Calendar of Letters and State Papers Relating to English Affairs; 1587-1603

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. 1899 Excerpt: ... Majesty other cases in which our Lord has seen fit to dispose matters differently from that which had been expected; and as this enterprise had been so fervently commended to Him, the result must doubtless be that which will be most advantage to His service, and that of your Majesty. I hope during your Majesty's time yet to see your holy plans completely successful, to the greater glory of Almighty God. This Armada was so completely crippled and scattered that my first duty to your Majesty seemed to save it, even at the risk which we are running in undertaking this voyage, which is so long and in such high latitudes. Ammunition and the best of our vessels were lacking, and experience had shown how little we could depend upon the ships that remained, bhe Queen's fleet being so superior to ours in this sort of fighting, in consequence of the strength of their artillery, and the fast sailing of their ships. On the other hand your Majesty's ships depended entirely on harqnebusses and musketry which were of little service unless we could come to close quarters as experience has demonstrated. With the concurrence, therefore of the officers appointed by your Majesty as councillors, and. the Generals, we have adopted the course we are now following This course was rendered necessary also by the weather, the wind having continued to blow from the S. and SW. We have therefore run through the Norwegian Channel, and between the Scottish islands and 1 am at present at this place, whence I have set my course for Corunna, so as to make the voyage as shore as possible. Our provisions are so scanty that, in order to make them and the water 1588. last a month, the rations of every person on the fleet, without exception, have been reduced; just enough being served out to kee...