of England would resolutely prosecute the wars against the King of
Spain, he should be forced to lay aside that proud and unreasonable
reaching vein of his; for he should find more than enough to do to keep
that which he had already, as by the present example of their lost town
they might for a beginning perceive well enough.

Now to the satisfying of some men, who marvel greatly that such a famous
and goodly-builded city, so well inhabited of gallant people, very
brave in their apparel (whereof our soldiers found good store for their
relief), should afford no greater riches than was found there. Herein
it is to be understood that the Indian people, which were the natives
of this whole island of Hispaniola (the same being near hand as great
as England), were many years since clean consumed by the tyranny of the
Spaniards; which was the cause that, for lack of people to work in the
mines, the gold and silver mines of this island are wholly given over.
And thereby they are fain in this island to use copper money, whereof
was found very great quantity. The chief trade of this place consisteth
of sugar and ginger, which groweth in the island, and of hides of oxen
and kine, which in this waste country of the island are bred in infinite
numbers, the soil being very fertile. And the said beasts are fed up
to a very large growth, and so killed for nothing so much as for their
hides aforesaid. We found here great store of strong wine, sweet oil,
vinegar, olives, and other such-like provisions, as excellent wheat-meal
packed up in wine-pipes and other cask, and other commodities likewise,
as woollen and linen cloth and some silks; all which provisions are
brought out of Spain, and served us for great relief. There was but a
little plate or vessel of silver, in comparison of the great pride in
other things of this town, because in these hot countries they use much
of those earthen dishes finely painted or varnished, which they call
_porcellana_, which is had out of the East India; and for their drinking