John Garret's plate to Drake
What happend to this plate??
At our entrance into this bay, our Captain having given order to his
brother what to do, if any occasion should happen in his absence, was
on his way, with intent to have gone aland with some few only in his
company, because he knew there dwelt no Spaniards within thirty-five
leagues of that place. [Santiago de] Tolou being the nearest to the
eastwards, and Nombre de Dios to the westwards, where any of that
nation dwelt.
But as we were rowing ashore, we saw a smoke in the woods, even near
the place where our Captain had aforetime frequented; therefore
thinking it fit to take more strength with us, he caused his other
boat also to be manned, with certain muskets and other weapons,
suspecting some enemy had been ashore.
When we landed, we found by evident marks, that there had been lately
there, a certain Englishman of Plymouth, called JOHN GARRET, who had
been conducted thither by certain English mariners which had been
there with our Captain, in some of his former voyages. He had now left
a plate of lead, nailed fast to a mighty great tree (greater than any
four men joining hands could fathom about) on which were engraven
these words, directed to our Captain.
CAPTAIN DRAKE
If you fortune to come to this Port, make haste away! For the
Spaniards which you had with you here, the last year, have bewrayed
this place, and taken away all that you left here.
I depart from hence, this present 7th of July, 1572.
Your very loving friend,
John Garret.
What happend to this plate??
At our entrance into this bay, our Captain having given order to his
brother what to do, if any occasion should happen in his absence, was
on his way, with intent to have gone aland with some few only in his
company, because he knew there dwelt no Spaniards within thirty-five
leagues of that place. [Santiago de] Tolou being the nearest to the
eastwards, and Nombre de Dios to the westwards, where any of that
nation dwelt.
But as we were rowing ashore, we saw a smoke in the woods, even near
the place where our Captain had aforetime frequented; therefore
thinking it fit to take more strength with us, he caused his other
boat also to be manned, with certain muskets and other weapons,
suspecting some enemy had been ashore.
When we landed, we found by evident marks, that there had been lately
there, a certain Englishman of Plymouth, called JOHN GARRET, who had
been conducted thither by certain English mariners which had been
there with our Captain, in some of his former voyages. He had now left
a plate of lead, nailed fast to a mighty great tree (greater than any
four men joining hands could fathom about) on which were engraven
these words, directed to our Captain.
CAPTAIN DRAKE
If you fortune to come to this Port, make haste away! For the
Spaniards which you had with you here, the last year, have bewrayed
this place, and taken away all that you left here.
I depart from hence, this present 7th of July, 1572.
Your very loving friend,
John Garret.
