical enemies, & the overthrow of all those that wish her or us ill. A Commemoration of those worthy and valiant Gentlemen Captain Barker and his friend Captain Cotton who in this most honourable Attempt lost their lives. GAallants of England Marses chosen feres, Brave men of worth Chau●leres of Fame: Lay arms aside, and pour forth brinish tears, Wailing their loss whom coward foes hath slain. Barker brave man, the honour of thy name, Whose haughty deeds, yet ill success in war: In chiefest mirth doth cause our tunes to jar. And courteous Cottonne for his brave attempt, Didst well deserve a worthy captains place Their valiant force these spaniards proud have felt, Which purchase fame unto their great disgrace Pursuing foes like lions in their chase, Fight in right of country and our Queen Like men of worth, most resolute and stern. In midst of broils where foes were ten to one, Thierry shot being spent, a wonder 'twas to see: How many spaniards, by them to death were brought, Crying S. George, sweet England now for thee: The work of spain, we have good hope to see. This said those gallants, and even therewithal, A luckless struck caused Barker dead to fall. Whose death fierce Cottonne required so▪ That many a foe, by him to hell was sent: So showed this man of worth his force 'gainst foe, Whose heart with rigour to revenge was bend. But chance of war, hath often wrong event, In chiefest hope, to have a joyful day: A cursed shot, his life hath ta'en away. Thus fought those men like champions of our Queen, Having at most in all three hundred men: Against five thousand which armed in field was seen, Ranged to fight such cowards still they been. Yet all their force they weighed notapyn. But bravely then the onset on them gave, And by their valour from their Fort them drove. But dead they be, yea dead are both our friends, Whose fames shall live eternised for ay: That all may know how brave they made their ends. Which whilst they lived in this most hardy fray, Did scourge these curs and held them at a bay. Whose senseless trunks though lo entered they lie▪ Their glorious souls both rest above the sky. HR. Finis.