Page:The principal navigations, voyages, traffiques and discoveries of the English nation 16.djvu/248

 things that had passed among them, vpon that riuer. These newes being brought to the king, hee sent three ships, with a Bishop and certaine Priests, and Friers, and more men and women to inhabite, with all kind of cattell; when this succour was come, they inhabited in two places more on the North side of the riuer, and trauelled three hundred leagues beyond the Ascension: but finding neither gold nor siluer, they returned backe againe vnto the Ascension. The people are so multiplyed in this citie, that now it is one of the greatest in all the Indias, and containeth aboue two thousand houses. The countrey adioyning is exceeding fruitfull, abounding with all kinds of victuals, and with sugar and cotton.

From this citie of Ascension 150 leagues towards the mouth of the riuer standeth another towne which they call Santa Fe, on the South side of the said riuer, from which towne there lyeth an open high way leading into the land of Peru, so that when I come to intreat of Peru I wil speake of this way, and declare who first found it.

Also fiue yeeres past they haue inhabited anew the towne of Buenos Ayres on the South side of the riuer, to the end they might haue trade from the coast of Brasill, but their fortune was such, that the very first time they went to Brasill, and would haue returned againe to the riuer of Plate, they were taken by two ships of England that were going for the streights of Magellan.

The coast along from the riuer to the streights of Magellan hath not bene perfectly discouered, either by sea or lande, sauing onely certaine portes which they haue found, sayling to the streights. Wherefore passing them ouer, I will here intreat of the saide streights, and declare who was the first finder of them, as likewise what was the cause why they were sought for. The Portugales therefore hauing first found and conquered the East Indies, and discouered the coast of China, with the Ilands of the Malucos, (all which places abound with gold, precious stones, silkes, and other rich commodities) and bringing home the foresaide riches in their ships into Portugall: there grewe by this meanes great enuie betweene the Portugales and their neighbours the Spaniardes; insomuch that the Councell of Spaine saide vnto the Emperour Charles the fift being then their king, that the Portugales would be Lordes of all the riches of the world. Vpon which wordes beganne a controuersie betweene the Emperour and the king of Portugall: but they being great friends before,