Peru vtterly vndone with the plague.
This sicknesse came first from Cartagena to this countrey, which
is 1000 leagues distant: and, as I sayd, it hath gone all Peru
ouer, to the vtter vndoing of this countrey: I pray
God to cease it. I pray you when you write any
letters to mee, send them in those shippes which
come to Sainct Thomé, and take in Negros. And
there are great store of ships which goe to Sainct Thomé for
Negros, and it is but 15. dayes sailing ouer a gulfe to Brasill.
A short passage from Buenos Aeres in the riuer of Plate to Peru. And from Brasill their shippes bring their Negros to a hauen called The hauen of Buenos Aeres, which is within the entrance of the mightie riuer of Plate. And from this harbour all kinde of Spanish and Portugall commodities are caried to this citie of Potossi in carts and on horses: for it is but 10. or 12. dayes iourney, and the countrey is very plaine for carts to trauaile. And from Potossi to this harbour is great store of treasure brought to buy that countrey commodities, and so they are shipped for Portugall: and the ships go and come againe in short time. If his maiestie will consent that we may haue traffique from Spaine to this harbour, it will be veey profitable: and in fiue or sixe moneths I shall heare from you, and you shall doe the like from me.
The tediousnesse of the way by Cartagena to Peru. And by the way of Cartagena it is sometime 2 yeres before we can receiue your letters from Spaine. By this way my brother may write, and so by this meane the letters may speedily come to my hand. And thus I rest. From this citie of Potossi the 20 of Iuly 1590.
The Licenciate Christopher Vslano.
A letter of Steuen de Tresio to Alonso Martines Vaca in Siuil from Panama the 21. of August 1590. touching the kings desire to borrow money vpon priuie seales, and the want of the countrey.
It may please your worship to vnderstand, that I haue receiued
a packet of letters from you, wherein you write vnto me of the
great miseries and the calamities of Spaine. And I promise you
that these countreys are in no lesse. For here is great want of
corne and other kind of prouision: for here is almost none to be
had for any money, by reason that from Lima there is no shipping
come with maiz. Here wee haue had newes from Spaine of the
