- tends to the merchants—Accession of Elizabeth, A.D. 1558—War with
Spain—Temporary peace with France, soon followed by another war—Demand
for letters of marque—Number of the Royal fleet, A.D.
1559—The desperate character of the privateers—Conduct of the
Spaniards—Daring exploits and cruelty of Lord Thomas Cobham,
and of other privateers or marauders—Piratical cruises of the mayor
of Dover—Prompt retaliation of the king of Spain—Reply of Elizabeth—Elizabeth
attempts to suppress piracy, 29th Sept., 1564—Her
efforts fail, but are renewed with increased vigour, though in
vain—Opening of the African slave-trade—Character of its promoters—John
Hawkins' daring expedition—Fresh expeditions sanctioned
by Elizabeth and her councillors—Cartel and Hawkins—They diffe
and separate—1565—Hawkins reaches the West Indies with four
hundred slaves, whom he sells to much advantage, and sails for
England—Fresh expeditions, 1556—They extend their operations,
1568—The third expedition of Sir John Hawkins departs, October
1567, and secures extraordinary gains—Attacked by a Spanish fleet
and severely injured—Reaches England in distress—Prevails on the
Queen to make reprisals—Questionable conduct of Elizabeth—Vigorous
action of the Spanish ambassador—Prompt retaliation—Injury
to English trade less than might have been supposed—Hatred
of the Catholics—Increase of the privateers, 1570—Their
desperate acts, 1572 Pages 88-140
CHAPTER IV.
Certainty of war with Spain—Secret preparations for the invasion of
England, and restoration of the Catholic faith—Philip intrigues
with Hawkins, and is grossly deceived—The Spanish Armada, and
England's preparations for defence—Destruction of the Armada,
July 19, 1588—Voyages of discovery by Johnson—Finner and Martin
Frobisher—Drake's voyage round the world, 1577—His piratical acts
and return home, 1580—First emigration of the English to America—Discovery
of Davis's Straits—Davis directs his attention to India—Fresh
freebooting expeditions—Voyage of Cavendish to India, 1591,
which leads to the formation of the first English India Company,
in 1600—First ships despatched by the Company—The Dutch also
form an East India Company—Extent of their maritime commerce—They
take the lead in the trade with India—Expedition of Sir Henry
Middleton—Its failure and his death—Renewed efforts of the English
East India Company—They gain favour with the Moghul Emperor
of India, and materially extend their commercial operations—Treaty
between English and Dutch East India Companies—Soon broken—Losses
of East India Company—Sir Walter Raleigh's views on maritime
commerce, 1603—His views confirmed by other writers opposed
to his opinions—The views of Tobias, 1614—His estimate of the
