lxxxii

PREFACE.

It was a fine stratagem to seind a carvell with men habited in Spanishcloathes, to view the harbour of the Groyne without suspicion. Qu. Whydoe wee not practice the like against France.

As to the earle of Essex’s voyyage to the Westerne islands, in anno 1597 ,.I finde a good designe lost by 'theire late setting out, and afterwards bytheire want of victualls, all defects through want of tarpawlings knowledge.

Here was noe care taken (as lastyeare) to see if the Spanish fleet was inthe Groyne, and if theire was, what readiness they were in, before the fleetapproached the coast, for "want of which, they afterwards, by false intelli-gence, went to the Western islamds to looke out for the Spanish fleet whichwere then at the Groyne.

Here the lord admirall appeares to have lost sight of his fleet by notgiveing due notice of his lying by, to stopp a leake. Qu. Haveing knownit two days before, why he endeavoured not to stopp it in the day time ?

By Sir Walter RaAvleigh’s bieing blamed for takeing tryall without thelord generall, I finde punctillues of honour oft insisted on by gentlemen,and the loss of many a good dlesigne. When on the other hand the tar-pawlings observe noe gVandure, but like devells, count themselves mosthappy that can doe most and soonest mischief to their enemys.

Sir William Monson advised my lord of Essex well, to sende a squadronof sliipps forthwith to the road of Angra, in the Trecera, to intercept theSpaniards, which not being followed by his lordship, and his lordship pro-ceeding by the north of Treceira, and not pursueing his former order to SirWilliam, (all defects of want of’ seamanshipp) they lost takeing a rich booty.

Here appeares (in a differeint point) Sir William Monson, a tarpawlingcaptaines good conduct not to> hazard his shipp, and yet to have certaineintelligence Avhat the shipps lue chased were.

How the earle of Southarmpton lost time by chaseing a single shipp,when he should have followed the Spanish fleete in sight, and assisted SirWilliam Monson; and alsoe cof my lords over perswading Sir William to

leave