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8 VOYAGES OF SIR HUGH WILLOUGHBY AND OTHERS,
forafmuch as they have ever gently and lovingly intreated fuch as of friendly mind’
came to them, as well from countries near hand, as far remote, commending them-
felves to their protection. Andif it be right and equity to fhew fuch humanity toward
all men, doubtlefs the fame ought chiefly to be fhewn to merchants, who wandering
about the world, fearch both the land and the fea, to carry fuch good and profitable
things, as are found in their countries, to remote regions and kingdoms, and again to
bring from the fame, fuch things as they find there commodious for their own coun-
tries: both as well that the people, to whom they go, may not be deftitute of fuch
commodities as their countries bring not forth to them, as that alfo they may be par-
takers of fuch things whereof they abound. For the God of heaven and earth greatly
providing for mankind, would not that all things fhould be found in one region, to the
end that one fhould have need of another, that by this means friendfhip might be
eftablifhed among all men, and every one feek to gratify all. For the eftablifhing and
furtherance of which univerfal amity, certain men of our realm, moved hereunto by
the faid defire, have in{tituted and taken upon them a voyage by fea into far countries,
to the intent that between our people and them, a way may be opened to bring in,
and carry out merchandifes, defiring us to further their enterprize. Who affenting to
their petition, have licenfed the right valiant and worthy fir Hugh Willoughby,
knight, and other our trufty and faithful fervants, which are with him, according to
their defire, to go to countries to them heretofore unknown, as well to feek fuch
things as we lack, as alfo to carry unto them from our regions, fuch things as they
lack. So that hereby not only commodity may enfue both to them and us, but alfo
an undifloluble and perpetual league of friendfhip be eftablifhed between us both,
while they permit us to take of their things, fuch whereof they have abundance in
their regions, and we again grant them fuch things of ours, whereof they are deftitute.
We therefore defire you kings and princes, and all other to whom there is any power
on the earth, to permit unto thefe our fervants frce paflage by your regions and do-
minions: for they fhall not touch any thing of yours unwilling unto you. Confider
you that they alfo are men. If therefore they fhall ftand in need of any thing, we
defire you of all humanity, and for the nobility which is in you, to aid and help them
with fuch things as they lack, receiving again of them fuch things as they fhall be able
to give you in recompence. Shew yourfelves fo towards them, as you would that we
and our fubjeéts fhould fhew ourfelves towards your fervants, if at any time they hall
pafs by our regions.
Thus doing, we promife you by the God of all things that are contained in heaven,
earth, and the fea, and by the life and tranquillity of our kingdoms, that we will with
like humanity accept your fervants, if at any time they fhall come to our kingdoms,
where they fhall as friendly and gently be entertained, as if they were born in our
dominions, that we may hereby recompence the favour and benignity which you have
fhewed toour men. ‘Thus after we have defired you kings and princes, &c. with all
humanity and favour, to entertain our well-beloved fervants, we will pray our Al-
mighty God, to grant you long life and peace, which never fhall have end. Written
in London, which is the chief city of our kingdom, in the year from the creation of
the world, 5515 in the month of Jiar*, the fourteenth day. of the month, and feventh
year of our reign.
* Hakluyt fuppofes this to be the Saracen name of February. In the geography of thefe times the
favages of the north of Europe were fuppofed to be Saracens. This letter is tranflated by Hakluyt from
the Latin, and he adds that it was likewife written in Greek and other languages,
The
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