treasures, knowing that Santiago was the chief city of all the islands
and traffics thereabouts, St. Domingo the chief city of Hispaniola, and
the head government not only of that island, but also of Cuba, and of
all the islands about it, as also of such inhabitations of the firm
land, as were next unto it, and a place that is both magnificently built
and entertaineth great trades of merchandise; and now lastly the city of
Carthagena, which cannot be denied to be one of the chief places of most
especial importance to the Spaniard of all the cities which be on this
side of the West India: we do therefore consider, that since all these
cities, with their goods and prisoners taken in them, and the ransoms of
the said cities, being all put together, are found far short to satisfy
that expectation which by the generality of the enterprisers was first
conceived; and being further advised of the slenderness of our strength,
whereunto we be now reduced, as well in respect of the small number of
able bodies, as also not a little in regard of the slack disposition of
the greater part of those which remain, very many of the better minds
and men being either consumed by death or weakened by sickness and
hurts; and lastly, since that as yet there is not laid down to our
knowledge any such enterprise as may seem convenient to be undertaken
with such few as we are presently able to make, and withal of such
certain likelihood, as with God's good success which it may please
him to bestow upon us, the same may promise to yield us any sufficient
contentment: we do therefore conclude hereupon, that it is better to
hold sure as we may the honour already gotten, and with the same to
return towards our gracious sovereign and country, from whence, if it
shall please her Majesty to set us forth again with her orderly means
and entertainment, we are most ready and willing to go through with
anything that the uttermost of our strength and endeavour shall be able
to reach unto. But therewithal we do advise and protest that it is far
from our thoughts, either to refuse, or so much as to seem to be weary