The following extracts from the correspondence between Zuñiga, the Spanish ambassador at London, and the King of Spain are taken from the documents printed in Brown's Genesis. These letters were usually in cypher. The translations, of course, are in modern English. Cf. American History and Government, § 24.
a. Zuñiga to the King of Spain; London, October 16, 1607
Those who urge the colonization of Virginia become every day more eager ... and before Nativity there will sail from here [London] and from Plymouth five or six ships. It will be serving God and Your Majesty to drive these villains out from there, hanging them.
[In this same letter, Zuñiga says that he has found a man to inform him of all the secret doings of the Council for Virginia; and, November 10, he advises that the Spanish "Windward fleet" be used at once to drive out the colonists. The Spanish Council at Madrid reported, however, that the fleet was not in state of preparation.]
[December 6.] As to Virginia, I hear that three or four other ships will return there. Will your Majesty give orders that measures be taken in time [to destroy the settlement]; because now it will be very easy, and quite difficult afterwards, when they have taken root; and if they are punished in the beginning, the result will be that no more will go there.
[December 22.] It appears that there will be more people there after Nativity than those I have written of. Wherefore Your Majesty will see how necessary it is to act with vigor and hasten the remedy.
[After reading these letters, the Spanish Council made the following record: "The Council says that having informed Your Majesty ... Your Majesty was pleased to command that there should be prepared whatever was necessary to drive out the people who are in Virginia." This report is indorsed by the King: "Not to let anyone know what is being done."
Similar matter is found in letters from Zuñiga under date of March 28, 1608; November 8, 1608.]
[March 5, 1609.] The Baron de Arundel [an English Catholic who had been a candidate for the governorship of Virginia, and who now apparently was playing traitor] offers to leave here whenever Your Majesty may command, under pretext of a voyage of discovery, and that in the Canaries or Porto Rico he will take on board the person Your Majesty will send, as a man fleeing out of Spain, and will carry him to Virginia, and instruct him as to ... the parts which the English hold ... and that soon he will tell Your Majesty by what means those people may be driven out without violence.[10] [But Zuñiga urges immediate and violent action, since King James is sure to acquiesce after the fact.] Hence Your Majesty will command that they be destroyed with the utmost possible promptness.