A letter to Iohn Lopez Canauate, Alderman in the towne of Canauate in Spaine written from his seruant Iuan de Porua Canauates, from Hauana the seuenteenth of October 1590, touching the state of the said place.
This is to giue you to vnderstand, that since my departure
from S. Lucar I haue written vnto you twise of my arriual here,
and what successe I haue had. And nowe you shall vnderstand
that I am determined to goe for Nueua Espanna. For I stay but
opportunitie of time.
The souldiers run away from Hauana. For here is great watch daily kept and great looking to the souldiers in keeping of them together, for running away. But neuerthelesse I hope in God, to finde some friend to convey mee away from hence. This countrey is so close and narrow, that if a man steale not away hidden in some shippe, it is not possible for him to escape, nor to goe a league out of the towne, no way but by sea. And because the harbour is so close, it is the best harbour and the surest in the world. The harbour is made in this order. The entrie in towarde the land is by a narrow streight chanel, which continueth as long as a caliuer shot, and from that place the riuer openeth broader and broader: There are in the entring in, two points which make with the lande, whereupon are newly builded two strong forts, which are fortified with very great store of ordinance: besides another strong and famous Forte which is in the Citie, so that it is impossible to take it. There are in these three Fortes, a thousand souldiers in Garison. And likewise here are two galies to keepe the coast.
The boldnes of the English. Yet for all this, the audacious Englishmen being without all shame are not afraid to come, and dare vs at our owne doores. Our iourney to goe for England is most certaine in the yeere 1592.
18 ships builded in Cuba against England. Here are making with great expedition 18 ships, which are called Frigats for that effect. They are very strong shippes, and will drawe but very litle water, whereby they may enter amongst the shoulds on the banckes of Flanders: they are builded the higher because here is great store of timber and excellent good and incorruptible. It is reported that the fleete will depart from hence in February, by reason that at that time the Englishmen are not departed out of their owne countrey. And thus I rest, from this
