ABSTRACT
When the privy council learned of the fleet's imminent arrival, its first thought was to prevent it putting into Plymouth, where the Cadiz expedition was in preparation. The 'confusion and other inconveniences' which it feared might arise from such contact are not difficult to imagine. 2 Orders were also issued to prevent embezzlement of prize goods, but in the event considerable quantities of bullion and pearl were reported illicitly disposed.J Various ships' stores and munitions no doubt went the same way and it was alleged that 'the ships which left Sir Thomas Baskerville and came afore was by the persuasion and agreement of the officers of purpose to make up their voyage by embezzling the same'.4 If by such means some were able to compensate themselves for the miseries of the voyage, many more were reduced to a desperate condition. On 9 June Sir John Fortescue wrote to Cecil: 'if youe saw the numbre being poore miserable creatures hanging at my 1 VTD; documents 18, 42, 43, 46. 2 A.P.C.J N.S.J XXV (1901), 365 (25 April 1596). 3 Ibid.J 367 (26 April 1596); P.R.O., S.P. 12/257, no. 108; Hatfield MSS, 41,
gate who nether have meat nor clothes it wold pyty your hart'. 1 As late as 3 I December I 596 some of the mariners were still demanding their wages. 2 In November the widows of Captains John Mar chant and Anthony Platt petitioned for their husbands' pay, and it is unlikely that the heirs of less important men had by then received satisfaction.J Sympathy for such claimants could not outweigh the officials' knowledge of their duty to save the queen money. Thus Thomas Webbes advised Cecil how 'her Majesty may save in the payment a round sum with small discontent' by refusing wages for some 2 3 days in July I 59 5 and charging the mariners for shoes and clothes issued to them.4 But the greatest delays in the payment of wages were due to the unwillingness of Thomas Drake and Lady Margaret Hawkins to bear their shares of the expense.s
While money matters of this sort occupied the attention of the queen's servants from Cecil downwards, there is no evidence that anyone thought of inquiring into the conduct of the voyage or into its tactical or strategic significance. Baskerville, according to his own private statement (document 47) was accused of fraud, but Troughton's reflections upon his competence apparently evoked no response. It is not known whether Baskerville's charges against Captain Wynter were pursued.6
