The 15th, being almost in 51 degrees of latitude, and not finding
our ships, nor (according to their promise) being any mark, token,
or beacon, which we willed to set up, and they protested to do so
upon every headland, sea, island, or cape, within 20 leagues every
way off from their fishing place, which our captain appointed to be
between 54 and 55 degrees - this 15th, I say, we shaped our course
homeward for England, having in our ship but little wood, and half a
hogshead of fresh water. Our men were very willing to depart, and
no man more forward than Peerson, for he feared to be put out of his
office of stewardship; he was so insatiate that the allowance of two
men was scant sufficient to fill his greedy appetite; but because
every man was so willing to depart, and considering our want, I
doubted the matter very much, fearing that the seething of our men's
victuals in salt water would breed diseases, and being but few (yet
too many for the room, if any should be sick), and likely that all
the rest might be infected therewith, we consented to return for our
own country, and so we had the 16th there with the wind at south-
west.
The 17th we met a ship at sea, and as far as we could judge it was a
Biscayan; we thought she went a-fishing for whales, for in 52
degrees or thereabout we saw very many.
The 18th was fair with a good gale at west.
The 19th fair also, but with much wind at west and by south.
And thus, after much variable weather and change of winds, we
arrived the 15th of September in Dartmouth, Anno 1587, giving thanks
to God for our safe arrival.
A letter of the said Master John Davis, written to Master Sanderson
of London, concerning his fore-written voyage.
Good Master Sanderson, - With God's great mercy I have made my safe
return in health with all my company, and have sailed 60 leagues
farther than my determination at my departure. I have been in 73
degrees, finding the sea all open, and 40 leagues between laud and
land; the passage is most certain, the execution most easy, as at my
coming you shall fully know. Yesterday, the 15th of September, I
landed all weary, therefore I pray you pardon my shortness.
Sandridge, this 16th of September, Anno 1587.
Yours equal as mine own, which by trial you shall best know,
JOHN DAVIS.
End of The North-West Passage, by Richard Hakluyt
