The distresses described in this letter were, however, trifling, compared to what Ralegh had still to undergo in this fatal voyage; in which, beside the desertion he suffered, he lost his son Walter, found himself betrayed by his king, and drew upon himself the persecution of the Spanish ambassador. His feelings under these calamities will be best described in his own words. The remainder of the present chapter will therefore be devoted to his letter to Sir Ralph Winwood, and another to his wife, written from S'. Christopher's, on his homeward passage; and lastly, to his Apology for the Voyage, written on his return to this country, with the appended address to Lord Carew, who was probably to present the Apology to his majesty. The repeated relations of the same circumstances which occur in these pieces, though perhaps tedious, will have the merit of strengthening the facts (so important in Sir Walter's history) to which they bear refer

ence,

SIR WALTER RALEGH TO SIR RALPH WINWOOD.

'SIR,-As I have not hitherto given you any account of our proceedings and passages toward the Indies, so I have no other subject to write of than of the greatest misfortunes that ever befel any man, For whereas, for the first, all those that navigate between Cape de Verd and America do

pass it

between fifteen or twenty days at most, we found the wind so contrary, and (which are also contrary to nature) so many storms and rains, as we spent six weeks in the passage. By reason whereof, and that in so great heat we wanted water, (for at the isle Bravo, off Cape de Verd, we lost our anchors and cables and our water casks, being driven from the island with a hurricano), we were like all to have perished. Great sickness also fell among us, and carried away great numbers of our ablest men both for sea and land.

The 11th of November we had sight of Guiana, and soon after came to anchor in five degrees at the river Caliana. There we staid till the 4th of December, landed our sick men, set up the barges and shallops, which were brought out of England, in quarters, washed our ships, and took in fresh water; being fed and cherished by the Indians of my old acquaintance, with a great deal of love and respect. Myself, being in the hands of death these six weeks, and was not able otherwise to move than as I was carried in a chair, gave order to five small ships to sail into Oroonoko, having Captain Keymis for their conductor toward the mines. And in those five ships, five companies of fifty, under the command of Captain Parker and Captain North, brethren to the Lord Mounteagle and the Lord North, valiant gentlemen, and of infinite patience for the labour, hunger, and heat, which they have endured. My son had the third company, Captain

Thornhurst of Kent the fourth company, Captain Chidley, by his lieutenant, the fifth. But, as my serjeant-major, Captain Piggot of the Low countries, died in the former miserable passage, so now my lieutenant Sir Warham Saintleger lay sick without hope of life, and the charge conferred on my nephew, George Ralegh; who had also served long with infinite commendations, but, by reason of my absence, and of Sir Warham's, was not so well obeyed as the enterprise required.

As they passed up the river, the Spaniards began the war, and shot at us, both with their ordnance and muskets. Whereupon the companies were forced to charge them, and soon after beat them out of the town, In the assault, my son, more desirous of honour than safety, was slain; with whom, to say truth, all the respects of this world have taken end in me. And although these five captains had as weak companies as ever followed valiant leaders, yet were there among them some 20 or 30 valiant and adventrous gentlemen, and of singular courage. As, of my son's company, Mr. Knivet, Mr. Hammon, Mr. Langworth, Mr. John Pleasington; his officers, Sir John Heydon, Mr. Simon Leak, corporal of the field, Mr. Hammon, the elder brother, Mr. Nicholas of Buckingham, Mr. Roberts of Kent, Mr. Perin, Mr. Tresham, Mr. Mollineux, Mr. Winter and his brother, Mr. Wray, Mr. Miles Herbert, Mr. Bradshaw, Captain Hall, and others. Sir, I have set down the names of

these gentlemen, to the end that if his majesty shall have cause to use their service, it may please you to take notice of them for very sufficient gentle

men.

• The other five ships staid at Trinidado, having no other port capable of them near Guiana. The second ship was commanded by my vice-admiral Captain John Pennington, of whom, to do him right, I dare say he is one of the sufficientest gentlemen for the sea that England hath. The third by Sir Warham Saintleger, an exceeding valiant and worthy gentleman. The fourth by Sir John Ferne. The fifth by Captain Chidley of Devon.

With these five ships I daily attended their ar mada of Spain; which, had they set upon us, our force divided, the one half in Oroonoko, 150 miles from us, we had not only been torn in pieces, but all those in the river had also perished, being of no force at all for the sea-fight. For we had resolved to have been burnt by their sides, had the armada arrived. But belike they staid for us at Margarita, by which they knew we must pass toward the Indies. For it pleased his majesty to value us at so little, as to command me, upon my allegiance, to set down under my hand the country, and the very river by which I was to enter it to set down the number of my men, and burthen of my ships, and what ordnance every ship carried. Which being known to the Spanish ambassador, and by him sent to the king of Spain, a

dispatch was made, and letters sent from Madrid, before my departure out of the Thames. For his first letter, sent by a bark of advice, was dated March 19th 1617, at Madrid; which letter I have, here inclosed, sent to your honour. The rest I reserve, not knowing whether they may be intercepted or not. The second, by the king, dated May 24, sent also by a colonel of Diego de Palameca, governor of Guiana, El Dorado, and Trinidado. The third by the bishop of Portorico, and delivered to Palameca, July 15th, at Trinidado. And the fourth was sent from the farmer and secretary of his customs in the Indies. At the same time, by that of the king's hand sent by the bishop, there was also a commission for the speedy levying of 300 soldiers and ten pieces of ordnance, to be sent from Portorico, for the defence of Guiana; 150 from Nuevo Regno de Granada, under the command of Anthony Musica; and the other 150 from Portorico, to be conducted by Captain Fran. Lavelio.

Now, Sir, if all that have traded to the Indies since his majesty's time, knew that the Spaniards have flayed alive all the poor men which they have taken, being but merchantmen, what death and cruel torment shall we expect if they conquer us? Certainly they have hitherto failed grossly, we being set out thence as we were, and discovered both for number, time, and place.

Lastly, to make an apology for not working the