(A) Sir Francis Drake to Sir Francis Walsingham, 31 July, 1588.
Source.—John Barrow: Life ... of Sir Francis Drake, 1843. P. 303.
Most Honourable,
I am commaunded to send these presoners ashore by my Lord Admerall, which had, ere this, byne long done, but that I thowght their being here myght have done something, which is not thowght meet now....
We have the armey of Spayne before us, and mynd with the Grace of God to wressell a poull with hym.
There was never any thing pleased me better than seeing the enemey flying with a Sotherly wynd to the Northwards. God grant you have a good eye to the Duke of Parma,[46] for with the grace of God, yf we live, I doubt it not but ere it be long so to handell the matter with the Duke of Sedonya,[47] as he shall wish hymself at Saint Marie Port among his orynge trees.
God gyve us grace to depend on him, so shall we not doubt victory; for our cause is good.
Humbly taking my leave, this last of July, 1588,
Your Honor’s faythfully to be commanded ever,
Fra: Drake.
To the Most Hon. Sir Fras. Walsingham, Knight, etc.
P.S.—I crave pardon of your Honor for my haste, for that I had to watch this last nyght uppon the enemy.
To the Most Honorable Sir Fras. Walsingham.
With speed.
B. Lord Charles Howard to Sir Francis Walsingham.
Source.—Barrow, ibid., p. 306.
Sir, In our laste fighte with the enemye, before Gravelinge,[48] the 29th of Julie, we sonke three of their ships, and made some to go neare with the shore, so leake as they were not able to live at sea. After that fighte, notwithstanding that our powder and shot was wel neare all spente, we set on a brag countenance and gave them chase, as though we had wanted nothinge, untill we had cleared our owne coaste and some part of Scotland of them; and then, as well to refreshe our ships with victuals whereof moste stoode in wonderful neede, as also in respect of our want of powder and shot, we made for the Frith, and sente certaine pinaces to dog the fleete untill they shold be past the Isles of Scotlande, which I verelie beleave they are lost at their sternes or this. We are perswaded that they either are paste about Irelande, and so doe what they can to recover theire owne coast, unless that they are gone for some parte of Denmarke. I have herewith sent unto you a brief abstracte of such accidents as have happened, which hereafter at better leisure I will explaine by more particular relations. In the meane tyme I byd you hartelie farewell.
From aboarde the Ark, the 7th of August, 1588.
Your verie lovinge friende
C. Howard.
The Right Honorable
Sir Fra: Walsingham, knight.
Good Mr. Secretarie, lett not Her Majestie be too hastie in dissolvyng her forces by sea and land: and I pray you send me with speed what advertysements you have of Dunkerk, for I longe to do some exployt on their shippinge. If the Duke’s[49] forces be retyred into the land I doubt not but to do good. I must thank your favourable using of my brother[50] Hoby. He telleth me how forwarde you were to further all thyngs for our wants. I wold some were of your mynde: If we had had that which had been so, England and her Majestie had had the greatest honor that ever any nation had: but God be thanked it is well.
