Investigation into documents in SPO I & II relating to South Africa
Most references to Africa in the 16th century state papers are to North Africa,
particularly the Barbary Coast and the problems of sailors being captured and held as
slaves there. They also cover Charles V’s expedition to North Africa fighting the
Ottomans at Tunis in 1535.
There will not be much on South Africa. There will be more for 17th century as the
East India company was formed and the Royal Africa Company.
This is what I have found so far, some references are to Ethiopia which was then more
than the current territory and used for loosely.
In SPO II:
Some considerations offered by the adventurers in a voyage to the East Indies by
the Cape of Good Hope, to be attended to in the treaty with Spain. 1604.
Calendar Volume Title: A Catalogue of the Manuscripts in the Cottonian Library deposited in the
British Museum, 1744-1827. .
Entry Number: Vespasian, C. XIII, 8 Document Ref.: Cotton Vespasian C/XIII f.23 Date: [no date]
Gale Document Number: MC4318819104
Manuscript link:
http://go.galegroup.com/mss/i.do?viewtype=Manuscript&pg=1&id=GALE|MC4318899104&v=2.1&u
=tlemea_spoa&it=r&p=SPOL&sw=w
In SPO I:
Plymouth. John Hawkyns to the Queen.
The Portuguese who were to have directed them in their enterprize, have fled.
Will undertake it himself. The voyage which he contemplates is "to lade negroes
in Genoya "[Guinea], and sell them in the West Indyes, in truck of golde, perles,
"and esmeraldes." [The origin of the slave trade.]
Calendar Volume Title: Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, of the Reigns of Edward VI, Mary,
Elizabeth, 1547-1580. .
Entry Number: Elz Vol. XLIV, 7 Document Ref.: SP 12/44 f.16 Date: Sept. 16 1567
Gale Document Number: MC4304104247
Manuscript link:
http://go.galegroup.com/mss/i.do?viewtype=Manuscript&pg=1&id=GALE|MC4304184247&v=2.1&u
=tlemea_spoa&it=r&p=SPOL&sw=w
In SPO II :
Anton. Luys, and And. Home, two Portuguese; their offer of some landds, &c. on
the coast of Ethiopia': brought by Mr. Winter. (Orig. Port.) Lond. April 26,
1567.
Calendar Volume Title: A Catalogue of the Manuscripts in the Cottonian Library deposited in the
British Museum, 1744-1827. .
Entry Number: Nero, B. I, 72 Document Ref.: Cotton Nero B/I f.114 Date: [no date]
Gale Document Number: MC4318808344
Manuscript link:
http://go.galegroup.com/mss/i.do?viewtype=Manuscript&pg=1&id=GALE|MC4318888344&v=
2.1&u=tlemea_spoa&it=r&p=SPOL&sw=w
In SPO II :
[April 24] 1561. [The Queen to The Queen Regent of Portugal]
Has received his letter of the 22nd of October last, and has heard all that the Bishop of
Aquila has declared in his name. The answer which was sent by Emanuel Avalius has
been observed, and strait commandment given to her subjects and merchants neither
to traffic in any port of Ethiopia being under his dominion and tribute, nor to impeach
the traffic of his subjects. If her subjects disobey she will upon proof thereof see them
punished. Corrected draft. P. 1.
Calendar Volume Title: Calendar of State Papers Foreign, Elizabeth, 1558-1589. Vol. 4:1561-1562.
Reign: Elizabeth I Entry Number: 137 Document Ref.: SP 70/25 f.92 Date: [April 24] 1561
Gale Document Number: MC4311200140
Manuscript link:
http://go.galegroup.com/mss/i.do?viewtype=Manuscript&pg=1&id=GALE|MC4311280140&v=
2.1&u=tlemea_spoa&it=r&p=SPOL&sw=w
In SPO II:
138. April 24 1561. Safe Conduct For The Portuguese
Upon the complaint and at the request of the Portuguese Ambassador, she grants to
the Portuguese these privileges following, which are embodied in her letters patent.
1. That the Portuguese be used by her subjects with favour.
2. That (although she knows no cause why her subjects may not sail into any country
subject to Portugal, paying due tribute) the English are admonished not to enter any
ports in Ethiopia “in which the said King hath dominion, obedience, and tribute.”
3. That none of her subjects shall aid any Scotchman in spoiling any Portuguese, nor
purchase goods obtained by letters of marque.
4. These her orders shall continue in force as long as the English are lovingly used by
the said King.∗
Draft, corrected by Cecil, and dated and endd. by his secretary. Pp. 4.
∗
This clause is in Cecil's hand, and is an addition to the draft as originally drawn.
Calendar Volume Title: Calendar of State Papers Foreign, Elizabeth, 1558-1589. Vol. 4:1561-1562.
Entry Number: 138 Document Ref.: SP 70/25 f.93 Date: April 24 1561 Gale Document Number:
MC4311200141
Manuscript link:
http://go.galegroup.com/mss/i.do?viewtype=Manuscript&pg=1&id=GALE|MC4311280141&v=2.1&u
=tlemea_spoa&it=r&p=SPOL&sw=w
In SPO II:
Supplement, 1461. March 16 1562. EDWARD KINGSMILL to HUGH
TIPTON
1. There has arrived here a pinnace of the Queen's, called the Fleur de Lys, bound for
Africa and Ethiopia, in company with the Minion and Primrose and another pinnace
called the Dragon. The Governor immediately commanded her and her men to be
stopped, and to take away her sails and to be searched, but they found nothing to lay
to their charge only in matters of religion, saying they were Lutherans, as in their
instructions there is an article that tells against them, which instructions are confirmed
by Winter, Gonestoue, Hyckman, Castlen, and Garratt. Asks him to inform the
Queen's Ambassador thereof, for the lack of this pinnace may be the cause of casting
away of the said ships; also desires that these letters may be conveyed into
England.—Canary, 16 March 1562. Signed.
2. P. S.—The mariners of the said pinnace departed from the said ships in foul
weather.
Orig. Hol. Add.: To Tipton at Seville. Endd.: Duarte Quengesmylle. Pp. 2.
Calendar Volume Title: Calendar of State Papers Foreign, Elizabeth, 1558-1589. Vol. 5:1562.
Entry Number: Supplement, 1461 Document Ref.: SP 70/35 f.125 Date: March 16 1562
Gale Document Number: MC4311301463
Manuscript link:
http://go.galegroup.com/mss/i.do?viewtype=Manuscript&pg=1&id=GALE|MC4311381463&v=
2.1&u=tlemea_spoa&it=r&p=SPOL&sw=w
In SPO II:
May 20 1562. The King of Portugal's Claim to the Guinea Trade
Five reasons alleged by the Portuguese Ambassador to establish the claims of his
master to the exclusive dominion over the trade of Guinea.
1. According to law and reason the finder of a treasure is the true owner of the same.
The crown of Portugal has discovered the said countries [of Africa], and established
the form and manner of traffic, not without loss of many armies and much expense.
2. The Kings of Portugal have desired chiefly to spread abroad the Word of God, and
consequently have instructed their Governors to receive to the obedience of their
Crown all such as without constraint would come, without setting upon them any
tribute or impost whatsoever, thereby to draw them to the knowledge of God. Those
Princes who would not willingly submit or hear the preaching of God's Word in their
countries, should be daunted by force of arms, and charged with tribute. This has so
well profited, that they have got more lands than with force, and by these means many
Princes' lands and seignories in Ethiopia, Arabia, Persia, and India have remained
without any tribute, and some others have been made tributaries; while some not only
remain without tribute, but have yearly pensions of the King in recompence of
services done.
3. As to the manner in which the Crown of Portugal has always enjoyed the actual
possession of the said lands, where the rule has been by force of arms, they pay
tribute; and where there has been any doubt of the fidelity of the people, or any fear
that the Turks, Saracens, and other nations would assail, they have built castles,
fortresses, and great towns and cities. Where there has been no necessity for garrisons,
or the air so pestilent that it was manifest danger for the lives of men, there has only
been a form of traffic established, which has been continued from the beginning
(which is no less than sixscore years) without, in all the coast of Ethiopia, any of the
Princes once rebelling. The Crown has also done much in spreading the Christian
faith, so that there are in Ethiopia and other places holy, Christian people, ordered by
Bishops and divided in dioceses.
4. As to the force ordered by the Kings of Portugal for the preservation of their right,
(since it was seen that of one hundred persons there escapes not at the end of the year
more than about twenty, and those scarce in health,) it was more expedient to send
every year an army by sea to protect the traffic, and prevent any ships, either
Portuguese or other, from trading without an express licence.
5. For sixscore years the Kings of Portugal have enjoyed peaceably the domain and
profit of the said lands publicly, as is shown by their titles, “Lord of Guinea, of the
conquest and navigation and traffic of Ethiopia, Arabia, Persia, and the Indies.”
6. In consideration of which the Ambassador begs that the Queen will forbid her
subjects, without “cautele” or exception, from voyaging to the Brazils, Ethiopia, the
Indies, or any other country discovered by the Portuguese, as the Kings of France
have long ago commanded.
Orig., dated and endd. by Cecil. Fr. Pp. 6.
Calendar Volume Title: Calendar of State Papers Foreign, Elizabeth, 1558-1589. Vol. 5:1562.
Entry Number: 78 Document Ref.: SP 70/37 f.121 Date: May 20 1562
Language: French Gale Document Number: MC4311300082
Manuscript link:
http://go.galegroup.com/mss/i.do?viewtype=Manuscript&pg=1&id=GALE|MC4311380082&v=
2.1&u=tlemea_spoa&it=r&p=SPOL&sw=w
In SPO II:
May 27 1562. Reply to the Portuguese Ambassador
1. To the first reason: The Queen does not understand what discoveries the Portuguese
have made, nor wherefore all nations should be bound to the King of Portugal.
2. To the second: She cannot deny but that they had very good advice, even if the
same prospered not in all places so well as was purposed.
3. To the third: She thinks that the King is right in only building forts where need is,
and thereby saving charge. It does not appertain to her to say where the King shall
build forts, or whether he shall take tribute or not.
4. To the fourth: She questions not of how much the said Kings have had possession
so many years, but wishes that the King had the kingdoms of Guinea in like obedience
that he has the kingdom of Portugal.
5. To the fifth: She allows that no Christian Prince has hitherto reproved the styles and
titles of the said King.
6. In conclusion: Whereas the Ambassador requires that she should forbid her subjects
from voyaging to any country discovered by the crown of Portugal, as the French
King has commanded; she answers that the said reasons cannot move her to forbid her
subjects to repair to the countries of her friends, otherwise than her friends' subjects
are forbidden to repair to her dominions. Upon importunity made by Emanuel
D'Arango, she admonished her subjects not to enter any of the havens of Ethiopia in
which the said King had then dominion, obedience, and tribute. The same was taken
for no small prejudice to her natural subjects, not for lack of the commodity, but for
that the example of such a prohibition was never heard before in this realm. She can
see no reason why her subjects should be forbidden to resort to any country where the
Portuguese have either dominion, obedience, and tribute, or not; as amongst all
Princes and countries the use of intercourse of merchandise is the chief exercise of
amity.
7. Whereas a prohibition is shown in the name of Francis I. in 1538 to certain officers
at Rouen for gratifying the then King of Portugal, as by the writing is mentioned; both
in the said King's time and ever since the merchants of France have sailed into
Barbary, Guinea, Ethiopia, and Brazils, and trafficked there. She thinks that the more
Christian people that shall resort to the Gentiles and Saracens, the more shall the faith
increase; and she cannot allow that more regard should be had to the enriching of any
particular person by monopolies and private navigations than to the public utility of
the whole body of Christendom.
8. For final answer she requires the Ambassador to consider better the terms of her
grant made last year, and accept it thankfully, for she meant not to have granted so
much; yet if it be otherwise interpreted she may perchance find it more reasonable to
revoke it than to grant any more to the prejudice of her subjects, and contrary to the
order of all her progenitors.
Draft, corrected and dated by Cecil. Pp. 14.
Calendar Volume Title: Calendar of State Papers Foreign, Elizabeth, 1558-1589. Vol. 5:1562.
Entry Number: 103 Document Ref.: SP 70/37 f.153 Date: May 27 1562
Language: English Gale Document Number: MC4311300107
Manuscript link:
http://go.galegroup.com/mss/i.do?viewtype=Manuscript&pg=1&id=GALE|MC4311380107&v=
2.1&u=tlemea_spoa&it=r&p=SPOL&sw=w
In SPO II:
June 7 1562. The Replication of the Ambassador of Portugal
1. Offers to name the places which she says she knows not. Through the Portuguese
discoveries, Christendom has many precious things, which before they had to attain
through the Turks, at great price.
2. Though the Kings of Portugal have not built fortresses in every place, yet have they
retained certain profits by trading, remaining absolute seigneurs of the traffic and
navigation.
3. They have regarded as much the reducing of the Indians and Ethiopians to the
knowledge of God as the seeking of riches. Sundry provinces have wholly received
God's Word.
4. Prays the Queen not to be sorry that his master has not the actual possession of all
these countries as he is well content to have the dominion of the coasts, navigation,
and traffic of Guinea, Maligub, Ethiopia, Arabia, Persia, and the Indies.
5. If other Princes had followed the Portuguese, the Turks would not have had so
great a footing in Christendom as they have.
The Ambassador then replies to the Queen's answer given him through the Council, as
follows: —
6. To the first point, that as the Kings of Portugal and Castile have justly acquired the
right and possession of such lands as they have discovered, so is it lawful for them to
use their dominions as is requisite for their affairs. As in England no man may pass
out without passport, or approach so near any fortress as to obtain a knowledge of the
privities thereof, so by jus gentium may the Kings of Portugal inhibit all men to haunt
the navigation into the said countries, so as to avoid the danger that may ensue to their
revenues, and by moving the inhabitants to rebellion. As other estates inhibit the
trading of salt and other things, so the Kings of Portugal may reserve to themselves
what they think good, whereby no nation is kept from the commodity hereof, for the
same are brought very near to them by the Portuguese and Castillians. The principal
traffic whereof if the Kings should set at large, their realms, having spent their goods
and blood in the same conquest, would never suffer it as long as one drop of blood
was in their bodies. As in realms long time possessed, it is lawful for Princes to
reserve certain things not to be carried out of their realms without express licence, so
by stronger reasons may the Kings of Portugal and Castile in their estates merely
possessed, with sword still in hand, make all such ordinances whereby the great
charges for the furniture continually of 15,000 men by the King of Portugal may be
answered. The profits of the fort at the Mina have in the years 1557 and 1558 been
altogether decayed by reason of the English and French. These inhibitions established
for 100 years have never been denied by any Christian Prince. As for the liberty of the
Portuguese to resort into England and certain places in Ireland, like liberty is given to
the English to traffic into Portugal, Algarve, the isles of Aultours [Azores], and all
their forts in Africa; it is also reasonable that they should be satisfied with this, and
observe the laws of the Crown of Portugal, as the Queen would look that the
Portuguese should observe her laws.
7. To the second point. He thanks her for granting her letters patent. Nevertheless,
whereas she inhibited her subjects to resort to any haven of Ethiopia where the King
of Portugal had dominion, obedience, and tribute, it was inferred that they might
lawfully repair to all such other places where the said King had no fort or tribute,
supposing that the other was not of the dominion of the Crown of Portugal, nor owed
any obedience to the same, as appears by the preparation of the great ships to make
their voyage that way. It is a great deal less damageable that strangers should resort to
such places, where the King has forts and factories, where by payment of customs he
might have some commodity, than to such places where he is frustrated of those
rights. If the words “obedience and dominions” are meant to comprehend all lands
discovered by the Crown of Portugal, he begs that such meaning may appear in
express words. Her subjects have taken the liberty to go openly, whereas before they
have done it underhand, except in the time of Queen Mary, when nevertheless they
were commanded to disarm, their costs being paid.
8. Thirdly. Whereas the words of the said letters are, “that the Queen's subjects should
not sail,” etc., five or six months after her merchants took their voyage, expounding
that the time mentioned in the said letters was expired. By the words, “where the said
King has obedience or dominion,” they decide that he has no dominion but where he
has forts and receives tribute. He will never say that she proceeded with such cautel,
but as the words are doubtful, he desires her by the express commandment of his
master to change them into such others as may comprehend all the land discovered by
the Crown of Portugal, and to inhibit her subjects from resorting to any part of the
same without exception. If she refuses to do this, then he asks her to give him leave to
tender to the Lord Chancellor, or the Secretary, the said letters patent granted last
year, not for any contempt of them, but for that they are altogether prejudicial to the
Queen's authority and the service of his master.
9. Fourthly. Touching the resort of the French to La Mina, Malegette, and Brazil, he
marvels to hear the insolency of the subjects against their Prince's commandment
alleged for an example. Divers of the French have been drowned, some burnt, and
some hanged by the Justicia at Lisbon, the said Frenchmen going upon their
adventures and not under the protection of their Prince; for the avoiding of which
inconvenients between her subjects and those of Portugal the Ambassador humbly
begs as before.
10. To the fifth. The Queen thinks that by the more haunt of Christians to a country of
pagans the faith may be augmented. It is easy to be judged what order they mean to
use who go hence altogether upon the ambition of profit, and whose least thought is to
increase the knowledge of God. How well disposed the English and French we to set
forward Christ's religion may be conjectured by their traffic used since twenty-one
years to Barbary, by which they have ordinarily gained 100 for 100, by bringing
against all law armour, tin, and other metals fit for the casting of artillery; whereby is
come to pass that the Saracens, (who durst not of great time show their faces within
twenty miles of the sea,) have not only lately got the town and castle of St. Croix, but
at present, with 120,000 men of war, are before the town of Mazagan, where they
have lain four months. That merchants are great doers herein one late example may
easily induce the belief. A ship which parted from England last September to go to
Larache, was freighted openly with oars, lances, tin, and other metals, and secretly
with certain armours and weapons defensive, and with 120 great coffers laden with
bibles and other books in Hebrew for the Jews dwelling in those countries. What
order the said King has taken for the instructing of those barbarous nations in the
principles of the Christian doctrines, and how hard it is to bring them thereunto, is at
length discoursed in the Ambassador's book exhibited to the Queen.
11. Sixthly. Where the Queen thinks more regard is to be had to the public weal of
Christendom than to the enriching of any particular person by monopolies and
particular navigations, the Ambassador cannot but think his master's honour touched
by the unfitting incongruity of the said word “monopoly,” which can only be used
among the mean sort of people.
12. Touching the seventh. The isles of Malacca are in the possession of the King of
Portugal, and there never was any notable falling out therefor between him and the
King of Castile. Touching Charles V., he was ever of such modesty as he could not
use ill-language to his known enemy; it is not likely he would use any rule language
to so near a friend as the King of Portugal.
13. Touching the conclusion, where the Queen requires him to consider thoroughly
the circumstances of her grant, and to take the same in good part; if the Queen will by
express words inhibit her subjects from going to any of the said places, the King will
have no occasion left to complain, nor she to inhibit touching the affairs of Portugal.
In case of refusal, he begs that she will not take it ill if he refuses the grant of last
year.
14. Touching the five objections that some make touching the premises, whereof the
first is that the lack of making forts upon the havens of Ethiopia has been for lack of
power; (2) that the Kings of Portugal give themselves great titles of things whereof
they have no property; (3) that they are wrong to reserve such things as they do; (4)
that the French allege matter much different from the allegations of the Portuguese;
and (5) that such as make traffic thither do it upon pure zeal to increase the faith of
Christ. For the first, he leaves the matter to be considered whether so small a thing be
not feasible to a Prince who has been able to take so many great cities in Africa, and
in lieu of Kings to make viceroys about Calicut, etc. To the second, he says that the
King does not take to himself more than he actually possesses, that is to say, the
seignory of Guinea, and of the traffic and conquest only of such countries as are
mentioned in the titles. To the third, he says that the Kings of Portugal have justly
reserved to themselves some part of the said countries, to answer the great charges
they have been at in discovering the same, and the continual wars that they have
against the infidel, besides the ordinary charge of 15,000 men and the ships and
munitions. Touching the fourth, the greatest matter the French require at the King's
hands is that it may be lawful for them to haunt his ports in the new discovered lands,
paying custom, which he refuses. To the fifth, he says that when he sees other Princes
employ their forces against the Turks and Saracens, who have bills and claws to
defend themselves, then will he believe that they do the same for the pure zeal of
religion; but seeing them only to travail with merchandise to the poor tame crows,
who have neither feathers or other matter to defend themselves, he cannot think their
zeal to be that way; considering specially the weapons that they carry, which are
rather to offend other Christian men, or else to sell the same to infidels. Begs her to
take what he has said in good part, as it has been in defence of his master's right,
according as all good ministers ought to do.
Copy, with a few corrections, and dated by Cecil: 7 June 1562. Endd.: Abstract of the
Ambassador of Portugal's replication. Pp. 3.
Calendar Volume Title: Calendar of State Papers Foreign, Elizabeth, 1558-1589. Vol. 5:1562.
Entry Number: 158 Document Ref.: SP 70/38 f.48 Date: June 7 1562
Language: English Gale Document Number: MC4311300162
Manuscript link:
http://go.galegroup.com/mss/i.do?viewtype=Manuscript&pg=1&id=GALE|MC4311380162&v=
2.1&u=tlemea_spoa&it=r&p=SPOL&sw=w
In SPO II:
June 8 1562. Cecil to Challoner
…
6. The Ambassador of Portugal, who came hither from France, has earnestly
prosecuted the enlarging of a grant made last year at the request of an Ambassador
being then here, at which time the Queen prohibited her subjects sailing into Ethiopia,
which only specified the ports and havens of the same, which grant they want to have
in general for all Ethiopia, pretending their conquests extend to all those countries.
The English know by stories and merchants that Ethiopia is not under the subjection
of the Portuguese, but only here and there a haven or creek, kept by a fort, to maintain
their trade; whereupon they are determined not to prejudice, by any further grant, the
subjects of this realm. The Ambassador, in a replication delivered yesterday in
writing, joins his cause with the King of Spain's trade to the Indies, meaning thereby
to draw them to offend the King of Spain in denying his request; but in making an
answer they will pass over that, and deal with him alone.
…
Draft, corrected by Cecil. Several passages underlined, to be expressed in cipher.
Endd.: 8 June 1562. Pp. 11.
Calendar Volume Title: Calendar of State Papers Foreign, Elizabeth, 1558-1589. Vol. 5:1562.
Entry Number: 170 Document Ref.: SP 70/38 f.71 Date: June 8 1562 Gale Document Number:
MC4311300174
Manuscript link:
http://go.galegroup.com/mss/i.do?viewtype=Manuscript&pg=1&id=GALE|MC4311380174&v=2.1&u
=tlemea_spoa&it=r&p=SPOL&sw=w
In SPO II:
June 15 1562. Answer to the Portuguese Ambassador's Replication
1. Where he offers to name the places of the new conquered countries, he may do
therein as he shall think good, so as by rehearsal of them it may appear in which of
them the King of Portugal has obedience, dominion, and tribute, from the haunting to
which she wills her subjects to abstain.
2. To the second. She has declared by deeds her good will to the King in that which
she has already granted.
3. To the third. She cannot but much commend the King's meaning to reduce the
Indians and Ethiopians to the knowledge of God, to which nevertheless few of them
have been framed; albeit she has heard that in some places of Ethiopia the Christian
faith has been these many years received and used before this navigation of the
Portuguese.
4. To the fourth. It may well be that the Queen has not seen all that has been written
of the said navigation, neither does she mislike the King's contentation with his
possession, meaning not to impeach any part thereof that he actually possesses, nor to
confess that he has more than she knows he has.
5. To the fifth. Albeit she finds some of the Ambassador's words very strange
touching some Princes who should seem to have impeached the good doings and
meanings of others against Turks and infidels; yet, not knowing whom he means, she
minds not to judge the worst thereof, thinking that the King of Portugal has done like
a Christian Prince, and deserves the great praise of all other Princes.
6. Touching the first point of the seventh. She is in good peace with the King
Catholic, having with him no question of debate in these or other matters, and what
answer soever she makes to any Ambassador of Portugal, she means not that any part
thereof shall extend towards the King Catholic. She intends not to call in question
how lawfully his master has conquered all the countries which are said by him to have
been discovered, nor whether he or his progenitors were the first that discovered the
same. She does not deny that it is lawful for a Prince to restrain strangers from
viewing the fortifications, or to carry out some special kind of merchandise which the
country may not well spare, or to corrupt the subjects to the disobedience of their
Sovereign; which is no argument, but that otherwise friends may traffic together, and
no commandment ought to be given to the contrary. The Portuguese have liberty of
traffic in all places appertaining to her without exception; and the like liberty she
thinks reason would to be given to her subjects in the dominions of the King of
Portugal.
7. To the second. Her meaning in the said grant is, (as the words plainly express,) to
restrain her subjects from haunting any new found land in Ethiopia, wherein the King
of Portugal had obedience, dominion, and tribute, and not from all places discovered,
whereof he had no superiority at all. And touching right and duties due to the said
King, she knows not that any subjects of hers go about to defraud him, wherein she
will by no means bear them. She cannot expound the words of her grant otherwise
than they plainly signify. Where it is said that her subjects never resorted to those
parts in so open a sort as they do presently, the truth is they have sundry times made
their preparations and departed as openly as they have now done. In the time of Queen
Mary in the sight of the world they made their preparations; albeit in the end, upon
certain respects, and upon promise of sufficient recompence, (which was never
performed,) they were ordered to abstain from that enterprise.
8. To the third. Her subjects have done nothing contrary to the said grant, nor
otherwise interpreted her words than her meaning is. She never meant any kind of
cautel, which is an unfitting word to be used to a Prince, yet she is content to pass it
over. As for the re-delivery of the said letters of grant, if the Ambassador thinks it
good, she will be well content that they be delivered to the Lord Chancellor or the
Principal Secretary.
9. To the fourth. Albeit King Francis granted for the time a prohibition to gratify
Queen Elinora, to whom he was newly married, yet in his time the said navigation
was afterwards used, and at this day is permitted without inhibition.
10. To the fifth. She does not think that her subjects use any such spoil or other
insolency as is declared by the Ambassador; neither is it likely that they, being but
merchants, would misuse the people in that sort, which might be a hindrance to their
traffic. For the rest of this point, she means not that preaching and disputing
(wherewith she thinks her subjects, being not learned, will not much meddle,) is the
only means to bring the said people to the knowledge of God, but therewith all good
ensample and honest conversation, besides some godly communication and
conference as may fall out. Finally, she trusts that he wrongfully charges them with
carrying arms to the infidels. She prays that he will inform her of the offenders, whom
she will not fail to cause to be punished, as an example to all others. As concerning
the Bibles in Hebrew, she wonders where her subjects should come by so many,
seeing that here so few can be found when they are sought for; and yet she knows not
but that Bibles may be well sold to Jews, Saracens, and all other nations, seeing they
contain God's true law. And to the conclusion, she thinks clean otherwise in that
point, and that rather it is reasonable that all the King of Portugal's friends should
traffic freely everywhere in his dominions; which liberty nevertheless she does not
mind to give her subjects otherwise than she has granted already.
11. To the sixth. If she had charged the King of Portugal with monopolies, (as indeed
she did not,) the Ambassador ought to bear the burden thereof. She said only in clean
terms that it is not reason to have more respect to the enriching of any particular
person by monopolies, etc., where the King of Portugal is not named or meant,
whatsoever sense it may like. The complaint is superfluous, proceeding more of
passion than of any manifest cause.
12. To the seventh point. She has not said that the Emperor Charles used any
dishonourable words of the King of Portugal. To the request made to the conclusion,
answer is made already. To the five objections, no matter therein is in effect
answerable by the Queen, she having not made any such objections in her answer.
13. This was the Queen's resolute answer to Don Emanuel last year, who was sent for
the same purpose, with which the King, not being satisfied, has sent his Ambassador.
Draft, corrected by Cecil, and endd. by him: 15 June 1562. Pp. 14.
Calendar Volume Title: Calendar of State Papers Foreign, Elizabeth, 1558-1589. Vol. 5:1562.
Entry Number: 190 Document Ref.: SP 70/38 f.110 Date: June 15 1562 Gale Document Number:
MC4311300194
Manuscript link:
http://go.galegroup.com/mss/i.do?viewtype=Manuscript&pg=1&id=GALE|MC4311380194&v=2.1&u
=tlemea_spoa&it=r&p=SPOL&sw=w
In SPO II:
June 19 1562. Second Replication of the Portuguse Ambassador
1. As the Ambassador has already given his master's titles at full, he does not think it
necessary to name every single place over which he has dominion. The Crown of
Portugal will never consent to share with others the discoveries and conquest which
have been so dearly purchased. It has converted to Christianity more countries during
the last hundred years than all the Princes of Christendom together. The King's right
to and possession over his dominions are notorious to all Christendom.
2. He joins the name of the King Catholic to that of his master, because in this matter
the rights of one cannot be violated without prejudice to the rights of the other. As the
Queen has admitted that it is lawful for Princes to forbid strangers from going to
places where their presence may be prejudicial, the King of Portugal permits all to
have access to Portugal, Algarve, and the Azores; and therefore they should be
obedient to his laws, which forbid any person (even Portuguese) from going to these
newly discovered lands without express leave.
3. The Queen declares that she will allow her subjects to trade to places not under the
authority of the King; the Ambassador says that his master has absolute dominion, not
only over those lands already discovered, but over all those which may hereafter be
discovered within the limits of demarcation made between the Crowns of Portugal
and Castile, and solemnly approved of by the Holy Apostolic See; in defending which
rights the King does no injury to any other Christian Prince. The compensation
granted to the merchants in Queen Mary's time has been paid by one who was sent
over expressly for that purpose. The Queen says that the words of the grant were
rightly interpreted by her subjects; he thought it would have been agreeable to her to
have the cause of the wrong attributed to her subjects. He will also inform his master
that she desires not to be pressed any more on that matter, but hopes that when she has
heard other reasons she will accede to his request. In the meanwhile he places her
grant of last year in the hands of the Secretary, together with this writing. The
prohibition of Francis II. was the second or third which he had provided for the
punishment of those who had transgressed his former proclamations. The reason why
none were punished in their bodies was the same as that why no pirates are hanged in
the same kingdom, although many of all nations complain of them. The Portuguese
vessels never commit spoil or piracy, because they are not allowed to go armed in
fashion of war. The people that go on these voyages are hired by the merchants of
London. The Ambassador has not come here to prosecute those who sell arms, etc. to
the infidels, nor to dispute whether it is right for Christians to sell Bibles to Jews, but
merely to present the remonstrance he has done, and then to return to his embassy in
France. The twenty-six chests of bibles and books were brought from Flanders. The
King of Portugal can do no wrong to her subjects by prohibiting them from the same
thing that he forbids his own subjects. Is glad to hear that the word “monopoly” was
not intended to be used in connexion with his master. He again affirms his master's
absolute superiority over the whole of Ethiopia; and therefore his right to make such
regulations with respect to it as may seem most to his advantage.
4. Excuses the expression “deguisements par arguments sophisticques,” in his former
answer, and assures her of the goodwill of his master. —19 June 1562.
Endd. by Cecil. Fr. Pp. 12.
Calendar Volume Title: Calendar of State Papers Foreign, Elizabeth, 1558-1589. Vol. 5:1562.
Entry Number: 222 Document Ref.: SP 70/38 f.146 Date: June 19 1562 Language: French Gale
Document Number: MC4311300226
Manuscript link:
http://go.galegroup.com/mss/i.do?viewtype=Manuscript&pg=1&id=GALE|MC4311380226&v=2.1&u
=tlemea_spoa&it=r&p=SPOL&sw=w
In SPO I:
Indenture and Charter-party between the Queen and Thomas Lodge
43. Indenture and Charter-party between the Queen and Thomas Lodge, Lord Mayor,
and others, citizens of London, for setting forth two ships, the Mynyon and Prymrose,
to pass, sail, and traffic in the parts of Africa and Ethiopia.
Calendar Volume Title: Calendar of State Papers, Domestic Series, of the Reigns of Edward VI, Mary,
Elizabeth, 1547-1580. .
Entry Number: Elz Vol. XXVI, 43 Document Ref.: SP 12/26 f.87 Date: 1562 Gale Document
Number: MC4304103078
Manuscript link:
http://go.galegroup.com/mss/i.do?viewtype=Manuscript&pg=1&id=GALE|MC4304183078&v=2.1&u
=tlemea_spoa&it=r&p=SPOL&sw=w
In SPO II:
Nov. 24 1564. The Queen's Answer to the Portuguese Ambassador
She wishes that he had been privy of the answer made to Don Pereira Dantes in June
1562; namely, that although she saw no reason why her subjects might not sail into
any country belonging to the King of Portugal, they paying such tributes as belong to
the traffic, yet at the request of the said king, she had warned them from the
navigation into any ports in Ethiopia in which the King had dominion, obedience,
and tribute, which she thinks none of them have done. As for the navigation into other
parts of Africa, she does not find it reasonable that she should prohibit it.
Corrected draft. Endd. Fr. Pp. 4.
Calendar Volume Title: Calendar of State Papers Foreign, Elizabeth, 1558-1589. Vol. 7:1564-1565.
Entry Number: 820 Document Ref.: SP 70/75 f.98 Date: Nov. 24 1564
Language: French Gale Document Number: MC4311500821
Manuscript link:
http://go.galegroup.com/mss/i.do?viewtype=Manuscript&pg=1&id=GALE|MC4311580821&v=2.1&u
=tlemea_spoa&it=r&p=SPOL&sw=w
In SPO II:
May. 23 1568. Answer to the Ambassador of Portugal
1. Where he mentions the sending of an ambassador to the King of Portugal to
demand compensation for the sinking of a vessel and cargo belonging to the brothers
Winter, and the liberation of the crew, who are confined in the fort of St. George de
las Minas; and the King's reply that the crew should be released, but that
compensation could not be granted as it was a capital offence for the Portuguese even
to trade in those parts where Winter's ship was found; the Queen does not admit of the
King's right to make laws binding on her subjects, since his are excluded from trading
in no part of her territory. As the injury was inflicted by the King's soldiers he ought
to make compensation. Where the ambassador demands that John Hawkins shall be
tried and punished, no law, divine or human, will permit this to be done in his
absence.
2. With respect to the two principal requests of the ambassador, first, that the Queen
shall prohibit her subjects from trading on the coast of Guinea on pain of death; and
secondly, that she should pay nearly 60,000 ducats to compensate the Portuguese for
piracies committed on them at different times. To the first she can only answer as she
has done before, that though she cannot see any just cause for restraining her subjects,
still, as the King very earnestly insists upon it, she will warn her subjects not to traffic
in those parts of Ethiopia owning the King's rule or paying tribute to him. To the
second she replies that it is unreasonable to hold her liable for the faults of her
subjects in which she was in no way participant, nor has she ever denied justice to any
Portuguese who lawfully demanded it.—Complains of injuries inflicted on certain of
her subjects by the Portuguese.
Endd.: 23 May 1568. Lat. Pp. 6.
Calendar Volume Title: Calendar of State Papers Foreign, Elizabeth, 1558-1589. Vol. 8:1566-1568.
Reign: Elizabeth I Entry Number: 2224 Document Ref.: SP 70/98 f.73 Date: May. 23 1568
Recipient: Ambassador of Portugal Language: English Gale Document Number: MC4311602258
Manuscript link:
http://go.galegroup.com/mss/i.do?viewtype=Manuscript&pg=1&id=GALE|MC4311682258&v=2.1&u
=tlemea_spoa&it=r&p=SPOL&sw=w
In SPO II:
Jan. 2 1569. Queen Elizabeth to Sebastian, King of Portugal
Has received his letter dated from Lisbon on the kalends of January last year, and
communicated the contents to her council. Has not been able to see any fresh reason
for prohibiting her subjects from using the navigation to India and Ethiopia, or for
altering her answer on that point given to his ambassador, Juan Pereira Damtas, some
years ago. Trusts that the ancient amity subsisting between their realms may not
receive any injury, and promises redress by due course of justice for any wrongs
which his subjects may sustain through any of hers.—Hampton Court, 2 Jan. 1568.
Draft corrected by Cecil. Endd. Lat. Pp. 2.
Calendar Volume Title: Calendar of State Papers Foreign, Elizabeth, 1558-1589. Vol. 9:1569-1571.
Reign: Elizabeth I Entry Number: 7 Document Ref.: SP 70/105 f.12 Date: Jan. 2 1569
Author: Queen Elizabeth I Recipient: Sebastian, King of Portugal Place of Writing: Hampton Court
Language: Latin Gale Document Number: MC4311700011
Manuscript link:
http://go.galegroup.com/mss/i.do?viewtype=Manuscript&pg=1&id=GALE|MC4311780011&v=2.1&u
=tlemea_spoa&it=r&p=SPOL&sw=w
In SPO II:
Jan. 1 1572. Articles of Agreement between the Queen of England and the King
of Portugal
1. The intercourse and traffic shall be set open in such manner as has been used in
times past, and the subjects of either prince shall be friendly received and entertained
by both parties.
2. Within a certain time after the confirmation of this accord a mutual restitution shall
be made of all such goods, monies, debts, and vessels as from the year 1568 have
been detained by authority of the prince in either of their realms, and for such as have
been sold the just value to be restored, which shall be ascertained by merchants
appointed on both sides.
3. For the better continuance of the amity and friendship which is desired on both
sides, within 40 days after the confirmation of this accord it shall be published in all
the ports of England and Ireland that from henceforth no subject of the Queen shall
pass into the seas and countries of the conquest of the King of Portugal in Ethiopia
and India called the King of Portugal's Indies, upon pain of incurring the displeasure
of Her Highness, and if such persons so offending be in what sort soever chastised
and punished by the ministers of the said King they shall have no remedy from Her
Majesty. Provided that this prohibition shall not be understood to exclude the Queen's
subjects from any part of Portugal and Algarve, the islands of Madeira and the
Azores, or any place of Barbary north of Cape Verde.
4. For the confirmation of this accord the Lords on behalf of the Queen of England,
and Francisco Giraldi on behalf of the King of Portugal, shall put to their hands.
Endd. by Burghley: 1 Jan. 1571. Italian. Pp. 2 3/4.
Calendar Volume Title: Calendar of State Papers Foreign, Elizabeth, 1558-1589. Vol. 10:1572-1574.
Entry Number: 1 Document Ref.: SP 70/122 f.2 Date: Jan. 1 1572
Language: Italian Gale Document Number: MC4311800004
Manuscript link:
http://go.galegroup.com/mss/i.do?viewtype=Manuscript&pg=1&id=GALE|MC4311880004&v=2.1&u
=tlemea_spoa&it=r&p=SPOL&sw=w