LETTER OF THOMAS HARIOT TO MR. SECRETARY

SIR ROBERT CECIL.

From the original holograph in the Cecil Papers at Hatfield, vol. xliii,
               At first printed in Edward Edward’s Life of
                      Raleigh, vol. ii, page 420.

Right Honourable Sir,

These are to let you understand that whereas, according to your Honor’s direction, I have been framing of a Charte out of some such of Sir Walter’s notes and writings, which he hath left behind him,-his principal Charte being carried with him, -if it may please you, I do thinke most fit that the discovery of Captain Kemish be added, in his due place, before I finish it.  It is of importance, and all Chartes which had that coast before be very imperfecte, as in many thinges elce.  And that of Sir Walter’s, although it were better in that parte then any other, yet it was don but by intelligence from the Indians, and this voyadge was specially for the discovery of the same; which is, as I find, well and sufficiently performed.  And because the secrecy of these matters doth much importe her Majesty and this State, I pray let me be so bould as to crave that the dispatch of the plotting and describing be don only by me for you, according to the order of trust that Sir Walter left with me, before his departure, in that behalf, and as he hath usually don heretofore.  If your Honor have any notes from Sir Thomas Baskerville, if it may please you to make me acquaynted with them, that which they will manifest of other particularytyes then that before Sir Walter hath described shall also be set downe.

Although Captain Kemish be not come home rich, yet he hath don the speciall thing which he was injoined to do, as the discovery of the coast betwixt the river of Amasones and Orinico, where are many goodly harbors for the greatest ships her Majesty hath and any nomber; wher there are great rivers, and more then probability of great good to be don by them for Guiana, as by any other way or to other rich contryes borderinge upon it.  As also, the discovery of the mouth of Orinico it self,-a good harbor and free passage for ingresse and egresse of most of the ordinary ships of England, above 3 hundred miles into the contry.  Insomuch that Berreo wondred much of our mens comming up so far; so that it seemeth they know not of that passage.  Nether could they, or can possibly, find it from Trinidado; from whence usually they have made their discoveryes.  But if it be don by them the shortest way, it must be done out of Spayne.  Now, if it shall please her Majesty to undertake the enterprise, or permitte it in her subjectes, by her order, countenance, and authority, for the supplanting of those that are now gotten thither, I thinke it of great importance to keepe that which is don as secretly as we may, lest the Spaniardes learne to know those harbors and entrances, and worke to prevent us.