7th of February, 1585.

WHEREAS it hath pleased the General to demand the opinions of his
captains what course they think most expedient to be now undertaken, the
land-captains being assembled by themselves together, and having advised
hereupon, do in three points deliver the same.

THE FIRST, touching the keeping of the town against the force of the
enemy, either that which is present, or that which may come out of
Spain, is answered thus:--

'We hold opinion, that with this troop of men which we have presently
with us in land service, being victualled and munitioned, we may well
keep the town, albeit that of men able to answer present service we have
not above 700. The residue, being some 150 men, by reason of their hurts
and sickness, are altogether unable to stand us in any stead: wherefore
hereupon the sea-captains are likewise to give their resolution, how
they will undertake the safety and service of the ships upon the arrival
of any Spanish fleet.'

THE SECOND point we make to be this, whether it be meet to go
presently homeward, or else to continue further trial of our fortune in
undertaking such like enterprises as we have done already, and thereby
to seek after that bountiful mass of treasure for recompense of our
travails, which was generally expected at our coming forth of England:
wherein we answer:--

'That it is well known how both we and the soldiers are entered into
this action as voluntary men, without any impress or gage from her
Majesty or anybody else. And forasmuch as we have hitherto discharged
the parts of honest men, so that now by the great blessing and favour of
our good God there have been taken three such notable towns, wherein
by the estimation of all men would have been found some very great
treasures, knowing that Santiago was the chief city of all the islands
and traffics thereabouts, St. Domingo the chief city of Hispaniola, and
the head government not only of that island, but also of Cuba, and of
all the islands about it, as also of such inhabitations of the firm
land, as were next unto it, and a place that is both magnificently built
and entertaineth great trades of merchandise; and now lastly the city of
Carthagena, which cannot be denied to be one of the chief places of most
especial importance to the Spaniard of all the cities which be on this
side of the West India: we do therefore consider, that since all these
cities, with their goods and prisoners taken in them, and the r