Autograph: Letter from Sir Francis Drake to William Cecil; Lord High Treasurer; informing him that the whole Spanish treasure from the Indies for the last year only escaped him by twelve hours; but that 'there is a very great gap opened; very little to the liking of the King of Spain'. Sir Francis Drake asks for £6000 in order to pay off the 'poorer sort' of men; in return for which bullion shall be sent. Letter written in Plymouth; on board the Elizabeth Bonaventure. 26 July; 1586. Signature: Sir Francis Drake. English sea captain; navigator and politician of the Elizabethan era; 1540 ? 27 January 1596. Source: British Museum.