Naufragia, Or, Historical Memoirs of Shipwrecks and of the Providential Deliverance of Vessels

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1806. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V. Captain Thomas James's strange and dangerous Voyage, in his intended Discovery of the N. W. Passage into the South Sea, in the Years 163, and 1632. Wherein the Miseries endured, both going, Wintering, and returning, are related at large. Published by the special command of King Charles The First, in quarto, 1633; reprinted in Churchill's Collection, 1732; and published in a third Edition, Octavo, in 1740? with the following Advertisement: v The universal good Character this Voyage has among the Judicious for its Integrity and Simplicity, and the great scarcity of it (having been sold for 15 Shillings, and a Guinea, in several Auctions) are sufficient motives for the reprinting of it: likewise we hope it will prove very useful and agreeable to the Publick. Olive Payne. Vol. ii. Page 429. I have preferred this to the third Edition, which has lost much of the original quamtness ef the Journal, and is not always correct. Captain James, previous to his Voyage, was presented to the King b v Sir Thomas Roe, and had Letters given him for the Emperor of Japan. THE PREPARATIONS-TO THE VOYAGE. Having been for many years importuned by my honourable and worshipful Friends, to undertake the discovery of that part of the world, which is commonly called the North-West Pasage into the South-Sea, and so proceed to Japan, and so round the world to the Westward; being prest forward withal, by signifying to me the earnest desire the King's Most Excellent Majesty had, to be satisfied therein: I acquainted my much honoured Friends, the Merchants of Bristol, therewith; who, as ever they have been benefactors and advancers of them that pursue the ways of honour (together with the enlargement and benefit of his Majesty's kingdoms,) did freely offer to be at the charge...