The well gouerned and prosperous voyage of M. James Lancaster begun with three ships and a galley-frigate from London, in October 1594, and intended for Fernambuck, the porte-towne of Olinda, in Brasil. In which voyage (besides the taking of nine and twenty ships and frigats) he surprized the sayd port-towne, being strongly fortified and manned; and held possession thereof thirty dayes together (notwithstanding many bolde assaults of the enemy, both by land and water), and also prouidently defeated their dangerous and almost ineuitable fire-works. Heere he found the cargazon or freight of a rich East Indian carack; which, together with great abundance of sugars, Brasil-wood, and cotton, he brought from thence; lading therewith fifteene sailes of tall ships and barks.

In September 1594, the worshipful! M. John Wats, Alderman; M. Paul Banning, Alderman; and others of worship in the City of London, victualled three good ships; to wit, the Consent, of the burthen of 240 tunnes or thereabout; the Salamon, of 170 tunnes; and the Virgin, of 60 tunnes: and appointed for commanders in this voyage M. James Lancaster, of London, gentleman, admirall of the fleet; M. Edmund Barker, of London, vice admirall; and M. John Audely, of Poplar, neere London, rere admirall, hauing in their sayd ships to the number of 275 men and boyes.

Being fully furnished with all needfull prouision, wee departed from Blackwall in October following, keeping our owne coast, vntill we came into the West Countrey, where we met with such gusts and stormes, that the Salomon spending her mast at the Range of Dartmouth, put into harbour; but by the earnest care and industry of the generail and others hauing charge, she was shortly againe prouided.