The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques, and Discoveries of The English Nation, vol. 12 | Page 4

unto men employed in cold regions, which to
good purpose may serue our peoples turnes, if they chance to prosecute
the intermitted discouery by the Northwest, whereunto I finde diuers
worshipfull citizens at this present much inclined. Now because long
since I did foresee, that my profession of diuinitie, the care of my
family, and other occasions might call and diuert me from these kinde
of endeuours, I haue for these 3 yeeres last pasts encouraged and
furthered in these studies of Cosmographie and forren histories, my
very honest, industrious, and learned friend M. IOHN PORY, one of
speciall skill and extraordinary hope to performe great matters in the
same, and beneficial for the common wealth.
Thus Sir I haue portrayed out in rude lineaments my Westerne Atlantis
or America: assuring you, that if I had bene able, I would haue limned

her and set her out with farre more liuely and exquisite colours: yet, as
she is, I humbly desire you to receiue her with your wonted and
accustomed fauour at my handes, who alwayes wil remaine most ready
and deuoted to do your honour any poore seruice that I may; and in the
meane season will not faile vnfainedly to beseech the Almighty to
powre vpon you the best of his temporall blessings in this world, and
after this life ended with true and much honour, to make you partaker
of his joyes eternall. From London the first of September, the yeere of
our Lord God 1600.
Your Honours most humble to be commanded,
RICHARD HAKLVYT, Preacher.

Nauigations, Voyages, Traffiques, and Discoueries
OF THE
ENGLISH NATION IN AMERICA.
* * * * *
The most ancient Discovery of the West Indies by Madoc the sonne of
Owen Guyneth Prince of North-wales, in the yeere 1170: taken out of
the history of Wales, lately published by M. Dauid Powel Doctor of
Diuinity.[4]
After the death of Owen Guyneth, his sonnes fell at debate who should
inherit after him: for the eldest sonne borne in matrimony, Edward or
Iorweth Drwydion, was counted vnmeet to gouerne, because of the
maime upon his face: and Howell that tooke vpon him all the rule was a
base sonne, begotten upon an Irish woman. Therefore Dauid gathered
all the power he could, and came against Howel, and fighting with him,
slew him; and afterwards inioyed quietly the whole land of Northwales,
vntil his brother Iorwerths sonne came to age. [Sidenote: Madoc the
son of Owen Guyneth.] Madoc another of Owen Guyneth his sonnes
left the land in contention betwixt his brethren, and prepared certaine
ships, with men and munition, and sought aduentures by Seas, sailing
West, and leauing the coast of Ireland so farre North, that he came vnto
a land vnknowen, where he saw many strange things.
[Sidenote: Humf. Llyod.] This land most needs be some part of that
Countrey of which the Spanyards affirme themselues to be the first
finders since Hannos time. Whereupon it is manifest that that countrey
was by Britaines discouered, long before Columbus led any Spanyards

thither.
Of the voyage and returne of this Madoc there be many fables feined,
as the common people doe vse in distance of place and length of time
rather to augment then to diminish: but sure it is there he was.
[Sidenote: The second voyage of Madoc the sonne of Owen Guyneth.]
And after he had returned home, and declared the pleasant and fruitfull
countreys that he had seen without inhabitants, and vpon the contrary
part, for what barren and wild ground his brethren and nephews did
murther one another, he prepared a number of ships, and got with him
such men and women as were desirous to liue in quietness: and taking
leaue of his friends, tooke his journey thitherward againe. [Sidenote:
Gomara. lib. 2. cap. 16.] Therefore it is to be supposed that he and his
people inhabited part of those countreys: for it appeareth by Francis
Lopez de Gomara, that in Acuzamil and other places the people
honored the crosse. Wherby it may be gathered that Christians had bene
there before the comming of the Spanyards. But because this people
were not many, they followed the maners of the land which they came
vnto, and vsed the language they found there.
[Sidenote: M. Powels addition. Gutyn Owen.] This Madoc arriuing in
that Westerne countrey, vnto the which he came in the yere 1170, left
most of his people there, and returning backe for more of his owne
nation, acquaintance and friends to inhabit that faire and large countrey,
went thither againe with ten sailes, as I find noted by Gutyn Owen. I
am of opinion that the land whereunto he came was some part of the
West Indies.[5]
* * * * *
Carmina Meredith filij Rhesi[6] mentionem facientia de