Sec. 1. Preparation for the Voyage, and its Incidents till the Departure of the Fleet from Saldanha Bay.

Having collected a joint stock of seventy thousand pounds, to be employed in ships and merchandize in the prosecution of their privileged trade to the East Indies, by means of which they were to bring spices and other commodities into this realm, the company bought and fitted out four large ships for their first adventure.  These were the Dragon[93] of 600 tons, and 202 men, admiral, in which Mr James Lancaster was placed as general;[94] the Hector of 300 tons, and 108 men, commanded by Mr John Middleton, vice-admiral; the Ascension of 260 tons, and 82 men, Captain William Brand;[95] and the Susan,[96] commanded by Mr John Hayward, with 84 men:[97] Besides these commanders, each ship carried three merchants or factors, to succeed each other in rotation in case of any of them dying.  These ships were furnished with victuals and stores for twenty months, and were provided with merchandize and Spanish money to the value of twenty-seven thousand pounds; all the rest of the stock being expended in the purchase of the ships, with their necessary stores and equipment, and in money advanced to the mariners[98] and sailors who went upon the voyage.  To these was added, as a victualler, the Guest of 130 tons.[99]

[Footnote 93:  This ship, originally called the Malice Scourge, was purchased from the Earl of Cumberland for 3,700l.—­Ann. of the H.E.I.  Co.  I. 128.]

[Footnote 94:  In these early voyages the chief commander is usually styled general, and the ship in which he sailed the admiral.—­E.]

[Footnote 95:  This person is called by Purchas chief governor.  Perhaps the conduct of commercial affairs was confided to his care.—­E.]

[Footnote 96:  The burden of this ship was 240 tons.—­Ann.  I. 129.]

[Footnote 97:  Besides there was a pinnace of 100 tons and 40 men.—­Ann.  I. 129.]

[Footnote 98:  In many of the old voyages, this distinction is made between mariners and sailors:  Unless a mere pleonasm, it may indicate able and ordinary seamen; or the former may designate the officers of all kinds, and the latter the common men.—­E.]

[Footnote 99:  Perhaps the pinnace already mentioned.—­E.]

On application to the queen, her majesty furnished the merchants with friendly letters of recommendation to several of the sovereigns in India, offering to enter into treaties of peace and amity with them, which shall be noticed in their proper places.  And, as no great enterprize can be well conducted and accomplished without an absolute authority for dispensing justice, the queen granted a commission of martial law to Captain Lancaster, the general of the fleet, for the better security of his command.