Drie scheeps-togten na het goud-rĳke koningrĳk Guiana, in America geleegen, door den Engelssen ridder Wal... (1706) - Page 15

OF WALTHER RALEGH.

1595

The previous page notes that Berreo, the Spanish governor, had been captured and was held by the English.

The English
inform the
leaders of
the Indians
of the cause
of their
arrival.

The text notes that those found elsewhere in the region had been placed there by Berreo to oppress and exterminate the natives. These were informed through an interpreter how we were servants of a Queen who, while still a young daughter, was already regarded as the greatest sovereign of the North and had more lords under her obedience than there were trees standing on the entire island. She also held enmity with the Castilians Spaniards due to their great tyranny and oppression; therefore, she was moved to deliver all peoples residing here from the servitude and cruelties of the Spaniards, for which reason we were sent by her to release them and to preserve and protect the province of Guiana a region in South America historically associated with El Dorado against their invasion.

We also showed them the Queen’s portrait, which they viewed with such great wonder that they could easily have been moved to idolatry. The same was also spread among other peoples, particularly among those of Guiana.

Subsequently, we departed again for Curiapan a port in Trinidad.

Berreo
questioned
about the
condition
of Guiana.

Now that Berreo was captured, we investigated him to learn the condition of Guiana, as far as he was aware of it.

Origin
of Berreo.

This Berreo was a nobleman of high lineage, brave and fearless of heart, having shown much faithful and distinguished service to the King of Spain in Naples, Milan, and the Netherlands with particular diligence, so that he was also maintained honorably and according to his worth in his imprisonment.

When we departed from Curiapan, we spent an entire month in great adversity, being about 400 miles away from Guiana. How it now stands with this kingdom, who governs it, and what one has to know about it, deserves to be told a little more elaborately. Firstly, it is to be noted...