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.