Page:The principal navigations, voyages, traffiques and discoveries of the English nation 15.djvu/333

 Island of S. Christopher in Hauana this present day on S. Lukes euen; the 17 of October 1590.

Your Worships seruant,.

A letter from Mexico, of Sebastian Biscaino to his father Antonio Biscaino in Corchio in Spaine, touching the great profit of the trade to China, and somewhat of M. Thomas Candish Written the 20 of Iune 1590.

Hauing written to your worship by a friend of mine at large, nowe I will bee somewhat short.

And this is only to giue you to vnderstand, that foure moneths past, I came from China, and landed in Acapulco, 70 leagues from Mexico, which is the harbour where the ships that goe downe to China lye: and all the marchants of Mexico bring all their Spanish commodities downe to this harbour, to ship them for that countrey. It is one of the best harbours in all Nueua Espanna; and where the ships may ride more safely without all kinde of danger. For it lyeth vnder a necke of land, and behind a great point. And in this harbour here are foure great ships of Mexico of 600 and 800 tunnes a piece, which onely serue to cary our commodities to China, and so to returne backe againe. The order is thus.

From hence to China is aboue two thousand leagues farther than that from hence to Spaine. And from hence their two first ships depart at one time to China: and are 13 or 14 moneths returning backe againe. And when those two ships are returned, then the other twaine two moneths after depart from hence. They goe nowe from hence very strong with souldiers.

I can certify you of one thing; That 200 ducates in Spanish commodities, and some Flemish wares which I caried with me thither, I made worth 1400 ducates there in the countrey.

So I make account that with those silkes, and other commodities which I brought with me from thence to Mexico, I got 2500 ducates by he voyage: and had gotten more, if one packe of fine silkes had not bene spoiled with salt water. So as I sayd, there is great gaine to be gotten if that a man returne in safetie.

But the yeere 1588 I had great mischance, comming in a ship from China to Nueua Espanna: which being laden with rich commodities, was taken by an Englishman which