Moscouie companie for the discouery of the Northeast straight, not
altogether vnfit for some other enterprise of discouery, hereafter to be
taken in hand.
What respect of Islands is to be had and why.
Whereas the Portingals haue in their course to their Indies in the
Southeast certaine ports and fortifications to thrust into by the way, to
diuers great purposes: so you are to see what Islands, and what ports you
had neede to haue by the way in your course to the Northeast. For which
cause I wish you to enter into consideration of the matter, and to note all
the Islands, and to set them downe in plat, to two ends: that is to say,
That we may deuise to take the benefit by them, And also foresee how by
them the Sauages or ciuill Princes may in any sort annoy vs in our purposed
trade that way.
And for that the people to the which we purpose in this voyage to go, be no
Christians, it were good that the masse of our commodities were alwayes in
our owne disposition, and not at the will of others. Therefore it were good
that we did seeke out some small Island in the Scithian sea, where we might
plant, fortefie, and staple safely, from whence (as time should serue) wee
might feed those heathen nations with our commodities without cloying them,
or without venturing our whole masse in the bowels of their countrey.
And to which Island (if neede were, and if wee should thinke so good) wee
might allure the Northeast nauie, the nauie of Cambalu to resort with their
commodities to vs there planted, and stapling there.
And if such an Island might be found so standing as might shorten our
course, and so standing, as that the nauie of Cambalu, or other those
parties might conueniently saile vnto without their dislike in respect of
distance, then would it fal out well. For so, besides lesse danger and more
safetie, our ships might there vnlade and lade againe, and returne the
selfe same summer to the ports of England or of Norway.
And if such an Island may be for the stapling of our commodities, to the
which they of Cambalu would not saile, yet we might hauing ships there,
imploy them in passing betweene Cambalu and that stapling place.
Respect of hauens and harborowes.
And if no such Islands may bee found in the Scithian sea toward the firme
of Asia, then are you to search out the ports that be about Noua Zembla,
all along the tract of that land, to the end you may winter there the first
yeere, if you be let by contrary winds, and to the end that if we may in
short time come vnto Cambalu, and vnlade and set saile againe for returne
without venturing there at Cambalu, that you may on your way come as farre
in returne as a port about Noua Zembla:
