3. Also we sailed to divers marvellous rich countries, both civil
and others, out of both their jurisdictions, trades and traffics,
where there is to be found great abundance of gold, silver, precious
stones, cloth of gold, silks, all manner of spices, grocery wares,
and other kinds of merchandise of an inestimable price, which both
the Spaniard and Portuguese, through the length of their journeys,
cannot well attain unto.
4. Also, we might inhabit some part of those countries, and settle
there such needy people of our country which now trouble the
commonwealth, and through want here at home are enforced to commit
outrageous offences, whereby they are daily consumed with the
gallows.
5. Moreover, we might from all the aforesaid places have a yearly
return, inhabiting for our staple some convenient place of America,
about Sierra Nevada or some other part, whereas it shall seem best
for the shortening of the voyage.
6. Beside the exporting of our country commodities, which the
Indians, etc., much esteem, as appeareth in Esther, where the pomp
is expressed of the great King of India, Ahasuerus, who matched the
coloured clothes wherewith his houses and tents were apparelled with
gold and silver, as part of his greatest treasure, not mentioning
velvets, silks, cloth of gold, cloth of silver, or such like, being
in those countries most plentiful, whereby it plainly appeareth in
what great estimation they would have the cloths of this our
country, so that there would be found a far better vent for them by
this means than yet this realm ever had; and that without depending
either upon France, Spain, Flanders, Portugal, Hamborough, Emden, or
any other part of Europe.
7. Also here we shall increase both our ships and mariners without
burdening of the State.
8. And also have occasion to set poor men's children to learn
handicrafts, and thereby to make trifles and such like, which the
Indians and those people do much esteem; by reason whereof, there
should be none occasion to have our country cumbered with loiterers,
vagabonds, and such like idle persons.
All these commodities would grew by following this our discovery
without injury done to any Christian prince by crossing them in any
of their used trades, whereby they might take any just occasion of
offence.
Thus have I briefly showed you some part of the grounds of my
opinion, trusting that you will no longer judge me fantastic in this
matter, seeing I have conceived no hope of this voyage, but am
persuaded thereunto by the best cosmographers of our age, the same
being confirmed both by reason and certain experiences.
