ing less, but
rather much more degenerate than in_ Europe. _The continual Peace they
have enjoyed in those parts, the defect of Military Discipline, and_
European _souldiers for their Commanders, much contributing hereunto.
But more especially, and above all other reasons, the very luxury of the
Soil and Riches, the extreme heat of those Countries, and influence of
the Stars being such, as totally inclineth their bodies unto an infinite
effeminacy and cowardize of minds._

_Unto these Reasons I shall only answer in brief. This History will
convince them to be manifestly false. For as to the continual Peace here
alleadged, we know that no Peace could ever be established_ beyond the
Line, _since the first possession of the_ West-Indies _by the_
Spaniards, _till the burning of_ Panama. _At that time, or few months
before_, Sir William Godolphin _by his prudent negotiation in quality of
Embassadour for our most Gracious Monarch, did conclude at_ Madrid _a
peace to be observed even_ beyond the Line, _and through the whole
extent of the Spanish Dominions in the_ West-Indies. _This transaction
gave the Spaniards new causes of complaints against our proceedings,
that no sooner a Peace had been established for those parts of_ America,
_but our forces had taken and burnt both_ Chagre, St. Catherine, _and_
Panama. _But our reply was convincing, That whereas eight or ten months
of time had been allowed by Articles for the publishing of the said
Peace through all the Dominions of both Monarchies in_ America, _those
Hostilities had been committed, not onely without orders from his
Majesty of_ England, _but also within the space of the said eight or ten
months of time. Until that time the Spanish Inhabitants of_ America
_being, as it were, in a perpetual War with_ Europe, _certain it is that
no Coasts nor Kingdoms in the World have been more frequently infested
nor alarm'd with the invasions of several Nations than theirs. Thus from
the very beginning of their Conquests in America, both_ English, French,
Dutch Portuguese, Swedes, Danes, _Curlanders, and all other nations that
navigate the_ Ocean, _have frequented the_ West-Indies, _and filled them
with their robberies and Assaults. From these occasions have they been
in continual watch and ward, and kept their_ Militia _in constant
exercise, as also their Garrisons pretty well provided and paid; as
fearing every sail they discovered at Sea, to be_ Pirats _of one Nation
or another. But