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Rh ing forward adventures in the East Indies. Such a trade, they say, "would by degrees add to the shipping, seamen, and naval force of the kingdom, in the same manner as it has increased the Portuguese fleets."

QUEEN ELIZABETH KNIGHTING SIR FRANCIS DRAKE ON BOARD THE "GOLDEN HIND" AT DEPTFORD, APRIL 4, 1581.

The Spaniards, however, took such grave umbrage at the preparations made in England to interfere with their East Indian monopoly, that in 1599 the granting of a charter to the English Company was postponed for eighteen months by Elizabeth's Privy Council, who were at the moment negotiating peace with Spain. In 1600, however, upon renewed solicitations from the Adventurers for the East Indian voyage, a charter was