the discovery of guiana(发现圭亚那)-第23部分
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last： and I doubt much whether he himself or any of his yet know the best
way into the said empire。 It can therefore hardly be regained； if any
strength be formerly set down； but in one or two places； and but two or
three crumsters （Dutch； Kromsteven or Kromster； a vessel with a bent
prow） or galleys built and furnished upon the river within。 The West Indies
have many ports； watering places； and landings； and nearer than 300 miles
to Guiana； no man can harbour a ship； except he know one only place；
which is not learned in haste； and which I will undertake there is not any
one of my companies that knoweth； whosoever hearkened most after it。
Besides； by keeping one good fort； or building one town of strength；
the whole empire is guarded； and whatsoever companies shall be
afterwards planted within the land； although in twenty several provinces；
those shall be able all to reunite themselves upon any occasion either by
the way of one river； or be able to march by land without either wood； bog；
or mountain。 Whereas in the West Indies there are few towns or provinces
that can succour or relieve one the other by land or sea。 By land the
countries are either desert； mountainous； or strong enemies。 By sea； if any
man invade to the eastward； those to the west cannot in many months turn
against the breeze and eastern wind。 Besides； the Spaniards are therein so
dispersed as they are nowhere strong； but in Nueva Espana only； the sharp
mountains； the thorns； and poisoned prickles； the sandy and deep ways in
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the valleys； the smothering heat and air； and want of water in other places
are their only and best defence； which； because those nations that invade
them are not victualled or provided to stay； neither have any place to
friend adjoining； do serve them instead of good arms and great multitudes。
The West Indies were first offered her Majesty's grandfather by
Columbus； a stranger； in whom there might be doubt of deceit； and besides
it was then thought incredible that there were such and so many lands and
regions never written of before。 This Empire is made known to her
Majesty by her own vassal； and by him that oweth to her more duty than
an ordinary subject； so that it shall ill sort with the many graces and
benefits which I have received to abuse her Highness； either with fables or
imaginations。 The country is already discovered； many nations won to her
Majesty's love and obedience； and those Spaniards which have latest and
longest laboured about the conquest； beaten out； discouraged； and
disgraced； which among these nations were thought invincible。 Her
Majesty may in this enterprise employ all those soldiers and gentlemen
that are younger brethren； and all captains and chieftains that want
employment； and the charge will be only the first setting out in victualling
and arming them； for after the first or second year I doubt not but to see in
London a Contractation…House （the whole trade of Spanish America
passed through the Casa de Contratacion at Seville） of more receipt for
Guiana than there is now in Seville for the West Indies。
And I am resolved that if there were but a small army afoot in Guiana；
marching towards Manoa； the chief city of Inga； he would yield to her
Majesty by composition so many hundred thousand pounds yearly as
should both defend all enemies abroad； and defray all expenses at home；
and that he would besides pay a garrison of three or four thousand soldiers
very royally to defend him against other nations。 For he cannot but know
how his predecessors； yea； how his own great uncles； Guascar and
Atabalipa； sons to Guiana…Capac； emperor of Peru； were； while they
contended for the empire； beaten out by the Spaniards； and that both of
late years and ever since the said conquest； the Spaniards have sought the
passages and entry of his country； and of their cruelties used to the
borderers he cannot be ignorant。 In which respects no doubt but he will be
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brought to tribute with great gladness； if not； he hath neither shot nor iron
weapon in all his empire； and therefore may easily be conquered。
And I further remember that Berreo confessed to me and others； which
I protest before the Majesty of God to be true； that there was found among
the prophecies in Peru； at such time as the empire was reduced to the
Spanish obedience； in their chiefest temples； amongst divers others which
foreshadowed the loss of the said empire； that from Inglatierra those Ingas
should be again in time to come restored； and delivered from the servitude
of the said conquerors。 And I hope； as we with these few hands have
displanted the first garrison； and driven them out of the said country； so
her Majesty will give order for the rest； and either defend it； and hold it as
tributary； or conquer and keep it as empress of the same。 For whatsoever
prince shall possess it； shall be greatest； and if the king of Spain enjoy it；
he will become unresistible。 Her Majesty hereby shall confirm and
strengthen the opinions of all nations as touching her great and princely
actions。 And where the south border of Guiana reacheth to the dominion
and empire of the Amazons； those women shall hereby hear the name of a
virgin； which is not only able to defend her own territories and her
neighbours； but also to invade and conquer so great empires and so far
removed。
To speak more at this time I fear would be but troublesome： I trust in
God； this being true； will suffice； and that he which is King of all Kings；
and Lord of Lords； will put it into her heart which is Lady of Ladies to
possess it。 If not； I will judge those men worthy to be kings thereof； that by
her grace and leave will undertake it of themselves。
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