Panama being an open place is easie to be taken.
And from the riuer of Chagre, which is fifteene leagues from
Nombre de Dios, he may send his footemen in shalop with oares
and in the vessels which carrie goods vp and downe the riuer,
whereof there are aboue fiftie there, and passe vp to the lodging
of the Crosses, called in Spanish Venta de Cruzes,
which is fiue leagues from Panama, which because it
is an vnwalled towne may easily be taken.
Hauana easie to be taken. And Hauana also will bee in great danger, which albeit it haue a fortresse, yet it is but little and weake, and bringing his great ordinance on shore hee may take the same with great facilitie.
And besides these domages which he may do according to this discourse, it will not be the least to cut off the nauigation of the West Indian fleet, if they chance to be there.
What course is to be taken to preuent these mischiefes.
To dispatch Carauels with all possible diligence to the vice-*royes and gouernours of the Indias, aduertising them of the newes of the English army, that they may be prouided, and make themselues ready for them.
Sir Barnard Drake tooke 17. sailes of the Spanish and Portugall fishers returning from Newfoundland, 1585. Albeit, considering the number of ships which haue bene set foorth out of England, I assure my selfe, that some part of them are gone out of those parts vnto Newfoundland. For the Queene hath taken carefull order to send to intercept the ships of the fishermen that goe to Baccalaos. And it is likewise to bee thought that shee hath done the like for the intercepting of the fleet of the Indies.
His intelligence was too true, as I found in the office of the Admiralty. And considering that according to our intelligence out of England, aboue fourescore shippes, and the army of Drake haue bene set foorth from thence, it is meete that his maiestie should prepare another army to seeke the English fleete, and to fight with it, commanding that the Galeons which belong to the crowne of Portugall, and those of his maiestie which lye in the riuer of Siuill bee prepared to send against them, and to giue them the Carena, that they may bee in a readinesse for any voyage howe long soeuer it bee:
Fortie great ships to be prouided. And likewise to arrest a Galeon of the Duke of Florence, which is very well armed and furnished with great ordinance, and passed lately from Alicante toward Cadiz, and to make vp the number of fortie great shippes, which are to bee had in Biscay and Guipuscoa: and that beeing rigged, armed and set in good order, they be vic-
