An Action Doubtless Not To Be Intermeddled With Base
Purposes, As Many Have Made The Same But A Colour To
Shadow actions
otherwise scarce justifiable; which doth excite God's heavy judgments
in the end, to the terrifying of weak minds
From the cause, without
pondering His just proceedings; and doth also incense foreign princes
against our attempts, how just soever, who cannot but deem the sequel
very dangerous unto their state (if in those parts we should grow to
strength), seeing the very beginnings are entered with spoil.
And with this admonition denounced upon zeal towards God's cause, also
towards those in whom appeareth disposition honourable unto this
action of planting Christian people and religion in those remote and
barbarous nations of America (unto whom I wish all happiness), I will
now proceed to make relations briefly, yet particularly, of our voyage
undertaken with Sir Humfrey Gilbert, begun, continued, and ended
adversely.
When first Sir Humfrey Gilbert undertook the western discovery of
America, and had procured from her Majesty a very large commission to
inhabit and possess at his choice all remote and heathen lands not in
the actual possession of any Christian prince, the same commission
exemplified with many privileges, such as in his discretion he might
demand, very many gentlemen of good estimation drew unto him, to
associate him in so commendable an enterprise, so that the preparation
was expected to grow unto a puissant fleet, able to encounter a king's
power by sea. Nevertheless, amongst a multitude of voluntary men,
their dispositions were diverse, which bred a jar, and made a division
in the end, to the confusion of that attempt even before the same was
begun.
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