Raid on Cádiz
       Sir Francis Drake

      From aboard Her Majesty's good ship the Elizabeth-Bonaventure in very great haste, 27 April 1587

      Mr Foxe,

      Whereas we have had of late such happy sucess against the Spaniards, I do assure myself that you have faithfully remembered us in your good prayers, and therefore I have not forgotten briefly to make you partaker of the sum thereof.

      The 19th of April we arrived within Cádiz Road, where we found much shipping; but, among the rest, thirty two ships of exceeding great burthen, laden, and to be laden, with provision and prepared to furnish the King's Navy, intended with all speed against England; the which, when we had boarded and thereout furnished our ships with such provision as we thought sufficient, we burned; and, although for the space of two days and nights that we continued there we were still endangered, both with thundering shot from the town, and assaulted with the roaring canons of twelve galleys, we yet sunk two of them and one great argosy, and still avoided them with very small hurt so that at our departure we brought away four ships of provision, to the great terror of our enemies and honour to ourselves, as it might appear by a most courteous letter written and sent to me with a flag of truce by Don Pedro, general of the galleys.

      But whereas it is most certain that the King doth not only make speedy preparation in Spain, but likewise expecteth a very great fleet from the Straits and divers other places to join with his forces to invade England, we purpose to set apart all fear of danger, and by God's furtherance to proceed by all good means that we can devise to prevent their coming; wherefore I shall desire you to continue a faithful remembrancer of us in your prayers, that our present service may take that good effect as God may be glorified, his church, our Queen and country preserved, and the enemy of the truth utterly vanquished, that we may have continual peace in Israel.

      Your loving friend, and faithful son in Christ Jesus,
      FRANCIS DRAKE

      Camden Miscellany, (1830), V:30.