¶ The true and last discouerie of Florida
made by Captaine Iohn Ribault in the yeere
1562. Dedicated to a great noble man of Fraunce,
and translated into Englishe by one
Thomas Hackit.
Here as in the yeere of our Lorde God 1562. it pleased God to moue your honour, to choose and appoint vs, to discouer and view a certaine long coast of the West India, from the head of the lande called Laflorida, drawing towarde the North part, vnto the head of Britons, distant from the saide head of Laflorida 900. leagues, or there about: to the ende wee might certifie you & make true report of the temperature, fertilitie, Portes, Hauens, Riuers, and generally of all the commodities that bee seene and found in that lande, and also to learne what people were there dwelling, which thing you haue long time agoe desired, beeing stirred therevnto by this zeale: That Fraunce might one day through newe discoueries haue knowledge of strange Countries, and also thereof to receiue (by meanes of continuall trafficke) riche and inestimable commodities, as other nations haue done by taking in hand such farre nauigations, both to the honor and prowes of their kings and princes, & also to the encrease of great profite and vse to their common wealthes, countries & dominions, which is most of all wͭout cõparisõ to be considered & esteemed. It seemeth well yͭ yee haue been stirred hereunto euen of God aboue, & led to it by the hope & desire you haue that a number of brutishe people and ignorant of Iesus Christe, may by his grace come to some knowledge of his holy Lawes and Ordinaunces. So therefore it seemeth that it hath pleased God by his godly prouidence toreserue
