Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/247

 Chap. IX.] FENTON'S VOYAGE TO THE EAST. 213

named, "with whom you shall consult and conferre in all causes, matters, and actions of ira- ad. 15s-j. portance, not provided for in these Instructions, touching this service now in hand. And in all such matters so handled, argued, and debated, wee thiuke that convenyent alwayes to be executed which you shall think meetest, with the assent also of any four of them, the matter iiaving bene debated and so assented unto in the presence of your saitl assi.stauts."

The sixtli Instruction proceeds in the same peremptory style : —

" Item, you shall not remoove Captaiue William Hawkins, your lieutenant; Mastei'-cap- taine Luke Ward, your vice-admiral, or captaine of the Edxoard Bonaventure ; nor Caj)taine Carlile from his charge by land, whom we will not to refuse any such service as shall be appointed to him by the generall and the councill ; nor any captaine of other vessels from these charges, but upon just cause duely pi'ooved, and by consent of your assistants, or of four of them at the least."

From tlie appointment of a military uHicer, of course having soldiers under instnictions

... partly

him, and in regard to whom it is added (Instruction 23), "in all occasions miiitiir>-, and enterprises that maj'^fall out to bee upon the lande, wee will that Captaine Carlile shall have the generall and cliief charge thereof," it might be supposed that the government had undertaken the entire responsibility of the expedition. This impression is strengthened by Instruction 24, which shows tlijit chaj)- lains had been appointed by public authority. With reference to them, it is said: —

"And to the end God may blesse this voyage with happie and prosperous successe ; you shall have an especiall care to see that reverence and respect bee had to the ministers ajjpointed to accompanie you in this voyage as appertaineth to their place and calling ; and to see such good order as by them shall be set downe for reformation of life and manners duely obeyed and perfourmed, by causing the transgressours and contemners of the same to be severely punished ; and the ministers to remove sometime from one vessell to another."

It is plain, liowever, from other Instructions, that the expedition partook paniy

of the character of a mercantile adventure. Tims it is said (Instruction 8) : —

" You shall make a just and true enventorie, in every ship and vessell appointed for this voyage, of all the tackle, munition, and furniture belonging to them, at their setting foorth hence, and of all the provisions whatsoever ; and one copie thereof under your hand, and luidcr the hands of your vice-admirall and lieutenant, to be delivered to the Earle of Leicester, and the other to the governour of the companie for them, before your departure hence ; .and the like to be done at your returne home of all things then remaining in the sayd ships and vessels, with a true certificate how and by what meanes any parcell of the same shall have bene spent or lost."

The mercantile character is still more fully brought out both by inci- dental mention of merchants and factors in various passages, and particularly in the following Instructions, in which equity, soimd policy, and worldly prudence are so happily combined, that they seem not unworthy of being (quoted entire: —

" 12. Item, we do straightly enjoin you, and consequently all the rest employed in this voyage in any wise, and as you and they will answere the contrary at your comming home by the lawes of this realme, that neither going, tarrying abroad, nor returning, you doe spoyle or take anything from any of the queen's majestie's friends or allies, or any Christians, without ]iaying justly for the same ; nor that you use any maner of violence or force against any such, excei)t in your owne defence, if you shall be set upon, or otherwise be forced for your owne safegard to do it.