Page:The principal navigations, voyages, traffiques and discoveries of the English nation 16.djvu/280



To the Right Honorable Sir Robert Cecill knight, Principall Secretarie to her Maiestie, Master of the Court of Wards and Liueries, the woorthy Chancellour of the Vniuersitie of Cambridge, and one of her Maiesties most honorable priuie Counsell.

Right Honorable, while I went about to publish our English Voyages and Discoueries, I was aduised by master, a gentleman of rare and excellent parts, to draw them into a short sum, adding that in his opinion that course woulde prooue most acceptable to the world, especially to men of great action and employment. Although in that worke then vnder the presse I could not conueniently alter my course, yet holding his aduise, as in many things else, so in this for sound and very good, I heere present vnto your Honour a briefe Treatie most agreeable to the same. The authour whereof was one Antonie Galuano, a Portugall gentleman: of whose pietie towards God, equitie towarde men, fidelity to his Prince, loue to his countrey, skill in sea causes, experience in Histories, liberalitie towards his nation, vigilance, valour, wisedome and diligence in restoring and settling the decaied state of The Isles of Maluco, (where he remained sixe or seuen yeeres gouernour,) if it please your honour to read