and was buried in the Ifle, near the South Door, of the Church of St. James's in Weftminster.

What was his Character, as a Phyfician, appears from the Treatises which he has left, which it is not neceffary to epitomife or transcribe; and from them it may likewife be collected, that his Skill in Phyfic was not his highest Excellence; that his whole Character was amiable; that his chief View was the Benefit of Mankind, and the chief Motive of his Actions the Will of God, whom he mentions with Reverence, well becoming the most enlightened and moft penetrating Mind. He was benevolent, candid, aud communicative, fincere and religious; Qualities, which it were happy if they could copy from bim, who emulate his Knowledge, and imitate his Methods.

THE

FRANCIS DRAKE was the Son of a Clergyman in Devonshire, who being inclined to the Doctrine of the Proteftants, at that Time much oppofed by Henry VIII. was obliged to fly from his Place of Refidence into Kent, for Refuge from the Perfecution raised against him, and thofe of the fame Opinion, by the Law of the Sixth Articles.

How long he lived there, or how he was fupported, was not known, nor have we any Account of the first Years of Sir Francis Drake's Life, of any Difpofition to Hazards and Adventures which might have been difcovered in his Childhood, or of the Education which qualified him for fuch wonderful Attempts.

We are only informed, that he was put Apprentice by his Father to the Master of a small Veffel that traded to France and the Low Countries, under whom he probably learned the Rudiments of Navigation, and familiarifed himfelf to the Dangers and Hardfhips of the Sea.

But how few Opportunities foever he might have in this Part of his Life for the Exercise of his Courage, he gave fo many Proofs of his Diligence and Fidelity,

Fidelity, that his Mafter dying unmarried left him his little Veffel in Reward of his Services; a Circumftance that deferves to be remembered, not only as it may illuftrate the private Character of this brave Man, but as it may hint to all those who may hereafter propose his Conduct for their Imitation, That Virtue is the fureft Foundation both of Reputation and Fortune, and that the first Step to Greatnefs is to be honest.

If it were not improper to dwell longer on an Incident at the first View so inconfiderable, it might be added, That it deferves the Reflection of those, who, when they are engaged in Affairs not adequate to their Abilities, pafs them over with a contemptuous Neglect, and while they amuse themselves with chimerical Schemes, and Plans of future Undertakings, fuffer every Opportunity of smaller Advantage to flip away as unworthy their Regard.. They may learn from the Example of Drake, that Diligence in Employments of lefs Confequence is the most fuccefsful Introduction to greater Enterprizes.

"

After having followed for fome Time his Mafter's Profeffion, he grew weary of fo narrow a Province, and having fold his little Veffel, ventured his Effects in the new Trade to the Weft-Indies, which having not been long difcovered, and very little frequented by the English till that Time, were conceived fo much to abound in Wealth, that no Voyage thither could fail of being recompenfed by great Advantages. Nothing was talked of among the mercantile or adventurous Part of Mankind, but the Beauty and Riches of this new World. Fresh Discoveries were frequently made, new Countries and Nations never heard of before were daily defcribed, and it may eafily be concluded that the Relaters did not diminish the Merit of their Attempts, by suppreffing or diminishing any Circumstance that might

2

produce

produce Wonder, or excite Curiofity. Nor was their Vanity only engaged in raising Admirers, but their Interest likewife in procuring Adventurers, who were indeed eafily gained by the Hopes which naturally arife from new Profpects, though through Ignorance of the American Seas, and by the Malice of the Spaniards, who from the first Discovery of those Countries confidered every other Nation that attempted to follow them as Invaders of their Rights, the best concerted Designs often miscarried.

Among those who fuffered moft from the Spanish Injustice, was Capt. John Hawkins, who having been admitted by the Viceroy to traffic in the Bay of Mexico, was, contrary to the Stipulation then made between them, and in Violation of the Peace between Spain and England, attacked without any Declaration of Hoftilities, and obliged, after an obftinate Resistance, to retire with the Lofs of four Ships, and a great Number of his Men, who were either deftroyed or carried into Slavery.

In this Voyage Drake had adventured almost all his Fortune, which he in vain endeavoured to recover, both by his own private Intereft, and by obtaining Letters from Queen Elizabeth; for the Spaniards, deaf to all Remonftrances, either vindicated the Injustice of the Viceroy, or at leaft forbore to redress it.

Drake thus oppreffed and impoverished, retained at least his Courage and his Industry, that ardent Spirit that prompted him to Adventures, and that indefatigable Patience that enabled him to furmount Difficulties. He did not fit down idly to lament Misfortunes which Heaven had put it in his Power to remedy, or to repine at Poverty while the Wealth of his Enemies was to be gained. But having made two Voyages to America for the Sake of gaining Intelligence of the State of the Spanish Settlements, and acquainted himfelf with the Seas and Coafts, VOL. I.

M

he

he determined on a third Expedition of more Importance, by which the Spaniards fhould find how imprudent they always act, who injure and infult a

brave Man.

On the 24th of May, 1572, Francis Drake fet fail from Plymouth in the Pafcha of feventy Tons, accompanied by the Swan of twenty-five Tons, commanded by his Brother John Drake, having in both the Veffels feventy-three Men and Boys, with a Year's Provifion, and fuch Artillery and Ammunition as was neceffary for his Undertaking, which, however incredible it may appear to such as confider rather his Force than his Fortitude, was no less than to make Reprifals upon the moft powerful Nation in the World.

The Wind continuing favourable they entered June 29, between Gaudelupe and Dominica, and on July 6th, faw the High land of Santa Martha ; then continuing their Course, after having been becalmed for fome Time, they arrived at Port Pheasant, so named by Drake in a former Voyage, to the Eaft of Nombre de Dios. Here he propofed to build his Pinnaces, which he had brought in Pieces ready framed from Plymouth, and was going afhore with a few Men unarmed, but difcovering a Smoke at a Distance, ordered the other Boat to follow him with a greater Force.

Then marching towards the Fire, which was in the Top of a high Tree, he found a Plate of Lead nailed to another Tree, with an Infcription engraved upon it by one Garret, an Englishman, who had left that Place but five Days before, and had taken this Method of informing him that the Spaniards had been advertised of his Intention to anchor at that Place, and that it therefore would be prudent to make a very fhort Stay there.

But Drake knowing how convenient this Place was for his Defigns, and confidering that the Hazard

and