Lives and voyages of Drake, Cavendish, and Dampier

Preface

This volume is devoted to the Lives of tliree of the most eminent men that England has ever sent forth into the field of her highest achievement. The relation of their Voyages, Discoveries, and Adventures is in so far the history of the rise of her naval power. If it be that the first inspiring thoughts of our youth are inseparably connected with marhime enterprise, — with the perils, vicissitudes, new scenes, romantic incidents, the boldness, fortitude, and endurance of men tasked to the utmost of man's physical and moral powers, which are displayed in the narratives of the elder voyagers, — this work cannot want interest. It contains, from the very nature of the subject, much curious and valuable information, gleaned from many sources, and in every instance verified by scrupulous examination and reference to the fountain-head ; while it is believed that, together with the voyages, fuller and more accurate personal memoirs of Drake, Cavendish, and Dampier are given here than any that have yet been submitted to the public. Early Spanish discovery in the South Sea, and the first circumnavigation of the globe in the ever-memorable voyage of Magellan, form a subordinate, but it is hoped an appropriate

10 PREFACE.

branch of the work : and the History of the Bucaneers, those daring rovers, whose wikl adventures afford so much to <;harm the youthful mind, is so closely interwoven with the Memoirs of J)ampier as to form one tissue. Instead of proving a blemish, it is therefvsre presumed that the brief history of this remarkable fratemity may be found no incon-gruous episode in a volume intended by the author as a contribution to popular nautical history, of which the subject, though complete in itself, forms also an interesting chapter in the annals of maritime enterprise and Adventure.

Edinburgh, Novemberi 1831.

Chapter I. Sketch Of Early Discoveries 1\ The Soutk Sea

Drake sees the Pacific— Spirit of Mafilirne Enterprise in England- Notice of Early Attemjjts tb reacli India by tiie We^t— Voyages t<y discover a Passage to the Spice Isles through the Ccatinent of America—Attempts of Colunrlhus— Pinzon— Juan Pones— Vasco Nunea beholds the South Sea— Voyage of Magellan — Tie dtscovers and Jiasses the Straits— The Patagoiiians — Discovers /lie Ladrones — The vXrchipelago of St. Lazarus— Customs and Manrrers atMazagua and- Zebu— Con version of the King and People — BattleatMatan — Magellan killed -Massacre of the Spaniards— Progress and further Discoveries' of Magellan's Squadron— Customs of liorneo— The Moluccas — The Vitoria returns to Spain, having circumn^ivigated the Globe— Expe^ dition of Loyasa-Discoveriesof Saavedra— Voyage of Villalobos— Spanish Settleinent in the Philippines— Discoveries of Juan Fernandez and Meiidana- Robinson Crusoe's Island — TheSolomoti Isles— Summary nf Discovery in the South Sea prior to Drake's Circumnavigation. Page 15"

CHAPTER II. LIFE- OF SIR FRANCIS nRAKE

Drake's fiirth ind Parentage—He goes to Sea— Purser of a Biscay Trader-^Voyage to the Guinea Coast — Sir John Hawkins— Slave Tride— Affair at St. Juan de Ulloa— Drake returns to England— Ex- ].?f. mental Vo^iges- Expedition o Nomhre de Dios— Journey across ta? Isthmus— Rich Booty— Returns Home— Fits out Frigates— Irish U^belFioii- Patronage of F.ssex : of Sir Christopher Hation— Introduced at Court — < 53^

CHAPTER in.

Drake's circuainavigatiox*

The Queen app/roves the new Expedition- Drake's Squadron — Cape Caiitin— Muiey Muloeh— Cape lilanco— Mayo and Brava— The Brazilians — 0!;itriches — Natives of Seal Bay — 'I'heir Manners and Dis» p«sitioii-7iPdtagonia«s— Unfortunate Affray— Stature of the Indians —Port St. Ji«i'an— Doughly's Trial and Execution— Passage of the

Xii CONTENTS.

Strait— The Natives— The Fleet separated— Tierra del Fuego— Fat* of the Shallop's Crew— Cape Horn— The Elizabelhides— Capture of Spanish Prizes — Lamas with Treasure — Capture of the Cacafuego— • The Hind proceeds in Search of llie Norlh-west Passage — Indians of New Albion discovered— Singular Manners rf the Indians- Drake crosses the Pacific^— The Ladrones— The Moluccas— Remarkable Preservation — Baratane — Java — The Voyage Home— The Cape of Good Hope— Arrival ai Plymouth— Drake's Fame — The Q,ueen visits his Ship * 4,. 63