GOD hauing made your Highnes heire apparant to the multitude of Crownes , Estates and Countries , which the K. our soueraigne Lord Y.H. father possesseth , so diuersly occupying a good parte in Europe , and so mighty in America , East Indies , the new world , it is very likely , and forceable in mans reason , that Y.H. shall enter into many Warrs by sea and land , either in conquering , * * Guiltilio foreseene , most being in deed vniustlie vsurped , and all tyrannicallie ouerruled . or defending . Togeather with which , the successes and chaunces of the world breeding differences , which ordinarily falleth out beetwene Kings , Common wealths , and Catholike Potentates , muste needes lye awakened : And albeit your qualitie may require to appease them with armes , yet is Y.H. carefully to looke that you make no vse of them , before you stand desperate of anie other meanes of negotiation or agreement , in respect of the great damage which in imbrewing your sword in blood among Christian Kings may redound to the * * A Christian consideration , if you meane it as the Apostle doth , Rom. 1. ver. 8. Romane Apostolike Church , hindring thereby the increase of our Catholicque faith , besides giuing occasion to infidells and hereticques , by not seeing the Catholicque forces vnited , to inuade their kingdomes and territories .

This consideration is accompanied with another fit for Kings , Princes and Gouernours , A consideration for Kings . often to laye before their eies , which is that our Lord cannot bee better serued then in time of peace , nor contrariwise more offended then in warre . A matter which with my self oftentimes meditating , hath made me to knowe howe artificially the deuill hath practised to make Kinges beleeue , that it best beseemeth their greatnes and power to make warr vpon credit , perswading them howe easily by that course they may vndertake many , whereby increaseth sinnes and offences when the souldier is left vnpaide . A pointe which spoyleth Generals and Heades of Armies , causing them cleane to losen the raine of obedience & good discipline , in yeelding liberty to extortions , robberies , forces , and mutines , which is to multiplie sinnes besides those which a warre necessarily draweth with it , through the freedome , which they giue to such as follow them .

In case that such differences among Kings and catholike Potentates shal fall out betwene any Princes about whom Y.H. shall hold any resident Embassador , A point to be obserued by Embassadours . he is to obserue , acquainting himself with the demaundes & answeres the treaties , if the Embassador runne not only a course for manage of his affaires , but be besides a souldior of courage : for that question beeing of matters out of which breach of armes is likely to arise , it is very conuenient they should passe through the handes of such , as will not bee moued with ambiguous speches , which Princes & their ministers vse in like occasions to aduantage their partie and negotiation , nor yet with the demonstrations which they make of the leauies of men , to countenance themselues with , esteeming it the surest foundation they haue . And likewise if he haue followed the warres , that he be able to ballance matters in such a maner , as he may aduise Y.H. at an inch , of all such preuentions as are fit to bee vsed , and not to abridge him in the end of his instructions , without sending speedily vnto him , which onlie serueth to leauie men to your expence and hinderance . Neither must hee yeeld credit too much to the faire wordes giuen him ( when by workes they are not confirmed ) least Y.H. growe careles , and at such time as necessitie shall require stand vnprouided : In respect whereof Y.H. is to giue order ( your Embassador not being such a one as hath followed the warrs ) that some such as hath , may be sent in his companie , to assist him ioyntly in this his negotiation , seeking if it shal-bee necessarie , otherwise to color him , wherof there will neuer bee cause wanting among Kings , nor to withdrawe an Embassador , when matters shall affoord to be handled , but in the handes of one , all such as by coniecture are to entreate of their affaires wel hauing to vnderstand , that by no meanes they binde their Kinge , or make shewe of his power & force , if it be not that occasion require it , wherby they preserue reputation , whose foundation is workes not wordes , with which is very small maintenance . Qualitie incident to kings . And for that it is a qualitie incident to Kings , that they cannot bee forced either to affect or dislike , and so not to suffer themselues oftentimes to bee perswaded to that which is conuenient for them , therby running headlong into all sortes of miseries which may be seene , Y.H. must lende eares of obedience to the * * Surely men of rare iudgment , and profitable to the k. seruice , if their manor and successe of councels be looked into Diuines , who are to approue whether your cause bee iust or no , so that they bee such personages for their much learning and example of life , as Y.H. is to chuse for the resolution of a matter of so great moment , it beeing one of the greatest pledges of a Kings wisdome to be able to knowe such among his vassalls and seruantes as may be fittest for him to harken to their iudgement and opinion , according to such matters as they knowe , and profession which they haue made therein .

Y.H. is in like sorte to giue hearing , voide of passion to your Councellours of Cape and sworde , when they shall represent vnto you , that for the defence of your Kingdomes ( an estimation of greatnes and reputation ) it is requisite to take armes , without leauing only to your owne opinion , caried with the heate of age & greatnes of minde , which is to bee thought God gaue vnto Kinges the day when he sent them into the world with like vocation , for that the only tearme of their bringing vp could not bee sufficient to inlarge them , or to make them confidently imbrace some glorious enterprise or other , notwitstanding that it carrie multitudes of difficulties therewith .

Y.H. standing fully assured by the Diuines , that your demaunde is iust , according to the lawe of God & man , and that it is wisedome to mainteyne it by armes and stronge hand , may then vnder those two pointes hope for a good succor and victorie , and euill in any other sort . But say that God hath graunted victory to many , which haue vniustly fought , it hath bin through his secrete iudgments , and as far as mans reason may conceyue , to serue himself of them , as of a scourge , chastning those which forget to serue him , & to glorifie him , in paiement of benefites receyued , such as to bestowe the light of faith , knowledge of his inuincible veritie , and promise of the greatnes of rewardes , which may be expected of his bountifull and powerfull hand , to all those which keepe his commaundements , How much more are you which knowe this , and do contrary , to bee beaten &c. which for no cause in the earth ought to be broke , howe much more then to be obserued in warre , being a flashe of lightning of our Lordes wrath , and the charge not able to bee expressed , which a King taketh vpon himself if he make it for any other motiue or end , then the pure honor and glory of God , What obligation Kings doe enter into . defence of his Kingdomes , and conseruation in them of our holy Catholicque faith , fulfillinge in this the obligation which God hath laide vpon them , that those soules should not be lost , ouer whom he hath made them * * ( Caudillo ) your self by this acknowledgeth the Supremacie which Kinges vnder God hold in the church . Captaines on the earth , and administrators of his Iustice , which is not enough , although they haue all they can desire in the world , to make Kings know when a warre shall end , though they stand sure of the beginning thereof . I do not leaue to knowe that I haue bin tedious in the points which I haue touched , but the greatnes of the profit which may be taken out thereof , will make me blameles with Y. H. Christian pietie beeing as great a pledge and assurance of our actions in this life , as is in buildinges the firmenes of a sure foundation .

Y.H. standing resolued to take armes , making warres by lande or sea , it must of force be offensiue or defensiue , Two manors of war being the two blankes for all warlicke eyes to ayme at , leauing the one for the other , as occasions and successes of times , which draw with them the vnconstancie of matters of this life , shall afoord . The first thing which Y.H. is to looke vnto , is to commaund your Councellers & officers of your excheker , that they certifie you the estate thereof , what readie money you haue , and the places where your rentes be to be paide , to knowe if it be possible ( necessitie so requiring it ) howe you may take them vp * * A Councelor at wars in Spaine , & an Embassador of sundrie employmentes , settinge this downe for aduise to his Prince , belike beleeueth not ouer much in the Indian treasure . before hand : consigning them to Marchants : the meanes which may be to rayse a greater summe , without greeuing your subiects , so as the Countries be able with their substance , and they with their wealth , to doe greater seruice to their Prince then ordinarie ; for which Y.H. is to yeelde manie thanks to our Lord , holding yours so affectionate , & your kingdomes and estates so * * More barenes then in the kingdoms which the k. of Castill doth holde by right , can hardly bee found in Europe , or few or soldados de pecho at his owne home . fruitfull , and powerfull , as that you need not stand in feare of what other kings doe , in respect of the barenes and pouertie of their landes , who confort them selues , that they are only able to defend at home their owne houses if they be sought out , & liue in the same scantnes , in which they were first nourished , * * Belike somwhat sticketh in your mawe , since you solemlie gaue thankes to our Lady and saint Christo in nostre Dame church in Paris , for a mistaken victorie 1588. and shameles vntrueth told by you to the late worthie K. H. 3. who bid you returne againe the next day , without yeelding any credit to the reporte , babtizing it for a greatnes , if they can holde a title to haue preserued them selues a while .

Of all the meanes and expedients which Princes haue to furnish themselues with mony , I find none in my iudgment of more efficacie , or mildnesse , then to haue helde before a forme of gouuernement in such sort , as for pure honor , & opinion thereof , the vassals may be brought to spend their wealth in the seruice of their prince , and not altogither vppon their owne profit . Because men , to attaine to that , will naturally plucke out their owne bowells , and will not adventure themselues in the other , except they may see a present gaine before their eyes , for that honour stirreth them vp to a kinde of envie , and Competitorship one against an other , who shall attaine to it , and so doeth litle or nothinge at all profit . This will be compassed with greater facilitie , if you doe but marke that the care is not lesse which men take in getting of wealth , then it is in studying to imploy it as soone as it is gotten . In respect of which it were to bee wished , the old custome mought be kept , a matter of great estimation , that subiects in their provinces should be drawn to employe the substance of their wealth , in that which mought proue geatest seruice to the Prince , & benefite of the publike weale of the Realme , as that such as haue wher with , should finde armor , men , and horsse : accustoming them selues in the exercise thereof , out of which there redoundeth a greater interest to the conseruation of the state , then out of riche furniture , and moveables .

A Princes greatnes , to haue their subiects trained & furnished for the wars . Albeit sundrie are of opinion , that it may breede much inconuenience to Princes , to trayne their vassalls in readinesse of warre : I answere , that if they be loyall , it is a much more greatnes and power in Princes , to commaund ouer such subiectes , other Princes and Potentates standing in feare of the like qualitie , and when God shall withdrawe his hande , and blinde them for their sinnes , not to become such , yet traytors leaue not to be powerfull , albeit they be not armed , able to force if altogither agree in the same attempte , A right Spanish similie , out of their theorique & practise deriued . As in a monasterie where are thirtie Friars , and one Warden or Prior , albeit they haue not Harquebuzes , Caliuers , or pykes , yet as often as they wil ioyne togither , or the maior part of them , to force their superior , that hee binde them not to goe to matynes , or deliuer them the key of the gate , they wil be able to execute it , without being anie impediment at all vnto them their being vnarmed . But if kinges administer iustice to their vassalls , preseruing them in reast & quiet , Securitie of Princes , and libertie of vassalls . this is the greatest securitie that can arise to princes , and libertie to vassalls , whereby no change can be occasioned among the well disposed , the contrarie being ordinarilie coueted by all the rest , which are not contented with their owne estate .

Whereas I haue touched armes and horsses , Consideration for augmentation of things , accordinge to the qualitie of the kingdome . I meane it not as a generall rule in all prouinces , for that in each one the qualitie thereof is to be considered , and what the inclination of the people and common wealth requireth most , and in this sorte it shal be fitt in some one to increase nauigation , if they be prouinces bordering on the sea coste , occupation , traficke , and trade of marchandize in other : & in other husbandrie and heards of cattell . Whereby the prince may be able to keepe his ordinarie garisons & men of warre , with the pay and entertaynement , arising out of the rentes thereof . And the people of the prouince thorough their occupations in being set aworke in some of these things , shall thereby augment their substance in particular , which is to mainteyne a publique and generall , besides that thereby redoundeth a great ritches vnto princes when their vassalls be thus possessed . Point of gouernement . Of whom if they be to require extraordinarie seruices , they must looke that they rayse it out of that which each citie or prouince hath in most aboundance : because not feelinge the want thereof so much as of other things , it will be graunted with much more will and readines .

Y.H. is to take great heede , How much ready mony importeth . that you be well assured of a good banke of money , being that which giueth moouing to armes and feates of warre , as sinowes doe to liuing bodies : whereby such as holde much brawne and flesh , are accounted sluggie , and slothfull , and contrariewise the sinewie ones most light and nimble , wherevppon the olde auncientes were wont to say , Why money is called the sinewe of warre . El dinero el nieruo de la guerra , which continuall experience proueth : as albeit we see at home multitudes of people which ioyned togither , will make the body of an armie , yet when of force they must be diuided to vse them abroad , in a moment they dissolue , except there be money ready , without being possible to vnite them againe togither , their force otherwise beeing only in appearance , & in effect nothing . This maketh me say , that the last crowne will alwayes be the conqueror , because he which hath money to pay , wil alwayes be able to holde togither his Armie : his souldiors being in such sorte thereby relieued , is that onely which so easilie bringeth to passe good succes , and enterprises , howe soeuer the vndertaking of them out of season may breed difficultie . A point which bindeth to frame your forces accordinge to your money , as often as you shall haue occasion to warre with them , and to thinke that kinges in theirs are limited , howe powerfull so euer they be , and God only without .

Y.H. holding your prouision of money assuredly in readines to pay your men , which I thinke wil be sufficient , hauing euer one yeares leuie ( in which time a princes force in warres may very well be perceyued ) must ioyne therevnto your Generall , Captaines , and Councelours , such as may be souldiors , Who are to manage matters of warre . without suffering this matter to be managed by any other , then such as hath followed the warrs , moued with this reason , which is , that howe considerate , skilfull , or wise soeuer a man be , if he would haue a paire of hose made him of Karsey , he will not goe about to cut it , vntill the Taylor come and bringeth his sheres , because it is his office to cutt out the stuffe with least wast : so as well in warre , for want of some litle matter of mony , there may depende a no lesse consequence thereof a kingdome , men , honor , and life of all .

And albeit that most persons will talke of warr , although they neuer practized it , I finde no better reason so fitt to excuse them , as that the exercise of it is only proper to men , who think they degenerate out of their kinde , except they be able to discourse thereof : which firste occasioned the prouerbe , howe Armes bred Nobilitie , as peace sciences , Armes bred nobilitie . remembring the mariadge betwene Iupiter Sauior , Mariadg of Iupiter Sauior . and Pitarchia , which signifieth obedience , out of which mach Felicitie was borne , as out of the mother of Mars , were Ignorance , Famine , and Pestilence , which were giuen to him for sisters .

For that it is requisite in all things , The councelors are to be made acquainted with the motiue of the warre . first to set downe the principall end , and afterwards the meanes which maketh it feazable to be attained , which can hardly be done without the knowledge thereof , firste , Y.H. is to signifie vnto those personages , which I haue mocioned , the disseyne which you purpose , for your taking armes by sea or lande : commanding them to aduise of the number of your shipps , artillerie , munition , foote & horsse , which you are to presse out of your aydes & garisons , or to leauy a new for the composition of your Armie : which before they frame or lodge , they are to set down in comon the considerations , which they suppose necessarie ( according to the manner of the warres ) to doe it with more exquisitnes , being able with them , as generall rules , to come more distinctly to intreate of what is fit particularlie to be handled , as cause shal be offered , and the present time require .

Y.H. going about to conquere * * General considerations for to moue warr . a kingdome , state , countrey , or part of any such , which is the * * Better teach him by clemencie and pietie to recouer such his graundfathers territories as his father hath loste , before he ouerbusie himself with other . most secure warre for Princes , being voluntarie , and not of force as a defensiue is , * * Especially where treasure is still exhasted vpon false alaromes , which proueth onely action and charge to defendants to preuent what was neuer ment , of whiche none can haue greater proofe then her sacred Maje . whose powerfull generals found 6000. of your Gallants at your owne home but Galinas . giuing respite for your prouisions to be made in time , and layd in at the best season , is to be held a naturall matter in all sort of men , how much more , in kings the desire of a conquest , which a Prince vndertaking , is worthie of much commendation , though not to be reprehended , if he attempt not like enterprises , for many reasons which they ordinarilie haue , wherwith to be able to excuse them selues : when a conquest is vndertaken without conuenient force to performe it , not only the people blameth him , but he committeth besides sundrie errors which causeth great inconueniences , * * As to your cost your experience of 1588. tried : when the councel of Pedro de Valdes was of more credit , then the Marquise of Santacruz . and who so councelleth him thereto vnder colour to make him more powerfull , procureth his ruine , & that councell is a prince to holde suspitious , where the conquest is not accommodated to the proportion of his forces , which althogh he hold great , such as the season and time may thinke conuenient for the entreprise , yet is it to be considered , whether it be fitter to mooue warre to another king , or to stay vntill he breake first , comparing the enimies forces with his owne , & whether it be better to haue many ioyne in league with him in making of the warre , or to vndertake it alone . Prouided that Kinges alwayes carrie them selues in like occasions , without being ouerled with their owne liking and passion , which seldom times councellors can temper , besides that when for their owne sake they will not tell any lyes vnto their prince , yet will they all shun to discontent him , euery one mooued with care of him selfe , which causeth many truthes to bee kept silent . Moreouer they must consider the qualitie of the kingdome which you attempt , what is the temperature , climate , and distance thereof , whether mountaynous or playne , dry or many riuers and woods , fertill , abundant , well peopled , or not : any store of townes , or Cities : whether those they haue be compassed about with any better defence then ordinarie walles , which they call Casamuros , what * * Of sundrie Englishe subiects ( before they knew you of good worth & vertue ) haue you ben cause of cast away , thorough your exquisitnes of traiterous espials and practises whose blood will one day lie heauie on your soule , when no mortuary nor dirge shall or can help you . entries or hauens they haue able to lande an hoste or armie , with great exquisitenes still searchinge out the disposition therof : and whether they be fortified : in what maner , whether onely the crabbednes of the stite bread , difficultie , or sterilitie of the countrey about ( a meanes which some haue vsed to stopp inuasions into their kingdomes and Prouinces , not manuring the frontieres thereof , but making them lye wast ) whether it be a nation giuen to warr , able to endure all kinde of labor , or louers of their owne ease and quiet , which many times the composition of their bodies may occasion , for the smal vigor is in them , enclining of them selues to ease , other through their euill education liuing in ydelnes : whether they holde military forme in generall , or some garisons and ordinarie bandes , of more power in cauallerie or fanterie , or contrariwise . Likewise , whether they haue any quantitie of Shipps readie armed for defence thereof : if it be an Yland , or border much along the sea coste : whether the gouernement therof be caried in forme of a Democracie , which is , Definicion of Democracie . Aristocracie when all the people in common , or the maior part of them hold souueraingtie and commaund , or Aristocracie , when a lesser part of the people holde of one bodie within it selfe empire , & power , giuing lawes to the more sorte of the rest in generall , or particular : or Monarchie , which they tearme Royal Senorie , the Prince hauing iustlie conquered it , Monarchie . becomming Lord of their persons and goods , vnder which he may be able to gouerne them with equitie , & yeelding vnto them libertie , with putting them in possession and proprietie of their goods , from an absolute Lorde establisheth then to him selfe the gouuernement of a Royal Monarchie : whether the Monarch or king be electiue , and if his authoritie consiste more in the body and voice of his Prelates , Nobles , & cities of the kingdome , then of his royal person , not being able to vse discipline , enacte lawes , or impose tributes or fynes , without consent of the members of his kingdome , remayning in the Court : whether it come to him by succession , or gayned by mariadge , or right of inheritance : what the age of the king is in possession : what talent and partes God hath giuen vnto him : howe he vseth them : what heires he hath , and whether he bring them vp , alowing them a hande in gouernement , or farre from him for suspition : of what qualitie his officers be , which he retayneth about his person to assist him in gouuernement , and howe farre he yeeldeth vnto them : whether he accounte of Souldiers and men of warre , for affection hee beareth therevnto , or onely for necessitie , hauing among them any personages of experience and valour : whether he be more beloued or feared of his vassalls , in what sorte his rentes ariseth , the summe and quantitie thereof : whether hee bee able to augment them more , if he holde them free or charged with such assignations as he shall haue giuen or solde vpon them : if he be gouerned by any Tutor or protector , through the minoritie of his age , or want of understanding : whether there be any Gouernor , either through the kings being taken prisoner , or for distancie from the state , where the Prince , Gouernor , or Captaine general resideth : whether that Kingdome or Countrey be from before time with other fallen vnto him , or since the King or Prince enioyed it : whether the leagues he holdeth be onely personall or successiue , to his heires : finally , whether the disposition of that kingdome or state be of such a sorte , as draweth the bordering Princes , albeit they are not confederate with it , not to suffer that any more powerfull shall enioy it , for the difficultie and feare of greatnes , looking the more narrowlie thereinto , A naturall born Prince alwayes better beloued then a stranger . for the conseruation of their owne estate .

Out of these considerations which I haue set downe , Y. H. may be able to serue your turne , in compassing such forces as your armie shall neede : marking that alwayes a naturall Prince holdeth a greater pledge of beeing beloued , then a straunger , if his extremitie of vice doe not cause his vassalls to abhorre him . Therefore in the continuance of a long gouuernement , many occasions & causes of noueltie are withdrawne and remoued , which the chance of an Empire draweth with it : the one opening the dore to the other , as one building the frame and workemanship of an other : for this cause a conquest is seldom times effected , without hauing some intelligence with them of the kingdome or state , being an enterprise of greatest daunger , to enter warre within a countrie , of which you shall hold no further knowledge then what you must be fayne to take by force and armes : the which extreemely delayeth the proceeding thereof , a matter which can not be auoyded , vntill you finde your selfe so farre within the Countrey , as the people for loue of their owne houses , and impossibilitie which they see in maintayning of their wifes and children without them , constrayne them selues to suffer the yoke , in seeking to please those , which impose it vpon them . And likewise , the most ordinarie way is to entertayne speach before with some whom you may perceyue discontented with the Prince , Causes breeding discontent towards Kinges and Princes . through his want of vnderstanding , vicious customes , euill gouuernement , naughtie administration of iustice , and choise of ministers , which engendereth partialities : losse of wealth , or couetousnesse in procuring of it : oppressions and greeuances without reason , which maketh honorable heartes to growe desperate , resenting more an iniurie then death , except the feare of God , The loyalty of subiects admitteth , of no conditions . and obligation of a subiect ( which is not in any wise to admitt of any condition to make him faltar in the loyaltie which he oweth ) restrayne them : or that Kinges refrayne their appetites and passions , considering it is with their owne subiectes .

Besides this , another cause manie times stirreth vp subiectes to intend nouelties , * * Yow put a good and a fit case for their owne home to be instance : where to your vsurped estates a right heire can not be : and to your hereditarie Su Alteza may not think to run so cleare away with that : priests dispensations being but a mockery to contradict the direct ordinance of Iehoua , according to your owne censure pag. your Princes like Conies still incestuously counterlyuinge , with their nearest of tribe and consanguinitie . and that is when their Prince hath no heire , and there be diuers pretendours to the succession , which some will aspire , making great shewe of the sufficiencie of their partie to obteyne it : and other more ambitious , founding them selues vpon the authoritie and trayne they cary assay the ayde of neighbour Princes , to be able to possesse them selues of the commaunde , vnder such profites or Townes as they can offer vnto them : diuers likewise are the readier , finding them selues in necessitie , hauing prodigallie wasted their substance , imagining that through want therof , they must needes decay in their credite and opinion , and then necessitie so mouing them , couer their ambition , vnder the title of libertie , vnder colour to remedy the publicke weale , their owen particuler being their principall end , & to destroy the generall , that with change they may bring their purpose about . Sometimes in like maner it falleth out , that there is either an estate or cities adioyning vnto the place attempted , whiche albeit they depend not thereon , the euill entreatie they haue receyued , may make them wishe that other might occupie the roome , offering themselues to their ayde , which is eftsoones also occasioned through feare , and a forced good will , for that they are not able to giue anie impediment therevnto .