ABSTRACT
Asked with what design this fleet set forth from England, they said they knew no other design than to go to Puerto Rico and seize the silver, though judging from the provision of victuals and other supplies they believed it would stay a long time in the Indies. Asked when they thought the fleet would leave Guadalupe, they said it had orders to stay three days there, and so they thought it would set sail that night or the next day unless the want of some necessity should detain them. Having heard all this, Don Pedro Tello discussed the whole matter with the vice-admiral and the captains, who unanimously agreed that in his majesty's service the best course was to get to Puerto Rico as quickly as possible, to await the enemy there and to defend not only the treasure of his majesty and private people, but also his land and Spanish prestige. This decision made, they acted upon it : orders were given that night for all the frigates to set new sails and extinguish their lanterns, so as to make themselves invisible to the enemy should he set forth in pursuit. Thus, with these and other very necessary precautions, they made their way to Puerto Rico with great care and attention, arriving there on Monday 13 November, having sent a bark ahead to discover whether the enemy had reached the port first. The royal ensign Pedro Vazquez went in the bark, and when it was learned that the land was safe, the frigates entered ... 1
27. The confession of John Austyn2 (a) Covering letter3
Right honorables my dutye humblye remembred, maye it please your lordships to be advertized that here arryved yesterdaye in the 1 From this point the narrative covers the same ground as document 29. Significant
differences between the accounts are noted there. 2 P.R.O., S.P. 12/256, no. III. 3 Endorsed : 'for her Majesties affaires. To the Right honorables the lords and others
27. THE CONFESSION OF JOHN AUSTYN
eveninge John Austyn of London maryner of the Compaynye of a Barcke one of the Fleete under the Conducte of Sir Frauncis Drake & Sir John Hawkins kneightes in theire viadge & attemptes lately made to the Southwarde, who discoursed what hath happened in the sayd viadge, theffectes wherof appearinge in the inclosed, I thought it my dutye to signifie, leavinge the farther Consideracion therof to your lordships. Besides, this presente daye here arrived a Barcke of Garnesye [which had been plundered by Spanish ships hovering off this coast; he suggests sending out the queen's Dreadnought to attack them] ... most humblie take my leave From Plymouthe the xxvth of March I 596
Your honors most humbly att commaundement George Baron deputie to J ames Bagge Maior of Plymmouth the said Maior beinge nowe absent.
