Richard Hakluyt

“ First, your Lordship knoweth that the Cosmographers haue deuided the earth by 360. degrees in latitude, and as many in longitude, vnder the which is comprehended al the roundnesse of the earth: the latitude beeing deuided into 4. quarters, ninetie degrees amount to euerie quarter, which they measure by the altitude of the poles, that is the North and South starres, beeing from the line equinoctiall till they come right vnder the North starre the saide ninetie degrees: and asmuche from the sayde line equinoctiall to the South starre bee other ninetie degrees. ”

“ And as our fruites and graines be aples, nuttes, and corne, so theirs bee dates, nutmegges, pepper, cloues, and other spices. And as wee haue iette, amber, cristall, iasper, and other like stones, so haue they rubies, diamonds, balasses, saphires, Iacincts, and other like. ”

“ Also to write to your Lordshippe of the newe trade of spicerie of the Emperour, there is no doubt but that the Ilandes are fertile of cloues, nutmegs, mace, and cinnamon: And that the saide Ilandes, with other there about, abounde wͭ gold, Rubies, Diamonds, Balasses, Granates, iacincts & other stones & pearles, as al other lãds, that are vnder & nere y͏ͤ equinoctial. For we see, where nature giueth any thing, she is no nigarde. For as with vs and other, that are aparted from the sayde equinoctiall, our mettalles be lead, tynne, and yron, so theirs be golde, siluer, and copper. ”

“ And from this cape returneth and maketh a great gulfe, and after the coast goeth right toward the Orient, and ouer against this last gulfe and coast be manie Ilandes, which be Ilandes of the spiceries of the Emperour. Upon which the Portingales and he be at variaunce. The said coast goeth towarde the Orient, and endeth right against the 155. degrees,Note. and after returneth toward the occident Northwarde: which coast not yet plainely knowne I may ioyn to the new found land found by vs, that I spake of before. ”

“ But it is a generall opinion of all Cosmographers that passing the seuenth clyme, the sea is all ice,Obiection. the colde so much that none can suffer it. And hitherto they had all the like opinion that vnder the lyne Equinoctiall for muche heate the lande was inhabitable. ”

“ Or if their 180. degrees they count from the 370. leagues beyonde the sayde Capo verde, to include in it the sayde Ilandes and landes of Brasill, then plainely appeareth the saide 180. degrees shoulde finishe longe before they come to these Ilandes of the spicerie of the Emperour: As by this Carde your Lordshippe may see. For their limittes shoulde beginne at the 340. degrees, of this Carde, and ende at 160. degrees, where I haue made two little marks of the compasse with crosses in them. ”