ABSTRACT

By an advice-boat which arrived three leagues from this city on April 5 last, and there anchored (the Englishman being then present in this harbour with his fleet), I reported2 to Your Majesty on the disastrous loss of this city and despatched that vessel on the 8th of the same month for Havana. I sent a detailed account of the event but will repeat that relation here because communication by sea is hazardous, so that if that account does not reach its destination this one may. This is what occurred:

OnJanuary 4 of this present year an advice-boat which had been cleared by the president and officials of the House of Trade at Seville reached this city with news that Captain Francis Drake was off the coast of Galicia with a great fleet of 30 ships and eight or ten pinnaces, carrying 4000 men; and that it was understood that he would come to do damage in these parts, for which reason we should be ready and on the alert to defend this city, ifhe should arrive here.