What wood or timber may be had, and in
what manner it may be carried? - 4. What victuals are to be procured in
the country, and what kinds of our victuals are best calculated for
keeping there? - 5. The place must be strong by nature, or capable of
being made strong at small expence, and of being afterwards defended by
a small number of men. - 6. How water is to be procured, if none is to be
had on the ground where the fort is to stand, or at least near it? - 7.
What help may be expected from the natives, either in building the fort,
or in defending it afterwards?
You are to sound the King of Habaan at a distance as to the erection of
a fort in his country, taking notice how he relishes the proposal; yet
you will so manage your communication with him that he may not
understand your meaning, although there may seem good cause for its
erection.
You will search the country as far as you can, both along the coast and
into the interior. You will likewise use your endeavours to learn what
became of the merchants who were left at Benin. In all other important
matters worthy of notice, we have no doubt that you will diligently
inquire and report to us, which we leave to your good discretion. We
also request, that you will aid and assist our factors on all occasions,
both with your advice and otherwise; and thus God send you safely to
return.
SECTION VIII.
_Voyage to Guinea in 1562, written by William Rutter_[284].
This relation is said by Hakluyt to have been written by _one_ William
Rutter, to his master Anthony Hickman, being an account of a voyage to
Guinea in 1562, fitted out by Sir William Gerard, Sir William Chester,
Thomas Lodge, Anthony Hickman, and Edward Castelin. Three of these are
named in the preceding section as adventurers in the voyage proposed to
have gone under John Lok, and two of those former adventurers are here
omitted, while two others seem now to have supplied their places, yet it
appears to have been the same adventure, as the Minion was the ship
employed, notwithstanding the unfavourable report made of her by Lok.
But it would appear that the Primrose was likewise of this voyage, as
this relation is contained in a letter from Rutter to his master, dated
on board the Primrose, 16th of August 1563. - E.
[Footnote 284: Hakluyt, II. 516. Astley, I. 177.]
* * * * *
Worshipful Sir, - My duty remembered, this shall serve to inform you of
our voyage, since our departure from Dartmouth on the 25th February
1562, of which I then gave you notice. Having prosperous wind, we
arrived at Cape Verd on the 20th of March, whence we sailed along the
coast, to our first appointed port at Rio de Sestos, where we arrived on
the morning of the 3d April.
