CONSIDERATIONS AND PROPOSALS Presented to his Late highness OLIVER LORD PROTECTOR OF England, Touching the not Warring with SPAIN, or the more advantageous prosecuting thereof, after it was begun.  
By F. B.  
LONDON, Printed, Anno▪ Dom. 1659.   

Some Considerations upon the present Expedition supposed for the West-India's, humbly remitted to his highness the Lord Protector, and delivered to Secretary Thurloe, in September 1654. long before the fleets Departure.  

The Commissioners of the admiralty, navy, and Purse of this Nation know best with certainly what this Expedition and incident Charge hath cost, but of other judicious men its generally judged to be about two Millions of li. sterling.  1. THe vast and inevitable charges of setting forth the Flects, the continual pay of Seamen and Soldiers, with supplies that must be sent, till the Conclusion of the Voyage, which is like to be dilated.  
2. Whether in times of so much unsettlement, this commonwealth can spare so many Ships and Seamen, which in great part are the security of the Land, to go so far off from whence they cannot be occasionally had home again upon necessity, England being surrounded with so 
What an opportunity did this Nation lose, in not humbling the Hollander, so as that he might never have thwarted our interest again, as ever since he bathe done, and now Grives for the Mastery in Power and Commerce. And as we then stood we might have had our own terms with France, Spain, and all others, and how different our condition now is may be discerned.  many considerable Potentates, and they for the most part in affection adversaries, which upon all opportunities of advantage, will injure us, notwithstanding any capitulations to the contrary, and the state's Power being formidable, and at hand, will still awe them to a better Compliance.  
3. They go to a place where they must not only fight men upon disadvantages, the situations helping still the inhabitants in countries that 
How was our Army beaten by a few despicable Mongrel-Spaniards, Shepherds and Blacks, that waylaid them in places of advantage, through which they were to march.  have not commodious Ports of disembarking an Army, and difficult ways to march, but which is worse, with a Climate not at all suiting with our English constitutions, particularly of Soldiers, which may be justly feared will sweep away the greater part of them that go; more especially, if Provisions come to decay, or lose of their natural 
Most of the Soldiery, and many Seamen perished for want of Provisions, or eating such as was spoilt, and not agreeing with the Climate.  virtue, as they are subject to do in such extraordinary heats as they must there meet with, and liquour being the chief, is not to be had at all times in an enemy's territories, and ships being thronged with people, diseases will increase and endanger all, than those seas and air with the piercing Sun, will destroy our English and Dutch-built ships both in Hull and Tackling, 
Some of the Ships were lost, and the rest came home in a decayed, tottering condition, whose repairs was sufficiently chargeable.  more in a month's time, then in our own Northern Climates in a year, beside the worm that eats under-water, will render them incapable of future-service.  
4. In case of a repulse, (to which all attempters are subject) in an enemy's dominions, and so distant from relief, which will daunt many a swelling spirit, this commonwealth will be involved out of honour and interest to a second engagement, 
Beside, our Army being so dishonourably repulft▪ and dispirited at Sancto Domingo, what supplies of men and other necessaries have, to little purpose, been since sent to Jamaica, is rather felt then duly considered, or rightly known.  that must be more costly, and necessarily burden the subject, which will be the more resented, when success thwarts the great expectations first entertained of the design, for undoubtedly the enemies so long time of advertisement, will give them time to provide largely for defence, and retire with their riches to inaccessible places, which must render the business more difficult, and peradventure altogether fruitless, and of disrepute.  
5. Let it be granted, that the place intended be surprised, yet before it can be put in a thriving way, what an endless treasure must be disbursed, beside the loss of men and shipping, and 'tis questionable whether ever the benefit from thence will pay it again, these designs promising great matters, but in effect come to nothing, we have the example in hand of New-England, Barbadoes, Christopher's, &c. 
The success we had in the India's fully answers this particular.  the first Planters whereof were all undone, and yet they were void lands, purchased without the price of blood, and little expense of money, and the Proceedings of the Holland West-India Company in Brazil, may be pettinently recited, which have not only been baffled by their enemies, but outed of more wealth than ever they had from thence, the sea reprizals set aside, but here is hope of silver and gold mines; it may so fall out, that there are such, which yet is doubtful, give it for granted, and let attention be had to the trouble in bringing them to perfection, and the extraordinary expenses upon slaves and other people that must work in them, with the materials requisite to such a task, and it will appear that we have 
By our traffic, Manufactories, and employment of our shipping, were we furnished with the India-silver.  easier, and more profitable ways to draw into England that treasure, and if accounts were deliberately made up, it would be found that the King of Spain himself is not such a great Gainer by the India's, as many in the world have conceived, though he have all in possession.  
6. It were to be wished, that the people allotted for this attempt, or others in their room were rather applied to Ireland, and more near Plantations, which would not only bring greater gains to this Government, than any place they can possess in the India's, but also be formidable, to assist in any honourable achievements near at home, that may in time be thought requisite.  
7. And if we must have to do at the India's, let a more opportune time be waited for, which may be at any other better than now, for the Spaniard seeing that we proceed not, will grow careless, and our ships being already sheathed, and warlike Provisions 
The Merchants of this Nation lost in the year 1655. by the Spanish Imbargo: which was made by reason of this Fleets Proceeding to the India's, above 500000 li. sterling, to the ruining of many able men and their families.  fitted, may insensibly be put forth to fall upon them, when not so warned, and consequently armed, as at present they are, and Merchants, though not made fully acquainted with the intentions of States, may moderate and draw home their adventures in the Interim, and a years possession more or less of the places intended, cannot import by too great a quantity what may be lost, in that the Merchants of this commonwealth have trade in all the dominions of Spain, and great estates there depending, that cannot be so suddenly withdrawn, the intercourse having been of long continuance, that hath contracted many debts, and occasioned the transmission of goods for sales, from one place to another, yea, many to the very India's, though in Spaniards names, all which will undoubtedly be seized on, if this Fleet fall upon any of that King's territories, and will be of far more value than is to be feared will be had from the India's in many years: and to him will prove a good Exchange, to have so many ready effects for his present occasions, in stead of an Island that yields him little or nothing of revenue.  
8. Falling out with that people, the greater part of our Manufactory here must cease, whereof that country vents more than any other Nation with whom we have Commerce, which will deprive a great number of poor Tradesmen of livelihood, and this Commonwealth of its Custom and Excise of all Commodities exported hence, and brought from other places of those dominions, some whereof do in a years time pay the greater parts of their value, if not the whole, to this State, as can easily be made manifest, and with those Manufactories comes into this Nations 
Much of our Manufactory hath ceased for want of vent to our Commodities in Spain, and the scarcity of coin in the Nation, in part bespeaks this truth.  possession, a great part of the Plate that arrives from the India's, for which this commonwealth is neither at charge nor hazard: and men are enabledto undergo the burden of taxes, &c. but if trade fail, their estates must decay, and be inabilitated to contribute towards the maintenance of Fleets and Armies, which are so chargeable.  
Doubtless his highness will have deeply weighed what business may be undertaken▪ especially of such importance, yet 
Was not the Jesuits hand in this design, aiming at the ruin of our Fleets and men, with the disrepute of the Nation, and indeed it's to be admired that such a Conduct should be committed to a person that had never been out of England, and scarce heard of, much less experimented, what People and country he was to deal with in America.  forasmuch as this is a matter that falls not into the reach of all men, and that heed must be given to such as pretend to know most in it, 'tis to be hoped that those private persons will not eye more any particular end of interest, or revenge of wrongs received, before the good of their country, which his Highness is beseeched to examine, as also that their Drifts be not to scatter the Nations forces, that are now terrible to its enemies, into many places for their destruction, which otherwise cannot be so easily wrought.   

Some Considerations humbly remitted to his highness the Lord Protector, in order to the better Prosecution of a war with Spain, delivered about Novemb. 1655.  
IN the Bay of Biscay, among others, are the chief Ports of Sansebastian and Bilhao, being the inlets of Commodities that furnish the Northern parts of Castille, and other Provinces of Spain, especially with Fish, of which that country vents great quantities, 
They have enjoyed as free a Trade, as when we had peace with Spain, putting their Commodities at what rates they pleased, and prohibited the bringing in of ours.  and will be supplied by the French and Dutch, with whatsoever they have occasion for, except this State prevent the same, by keeping men of war upon that Coast, but four or five frigates will hinder all their trade, and deprive the places aforesaid of other conveniences, to the loss of the King's customs, and Livelihood of the inhabitants, which will make them clamorous, more particularly when they cannot sell their country goods, as Wools, Iron, &c. nor receive grain from foreign parts, of which many times they stand in great want, and the said frigates 
What damages the Pirates of Sansebastians' and Pasage, have since done this Nation, all Traders too well know, which might have been prevented of such a Squadron, if our frigates had been allotted: and the subjects of Spain would have been made sensible of a war as well as the English.  will hinder the attempts of the men of war of Sansebastians', that otherwise may be very offensive to our English Merchants ships, and these frigates may be sheltered in the Coast of France, or in St. Antonio, an open Port of the Spaniards near Bilhao, upon occasions of bad weather, and may happily meet the Hollanders, that are now lading the Spanish Wools, there appertaining to the Asentistas, which are to go for Flanders to help pay the soldiery.  
In the Provinces of Galicia and Asturias, seated between Biscaya and Portugal, the said King of Spain hath a vast revenue out of the salt that is brought into those parts from South Spain, by Hollanders and others, of which they may be totally deprived, by keeping five or six frigates about those parts, which is a good Coast, and they may harbour themselves in stormy weather, in the Islands of Bayona and 
No ships being ordered from hence, the men of war sailing out of Galicia, have surprised many of our vessels, trading for Portugal, Barbary, the Canary-Islands, &c.  Donis, and there refresh themselves with water at pleasure against all the power that country can make, and the taking of the said salt will not be only the King's loss, but the whole country must be driven to great extremities, and not be able to follow their Fishing trade, which is the greatest maintenance the common people have, and said frigates will lie opportunely to secure our Traders against the Sally-men of war that usually frequent those Coasts, and Dunquerquers that are already there, and will every day increase to prey upon our merchant's ships, that go for Portugal and other places.  
The Canary-Islands have great dependencies one upon the other, which are in all seven, for corn, cattle, &c. especially, great part of their 
There was never a frigate sent for the Canaries since the wars, except General Blakes Fleet, rather the Spanish Pirates have there surprised our Merchant men: and Natives sold the Wines of the country at double the value of what it was formerly worth in time of Peace.  subsistence consists in a Fishing trade, which they drive in small vessels for the Coast of Barbary, but two or three nimble small frigates will take most of their Boats in a short time, and reduce them to much necessity, and the trade of this Nation failing, which is the chief support they have, those parts will in a manner be ruined, and the said frigates may refresh themselves at all times in the Madera Island, belonging to the King of Portugal, about seventy Leagues distant from the Canaries.  
Malaga-Alicants, and Valentia within the straits, are places abounding with Wine, oil, and Fruit, the greater part whereof was brought for England, and that trade failing, the generality of 
For want of such ships in the straits mouth, have we lost many a rich vessel, trading in the Levant, &c. and the enemy there was never interrupted by any that went for the purpose.  people will be brought to hardship, the rather if we have men of war upon their Ports, to examine all strangers, and deprive them from carrying Provisions, without which they cannot well subsist, and Commodities lying in the inhabitants hands: as they must if strangers bring them not hither, will be for the most part lost.  
But the grand business of all will be to have a Fleet near the Bay of Cales, to hinder that place Sevilla and Saintlucar from Commerce, and to beat the Armada they have now out, which being done, in long time will not that King be able to make a power sufficient to encounter our Fleet; nor bring home his treasure from the Indias, and it were to be wished that said Fleets might consist of a competent number of the old navy ships, the better to handle their galleons which are strongly built, and have great Ordnance, and into this Fleet may, upon any urgent Occasion, be drawn the other frigates from the Coast of Galicia and Biscaya, being so near at hand, the putting off which in the aforesaid stations, is reasonably to be judged, will be of more prejudice 
This Nation hath lost by the Pirates of Sansebastians', Pasage, Galicia, Majork, &c. near 1000 sail of Ships, which beside disappointment, and weakening the Commonwealth, are reputed to be worth above two Millions of pounds sterling, occasioned merely for want of having men of war in the parts desired; the charge of which would have been borne by the Custom and Excise due to the State of our lost Goods.  to Spain in a short time, than the loss of the Plate Fleet, and the charge of this State will be small in the doing thereof, and by this means likewise will the King of Spain be deprived of having his galleons, that are now providing in Biscaya, Naples, and other places, to join with his great Fleet, or Ammunition and other necessaries for the same, that in great part is furnished from Sansebastians' and Pasage.  
A strict charge were needful to be given all Sea Commanders, for the examining of Ships bound into the Spanish Dominions, concerning Provisions, Cordage, Sail-Clothes, 
All Hollanders, French, and others, have been tolerated, though our Fleets lay there, to carry in Provisions and Ammunition without disturbance.  Masts, tar, arms, &c. in that therein will depend their being able to set forth a Fleet of Ships or not.  
And forasmuch as many English and Scotch Seamen, do in too great numbers, frequent Biscaya, Dunkirk, and other Pirating places, to the encouragement of Rovers, it 
Such have very much strengthened the Adversaries, in furnishing their ships, and putting them upon such matters, as of themselves they could never have accomplished, to our great prejudice.  were a matter worth consideration, whether it may not be convenient to set out a Proclamation, inviting home all such as appertain to this commonwealth, and if after a set time they continue in the service of any Prince or State in enmity with this Nation, to be proceeded against according to their contempt, if taken: the sooner a good Squadron of Ships were sent to the Coast of Spain, is conceived would be the bettet, considering 
We had above twenty Sail of good men of war ready at Portsmouth, in Decemb. 1655. and had they been sent away for Cales, would have taken and spoiled their Plate-Fleet, that arrived there about March following.  how many merchant's vessels we have abroad, that are subject to be surprised and taken by the Spaniard, as many have lately been, which will be a great encouragement and strength to them, and loss to this Nation.  
These and such like courses being taken, will deprive the King of Spain of the greater part of his Incomes, and render his people incapable to pay taxes, which are heavy upon them, and consequently his Armies and Garrisons 
On the contrary, instead of oppressing the Spaniard, the English have in so high a manner suffered by our ill managing the War, that most of the Stock and Trade of the Nation is lost.  will be neglected in pay and Provisions, some of his remotest territories will revolt or be taken from him, and a general Calamity overwhelm the whole, and then this Nation may take advantages to fall upon the skirts of of some of his Dominions, or compel him to a Peace with this State, that may be made to the glory of God, and welfare of the commonwealth.  

Given to a Statesman the 9th. of May 1657. to be delivered the Protector, a Paper of the following Contents.  
The condition of the Island of Thenerife, in regard the inhabitants are numerous, is scanty in point of Provisions, being in part ordinarily supplied from the rest of the Islands of the Canaries and other places, with Corn, Fish, and other necessaries, without which they cannot well live.  
Now the Spanish Silver Fleets being there, will have made an addition of near 4000 men, which with the inhabitants will in short time very 
They could not have subsisted six months without supplies from abroad.  much straighten that Island, especially if they be interrupted in drawing relief from the other Islands.  
The said West-India Fleet cannot be there fitted to go upon a new Voyage, unless supply of Ammunition, Provisions, &c. be sent from Holland, Spain, or some other places.  
In no Port of the Canary-Islands, can those ships lie safe from burning, sinking, or taking, 
They were all destroyed by General Blake in Sancta Cruz road.  a greater power going to fall upon them.  
The treasure being in that Island, if this State be not wanting to itself, it may be reasonably judged, it's far more liable to fall into this Nations hands then formerly, when coming from the India's, by keeping fourteen or sixteen men of war small and great, in and about the said Island of Thenerife, to hinder all Commerce of foreigners, or sustenance from the neighbour-Islands, which is a thing feasible, and in few months its probable, such order being taken, they may be brought to such hardship, as to surrender or give some other advantage to this Nation, and taking away all Communication of the Islands one to another, the conveniences of the Inhabitants will cease, and if not relieved by a strong power from Spain, which is not likely to be afforded 
General Blake then lay before Cales.  while our Fleet is upon that Coast, they will be in a manner undone, on the contrary, if the said Islands be not straitened by our ships will follow.  
The access of Biscayners, Dunquerquers, and other vessels, to supply and strengthen the said Spanish Fleet, and put them into a capacity to take the advantage of an opportunity to get for some part of Spain, or encourage their Fleet at Cales to come forth, and make up so formidable a power as to conduct them home, or fight our Fleet, rendering void the expectations had as to this matter.  
Likewise 'tis to be feared, that the Hollanders, of which many are going for Thenerife, will be made use of to furnish the Islands, and fetch from thence the silver, which nothing 
Holland merchantmen, by degrees brought all the silver, and other India-Commodities from the lands, of which they might have been hindered by five or six men of War, and justly made prize of, as carrying none but Spaniards' Goods.  can obstruct, but the lying of our Fleet before ●, besieging the same, which will be the only way to obtain our ends, and frustrate the enemy of that treasure, whereof he hath such pressing occasions.   

Another Paper was given for the Protector, immediately upon advice that General Blake had burnt the Spanish Fleet, in the Port of Sancta Cruz, at Thenerife. viz.  
The Island of Thenerife, in regard of the large trade it hath of late years enjoyed, is numerous in people, and of itself for so many is bare of Provisions, but their largest supplies have been of corn and cattle, from Lancarots, Fuerte Ventura, the grand Canaries Hiero and Gomera, and with Fish from the Coast of Barbary, by their own frigates and Ships from England and Holland.  
The late addition of men in the West-India Fleet, will have occasioned a greater scarcity, which will very much distract the greater part of the inhabitants that are labouring men, especially if the trade of Wine should be shortened, or altogether cut off, which is their chief dependence.  
The success which General Blake had in Sancta Cruz, contrary to the ignorant expectations of the Islanders, who having never seen enemy, thought themselves strong enough to withstand any power whatsoever, will much discompose them, and the rather when they see their King unable to supply them with necessaries, it being very probable, that in the last 
They were possessed with such fear after the fight in Sancta Cruz, that the island and Treasure might have been surprised by a small Army of well disciplined Soldiers and Seamen.  fight they spent the greater part of the small store they had of powder and ammunition, of which at best they were never well provided.  
The riches which the West-India Fleet brought to the Island, and what was there before, will amount unto so considerable a quantity, that it were worth the employment of a great strength to endeavour obtaining the same, 
The Fleets was worth near four millions of pounds sterling, and the island for its bigness one of the best in the world.  but a smaller force well ordered will reduce the place to such straits, as that in short time it may be taken by force, or necessitated to a Composition, and the rather when animosities arise among the people, as questionless there will, when the major part of the ordinary sort shall suffer in harder measure than the rest, and the truth is, at best those islanders being a mixed generation, will not be very zealous for their King, which looks upon them to no other purpose, then to oppress them by taxes and levies of soldiers, and the loss of their men by reason of the Spanish Fleets coming thither, will heighten their discontent.  
Now the ready way, as is humbly conceived, to obtain our ends, if for the present a full attempt may not be made upon the island, is to keep about fourteen Sail of men of war from 40 to 10 guns, reparted in several stations, where they may most of the year ride at Auchor before the enemy's Ports, and deprive them of all kind of sustenance from abroad, yea, of their very fishing in small boats in their 
Never a ship went, nor any other diligence used, as to this thing.  Creeks, which is a relief unto them.  
And these ships will not only curb Thenerife, but incommode the grand Canaries, Palma and the other lands, which as it depends on them for provisions, so do they upon this, for their trade, and supplies of Goods with necessaries for their defence, the General of all the lands living in Thenerife, the reduction whereof will prove the subjecting of all the rest of the lands affairs, being duly managed.  
Lancarte and Fuerte Ventura, are Islands thinly inhabited, and may with small strength be brought to subjection, from whence our Fleets may be supplied with bread and cattle, and a sufficient number of good horses to join with our Army to attempt Thenerife, in case it be resolved to assault the same.  
Moreover, our ships lying there, will be a means to interrupt any vessels of the Spaniards coming from the West-Indiaes, whereof many are expected, and deprive them from carrying Wines thither, of which they stand in great want, especially 
Two days after General Blake burned the Calions in Sancta Cruz, came thither from the Indies a Spanish Ship, worth above 300000 li. which might have been taken, had any of our frigates lain thereabout, and so might many others that arrived.  now, that no galleons or New Spain's Fleets can go out of Cales, as in former years, and the Island will be so alarmed, that the people will not be able to hold out in hard duty, which they must be put upon, being altogether unaccustomed thereunto, beside, they must wholly neglect their labour, and consequently the Vintage of Wines, which is near at hand, will be much impaired; and ships being hindered from fetching away any Wines from Thenerife, for Holland and England, such a general calamity will possess most of the Natives, that our designs will still find the better progress, and what honour and advantage it will be to this Nation to have Thenerife, and any other of the Islands, is left to consideration.  
Several other Papers have been given in with pertinent and seasonable hints, as to the securing our commerce, and offending the Spaniard: who every way as is shown hath done us so much mischief, the contents whereof being fitter for the state's consideration then to be communicated, I forbore to insert, but nothing was put in execution how useful soever. And lastly, though publicly enough known, how the Plate fleet was to return from the India's, this Spring it was particularly in time motioned, that a power might be ordered against them, which would have easily been made up, by sending a Squadron to join with Capt: Stoakes, that hath done little good where he lies, had this been effected, and our Ships taken and destroyed that fleet, as in probability they might, with small charge to the Nation, what advantage it would afforded us, and loss with disappointment to the Spaniard may be judged, but they are safely got home without disturbance, which occasions not only the Spaniards, but most other Nations to deride us for keeping such fleets, as since the war we have done abroad, to so vast an expense, only scouring the Seas when we had not visible enemies to encounter, and to withdraw them as we have done at the very time, when we should watchfully attend such of the adversaries fleets, as assuredly we had advice were a coming, insomuch that after this contest, we have obtained little of value from the Spaniard, more than what taken by the Squadron left with Cap: Stayner, and that by mere accident, when the great body of our fleet was retired to Lisboa for water and provisions, the which kind of proceedings, makes many good Englishmen suspect the war was undertaken rather to destroy the strength, purse, and trade of the Nation, then to offend the enemy, which with half the power sent out, and charges we have been at, wisely ordered, might have been ere this time reduced to a different condition then that he is in, but in this covetous age, have not our Councils secrets been opened by the Spanish Golden Key, at leastwise contrary to the practice of the wisest Nations. Among us, hath not the management of the most weighty transactions of State, and Navies been committed to persons unexperienced, as if some of the present generation, beyond all former, were borne capable of such high employments, without being educated and gradually instructed thereunto, let the causes be what they were, the instruments are known, and this Nation is made too sensible of the Spanish war, and other transactions, by its continual osses and sufferings, God grant those now in Authority, Abilities, Intentions, and endeavours, more prudentially to carry on affairs for future, so as the general interest of the people of this Nation may precede all private respect● what●●ver, and be restored to their rights, Religious and Civil, that have been so long clouded.  
FINIS.